Best Massage Guns UK (2023)

While back and neck pains are the most common adult concerns, muscle massage guns can actually be used for a wide range of problems.

Massage guns are known to assist with:

• Increased blood circulation
• Relieving tensions and adhesions
• Muscle relaxation
• Muscle growth
• Increasing mobility
• Breaking up scar tissue
• Lactic acid and lymphatic drainage
• Relief of chronic pain
• Reducing cellulite and body fat

Massage guns can also really help with sore muscles, sprains, tension relief, slipped discs, arthritis, and sciatica.

Some massage guns, like the HoMedics Pro Power, also come with special heat or cellulite attachments to help with specific problems.

BUY HOMEDICS PRO POWER£ 178.89

But do massage guns work?

Unfortunately, there are no scientific studies as yet that prove the efficacy of these devices. 🤔

But, we can speak from personal experience that they do actually seem to help!

Of course, massage guns are not a miracle cure and they may not be able to help relieve chronic pain and conditions.

You should also always consult your doctor or physiotherapist if you’re planning on using a massage gun to deal with medical conditions. 🩺

Bob and Brad, a famous YouTube physical therapist duo, have even launched their own massage gun - a testament that they believe in the efficacy of percussion massagers.

BUY BOB & BRAD X6 PRO£ 139.99

There are some instances when you definitely should not use a massage gun. 🙅‍♂️

Can you use a massage gun after an operation?

You should not use a massage gun after you’ve had an operation.

• The shock impulses can cause stitches to rip open.
• Since a massage gun promotes blood circulation, fresh cuts or stitches can start bleeding again.

It’s best to wait until you’ve fully healed from your operation before starting to use a massage gun. 🥼

Can you use a massage gun if you have osteoporosis?

You should not use a massage gun if you suffer from any bone diseases, like osteoporosis, or if you have a broken bone. 🦴

The vibrations can damage the bones even further.

Electric blankets to increase heat or more gentle massage pads are a much better alternative.

Can you use a massage gun if you’re pregnant?

You should not use a massage gun while pregnant. 🤰

Early on during pregnancy, a massage gun can loosen up the flexible tissue of your skin even further.

Later on, massage guns can trigger premature birth. 👶

If you’re pregnant and in need of some pain relief, you should seek the helping hands of a massage therapist - or ask your partner for a good neck rub!

We’d also recommend trying out a V-pillow or full-body pillow for great support while resting.

Here are some of our favourites:

Quality massage guns come with a range of different attachments. 🛠

These different massage heads can be used to treat different body parts and different problems.

Specifics may vary - you should always refer to your product-specific user manual for guidelines.

Here is a quick overview of the most common types of massage gun attachments:

• Ball massage head: This round massage head delivers a gentle massage and is great for whole-body muscle relief. Best used on thighs, calves, back, and buttocks. 🍑

• Bullet massage head: This attachment is more pointed and excellent for releasing trigger points. Best used for deep-tissue massage, leg joints, and small muscle areas.

• Fork or u-shaped massage head: This attachment allows the force to be directed to two points on the edge, protecting the bones in the middle of the area of application. This is especially useful for the neck and spine. 🦴

• Flat round massage head: With this attachment, the impulse force is distributed over a larger area, decreasing pressure. The flat attachment is perfect for relaxation.

• Cushioned or padded round massage head: This massage head is similar to the flat round but cushions the percussive force. This makes it good for more bony parts of the body, like hands and feet. 🦶

• Finger or claw massage head: This attachment consists of several “arms” arranged in a circle - it’s great for a good calf massage. 🐙

Not all massage guns come with all types of attachments.

If you’re looking for the most variety, it’s best to opt for a massage gun set that comes with a range of different massage heads.

Massage guns don’t always come cheap, so it’s a good idea to consider various products before you make your final decision.

But you can’t only look at the device itself. 🧐

You also need to consider the battery life, noise level, price, performance, and which attachments are included.

Let’s consider these factors in a bit more detail.

Device design

Of course, you want your new massage gun to be aesthetically pleasing, but the design is also important for a few other reasons.

