The 9 Best Massage Guns for Workout Recovery

Running is such a great sport, but that doesn’t mean your body can’t take a beating while doing it. Every single stride means our legs are absorbing an impact equivalent to 2.5 to 3 times our body weight. That’s a whole lot of pounding, mile after glorious mile, which can really wear down our precious muscles and joints. But fear not, dear readers. That’s where our trusty recovery tools like these delightful massage guns and hellish foam rollers come in. They’re magic wands for sore muscles, targeting pain, boosting that crucial blood flow, and keeping our muscles feeling spry and ready to conquer the next run. Get after it!As runners, we’ve all felt the ache in our muscles after a long run, and for many of us, massage guns have become a go-to for relief. Our team has rigorously tested countless models, incorporating feedback from other runners who swear by these ingenious devices. The science backs it up: A 2023 systematic review in The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy found that consistent use of massage guns significantly reduces muscle pain and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).What’s more, even a single session can immediately boost short-term muscle strength, explosive power, and flexibility. This means that a quick pre-run massage can give you an immediate performance edge, while post-run treatments offer long-term recovery and relief.Best Massage GunsBest Overall: Rally Orbital Massager​Best Value: Bob and Brad Ultra Mini 2​Best Professional-Grade:Therabody Theragun Pro Plus Massage Gun​Best for Calves: Ekrin Athletics Kestrel Massage GunBest Affordable Heating Massage Gun: Bob and Brad Pro​Powerful and Quiet: Hyperice Hypervolt Why Trust UsFor over four decades, Runner’s World has been the definitive source for all things running, including our expert reviews and recommendations on the latest gear. Our essential guides, like those for running shoes and treadmills, are rigorously tested and vetted by the RW test team. We also tap into the insights of more than 275 everyday runners through our RW wear-test program to get a truly diverse perspective. Our guide to massage guns features products personally recommended by Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate, with additional recommendations reviewed by Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer and Senior Editor Cat Bowen.How We SelectedTo find the best massage guns, our team began by conducting extensive research into the top-rated and best-reviewed options available. After identifying a pool of promising candidates, we rigorously tested each massage gun to evaluate their most crucial attributes. This included measuring the force and depth of the massage, assessing ease of use, monitoring noise levels, examining the range and utility of available attachments, determining battery life, and considering affordability. All of the massage guns featured in our recommendations have been carefully chosen by our team after this thorough evaluation.Full ReviewsProsThe unique orbital motion penetrates really deeplyQuieter than most others on the listMultiple heads mean you can really target muscles ConsIt is a bit heavyTakes a while to chargeFeatures at a GlanceAmplituden/a (orbital, not percussive)Stall ForceEssentially noneWeight3 poundsSpeeds3AttachmentsFlat (medium firmness, versatile), Peak (small point for deep tissue), Echo (softest, mimics lymphatic massage)Battery life2 hoursThe Rally Orbital Massager is a standout for runners, especially those tackling the toughest distances like ultramarathons. Cat Bowen, an ultra marathoner (sometimes), swears by Rally to loosen the muscles in her legs and back during grueling training sessions. Unlike traditional massage guns that hammer at muscles, Rally uses smooth orbital motion, which provides gentle yet deep relief, reducing soreness and helping speed recovery—perfect for running recovery where muscles need care without the harsh impact.In fact, just a few short hours before this article was updated, Bowen did a real number on herself testing treadmills. She went too hard, too fast, and for way too long, and woke up feeling like she'd been stretched on a medieval rack. Walking was a problem. Using this massager with the heat turned all the way up loosened her quads and hams up enough that she could take the stairs at her elevated train station with only nominal stiffness and soreness.Beyond just how powerfully effective it is, one of Rally’s best features is its remarkable quietness. Thanks to proprietary Calm technology, the massager operates at just about 40 decibels—comparable to the soft hum of an air purifier. This means it can be used anytime, even in quiet spaces, without noise distraction. Its low vibration design also allows longer use without hand fatigue, so it fits effortlessly into any runner’s routine, helping maintain peak muscle health and recovery day after day.ProsCompactVery