The current pandemic has not only led many people to become inventive with their athletic fitness regimes but also with their workout recovery efforts.
And as a result, group recovery sessions and remedial massages are out, and in, to save the day, comes the must-own percussion massager.
Percussion massagers make the perfect tool for workout recovery.
Everyone from professional athletes, recreational gym-goers, and people who experience chronic pain are absolutely in love with these incredibly powerful recovery tools.
To help you incorporate them into your fitness and recovery routine, here's everything you need to know about massage guns as well as a list of the best ones we both know and trust.
The Benefits of a Percussion Massage Gun
Just like a traditional massage or foam roller, a percussion massage gun assists in flushing built-up venous blood or lymph fluid from sore muscles by increasing fresh blood flow and circulation.
This process helps to relax tightened muscles, break apart scar tissue, and reduce muscle tension and soreness.
In fact, a study published by Pain Medicine study published by Pain Medicine found that massage therapy is a tool to assist muscles in the recovery phase.
While another study, published by the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, found percussive therapy is an effective method of reducing and preventing delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS.
Alongside this, there is evidence to say that percussion massage guns also assist in:
- reducing muscle pain
- assist in muscles recovering faster
- reduce muscle fatigue
- limit the lactic acid build-up in muscles
- increase mobility and flexibility
- increase and encourage blood flow
- reduce stiffness and tension
- and even help reduce stress levels while also helping athletes get better sleep
What to Look Out for in a Percussion Massage Gun
When it comes to grabbing yourself a percussion massager gun, you're a little spoilt for choice.
To make things a little easier, here are some super handy buying tips.
Power Output
Perhaps one of the most important features to look out for in a percussion massager is the amount of power a unit is likely to deliver to your sore muscles.
When we say the amount of power, what we mean is 1. how much movement, depth and amplitude, a massage gun's head moves, and 2. how rapidly a massage gun's head oscillates.
These two factors largely affect how effective a percussion massager will be at delivering its therapeutic benefits.
Firstly, the amplitude potential of a massage gun dictates how far its head travels. In other words, it determines how shallow or deep a stroke the massage gun is likely to deliver.
And secondly, the amount of speed a massage gun's head oscillates the gentler or stronger a massage will be.
When choosing a massage gun, particularly a gun that is likely to be used for multiple people, it's best to find one that has a wide variety of speed settings. The more speed variations you have at your disposal, the more you can tailor a deep tissue massage and how it is administered to your body.
Battery Life
Most massage guns on the market are cordless and run on lithium-ion batteries. And on average, most of these devices will operate for between 2-4 hours at full-speed.
Something that falls short of this mark is likely only going to cause you frustration and leave you wishing for a unit with a touch more battery life.
And depending on how often and for how long you plan on using your new massage gun, planning ahead and finding a device that lasts long enough to treat your sore muscles is a must.
Head Attachments
Another big consideration when choosing a percussion massage gun is its compatibility with different head attachments.
Most percussion massagers come somewhat stocked with head attachments, which should suit most athlete's needs. Although, sometimes there exists a desired head attachment that doesn't come standard with a new purchase.
If this is the case, ensure your new gun is compatible with aftermarket or genuine add on massage heads.
Percussive vs. Vibration Therapy
Something else to take note of when hunting for a massage gun is whether or a unit offers percussive or vibration therapy.
In this case, of course, we are looking at percussion massagers, not vibrational massagers. Although, it is important to make a distinction between the two as they are super easy to mix up.
Why is it important to know the difference?
Well, vibrational therapy and percussive therapy are very different and offer different therapeutic benefits.
Vibration massage therapy involves, well, vibration. Vibration therapy is great for superficial layers, those muscles that aren't too deep and are easy to access.
On the other hand, percussion therapy, delivered by a percussion massager, is not only great at focusing on superficial layers but also those muscles that lie deeper within the body and are harder to access.
In fact, the main difference between the two therapies is that percussion therapy reaches up to 60 percent deeper into muscle layers than consumer-grade vibration massagers.