Consider the following:

• Are the surfaces smooth and easy to clean?
• Do the attachments fit tightly?
• Does any part of the massage gun wobble when turned on?
• Does the device feature sturdy metal housing or only plastic?
• Are there sufficient air holes to prevent overheating?
• Does the handle have a silicone or rubber grip?

You should ensure that the device sits nicely in your hand. ✋

We prefer smaller and more lightweight massage guns that are easier to hold, but what works best for you will depend on your size and build as well.

For example, if you’re a lady of petite build with small hands, you may need a smaller device with a thinner handle.

The TheraGun Mini is a great option!

BUY THERAGUN MINI£ 228.81

In contrast, if you’re a man of larger build with big hands, a bigger and more sturdy device may work best for you!

Noise levels

You should always look at the decibel count listed before buying your massage gun.

While most massage guns are marketed as low noise, some are a tad louder than others. 🎧

As a general guideline:

Anything below 65 decibels is good; anything above 70 decibels may hurt your ears.

You want your massage gun to be as quiet as possible, but also remember that volume will increase as you up the intensity!

Different massage guns also emit different sounds. 🦜

Battery life

We prefer handheld massage guns with rechargeable batteries.

While cable-operated massage guns can be convenient if you’re looking for uninterrupted massage time, these aren’t as user-friendly.

Plus, most modern massage guns have exceptional battery life. ⚡️

Lithium-ion batteries tend to charge faster and offer a longer battery life.

The HoMedics Pro Power massage gun can run for a full 5 hours!

BUY HOMEDICS PRO POWER£ 178.89

A good device will have a clear battery indicator so you can quickly see when it’s time to recharge. 🔋

There’s nothing more annoying than your massage gun just running out of steam mid-massage.

Charging time is also important - especially for physiotherapists and athletes.

You want your device to recharge quite quickly so you can use it again.

Finally, you should make sure that the massage gun set has everything you need to charge the device.

Some massage guns require a special adaptor or charger that you’d need to buy separately. 🤯

Motor

We’ve already given a quick overview of how massage guns work, but let’s look at this in a tad more detail.

Many massage guns feature carbon brushes that transfer current from the rotor to the stator, creating the shock impulses.

Due to the sliding contact, a lot of heat is developed and the motor wears out more quickly.

This is why we always recommend massage guns with a brushless electric motor.

Brushless motors, as the name suggests, don’t have carbon brushes and rely on chips instead.

These motors are more durable and are likely to last much longer.

The power of the motor also matters, and it’s best to look at the pulses per minute.

Very high-quality devices can offer over 4000 pulses per minute, but most devices offer 1200 - 3200 pulses per minute.

The higher the pulse rate (aka speed), the more intense the massage.

Most massage guns have different intensity levels, allowing you to set the speed and monitor your massage more directly. 🏎

Operating the massage gun and adjusting the intensity should be super simple.

One-touch buttons and LED touch screen displays are convenient. 👍

Ultimately, the device needs to be simple to use.

Massage gun accessories

Finally, you also need to consider how many massage heads your massage gun comes with.

As we’ve discussed, massage heads allow you to treat different areas and problems more effectively. 😁

We’d recommend going for a massage gun set with the most attachments.

This ensures you’re not missing out.

But, remember: Some mini massage guns like the TheraGun Mini only come with one attachment for ease of travel.

BUY THERAGUN MINI£ 228.81

Storage sets

Most quality portable massage guns come with a convenient carry case, allowing you to store the device and all attachments in one location. 🧳

This not only protects the device and keeps it clean but also allows you to carry it with you wherever you go.

We love working with massage guns and really think most people can benefit from using one. 🤩

Of course, stay away if you’re recovering from an operation, have a bone disease, or are pregnant.

But if you’re looking for a great way to relieve muscle tension and find some relaxation after long days at work, a good massage gun may just do wonders.

Opt for a model with a money-back guarantee so you can return it if you’re not completely satisfied.

Here is another quick look at our favourite UK massage guns: