What our reviewers say: Gallucci is a fan of this versatile massage gun, particularly for the Bluetooth capability that connects to the Therabody app for in-depth step-by-step guided routines, which can be personalized based on your activities, injuries or ailments. “The Theragun Prime is my favorite as it has an easy-to-use handle and four attachments in order to target different areas, creating a deep and powerful massage,” Gallucci says.
It’s a 2023 Glamour Wellness Award–winner, too. “It’s almost like I have an extra arm when I use this thing; I can really work my upper back without needing to twist and contort (or plead my boyfriend for help). I’m a runner, so the pounding also feels so good on my IT bands, which tend to get sore,” says Talia Abbas, Vogue’s commerce editor.
- Number of speeds: 5
- Number of attachments: 4
- Battery life: 2 hours
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year
- FSA/HSA eligible: Yes
Best Budget: VYBE Percussion Massage Gun
Original video by Glamour reviewer Stephnia Schirru using VYBE Percussion Massage Gun
Why we like it: This massage gun offers the same high-quality percussive massage as high-end options like the TheraGun and Hyperice Hypervolt, but at a lower price point. It offers six speeds and three interchangeable massage tips to target different muscle groups.
What our reviewers say: Stephania Schirru, a former professional basketball player based in New York, loves this massage gun because it’s not only extremely versatile, it comes at an affordable price point and has proven to be durable, lasting her three years so far. “I love it because it really penetrates the tissue and loosens the muscles and has three different attachments and an adjustable arm,” she says. “When I had extreme tightness in my calves, I did long stretches and even went to a massage therapist, but only this gun could get rid of my soreness.”
- Number of speeds: 6
- Number of attachments: 3
- Battery life: 2 hours
- Weight: 3½ pounds
- Warranty: 90-day limited warranty
- FSA/HSA eligible: Not specified
Best Quiet Option: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2
Original video by Omar Vazquez / Glamour reviewer Emilia Benton using Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2
Why we like it: This massage gun is compact, lightweight, and even TSA-approved to carry on to flights (a huge bonus for runners who pack light when they travel for race weekends, as I do). Offering three speeds and a three-hour battery life, it also features QuietGlide technology so you can use it discreetly if you’d rather not disturb others with a high noise level.
What our reviewers say: Casey Cohen, an NASM-certified personal trainer at Life Time in New York City, uses this massage gun to warm up her muscles before starting an activity or cooling down afterward. “Between teaching a combination of 20 high-performance cycling and high-intensity interval training classes a week, plus training on top of my classes, the Hypervolt Go 2 has become my go-to for improving muscle endurance, power and range of motion,” she says. “I always carry it in my gym bag—it’s super light and portable, and I can trust that it delivers a literal quick hit of relief to the regions of my body where I carry stress, like my neck, shoulders and lower back.”
