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One of the bummers about getting older in a human body is that you start to notice the daily ouches, aches and pains that you used to be able to just walk off need a bit more TLC to recover. While a solid exercise routine and a good convo with your healthcare provider are the tried and true ways to help ease your tired bod, sometimes you need a few at-home remedies and self-care practices in your back pocket to get through the worst of it. Which is why a percussive massager of your own can be a great way to punch up your self-care routine and soothe out any knots or aches.
We all have seen the Theragun — it’s a cult favorite for people who want a compact, easy-to-use and high-quality massager. But the price tag of this name-brand option is a bit steep when it isn’t on sale — and a really solid alternative can be just as good without leaving you with extreme sticker shock.
If you’re interested in a percussive massager but want to see a few good theragun alternatives before landing on the model that’s right for you, read on and see if there’s one that hits the right spot for you.
(And, remember, if you’re experiencing serious back pain that goes beyond normal aches, definitely consult your doctor before starting any kind of DIY recovery regimen — percussive massagers are powerful tools and can do a lot of good, but you want to make sure you use them responsibly and carefully!)
A version of this story was published May 2021.
Vybe Percussion Massage Gun
With both metal and plastic heads in various shapes to tailor to your targeted massage needs, Vype Pro is a percussive massager that is highly versatile. It’s longer handle also makes it ideal for reaching every point of your back without contorting yourself further (if you’ve ever needed a good massage and had a little tweak in your back or your neck, you know the pain of having to reach to get to the sweet spot).
Sharper Image Deep Tissue Percussion Pro Massager
We’ve talked about this Sharper Image alternative before because it’s conveniently available at your local Costco. A handheld massager with six attachments and a whopping 4.5 hours of battery use, this is a quiet and reliable model that comes with a carrying case to keep all the pieces together in one place.
Exerscribe Percussion Massage Gun
So this gun is all about power. Loud and proud and coming with three different massage heads, this gun is an affordable option for someone who just wants to dig right into their knots and sore spots.
Flyby F1Pro Deep Tissue Massage Gun –
With six different heads, the Flyby F1Pro is a lightweight option that offers a lot of versatile bang for your buck. It’s quiet and super easy to carry around if you’re on-the-go and prone to feeling sore.
Addaday Edge
A bluetooth-enabled cordless massager, Edge is whisper quiet with unique designed head attachments that can hook up with the Addaday app to make sure you’re massaging your body in the safest and most effective way.
JMADENQ Massage Gun Deep Tissue Percussion Electric Muscle Massager
One of the more affordable options, clocking in under $40, this massager features four attachments, six speeds and a cooling system to keep your hardware safe during and after use.
HoMedics® Pro Series Percussion Massager
This gun from HoMedics® has three intensity levels and four high-quality attachments. It also has a battery light indicator to let you keepp track of your charge and an easy-to-grip handle for comfortable use.
TriggerPoint Impact Handheld Percussion 4-Speed Massage Gun
With an angled handle and a top-weighted design, this massager has a four speed motor and universal massage head “optimized for use on multiple muscle groups to increase blood flow, improve range of motion, and accelerate recovery time.” With a quiet motor and a battery time that lasts for two hours, it’s a sturdy post-workout recovery option (particularly if you have back pain).
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