Warranty
From our experience, the quality of massage guns that are available on the market varies quite a bit. And, really, even if you've chosen a high-end device, there is the possibility something may go wrong.
To avoid any disappointment, ensure the massage gun you've chosen has a comprehensive warranty that will cover the way you intend to use it.
The 9 Best Percussion Massagers of 2022
Ok, time to share our best percussion massagers that we are super confident will help you relieve those sore muscles of yours.
These percussion massagers will loosen up those tight spots, release built-up lactic acid, and help relieve any chronic pain you may be experiencing.
Here is our list of massage guns that we both know and love.
1. Theragun Pro Percussion Massager
The Theragun PRO, the successor of the Theragun G3 PRO, is one of the most powerful and versatile percussion massage guns currently available on the market.
The Theragun PRO offers a wide range of speed settings delivered by a ton of different head attachments, making it a reliable and comfortable solution for sore muscles and discomfort.
The unit is whisper-quiet, featuring a commercial-grade QX150 brushless motor that offers powerful performance with near-silent operation.
What's in the box:
- Theragun PRO unit
- Two lithium-ion batteries
- Lithium-ion battery charger
- Protective travel carrying case
- Travel pouch for head attachments
- Six head attachments including standard ball, wedge, thumb, cone, supersoft head, and dampener
The Theragun PRO’s features include:
- Two lithium-ion batteries that deliver up to 150 minutes of massage time each
- Ergonomic triangular design allows the Theragun PRO to be gripped and held securely in place from a number of hold points
- 60lbs of stall force, meaning an athlete can apply up to 60lbs of pressure before the gun will start to stall
- An adjustable massaging arm that locks into three different positions with a single push of a button
- A downloadable and integratable app connects to the unit through Bluetooth which then offers customized massage sessions based on your activity data
- Speed settings range between 1750-2400 percussions per minute
- OLED monitor
- Wireless charging (wireless charger sold separately)
- 2-year warranty
2. Theragun Elite Percussion Massager
The Theragun Elite is an easy-to-use, lightweight, and reliable percussive therapy massager.
The unit is super quiet, boasting a powerful brushless motor with QuietForce technology that delivers plenty of power without producing much noise during operation.
The Theragun Elite is designed with Smart Percussive Therapy technology and supports the Therabody app via Bluetooth connectivity.
It also offers an amplitude range of 16mm allowing for deeper massages that help stimulate blood circulation, release lactic acid, and relieve tension built-up from strenuous physical activities.
What's in the box:
- Theragun Elite unit
- Protective travel carrying case
- Lithium-ion battery charger
- Five massage heads including the dampener, standard ball, wedge, thumb, and cone
The Theragun Elite’s features include:
- OLED display screen
- Easily customizable speed settings ranging between 1750-2400 percussions per minute
- 40lbs of stall force, meaning an athlete can apply up to 40lbs of pressure before the gun will start to stall
- An internal lithium-ion battery that offers 120-minutes of massage time
- 1-year warranty
3. Theragun Prime Percussion Massager
The Theragun Prime offers the perfect balance between strength and usability.
This percussive therapeutic massager boasts an ergonomic design offering deep muscle massages and treatment as your body needs it.
The unit is powered by a proprietary brushless motor using QuietForce technology to keep operation noise to a minimum.
The Theragun Prime possesses an amplitude range of 16mm, offering deep muscle tissue treatment that will assist in relieving tension, increasing blood flow, and reducing recovery time.
And conveniently connects to the Therabody app. The app collects athletes' activity data and uses it to suggest guided percussive therapy sessions for optimal workout recovery.
