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Do you want a massage session to relieve your pain and relax your sore muscles? Do you want a fast solution that doesn’t require going to the spa or wasting your time? The answer is easy: percussion massagers.
They should give you what you need to keep exercising while being comfortable. That’s why we’ll review the best percussion massagers for athletes.
Best Percussion Massagers for Athletes
Here are 8 of the best percussion massagers.
Hypervolt Percussion Massage Gun
Hypervolt massage gun is designed by Hyperice with 3 different speed levels that can give you 1800 percussion per minute, 2400, or 3200. It features the Quiet Glide technology which lets you use your massager anytime without noise.
The massager comes with 5 different attachments so it’s pretty versatile. It comes with a round foam head to work on your quads and traps, 2 flatheads for your chest and calves, and fork attachment for your feet and forearm. In addition to 2 bullethead pieces.
Hypervolt is lightweight, with 2.5 pounds only, which means you can carry it everywhere, and you’ll be able to hold it comfortably while using it.
Moreover, it doesn’t come with a cord so there won’t be any hassle. It runs on a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that gives you 3 hours of massage.
If this is your first massage gun then you shouldn’t worry, since this one is user-friendly. All you’ll need to do is turn it on by the switch at the bottom, then change between speeds by pushing the button at the back. It also comes with 3 white light LEDs to indicate the pressure level. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best theragun alternatives.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Quiet
- 5 different attachments
- A 3-hour battery life
Cons
- On the expensive end
- Only 1-year warranty
FITPULSE Muscle Massage Gun
FITPULSE comes in different colors so you can massage in style. The reason why this massager stands out is the speed levels; it offers 30 levels to give you the most relaxing experience according to your needs.
You might think that at 30 levels it would be noisy, however, it’s not. Furthermore, it comes with 10 attachments to work on different muscles. You’ll get the gun, the attachments, as well as a charger in a firm case that you can use to carry FITPULSE around.
As for charging, the massager has 6 hours of battery life. The battery is 2250MAH and it comes with a 1A/25.2V adapter, which means it’ll charge quickly.
FITPULSE is quite affordable for what it offers. In addition to that, it comes with a clear manual that you should read carefully ahead to get the best out of it.
The only downside about this massager is that you can’t dial down the speed, so if you’re at 20 and you want to change to 5, you’ll have to go all the way till 30 and start over. It’s not a huge issue since you can get used to it.
Pros
- Affordable
- 6-hour battery life
- 30 speed levels
- 10 different heads
Cons
- Heavy
- Can’t lower the speed
Vi Pro Quiet Percussion Massage Gun
If you purchase the Vi Pro massager and find out that you’re not satisfied, then you can return it and take all your money back before 30 days. Moreover, it comes with a 1-year warranty. Let’s get to the features.
Vi Pro has 5 different speeds from 1400 to 3200 percussion per minute. It comes with 4 heads: bullet head, forkhead, flathead, and ball head. This means that it can target different muscles and tissues.
The massage gun is extremely quiet and you can use it anywhere. Moreover, it comes in a hardshell case to keep it safe while you carry it around.
Vigorous Innovations designed this massager with your comfort in mind. With a massage head angled at 15 degrees, you should be able to hold it easily while massaging different areas. They offer video instructions besides the regular manual to give you all the tips you might need.
Last but not least, the massager is cordless, with a rechargeable LiOn battery that can last for 4 hours. It has 4 different led lights to let you know how many hours are left in the battery.
Pros
- 100% money-back guarantee
- 5 speed levels
- Durable carry case
- 4-hour battery life
Cons
- Only 1-year warranty
TimTam Power Massager v1.5
This is the most compact massager on the list. Don’t let its size fool you, it’s still a powerful percussion massager. It offers 2500 percussions per minute. It only comes with a round rubber head, but you can purchase other attachments separately.
However, this head has an interesting feature; it can articulate with a 90-degree angle. This allows you to easily reach your shoulders and most of your back without assistance.
The massager also comes with a removable and rechargeable 12V Li-Ion battery that gives you a massage session of 30 minutes. I wish it lasted longer though.
The battery can be charged through a charging station that supports 110v and 240v. You can also buy extra batteries which come handy if you need to work more than 30 minutes.
Timtam sells the massager in a sturdy compact case for portability. They offer a 1-year warranty on it. Power massager v1.5 is designed mainly for recovery, so you should expect it to help you recover faster. Be sure to also check out our guide to Timtam vs Theragun G3.
Pros
- Articulating head
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Affordable
Cons
- Loud
- 30-minute battery life
Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
Sonic percussion massager allows you to massage your body on 5 different levels from 1200 to 3600. It’s not completely quiet, since it has something similar to a humming sound.
The massager has 5 different heads to work on your joints and muscles. It’s easy to use since it has a LED panel that shows everything. In addition to that, the handle is soft and comfortable to grip.
