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James Bricknell Senior Editor
James has been writing about technology for years, but he’s loved it since the early ’90s. Although his main areas of expertise are creation tools – 3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers and laser cutters – he also enjoys playing board games and tabletop role-playing games.
- 6 years of professional work in the field of 3D printing / 4 years of consumer electronics testing for large websites.
Muscle soreness can occur for all sorts of reasons: from intense training to aging, or even just a bad night’s sleep. A recent CNET survey found that six in ten Americans are willing to spend on a better sleep setup, and while it might not be the first thing on your mind, some muscle relaxation could help. You can improve your sleeping setup and get a new mattress for back pain, but that may not be practical. The good news? You can relieve pain and aches without spending your entire budget to do so, especially with Black Friday sales live now.
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Massage guns can help relieve muscle soreness and promote post-workout recovery. Popular options — like those from Theragun, a brand now almost synonymous with at-home deep tissue massage — are effective, but often expensive. If you’re looking for relief without breaking the bank, here are our top picks for the best budget-friendly alternatives.
This story is part of Gift guideour year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
What is the best budget massage gun?
The best overall is the Hyperice Hypervolt Go. It’s priced the same as the Theragun Mini, but it packs a better punch and is only slightly bigger. It’s also the ideal massage gun if you’re on the go, so you always have muscle relief. This massage gun has three speeds and two massage gun heads to choose from depending on the area you want to target.
Like Therabody, Hyperice is a premium brand with prices to match. And speaking of pairing, the Hypervolt Go retails for about the same price as the Theragun Mini. But I like the first one more, partly because it comes with two heads instead of a massage gun head and has a more comfortable pistol-style design.
It is a compact massage gun compared to the MaxKare and Taotronics models, but also larger than the Naipo and Recoverfun. So let’s call it “medium”.
But wow, is it powerful – on par with the Theragun in terms of muscle punch. However, with only three speeds, it may be a bit excessive if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperice doesn’t provide a carrying case, which isn’t practical, and the power adapter is proprietary.
Between this one and the Theragun Mini, I would choose this one. But there are other budget-friendly massage guns that are also more versatile if that’s what you prefer.
- Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
- Charging method: Owner
- Number of heads included: Two
- Carrying case included: Drawstring
The Triangular Mini exerts impressive force for its portable massage gun size, but its shape makes it difficult to hold comfortably. Additionally, Therabody does not offer multiple head attachments; it only includes one ball joint. Other massage guns here come with at least two, or even four, or even six, for a lower price.
Even at the lowest of its three speeds, the Mini feels more powerful than most other budget massage gun options I’ve tried. In fact, anyone just looking for a light, relaxing massage might find it a little too powerful.
Meanwhile, the unit relies on a proprietary power adapter, not USB-C. It’s one more thing to take on a trip — and the adapter doesn’t even fit in Therabody’s zippered carrying case.
While I’d be happy to have it on hand for deep tissue relief, it’s hard to recommend otherwise. There are too many other models with more features and lower prices.
- Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
- Charging method: Owner
- Number of heads included: A
- Carrying case included: Zipper
Naipo’s massager is the lightest and most compact model of the group, with a small but comfortable handle and more percussion force than expected.
Other benefits include five speed settings and four different massage heads. Naipo doesn’t provide a carrying case, which is a bit disappointing. But my only real complaint is that it’s not one of the quietest massage gun options; the other “minis” on the list, the Recoverfun and Sportneer, produce much less noise.
I have seen various coupon or code deals that bring down the price of this massager, so you should get it when it is on sale.
- Weight: 14.11 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four
- Carrying case included: No
You know the old adage: two heads are better than one. But is this true for most massage guns? I thought Fishda’s Frankenstein was just a gimmick, but damn if it doesn’t provide twice the muscle benefits. For larger areas like thighs and glutes, I really enjoyed this “bigger” massage.
Fortunately, it’s not twice as loud as other weapons; in fact, it’s surprisingly quiet. It also has a relatively compact shape, essentially a taller version of the Recoverfun Mini. But it does pack some weight: At 1.7 pounds, it weighs more than any of the best massage guns in its size class. Expect arm fatigue to set in a little sooner with this one.
It is also expensive compared to other models, although this is to be expected considering the two heads. However, you can often find coupons that significantly lower the price.
- Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four (times two)
- Carrying case included: Drawstring
As people start thinking about their New Year’s resolutions, these massage guns make a great companion to all the fitness equipment on sale. With Black Friday deals already reducing the prices of these budget-friendly options, they make an affordable and practical holiday gift, especially for anyone planning to step up their workouts in the new year. Instead of offering a one-time massage, you offer muscle relief anytime, right at home.
The information contained in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a health problem or health goals.
