Life is hard on our bodies — whether it’s slouching all day in front of a computer or your strenuous lifting routine, your body is probably feeling the effects of long, physically-demanding days. No matter how much stretching or recovery you try to do, sometimes you need a great massage to work out those deep kinks that feel out of range of even the best back wheel or foam roller. However, massages are expensive and definitely not COVID-friendly.
What’s the next best thing?
A great massage gun.
Massage guns are a convenient, fast and relatively affordable way to ease deep tissue aches and pains. Massage guns use percussive therapy, which delivers thousands of strokes per minute to massage away cramps, knots, muscle tightness and a whole host of other discomforts
Here at SPY, we’ve tested and reviewed a lot of massage guns, and we’ve learned to tell the difference between premium percussive massagers and cheap knockoffs. You’ve probably heard of the Thergun by Therabody, a highly acclaimed and very pricey massage gun used by professional athletes and physical therapists. We’re not gonna lie, the Theragun is a great massage gun, but there are plenty of affordable options that’ll ease your physical stresses just as well.
The best cheap massage guns do the job just as well without breaking your bank. To help you avoid those sketchy knockoffs, our editors have rounded up our favorite cheap massage guns for you to try out. So if you’re searching the web for the best massage guns under $200, we’ve got you covered.
All of our picks include the same low-noise level, interchangeable massage heads, portability and convenience that Theragun offers, just not the extremely high price tag. Here are the best cheap massage guns for your recovery routine and budget because yes, you can have it both ways.
1. Sportneer Percussion Massage Gun
BEST OVERALL
We received a Sportneer massage gun for testing, and after trying it out, we were impressed by this device’s easy operation, compact design and intensity. With a very reasonable price of $119 and similar features as premium massage guns like the Theragun and Hypervolt, Sportneer’s budget massage gun is well worth the money. This massager has five intensity levels ranging from 1,200 to 3,200 strokes-per-minute, which equals the highest setting on the Hypervolt. And like the Hypervolt, the Sportneer has an ultra-quiet motor that maxes out at 55 decibels. We were surprised at how quiet this product was compared to other cheap massage guns, especially at the highest setting (which will be too intense for most people).
The attachments that come with the Sportneer could be higher quality. The main massage ball head works very well, as does the fork head attachment. However, some of the massage heads are made out of a lighter, hollow plastic. The massage heads also don’t work as well at an angle, and the Sportneer doesn’t have an adjustable arm like Theragun, TimTam or some Exerscribe models. Overall, these are minor issues, and this is a great alternative to the Hypervolt or Theragun. Here’s the bottom line: this is one of the best massage guns under $150, with premium features at an affordable price point.
Pros: High-quality speed settings, very quiet motor even at the highest speed setting, 10 minute auto-off feature to protect the device’s motor.
Cons: Some head attachments could be higher quality, no adjustable arm.
2. LifePro Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
RUNNER UP
Muscle relief doesn’t have to break the bank, and this top-rated Sonic massage gun from LifePro gives you the best of both worlds. It has a lot of the same features as other popular massage guns but at a much better price point including multiple levels of speed intensity, a quiet motor, a comfortable grip and between 3-6 hours of battery life. The Sonic isn’t as loud as some Theragun alternatives, and it costs a lot less. The Sonic also comes with a variety of attachments for targeting different muscle groups and easing tension in different areas of the body. Like the best cheap massage guns, the Sonic delivers a targeted and powerful massage with thousands of percussions per minute. This device ranges from 1,200 to 2,800 strokes-per-minute, slightly less than the Hypervolt. However, like the Hypervolt, it features a quiet motor, a comfortable grip, and a long battery life.
Pros: Super quiet motor, powerful speed settings, convenient and ergonomic design for easy and comfortable use.
Cons: Fewer speed settings than other affordable massage gun options on this list.
3. VYBE Pro Percussion Massage Gun
CONTENDER
This VYBE Pro massage gun is nearly 1/6th the price of the equivalent Theragun model and has nine different speeds giving you an 1800-3400 strokes per minute range to choose from. Rather than just feeling like vibration, this affordable massage gun feels like the soothing recovery percussion you’re looking for. It’s as quiet as it is powerful, with a 24V brushless motor and double bearing transmission that brings the strength you’re looking for in the face of stubborn knots without a stressful, noisy experience. It comes with eight different massage heads for targeting different parts of the body and it’s got a compact size that makes it relatively easy to take with you from the gym to work to your next plane ride. The 12mm percussive massage provides over 30 lbs of pressure and it has a three hour battery life on a single charge so you won’t have to cut the recovery session short due to a lack of power.
Pros: High percussive range, quiet motor, easily portable, three hour battery life.
Cons: Some users found that the charger was fragile. Product lifespan can be short.
4. TOLOCO Deep Tissue Massage Gun
LONGEST BATTERY LIFE
This affordable massage gun from TOLOCO has multi-frequency vibration built into it for promoting blood circulation, easing muscle soreness and increasing range of motion. The battery life is long — it can last up to six hours on a single charge and only weighs 2.2 lbs so it’s very easy to travel with. It has six different massage heads for accurately targeting and massaging different parts of the body and the silicone handle makes it easy to hold onto and prevents slippage even during the most powerful massages. It has three different speed adjustments and has a similar brushless 24V motor to the gun above making it as quiet as possible. The three levels are tailored to different parts of your physical fitness routine — with level one being perfect for a muscle warm-up, level two great for muscle relaxation after a workout and level three great for deep massages between workouts.
Pros: Long battery life, quiet motor, lightweight that makes it easy to travel with.
Cons: Fewer speeds than other massage guns. Some customers have complained that the product has a short lifespan.
5. Flyby Handheld Massage Gun
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking for the best massage gun deals, then we have one more budget option for you to consider. This massage gun from Flyby has packed a ton of value, power and convenience into a very affordable and reasonable price. If you’re just thinking about a massage gun and aren’t sure if it’s for you, this is a great pick as you won’t have to drop a small fortune to try out the recovery method. It has three different speeds, six different attachment heads and the battery lasts for 4+ hours on a single charge. It has a very quiet motor that runs at a power of 45dB, about the sound level of a refrigerator hum. It might not have as many speed variations as other guns, but the gun is powerful and can provide up to 50 lbs of pressure at the highest speed level. And unlike most cheap massage guns, this product has a battery LED display so you never have to guess how much time you have left on a certain charge. Finally, it has an ergonomic grip for optimal comfort while you’re using it.
Pros: Affordable price, long battery life and battery monitor screen, powerful speed settings.
Cons: It’s heavier and louder than other guns.
