Best Massage Guns In 2025: My Ultimate Ranking
- Megan MacGregor
- Jul 18, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Mar 31
I’ve tested the most popular massage guns on the market, so I speak from experience when I say that each of the following will decrease muscle pain and reduce inflammation. Here’s my ultimate ranking.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. TOLOCO - Deep Tissue Massager for Athletes
Highlight: Ideal for athletes and batteries lasts six straight hours without stopping.
Helpful review: After some serious research and lots of calls to my doctor, my physiotherapist finally suggested I try a percussion massage gun to help with my tight calves and shoulders. But honestly, spending three hundred bucks or more on a Theragun seemed ridiculous.
So I tried another route. First, I bought the Sharper Image Pro massager from Costco for around a hundred. It was okay but pretty noisy. Then, I stumbled upon the TOLOCO Pro when I was skimming Amazon and honestly I decided to just give it a whirl. Its regular price is comparable to the SIP, and they both offer similar features, so, I thought why not? It was worth comparing the two.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
The TOLOCO is about the same size as the Sharper Image, although the handle on the TOLOCO is a bit thicker. They weigh roughly the same, which shouldn't be an issue for athletes or the average person. However, if you have small hands or conditions affecting your grip or arm strength, you might need someone to help with the massage.
BUILD QUALITY:
The TOLOCO feels well-made with no loose parts. It has a colored ring that lights up when powered on, and the display on the back is bright and easy to read. The SIP also feels solid and has a nice metallic finish, but the TOLOCO’s build is equally impressive. The small height differences between some surfaces on the TOLOCO are purely cosmetic and don't affect performance.
PERFORMANCE:
The TOLOCO really shines here. It's much quieter than the SIP, which gets louder as you increase the power. The TOLOCO is quiet even at its highest setting, deserving the term whisper quiet” more than the SIP. Both devices emit a low, high-frequency noise from the display when idle, but this is negligible since you're supposed to turn off the device when not in use. In terms of adjustability, the TOLOCO offers twenty settings compared to the SIP's six, providing more control over your massage. The TOLOCO's max RPM is around 3200, and it seems to have a higher range of motion, which is essential for reaching deeper tissue. The SIP doesn't really specify its motor power or range of motion, but the TOLOCO appears to have a slight edge.
BATTERY:
I should first start with saying that both devices advertise a battery around 2500mAh. I haven't used either near long enough to drain the battery, but using the TOLOCO for the amount of recommended ten minutes barely affects the battery level, which is awesome if you ask me. Both devices suggest limiting sessions to 10 minutes to prevent overworking your muscles and to allow the motor to cool down. The TOLOCO has an auto-shutoff feature after 10 minutes, which is great for protecting the device. I'm not sure if the SIP has this feature, as it wasn't mentioned in the manual.
ACCESSORIES:
The SIP comes with six massage heads, but the TOLOCO on the other hand includes fifteen, and let’s be real, everyone likes having more options. The SIP tries to make up for it with two soft ball heads, while the TOLOCO has only one, but I prefer more variety. Both devices come with carrying bags and smaller cases for the heads. The TOLOCO's user manual is detailed and informative, unlike the other one’s minimal manual. If you're new to percussion guns, I recommend watching some online tutorials, but you can start using the device right away by pointing it at your muscles for a soothing experience.
Overall, I think you can see where I’m going with this. The TOLOCO is a fantastic device, offering advantages over the SIP. I've only used both devices for a few days as I wanted to write this review, mainly because I’m planning on returning the SIP to Costco. I'll update this review after a few months of use to share how it holds up. — Matt Kelley
Get it from Amazon now: $59.99 & FREE Returns
2. Hyperice - Quiet Glide Percussion Massage Gun
Highlight: Charge can last between eight to fifteen hours.
Helpful review: This was my first percussion massager, and I’m wondering why it took me so long to go for it.. I saw it on Prime Day and thought it was a pretty good deal compared to some of the more well-known brands. Both my wife and I really like to use it. We thought we lost our old massager, so we bought this as a replacement. It's honestly an upgraded version of our previous one. It's durable, not too heavy, and has a digital speed control, which I like better than the last one we used.
I mainly got this to help with muscle issues following a car accident, but my wife just likes to use it to unwind at night. My wife and I like the different attachments and speeds. I prefer deep tissue, and she likes a softer rub. The instructions could be more detailed, but trial and error helped us figure it out. After proper use, it helps with discomfort and pain. Highly recommended, but look up usage methods if you're a first-time user.
I’ve had it go missing a few times, and that’s because as it turns out my son is just as obsessed with it. My son uses it for football, and I use it after knee surgery.
