Best massage guns: Theragun vs. Hypervolt vs. TimTam (and more) - Mashable

[massage]

At-home percussive therapy can help you squeeze a half-hour deep tissue massage into five minutes by (lovingly) using your muscles as a punching bag.

By Leah Stodart2019-12-22 10:00:00 UTC

Finding time for proper workout recovery is — but shouldn't have to be — a luxury.

Between a job, social life, and chasing eight hours of sleep, workouts get squeezed into the day's only free time slot. (*Cue the Peloton ad making you feel like shit for not biking at dawn.*) A proper cool down (let alone a massage) is usually the thing that gets glossed over, or else skipped completely.

Enter: those massage guns that have taken fitness Instagram by storm. Turns out that those mesmerizing skin ripples are more than just a weird flex: The form of portable muscle therapy that started with professional athletes has trickled down into the lives of your average gym-goer who doesn't have the time or money for foam rolling sessions on sore days.

The ability to give yourself a deep-tissue massage at home is also potentially life-changing for anyone suffering from chronic shoulder, neck, or back pain. When a cheap massage ball is too weak but weekly acupuncture is too daunting, a massage gun might be the perfect middle ground.

How do massage guns work?


Percussive therapy is the name of the game, and it's a more professional term for "your muscles like it rough."

Athletes turn to deep-tissue massage for quick pain relief and faster recovery times. Here, a professional masseuse delivers forceful, rapid thumps to a specific area of the body to stimulate a specific set of muscles. The percussive therapy afforded by a massage gun lets individuals perform this same type of penetrative tissue attention on themselves without extra help, and these devices are said to provide hours worth of massage benefits in minutes.

Treating something that hurts like a punching bag may seem like the last thing it needs. But beating that damaged deep tissue into submission has a desensitizing effect, and if you've ever tried a cheap As Seen On TV massager on back knots, you know it takes some oomph to feel anything. These short-duration pulses enhance blood flow, soften knots, and accelerate the repair of muscle fibers, all of which can lead to better-prepared warmups and quicker recovery times. This form of self-myofascial release is huge for folks who have a hard time keeping up with a routine due to delayed-onset muscle soreness.

Your mood might see a spike, too. The pressure point relief that massage provides has been linked to decreased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), an increased production of endorphins (the feel-good chemical), and even a lower heart rate.

We don't know who needs to hear this, but percussive therapy isn't a fix-all. A massage gun may be able to replace pricey massage appointments or heckling your gym partner to help you stretch, but nutrients from a balanced diet, sleep, and getting proper hydration are still crucial to the muscle growth and recovery process.

Which massage gun is the best?


Frequent workout schedules and high pain levels might make a $600 massage gun worth it — but in other cases, a less-intense device may be more beneficial. Here are some factors to consider:

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  Percussion massagers vs. vibration massagers: Not all pain is created equal. Percussion massagers mimic the kneading hands of a masseuse, providing pressure strong enough to hammer below the top layers and tend to damaged muscle fibers. This is ideal if heavy-duty workouts are your lifestyle, but 60 pounds of force may simply be too much in other situations. Occasional exercisers, seniors, and folks with chronic pain may prefer the surface-level rumbling of a vibration massager, which provides the same speedy pulses with less "punch" for a more relaxing experience. Vibration massagers usually oscillate in more rapid strokes with less horsepower.
  
  
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  Customization options: You wouldn't massage a bony spine like you would a shoulder with a tough knot — you don't need a professional to tell you that. If you have multiple muscle categories that need to be worked on and varying levels of strain, look for a device that offers different speeds (RPM) and attachment heads to target each specific muscle group. When comparing specs, remember that higher speed doesn't always mean vigor. The amplitude (how deep the massage head will push into your body) relies on the amount of force behind each pulse, and heavier force on a slow RPM setting will feel more intense than a faster RPM setting with weaker force.
  
  
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  Noise: No one wants to sit in a public place (or at home with a sleeping baby) using a device that sounds like a construction site. It might be impossible for these drill-like massage guns to be completely silent, but the reviews will let you know if the noise is tolerable or obnoxious.
  
  
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  Battery life: Many people depend on their massage gun for a rushed cool down in the middle of a busy schedule, and charging after every use is a huge inconvenience. The best massage guns will get up to three hours of battery life while the weaker ones max out at around 40 minutes.
  

