Relax and soothe muscles with our round-up of the best handheld massagers that cater to a range of lifestyles, levels of expertise and budgets.

Handheld massagers are designed to relieve muscle tightness in your back, neck, legs, shoulders and basically any area of your body where you feel tense. Because these handy devices are compact and lightweight, they’re designed to be used anywhere and anytime, whether that be in bed, at your work desk, in the car or at the gym.

Here, we’ve rounded up our top handheld massager picks that offer a variety of settings and features, and cater to a range of different lifestyles and budgets. No matter if you’re looking for a percussive massager (aka massage gun) to give you a deep-tissue style massage for the best post-workout recovery or you’re looking for a heated option that can help soothe, you’ll find the perfect device for your needs here.

Now it’s time to sit back, relax and massage away your worries so you can perform your best every single day.

Renpho Powerful Portable Massage Gun, $159.99 at Amazon

When evaluating ease of use, design, performance and affordability, the Renpho is definitely hard to beat and probably explains why it has amassed a 4.6 average star rating and over 4.5k five-star reviews on Amazon alone. Standout qualities pointed out by reviewers include the USB-C charging port, the premium quality and its powerful yet incredibly quiet motor.

It has a six-hour battery life, operates at five different speeds up to 3200 PPM (pulses per minute), only weighs 0.68kg and comes with five massage heads and a portable bag. Now that’s a lot for a pretty reasonably priced device.

Theragun PRO 4th Generation Massage Gun, $709 at Amazon

It’s hard to compete against one of the most coveted wellness brands in the world, so, it’s a given that you’re only going to expect the best from every massage session with one of Therabody’s Theraguns. The Pro 4th Generation won’t be a small investment but if you’re serious about recovery then you’re going to get one of, if not the, most professional handheld masssager on the market. The top-of-the-line percussive therapy device features a 16mm amplitude that reaches 60 per cent deeper into the muscle to stimulate circulation, generate heat and release the deepest tensions. It’s designed with three built-in app-guided present routines, a 300-minute continuous battery life and a customisable speed range of 1,750-2,400 PPM.

Besides its long lineup of stellar features, hundreds of reviewers have also commented on how quiet it operates, too. As one person wrote: “Exceptional massage gun. Pro built quality. Quiet yet powerful.” And really, that’s all that needs to be said about the Theragun Pro.

Sharper Image Personal Touch Compact Wireless Wand Massager, $38.46 at Myer

A massager small enough to fit in your purse? Yep, this teeny tiny massager can literally be taken anywhere and reaches those hard-to-reach sore spots. It’s designed with “whisper quiet” technology, is splash-proof and is made with medical-grade silicone that’s flexible and soft to touch.

Hangsun MG460 Handheld Neck/Back Massager, $144.70 at Amazon

Massage guns aren’t the easiest to hold and control when trying to massage your neck or back, which is why it’s best to opt for a handheld massager with a long handle if these are the areas of most concern for you. This one from Hangsun features a long ergonomic handle for an easy, comfortable grip, a dual-head percussion and operates at 3,500 PPM to penetrate the tightest muscles in a short amount of time.

The 3.3k (and counting) five-star reviews speak for themselves.

“Best massager I've ever had,” one person wrote. “The long handle really enables you to reach awkward places and after using it for the first time, went all around the body as just couldn't stop, I felt like I was walking on a cloud!!! So relaxing!”

HoMedics Pro Massage Gun, $299 at The Good Guys

Image: The Good Guys.Source:BodyAndSoul

The HoMedics Pro Massage Gun is the top pick among fitness and health experts, which has gained praise for its ability to glide over muscles, work quickly to dissipate pain and easily switch between hot and cold for the ultimate pre- and post-workout recovery. Use the Active head to distribute warmth into the muscle to improve therapeutic massage performance on the lower back, glutes and traps, or use the Cold head for shins and hip flexors. There are also four other massage head attachments that come with the gun, each designed for specific muscle groups.

