PlayMakar MVPmini VS. Theragun Mini
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Massage Guns: Your Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Best Massage Gun
Best Massage Gun: A Comprehensive User Guide & Massage Gun Score™
12.
4.
- BestProducts.Review
- Updated: January 19, 2022
- Fitness, Pain Management
Table of Contents
- The Most Comprehensive Guide to Massage Guns: Everything You Need to Know & How We Scored the Best Massage Guns
- What is a Massage Gun?
- An Important Note on Buying a Massage Gun
- How Does a Massage Gun Work?
- What are the Benefits of Using Percussion Massager Gun?
- The Downsides to a Massage Gun
- Why Not Get a Traditional Massage
- What feature do I look for in the Best Massage Gun for me?
- The Best Massage Guns You Need to Know About?
- Massage Gun Score™: How we score it?
- Professional Grade Specifications Comparison Chart
- Portable Grade Specifications Comparison Chart
Looking for the Best Massage Gun? Well, you have come to the right place!
Research shows that massagers stimulate circulation, relax stiff muscles and help to improve your posture and can aid in increase in range of motion and just feel great.
So it’s no wonder you’re shopping for one!
With all the various options and different styles of percussion massagers, each with their own unique set of features, it can be overwhelming to pick the best massage gun to buy.
That’s why we’ve created a handy buying guide to help you understand the benefits of each feature and the best massage gun to fit your needs.
BEST OVERALL
PlayMakar MVP+
Percussion Gun Massager
All in all, best overall! Professional grade 14 mm stroke length for deep muscle massage, highest RPM range from 1000-3000, Touchscreen display, super well balanced with less vibration. best massage heads on the market, looks amazing. It’s in a similiar class to the HyperVolt Pro but spec for spec is better. Highly recommended. Great value comparatively.
POWERHOUSE!
Theragun Pro
Percussion Gun Massager
Its large build and futuristic design instantly makes it stand out from other massage guns. Although the gun looks cool with its unique triangular designed handle it feels a little unnecessary as it gets in the way often. The quality of the plastics on this gun are decent but I would expect a little more for $599.
BEST PORTABLE
PlayMakar MVPmini
Percussion Gun Massager
Very light and feels great in your hand. Perfect for neck and back, small muscle groups. MVPmini offers excellent stall force for highly portable massage gun. Easy to clean responsive silica massage heads provides better experience over hard plastic or closed-cell foam alternatives. Comes with a carrying case and wrist lanyard. Optional HeatTip is well worth the money.
The Most Comprehensive Guide to Massage Guns: Everything You Need to Know & How We Scored the Best Massage Guns
There's no denying that massage guns are becoming increasingly popular.
So many people are starting to see and feel the benefits of using a massage gun, whether recovering from daily or chronic stress, relaxing tense muscles, minimizing soreness, or recovering from a workout or athletic practice.
There are endless uses for such a device. Still, if you're new to the industry, you're undoubtedly overwhelmed by the whole process and all the guns on offer.
Don't worry; I'll take the stress out of everything throughout this comprehensive massage guide.
We'll talk about everything you need to know about massage guns, from what they are and how they work to the benefits they provide and some of the best devices to get started with.
So whether you're looking for your first massage gun or you're curious about what's out there, let's get into it!
1.
What is a Massage Gun?
A massage gun is a handheld battery operated device that uses percussion and vibration therapy to relieve muscles and promote healing.
This means you put the head of the massage gun on the muscle you’re trying to soothe.
Percussion massage guns deliver quick, repeated downward strikes that mimics popular Swedish massage technique called “tapotement”. According to Wikipedia, it is a rhythmic percussion, most frequently administered with the edge of the hand, a cupped hand or the tips of the fingers.
There are five types of tapotement including Beating (closed fist lightly hitting area), Slapping (use of fingers to gently slap), Hacking (use the edge of hand on pinky finger side), Tapping (use just fingertips) and Cupping (make your hand look like a cup and gently tap area). It is primarily used to “wake up” the nervous system and also as a stimulating stroke which can release lymphatic build up in the back.
The best massage guns and corresponding massage heads simulate these tried and true massage techniques.
Massage guns are increasingly popular among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who suffers from muscle pain or tension. However, since these guns can provide various health and wellness benefits, more and more people are using them daily.
While massage guns are still relatively new to the market, they have quickly become a go-to solution for many people who are looking for an alternative to traditional massage methods.
Typically, you’ll receive a gun containing the motor and battery, and the device will make a specific, predetermined motion. Still, it will vary on how many speeds you can access.
It’s pretty similar to when you take the head off an electric toothbrush. You’ll find a metal connector that moves in the same way, no matter what attachment you use.
However, the variety of attachments you get will determine the type of massage experience you have. This is crucial to remember and should be your key takeaway from this guide.
In this guide we have itemized the key considerations when purchasing a massage gun.
2.
An Important Note on Buying a Massage Gun
The attachments you use with your massage gun should be your main focus when buying a massage gun.
Just take a casual look at some of the brands and devices available today, and you’ll see what I mean.
The vast majority of the devices work the same way. They operate at similar power levels. The sizes and available strokes are basically identical. They all offer a variety of speeds within the same range.
Sure, a premium-quality massage gun will offer more speeds and strokes, and the quality will be better than a cheaper device, but most devices will sit around the same level.
Again, the quality of some devices varies a lot depending on the brand, but the actual way the device works is the same.
It’s the attachments that are most important since you can switch them out interchangeably to create different experiences.
