Shoppers are raving about this percussion massage gun, saying the $129 model is just as good — if not better — than more expensive versions.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Learn more
While we’d all love to treat ourselves to a massage every other day to soothe those work or exercise-induced aches and pains, few of us have the budget for such a luxury.
But that doesn’t mean you have to live with the discomfort – because one of the most popular new at-home wellness devices is here to help work away all those sore spots, and even the most expensive options pale in comparison to the cost of a weekly session with a masseuse.
RELATED: We Try the Theragun Pro massage gun professional athletes love
Massage guns are all the rage right now, and as someone who has trialled three separate brands, I can confirm that they are lifesavers when it comes to melting away all that tension and pain.
WHAT IS A MASSAGE GUN?
Never heard of a massage gun? Allow us to explain.
A massage gun is a handheld and often portable self-massaging device. While designs vary, they generally feature a massage head that rapidly pulses to offer a deep tissue massage which increases blood flow and circulation. They’re ideal for people with stiff or sore muscles due to exercise, poor posture, manual labour, and more – so basically, just about anyone could benefit from one.
Have we got your attention yet? Check out our picks of the best models below based on customer reviews and ratings.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This Pro Series II percussion gun is designed to give you a professional-style massage. It has six interchangeable heads designed for different massage styles and parts of the body. Other features include six levels of intensity, a rubber grip handle, and a LCD touch screen for easy programming.
“I am so happy with this purchase. I often get back pain and tension headaches, since using this device I have noticed a reduction in both of these issues,” one five star review on Shaver Shop’s website reads.
“I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone looking for an effective massage gun.”
Other five star reviews say it “works magic on tired, aching muscles” and is great value for money given it comes with multiple attachments.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Theragun has to be one of – if not the – biggest name in the massage gun business. The mini model is their most affordable and portable option, but despite its size it doesn’t skimp on power.
Having given it a whirl myself, I can confirm that it’s super effective. The compact handle is easy to grip, it’s really light and quiet, and it’s amazing for relieving muscle pain with its three settings. It’s certainly more expensive than some of its counterparts, but it looks and feels the part, and you get what you pay for.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
One of the best-selling massage guns on Amazon Australia is this pick from RENPHO. It’s the whole package: affordable, powerful, versatile and lightweight.
Six attachments are included, and there are 20 speeds to choose from. The eight hour battery life gives you plenty of time before needing to recharge, and the handy travel case helps you package everything together safely.
“I wanted a powerful massager that I could massage my partner with while watching TV or listening to music, so I wanted it to be quiet, even when it’s on the highest level. My partner is a hard physical worker and this gun really gets into his shoulders and knots, he just loves it and feels so much better,” wrote one of thousands of five-star reviewers.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Small yet powerful, this mini massage gun by leading affordable brand RENPHO uses a custom-designed brushless motor for a deeper and more soothing massage. Four heads are included to target certain areas of the body, and five speed levels customise the experience.
It has a 4.7-star average rating from over 950 reviews, with one reviewer writing “This massage gun is the best I’ve ever had! I have purchased other brands in the past and they don’t work very well or last long. This new gun by RENPHO is perfect! It’s smaller than usual models so it is so much more comfortable to hold when using on your tired muscles. It’s powerful so you feel like (you’re) really massaging that muscle deeply”.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Boasting up to 3000rpm (rotations per minute), this HoMedics Massage Gun has three interchangeable massage heads and offers one hour of cordless power. One-button control makes it easy to handle, with three intensity levels to suit your needs.
It has a 4.5-star average rating from more than 190 reviews, with one reviewer commenting “This product is really nice to relax your muscles. Using only 15 mins on the whole body, it makes you feel fresh. Highly recommend”.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Equipped with eight different massage heads and 30 advanced speed settings, you get a lot of bang for your buck with this pick. It weighs one kilo, making it ideal for carrying with you wherever you need it, and the sophisticated brushless motor offers impressive power with minimal noise and external vibration. Each full charge lasts an impressive four to five hours, a great amount considering the price tag.
“Very effective relief of muscle pain, excellent for long sitting office workers,” wrote a reviewer.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Reduced to a fraction of its original price this massage gun is great value for money. Features include 10 different heads for different massage types and parts of the body, as well as 32 different speed settings.
