Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. How we test James BricknellSenior Editor
James has been writing about technology for years but has loved it since the early 90s. While his main areas of expertise are maker tools — 3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters — he also loves to play board games and tabletop RPGs.
Expertise3D printers, maker tools such as Cricut style vinyl cutters and laser cutters, and traditional paper printersCredentials
6 years working professionally in the 3D printing space / 4 years testing consumer electronics for large websites.
Whether you work out regularly or just tend to have sore muscles in general, using a massage gun can be a great way to loosen up. If you’ve found yourself looking for one and feeling deterred by the price tag on popular brands like Theragun, you can get a deep tissue massage that works just as well with an inexpensive massage gun too. We’ve reviewed quite a few options and gathered the best budget massage guns for 2025.
The best overall is the Hyperice Hypervolt Go. It’s priced the same as the Theragun Mini but packs a better punch and is only slightly bigger. It’s also the ideal massage gun if you’re on the go, so you always have muscle relief available. This massage gun has three speeds and two massage gun heads to choose from depending on the area you’re looking to target.
Like Therabody, Hyperice is a premium brand with prices to match. And speaking of matching, the Hypervolt Go sells for around the same price as the Theragun Mini. But I like the former more, in part because it comes with two heads instead of one massage gun head and has a more comfortable gun-style design.
It’s a compact massage gun when compared to the likes of the MaxKare and Taotronics models, but also larger than the Naipo and Recoverfun. So let’s call it "medium."
But, wow, is it powerful — on par with the Theragun in terms of muscle-punching force. With only three speeds, however, it might prove a little much if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperice doesn’t supply a carrying case, which is inconvenient, and the AC adapter is proprietary.
Between this and the Theragun Mini, I’d choose this. But there are other budget-friendly massage guns that are also more versatile if that’s what you prefer.
Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
Charging method: Proprietary
Number of heads included: Two
Carrying case included: Drawstring
” page-position linktext linkurl like dislike can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"8077c16d-6ee1-4d4c-9109-c87dd4bb9046","slug":"hyperice-hypervolt-go-2-black","name":"Hyperice – Hypervolt Go 2 – Black","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"AUTOPID","mod":1739993987429}” overridecredit=”Rick Broida/CNET” overridecaption=”
Best Overall | Great muscle-punching force but with only three speeds, it might prove a little much if you prefer a light touch.
Like Therabody, Hyperice is a premium brand with prices to match. And speaking of matching, the Hypervolt Go sells for around the same price as the Theragun Mini. But I like the former more, in part because it comes with two heads instead of one massage gun head and has a more comfortable gun-style design.
It’s a compact massage gun when compared to the likes of the MaxKare and Taotronics models, but also larger than the Naipo and Recoverfun. So let’s call it “medium.”
But, wow, is it powerful — on par with the Theragun in terms of muscle-punching force. With only three speeds, however, it might prove a little much if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperice doesn’t supply a carrying case, which is inconvenient, and the AC adapter is proprietary.
Between this and the Theragun Mini, I’d choose this. But there are other budget-friendly massage guns that are also more versatile if that’s what you prefer.
Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
Charging method: Proprietary
Number of heads included: Two
Carrying case included: Drawstring
<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Powerful, but hard to love" description="
The triangular Mini exerts an impressive amount of force for its portable massage gun size, but the shape makes it hard to hold comfortably. What’s more, Therabody doesn’t provide multiple head attachments; it only includes a ball head. Other massage guns here come with at least two — if not four or even six — for a lower price.
Even at the lowest of its three speeds, the Mini feels stronger than a lot of the other budget massage gun options I tried. In fact, anyone looking for just a light, relaxing massage might find it a little too powerful.
Meanwhile, the unit relies on a proprietary AC adapter, not USB-C. That’s one more thing to pack on a trip — and the adapter doesn’t even fit in Therabody’s snug zippered carrying case.
While I’d be glad to have this on hand for deep-tissue relief, it’s hard to recommend otherwise. There are too many other models with more features and lower prices.
Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
Charging method: Proprietary
Number of heads included: One
Carrying case included: Zippered
” page-position linktext linkurl like dislike can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"2b76727c-460c-4c1a-ae3d-79ecabe3b4a7","slug":"theragun-mini-2-0","name":"Theragun Mini 2.0","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"EZMONEY","mod":1739993988604}” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” overridecaption=”
Best Portable|The triangular Mini exerts an impressive amount of force for its size.