They’re also the part of the gun that actually comes into contact with your skin, so if you use poor-quality attachments, no matter how high quality your gun is, you’ll have a poor-quality massage experience.
Attachments change the massage experience, regardless of the gun you use.
For example, suppose you want a deep tissue massage. In that case, you need an attachment that will provide the required pressure to reach those deeper muscle tissues.
Conversely, if you just want a light and relaxing massage, then attachments with softer surfaces will be better suited to you.
The point I’m trying to make is that when looking at different massage guns, don’t just think about the gun itself. Consider what attachments come with it or are available and whether they will actually suit your needs.
We’ll look at this in more detail later on; just bear it in mind for now!
3.
How Does a Massage Gun Work?
Massage guns use a motor to generate percussions and vibrations that are transferred to the head of the device and through the attachment. When you place the massage gun on your skin and activate the motor, the attachment will vibrate and move in whatever way it’s designed to move, stimulating your muscles to create the desired effect.
When you place the massage gun on your skin and activate the motor, the attachment will vibrate and move in whatever way it’s designed to move, stimulating your muscles to create the desired effect.
The Percussive vibrations help break up knots in your muscles, improve blood flow to the area, promote healing, and provide various other benefits.
Massage guns are typically used for short periods of time (usually up to 15 minutes at a time). Still, you can use them for longer if you need to by using them several times a day.
4.
What are the Benefits of Using Percussion Massager Gun?
On that note, let’s get into the good stuff. The benefits.
Why should you be thinking about getting a massage gun, and what can it bring into your daily life?
Well, perhaps unsurprisingly, massage guns are designed to work in a similar way to traditional massages.
We covered how they work on an operational level. Put the gun on your skin. It vibrates and stimulates your muscles, and so on.
On a scientific level, these vibrations work by effectively flushing out any extra fluids that are building up in your muscle tissue, such as lymph fluid or venous blood. Venous blood is another name for deoxygenated blood.
I won’t go really far into this (there’s plenty of information online about this), but for a basic understanding, your blood carries oxygen around your body.
Your muscles use the oxygen to move around, exercise, and basically do everything your body does best. Then the deoxygenated blood travels back to your heart to reoxygenate again, and the cycle continues.
If your muscles are experiencing a build-up of deoxygenated blood or lymph fluid, then they won’t work correctly. A massage gun prevents this from being a problem.
And this is just one way a massage gun can be used to help your body and one of the benefits it provides.
Again, it all depends on the heads and attachments you’re using.
On this note, some of the best benefits include;
Improved Circulation
Your circulatory system is responsible for carrying blood around your body, and this blood carries oxygen and nutrients that your muscle need to function properly.
If you have poor circulation, your muscles aren’t getting the oxygen and nutrients they need, which can lead to all sorts of problems, from muscle cramps to fatigue.
Massage guns help improve circulation by flushing out any fluids that might be building up in your muscles and promoting blood flow around your body. This means that your muscles get the oxygen and nutrients they need to perform to the best of their ability.
Reduced Muscle Soreness
You can experience muscle soreness for several reasons.
Maybe you’ve completed a challenging workout, run, worked hard all day, moved house, played with your kids for more than a few hours, are experiencing high stress levels, and so much more.
As above, poor circulation can also lead to muscle soreness, but it all comes back to the fact that your muscles aren’t getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function correctly.
Fortunately, massage guns show positive research suggesting a massage guns can increase range of motion suggesting that we can potentially move better with greater ease and reduce muscle soreness for several reasons.
They improve circulation through percussion vibrations, which help break up your muscles’ knots. Suppose you’ve ever had a traditional massage. In that case, you’ll know the therapist will often spend time working on any knots or tight areas in your muscles for this reason.
Massage guns also help to reduce the build-up of lactic acid in your muscles. Lactic acid is a waste product produced when your muscles work hard, such as after you’ve worked out, which can lead to pain and discomfort.
This technique can even help stretch out your muscles, loosening up the tight, uncomfortable muscles and tendons.
That’s a ton of muscle work for just one gun!
Helps to Relieve Pain
There are all sorts of pains that massage guns help with, from headaches and back pain to neck and shoulder pain. Suppose you suffer from any kind of chronic pain condition. In that case, a massage gun is a godsend as it helps to ease the pain, can help make you feel more comfortable, and ultimately makes life more bearable.
Improved Flexibility
If you’re somebody who suffers from tight muscles, you’ll know how difficult it can be to move and exercise properly. It can feel restrictive and uncomfortable and can even feel like it’s holding you back from doing the things you want to do.
Massage guns loosen your muscles and tendons up, thus improving your flexibility and allowing you to move more freely and without pain. This is what I suffered with almost daily, and it changed so many aspects of my life!
Improved Joint Health
Joint pain can feel utterly debilitating. It becomes difficult to move, exercise, and even sleep properly, leading to other side effects.
Similar to improving your flexibility, massage guns could be the answer you’re looking for. The vibrations help increase the range of motion in your joints by lubricating your joints, which helps reduce pain and inflammation and improves joint health over time.
Studies even show that massage guns can be used to help improve the lives of people with conditions like arthritis.
Better, Shorter Recovery Times
While the conversation is still young as to whether this is the case, the current general consensus is that massage guns have a positive effect in helping you recover faster from workouts.
Athletes, in particular, push their bodies to the limit, and they need to be able to recover quickly so they can train again and perform to the best of their abilities, as well as reduce the risk of injury.
