Best Percussion Massagers of 2022 | Reviews + Buyer’s Guide (2022)

We all love a good massage, whether it’s to unwind, work out kinks, warm up the body before a workout, or speed up recovery after strenuous exertion. And there are a plethora of at-home options, ranging from foam rollers to massage canes. A massage cannon, which combines the components of speed, force, and depth to offer a type of therapy known as percussive massage, is one of the most powerful tools available.

Sophisticated designs from Theragun and Hypervolt, lightweight travel-ready devices, high-quality budget options, and more are all included in our rolling of the best pounding massagers on the market.

Percussion Massager of the Year

Therabody Theragun Elite ($349)

It’s difficult to refute Theragun’s brand cachet, with a name that is nearly associated with percussion massagers. And with good reason: Theragun’s products are known for their exceptional quality and attention to detail, as well as a patented form that gives the greatest handling and ergonomics in the industry.

An even more incentive to go with a Theragun is the Therabody app, which is necessary for gaining the most out of your relaxation gun. And, of the four models available, we believe the mid-range Elite offers the finest balance of power and functionality for most users.

with a 16-millimeter amplitude and 40-pound stalling force, you receive effective deep tissue massage, as well as a superior OLED screen with force meter, padded travel bag, five head connections, and the ability for wireless charging.

You spent a lot of time deliberating between Theragun Pro below and the Elite here before deciding on our top option for 2022. With a 60-pound stall force, four-way flexible arm, and changeable battery, the Pro (usually available on sale for $449) is the clear victor in terms of power and functionality.

Although we appreciate the appeal of the Theragun, you can save a lot more money with comparably powerful gadgets like the Opove M4 Pro Max ($200) below. Moreover, for Theragun fans on a budget, the entry-level Prime ($249) is worth consideration.

The stall force is smaller (30 lbs. ), and the Prime doesn’t come with a cushioned case, but you still get Theragun-level quality including 16 millimeters of percussion at a more affordable price.

Ekrin Athletics B37 ($230)

Ekrin may not be as well-known as Theragun or Hypervolt, but the little company (established in 2019 by two former collegiate athletes) has a powerful lineup of percussion massage guns that can compete in the high-end market.

For $230, the B37 has some outstanding specs, including a 56-pound stall force at top speed, an 8-hour battery life, and a reasonable 12-millimeter stroke length; anything above about 10mm meets our standards for percussive massage. To top it off, Ekrin provides industry-leading customer service. They answered our questions within hours and all of their items are backed by a lifetime warranty.

To top it off, Ekrin provides industry-leading customer service. They answered our questions within hours and all of their items are backed by a lifetime warranty. Theragun and Hypervolt, on the other hand, only give a one-year guarantee on their products or 2 years for the Pro.

Now, what does the B37 compare to a well-known model such as the Theragun Elite? Including a 12-millimeter length and 56-pound stall force for $120 less, you receive a tiny reduction in performance, but most users won’t notice these two components operate together, so the B37’s higher stall power helps to compensate for its shorter amplitude.

The Ekrin also offers a longer battery life and runs at a faster speed, and some users will like the more classic design. The B37 outperforms a name-brand design like the Hypervolt 2 below, with more power, and better handling. We adore the tilted handle and grip extension above the motor, and extras like a protective carrying case and lifetime warranty.

TOLOCO EM26 ($120)

Percussion massagers abound on the internet, with the majority costing less than half as much as top-of-the-line ones from Theragun and Hypervolt. The TOLOCO EM26 is Amazon’s best-selling massage gun at the time of publication.

It delivers competitive power and a full range of features for about $120. We put the EM26 up against the bulk of other devices here to see how it stacked up, and we were pleasantly surprised by its performance, features you get a vivid LED display and a total of 10 different massage heads, and relatively quiet operation.

The operation is relatively peaceful. The TOLOCO, along with other Amazon favorites like the LifePro Sonic below, earns our highest endorsement for recreational users searching for a budget-friendly option.

A budget percussion massager can be highly appealing if saving money is your top priority. However, it’s critical to understand the tradeoffs that such designs entail. Bluetooth connectivity and a force meter aren’t included, and the EM26’s power can’t compete with somewhat more expensive options like the Ekrin and Opole. We tested it side by side with the B37, and it felt noticeably less precise in its percussion.

Furthermore, compared to TOLOCO’s 1-year warranty, Ekrin Athletics offers far greater customer service and a warranty for a tiny price difference. Our EM26 has significant gaps where portions of the plastic case connect, and their finishes are noticeably more premium. It is, nevertheless, a decent massage gun with exceptional power for those trying to keep prices cheap.

Ekrin Athletics Bantam ($150)

A low profile has a lot of appeals, whether you’re living on the road, heading into the mountains, or carrying your rhythmic stimulator to the gym regularly. However, due to their lighter weight and mass, these models are often less powerful than their full-sized counterparts, and the majority compromise their quality standards to match their size and price.

Ekrin Athletic’s Bantam distinguishes out as one of the most restricted tiny massage guns on the market for these factors. With an angled handle, 6-hour battery life, and simple USB-C charging, you get a 10-millimeter length and 35-pound stall force in luxury packaging. The Bantam is no exception to Ekrin’s tradition of providing a lot of bang for your buck.

