The 6 Best Mini Massage Guns of 2024

Mini massage guns work just like their larger counterparts by delivering a percussive massage to muscles and soft tissue. While mini massage guns tend to be less powerful than full-size massage guns, they are still thought to be effective at promoting blood flow to specific areas of the body, thus moving nutrient-rich fluids to the point of application. And quite frankly, most people simply enjoy the sensation of using mini massage guns, as they can relieve stress and help people relax. 

But which one should you get? With so many options emerging on the market, the choices seem endless. But not all mini massage guns are equal, and it can be hard to separate the high-quality choices from the knockoffs. So we did the homework for you and picked out some of the best mini massage guns in a variety of categories. 

Best Mini Massage Guns

• Best Mini Massage Gun Overall: Theragun Mini 2
• Best Mini Massage Gun for Athletes: Sportneer Mini 3 Massage Gun
• Best Budget Mini Massage Gun: BOB AND BRAD Q2 
• Best Premium Mini Massage Gun: Theragun Mini 2
• Best Mini Massage Gun for Travel: Hyperice Hypersphere Go
• Best Mini Massage Gun on Amazon: BOB AND BRAD Q2 

Best Mini Massage Gun

If you’re looking for a mini massage gun, you likely want one that packs stellar battery life while remaining small and light. This pick not only checks all those boxes but also features customizable programs to fit various needs and preferences.

Theragun Mini 2

Ultra-portable and easy to pack, the updated Theragun Mini 2 is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than its predecessor. It boasts a 120-minute battery life thanks to an internal lithium-ion battery, and, more importantly, it doesn’t make a ruckus while in use, thanks to Theragun’s proprietary brushless motor. In addition to including three different attachments (wide dampener, standard ball, and thumb), this gun can operate at three different speeds — 1,750, 2,100, and 2,400 pulsations per minute (ppm) — and operates with an amplitude (how far the massage head moves back and forth) of 12mm for deep tissue work.

The Mini 2 has three preset settings for quick-hit massages, but what really makes this mini gun stand out is its compatibility with the Therabody app. With the app, users select specific areas and ailments. Then, the app programs the Mini 2 to cater to those specific needs with custom power and time settings, and guides the user through the custom program. So not only can it massage you, it’ll show you how to optimize your massage time, as well.

Specs

• Price: $199
• Speed Settings: 3
• Battery Life: 120 minutes per charge
• Attachments: 3 
• Weight: 1lb

Pros

• The tiny profile allows it to fit into a workout bag or purse.
• It weighs just one pound and comes with its own travel case.
• It’s compatible with the Therabody app, so you can customize your massage. 

Cons

• It’s on the high end of the mini massage gun price range. 
• The smaller handle may make hard-to-reach places even harder to reach.

While this mini massage gun is more expensive than a trunk full of whey protein, it’s compatible with a cool app that allows you to customize your massages. Plus, it comes with a full complement of accessories (including three attachments and a charging cable) and is small enough to go anywhere you go. 

Best Mini Massage Gun For Athletes

With the combination of 150w of power and 35lbs of stall force, this mini massage gun is strong enough to provide most athletes with a deeper massage than many other options.

Sportneer Mini 3 Massage Gun

Athletes who want a massage gun with enough power to rattle their teeth while they massage their quads will love the Sportneer Mini 3 Massage Gun. While the exact power specs aren’t listed, it’s so powerful that some users have reported that even the lowest setting is too intense for them. But if that’s exactly what you’re looking for, you can experience that shake in five modes: kneading, rapid percussion, compression, pressure, and vibration. Plus, its stall force (the amount of pressure you can drive it into your body without stopping percussion) is a hefty 35lbs, so you can really dig in.

Despite the power, it weighs in at a svelte 2.1lbs, so you won’t feel the weight in your bag when you bring it to the gym. Plus, it’s quiet enough to use in the weight room, so you can use it for short massages between sets. Its automatic shutoff feature limits sessions to 10 minutes, which should be plenty for pre-and post-workout massages.

Specs

• Price: $49.99
• Speed Settings: 5
• Battery Life: 6 hours per charge
• Attachments: 4 
• Weight: 2.1lbs

Pros 

• It’s on the quiet side, running at just 35 decibels.
• This product includes four interchangeable heads.
• The intense percussion can reach deep into sore muscles after a rough training day.

Cons

• Some users complained that even the lowest setting was too intense. 
• The included case can’t hold all of the included attachments simultaneously.

