The best massage guns

Like the G3, the Theragun G3Pro has a triangular shape that offers you multiple grip angles. Unlike the G3, however, the arm of the massage gun adjusts over a range of 80 degrees so it's even easier to get to hard-to-reach muscles.

The G3Pro has two settings of 1740 and 2400 percussions per minute, and you're able to choose from six head attachments: the dampener (for general use, tender areas, and bony areas); large ball (for larger muscles, such as the glutes and quads); standard ball (general use); wedge (shoulder blades, IT bands, scraping, and flushing); thumb (lower back and trigger points); and the cone (trigger points and small muscles). It also comes with an extra battery so you don't have to worry about unwanted downtime.

During my testing, I found it a pleasure to use. I liked that I had it up and running within five minutes of opening the box and that it was so intuitive and easy to use. Like the G3, it's compatible with the Theragun app which gives pointers on how to work specific body parts and which heads to use. The biggest negative I found was that it's quite loud – 78 decibels on the highest setting. This makes it hard to massage yourself while watching TV or listening to a podcast.

Editor's note: An email sent on April 9 detailed Theragun's new initiative to offer discounts of up to $250 off its G3Pro and G3 massage guns to healthcare professionals. The company said medical personnel must send an email to info@theragun.com with subject line of Frontline Discount, and provide their medical ID to qualify for the discount.

Pros: 2-year warranty, adjustable massage arm, two speeds, easy to control and use, comes with 6 different heads, an extra battery, and a carrying case

Cons: Expensive, loud, on the heavier side

The Hyperice Hypervolt Vibration Massage Device is exceptional because it runs quietly — 54 decibels on its highest, loudest setting — and has a long battery runtime of three hours. The battery is also detachable, so if three hours isn't long enough, you can buy extras on the Hyperice site to keep your sessions going.

The Hypervolt comes with four separate head attachments: fork, bullet, flat, and round. Everything fits into a handy carrying case, which along with the device's 2.4-pound weight makes it easy to transport. There are three speed settings — 1800, 2400, and 3200 percussions per minute — so you're sure to find the right speed for your problem areas.

I tried the Hypervolt and was impressed with how well it worked out my knots. I found it did well for warming up my legs before my early-morning runs and the grip felt comfortable in my hand without ever getting too heavy.

The biggest drawback is that the two power buttons are somewhat confusing at first, and you can only hold the unit in one place, as opposed to the three grips of Theragun's massagers.

Pros: Quiet, comes with four head attachments, three speeds up to 3200 percussions per minute, lightweight, comes with carrying case, long battery runtime

Cons: Massage arm doesn't rotate, only one place to grip the unit, slightly confusing to use at first

When Theragun announced its new Fourth Generation of product releases, the brand revealed two major changes. First, it would now go by the revised name of Therabody and second, it introduced the first portable massage gun called the Mini.

Shaped like the spade you'd see in a deck of cards, the Mini is a handheld (in that it literally fits in just one hand) device that offers a similar amount of percussions per minute (PPMs) as its more advanced kin. This allows it to deliver worthy massages perfect for quickly warming up before a run or working out some tight spots after lifting weights or just generally being active.

The main difference between the Mini and the more advanced Theragun models is how much no-stall force it's able to dole out before stalling. Whereas the devices like the Pro or Elite are capable of 60 and 40 pounds, respectively, the Mini only touts a 20-pound threshold of no-stall force. This means that once the amount of force goes over 20 pounds, it stalls out completely.

Though this never was a problem during our tests, it does mean that for deeper tissue massages, the Mini might not suffice. But Theragun didn't introduce it to satisfy that need and rather, introduced it as an on-the-go solution that bridges the gap between more advanced massages (or more advanced massage guns).

At $199, it's also the cheapest massage gun in its lineup and one that's entirely worth the investment — even for people who don't previously own a massage gun. Think of it as a suitable entry-level massage device.

Pros: Inexpensive price tag (for massage guns), offers the same PPMs as Theragun's more advanced models, highly portable

Cons: Only offers 20 pounds of no-stall force, won't help with deep tissue work

For its price point, the Vybe Premium Percussion Massage Gun has some impressive specs. In addition to its 5 speeds capable of pumping out 3200 percussions per minute, it comes with a travel case and weighs only 2.2 pounds, making it portable and easy to hold for long periods. Its four-hour battery run time also means you can use it for longer sessions, and an ergonomic design allows for multiple grips and massage angles.

The percussions are approximately 10 mm deep and have a force of 30 pounds, which isn't outstanding but should be able to work out most knots relatively quickly.

The Vybe Pro Premium comes with four head attachments - bullet head, flat head, fork, and large ball – that can accommodate specific muscle groups. It utilizes a brushless motor, which allows it to run quietly, too. The estimated noise level is anywhere from 50 to 60 decibels.

Pros: Affordable, runs quietly, four-hour battery runtime, comes with four massage heads and a carrying case, five speeds

Cons: The massager arm doesn't adjust, built-in battery

The adjective buyers and experts seem to use most often to describe the TimTam Power Massager is "powerful." It offers one speed — 2500 strokes per minute — and the stroke depth is deeper than any other massager on our list at 26mm — or roughly one inch. Though it only has one handle, the arm rotates 90 degrees to make it easier to work hard-to-reach areas. And, at 2.1 pounds, it's incredibly light.

According to the manufacturer, the battery runtime is only 60 minutes per charge but it's removable, so you can buy additional batteries on the TimTam website. The site also has an array of heads you can pick up if the ball tip is not enough for your needs.

Pros: Extremely powerful, features an adjustable arm, the battery is swappable, comes with a carrying case, delivers deep stroke length

Cons: Loud, might be too intense for some, short battery runtime

While researching this guide, we looked at countless massage guns. There were a few that barely missed the cut. Here are the five we almost included:

Theragun liv ($249.99) – There's a lot to like about Theragun's lowest priced option. Unlike its more expensive models, the liv only comes with two head attachments, one speed, and doesn't have as nice of a carrying case. However, it still packs 2400 percussions per second and has three grippy ergonomic handles. I've tested this gun personally and found it gets the job done but the extra heads are missed and I'd prefer a removable battery.

Editor's note: Theragun told Business Insider it's currently offering discounts on all of its premium massage gun models, including the Theragun liv which now retails for $199 (originally $249). All discounts are applied at checkout.

Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager ($27.99) – Calling this a "massage gun" is a bit of a stretch, but it essentially performs the same functions as the aforementioned devices. It's an excellent solution if you have a limited budget, too. It comes with four attachment heads and has variable percussion speeds ranging from 2,000 to 3,350 strokes per minute. The biggest negative is that it isn't cordless and the power cable is only nine feet long.

TimTam PowerMassager Pro ($449.99) – TimTam's top-of-the-line model is unique in that it has a heated tip that offers an added therapeutic touch to its deep tissue relief. The massage arm has 175 degrees of rotation, three speeds (1000, 2000, and 2800 strokes per minute), and a deep stroke length of 32 mm. We chose not to include it in our guide because of the high price. We think the G3 and Hypervolt provide better value.

Accugun Quiet Pro ($99.99) – Flyby, the makers of the Accugun, claim that the Quiet Pro is quieter, lighter, and runs longer on a single charge than any of the guns sold by Theragun, Hyperice, or Vybe. It also comes with six head attachments and features three speed settings. It's also backed by a one-year warranty. However, the Quiet Pro only has one handle, and the arm doesn't adjust so you may experience arm fatigue during longer massages.

ElecForU Carrying Case Massage Gun ($82.99) – This massage gun comes with six heads for targeted relief. It features a brushless motor, which allows for quiet operation, and there are five speeds ranging from 1200 to 3600 strokes per minute. According to the manufacturer, the battery runtime is an outstanding 4 hours. The biggest negatives are that it weighs more than three pounds and only has one handle.