In terms of battery, it’s rechargeable and removable with 3 to 6 hours of working. It’s durable with really good quality. Furthermore, it’s the only massager on the list with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Affordable
- Up to 6 hours of battery life
Cons
- Humming voice can be noisy
RENPHO R4 Pro Massage Gun with Adjustable Arm
The RENPHO R4 Pro massager comes in an ergonomic design. It has an adjustable arm to let you massage in the most convenient position. The handle is curved to make it easier to grip.
It also has a speed button on the top that lets you choose between 4 different speeds, up to 3200 percussions per minute.
The power button can be easily reached on the front of the massager. It comes with a 2200mAh rechargeable and removable battery, with a charging stand for it. Moreover, it features 6 different heads to massage different muscle groups.
RENPHO designed the R4 Pro to be portable. It weighs 2.2 pounds only, and it comes with a case that keeps everything in place.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- 6 attachments
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- 1-hour battery life
VYBE Pro Massage Gun
VYBE produced their Pro gun with 8 different heads, almost all massagers feature attachments right? However, there’s a different piece here, the shovelhead. This particular attachment should allow you to work on muscles hidden under bones, like spine or shoulder blades.
It features 9 speeds from 1800 to 3400 percussion per minute. As for power, the motor is 24V and it’s quiet.
The handle is covered with silicone which makes it easy to grip and maneuver. Right over the cover, you’ll find the buttons that control the speed. They’re easy to reach.
The battery is 2000mAh and it’s built-in, but don’t worry, with 3-hour battery life you won’t be charging it that much. For portability, the massager has a travel case to take it with you anywhere.
Pros
- Silicone handle
- 3-hour battery life
- Shovelhead attachment
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager
The Wahl Deep massager comes with a long handle that is curved like the shape of your fingers for a firm grip.
It comes with 4 different heads: flathead, spherical head, pointed head, and four-finger head. This last one should give you the same feeling of getting a massage by a masseuse.
It comes with different speeds from 1800 up to 3350 percussions per minute. You can easily adjust the speed using just your thumb. Furthermore, it can last for as long as you want (given you have electricity) since you just plug it in and start massaging.
This massager comes with a 2-year warranty. The only drawback could be the cord, however, it’s 9 feet long so it shouldn’t be much of an issue. Our handy guide to the best handheld back massagers features more great products like this.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- 2-year warranty
- User-friendly
Cons
- Cord
What to Consider Before Buying a Percussion Massager?
If you decided that you need a percussion massager, allow me to give you some tips on how to choose the best one for you.
Power
You need to get a massager that’ll give you the exact amount of power you need. Some massagers can be too powerful that they add more pain to your sore muscles.
I’d suggest you go for massagers with different speed levels so that you can start with one level, and move to the next one if you outgrow it.
Weight and Size
The weight and size play an important role in 2 aspects: portability and massaging. Normally, a lighter and more compact massager would be more suitable if you’ll carry it around or travel with it.
Also, when the massager is light, it makes it easier for you to maneuver it while massaging. You don’t want to relieve your sore muscles only to end up with a sore wrist.
Cords
This depends on where you use your massager. If you tend to use it on the road, or on areas where you can’t find electricity easily, then a massager with a cord won’t be the best option.
Either way, I prefer cordless massagers even if you’re just using it at home. It’s more simple and easy to use.
Battery Life
The longer the battery life, the better. However, if there’s a massager that’s too convenient for your needs with a battery life that’s too low, there’s a solution.
Check if the battery is removable, this way you can buy extra batteries and keep them recharged to extend the massaging time instead of looking for a charger every hour.
Design
I’m not referring to the color (even though I like an aesthetically-pleasing massager) but I want to talk about how the massager is designed, specifically with the handle. Why is the handle important?
You’ll need to be able to hold it firmly and comfortably while massaging. Ergonomic design is always something to look for.
Attachments
Some percussion massagers are sold with different attachments, and others give you the option to buy them separately. In general, different heads allow you to target different muscles, or work in a variety of ways.
I prefer to have the attachments, even if I won’t use them all at first, just in case. Plus, it’s always more convenient to pay for the whole thing ahead.
Sound Level
Most companies now try to offer quiet percussion massagers. This comes handy if you’re using your massage gun outside, while watching TV, talking on the phone, or even at night when people are sleeping.
The last thing we want is a headache so try to choose a quiet massager.
FAQs
Q: Why Should I Get a Percussion Massager?
People need percussion massagers to relieve tension in their back, neck, or any sore muscles. As for athletes, it can be really handy when you’re recovering from an injury. It’ll speed the recovery time, and improve blood circulation.
Q: How Often Should I Use the Percussion Massager?
You can use it from 2 to 3 times per day, before or after a workout. You can also use it from 2 to 3 minutes on each muscle group to reach the best results.
Wrapping Up
I liked most of the percussion massagers on the list, but it’s time to make a decision. In general, I think that the best percussion massager for athletes is the RENPHO R4 Pro Massage Gun.
I just can’t emphasize more on how important the ergonomic design is. I think this massager can give you the powerful quiet massage experience you’re looking for without any aid.
Moreover, it’s affordable, and you can always buy extra batteries to avoid the 1-hour battery life issue.
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