Massage guns help to reduce muscle soreness, ease tension, and improve blood flow to the muscles. This means that your muscles repair themselves more quickly and effectively, and you’ll be able to get back to training sooner rather than later!
As you can see, all sorts of benefits come with using a massage gun, and these are just some of the most popular ones.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your health and well-being, then a massage gun is a great option, and I would highly recommend it.
5.
The Downsides of a Massage Gun?
There are pros and cons to everything in life, but fortunately there are only a handful of downsides to consider when investing in a massage gun. And to be honest, these should be fairly obvious.
Aside from the sometimes high initial price point, the biggest concern is incorrect usage. If you misuse a massage gun, you do run the risk of hurting yourself or causing injury.
You must ensure you’re reading the instructions with the gun and following the procedure the company recommends for proper usage.
Additionally, if you’re already living with an injury or chronic condition, sometimes a massage gun may aggravate this problem more.
If this is something worrying you, always make sure you seek the help of a trained medical professional who will be able to give you the best advice based on your personal and individual circumstances.
6.
Why not get a Traditional Massage?
You may be wondering if massages are so good for you; why not just invest in the help of a licensed massage professional instead of getting a massage gun?
Well, the truth is, you can. Traditional forms of massage offer plenty of benefits, and it’s certainly worth considering if you’re experiencing chronic pain or muscle issues.
They can be an excellent idea, even if you’re interested in relieving stress and looking after yourself.
Nevertheless, the benefits of a massage gun over a traditional massage may include:
● You can use a massage gun on your own.
● You don’t need to book an appointment or wait for someone to be free.
● You don’t have to make time in your schedule to go and have the appointments
● Massage guns are far more affordable than a series of traditional massages
● You can use a massage gun as often as you like.
● There’s no need to remove any clothing if you have body confidence issues
● You can target specific areas with a massage gun as much or as little as you need.
● You can use different attachments to change the intensity and focus of the massage.
● You can use a massage gun anywhere, anytime.
So, there are some definite advantages that massage guns have over traditional massages!
But there’s one big question left to answer…
7.
How do I Choose Best Massage Gun for Me?
There are plenty of different massage guns on the market these days, and it can be tough to know which one is best for you and which massage gun to buy.
With all the various options and different styles of percussion massagers, each with their own unique set of features, it can be overwhelming to pick the best massage gun to buy.
We have analyzed 12 specific attributes of Percussion managers and tried to give you all the information in one page, a detailed summary if you will to use in making your buying decision.
Portable vs Professional Grade Massage Guns
We know that not all massage guns are created equal!
What benefits does professional grade massage guns offer?
And how are portable massage device beneficial?
Let’s dive into that.
Professional grade devices will have larger batteries, much larger motors, extended depth percussive capability or stroke length exceeding 14 mm, high RPM exceeding 3000 and high stall force capability.
Professional grade should have more premium features such as RPM lock, digital displays and be as compact as possible but still yield deep percussive therapy.
Portable devices tend to be compact for transportation, storage and easy on the go therapy. Generally, provide more vibration and light percussion exceeding 7 mm stroke length but not more than 10 or 12 mm at the most. Ideal for smaller muscle groups, IT Band, around bony prominences. Ideal for hands, wrists, neck, ankles, and feet for most. Those with lower muscle density will benefit more from stroke length not exceeding 10 mm in our estimation and study.
WORTH NOTING: Higher quality massage heads that provide diversity of therapeutic percussion massage techniques with impact control has been much needed in the massage gun space
Stroke Length or Amplitude
The term refers to how far the reciprocation extends from within the massage gun to your body. It is the length of shaft extension primarily measured in millimeters. The longer the stroke length, the deeper the massage.
We consider massage guns less than 12 mm appropriate for soft tissue massage while massage guns beyond 12 mm will provide a deep tissue massage that will stimulate dense muscle such as the quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves. We have found most guns listed on Amazon to be 10 mm and would estimate that 5% of all guns are considered professional grade
Stall Force
Stall force measurements determine how much downward force in lbs. can be applied before the motor stalls or stops.
Professional grade devices should exceed 55 lbs. stall force while portable devices should be 30 lbs. or more.
Revolutions per Minute or RPM vs PPM or Percussion Per Minute
Revolutions per Minute or RPM vs PPM or Percussion Per Minute: Refers to how fast the motor is spinning. General professional grade RPM’s will range from 1200-3500. It take RPM divided by two to determine PPM or number of downward strikes produced by 12 v or 24 volt motors. Massage gun motors can be vary greatly.
Different guns offer different levels of intensity, so think about what you need. If you’re a beginner, you might want to start with a lower intensity and work your way up. If you’re looking for the best experience, you’ll want a gun that provides the full range. The average speed is around 3,000 hits per minute.
Decibals (dB) or Noise Level
Professional grade massage guns will make noise however some are nosier than others. Its best to avoid massage guns that are so loud that it can interrupt a conversation of the sound of your TV.
Anything over 70 to 75 is considered disruptive which is the equivalent to a typical vacuum cleaner.
Anything over 70 to 75 is considered disruptive which is the equivalent to a typical vacuum cleaner.
Professional Massage Guns dB (Noise Level) at Highest RPM
Hypervolt 2
69.5 dB at 2700 RPM
PlayMakar MVP+
66.7 dB at 3000 RPM
Hypervolt 2 Pro
69.7 dB at 3200 RPM
Theragun Pro
87.3 dB at 4800 RPM
Hypervolt 2
69.5 dB at 2700 RPM
PlayMakar MVP+
66.7 db at 3000 RPM
Hypervolt 2
87.3 at 4800 RPM
Hypervolt 2 Pro
69.7 at 3200 RPM
WINNER: PlayMakar MVP+ is the quietest professional grade massager we tested.
