Best Buy Massage Device
We compared 17 massage guns side by side. Rather than choose a singular best pick, we decided on five models that are likely to deliver a satisfying experience for people with different individual priorities. Our recommendations include massage guns for those willing to pay top dollar for a well-designed model that provides practical guidance via an app; people interested in a solid massage gun with a reach-friendly handle that offers good value at a decent price; those looking for a quieter, less-intense option with a wide range of attachments; massage fans who want a powerful pummeler and are willing to sacrifice style; and those seeking a simple, light massage gun that costs about $100.
best buy massage device
Most massage guns come with a variety of interchangeable attachments that allow you to target particular muscles or deliver a particular kind of massage. For instance, smaller, narrower attachments work well on areas like feet, hands, and calves; rounder, wider shapes work well on larger muscle groups such as quads, glutes, and hamstrings. Nearly all massage guns are relatively noisy and, depending on your level of sensitivity, fairly intense.
Nearly anyone can use a massage gun. One might appeal to you if you feel the effects of hunching over a phone or computer regularly or any other work-related aches and pains; if you face chronic tight spots, sore muscles, or other soft-tissue complaints; or if you simply love the sensation of a massage, a massage chair, or other massage-oriented gadgets.
Best for: Those willing to pay top dollar for a powerful, well-designed massage gun with an upscale feel. Anyone who appreciates some guidance should like it, too: The device is Bluetooth enabled, allowing you to pair it with your phone and follow guided programs via the companion app.
The B37 turns off automatically after 10 minutes of use, a measure that a customer service rep told us protects the motor from burnout in case the B37 is accidentally left running unattended. (You can start it back up immediately.) Considering the kinetic nature of massage guns, that scenario seems unlikely. But to check the integrity of the motor, we ran the device unattended for 15 minutes straight at various speeds and noticed just a slight bit of warmth.
Why we like it: Light and comfortable to hold, the HoMedics Therapist Select Percussion Massager offers three speeds, the fewest of our picks, topping out at 3,000 ppm. Its 7 mm amplitude is the lowest of our picks, too. In our tests, its overall effect was slightly more vibratory in comparison with that of our other picks, and overall it delivered a less-powerful massage than other devices we tried. But the experience was pleasant, and this massage gun does the job for significantly less than the Theragun Prime.
Weight and feel: We weighed each massage gun ourselves. Most of the models in our test group weighed about 2 pounds; how the weight was distributed on the device often made more of an impression than the number on the scale. We noted how each one felt in our hand, including how the length, diameter, shape, and material of the handle contributed to ergonomic comfort.
Battery: Depending on how often you use a massage gun, its battery can last for weeks on one charge. We paid attention to the overall promised battery life, noting whether a massage gun seemed to lose its charge earlier than promised. We also looked for a relatively obvious battery-level indicator on the device itself.
If you want a gentler massage and the option of using a handle with a longer-than-average reach: The Lyric Therapeutic Massager might appeal to you. Less a massage gun and more a handheld massager, it purports to use vibration frequencies packaged into various combinations of rhythms geared toward relaxation, energy, and calm. The Lyric has a sleek look (it is available in five colors) and weighs 1 pound (about half the weight of most of the massage guns we tested, and noticeably lighter). It comes with a handle extender, which in our tests proved helpful for reaching hard-to-access areas like the upper back and (from certain positions) the lower extremities. Its four interchangeable attachments are soft, and its massage style focuses more on the aforementioned rhythms and less on intensity. The Lyric requires a Wi-Fi connection, which allows it to update its built-in features and supplemental content (videos, for instance). It has a dock-style charging station.
This device may be small, but it sure is mighty. The Post loves the Theragun Mini, especially after testing it out ourselves in 2021. Its compact size makes it easy to take to work, the gym, or vacation. The mini massage gun still stands as a top massage device, thanks to its powerful percussive settings allowing you to precisely target muscles.