Here are the best massage guns on the market right now:

Ergonomic donut handle and four-way adjustable arm • Corresponding app shows how to use attachments • Most forceful percussions for fast muscle recoup • Comes with a carrying case
Not the quietest • Gets hot after being on for a while • Only two speed settings
People are down to pay for the gold standard, which delivers 60 pounds of force and has an interactive app.
1. Theragun G3Pro

Pro athletes stan the Theragun for its high-velocity reps and six swappable attachments.

• Strokes per minute: 1,740 to 2,400
• Stroke depth: 16 mm
• Speed settings: 2
• Battery life: 150 minutes
• Interchangeable tips: 6

Shopping research always involves comparing affordable competing models with that one gold standard brand. For vacuums, it's Dyson. For tablets, it's Apple. For massage guns, Theragun is the one to beat — so much so that people are calling the entire product category "Theraguns" like people call all tissues "Kleenex."
The Theragun reigns supreme due mostly due to its power. It delivers some of the strongest, deepest percussions on the market, delivering 60 pounds of force in each 16mm punch to penetrate the tissues that even the best masseuses may not reach. It's so strong that Theragun suggests a max of two minutes on each area.
The Theragun G3Pro's most notable upgrade is the addition of two new interchangeable heads, now totaling six: a dampener, large ball, standard ball, wedge, thumb, and cone. The range is particularly handy for targeting smaller areas that require more precision, like stubborn knots in between shoulder blades or on the arch of the foot. The ergonomic donut shape and four arm angles make it easy to twist around to nail places that are typically impossible without someone else's help. Not sure which attachment would best for your pain? Theragun's app has a gorgeous guide that walks you through how to treat each muscle group, as well as suggestions for carpal tunnel, jet lag, and morning pains.
Though the new gearbox apparently muffles sound by 50% compared to the older G2Pro, don't expect to be inconspicuous while using it at the gym. The fact that it's not the quietest of the bunch is odd considering the fact that its highest speed is 800 RPM slower than the near-silent Hypervolt.

Super quiet • Battery lasts up to three hours • Only 2.5 pounds • Closest to a professional massage experience
Carrying case sold separately
The feather-light Hypervolt has more speed options than the Theragun and is *still* quieter.
2. Hyperice Hypervolt

These high-powered vibrations are great for general soreness and a more peaceful experience.

• Strokes per minute: 2,000 to 3,200
• Stroke depth: 16 mm
• Speed settings: 3
• Battery life: 180 minutes
• Interchangeable tips: 5

And in this corner, we have the only player that's giving some serious competition to the Theragun. Hyperice has found ways to pick up where the Theragun flops and does it for less than 60% of the Theragun's price. (That'll be jacked up by $50 if you want the carrying case, which is included for free with the Theragun.) Though the Theragun remain's our top pick, the Hypervolt is a close second thanks to a few key features.
Finding the main difference between the two requires a vibe check. Literally. While the Theragun throws powerful punches deep into the tissue while sounding like a power drill, the Hypervolt provides more of a well-rounded massage experience. The motor's rumbles are steadier and muted thanks to its Quiet Glide technology, which is guaranteed to pique the interest of people who need to use their device at the office, at home with skittish pets around, or at the gym without drawing stares.
The newest version of the Hypervolt is also equipped with pressure sensor lights on the back that give the user (or physical therapist) feedback about how much pressure they're putting on and how hard to push to achieve the same results next time. The five included attachments are less refined than those of the Theragun and may require more experimenting, so the pressure sensor will be extra handy when figuring out what works for you.

Heated tip • Pre-programmed settings for warm-ups, lumbar massages, and more • 175-degree rotating head • Freezer tips for cold therapy (sold separately)
Worst battery life of the bunch • No setting over 3,000 strokes per minute • Only comes with two interchangeable heads
Stiff muscles and joints get some much-needed relaxation thanks to the heated tip and temperature sensor on the TimTam Power Massager.
3. TimTam Power Massager

The TimTam Power Massager Pro employs heat to help loosen up your muscles.

• Strokes per minute: 1,000 to 2,800
• Stroke depth: 32 mm
• Speed settings: 3
• Battery life: 40-60 minutes
• Included heads: 2

The ice versus heat debate comes up nearly every time someone feels an inkling of pain. While ice numbs fleeting injuries like a sprained ankle, heat remedies more persisting pains like stiff muscles by increasing blood flow and lubricating joints. The latter is what many people use massage guns for, too, and the TimTam's heated tip lets users combine percussion and heat therapy for double the soothing effects.
Therapeutic relief also comes in the form of the TimTam's pre-programmed settings, which pair stroke speed, power, and vibration pattern for the body part you're working on. Choose from three speeds (1,000, 2,000, or 2,800 strokes per minute), plus settings specifically for warming up, recovery, and even a neck or lumbar massage. Even more localized treatment can be done with TimTam's range of heating and cooling heads, but all but two are sold separately. Your purchase does come with a free hat, though. So there's that!
Someone who prefers a brisk beating won't be impressed by the strokes per minute not rising above 2,800, but it's also notable that the lowest speed is 1,000 RPM — a soft, low-risk speed for older people those with a low pain tolerance. The built-in muscle temperature sensor scans to find muscle groups that are cold or overworked.
TimTam's website claims that using the PowerMassager Pro for a few minutes is equivalent to a one-hour professional massage. Whether that's true or not is up to you, but the upgrades from the previous model certainly make it a strong contender. These include a 175-degree rotating head compared to the previous 90-degree head and 50% less noise. Battery life was apparently overlooked during these upgrades, as you won't get more than an hour on one charge.

90% of Amazon ratings are 5 stars • Nine speed settings make experimenting easy
Build feels cheap • Attachments are difficult to swap
Despite cheap build quality, the Vybe Pro operates at incredibly high speeds and is effective for the price.
4. Exerscribe Vybe Pro

The manageable price point and robust speed settings of the Vybe Pro make it great for beginners.

• Strokes per minute: 1,800 to 3,400
• Stroke depth: 16 mm
• Battery life: 180 minutes
• Speed settings: 9
• Included interchangeable heads: 5

A quick Google search of "massage guns" makes it clear that you'll need to drop some serious cash for a top-line device. But opting for the established brands makes sense: Because the massage gun cultural moment is still new and your body's wellbeing is involved, you should be skeptical about cheap machines saying that they can do what a high-end brand does. But affordable brand Exerscribe is garnering some serious attention and even a few shoutouts from fitness vloggers.
Exerscribe's Vybe Pro looks eerily like the Hypervolt's cheaper cousin but beats its high-end counterpart in multiple categories. The Vybe Pro has six more speed settings (nine total) with the fastest crossing the finish line at 3,400 pulses per minute. Those nine percussion settings can be tailored to different parts of the body through five massage heads, including a fork shape for the spine that many massage guns don't include. Reviewers have mentioned that the swapping mechanism feels junky and that attachments are prone to coming loose. At any rate, this level of versatility at this price point is a game changer for newbies who want to experiment without spending a lot.
Where Exerscribe falls short is in the pressure of those speedy strokes. The Vybe Pro administers 30 to 40 pounds of force, which is roughly half of the Theragun G3Pro's 60 pounds. We wouldn't recommend that a heavy lifter should go with this device, as muscles that endure rigorous daily workouts will need much more oomph to kickstart blood flow to those damaged fibers. But for people with sensitive skin or broader aches, there's no reason to pay for unnecessary power.
If you prefer the donut shape of the Theragun, Exerscribe has a well-reviewed model called the Vybe.
A good amount of customization options for the price • Made by a trusted home exercise brand • Less than two pounds
Not powerful enough for serious muscle recovery • Power button in an awkward place
It's not the hardest hitter of the bunch, but NordicTrack's massager is impressively quick and light for the price.
5. NordicTrack

NordicTrack's low power at high speeds offers an affordable warm up before workouts.

• Strokes per minute: 3,900
• Stroke depth: 16 mm
• Speed settings: 3
• Battery life: 90 minutes
• Included interchangeable heads: 3

People who only muster the courage to run once a month and then are sore for a month afterward need some representation, too. NordicTrack, a pioneer in at-home workout equipment (most famous for its treadmills) released its own version of a percussion massager in 2019. It's more reliable than most affordable alternatives from brands you've never heard of, and it's at a low enough price point to be worthwhile even if you don't use your device religiously.
Is it a true percussion massager that can beat your muscles like a meat tenderizer for 30-second recovery? Unlikely. CNET's reviewer had a "superficial" experience and felt that the throbs wouldn't be strong enough able to crack intense knots or deep tissue damage. That sounds like a death sentence, but there's a whole group of sensitive people out there who would actually prefer a low-powered rattling. According to this running blog, the NordicTrack's vibrating pulse is still enough to heat and relieve soreness after a run, all the way from your lower back and hips on down the legs.
This chic, matte black gun gets you three speed settings that level up to 3,900 RPM, conquering the Hypervolt. It can provide that rapid buzz for up to 1.5 hours on a single charge and weighs almost a pound less than the Hypervolt, which is often named as one of the lightest on the market. If nothing else, the battery life and compact design make it a great travel option.