Sore muscles, tight neck, and backache are some of the most disturbing forms of pain. Whether they are caused by sleeping wrongly or performing a tough exercise, a good massage is essential to end these discomforts and enjoy some relief.
However, it isn’t practical to visit a massage expert every day to get the much-needed muscle therapy.
So, what is the wisest thing to do?
An investment in the best handheld percussion massager can be your ultimate savior. This invention works as a versatile tool that can provide comfort to any area of your body.
So, to choose a device that may strike your fancy, find the list below with reviews of the five best handheld percussion massager in this article.
But first, allow us to introduce you to this machine.
What Is a Handheld Percussion Massager?
Have you ever heard about percussion therapy? For those unaware, percussion therapy is quite an efficient technique that boosts muscle recovery and enhances blood circulation in your body. These actions reduce soreness and control severe muscle tiredness that might have taken over your life.
Percussion therapy initiates a quick pain relief procedure through the penetration of strokes in your muscles’ tissues. However, this process is only possible using an effective handheld percussion massager.
This device uses a motor to run and comes with a tip at its front. This tip jiggles, compresses, and rubs the tissues to enhance the circulation of the blood. A good blood flow to your target area reduces inflammation and expedites recovery.
Most percussion massagers strike the tissues of your muscles between 2400 to 3700 times every minute. So, within just a single session of using this tool, you feel ready and alive to hit the road.
A percussion massager is ideal for immediate recovery, and if used appropriately, it can become your number one companion on tough days.
However, to enjoy the benefits of this invention, you should invest in a top-quality and long-lasting massager only.
Five Best Handheld Percussion Massagers For You
Our top five handheld massagers can help deliver your desired results. Let’s take a look:
1. ExoGun DreamPro Handheld Massager
It is not wrong to call the ExoGun DreamPro massager the overall best product for percussion therapy. Why?
This unit rejuvenates the mind and body through pulsating strokes that penetrate your muscles and provide relief. Besides, it reduces the muscle healing time quite dramatically.
The ExoGun DreamPro massager features an ergonomic and user-friendly design. As a lightweight and compact tool, you can carry this gun everywhere you go. Besides, it can be easily stored in a travel case that you get for free with this machine.
This massager is entirely wireless and saves you from the struggle of dealing with tangled chords. Moreover, it features a well-designed handle that gives you a solid grip to move this unit around your body with ease.
The ExoGun Dream Pro handheld percussion massager comes with some necessary attachments, such as different massage heads. The ball head targets large muscles and all the sensitive tissues.
Moreover, the flat head attachment is perfect for deep vibrations and ideal for targeting your thighs and pecs. The bullet head takes care of the muscle knots while the forkhead deals with the spine.
This massager has six-speed adjustments, between 1200 PPM to 3200 PPM (penetrations per minute), offering you versatility in your percussion therapy. For a quick recovery, you can use the gun at full power. However, for reducing only muscle tiredness, a low speed will be enough to work its magic.
The ExoGun DreamPro features a stroke length of 16mm. This standard length is enough to give you an effortless massage at all kinds of speeds.
Overall, the ExoGun DreamPro is a compatible and affordable device for all users, including athletes, fitness instructors, and gym enthusiasts. However, this gun provides a stall force of only 60 pounds.
Pros
- Ergonomic design and lightweight
- Comes with many helpful head attachments
- Offers six-speed for customized massage
- Perfect stroke length
- Affordable
Cons
- Stall force may not suit many
2. TriggerPoint Impact Handheld Percussion Massager
The TriggerPoint Impact massager owns a design and features that offer many therapeutic benefits. Available at a competitive price, this handheld percussion device works at four speeds and can effectively penetrate your calves, glutes, and all other muscles in your body.
The highest speed offered by this unit is 3700 PPM which is quite commendable. Moreover, with every penetration, the massager delivers increased blood flow that hydrates your muscle tissues and improves motion range.
This handheld percussion massager has an ergonomic design that suits all kinds of users. For instance, the angled long handle enhances comfort and solid grip for easy use. Besides, the gun is lightweight and compact, making it a travel-friendly tool.
The TriggerPoint Impact massager runs on a motor that is relatively quiet than many other similar products. However, while you can use this gun during movie time at home, it isn’t made to be utilized in a busy office space.
The battery life of the TriggerPoint Impact is relatively adequate. The gun can run for two hours straight on complete charging. This characteristic is a plus point when compared to its affordable price and competition.
While TriggerPoint Impact massager looks like a good product, it is only fair to mention a design limitation to draw a clear picture. Unlike ExoGun DreamPro, this device comes with only one massaging head. Unfortunately, this factor limits the use of the machine and may disappoint many users.
When you buy the TriggerPoint Impact, you also receive an adapter and a manual for operational instructions.
Pros
- Offers four speeds
- Lightweight and portable
- Long handle for better movement
- Affordable
Cons
- Comes with only one massaging head
- Not perfect to be used in office
Also read: How to Build A Weight Lifting Program For Weight Loss? An In-Depth Step By Step
3.Theragun Mini
If you are looking for a super-compact handheld percussion gun, the Theragun Mini will meet your requirements. This motorized massager excels when it comes to portability, thanks to its travel-friendly size.
In addition, the unit’s bean-shaped structure fits into even the smallest storage spaces, saving you from the hassles of arranging a separate carrying bag.
The Theragun Mini has a brushless motor that runs on the QuietForce Technology. This advanced method gives this machine a powerful impact without creating a loud noise and disturbing your massage therapy.
Moreover, the Theragun Mini massager offers three speeds, 1750 PPM, 2100 PPM, and 2400 PPM. While the speeds are not as high as those produced by the above two massagers, the range is adequate to give you a comforting percussion therapy to reduce fatigue and inflammation.
This mini machine is easy to hold without straining your wrists. Besides, it works great for different parts of your body, including thighs, calves, back, and shoulders.
However, since the Theragun Mini is an affordable tool, you may have to make a few compromises. For instance, on the extreme force, the motor may quit quickly.
Besides, this machine comes with just a single ball attachment. So if you are looking for something more versatile, choosing the ExoGun Pro may work for you.
Pros
- Portable and compact massager
- Quiet
- Adequate speeds
- Ergonomic design
- Affordable
Cons
- Single attachment only
- The motor may stall out on extreme force
4. Theragun Pro
Made specifically to suit a clinical setting, the Theragun Pro is quite a deal for long and multiple massaging sessions. In addition, this machine comes with two batteries that can cater to long sessions and many people in a day. So if you and your friends love uninterrupted massages together, the Theragun Pro will be worth an investment.
However, there is more to this gun than its battery life. The Theragun Pro is an intelligent device that connects with your phone through an app and states some healthy stats.
The Therabody app recommends the areas on your body that deserve a massage. Moreover, it guides you about the correct motion and forces so you can use the gun for effective results.
A pressure chart appears on the screen and turns red when the gun is pressed harder than required. You are also guided about the correct way to hold the massager without getting tired.
The connection with a helpful app makes this handheld percussion massager quite different from many other similar options available in the market. This machine also benefits beginners with no knowledge and experience on pressure points or working with a massager.
The Theragun Pro is a customizable massager when it comes to its speed. You can fluctuate the penetrations per minute between 1750 to 2400. Besides, you can track the rate as shown on the OLED screen.
This handheld massager is a good deal in every way. However, if you plan to use the Theragun Pro on a quiet summer evening, you may regret your decision. This unit is loud when in action and isn’t made for peaceful massaging sessions.
Pros
- Connects with an app for easy use
- Great for beginners
- Comes with two batteries
- Offers adequate speed range
Con
- Has a loud motor
5. Hyperice Hypervolt
The Hyperice Hypervolt handheld percussion massager is our last pick from this list and is also quite advanced.
This unit has an ergonomic structure that supports your grip and makes massaging effortless. Besides, the cordless design and compact body save the hassle of finding an appropriate storage space for this machine.
The Hyperice Hypervolt easily connects with the Hypervolt app to offer you pre-built programs and required guidance. You can use the app to track your pressure points and learn about the adequate force needed for your desired results.
If you haven’t used a massage gun before, the instructions in the Hypervolt app will help you utilize this machine to the fullest.
This handheld percussion massager comes with three-speed settings. The highest speed offered is 3200 PPM which is quite enough for a versatile massage.
You can use the highest speed while moving the massager on your IT band. But if you want to relieve your achy shoulders, select the slow speed option to reduce muscle fatigue.
The Hyperice Hypervolt gun also provides four attachments to get perfect therapy. The foam ball attachment is pretty ideal for daily use and penetrates deep into large muscles.
However, if you plan to target hard and small muscles, the bullet-shaped and the plastic head attachments are best to deal with tight knots through high pressure.
The amazing Hyperice Hypervolt has a battery life of three hours, which is again a commendable feature. However, this gun is loud and rattles under high pressure. So, if you live in a shared property, this item may create an issue with your housemates.
Pros
- Ergonomic design for a firm grip
- Cordless design
- Connects with Hypervolt app for guidance and programs
- Offers three-speed settings
- Comes with attachments to add versatility
Cons
- Loud
- Rattles on high pressures
Is There a Right Way to Use a Handheld Percussion Massager?
According to experts, here are a few essential tips for using a percussion massager safely and adequately.
Also, these rules can help you avail all the great benefits from a therapy session.
- Always carry the gun at a 45-degree angle and point the head towards the painful muscle.
- For muscle activation, always use the gun prerun and then improve power gradually.
- To enhance recovery, use the gun postrun.
- To achieve recovery and pain relief, use the gun for two minutes on every target muscle.
- Don’t use this tool for more than 30 seconds for muscle activation and 25 seconds for muscle re-activation.
- Avoid using the massager on your face, chest, or your head.
- Keep this machine away from any blood clots.
- Avoid using the massager for a time longer than mentioned in the instructions.
Final Words
So, are you ready to buy your first handheld percussion massager? The ExoGun Dream Pro is quite a reliable choice, and so are others. However, the best massager is one that meets your budget and other health requirements.
But whichever option you go for, make sure to use it safely and correctly. A slight mistake can result in a painful injury, and that’s the last thing you expect while enjoying a relaxing therapy session.