Balance & Vibration
In a massage gun, the center of mass and gravity refers to the location where the body’s total weight is balanced, whereas the center of mass refers to the location where the body’s total mass is directed.
When the center of gravity and the center of mass are aligned, it will lead to a more relaxing massage with less strain on your hands, wrist, and arms.
WINNER: PlayMakar MVP+ is the most well balanced professional grade massager we tested.
Weight & Ergonomics
The understanding of the interaction analysis between a human and a machine applied by the Gun designer to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Excessive weight will be detrimental to the user of the device.
The primary componets that make up the weight is obviously the overall size but also important to make distinction between professional and portable grade. Professional grade devices will have larger motors and batteries which make up the major part of the weight
If you’re going to be using your massage gun a lot, then you’ll want to ensure that it’s not too heavy, especially if you’re carrying it around. A heavier gun is more challenging to use and get proper angles with and can cause fatigue. This will, however, depend on how strong you are.
Professional Massage Guns Weight
Theragun Pro
Weighs 2.9 lbs
PlayMakar MVP+
Weighs 2.35 lbs.
Hypervolt 2 Pro
Weighs 2.6 lbs
Hypervolt 2
Weighs 1.8 lbs
Portable Massage Guns Weight
Theragun Mini
Weighs 1.4 lbs.
iReliev Percussion Massager
Weighs 1.6 lbs.
Bob & Brad Q1
Weighs less than 1 lb.
PlayMakar MVPmini
Weighs less than 1 lb.
Theragun Pro
Weighs 2.9 lbs.
PlayMakar MVP+ Percussion Massager
Weighs 2.3 lbs
PlayMakar MVPmini Percussion Massager
Weighs 2.6 lbs.
PlayMakar MVPmini Percussion Massager
Weighs 1.86 lbs
Portable Massage Guns Weight
PlayMakar MVPmini Percussion Massager
Weighs .92 lbs.
iReliev Percussion Massager
Weighs 1.6 lbs.
Theragun Mini
Weighs 1.4 lbs.
Bob and Brad Q1
Weighs .96 lbs
Controls and Display
The controls vary greatly by massage gun. Push buttons, dials and full digital touchscreen displays.
The difference creates option to operate and adjust controls with on hand or requires two handed operation.
Hypervolt 2 Pro Controls
Turn Dial to Control Intensity. Requires two hands to operate.
Hypervolt 2 Pro Controls
Push Button to Control Intensity. One hand control.
MVP+ Controls
Touchscreen to Control RPM, Pause/Start and SpeedLock™ to lock out RPM. For most hands, can hold and adjust controls using one hand.
WINNER: PlayMakar MVP+ deliver best user experience with touchscreen display. No dials. No buttons.
Massage Heads
Interchangeable Massage heads for specific application is useful and in large parts has been addressed by the most massage gun manufactures.
However, all bodies aren’t equal. Some have high-density muscles, others are less dense, and all have different
Most manufactures are using hard ABS plastic or cheaper foam alternatives.
PlayMakar brand has developed a line of Silica rubber Massage Heads that offer progressive impact. Rubber and ABS Plastic massage heads can be used in conjunction with oils or lotions and can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher.
Different massage guns come with different attachments. These attachments can change the focus of the massage, so if you have specific areas that you need to target, make sure the gun you choose has the proper attachment for you.
Hypervolt Fork
Made of hard ABS Plastic
Theragun Dampener
Super soft open cell foam; gets dirty, absorbs skin oils, cannot use with massage oil or lotions.
PlayMakar ShocDuo
ProTips™ by PlayMakar made from 100% All-Natural Latex Free Silica Rubber
WINNER: PlayMakar MVP+ and MVPmini offer the best massage heads we tested. Also have a full line of optional accessories
Battery
An essential component of a handheld device. It will determine uninterrupted operation time (autonomy) based on Amplitude and force applied. It is also a determining factor in a gun’s ergonomics, which generally have bulky batteries inside the handle, making them uncomfortable.
Massage guns can be pretty power-hungry, so you’ll want to ensure that the one you choose has a long battery life. Ideally, you should be looking for a gun with a long battery life so that you don’t have to worry about it running out of juice in the middle of a massage, especially if you’re planning on massaging while you’re out the house, i.e., at the gym or work.
Reviews
Always read the reviews before you buy anything, and this is especially true for massage guns. There are many different options out there, so see what other people have to say about the ones you’re considering.
Price
Massage guns range from around $100 to $500, so think about how much you’re willing to spend.
There are some great options available at all price points, so don’t let the cost deter you from finding the perfect gun for you.
8.
The Best Massage Guns You Need to Know About?
Let’s get into the good bit; figuring out which massage gun is actually best for you.
I touched on this already in my important note, and we’re swinging back around full circle. A lot of massage guns are very similar, and while you want a decent massage gun handset, it’s the available attachments that will actually provide the massage experience that will benefit your life.
This means the best massage guns are designed to a decent quality, but they also come with plenty of massage head attachments that are interchangeable and designed to tackle
specific needs in the best possible way.
You’ve got to remember that no two human bodies are the same. My muscles are a different density to your muscles, and we all have various demands, aches, pains, and conditions according to our own lifestyles.
You must bear this in mind when shopping for a massage gun. Get a gun that suits your needs!
