Best massage guns 2021 for stiff and sore muscles - Runner's World (UK)

[massage]

It’s been a long, cooped-up winter in lockdown, but with gyms finally set to reopen on 12th April, it’s time to get your fitness firmly back on track.

Given how hard we know you’re going to hit that first treadmill reunion, you’re going to need a good massage gun to keep post-sesh DOMS at bay. We’ve been grafting behind the scenes to find the best for all needs and budgets, including plenty of hot picks for runners.

Is a massage gun worth it?


It’s the closest you’re going to get to the massage therapist that you currently can’t see, so that’s a big yes from us. That said, massage guns work differently to human hands, using a series of rapid percussive motions to pound your muscles and get blood pumping to them sharpish. This increase in blood flow can help calm inflammation and soreness, aiding your recovery between workouts.

Massage guns can also be incorporated into your warm-up routine to help loosen up your muscles. You can use them during exercise, too, to help clear your muscles of lactic acid and toxins.

How much should I spend on a massage gun?


We’ll level with you, massage guns are pricey. The cheapest model on our list costs £49 and our winning gun will set you back just shy of £200.

The most professional machine we tried costs £549, but it boasts a ton of features - six massage heads, five speed settings and an app - that not everyone will want, let alone need, so don’t assume that the most expensive gun will be the best match for you.

How do I choose a massage gun?


If you’ve never bought a massage gun before, it can be tricky to know where to start.

Serious athletes should look for a high amplitude. Measured in millimetres, this metric shows you how deeply the gun can hit and how powerful it will feel on your body. The punchiest models listed below have an amplitude of 16mm.

You’ll want a range of speed settings too - at least three, but ideally more for tackling delicate as well as robust muscle groups. Opt for a gun that comes with a choice of massage heads, from the standard ball attachment to thumb, wedge and cones for trickier and more sensitive areas.

If you plan to take your massage gun to the gym or track, check whether it comes with a carry case for portability. Consider its weight and battery life, so you don’t end up caught short without a charger.

How we test


Our expert testers trialled a range of guns over a three-week period, using them after a variety of workouts, from running and HIIT to weightlifting and boxercise.

They judged each machine on how effectively it massaged and relieved soreness, noting how their body felt both during use and a few days afterwards. They assessed how easy each gun was to use and store, considering its size, weight, handle and controls, and tried any included massage heads or app.

Finally, we asked our panel to tell us if they’d personally buy or recommend each model. You’ll find the ten that made the cut below.

Welcome to the gun show.

1
Best massage gun

MuscleGun Carbon
muscleguns.co.uk
£199.99


Our winning massage gun won us over with its smart design and slick look that screams ‘I mean business’. It glides over skin while delivering a powerful yet relaxing massage and its lengthy, slightly curved handle helps you reach all muscles.


It comes with four massage heads and a bomb-proof carry case that neatly fits everything inside. The app is fairly basic but it offers some useful tips for beginners, as does the user guide. It’s quite bulky and weighty, and it vibrates a lot at max speed, but it’s a brilliant all-rounder at a reasonable price.

Key specs
Weight: Not given
Amplitude: 10mm
Speed settings: 5
Battery life: Up to 5 hours
Included accessories: 4 massage heads, charger, carry case, recovery massage oil

2
Runner-up massage gun

RENPho Massage Gun
amazon.co.uk
£99.99


In close second is this excellent value massage gun that offers five speed settings and five massage heads. It can massage quickly and pretty fiercely, but our experience was pain-free.

Its manual is helpful, despite a hit and miss translation from Chinese, and it comes with a USB charging cable for on-the-go refuelling. The chunky handle shakes heavily at full power, but that’s our only niggle, and lowering the speed is a doddle should your arm start to ache.

Key specs
Weight: 0.68kg
Amplitude: 9mm
Speed settings: 5
Battery life: Up to 6 hours
Included accessories: 5 massage heads, USB charging cable, carry case

3
Best massage gun for runners

Pulseroll Mini Massage Gun
americangolf.co.uk
£129.99


This ultra-lightweight massage gun won’t leave your arms aching after a full-body massage. It reaches high speeds but is compact enough to address all leg muscles, which runners will appreciate. It’s impressively powerful, with one of our testers finding it too intense to use for very long.

You get four massage heads, but their quality slightly disappointed us. On the plus side, the six-hour battery life is remarkable for the price and Pulseroll’s 90-day money-back guarantee feels generous. Give it a go, you’ll like it.

Key specs
Weight: 0.45kg
Amplitude: 12mm
Speed settings: 4
Battery life: Up to 6 hours
Included accessories: 4 massage heads, USB charging cable, carry case

4
Best massage gun for muscle recovery

Thergun Elite Massage Gun
johnlewis.com
£375.00


This beast of a massage gun claims to penetrate 60% deeper into muscle than rival models, so if it’s hardcore you’re after, look no further. It’s pricey at £375, but super powerful, and we highly rate its clever triangular handle that improves both reach and control.

