There are many reasons why your muscles might be tense, whether it’s after a heavy workout or your sleeping arrangements aren’t up to par. A recent CNET survey found that six out of 10 people would spend money to sleep better – and reducing muscle pain is a big reason to do so.
But buying a new mattress for back pain isn’t always an option. That’s where a good massage gun can come in and help ease those aches and pains. You’re probably familiar with popular brands like Theragun that offer deep tissue massage at home. Those options can be expensive, which is why we’ve gathered a collection of the best budget options available today.
Which is the best budget massage gun overall
The best overall is the Hyperice Hypervolt Go. It costs the same as the Theragun Mini, but packs a better punch and is a little bigger. It’s also the ideal massage gun if you’re on the go, so you always have muscle relaxation at hand. This massage gun has three speeds and two massage gun heads that you can choose from depending on the area you want to target.
Hyperus Hypervolt Go
Like Therabody, Hyperus is a premium brand with comparable prices. And, speaking of matching, the Hypervolt Go sells for about the same price as the Theragun Mini. But I like the former better, partly because it has two instead of one massage gun head and has a more comfortable gun-style design.
This is a compact massage gun compared to the MaxCare and TaoTronics models, but bigger than the Napo and RecoverFun. So let’s call it “medium.”
But, wow, it’s pretty powerful — on par with Theragun in terms of muscle-strengthening force. However, with only three speeds, it might be a bit much if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperace doesn’t supply a carrying case, which is inconvenient, and the AC adapter is proprietary.
Between it and the Theragun Mini, I’d choose it. But there are also other budget-friendly massage guns that are more versatile if that’s what you prefer.
Therabody Theragun Mini
The tri-fold Mini puts out an impressive amount of force for its portable massage gun size, but the shape makes it difficult to hold comfortably. Also, Therabody doesn’t offer multiple head attachments; it only includes one ball head. Other massage guns here come with at least two — if not four or six — at lower prices.
Even at the lowest of its three speeds, the Mini feels firmer than other budget massage gun options I’ve tried.
Smallest and lightest massage gun
Naippo’s massager is the lightest and most compact model in the group, with a small but comfortable grip and more percussive force than you’d expect.
Other pluses include five speed settings and four different massage heads. Naipo doesn’t provide a carrying case, which is a little disappointing.
The Quietest Mini Massage Gun
Available in three colors (including bright red), the RecoverFun Mini is one of my favorite massagers. Although it’s heavier than Naipo’s similarly compact model, with a metal barrel that feels a little cool until it warms up, it’s also surprisingly quiet. (When you’re trying to relax, the extra noise doesn’t help.)
The gun offers four speed settings and RecoverFun offers the “big four” attachments: ball, bullet, fork, and flat.