You also want to look for a massage gun that treats your skin well and actually benefits your body rather than doing more harm than good.
It shocks me to see how many guns are manufactured using hard ABS plastics or cheaper, tacky foam alternatives. Oh my goodness, it’s awful.
When you actually think about how these materials impact your skin and muscle tissue and what they could be doing, it’s just horrible and not beneficial to your muscles at all.
It’s like hitting your skin with a lunchbox rather than using a gun designed to care for your skin and muscles.
Having benefited immensely from having a massage gun of my own, I set out to find the best experiences possible, and this website is the result.
So, to the best-best bit. After much consideration, I narrowed down the market to just three companies that stand above and beyond the rest.
● Theragun
● Hyperice
● PlayMakar
Both Theragun and Hyperice guns are well worth your consideration. They’re great brands, and the guns are pretty decent, ticking all the boxes for what you should be looking for.
However, if you’re looking for the best of the best, then there’s only one company that can provide that; PlayMakar.
PlayMakar is a relatively new brand, but they’ve quickly made a name for themselves in the massage gun world.
Their guns are some of the most powerful and sophisticated on the market, and
they come with a wide range of attachments and massage heads to choose from.
What’s more, the PlayMakar team is constantly innovating and improving its products.
They’re always coming up with new and better ways to help you recover from workouts, relieve pain, and reduce stress.
The products really do speak for themselves, so here’s a bit of a lowdown of what you can expect from their current line.
PlayMakar MVPmini
Coming in at under $100, the MVPmini is the budget and beginner-friendly massage gun that aims to find the balance between power and size. This is a super-powerful mini massage gun, and instead only weighs in at under a pound, meaning, you can take it wherever you go.
It’s also manufactured using PlayMakar’s QuietVybe™ technology that helps keep the device under 48db, which is a pleasure to use and isn’t too overpowering, nor does it draw attention from people around you.
However, most importantly, the device comes with ProTips massage heads. These responsive-silica heads provide the most premium level percussion therapy I’ve ever experienced, especially with the standard hard plastics and foam.
This package comes with four heads (Shoc, EchoBall, ImpactBall, and AcuTrigger), which are great for carrying out various massages. Additionally, the MVPmini comes with very nice jersey material carrying case. There are three other optional accessories including HeatTip, Edge and Bullet tips if you want them. Overall, the MVPmini is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful and portable massage gun that comes with excellent attachments without breaking the bank.
PlayMakar MVP HeatTip
You’ve probably heard that heat is good for your muscles, and PlayMakar knows this all too well. That’s why they created the premium-level HeatTip attachment.
This one is specifically for the MVPmini and is absolutely brilliant in combining percussive massage with heat therapy.
Once applied to your skin, you can feel the benefits of the percussion therapy, plus the heat that soothes and loosens your muscles simultaneously, like when you relax in a sauna or steam room.
Long story short, your muscles will feel absolute bliss, regardless of whether you’re warming them up pre-workout or releasing tension and knots post-exercise. It’s ideal for speeding up recovery times and improving your ability to train harder and more often.
The tip can work on its own as a standalone device with its long rechargeable battery or can be connected to the MVPmini for an enhanced dual-therapy experience. Capable of heating up to 140°F, the HeatTip improves circulation, soothes muscles, and actively provides pain relief.
If you’re looking to add some heat therapy to your MVPmini or want a standalone massager, the HeatTip is definitely worth checking out.
PlayMakar MVP+ Percussion Massage Gun
Ramping things up a notch, we have the MVP+, a step up from the MVPmini in terms of both price and power.
This gun still comes with PlayMakar’s QuietVybe® technology, even though it’s more powerful than the MVPmini, capable of providing an even deeper massage. It also comes with a longer-lasting battery with enough juice for up to 3 hours of use from a single charge.
The MVP+ was engineered and built to compete directly with Hypervolt 2 Pro and Theragun Pro. Overall the products has superior balance, is quieter and far less vibration. RPM range is larger with 1000-3000, with patent pending SpeedLock™ which locks RPM in place to avoid in advertent bumps. Finally offers a touchscreen display and has 4 incredible massage heads include plus several optional massage heads such as HeatTip and ShocDuo which are incredible.
Regarding attachments, the MVP+ comes with the same four as the MVPmini (Shoc, EchoBall, ImpactBall, and AcuTrigger), but four other optional heads can be ordered separately.
At less than $170, this massager is a heck of deal in that its a high level professional massager but still compact and feels moderately pleasant in your hand. The features combined with the price make the MVP+ the best professional grade on the market without a $600 price tag.
Theragun Pro Percussion Massage Gun
At first glance this gun looks insane. Its large build and futuristic design instantly makes it stand out from other massage guns. Although the gun looks cool with its unique triangular designed handle it feels a little unnecessary as it gets in the way often.
The quality of the plastics on this gun are decent but I would expect a little more for $599. I noticed a first glance where the plastic does not line up real well.
Another thing that I noticed was that the battery is pretty difficult to click in as it seemed it didn’t exactly align with the plastic housing. It takes a lot of force to move the angle of the neck which makes it feel kind of janky or stiff.
This gun is no joke, as soon as I turned it on I could feel just how powerful this gun was. It surprised me how loud and powerful the gun actually was. It takes a few seconds for the gun to get up to speed and the faster it went the louder it got.
Other than the noise I could feel this gun’s high powered performance however it is a bit heavy coming in at nearly 3 lbs., which is the heaviest in this class. With such weight which mainly is both the motor and battery, there is no doubt, 16mm stroke length provides a deep muscle massage for the most dense large muscle groups.