It comes with five massage heads and you can customise the five speed settings in the app. Said app is excellent, offering warm-up and cool-down massage routines and alerting you if you’re using too much force. It’ll get you fighting fit in no time.

Key specs
Weight: 1kg
Amplitude: 16mm
Speed settings: 5
Battery life: Up to 2 hours
Included accessories: 5 massage heads, charger, carry case

5
Best budget massage gun

Snailax Massage Gun
amazon.co.uk
£49.99


Beginners unwilling to drop a lot of dollar on gear you’ve never tried before, this one’s for you. This affordable gun might not be a looker, but it’s surprisingly effective for under £50.

It’s not the most comfortable to use, with poorly distributed weight, but it’s quiet enough not to disturb others in the gym. It comes with four massage heads and a charger, all of which slot inside the carry case. It lacks the premium feel of other machines on test but it’s a great entry level choice.

Key specs
Weight: 0.77kg
Amplitude: Not given.
Speed settings: 5
Battery life: Up to 1 hour 40 minutes
Included accessories: 4 massage heads, charger, carry case

6
Best massage gun for taking to the track

Theragun PRO Massage Gun
johnlewis.com
£175.00


The compact size of this agile massage gun belies its power, making it a top choice for taking to the track. It instantly soothes soreness and feels very relaxing to use, but the unique wide handle takes a while to get to grips with, literally.

The provided charger doesn’t fit inside the handy travel pouch, so power it up before you leave the house. It doesn’t come with extra massage heads, but you can buy them separately. Don’t expect to be able to cover your back, but runners will love this pocket-friendly pal, available in black, white and red.

Key specs
Weight: 0.65kg
Amplitude: 12mm
Speed settings: 3.
Battery life: Up to 2.5 hours
Included accessories: Charger, carry case

7
Best massage gun for back pain

Therabody Theragun Pro
selfridges.com
£400.00


Get ready for the big one. This serious bit of kit is designed for all-over DIY coverage, with an easily graspable triangular handle and an arm that can be adjusted to four different angles. Six massage heads are provided, which some testers found excessive, but pro athletes will welcome.

The app is very American, featuring tips for basketball recovery, but it helpfully tells you when you’re pushing too hard. Expect to wince when using it on shins and feet, but for easing back pain, it’s a star.

Key specs Weight: 3kg Amplitude: 16mm Speed settings: 5 Battery life: Up to 5 hours, split between two batteries. Included accessories: 6 massage heads, charger, carry case

8
Best for casual use

HoMedics Physio Massage Gun
argos.co.uk
£129.99


Despite reaching the highest speed of any massage gun we tested, this model isn’t very punchy, making it better suited to walkers and anyone looking for a relaxation tool. It’s a lightweight breeze to use but the round ball head has a tendency to drag on skin, which can be uncomfortable.

There are two further massage heads to choose from, allowing you to mix up your massage without making storage a headache. Casual users should find it ticks a lot of boxes, without making your bank balance cry.

Key specs
Weight: 0.7kg
Amplitude: Not given
Speed settings: 3
Battery life: Up to 1 hour
Included accessories: 3 massage heads, storage bag

9
Best for knots

Pulseroll Massage Gun
pulseroll.com
£224.99


This straightforward massage gun will help tease out all your knots, without a side serving of pain. It offers five hours of juice from one charge and comes with six massage heads for versatility.

It’s simple to use and can reach a remarkably high speed, should you be bold enough to try it, but it’s one of the bulkier models on our roundup, which may be off-putting. Given its large size and multitude of attachments, most testers agreed that it would be better kept in situ at a gym, so start nagging yours now.

Key specs
Weight: 1.1kg
Amplitude: 12mm
Speed settings: 4
Battery life: Up to 5 hours
Included accessories: 6 massage heads, charger, carry case

10
Best massage gun for over 60s

Wahl Deep Tissue Massager
amazon.co.uk
£59.99


If you’re after something gentler than the more intimidating massage guns available, you’ll like this model’s variable speed dial for improved intensity control. Its extra-long handle helps you reach all muscles, even if you struggle with mobility, but this does make it more of a faff to store.

It comes with five massage heads and is the only machine to feature an effective, if ever so slightly creepy, four-finger attachment that simulates a human hand. Fitness fanatics may find it lacklustre, but it’s a steal for just under £50.

Key specs Weight: Not given Amplitude: Not given Speed settings: Variable Battery life: Up to 3 hours 20 minutes Included accessories: 5 massage heads, charger


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