This gun’s five adjustable vibration modes and bone-shaking power should be able to loosen up the tightest athletes. Plus, a whopping six-hour battery life per charge means you’ll spend more time massaging and less time charging.

Best Budget Mini Massage Gun

One of the most inexpensive mini massage guns also happens to be one of the lightest at just under one pound. Despite its small size, it still manages to include a nice range of features and attachments to meet a variety of personal preferences.

Bob and Brad Q2 

Despite being one of the least expensive mini massage guns on the market at around $70, the Q2 has some serious chops. Designed by occupational therapist Bob Schrupp and certified strength and conditioning specialist Brad Heinick, this massage gun offers five adjustable speeds ranging from 1,800ppm to 3,000ppm. Also, it’s not only light on your wallet, but at just under a pound, it’s also light in your gym bag. 

Plus, at 5.7 inches long, it’s about the size of a bottle of water, meaning you can easily take it to the gym or office without sacrificing much bag space. Some testers have noticed that the small size makes the handle a bit too short to provide a solid grip, especially when trying to hit back muscles. But if you’re looking for a small yet mighty massage gun that won’t take a bite out of your wallet, this could be the perfect choice.

Specs

• Price: $69.99
• Speed Settings: 5
• Battery Life: 4 hours per charge
• Attachments: 5 
• Weight: 0.95lbs

Pros

• This product costs less than half of some other mini massage guns.
• At 5.7 x 3.3 x 1.8 inches, it can literally fit in your pocket (unless you wear skinny jeans).
• Weighing just under a pound, this is one of the lightest massage guns we’ve ever seen.

Cons

• Some say the vertical handle is too short to provide a solid grip.
• The stroke length is just 7mm, which is shorter than most competitors.

This mini massage gun offers a huge battery life and a range of speed options in one of the lightest massage guns on the market. Plus, at around $70, you can’t argue with the price.

Best Premium Mini Massage Gun

While this mini massage gun’s design looks simple, it includes premium features that, surprisingly, exceed its minimalist appearance and compact design. 

Theragun Mini 2

This mini massage gun is Bluetooth enabled, allowing users to access the Therabody app. This basically turns the Mini 2 into a handheld spa, providing step-by-step personalized wellness routines intended to reduce tension, relieve pain, boost circulation, and improve sleep. The brushless motor is quiet enough to use without having to turn subtitles on when you’re relaxing with your favorite show, and the 12mm amplitude allows it to drive deeper into sore muscles than similar guns.

In addition, the Mini 2 is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than its predecessor, making it easy to carry with you no matter how overstuffed your workout bag is. Plus, the triangular handle fits comfortably in your hand, and the battery gives you two hours of massage time, which at the recommended 10 minutes a massage, makes it good for 20 massages before you need to recharge. 

Specs

• Price: $199
• Speed Settings: 3
• Battery Life: 120 minutes per charge
• Attachments: 3 
• Weight: 1lb

Pros

• The compatible app makes it easy to dial in the perfect massage by providing personalized wellness plans.
• Its tiny size makes it easy to take it anywhere from a gym to a long-haul flight.
• The ergonomic triangle shape and grip is extremely comfortable. 

Cons

• The triangular handle makes it harder to get to the middle of your back. 
• The battery isn’t removable, so you need to be sure to keep it charged. 

A classy-looking go-anywhere mini massage gun from arguably the most well-known massage gun company, this gun features custom massages, a unique ergonomic handle, and even a splashy red color option to add some spice to your bag.

Best Mini Massage Gun For Travel

With a design that breaks the mold, this innovative mini-massage “gun” packs well and is less likely to get flagged at airport security than most other options.

Hyperice Hypersphere Go

While many massage guns are TSA approved, it’s always nerve-wracking to try to pass a gun-shaped object through security at the airport — which is why this spherical massage device is perfect for travel. Also, it addresses one of the main problems with massage guns — it’s really hard to hit your back. Fortunately, that’s where the Hypersphere Go shines. If you’ve ever used a massage ball to loosen up your muscles, you’ll be familiar with how to use the Hypersphere Go. You just turn it on, set it on the floor, and lay on it, using your body weight to drive the massage into wherever it hurts. 

The hard outer shell is covered with textured rubber skin, which is not only grippy but makes the ball (a bit) more comfortable to lay on. Plus, three massage settings allow you to choose the intensity of the massage, and its cool-looking ring of colored lights indicates the battery life and chosen setting. And, since it only weighs a pound, it won’t weigh down a suitcase or carry-on bag. 

