Best massage guns 2025, tested to relieve sore muscles – UK Times

Usually, the prospect of a good pummelling isn’t something that would appeal to us, however, after a long session at the gym, or a long day of sitting at a desk, the percussive effects of the best massage guns can soothe muscles after exercise or just relieve the stiffness that comes with inactivity.

Massage guns use their motors to replicate the technique of tapotement, where a massage therapist will go to work on you with rapid, tapping movements. The massage guns do this at different speeds, measured in percussions per minute (PPM), with the percussive back-and-forth of a good massage gun head moving between 1,400 and 3,200 PPM.

The handy tools come with multiple heads for different applications and for targeting specific problems, from deep-tissue massage to relieving pressure around the spine. Whichever head you’re using, it’s essential the gun’s body has good ergonomics, so you can hold it happily for as long as it takes to feel the benefits, without it feeling like a workout in itself, or causing any numbness in your hand.

Good design is also crucial, as the massage gun needs to be able to target those hard-to-reach areas, such as the small of your back, after a prolonged period of sitting.

You may also want to take noise levels into consideration – if you’re looking for a relaxing massage, it will help if it doesn’t sound like there’s a mini jackhammer in the room with you.

How we tested

Each product was used before and after visits to the gym, particularly to see how well it eased the pain of delayed-onset muscle stiffness (the dreaded DOMS) that usually accompanies a strenuous session, and turns walking down the stairs the following morning into a painful event. We also used the guns to see how well they could work out any knots and soreness after hiking and running, as well as more general usage, such as helping us to relax and ease stiff muscles after a day at work.

The best massage guns for 2025 are: