Gone are the days of blindly using a foam roller or a tennis ball to target sore muscles, as massage guns and vibrating roller tech boom. Runners are becoming more and more likely to invest in a massage gun, but with plenty of new designs popping up on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide where to spend your money.
To help you make the best decision, we took several of the most talked about models for a spin to see how they affected our running recovery and whether they were worth the investment. And if you’ve already got a massage gun but aren’t sure how to use it, don’t fret – here’s our handy guide.
Jump to best massage guns:
What are the benefits of using a massage gun?
A massage gun is an ideal tool to have to help boost your physical performance whilst reducing injury.
The fast-moving head delivers deep vibrations to your muscles to aid recovery and massage any tight knots and provides sweet relief to DOMS.
Additionally, it boosts blood circulation which sends oxygen and nutrients around the body quicker, reducing inflammation and overall pain.
How often should you use a massage gun?
You can you a massage gun as and when needed. You can use it once a day for general care and prevention, and as much as 3 times a day when your muscles are especially sore.
According to Pulseroll, you should only use the massage for a maximum of 2 minutes on any given muscle group.
Best massage guns for 2023
1. Pulseroll Massage Gun
Buy now on Amazon
Technical details:
- Weight: 1KG
- Dimension: 16L x 6W x 26H centimeters
- Rechargeable 12V Battery
- Comes with 6 attachment heads
- 4-speed settings
- Price: £144.99
What our tester said:
If you’re looking for a cheaper, more portable option then a mini massage gun could be ideal – and I was particularly keen on the Pulseroll Mini. It’s really light but has a certain sturdiness that gives it an edge over other mini massage guns. Its size makes it easy to manipulate, so you can reach all those tricky spots, and you can operate it with just one hand, which is great for your upper body. Like many full-size guns, it comes with four different speeds and four interchangeable heads, which offers great versatility for its value. It also comes with a how-to guide to help you choose the right head, speed and technique to best aid your recovery.
I need more info
We reviewed the Pulseroll Mini in full, along with the Pulseroll Vibrating Ball and Vibrating Foam Roller, here if you want to know more about the benefits of the full range of products.
2. Bob and Brad C2
Buy now on Amazon
Technical details:
- Weight: 0.68KG
- Dimension: 17.3L x 6.1W x 13H centimeters
- Rechargeable 2500mAh Battery
- Comes with 5 attachment heads
- 5-speed settings
- Price: £89.99 (on sale for £69.69)
What our tester said:
I wasn’t familiar with Bob and Brad before this brilliant massage gun arrived on my doorstep, but now I’m totally obsessed. These two physical therapists have amassed millions of followers on YouTube, and it’s not hard to see why: they’re funny, charismatic and they know their onions. Think Bob Ross, but for your plantar fasciitis. But it’s not all style – there’s undoubtedly masses of substance here, too.
The C2 massage gun is a genuinely brilliant bit of kit that packs a powerful punch at an impressively affordable price point
I need more info
To find out more, read our full Bob and Brad C2 massage gun review
3. MuscleGun Carbon Muscle Massage Gun
Buy now on Amazon – On sale 5% off £189.99
Technical details:
- Weight: 0.98KG
- Dimension: 18.8L x 6.2W x 24.2H centimeters
- Rechargeable Battery
- Comes with 4 attachment heads
- variable speed control
- Price: £199.99 (on sale for £189.99)
What our tester said:
I was really impressed with this muscle gun; it’s a solid piece of kit that gets to work efficiently on those areas a foam roller can’t. It’s compact and comes in a neat little case. When you switch it on, it runs quietly too. It comes with a clear user guide, so you know how to get the best out of the device and the four attachments. The massager feels really powerful, and has a great range of speed settings. I loved it post-run over my quads and hamstrings, and definitely minimized the dreaded DOMs. It now feels like an essential part of my run kit.
4. Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro
Buy now on Amazon
Technical details:
- Weight: 1.18KG
- Dimension: 33L x 25.4W x 15.2H centimeters
- Rechargeable Battery
- Comes with 5 attachment heads
- 5-speed settings
- Price: £325.00
What our tester said:
I’ve been using a massager on my legs every day during a 70-day run streak, and the new HyperVolt 2 delivers massage far, far beyond the old gun I’ve been using for years. It has five heads, all of which are easy to push on/pull off and five speeds.
I’ve not been able to get above three on the dial, the power of this gun is that impressive, and I’m sticking with option 2 for my calves, the area that needs work the most. The vibration of the gun is strong, and it does feel a little heavy after you’ve been using it for a while, however, it’s easy enough to just switch hands and carry on. Hyperice is a very powerful machine, certainly the Rolls Royce of massagers.