The PowerDot Duo is a serious game changer in pain management and care from the comfort of your own home. Sold in the TENS Unit and Muscle Stimulation section at Best Buy, the Therabody brand device comes with lightweight pods and sensors that easily attach to your body, pairing with the smartphone app to control the intensity and duration of treatments.
Massage guns provide percussive or vibration therapy, which is a type of massage that applies rapid bursts of pressure to muscle tissue. Percussive therapy helps increase blood flow to a hyper-targeted area, which can then help reduce inflammation and muscle tension, as well as begin to break up knots that may have formed in the muscle tissue due to stress or following a particularly intense workout.
Yes, massage guns can be harmful if they are used improperly. Most experts recommend massaging a specific area for no more than two minutes at a time, and it's important to massage soft muscle tissue exclusively. Avoid using a massage gun on bone, tendons, ligaments, and the trunk of your neck (near your carotid arteries).
It's also best to avoid using a massage gun on existing wounds and injuries, as the additional blood flow can exacerbate that inflammation rather than alleviate it. Remember: A sore muscle is not the same as a strained, pulled, or torn muscle.
It depends on the type of massage you're after. Big round head attachments are typically used on larger muscle groups like the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Its larger surface area makes it more efficient on these larger targets. Meanwhile, a small round head attachment is a great all-around pick that works well across the body.
Some massage guns come with a flat head attachment, which works better on smaller surface area targets, such as between the shoulder blades and along the length of the IT bands. A flat head is particularly helpful on denser muscles.
To avoid injury, refrain from using massage guns on bones, tendons, ligaments, and the trunk of your neck. Using a massage gun on parts of the body that aren't soft muscle tissue could lead to inflammation, pain, or even nerve damage and torn tendons in some cases. It's important to learn how to use a massage gun properly before starting your percussive therapy journey. If you are experiencing joint pain, injury, acute muscle pain, or other musculoskeletal disorders, make sure to get clearance from your doctor before using a massage gun.
The price of a massage gun ranges quite widely. You can expect to pay between $70-$599 for a quality massage gun. Cheaper options tend to be good for entry-level users who are testing out a massage gun for the first time, but may not be as durable as other, more expensive options. Those looking for higher stall force and longer-lasting battery life will likely have to shell out more than $200. The cheapest massage gun on our list is available for less than $80, while our top recommendation, the Opove Apex Massage Gun was $250 when we published this list.
Imtiyaz S, Veqar Z, Shareef MY. To compare the effect of vibration therapy and massage in prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(1):133-136. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/7294.3971
Imtiyaz S, Veqar Z, Shareef MY. To compare the effect of vibration therapy and massage in prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(1):133-6. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/7294.3971
With rotating massage nodes and a heat function for enhanced relief, the Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager works out the tension just about anywhere on your body. We also like the DEER JUMP Massage Ball Kit for an affordable option that travels easily.
For anyone experiencing back or neck stiffness, Xyllion's Shiatsu Massager (view at Amazon) is an easy-to-use pick that will tackle kinks and stiffness with the press of a button. Using reverse-rotating nodes, the massager provides the same benefits as a spa deep tissue massage. It also includes a heat function for even more relief for sore muscles.
If you're willing to make an investment, the Theragun Pro (view at Amazon) checks all of the boxes. The splurge-worthy pick makes it easy for you to squeeze in massage sessions no matter where you are without disturbing those around you.
If you're pregnant, it's best to first discuss with your healthcare provider whether it's safe to use a massager. A massager is not recommended for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies or certain pre-existing conditions.
If your massager is consistently causing you pain or discomfort, you might want to try a different model. For example, if a percussive therapy massager is feeling too intense, a vibration therapy or manual massager could be a better fit.
Rodrigues Oliveria F, Visnardi Goncalves LC, Rocha Ventura da Silva LG, et al. Evaluation of massage therapy program on cortisol, serotonin levels, pain, perceived stress and quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome patients. Physiotherapy. 2015;101:e1666-e1667. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.065
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