The only thing about this is that it shuts off after ten minutes for a cool-down break, but it doesn’t bother me that much. I'm not sure about its longevity since we've only had it a week, but so far everyone in our family seems to be a huge fan. The battery size doesn’t seem like it will be likely to support the eight to fifteen hours that are advertised, but I haven't tested it from full to empty yet.
It has a lot of interchangeable heads, which I really like, and unlike other models, I’ve found that I actually use them instead of just sticking to one, it seems like each of them have their own purpose. It has glitched a few times, dying at like forty percent battery, but that was after my son played around with it, so maybe it was on him. Either way, it seems like recharging fixes it. I prefer keeping it over replacing it. I think if I needed another, I'd definitely pick this one again. Overall, it performs as expected, and I'm happy with my purchase, if anything I may have to buy more so my wife and son stop stealing it when I need it! I'll update if anything changes. — Zachary Bodack
Get it from Amazon now: $199.99 & FREE Returns
3. RENPHO - Active Electric Massage Gun
Highlight: Lightweight at only 1.5lbs.
Helpful review: I've been hitting the gym all my life and never bought into the idea that foam rollers and post-workout massages actually help. Yeah, I’m stubborn, if you can’t tell haha. Soreness meant my workout was effective–duh! But then I hit the dreaded 40s, and lo and behold, soreness sticks around longer and those gains? Yeah, they’re harder to come by. Not fun.
A gym buddy mentioned 'massage guns' years ago, and I put that in quotes because it honestly sounded like a gimmick lol. Less soreness, quicker recovery, and faster gains? Yeah, right. I tried one in a store, and for over six hundred bucks, it just felt like an expensive massage, one where I had to do all the work.
Over the years, I read about their benefits but couldn't justify the cost. However, I decided to keep checking for sales and when prices dropped and some good options emerged for around a hundred, I thought why not? I remembered RENPHO from a scale I bought that measures weight, bone mass, BMI, among some other stuff. It was the best value, and this massage gun is no different.
First, this isn't for a relaxing back rub. Trust me lol. Like any good massage, it can hurt but in a surprisingly effective way, breaking up scar tissue, releasing lymphatic fluid, boosting blood flow, and interrupting pain signals. Use it for two minutes per muscle group, not fifteen to thirty minutes like a relaxing massager.
This device is really great for trainers and physical therapists. It has a handy case for appointments. It's not ideal for solo use on your upper back, lower back, triceps, glutes, rear delts, and hams unless you have really stretchy arms. You'll need help from a partner or friend. Offer to use it on them in return.
So, how does it work? There are many online videos, but know your gun tips: Flat head for most body parts, bullet for severe areas, trigger points, and thick soles of feet. The round head is for large muscles, and the ridge head is for the spine and surrounding muscles. Start with a low speed to avoid hitting bone, which can hurt.
Make sure to fully charge it before the first use. Subsequent uses depend on the initial charge. It's sturdy, heavy, and strong. The case is good-looking and keeps everything together.
Final thoughts? If you work out or have chronic pain like sciatica, you’ll need this, trust me. Even if you think you don’t, that pain is gonna hit you sooner than you think as you age. These used to be six hundred, but now you can get a portable, cordless, rechargeable massage gun for under a hundred, so that’s worth it in my mind. You'll need a friend to help you use it for your back, but I highly double they’ll mind as long as you use it on them too haha. It's not for long, relaxing sessions but is a valuable tool for pain and recovery. Overall, I’m a believer now. — Allen Porter
Get it from Amazon now: $109.99 & FREE Returns
4. AERLANG - Muscle Massage Gun with 20 Speeds
Highlight: Twenty speeds, plus high definition LCD touch screen.
Helpful review: I own a Hypervolt massage gun but wanted something for travel, so I bought this one because it came with a case I could use for traveling. If I lost it on a trip, it wouldn't be a big deal. It ended up coming sooner than expected, and was on my porch by 10Am. I had terrible back pain and with it already mostly charged, I decided to give it a whirl and used it right away. It didn't eliminate my pain completely but made it manageable. It comes with several attachments and a detailed book on how to use them, which is pretty cool. The price is also a nice plus.
It works as expected, but I can tell the difference from the Hypervolt. I can't press as hard with this one without slowing the motor. My Hypervolt can handle more pressure. This is fine for occasional trips but not for regular use at home. The battery life is decent, maybe a third of the Hypervolt's, but still one to three hours before needing a recharge.
I ended up buying another one for my sister, and she called to thank me personally. She usually just sends me a quick text, but this time she called, which kinda surprised me haha. She loves it, and my sister isn’t one to say that about just anything. She did say that it’s too early to rate the battery life, but similar to my opinion she think it’s going to get the job done based on its quality.