What's in the box:
- Theragun Prime unit
- Protective travel carrying case
- Lithium-ion battery charger
- Four massage heads including the dampener, standard ball, thumb, and cone
The Theragun Prime’s features include:
- 5-mode customizable range speed settings
- An internal lithium-ion battery that delivers around 120-minutes of massage time
- 30lbs of stall force, meaning an athlete can apply up to 30lbs of pressure before the gun will start to stall
- A downloadable and integratable app connects to the unit through Bluetooth which then offers customized massage sessions based on your activity data
- 1-year warranty
4. Theragun Mini Percussion Massager
The Theragun Mini offers a compact, portable design that's perfect for athletes that are regularly on the move or have limited living space.
The Mini is powered by a powerful brushless motor that features QuietForce technology for near-silent operation as well as 3-mode speed settings.
For such a compact unit, the Theragun Mini boasts impressive battery power. Its internal lithium-ion battery offers up to 150-minutes of massage time and quick recharge.
Although the Theragun Mini comes with just the standard ball head attachment, it is compatible with all 4th generation Theragun attachments which will offer a full therapeutic massage experience.
What's in the box:
- Theragun Mini unit
- Protective travel carrying case
- Lithium-ion battery charger
- Standard ball massage head
The Theragun Mini‘s features include:
- Ultra-portable design, perfect for travel or athlete's with small living spaces
- Three-speed settings, 1750,2100, and 2400 percussion per minute
- Internal rechargeable battery delivering massages times of around 150-minutes
- 1-year warranty
5. Maxtorc BMG-1 Percussion Massager
The Maxtorc BMG-1 power massager is the ideal solution for an athlete's recovery and therapeutic massage needs.
The BMG-1 offers a complete deep tissue massage that relieves muscle stiffness and soreness, increases blood circulation, and improves joint flexibility and range of motion.
The Maxtorc BMG-1 offers 6-mode power settings, four different and ergonomically designed head attachments, possesses a USB charging port that charges other devices like cell phones, and is super lightweight, weighing in at just 2lbs.
Although, the most impressive feature of the Maxtorc BMG-1 has to be its incredible battery life. This unit's internal lithium-ion battery will power the unit for up to seven hours with only a 4-5 hour charge time.
What's in the box:
- Protective carrying case
- Lithium-ion battery charger
- Four massage heads
- Maxtorc Percussion Massager unit
Maxtorc BMG-1‘s features include:
- 6-mode speed settings
- A rechargeable 2,000mAh lithium-ion battery
- A massive 7-hour battery life
- 57 pounds of force (stall force)
- An industry-standard lifetime warranty
6. ReAthlete Deep4s Percussion Massager
The ReAthlete Deep4s handheld percussion massager comes with a ton of awesome features, including 4-mode power settings ranging from 1200-3200RPM, a 3-angle adjustable arm, and an ergonomic handle with multiple holding points.
The Deep4s also has an amplitude stroke of 12mm or 0.47inches and comes with five interchangeable massage heads to help target a wide range of different muscle groups and trigger point impact sites.
All of these awesome features help increase muscle recovery, facilitate a deep tissue massage, break up and scaring stored within the muscle tissue, relieve muscle soreness, and, of course, through percussive massage, provide a ton of muscle relief.
What's in the box:
- ReAthlete Deep4s unit
- Protective travel carrying case
- Five different head attachments
- Lithium-ion battery charger
The ReAthlete Deep4s’s features include:
- Four-mode speed settings ranging from 1200-3200 percussions per minute
- Three adjustable arm positions
- Multiple handle hand positions
- Amazing 8-hour battery life, 3-hours operating at maximum speed
- Five interchangeable massage heads
- Three-color LED display
- 1-year warranty
7. Power Plate Pulse Percussion Massager
The Power Plate Pulse massage gun offers whisper-quiet operation, excellent five-hour battery life, a massage head for every application, and portability, all at the best value.
This percussion gun helps rejuvenate sore or tight muscles, relaxes and releases tender muscle fascia, promotes blood flow, releases painful lactic acid build-up, and promotes speedy recovery.
Its cutting edge technology also accelerates warm-up and cool downtimes as well as enhances athletes' range of motion with four power settings and up to 3300RPM of percussive force.