The gun allows you to adjust the angle it points at, which makes it easy to reach spots other massage guns can’t. It allows you to set via push button the gun at a variety of speeds which are displayed on its mini screen.
This gun does vibrate a bit which can get annoying at times. I would not recommend this gun to the average customer as it is very powerful and expensive but this gun is definitely designed specifically for elite athletes that want to take their recovery to the next level.
Price is a huge factor for many customers and being $599 buying this gun doesn’t sound very practical.
This is true for many people but If you are a person that takes your recovery very seriously, you have larger and dense muscles and you want the most powerful gun then the TheraGun Pro might be for you.
Theragun Elite Percussion Massage Gun
The TheraGun Elite offers a nice alternative to the Theragun Pro. It is quieter, lighter, offer 2 mm less strong length but certainly offers a deep muscle massager at 14 mm.
The Theragun Elite is a little out of balance and can be cumbersome to hold for extended periods.
Being a Theragun, I expected it to be very loud but the noise actually wasn’t too bad.
The TheraGun Elite’s dimensions are 9.5 in x 6.7 in x 2.8 in, but what does that really look and feel like in person?
The TheraGun Elite is the perfect size; it’s not too big and not too small. Its handle allows you to get a solid grip and its triangular shape allows you to grip the gun at different angles. This gun has some serious power for its size.
TheTheraGun weighs 2.2 lbs which isn’t bad at all. Other larger guns similar to this gun end up weighing a lot but the TheraGun is a comfortable weight.
Stall force is how much pressure needs to be applied against the gun to cause the motor to stall. The TheraGun Elite has a stall force of 40lbs which is surprisingly less than many other guns on the market. Even though it does have a lower stall force with this gun’s power combined with its longer stroke length, 40bls of force is more than enough to get the job done.
The TheraGun Elite is powered by a 12V lithium-ion battery that gives it about 120 minutes of battery life on a single charge. It also takes only 80 minutes to fully charge the battery. For how high tech this gun is, the big bulky charger doesn’t really seem to fit the theme which they changed in making the TheraGun Pro. Because this gun is so powerful the battery life isn’t very long compared to many of its competitors which can last around 3 hours on one charge.
The TheraGun Elite comes with a total of 5 massage tips that all serve different purposes. These tips are basic and very similar to other massage gun tips but the one thing that sets them apart from these other guns is the quality of the tips. You can tell these tips are reasonable quality as they are closed cell foam tips that can easily be cleaned but would prefer silica rubber to be more responsive to the body.
Although this gun is powerful, speed isn’t one of its best qualities. The rpm’s range from 1,700-2400 ppm which isn’t a very broad range of speed. Many guns can go a lot slower and also have higher top speeds. I also found that the lowest speed felt a little too fast, I wish it went a little slower especially for how powerful it is.
The TheraGun has the unique ability to be controlled on an app. This is a very interesting concept but I feel that it is unnecessary when you could just control the gun from the buttons on the gun.
TheraGuns are known for being loud and they definitely are. I will say, this gun is the quietest Theragun I’ve ever heard but it still is pretty loud. At its maximum speed of 2400rpm the TheraGun produced 74dB.
The TheraGun Elite is $399 making it definitely one of the more expensive guns on the market but I can definitely see why this gun is worth what it is. The power and stroke length of this gun sets it apart from its competition but for the price I would expect it to be a little better in its other attributes.
Hypervolt 2 Pro Percussion Massage Gun
The gun looked like it was good quality although I felt like it looked very large and bulky. It definitely has some very unique and cool features that no other guns have.
The first thing I noticed was its control dial. Most guns are controlled by buttons or a touch screen but the Hypervolt 2 Pro has a unique dial that you turn to adjust the speed. Although the dial looks and feels pretty cool, when using the gun it feels like it is unnecessary as you accidentally turn the dial occasionally when using the gun and if you turn the dial past the max level it turns off.
As soon as I picked up the gun it felt very large and awkward to hold. The handle is thick and instead of a traditional round grip the grip is oval shaped.
The gun had great power but because of its awkward grip it made it difficult to get a solid grip when pushing the gun into your muscles. The gun also vibrated a lot which became uncomfortable after a while of using it as you could almost feel the vibrations go all the way up the arm you’re holding the gun with.
This gun is definitely not meant for the average customer as it is very powerful and also takes larger, stronger hands to hold.
Overall the drawbacks are really the ergonomics, awkwardness, massage heads are pretty cheap, vibrations and loudness. We were dispappointed at how easily the Hypervolt 2 Pro stalled with minimal downward pressure as you can see in the video.
Hypervolt 2 Percussion Massage Gun
The Hypervolt 2 is the baby brother to the Hypervolt 2 Pro. It is lighter, smaller, less powerful but offers a nice 12 mm stroke but let’s dive more into the details.
We were blown away with the packaging. The retail box, inserts and tray that the products sits in, is absolutely beautiful. Very “Apple” Like. With packaging like this however, there is always a price that is passed on to the customer to help increase perceived value. For a product of this quality, I would prefer to see a cheaper style box and have a reduced price tag for less than $200.
Aesthetically, the finish on the gray housing looks cheap compared to the black matte on Hypervolt 2 Pro. The screen printed Hyperice logos on the upper housing are also poorly done for a massager in this class.