The Bantam’s most apparent rivals are Theragun’s Mini and Hypervolt’s GO, however, both fall short. To begin with, the Mini and GO have average stall forces of 20 lbs. and 25 lbs., respectively, which limit their respective stroke lengths to 12 and 10mm.

In comparison, the Ekrin maintains its power under a lot of force, at least meeting its stated 35-pound standard, according to our tests. Furthermore, neither the Theragun nor the Hypervolt includes a padded travel case, lacks simple USB-C charging, and only comes with one look heads the Ekrin has four and has a 1-year warranty.

To complicate things worse, they’re also $9 more expensive and significantly heavier than the Bantam. When all is said and done, the Ekrin Bantam comes out on top, as it has rapidly become one of our favorite percussion massagers because of its small size and solid performance. Check out Bob and Brad’s Q2 Mini ($90) for yet another pocket-sized massage gun.

Mighty Bliss Massager ($80)

Relaxation guns are all the new rage now, and they’re not the best option for millions of Americans suffering from back and neck discomfort. These parts of the body are not only out of reach for most ordinary power drill-style percussive massagers, but they’re also delicate and bony, making them poor candidates for 16 millimeters of noisy percussive force.

A lengthy massager like the Mighty Bliss is a good alternative to consider for these tight muscles of the body and neck. It gives a strong message that belies its more casual appearance, and it keeps up with some of the more quality massage guns in several other measures, such as respectable battery life, silent operation, and six various head connections.

Whereas the Massive Bliss is a percussive massager in the idea that it sends forces vertically and horizontally rather than side to side, don’t expect it to penetrate the muscles as deeply as one of the more powerful machines below. The amplitude isn’t specified by the manufacturer, however, it’s likely less than the 10 millimeters required for percussive massage.

Furthermore, the stall force is disappointingly low (we estimate it to be considered around 20 lbs.) and was insufficient to dig deep into the knots in our shoulders. Finally, the head attachments are designed with soft rubber coverings and small nubbins for further enjoyment rather than punching your muscles. However, if you want a quiet machine that can help with hard-to-reach spots, the Mighty Bliss is a good option with a warranty.

Opove M3 Pro Max ($200)

Many firms have attempted to imitate Hypervolt’s percussion massagers, and Opole has done it admirably with their M3 Pro Max, which is both more inexpensive and powerful than the Hypervolt 2 below. With 15 millimeters of amplitude just 1mm less than the chart-topping Theragun and a 55-pound stall force, by contrast, Hypervolt lists 12mm of depth and an optimistically high 50-lb. stall force, the M3 Pro Max can tackle even the most significant muscle maladies for just $200 and is frequently found on sale on Opove’s website.

The Opove is a strong massage gun that is well worth a look for athletes, bodybuilders, therapists, and regular people. What are you giving up with such a low-cost design? Unlike more expensive models, the M3 Pro Max lacks a detachable battery and Bluetooth connectivity, both of which are pleasant to have but not essential for most users.

Furthermore, the Opove lacks the angled handle found on Ekrin designs, which causes some extra wrist strain, which is unfortunate given the gun’s strength. However, there is an LED screen that exhibits battery life and speed, as well as two buttons that switch between documentation and auto modes. In auto mode, the gun intensifies as more pressure builds up.

A padded case is also included with the M3 Pro Max, which we like. The Opove is a high-performance alternative that delivers a lot of bang for your buck if you’re ready to forego the name awareness of Hypervolt or Theragun in exchange for a boost in power and quieter operation than the Ekrin B37 above.

Therabody Theragun Pro ($449)

Explore is not unlike Therabody’s Theragun Pro if you’re looking for the finest percussion stimulator goods that become more expensive. This is the profession’s runaway monster, boasting a difficult combination of performance, rising features, and luxury trimmings in its fourth edition. Theragun’s unique triangular form (also featured in the Prime and Elite models) provides the best usability with several grip options, and the Pro adds an installed arm for hard-to-reach regions.

If you apply enough pressure, the 16-millimeter injury length and 60-pound stall force give in one of the best massages offered. Additionally, Theragun comes with a full complement of premium features, along with an OLED display that shows speed, force, and battery capacity, two changeable batteries, and customized training plans supplied through Bluetooth from your phone.

For sports and healthcare experts, the Theragun Pro is unrivaled, but for recreational users, this machine is far too powerful. The most obvious reason is the cost even at a deal, the Pro is extremely expensive, more expensive than most of the models featured. Despite its low price, the Pro was still not our favorite massager.

It’s especially heavy during long self-massage, weighing 2 pounds 14.4 ounces, and the 60 pounds of force is unneeded, not to mention unpleasant for most people. Moreover, keep in mind that noise is a given within all Theragun merchandise the fourth-gen Pro is louder than many of the devices we tested, making simultaneous conversations or TV viewing problematic. However, it has no rival in terms of power and features.

Conclusion

Percussion massagers are an excellent tool for athletes and those recuperating from injuries, but it’s vital to understand that they don’t provide everyone with the pleasure and relaxation they want. Percussion massage puts significantly more “effort” into deep tissue manipulation than other types of massage.

For more comfort, many users may prefer a milder vibrating or kneading instrument. Furthermore, the devices presented here aren’t especially useful for working out tight places in your neck or back due to their ergonomics. There are many other options available online, but we particularly enjoy the InovSpa Shiatsu Back Shoulder and Neck Massager and the Renpho Foot Massager.

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