Battery life - a couple of massage guns on our list have batteries which will keep going for eight hours; other massage guns will need charging more frequently The muscle guns below, marked with our Women’s Health Lab Approved logo, have been put to the test in our lab. Our expert tester has trialled them over a three-week period, using them around their hectic exercise schedule — made up of weightlifting, running, HIIT, yoga and more — to see how well each one helped muscles to recover. You'll also want to pay attention to the features before buying a massage gun. More basic options may only have one or two heads and up to three speeds, whereas fancier models typically come with five or more attachments and several speed settings. Higher-end devices often have additional bells and whistles, like digital displays, Bluetooth connectivity, guided sessions, smart pressure sensors, or an auto-shutoff feature. The Theragun Prime is a heavy-duty massage gun with four massage heads and a convenient carrying case. Our tester felt almost immediate relief after using this device. “It was very effective on sore muscles,” she said. “In very little time, I felt that tingle of lactic acid being released and didn't need to take painkillers when I was sore after a workout.” As for cheaper massage guns, these tend to have harder attachment heads (which make for a slightly less comfortable experience), a shorter battery life, or are less durable. If there's a choice between a cheap muscle gun and a more expensive massage gun that's on sale, we'd always suggest going with the one that looks like it will last the longest and is the most specced out. If it comes with a warranty, even better. Do massage guns work?

Using a massage gunwill not eliminate arthritis, but it can help to make the surrounding muscles stronger for better support to the joints, says Peters. “Massaging the surrounding muscle will increase blood flow to that area, and that blood carries nutrients, oxygen, and other things that can help alleviate some of the symptoms of arthritis.” Vybe Pro Percussion Massage Gun: Our tester thought this device was user-friendly and effective in loosening tight muscles. But the noise level was obnoxiously loud and off-putting, they said.

How do I choose a massage gun?

In other words, myofascial trigger points are the pesky, marble-like knots that you feel just under your skin. And massage guns can help to relieve this discomfort, pain, and limited mobility.

In recent times, a fair few Mumsnetters have been asking for advice on how to ease muscle pain after exercise and there seems to be one overriding answer: personal massage guns. As one satisfied Mumsnetter, ShirleyPhallus, reports: “I have a massage gun and it’s absolutely amazing. Gets rid of the DOMS pretty much right away.” Also known as percussive massagers, massage guns may look a bit menacing, but they have only good intentions. By providing short bursts of pressure into your muscle tissue, they increase blood flow to the targeted area, helping to ease all sorts of aches and pains. You must exercise caution when using these devices,” says Dreon. They should not be used on the spine, bones, joints, abdomen, and face, he adds. To find the best massage guns on the market, the Health team tested 18 devices from the comfort of their own homes. Massage guns can be a valuable tool in your overall health and fitness routine, so we asked our testers to incorporate these devices into their normal lives and provide real-world, honest insights. They may look intimidating but the beauty of a massage gun is that it’s pretty straightforward to handle. You can use a massage gun whenever you want to ease muscle tension but it’s designed to be used before each workout to warm up your muscles by heightening blood flow or afterwards to aid your recovery.

7. Best lightweight massage gun: OPOVE Massage Gun

If you plan to use your massage for travel, choosing one with great portability is important. Easily portable massage guns will be smaller and more lightweight, oftentimes coming with a handy carrying case. The Renpho Mini Massage Gun is perfect for on-the-go use because of its lightweight, compact nature and ergonomic carrying case. More Massage Guns to Consider Super Quiet and Portable Design: Adopt powerful 24V brushless high-torque motor and noise reduction technology, ANSGEC massage gun runs very quietly below 40DB. You can use this powerful but ear-friendly massager at home, gym, office without disturb others. The ergonomic single-hand grip with rubber non-slip coating, minimizes external vibrations, no wobble at the handle. This deep tissue massage gun is portable and handy, even for the elderly. Organized case for easy carry and store;