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Whether you’re an athlete looking for ways to help with post-workout recoveries or are experiencing newfound back pain thanks to a non-ergonomic work-from-home setup, it might be time to invest in a targeted deep tissue massager — otherwise known as a massage gun.

Massage guns can be used from the comfort of your home to help your muscles recover after a particularly grueling workout or a long day on your feet. “What the massage gun does is combine impact and movement, known as vibration therapy, to help loosen up tight and sore muscles, similar to that of a massage, as well as stimulate blood flow to help increase recovery,” explained John Gallucci Jr., DPT, CEO of JAG-ONE Physical Therapy and medical coordinator for Major League Soccer.

To help you pick the right massage gun for your needs, we spoke to experts about how the device works and collected some of their favorite massagers on the market.

LEARN MORE ABOUT the best massage guns | features to consider | pros and cons | how to use a massage gun

A massage gun, more technically called a percussion massager, is a handheld tool that limbers muscles by providing rapid mini bursts of pressure in concentrated pulses, Gallucci explained. These tools are often referred to as a “mini jackhammer” for your muscles and are meant to be used when you’re sore or tight. “The percussion therapy provided by the massage gun will help to loosen up or relax tight muscles or trigger points (hyperirritable spots located in a tight band of muscle) and will also increase blood flow to the affected area,” Gallucci explained.

Other names for this type of therapy include a deep tissue massage or a self-massage and it can be done on areas of the body with significant muscle mass — such as the neck, back, shoulders and legs — to help alleviate or prevent muscle soreness. “The massage guns can cause local stimulation to drive the cascade of blood flow and associated nutrients to those areas,” explained Rahul Shah, MD, an orthopedic spine and neck surgeon. “These are also the areas where muscles are likely to build lactic acid [which causes a burning sensation] and other byproducts of increasing muscle fatigue. By stimulating blood flow to these areas, these toxins can also be effectively neutralized.”

A massage gun’s high velocity vibrations can also stimulate nerve fibers, which in turn dampens local pain responses, explained Bianca Beldini, DPT, an acupuncturist, physical therapist and triathlete. “The oscillatory pressure vibrations can release tension in the fibers of the muscles and increase circulation of blood and lymph to the soft tissue, leading to relaxation of the muscle and a decrease in pain,” she said.

However, massage guns are not recommended for everyone, explained Allen Conrad, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and the owner of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center. “Anyone who suffers from hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures, swelling, varicose veins or any autoimmune or muscular disorder should consult with their doctor before using a massage gun,” he said.

Here are some of the best massage guns to consider across various brands and price points, recommended by the experts we spoke to.

According to Sean Lynch, a certified personal trainer, Orangetheory coach, and studio owner, Hyperice’s Hypervolt model provides the best all-around value with three speeds up to 3,200 percussions per minute (PPM), five head attachments and a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that holds up to two hours of juice. Beldini agreed, noting that this is what she personally uses. “It has multiple speeds, it is easy to handle and it is relatively quiet,” she said.

For those looking for a budget-friendly option, Gallucci likes this model from VYBE. It’s relatively lightweight at 2.5 pounds, plus it has eight speed settings and nine different attachments. “This machine is great for on the go and comes with two rechargeable batteries so that you always have a backup ready,” he noted.

Hypervolt massage guns are known for their quick-charging batteries, minimal noise levels, power and ease of use, according to Gallucci. “Weighing in at 1.5 pounds, this Hypervolt product packs a lot of power into a travel-friendly option,” he said, noting that it’s “nearly as powerful as many full-size guns.” Conrad agreed that this is a quality lightweight option that can easily be carried or packed in a bag when traveling.

This massage gun stands in a class of its own due to its ergonomic grip and adjustable arm, according to Gallucci. It’s easy to angle the arm for a customized massage catered to any body part. “A few other special features include the six speeds, seven attachments, two batteries lasting five hours total and Bluetooth capabilities,” he said. “This massage gun is an investment, but fitness enthusiasts and athletes feel it is well worth the splurge.” Conrad also noted that the Pro model is over 50 percent quieter than previous Theragun generations.

Conrad recommended this option for beginners looking for a budget-friendly option before making a more sizable investment. It comes with four attachment heads and although it isn’t battery-operated, it has a 9-foot power cable so you can move freely. It also has two speeds and two vibration settings with up to 3,350 PPM. He noted that though travel guns like this may not be powerful enough for larger areas like the hamstrings, they can be useful for smaller regions like the calves and forearms.

This is Conrad’s favorite massage gun overall for three reasons: It’s quiet, has an ergonomic handle and packs plenty of power. “Theragun is the pioneer in this market and this fourth-generation Theragun lives up to the top-quality products that Theragun is known for,” agreed Gallucci. “I like this machine best because it is extremely quiet [and] powerful [and] has five attachments and five speed settings that allow me to customize a massage treatment.”

According to the experts we consulted, there are some notable features shoppers may come across when checking out different massage gun models.

When shoppers start looking into investing in a massage gun, they will likely notice that two brands dominate the arena: Theragun and Hypervolt. “These are the two ‘best marketed’ devices, and thus have a lot of feedback from what I consider credible sources: other athletes,” Lynch said.

“Theragun is known for beautiful design features, ergonomics and ease of use with different intensity settings,” he explained. However, in Lynch’s experience, their guns are loud and they are some of the expensive models on the market.

Hypervolt, meanwhile, “has a lot of the same features as the Theragun, though it is far quieter,” he said. Though the massage gun is “is not as aesthetically ‘sexy,’” he said it ultimately doesn’t impact its quality, which is why he said it has the best all-around value.

According to Gallucci, there are multiple aspects to take into consideration when it comes to a massage gun, both pros and cons.

After a tough workout or even some strenuous house or yard work, Gallucci said that it’s common to experience sore muscles — a massage gun can help. “To soothe those achy muscles, many have turned to massage and the massage gun is a convenient, portable way to bring your massage anywhere that you are,” he said. Using the massage gun not only alleviates pain, but also speeds up your recovery time by aiding in the removal of waste product from damaged tissue and breaking up scar tissue.

According to Gallucci, massage guns also offer enough pressure to actually make a difference, unlike other massage tools like foam rollers. “Some people cannot physically push hard enough, while others are afraid of the pain they may feel in the affected area,” he said. “Massage guns are battery-powered and mechanical, so they do not hold back and always provide the same level of intensity and ensure pressure.”

Massage guns need to be utilized properly. Those who are inexperienced or have not done enough research on how to properly handle the massage gun can end up injuring themselves. “You may end up massaging an area that is experiencing referred pain and not actually targeting the area that needs help with recovery, doing more harm than good,” Gallucci said.

Massage guns used on injuries such as strains, sprains, broken bones or even extreme swelling can also potentially make the damage worse. “They can further damage the injured tissue, or even increase swelling rate,” he said. “You should check with your doctor if you have a chronic condition before using a massage gun to see if it is right for you.”

As a physical therapist, Gallucci frequently works with patients who don’t think they need to consult their doctor before using a massage gun. However, if you don’t talk to your doctor beforehand, you might cause further injury. “My advice is to do the research and know what the machine is used for and how to use it properly so that you don’t end up hurting yourself,” he said.

Once you have consulted a doctor and done your research, Gallucci recommends keeping these tips in mind:

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Lauren Levy is a contributor with work published on The Knot, PopSugar, CafeMom, Mom.com, Bridal Guide and Care.com.

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