When I picked up the Hypervolt 2, I noticed how much lighter it is from Hypervolt 2 Pro. It feels good in the hand and do like the oval shaped battery handle. The rubber grip on the battery housing is a nice touch.
At 1.86 lbs., the ergonomics feel good in a slightly larger than normal size hand. Having a light gun makes it much easier and more comfortable to hold for longer periods of time.
Naturally what you give up in weight, means smaller battery and motor which is the case with Hypervolt 2.
To operate the device, it has a simple one button, that is must be pushed for 2-3 seconds to power up. To start RPM, simply push and release button.
The gun offers reasonable amout of power at 2700 RPM but also has more than normal vibration and noise for a moderately powerful gun. In fact, the noise is about the same of Hypervolt 2 Pro but considerably less powerful.
As I began to use the Hypervolt 2, I noticed it doesn’t take too much downward pressure to stall the motor. For smaller people this may be ok but for most athletes or massage therapists that are looking for a professional grade device, we see this as the first major problem. In our estimation, we think it is about 25 lbs. but it may be less than out. This is considerably less than all other professional grade massage guns in this class. This a problem if you are trying get a deep muscle massage and trying to break down knots or adhesions.
The Hypervolt 2 is one of the larger guns Hyperice makes. This gun’s dimensions are 7.5 in x 2.5 in x 9.5 in.
The Hypervolt 2 has a stroke length of 12mm which is a little below average for top level massage guns. If you are not an athlete and just want a gun for basic everyday use then 12mm is a reasonable stroke length.
The Hypervolt 2 has a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can last up to 3 hours on a single charge. One cool feature of Hypervolts is that their battery life is displayed by the color of the light ring towards the bottom of the gun. The gun comes with an 18V charger that plugs in at the bottom of the gun.
The Hypervolt comes with a few accessories including extra tips, a charger, and 3 international plug adaptors. The gun comes with a total of 5 different tips. These tips look like they are good quality except all but 2 of them are made completely out of hard plastic which can be uncomfortable on the skin. I did like their sealed foam ball massage tip and the cushion tip.
The Hypervolt doesn’t give you a lot of variety in speeds as it only has 3 levels which reach speeds of 2,000, 2,350, and 2,700 rpm. This gun reaches a max speed of 2,700rpm which is a lot slower than many guns in its price range.
The Hypervolt 2 reached a range of 58-65dB when I tested it with a sound level meter. The gun is generally quiet especially compared to TheraGun but you also have to take in consideration that the gun is not reaching the same speeds as its competitors.
The Hypervolt 2 is $299 making it close in price to some of the most elite percussion massager guns out there. After testing the gun myself and looking at all its specs I can see that this gun does not compare to its competitors in the same price range. So overall I would say that the Hypervolt 2 is not worth the price.
Massage Gun Score™
Massage Gun Score™ takes the leading 10 product features and gives up to 5 points per feature for a total of 50 points. Cumulative score closest to 50 is the winner in both portable and professional grade models.
Our Mission is To Simplify Your Massage Gun Purchase
BestProducts.Review does considerable research, analyses and testing on Health & Wellness products to provide you objective findings so that you can make more informed buying decisions.
Our proprietary Massage Gun Score™ analyses 10 primary features of a percussion massagers in both professional vs. portable grade devices to create a rank and score for each model.
We only make money if you purchase a product from the links, and all opinions about the products are our own.
Portable Grade Editor's Pick
PlayMakar MVPmini
Percussion Massage Gun
MASSAGE GUN SCORE™
43 out of 50
Get the most compact high powered massager with the Editors Pick among the Best Portable Grade Percussion Massage Guns.
Professional Grade Editor's Pick
PlayMakar MVP+
Percussion Massage Gun
MASSAGE GUN SCORE™
42 out of 50
Get a deep muscle massage with the Editors Pick among the Best Professional Grade Percussion Massage Guns.
Professional Gun Model Comparison & Score
PlayMakar MVP+ Percussion Massage Gun
Hypervolt 2
Hypervolt 2 Pro
Theragun Elite
Theragun Pro
Stroke
14 mm
12 mm
14 mm
14 mm
16 mm
RPM/# of Speeds
1000-3000 / 6 / Also comes with RPM Lock Feature
20000-2700 / 3
2400-3200 / 5
3500-4800 / 5
3500-4800 / 5
DB (Noise Level)
45-55
55-65
58-69
65-75
65-75
Balance & Vibration
Weight on center. Least vibration for professional massager.
A little top heavy but overall feels relatively well balanced.
Heavy & awkward
Weighted towards front. Awkward to hold.
Not ergonomic in your hand. Weighted heavy in the front. Heaviest vibration felt in hands while using.
Weight
2.5 lbs.
1.8 lbs.
2.6 lbs
2.2 lbs.
2.9 lbs.
Display & Controls
Touchscreen
Push Button
Dial
OLED & Push Button
OLED & Push Button
Massage Head Attachments
Includes 4 Massage: Shoc, EchoBall, ImpactBall, and AccuTrigger Heads called ProTips. Made from 100% Silica Rubber.
Comes with 2. Flat Head and Bullet.
Comes with 5: Fork, Ball, Cushion, Flat and Bullet
5 Attachments: Dampener, Standard, Ball, Thumb, Cone and Wedge
5 Attachments: Dampener, Standard, Ball, Thumb, Cone and Wedge
Battery/Usage Time per Charge
24V/Up to 3.5 hours / Fixed Battery
24v/Up to 3 hours / Removable Battery
24v/ Up to 3 hours
24v/ Up to 3 hours
24v/Up to 2.5 hours. Comes with extra battery.
