After an intense workout or a long travel day, there is really nothing like a massage to soothe your sore muscles. And, since we can't always book a massage appointment at a moment's notice, massage guns are a great way to help relieve sore and achy muscles and aid your body in the recovery process.

Also:The best massage chairs

Whether your muscles are sore from sitting and working all day (raises hand slowly) or are sore from exercising or training, a massage gun can work into your sore muscles using percussive therapy to provide instant relief.

The best massage gun is theTheragun Prime since it comes from the brand that started it all. However, we also included options from Renpho, Hyperice, and more to fit your budget best while still getting into those knots, tension, and aches. 

The best massage guns of 2023

Therabody Theragun Prime

Best massage gun overall

Therabody/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Customizable speeds
• Operates quietly
• Smart app that pairs with Apple Health and Google

Cons

• Stall force could be higher
• Expensive

More Details

Theragun Prime tech specs:Battery life:2 hoursAttachments:4Speeds: 5 (plus customizable ranges)Stall force:30 pounds

Therabody is the pioneer brand of the massage gun after a chiropractor invented the device for his own rehabilitation after a motorcycle accident. Therabody has four different Theragun models, but the best is the Theragun Prime since it is a midrange Theragun model that still packs a punch (so to speak).

The Theragun Prime has an ergonomic handle design that is easy to hold. It comes equipped with Therabody's QuietForce Technology QX65, which promises quieter noise levels while getting 60% deeper into the muscles than the average massage gun device. Pair the device with the accompanying app, where you can customize your speed as well as get guided treatment routines.  

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Renpho Active Massage Gun

Best budget massage gun

Renpho/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Affordable
• High stall force
• 10-minute auto-shutoff

Cons

• Issues with charging and battery life

More Details

Renpho Active Massage Gun tech specs: Battery life:2.5 hoursAttachments: 5Speeds: 5Stall force:50 pounds

If you're not willing to shell out$300 for a Theragun, there are cheaper massage gun options on the market, like the Renpho Active, for just$60. It has five adjustable speeds and five attachments to target different muscle groups.

The massage gun will last about 2.5 hours but also has a 10-minute auto-shutoff, so you don't waste the battery. It has a relatively high stall force of 50 pounds, allowing it to handle a substantial amount of peak power. 

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Theragun Pro

Best massage gun splurge

Therabody/ Pros & Cons Pros

• High stall force
• On-screen routines
• Micro-point attachment

Cons

• Super expensive
• Heavy at almost 6 pounds

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Theragun Pro tech specs: Battery life:150 minutesAttachments:6Speeds:5 (plus customizable ranges)Stall force:60 pounds

Another Theragun option is the Theragun Pro, but you must be willing to spend$600. However, this expensive massage gun has unique features that make it stand out, such as built-in routines on the OLED screen (a total of 18), special attachments like the micro-point for increased stimulation, and a motor that's 20% quieter than the previous Pro generation.

It also has 60 pounds of max pressure, making it the device with the highest stall force on our list. Other than that, like the Theragun Prime, the Theragun Pro also has an ergonomic design that's easier to hold and five built-in speeds with the ability to customize between the preset speed ranges. 

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Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Full Body Massage Gun

Best lightweight massage gun

Hyperice/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Great accompanying app
• Lightweight and easy to hold

Cons

• Stall force is just estimated
• Battery life can be misleading

More Details

Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro tech specs: Battery life:3 hoursAttachments: 5Speeds:3Stall force:~45 pounds

Hyperice's Hypervolt 2 massage gun is a more lightweight option, which weighs just 1.8 pounds. This massage gun has a patented pressure sensor technology that shows how much pressure you're applying to your muscles.

Like the Theraguns, it also connects to an app that lets you choose between pre-programmed routines depending on what it picks up from your training programs, such as Garmin or Strava. It also provides wellness insights from physical therapists and elite trainers. 

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Renpho Lite Massage Gun

Best mini massage gun

Renpho/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Heat therapy
• Small and portable
• Long battery life

Cons

• Not as strong stall force as other options
• Attachments could be better quality

More Details

Renpho Lite tech specs: Battery life:4 hoursAttachments:4Speeds:3Stall force:18 pounds

If you want something small and portable while traveling, the Renpho Lite is a mini massage gun that's less than a pound and is just 6.1 x 5.9 inches. While it does have a smaller stall force of 18 pounds due to its smaller build, it has a built-in heat therapy handle that can heat to 100