What's in the box:
- Power Plate Pulse unit
- Protective travel carrying case
- Battery charger
- Six head attachments
The Power Plate Pulse’s features include:
- Six massage head attachments
- Four levels of power settings ranging between 1300-3300RPM
- Delivers up to five hours of massage time
- 1-year warranty
8. Jawku Muscle Blaster V2 Percussion Massager
The Jawku Muscle Blaster V2 power massage has every feature any athlete from any sporting discipline could wish for.
Its 5-speed power mode delivers a range of different massage intensities, the unit's six-hour operational time means more deep tissue massages and less charging time, plus its ergonomic design ensures it’s super easy to use.
Along with this, throw in the Blaster V2's comfortable design and four easily interchangeable massage heads, and you've got yourself a very powerful recovery tool.
What's in the box:
- Jawku Muscle Blaster V2 unit
- Protective carry case
- Four massage head attachments
- Battery charger
The Jawku Muscle Blaster V2’s features include:
- Quiet-operation technology
- Four differing massage heads
- Five speed settings ranging from 1400-3200 percussion per minute
- Up to 6-hours of battery life
- LED battery level display
- 14mm amplitude stroke depth
- 60 pounds of force (stall force)
9. Jawku Muscle Blaster Chrome Percussion Massager
The Jawku Muscle Blaster Chrome is the latest massage gun released by the Jawku team.
Its lightweight and compact design make it an awesome option for athletes that travel frequently or for those that just like to save on space.
The unit's 4-6 hours of battery life, 40lbs of pressure force, 11mm amplitude stroke length, and 3-mode speed settings are sure to break up and relieve even the stiffest of muscles.
Couple all of this with an ergonomic and easy to use design and LED interface, and you've got yourself a comprehensive yet compact recovery tool.
What's in the box:
- Jawku Muscle Blaster Chrome unit
- Protective carry case
- Four massage heads
- Battery charger
The Jawku Muscle Blaster Chrome’s features include:
- Four hours of battery life
- Up to 40 pounds of force (stall force)
- Four different head attachments including a large ball, forkhead, bullet head, and stainless steel flat head
- Small, compact, and lightweight design hitting the scales at just 1.78lbs
- 11 amplitude stroke length
- 3-mode speed settings ranging from 1500-2800 percussions per minute
FAQ
Do percussion massagers really work?
Yes, percussion massagers really do work. For a long time, percussion massagers were touted as a very powerful recovery tool. This has now been backed by science and you can rest assured that these powerful recovery tools are sure to relieve muscle soreness and tension but also help to increase blood flow and joint flexibility.
What is the most powerful percussion massager?
The Theragun PRO would have to be the most powerful and well-rounded percussion massager currently on the market. It's advanced QuietForce technology, a wide range of speed setting choices, large amplitude range, and massive battery life make it an incredibly powerful recovery tool.
How do I choose a percussion massager?
The best percussion massager for you depends on your individual needs. When choosing the right one, think about features like power settings, battery life, portability, massage head attachments, and personalized and guided massage therapy sessions. Deciding on which of these features are right for you will help you make the right choice.
Which is the best deep tissue massager?
There are a ton of great deep tissue massagers on the market. Although contrary to common belief, percussion massagers trump most vibration massagers as they offer up to a 60 percent deeper massage. This is awesome for muscle tension relief, promotes blood flow, and increases recovery time.
Final Thoughts
A product of our modern lifestyles and athletic pursuits, many people struggle with sore backs, painful joints, and tight muscles.
And this has never been more prevalent than now.
The COVID pandemic has made our lives more sessile, almost impossible to get to recovery sessions, and much harder to see practitioners that will help with athletic recovery and chronic pain.
Never fear, a quality percussion massager will offer the perfect solution to all our recovery woes.
These powerful recovery tools will not only reduce chronic pain but will also assist athletes, from many different sporting disciplines, to increase their recovery times and boost their overall athletic performances.
Remember, to gain the edge over your competition, get back into the gym, or onto the track faster than ever, a percussion massage is an absolute must.