Finding a massage gun can be overwhelming. There are many choices and options out there. If you are a casual user, opting for a knockoff or cheaper model may suit your needs. However, in clinical setting or for more serious and active individuals using daily, you should choose a quality brand.

The 2 most popular quality brands include: 

• Hypervolt
• Theragun

The most important piece of information which is not well known, is there are 2 types of devices: percussive and vibration. Percussive guns typically have deeper amplitude and lower frequency. Amplitude is how deep the gun penetrates and the frequency is how fast the device vibrates.

Here are the most important settings to look for

• Amplitude
• Frequency

The amplitude is how deep the gun penetrates. The Theragun’s amplitude is 16mm, whereas the amplitude of the Hypervolt and other percussion devices are generally <10mm. An athlete, people that prefer deep tissue massage, and/or have a higher pain tolerance prefer the higher amplitude 16mm of the Theragun. If you prefer lighter massage such as Swedish massage or have a lower pain tolerance, opt for vibration devices with a lower amplitude <10mm.

The frequency is how fast the head of the gun moves, generally in RPM or Hz. The majority of devices range from 2000 RPM to 3200 RPM. Most devices offer different speed settings. The frequency is typically referred to how intense a device penetrates, however a device with higher amplitude can feel more intense at a lower RPM, such as the Theragun. 

Lesser points to consider:

• Stall force
• Battery life
• Design
• Attachment heads
• Carrying case and size for travel