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Can You Travel With Massage Guns?
You might be wondering: can you travel with massage guns? The answer is yes! For the most part, massage guns can be carried on or put in a checked bag if they don’t have removable lithium-ion batteries. Any loose lithium batteries are prohibited in checked bags, and will need to be carried on and most likely inspected by a TSA agent.
I’ve traveled with multiple massage guns in my suitcases before with no problems, and my bags haven’t been searched. However, most online resources note that whether or not a massage gun makes it past a security checkpoint is at the discretion of the TSA officer on duty. If they’d prefer you check the bag, you have to check it.
Courtesy of Therabody
How to Clean and Store Massage Guns
Thankfully, massage guns don’t require a ton of maintenance to stay in good condition. Most of the time, you can wipe them down with a simple household disinfectant wipe to remove any grime and keep them in their storage case as a best practice. If you’re using them during or after a workout when your skin is sweaty, you might want to wipe them down quickly after use. Otherwise, regular cleanings can be few and far between.
One note I have is to keep track of your chargers. Massage guns require a specific charging cable that’s distinct from other devices, so you’ll want to make sure you always have it handy. I recommend keeping it plugged in at a certain designated spot in your home, or keeping it in the case.
Taylor Galla | SPY
Is Bluetooth Worth It When Buying a Massage Gun?
A few of the luxe massage gun options from Therabody included in our picks above come with Bluetooth capabilities that enable you to build a custom recovery plan in the Therabody app, sync it with your gun and run it from there. This recovery plan may include switching between different intensities for different amounts of time, and moving the gun to certain parts of your body depending on the intensity being used, much like a physical therapist would.
Our editors didn’t find this feature particularly useful, and more a way for the brand to bolster their products and call them “smart.” In reality, we believe that most folks will turn on their massage gun, adjust the speed based on where their body needs soothing and go from there. You don’t need to overcomplicate it with Bluetooth, and you can receive the same benefit from using the gun without using an app.
Courtesy of Therabody
Massage Gun Benefits
A massage gun can have benefits for you and your body even if you’re not a regular at the gym. If your muscles are frequently taxed from intense weightlifting, running, cycling, yoga or other activity, having a massage gun around can be very handy for recovery. They’re relatively small, portable, wireless and can be used anywhere on the body with relative ease.
Massage guns are a great way to supplement professional massage therapy from a masseuse at home, and reduce your muscle soreness and pain with a portable, easy-to-use device. Massage guns are designed to help stimulate blood flow to targeted areas and reduce pain post-workout to help your body recover. They also help to scramble up fascia so your body can reorganize it post-workout and grow stronger in the process. I personally love using massage guns because they’re great for overall muscle maintenance and recovery alongside a rigorous stretching routine and consistent use of a foam roller . They’re great for easing pain in hot spots and super sore areas quickly, and are relaxing to use after a long day or grueling training session.
If you want to invest in the best massage guns, then the brands to know are Theragun and Hypervolt. The lower you go in price, the more you will sacrifice in quality. However, another important factor in receiving the benefits of any massage gun is knowing how to use it effectively. We’ve created a guide on how to use massage guns that any user, new or experienced, will find helpful.
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Why Trust SPY When Shopping for the Best Massage Guns?
We’ve tested 20 of the top-rated massage guns over the course of the past 4 years and our Senior E-Commerce Editor Taylor Galla spent 3 weeks testing each of the top massage guns for sale in 2022. Taylor Galla has been testing massage guns for years, is a certified yoga teacher and a fitness enthusiast very familiar with the recovery space. She compared every massage gun on this list to dozens of other models and tested against the strict criteria we outlined above. She let 10 different massage guns vibrate for hours in her home until their batteries died, tested different percussive speeds on different body parts to feel the intensity, and swapped massage gun heads in and out to test their durability and feel.
After all of this time, SPY editors have become experts in this product category, and won’t steer you wrong. Every massage gun on this list is one we would purchase for our loved ones suffering from muscle soreness, or our partners whose necks cramp up after sitting at a computer all day.
Editor’s Note: We last updated this piece on April 11, 2022. We added a few hands-on reviews to the piece for the Theragun Elite, Theragun PRO, Sportneer and Sonic massage guns. We’ve also more recently replaced the Hypervolt GO with the Hypervolt GO 2, their updated version of their most portable massage gun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massage Guns
What Are Massage Guns?
Massage guns are percussive therapy devices that provide deep-tissue massage to muscle groups throughout the body anywhere via strong, powerful, relatively quiet motors. They often come with multiple speed and intensity settings, and some come with interchangeable heads. They offer relief and recovery in a handheld package.
What Is the Best Massage Gun?
The best massage gun for you depends on a lot of things — your unique body, your recovery needs and your budget. After testing dozens of massge guns, we believe that Therabody makes the best massage guns, and the company is most known for its Theragun collection. We believe the Theragun Prime is the best overall massage gun. Of course, Theragun products are expensive, and after extensive testing, we believe the Vybe Premium Massage Gun is the best budget option.
How Do You Use a Massage Gun?
Good question. We've got a whole guide on the best ways to use a massage gun . We recommend starting on the lowest setting and sensing your comfort level from there. Point the gun directly at your muscle and let the head massage your tissues, moving across the muscle group. Avoid joints, bony points or super sore spots. They're excellent for working out knots, kinks or sore muscles — but you want to make sure it's the good kind of discomfort rather than the painful kind. Please consult a doctor or physical therapist before starting any new injury recovery regimens.
How Often Should You Use a Massage Gun?
This depends on the individual, but no more than once a day is a good rule of thumb. Because of the intensity of percussive therapy, every time you use one you are introducing tiny traumas to your muscular tissues, so you want to be tactful about how hard and often you're using a massage gun. They can be great for quick sessions right before or after a workout, or right before bed to calm the body.
What Is the Best Budget Massage Gun?
Massage guns tend to be expensive, but their popularity has spurred the creation of some super high-quality budget options. Currently, our pick for the best budget massage gun is the Vybe Premium Massage Gun, which has an impressive amount of power and depth for the price. Previously, we've named the Sportneer Elite D9 Massage Gun the best cheap massage gun, and both options can be purchased for under $150.
Remember: not every cheap massage gun is worth purchasing. There are lots of massage guns under $100 on Amazon, but not all of them are worth your money.
What Is the Best Massage Gun for Travel?
If you're regularly on-the-go and want to take your massage gun with you, then the Hypervolt Go is a solid pick. We've tested this one hands-on, and it's got a compact design that's easy to throw in a suitcase or backpack. It's got a high-torque, QuietGlide motor as well as three different speeds to choose from up to 3200 RPM. It only weighs 1.5lbs, so it's lightweight and easy to use, and it's TSA-approved to bring in any carry on suitcase.
What Is 'Depth' in Terms of Massage Guns?
Many massage gun brands tout the "depth" of their massager, and this refers to the distance the massage gun head travels from its starting position. If you want a true deep tissue massage, then a greater depth is desirable. In our testing, we found that this was an important differentiator between different models.
How Much Should You Pay for a Massage Gun?
In general, we recommend spending between $150 and $300 when shopping for massagers. After completing dozens of massage gun reviews, we've found that the majority of our favorite products fall in that price range. The Theragun Prime, the best overall product in this category, costs $299 (although it's often on sale), while our favorite budget massager, the Vybe Premium Massage Gun, costs $150.