Five star reviews say the gun is “fabulous” and “does wonders for the body”.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This is a great option if you want something less intense than a typical massage gun. The motor can go up to 3600 pulses a minute and it’s ideal for relieving tension in the feet, shoulders, neck, back, calves and arms.
The cordless and rechargeable machine comes with five different heads as well as five different percussion modes.
“Great value for money. While not as powerful as the high-end percussion massages that costs $500+, for the very affordable price, the RENPHO massager does the job well with decent power, hitting the sore spots,” one five star review reads.
“And it’s much easier to use by yourself for your back compared to the handheld guns.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The Hydragun claims to be the quietest premium massage gun on the market, and having used it myself, I can confirm that it’s exceptionally quiet – while also being exceptionally effective at soothing sore muscles. Used by the likes of Olympian Bronte Campbell, the Hydragun is strong yet light, and comes with six attachments and six speed levels – which I find super useful for targeting different muscle groups.
It looks and feels super luxurious – it’s made of aerospace-grade aluminium rather than cheap plastic, after all – and it offers a huge six hour battery life. It’s definitely a premium option, but personally I love it.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The Hypervolt Plus is another massage gun I’ve been lucky enough to trial, and it’s another super powerful and effective option. The powerful brushless motor operates super smoothly, and the five attachments help you pinpoint any sore spots with ease – my favourite was the soft one that was strong yet gentle on my neck and upper back.
There are three levels of intensity to customise to your needs, and Bluetooth connectivity means you can pair the device to an app on your phone that can perform a customised routine for you.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The ultimate investment for any gym junkie, Theragun PRO might be the most expensive model on the market, but it certainly goes above and beyond to meet your expectations. The triangular grip and rotating arm make it really easy to reach anywhere on your body – right down to the middle of your back – with ease.
It has a 300 minute battery life, smart app integration with bluetooth, and a customisable speed range so you can precisely meet your massaging needs. Six easy-to-clean foam attachments are included, all of which are gentle yet strong on the body, along with a spare battery and a protective carrying case.
“I’ve had knots in my shoulders and traps that I haven’t been able to get out for YEARS … The Theragun Pro has given me a tool that not only lets me attack sore spots as soon as they crop up but actually provides a way to maintain my level of comfort … It’s fantastic after runs or strength workouts but where it’s really shone is during daily maintenance on my neck, shoulders and lower back for places that I could normally never reach effectively alone. I’m beyond pleased that I bought it.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This corded option from HoMedics might not be as portable as its cordless counterparts, but it’ll never run out of battery on you. It has various speed, rhythm and intensity setting, and has heated attachments that can add an extra punch of soothing power. The adjustable handle makes it easy to reach anywhere on your body.
ARE MASSAGE GUNS WORTH IT?
Massage guns are definitely a worthwhile purchase if you suffer from frequent aches, whether that’s due to strenuous exercise, poor posture, or anything else. They can relieve muscle soreness, increase mobility, aid in stress relief, increase blood circulation, and allow for better lymphatic drainage.
Personally, I use my massage gun frequently to work out the knots in my neck and upper back, and to relieve sore legs or feet if I’ve done a lot of walking.
WHICH MASSAGE GUN IS BEST?
It depends on your needs. Leading brands Theragun, Hydragun, and Hyperice all offer exceptional quality, but they also come with high price tags. Consider the cost of regular massage sessions though, and you’ll find that even the higher-priced options pay for themselves pretty quickly.
While the higher quality is worth the investment if you want a massage gun you will be using frequently, for those who aren’t quite ready for that commitment there are cheaper options available. They may not be as powerful or have as many settings to customise your massage but they’ll get the job done for a fraction of the price.
Looking for more recommendations? Check out our guides to the best walking shoes, best sports brands, and best treadmills.
Make sure you get the best deal on every purchase by visiting news.com.au Coupons, where you can find deals on top brands from Bing Lee to The Good Guys.
And for more shopping guides and tips, sign up to the Best Of newsletter here.
It’s time to hit the pavement and get outside with our roundup of the best walking shoes for women.
At first glance they look like just a normal pair of tights — but there’s a secret feature that will make working out in winter so much easier.
Get a cardio workout in without ever having to leave the house thanks to our roundup of stellar exercise bikes.