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James Bricknell Senior Editor
James has been writing about technology for years but has loved it since the early 90s. While his main areas of expertise are maker tools — 3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters — he also loves to play board games and tabletop RPGs.
- 6 years working professionally in the 3D printing space / 4 years testing consumer electronics for large websites.
Sore muscles can happen for all kinds of reasons — from a tough workout to aging, or even just a bad night’s sleep. A recent CNET survey found that six in 10 Americans are willing to spend on a better sleep setup and while it may not be the first thing you think of, getting some muscle relaxation could help. You could upgrade your sleep setup and get a new mattress for back pain, but that may not be practical. The good news? You can relieve pain and soreness without spending your whole budget to do so, especially with Black Friday sales live now.
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Massage guns can help ease muscle soreness and support post-workout recovery. Popular options — like those from Theragun, a brand now nearly synonymous with at-home deep tissue massage — are effective, but often pricey. If you’re looking for relief without breaking the bank, here are our top picks for the best budget-friendly alternatives.
Which is the best overall budget massage gun?
The best overall is the Hyperice Hypervolt Go. It’s priced the same as the Theragun Mini but 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 available. This massage gun has three speeds and two massage gun heads to choose from depending on the area you’re looking to target.
Like Therabody, Hyperice is a premium brand with prices to match. And speaking of matching, the Hypervolt Go sells for around the same price as the Theragun Mini. But I like the former more, in part because it comes with two heads instead of one massage gun head and has a more comfortable gun-style design.
It’s a compact massage gun when compared to the likes of 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-punching force. With only three speeds, however, it might prove a little much if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperice doesn’t supply a carrying case, which is inconvenient, and the AC adapter is proprietary.
Between this and the Theragun Mini, I’d choose this. 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: Proprietary
- Number of heads included: Two
- Carrying case included: Drawstring
The triangular Mini exerts an impressive amount of force for its portable massage gun size, but the shape makes it hard to hold comfortably. What’s more, Therabody doesn’t provide multiple head attachments; it only includes a ball head. Other massage guns here come with at least two — if not four or even six — for a lower price.
Even at the lowest of its three speeds, the Mini feels stronger than a lot of the other budget massage gun options I tried. In fact, anyone looking for just a light, relaxing massage might find it a little too powerful.
Meanwhile, the unit relies on a proprietary AC adapter, not USB-C. That’s one more thing to pack on a trip — and the adapter doesn’t even fit in Therabody’s snug zippered carrying case.
While I’d be glad to have this 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: Proprietary
- Number of heads included: One
- Carrying case included: Zippered
Naipo’s massager is the lightest and most compact model in the group, with a small but comfortable grip and more percussive force than you’d expect.
Other pluses 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 amongst the quieter massage gun options; the other “minis” in the roundup, the Recoverfun and Sportneer, produce much less noise.
I’ve seen various coupon or code deals that bring the price down on this massager, so you should get it when it’s on sale.
- Weight: 14.11 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four
- Carrying case included: No
You know the old saying: Two heads are better than one. But is that true of most massage guns? I thought Fishda’s Frankenstein was just a gimmick, but damn if it doesn’t deliver twice the muscle-punching goodness. For big areas like thighs and glutes, I genuinely enjoyed this “bigger” massage.
Fortunately, it’s not twice as loud as other guns; in fact, it’s surprisingly quiet. It also has a relatively compact shape, basically a taller version of the Recoverfun Mini. But there’s some heft to it: 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 bit sooner with this one.
It’s also on the expensive side relative to other models, though that’s to be expected given the dual heads. However, you can often find coupons that bring the price down considerably.
- 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 gear on sale. With Black Friday deals already slashing prices on these budget-friendly options, they’re an affordable and practical holiday gift, especially for anyone planning to ramp up their workouts in the new year. Instead of giving a one-time massage, you’re giving the gift of muscle relief anytime, right at home.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
