So even if you’re not the sporty type, a massage gun can do wonders for your physical and mental health, and even help you wind down for a good night’s sleep. Best for experienced massage gun users who are used to deep percussive therapy and are looking to invest in a truly versatile device. READ NEXT: The best foam roller The best massage guns to buy now 1. Theragun Elite: Best massage gun for deep sports massage It comes with four head attachments—as well as a smart app that is very helpful with initial setup, and even provides how-to video guides. We love that the brushless motor features the company's QuietForce technology that keeps the device quiet while in use, without losing power. The Prime has five built-in speeds, but you can also select any speed between 1,750–2,400 percussions per minute to customize your treatment in manual mode.

Noise: 45-55 dB | Stall Force: 50 lbs | Weight: 2.3 lbs | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 3 speeds | Battery Life: 3.5 hours | Our Overall Rating: 5/5 Portability: Some massage guns lend themselves to travel better than others. While testing our massage guns, we look for travel-friendly features, like a compact design, a carrying case with space for attachments, and a secure off-and-on setting. We also consider whether it's quiet enough to be used in public settings (like a gym or the airport), and if the battery life is long enough to last during our travels. Xiong M, et al. (2018). Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage and inhalation on symptoms of depression in Chinese community-dwelling older adults. Basler AJ. (2010). Pilot study investigating the effects of Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage on subjective stress experience. Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: 60 lbs | Weight: 2.9 lbs | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 4 arm positions, 5 preset speeds (also customizable) | Battery Life: 5 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.4/5

This L-shaped gun is heavier, but we found it easy to hold. The carrying bag is convenient, but we think the gun's weight makes it a less appealing choice for traveling. The stall force is fairly powerful and doesn't turn off with more pressure. It stayed consistently strong throughout our multi-week testing period. Overall, we think its strength and effectiveness, the wide variety of attachments, and its ultra-quiet noise level (below 45 decibels) make this gun a steal for its price.

Noise: 45 dB | Stall Force: 30 lbs | Weight: 1.9 lbs | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 6 speeds | Battery Life: 3 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5 Now we've introduced ourselves, let’s have a look at what Fresha can offer you personally. Your area is a hive of activity. With over 20 five-star businesses to choose from in Cardiff, you just need to decide which one to visit first. You could sample the massage highlights of Llanishen, or frequent some favourites in Victoria Wharf. And with aromatherapy massages and prenatal massages on offer, it's about time to max out on me-time. So take a look at the 20 massage places in Cardiff, and let’s get you booked in pronto. Qin P, et al. (2019). Effectiveness of hand self-shiatsu to improve sleep following sport-related concussion in young athletes: a proof-of-concept study. Once you’ve decided on the type of massage right for you, you’ll need to find a massage therapist and book a session. But what next? According to 2014 research, lymphatic drainage massage was more effective at improving the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients compared with connective tissue massage.

The best massage guns to buy now

A 2021 review of 17 studies found some evidence that MLD in early stages following breast cancer surgery may help prevent progression to clinical lymphedema, though it may not provide any benefit for moderate to severe lymphedema.

Yvi has trained as Holistic Massage and Pregnancy Massage Therapist as well as Baby Massage instructor (ITEC, FTH, CthA and IICT accredited) with the London School of Massage. Understanding each individual as an integrated being her treatments not only incorporate the needs of the body, but also care for the mental-emotional and spiritual body, inspiring a sense of deep relaxation and overall well-being. Charging format: A versatile charging format, such as USB-C, is really handy too, because it means you can plug the unit into your phone charger. Massage gun brands state that their products provide a wide range of benefits, from promoting blood flow and accelerating muscle recovery to improving flexibility and encouraging lymphatic drainage.

We found this device to be quite large and, at 2.3 pounds, on the heavy side, so it may not be very portable or ideal for long self-massage sessions. The pressure applied will vary depending on the type of massage you are receiving. Deep tissue massage is more intense than a hot stone massage, for example. The therapist will explain what to expect at the beginning, but if during treatment you are uncomfortable or the pressure is too firm, speak up.