quietProvides deep reliefConsDifferent heads need to be charged independentlyBob and Brad know what they’re doing when it comes to affordable, reliable massage guns. This is one of their newest models, and members of our team are loving it. For under $100, you’re getting a workhorse of a mini massage gun with multiple heads that’s perfect for home or, in the case of our team, in the office. The quiet, compact nature of the Ultra Mini makes a compelling argument for a “gun on the go.”Our tester, Senior Editor Mike Epstein, says that, “Ever since I got my Theragun two years I immediately started thinking about wanting a smaller one for travel. While this isn’t as small as the Theragun Mini or some of the other travel sized models, having the Q2 Ultra Mini at the office has been great.”He adds, “It’s a bit more discreet, it’s a bit softer so I feel okay using it in the office, and has all the trimming I’d want from a gun (including ones I don’t have on my Theragun!).”This is the sweet spot of the Ultra Mini. It has those multiple heads for different types of massage, including a warming red light massage head for maximum recovery, giving you tons of options. We should note that the red light head does need to be charged separately, but this is pretty common amongst massage guns. It’s not going to give you quite as deep a massage as a full-size unit, but it works hard as a mini.Pros16mm amplitudeHigh stall forceHeated attachment standard Key SpecsAmplitude16mmStall Force60 lb.Weight3.64 lb.Speeds5 (1,750-2,400 rpm)Attachments5Battery Life2.5 hours (Estimated)The Therabody Theragun Pro Plus is a powerful, feature-rich massage gun, which we’d recommend for physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other professionals. It applies up to 60 pounds of force with a best-in-class 16mm amplitude, giving you an unparalleled deep tissue massage.Perhaps more importantly, it has lots of luxury features that you won’t find on other massage guns. It features an LED display, which allows you to access Therabody’s guided massage routines on-device, rather than using the Therabody app on your phone. The five attachments in the box include a three-speed vibration therapy head, designed to relieve joint pain and treat sensitive areas. There’s also an adjustable heated head, which shortens the time it takes to warm up muscles. These have become more common, even among budget-tier massage guns, but this made a remarkable difference in warming up my muscles prior to heading out the door for a run.Perhaps its most distinctive feature, though, is an infrared LED light, which Therabody claims will stimulate circulation and boost healing as you pummel your sore muscles. I didn’t necessarily feel a tangible difference when adding light therapy to my massage regimen, but there is some science behind it and you definitely won’t find red light support on many others.Before you buy it, though, the most striking aspect of the Theragun Pro Plus is its price tag. It costs more than double what you would spend on a top massage gun. I think extra power and special features are worth the expense for physical therapists and trainers, but it’s overkill for most amateur athletes.Simply put, Theragun’s triangular handle gives you better access to the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies of your body. The triangular handle design gives you multiple grip options, enabling better control and leverage to precisely apply pressure at the right angle, even in tricky areas like your back, upper shoulders, and glutes.ProsHigh stall force Long battery life Easy-to-use scroll wheel controlsMost massage guns aren’t subtle. They tend to be loud, so you’re going to draw attention (and potentially a few looks) if you use one in public. The Ekrin Kestrel only makes 35 to 55 decibels (dB) of noise depending on what speed level it’s on, equivalent to the noise of a running refrigerator.It’s one of the quietest massage guns we’ve tested, but also one of the best. Despite keeping relatively quiet, the Kestrel packs enough power to target deep muscle tissue. It features a hefty 60-pound stall force and a 13mm amplitude, creating the kind of pressure that can tackle even the tightest spots.The Kestrel features six speed levels ranging from 1,800 to 3,500 RPM. It also comes with six interchangeable head attachments to optimize targeted relief for different muscle groups. Whether you need a gentle touch or deeper pressure, the Kestrel offers versatility, in addition to discretion.ProsSmooth percussion that doesn't skipComfortable in handGood battery lifeConsHeads need charged separatelyBob and Brad is all about value, and with this one it’s also about power. Our senior director of content, Erica Murphy, is a longtime enthusiast of massage guns. She was instantly impressed.“Even though it’s bigger than the Theragun Mini that I’ve been using for years, the weight is similar, but it definitely packs more power,” she says. “The percussions also feel really smooth—sometime massage guns can ‘skip’ when applying too much pressure, and I didn’t experience that with this one.”As someone who has had massage guns skip across their knees by accident, that’s a big win. Bowen has also tested this machine, and she wants to point out is that all the different heads really do exactly what they say they will. For instance, the pronged head glide alongside the gastrocnemius and plantaris, hugging each and giving an almost squeezing massage. On top of that, the heat and cool heads are freaking clutch after a long run and before a long run. Heat up those tight muscles before the run, and cool them down after. I didn’t think I would find that as helpful as I would, but it’s almost magic. And you just don’t get these features at this price with any other gun.ProsProvides deep pain reliefImproved design easier to holdQuiet for a massage gunThey’ve completely redesigned this model from the previous version. The shape makes massage easier, and it’s more comfy in hand. So, if you’re the kind of person who takes recovery as seriously as your training, the Hyperice Hypervolt 3 Pro is an even better choice than it’s ever been.This machine is the most powerful gun in the Hypervolt 3 lineup, offering six speeds of percussion ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 RPM, and the extra speed setting makes a real difference when you’re working into stubborn spots post-long run. At 2.5 pounds, it’s got enough heft to feel substantial without becoming a liability 20 minutes into a session on your quads.Our Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate, is a big fan, saying, “This thing is remarkably powerful and quiet. I literally cannot get it to stall out—instead it just bounces off my body. It gives a good, sturdy thumping on big muscles.” He’s also been loving the thermal function.“I have really been digging the heated head attachment, which has varying levels of heat. I am impressed with how much heat is transferred to your body, though using it on high drains the battery faster,” he saysThe five interchangeable attachments cover serious ground—the Heated Head Attachment alone is worth talking about if heat therapy is part of your recovery toolkit. QuietGlide technology keeps things mercifully quiet, the battery runs about four hours on a charge, and it connects to the Hyperice App via Bluetooth for guided routines synced to your Garmin or Strava data.ProsSeven attachments includedQuietFive speedsKey SpecsAmplitude11mmStall Force42 lb.Weight1.8 lb.Speeds5 (1,200 - 3,200 rpm)Attachments7Battery LifeUp to 8 hoursThe Turonic G5 comes with seven massage tips of varying shapes. Hard, narrow tips allow you to target knots, and broader tips give you soothing release without beating up tight tendons. It’s among the quieter massage guns on this list, even with a high 3,200 RPM max speed. Its impressive eight-hour battery life, tied only with that of the Ekrin B37, was enough to go for weeks without a charge. It could use a design tune-up—it’s a bit heavy, and the shape makes it hard to reach your back—but it’s one of the most adjustable (and most affordable) choices around.ProsLong battery lifeExtremely light and compactGreat amplitude for a portable gun Key SpecsAmplitude10mmStall Force35 lb.Weight1.1 lb.SpeedsThree (2,000-3,200 rpm)Attachments4Battery Life6 hours (estimated)The Ekrin Bantam proves that you can make a portable massage gun without sacrificing power for portability. This pint-sized percussion massager delivers a powerful punch, with 10 mm of amplitude and topping out at 35 pounds of stall force. With a carrying case, it’s easy to pack up and bring to events.The Bantam’s lightweight design is easy to handle—the 1.1-pound frame fits in my hands better than any other portable gun, and was lighter than any other portable gun I tested. With six hours of battery life, it can keep up with most of my full-sized picks.On top of everything else, it’s less expensive than our other favorite portable massage gun, the Theragun Mini 2, so we think of it as a bargain, too.What to ConsiderHow to Use Your Massage GunTo make sure everyone knows how to use their massage gun, we asked Rachel Tavel, P.T., D.P.T., C.S.C.S., for some tips to get the most out of your massage gun. Start by holding the device at a 45-degree angle, with the application head in contact with the target muscle. Depending on your current goals and run routine, you’ll vary your usage slightly.Use it pre-run to stimulate muscle activation and potentially improve power, and post-run to improve recovery and reduce DOMS.For muscle activation, spend just 30 seconds on the target muscle prior to your workout.For muscle reactivation (relieving muscle spasms or fatigue mid-workout), you can apply it for just 15 seconds.For pain relief and recovery, she recommends two minutes on each muscle.FAQsWith Running Coach Cory SmithCat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.