If it doesn't, I'll update this review, but she doesn't think that'll be necessary. Overall, I’m really happy with this purchase, and considering I can travel with it, I’m definitely keeping it, and I’ll update if I end up using it more than my Hypervolt. So far, so good though! — Kory Tiffany
Get it from Amazon now: $29.99 & FREE Returns
5. Elefor - Percussion Back Massager with 10 Massage Heads
Highlight: Portable with ten massage heads and yet super-quiet.
Helpful review: I've had Bell's Palsy, but still play tennis, and I love to use this before and after workouts. I bought this to replace my two hundred ProlLX, which only lasted like five minutes and produced twenty percent power. This new one–wow, what a difference. It was already charged eighty percent straight out of the box, so I turned it on and tried it on my neck at level five. My God. What a relief. I was seriously so impressed! Honestly if this thing lasts me six months to a year, I will seriously buy five of these for the price of one expensive model haha. The quality and the power seems just as good in my opinion.
I researched the difference between the vibration vs. percussion and really wanted something effective. Some reviews mentioned the unit jumping to level twenty unexpectedly, which kinda concerned me. Now, I’ll be honest, mine did that once, but only when I applied a lot of pressure. And honestly, I kinda like it. I don’t think it was an issue. I think it’s supposed to be part of it. Honestly, that's a benefit to me, it’s actually responding to my pressure which is cool. I also don't have to stop to change the setting.
For thirty bucks, I'm really happy with a machine that actually helps with relieving my pain. Testing different shapes and speeds took a bit of trial and error, but that’s usual with new electronic toys. At the end of the day, it alleviated my pain, which is what matters, and why I got it to begin with. This massager is cost-effective and definitely worth buying again. Ten out of ten in my book. — Michael P. Klaus
Get it from Amazon now: $29.99 & FREE Returns
6. Fusion Black Pro - Chiropractor Massage Gun
Highlight: Cutting-edge brushless motor.
Helpful review: I recently got the Fusion Black Pro for pain relief and relaxation. It’s super effective for deep tissue percussion massage, targeting sore muscles, and alleviating pain and tension. The different heads cater to specific muscle groups, and the build quality is solid. However, the increase in strength is minimal as you adjust the speed, and it produces noticeable noise. Despite these minor drawbacks, it’s affordable and effective compared to other models.
We're a big family, and at all of our get-togethers, the massagers always come out and end up getting a lot of use. Most of our family are athletes and a few of them are older and get sore pretty easily and like getting the relaxation from it, especially at family reunions, which we have a few times a year. Last Christmas, we bought three massagers from a different brand, and only one lasted, so I really want ed to try something new.
So far, this new one is the best so far. It has many heads and speed variations for different levels of discomfort. I ended up getting this for my son and my daughter in law for Christmas after they used it so much at our house.
They loved it until it stopped recharging right after the return period, which was definitely a glitch, because ours didn’t do this.
I had bought an extended warranty, but the warranty company said it was still under the manufacturer's warranty, which was kind of confusing. At first, I felt like I was getting the runaround, but after some back and forth, the seller ultimately replaced the defective unit promptly. My son enjoys it, and the seller stands by their product. It seems to be a hit at our house, so I’m giving it a ten out of ten! — Jeannette Zachariah
Get it from Amazon now: $109.99 & FREE Returns
7. RAEMAO - Percussion Massager with 10 Speeds
Highlight: Ten speeds that can operate for up to ten straight hours.
Helpful review: I ended up buying this on Prime Day after had an old massager from the 90s that wasn't great, and had stopped working a long time ago, so I was glad to get an updated one. This one works well with the attachments, and I can use it on my back because I'm flexible. It relieved my shoulder pain quickly. The battery life is good so far. The handle could be smaller for better comfort, but overall, it's great.
After my experience, I decided to grab another one as a gift and ended up getting this for my mom on Mother's Day after my experience with it. She likes it, but some heads are too rough for her, even on the lowest setting. I think it's great and don't mind any of the pressure from the heads. You need help using the heads for the back and spine, but many can be used solo. It's made of nice material and feels good. The charging is quick, and it lasts for days. The touch screen is a nice feature, but you need to flip a switch at the bottom to power it on.
Overall, I really love this product. I stand for up to ten hours daily as a nurse at work, so I'm tired when I get home. I use it mostly on my feet and thighs but recently on my back, shoulders, and neck. My boyfriend liked it so much he bought one too. Sometimes it cuts off, but it’s not the end of the world. I really do recommend it just be aware that not everyone may feel the same depending on their preference for pressure. — Alejandra B. Garcia
Get it from Amazon now: $49.99 & FREE Returns