Renpho EM-2016C Rechargeable Handheld Massager, $56.99 at Amazon

Yep, a second Renpho product has made it to this list because the brand really does make some of the best handheld massagers on the market that cater to a range of budgets. The EM-2016C is the perfect choice for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much on another device or just wants to test the waters of handheld massagers without sacrificing quality. For less than $60, this cordless and rechargeable massager operates powerfully at up to 3,600 PPM, lasts for 140 minutes on a single charge and comes with five interchangeable head attachments that are each designed to target specific muscle groups.

Theragun Mini Percussion Gun, $349 at Rebel Sport

Image: Rebel Sport.Source:BodyAndSoul

If you’re set on getting a Theragun but can’t justify the price tag of the Pro, the Mini is a good middle ground choice. This premium product is the smallest from the Theragun range and is specifically built for portability. It boasts a whopping 150 minutes of battery, features a chic OLED screen and has three speed levels for custom use. Just like every Theragun product, you’ll also have access to the Therabody App where you’ll find how-to guides and a plethora of health tips to get you on track to your tip-top condition. Chuck it into your gym bag, carry-on luggage or even jacket and you’ll have a private masseuse at your beck and call.

F-King Handheld Claw Head Massager (2-Pack), $9.34 at Amazon

It’s a little bit different to all the other mechanical devices in this round-up but if you're partial to a head rub, then you'll love this option.

One person summed up the beauty of this affordable tool, saying: “You want relaxation? You'll forget the world for 5 minutes with these things. I'm obsessed.”

A second person said it beats other wire and vibrating scalp massagers on the market: “These are the best scalp massagers I have found so far. Light, easy to use, and feels so good! The little metal roller balls are a must. I’ve tried other plastic hands like these but without the metal balls, the plastic is too hard for my sensitive head. I’ve also tried the skinny wire scalp massagers, but those made my skin crawl. I’ve tried vibrating scalp massagers, but the vibration is too intense. These are better than any of those.”

HoMedics Handheld Physio Massager, $88 at Myer

For those after a gentler touch, the HoMedics Handheld Physio Massager is your best pick.

Its little power actually works in its favour, providing a more relaxing and soothing recovery session when compared to more expensive models. It’s cordless and USB rechargeable for convenience, has a one-hour run time on maximum speed and comes with a storage bag to keep your kit nice and tidy. It also comes with three massage heads - round, conical and U-shaped and you can switch between three intensity levels.

How long should you use a handheld massager?

The duration in which you should use a handheld massager depends on the area being targeted.

Generally speaking, a good starting point is 30 seconds at a moderate speed for typical trigger points and 60 seconds for chronic deep trigger points. However, you should seek guidance from a professional like a doctor or chiropractor, who will be able to assess your specific concerns and provide you with tailored advice.

Which handheld massager is best?

The best handheld massager will vary between each individual. Below we’ve listed some of the factors you should consider when purchasing the right one for you. You should also talk to your doctor or chiropractor for their opinion on which handheld massager is best for you.

A handheld massager with a higher speed means the force transmitted into the muscle is going to penetrate deeper.

Amplitude refers to the distance the head of the massager travels in and out. Power is a combination of speed and amplitude — a massager can have high speed but if it has little amplitude or fails to maintain amplitude under pressure, power decreases. The same can be said about a massager with a high amplitude that is unable to maintain a high speed.

Do you want a gun-shaped massager or a long handle one? Shape preference is mostly up to individual comfort and which areas of your body where you’ll be using it the most. For example, if it’s your back and neck where you feel the most tension then it’s probably best to opt for a massager with a long handle that’s easier to control in those specific areas.

Those that cost more are made with quality at the forefront. Higher quality is worth the investment if you’ll be using it frequently plus, it’ll quickly pay for itself. But if you’re not prepared to fork out so much money, there are plenty of cheaper options available. The quality won’t be as good when compared to more expensive options and they may not be as powerful but they’ll get the job done.

A decent massage gun should last a few days to a week on a single charge if used for around 15 minutes per day.

Want more devices that’ll help you relax? We’ve previously rounded up the best weighted blankets to keep you cosy and calm. Plus, you’ll also want to explore the best oil diffusers to improve your sleep, stress and sex life. Ready to shop? Check out our coupons page for all the latest and greatest deals.

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