Massage guns have gained traction in the wellness world recently, and for one main reason: It doesn’t get any better (or more convenient) than having the benefits of massage in the palm of your hand. But if you’ve been thinking about buying one, you might wonder how to choose a massage gun. Are there any qualities you should be looking for?
The short answer is yes — several factors can help you determine whether one of these tools is worth the cost. And if you’re curious about what they are, you’ve come to the right place.
Below, learn about six of the most important massage gun features to pay attention to as you shop around.
What to Look for When Buying a Massage Gun
Figuring out how to choose a massage gun can be complicated because there are so many options on the market. To make things easier, here are six features to keep on your mental checklist:
1. Massage Gun Attachments
First on the list are massage gun attachments. Does the massage gun you’ve been eyeing have additional heads beyond just the standard round one? High-quality devices typically come with a set of head attachments, each serving a different purpose.
These normally include:
- Round attachments: These are the standard attachments you’ll see on most massage guns. Some products come with multiple sizes of round attachments, which can help you target larger or smaller muscle groups as needed.
- Flat attachments: These are excellent for whole-body massage and overall relaxation.
- Cylinder attachments: Also called bullet attachments, these are perfect for working into deep muscle tension and knots.
- U-attachments: U-shaped attachments are sometimes referred to as fork attachments. Their shape is ideal for working the muscles around the spine and the tissue around the Achilles tendon.
2. Customizable Speed or Pressure
Not every ache, pain, or tense muscle will require the same level of massage. For example, the speed and pressure you’ll need for a tight quad muscle might be more than you’d need to warm up your biceps before a workout.
With that in mind, make sure to pick a massage gun with at least three to five different speed options to personalize your experience.
3. Ease of Use
Since you’ll be working with your massage gun regularly, you’ll want it to be easy and convenient to use. Here are three qualities that indicate a user-friendly device:
- An ergonomic design. The design should fit easily and comfortably in your hand, so you can effortlessly reach any muscle group.
- Lightweight. You’ll want your device to be lightweight — around one or two pounds at most. This way, you won’t tire yourself out when holding it in certain positions (such as reaching up and above your head for a self-shoulder massage.)
- Portability. One of the best things about massage guns is the ability to use them anywhere — in the gym, at home, or even while traveling. Most massage guns are portable nowadays, but it’s still important to steer clear of any products that need to be plugged in to work.
4. Battery Life
Solid battery life is vital for any portable massage tool, simply because you don’t want to worry about it dying on you while you’re on the move.
A few hours of battery life is ideal, but some powerful mini-massage guns can survive 10 hours or longer when fully charged.
5. Price Tag
Certain massage guns cost upwards of $600, while others seem impossibly cheap. You can often find high-quality devices that lie somewhere in the middle of this range. The MedMassager Accuvibe Mini, for example, is one device that you can find for just under $160 — and it packs all the power, quality, and features of many pricier percussion massagers.
Overall, it’s best not to base your choice on price alone, but keep it in mind while you’re browsing. Avoid anything too cheap, but know that you don’t have to break the bank to get something powerful.
6. Noise Level
Some early massage guns had notoriously loud motors. Fortunately, many brands have toned down the volume of their devices while improving their overall performance.
A loud massage gun can be inconvenient and draw unwanted attention when you’re out in public. To sidestep this, keep an eye out for brands that mention quiet or near-noiseless motors as a feature.
The Takeaway on How to Choose a Massage Gun
As you shop for your brand new massage gun, there are many factors that can help you make a final decision. Price is one aspect to stay mindful of, but also remember to choose a product that has:
- A set of head attachments to target different issues and muscle groups
- Customizable settings
- An easy-to-use design
- Solid battery life
- A low noise level
If you aren’t sure where to find a great massage gun, MedMassager is an excellent place to start your search. The MedMassager Accuvibe Mini and Accuvibe Micro are two compact and restorative massage guns that were designed with all of the above features in mind.
For more ways to find relief each and every day, check out MedMassager’s full range of recovery massage tools today.
