Yahoo News Are Massage Guns Worth It? Here's What An Expert Says.
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
If you’ve ever gotten a massage, you know just how life-changing it can be, whether you’re an athlete constantly dealing with aches and pains or a regular person struggling with good old-fashioned “text neck.” With a few elbows in your back and a few sweeps over those pressure points, you’re suddenly in a lot less pain — and definitely less stressed.
Massage guns have been having a major moment. They have a wide range of price points and users, from trainers and chiropractors to the cast of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” But do these little (and sometimes extremely expensive) machines really work? And if so, are they worth the money? Let’s take a closer look.
What to know before investing in a super-expensive massage gun
According to an ad for the much-loved TheraGun (which can cost up to $600), the massage gun works by “increasing blood flow, decreasing lactic acid and interrupting the pain cycle in the brain.”
Eva Carey, director of massage therapy at Zeel, said a top-notch massage gun can get the job done — but you should take your time learning how to use each feature. “Higher-end models can offer more application choices,” she said. “And make sure to use them with caution!”
Do the lower-end ones work?
If a $400 to $600 massage gun isn’t in your financial future, worry not — the less expensive ones could be a good investment, too. If you’re willing to take the time to understand how different massage guns work and do your research before buying one, you might be able to find exactly what you need without paying an arm and a leg for it.
“Models work with either a circular or thumping motion, with varying speeds and pressure,” Carey said. “Considerations when shopping for one include weight of the unit, noise (a loud appliance is definitely not relaxing), and number of tips available for generalized or more specific application.”
Her personal favorites massagers are the Hypervolt and MedMassager (which is a little cheaper).
That said, if you don’t mind spending a lot of money on massages, you could stick with the regular kind. Those work pretty darn well and certainly don’t require a learning curve.
Check out these massage guns:
Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.
RX Pro-Therapy Impact Massager
Speed: This massager has three different speed levels.
Charge: You can power away with a 45 minutes run time.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find that this handheld massager has three interchangeable applicators for different kinds of massages.
$$$: Find it for $130 at Bed Bath & Beyond.
RENPHO Deep Tissue Massager
Speed: The motor on this one goes up to 3600 times per minute.
Charge: This massager can last 140 minutes on a full charge and after 20 minutes, it'll shut off to stop it from overheating.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find five interchangeable head attachments and built-in rechargeable battery on this cordless massager.
$$$: Find it for $40 at Amazon.
Tagital 6 Heads 30 Speeds Muscle Massage Gun
Speed: This massage gun has six massage heads with 30 different speeds.
Charge: The 2500mha lithium battery gives this massage gun a life of eight hours.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find that this massage gun has a circular head that you can use for a full-body muscle massage and protection from overheating.
$$$: Find it for $80 at Walmart.
LifePro Store Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
Speed: This massage gun has five different levels of intensity from low pressure to powerful.
Charge: With a 16.8V charging port, this massage gun has three to six run time.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find that this handheld massage gun has an LED panel with an on and off switch, a quiet brushless motor and five massage heads.
$$$: Find it for $110 at Amazon.
Hyperice Hypervolt Portable Massage Device
Speed: This massager can deliver up to 3200 percussions per minute.
Charge: You can have up to three hours of use per charge.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find that this cordless massager has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and quiet guide technology.
$$$: Find it for $299 at Amazon.
Legiral Portable Body Muscle Massager
Speed: This massager has a 24V brushless motor and 20 adjustable speed settings.
Charge: With a 2500mAh rechargeable lithium battery, this massager can handle six hours of working time at low speed and takes up to two hours to charge.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find this massage gun has six replacement heads that can help you relax the right muscle.
$$$: Find it for $130 at Amazon.
OPOVE M3 Pro Massage Gun
Speed: This massage gun has a 24V brushless high-torque motor that can work through three different speeds.
Charge: With a rechargeable battery, this massage gun has work up to three hours when it's fully charged.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find that this massage gun has an anti-drop shell that made of glass fiber.
$$$: Find it for $200 at Amazon.
Brookstone Max 2 Percussion Massager
Speed: This massager has five different speed settings.
Charge: It can handle a 120 volt and has a cord length of nine inches.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find that this massager has three different massage programs. It's designed to help with overworked muscles.
$$$: Find it for $200 at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Flyby Deep Tissue Massage Gun
Speed: The brushless motor on this massage gun has three speeds and six attachments.
Charge: With a 26V rechargeable battery, this massage gun can handle about four hours per charge.
Need-To-Know Features: You'll find that this massage gun is lightweight, weighing less than two pounds.
$$$: Find it for $80 at Amazon.
TaoTronics Percussion Massager
Speed: This massage gun has a 24W motor that can stroke up to 3200 times per minute.
Charge: With rechargeable batteries, this massage gun can work for four to ten hours when fully charged.
Need-To-Know Features: The six massage heads come in different shapes so that you can pick which one to use for your muscles.
$$$: Find it for $110 at Amazon.
Related Coverage
The Best High-Waisted Bike Shorts For Fashion
12 Nifty UV Light Sanitizers To Sterilize Your Phone, Surfaces And More
The Best Breathable Face Masks For Running And Exercising
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