Naipo’s massager is the lightest and most compact model in the group, with a small but comfortable grip and more percussive force than you’d expect.
Other pluses include five speed settings and four different massage heads. Naipo doesn’t provide a carrying case, which is a bit disappointing. But my only real complaint is that it’s not amongst the quieter massage gun options; the other “minis” in the roundup, the Recoverfun and Sportneer, produce much less noise.
I’ve seen various coupon or code deals that bring the price down on this massager, so you should get it when it’s on sale.
Weight: 14.11 ounces
Charging method: USB-C
Number of heads included: Four
Carrying case included: No
Recommended with reservations
<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best quiet mini massage gun" description="
Available in three colors (including a dazzling red), the Recoverfun Mini is among my favorite massagers in the group. Although it’s heavier than Naipo’s similarly compact model, with a metal barrel that feels a little cold until it warms up, it’s also surprisingly quiet. (When you’re trying to relax, extra noise doesn’t help.)
The gun offers four speed settings and Recoverfun supplies the "big four" attachments: ball, bullet, fork and flat. The flat one is made of aluminum, which offers no clear advantage I can see but which looks cool. You also get a drawstring carrying case, though you’ll have to supply your own powered USB port for the USB-C charging cable.
Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces
Charging method: USB-C
Number of heads included: Four
Carrying case included: Drawstring
” page-position linktext linkurl like dislike can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"63aede09-1ab3-428d-b887-d499f8e41c8e","slug":"recoverfun-massage-gun-mini-percussive-therapy-deep-tissue-muscle-treatment-portable-handheld-massager-with-type-c","name":"Recoverfun Massage Gun Mini, Percussive Therapy Deep Tissue Muscle Treatment Portable Handheld Massager with Type-c Charging and Aluminum Heads to Relieve Pain and Sore from Home/Office/Travel/Gym","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"AUTOPID","mod":1739993987993}” overridecredit=”Rick Broida/CNET” overridecaption=”
Best Seller
” imagegroup=”{"uuid":"4c7cf58c-c054-43d5-9d3f-58d84f088241","alt":"A mini massage gun sits on a blue background.","caption":"","credits":"Rick Broida/CNET","imageData":{"id":"4c7cf58c-c054-43d5-9d3f-58d84f088241","filename":"recoverfun-mini.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/cdd2c265b792abeccc8fb80264a80e118b09f57e/hub/2021/03/23/4c7cf58c-c054-43d5-9d3f-58d84f088241/recoverfun-mini.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-03-23 17:06:57.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/cdd2c265b792abeccc8fb80264a80e118b09f57e/hub/2021/03/23/4c7cf58c-c054-43d5-9d3f-58d84f088241/recoverfun-mini.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Rick Broida/CNET","imageAltText":"A mini massage gun sits on a blue background.","imageFilename":"recoverfun-mini.jpg","imageWidth":3846,"imageHeight":2148,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2021-03-23","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{"id":"zwuqqx76ndyjttd","type":"listicle"}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__d5df1fcd-1fb9-4b0d-82e4-d49cce59b620″ index=”4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Rick Broida/CNET” imagealttext=”A mini massage gun sits on a blue background.” class=”c-bestListListicle”>
Photo Gallery1/1
You know the old saying: Two heads are better than one. But is that true of most massage guns? I thought Fishda’s Frankenstein was just a gimmick, but damn if it doesn’t deliver twice the muscle-punching goodness. For big areas like thighs and glutes, I genuinely enjoyed this “bigger” massage.
Fortunately, it’s not twice as loud as other guns; in fact, it’s surprisingly quiet. It also has a relatively compact shape, basically a taller version of the Recoverfun Mini. But there’s some heft to it: At 1.7 pounds it weighs more than any of the best massage guns in its size class. Expect arm fatigue to set in a bit sooner with this one.
It’s also on the expensive side relative to other models, though that’s to be expected given the dual heads. However, you can often find coupons that bring the price down considerably.
Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces
Charging method: USB-C
Number of heads included: Four (times two)
Carrying case included: Drawstring
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