PROS
14 mm Stroke length, touchscreen, extremely well balanced and seems to have far less vibration. Amazing silica rubber massage heads that can be easily cleaned. PLUS, their Optional Massage Heads are unlike anything on the market, including new HeatTip. Best professional grade gun for less than $300.
Ergonomic handle, low noise
Adequate stroke length. Incredible packaging. Well branded.
Great Stroke length. Plenty of stall force. Comes with Carrying Case. High quality Massage Head tips.
60 lbs. Stall force. Stroke length. Battery Life. Comes with spare battery and case.
CONS
Does not come with a carrying case. Use promo code “BestProducts” to get case at 50% with purchase of MVP+.
Low stall force, battery is not sufficient
Not ergonomic. Excessive vibrations. Too expensive. Poor massage head design and limited options. Don’t care for dial, requires two hands to operate and adjust RPM.
Still to loud and has excessive vibration. Triangular design is not ergonomic in our opinion and feels a bit awkward. Too expensive. Better alternatives.
Heavy. Expensive. Loud. Uncomfortable grip and design. Too powerful for most.
BOTTOM LINE
All in all, best overall! Professional grade, Touchscreen display, super well balanced with less vibration. best massage heads on the market, looks amazing. It’s in a similiar class to the HyperVolt 2 Pro but spec for spec is better. Highly recommended.
Does not feel great in your hand. While we think the handle is better than 1st gen versions, it’s still not great. Stall force is simply inadequate for a gun this price and battery lasts considerably less than MVP+ or others in the top picks.
Overall power could be better. The percussions are good however the gun is relatively easy to stall. Intensity dial is interested concept but requires two hands, one to hold gun, the other to adjust dial. Retail packaging is incredible.
Great stroke length. Adequate stall force. Provides a deep muscle massage but for hefty price point. If you are willing to tolerate the noise, vibration and excessive price point, this is a solid percussion massage device.
Its large build and futuristic design instantly makes it stand out from other massage guns and when it comes to power, there is doubt this was built for professional use however it is very loud and vibrates more that expected. Most non professional consumers, end users people may view as excessive.
Massage Gun Score™
42 out of 50
30 out of 50
32 out of 50
30 out of 50
31 out of 50
Price
$169.95
$249
$399
$399
$599
Portable Gun Model Comparison & Score
PlayMakar MVPmini Percussion Massage System
Hypervolt Go 2
Theragun Mini
Bob & Brad Q2 Mini
iReliev Percussion Massager
Stroke
7 mm
10 mm
12 mm
7 mm
10 mm
RPM Range / # of Speeds
1800-3000 /5
2200-3200 / 3
1750-2400 / 3
1800-3000 /5
1800-3000/ 5
DB (Noise Level)
less 45dB
45-55dB
61dB
Less than 45dB
Less than 45dB
Balance & Vibration
Super well balanced. Minimal Vibration.
Vibrates Considerably. Weight in front.
Not Comfortable to hold. Loud and Vibrates.
Well balanced. Small vibration.
Relatively well balanced. Weight is more in front. Minimal Vibration.
Ergonomics & Weight
1 lb.
1.5 lbs
1 lb.
1 lbs
1.2 lbs.
Display & Controls
Push Button
Comes with 4 ProTips™: Shoc™, EchoBall™, ImpactBall™ and Accupressure™. Plus Optional Attachments: GlidePro™ Roller, ShocDuo™ Dual Thumb & DynamicDuo™
Push Button
Push Button
Push Button
7Push Button
Massage Heads
Comes with 4 ProTips™: Shoc™, EchoBall™, ImpactBall™ and Accupressure™. Plus Optional Attachments: GlidePro™ Roller, ShocDuo™ Dual Thumb & DynamicDuo™
2 Attachments: Flat and Bullet
3 Attachments: Standard Ball, 1 Foam Dampener and Thumb
5 Attachments: Bullet, Round, Fork, Cushion and Hard Round Plastic
4 Attachments
Battery
3.5 hours
1-2.5 hours / 2500mAh
2 hours
3 hours
3 hours
PROS
Unmatched stall force for portable gun, comes with carrying case. High quality Massage Head tips. Simple one button design.
Good stroke length, lower noise, angled handle.
7 mm
Includes a case and 5 attachments. Cheapest Price.
Simple to use. Comes with Carrying Case. Great for small hands.
CONS
For a portable percussion massager, hard to find anything other than 7 mm stroke that would be a con.
Stall force is unacceptable for a massager this expensive. Too large and heavy, Poor massage heads.
Does not included a case but a sleeve. Very loud.
Housing feels a little cheap. Massage heads cheaply made with plastic and foam. Push button to select intensity too small for normal size finger.
Not considered professional grade at 10 mm stroke length for adequate for most people.
BOTTOM LINE
Super light, feels great in your hands. Perfect for neck and back, small muscle groups. Unmatched stall force force for highly portable massage gun.
Good stroke length, lower noise, Angled handle but still lacks stall force needed with nominal downward pressure. We think there are better alternatives.
Great stroke length for portable but not comfortable to hold.
Cheapest cost but also feels a little cheap. Can’t get ahold of customer service.
Super quiet, has multiple speed options, up to 3 hours on a charge, 10 mm stroke is plenty for most people.
MassageGun Score™
43 out of 50
35 out of 50
34 out of 50
41 out of 50
43 out of 50
Price
$99.95
$129
$199
$89.99
$139.95
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