Specs

• Price: $149
• Speed Settings: 3
• Battery Life: 120 minutes per charge
• Attachments: N/A 
• Weight: 1lb

Pros

• It’s TSA-Approved, and it’s shaped like a ball, so it should breeze through airport security.
• The grippy texture is great for use on most surfaces. 
• A hard outer shell offers stout durability and a firm massage. 

Cons

• It has limited functionality as a handheld, so you’ll need some floorspace to get the most out of it.
• At two hours per charge, the battery life is less than others on this list.

More of a massage grenade than a massage gun, the Hypersphere Go combines the benefits of a massage gun and a lacrosse ball without eating up too much suitcase space. Plus, it doesn’t look anything like a gun, which means you’re less likely to be strip-searched on the way to your flight.

Best Mini Massage Gun On Amazon

The massage guns you find on Amazon can vary wildly in quality. Designed in tandem by an occupational therapist and a strength and conditioning specialist, this mini massage gun is one of the best you’ll find.

Bob and Brad Q2 

The designers of this massage gun managed to cram a lot of power into a tiny package. Roughly the size of a bottle of Aquafina and weighing in at under a pound, the Q2 can still pound your muscles with up to 3,000ppm at its highest setting. If that’s too much for you, you have four lower settings to choose from, as well as five different attachments to help you dial in your massage. 

The ergonomic silicone grips add a touch of comfort, and 35 pounds of stall force allow you to really drive deep into sore tissue. The battery lasts about four hours per charge, and at just 5.7 inches long, it’ll easily fit into a purse or overstuffed gym bag. 

Specs

• Price: $69.99
• Speed Settings: 5
• Battery Life: 4 hours per charge
• Attachments: 5 
• Weight: 0.95lbs

Pros

• The space-saving design makes it easy to carry with you wherever you go. 
• Five different attachments allow you to choose the best type of massage for each muscle group. 
• The Q2 offers medium to moderate pressure, which is ideal for most massages.

Cons

• It can take up to 3.5 hours to charge fully, which is a long time to wait if your muscles are aching.
• The short handle, while compact, can limit the parts of your back that it can reach. 

There are a lot of mini massage guns available on Amazon, but few fit the bill better than the Bob and Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun. While trying to carry all of the included attachments around at once certainly limits its portability, having all of them available is a great feature, even if you leave most of them at home while out and about.

How We Chose the Best Mini Massage Guns

With mini massage guns continuing to proliferate the market, it’s difficult to tell which ones are high-quality products and which ones were thrown together to make a quick buck. Massage preferences vary from person to person, so we considered factors like battery life, attachments, noise, design, power, and more to create a comprehensive list that appeals to a wide range of consumers looking to add a mini-massage gun to their fitness arsenal.

Battery Life

A massage gun is pretty much useless if the battery is dead. For this list, we looked primarily for guns that charge quickly and last for multiple uses before needing to be plugged in again. We also looked for ones that have clear indicators as to how much battery life remains, so you’ll know when it’s time to recharge. The guns on this list have at least a two-hour battery life, with some creeping up into four and six hours, which should give you plenty of massages between charges. 

Attachments

While the functionality of massage guns is relatively simple, different attachments allow users to modify their experience to fit personal preferences. Some attachments are optimized to work better on different muscle groups, while others help hone pressure and speed settings. For the most part, we looked for massage guns that had at least three to five attachments to give you some variety. 

Noise

Massage is supposed to be relaxing, and most people don’t find that loud noises contribute to their zen. Each of the picks we chose maintains a noise level under 40db, limiting disruptions to both the person using the massager as well as anyone else who happens to be within earshot.

“At best a massage gun that’s too loud will draw angry stares from other people in the gym,” explains Billy Brown, CF-L2, USPA, PNL1. “At worst, the loud, constant noise will drive you to leave it in the closet and never use it.” Fortunately, smaller models tend to be quieter than their larger counterparts.

Design

Users have indicated that each of these picks can be operated without causing noticeable hand fatigue. Handle design, materials, and grip-ability are all factors that contribute to hand comfort and the ability to use a massager for desired periods of time.

Some of the guns on this list are more comfortable to use than others, and the ones that are less ideal (shorter handle, no handle at all) excel in other categories. 

Motor Power

All of our picks for this list are able to reach at least 2,500 RPMs and operate with an amplitude of over 6mm, with most exceeding an amplitude of 12mm. The best motors are of the brushless variety, which reduces friction and helps motors maintain peak performance even after continued use. Maintaining proper power is critical to massage gun performance, as it is the primary factor in how deep of a massage a given gun is able to provide.

The Benefits of Mini Massage Guns

There have been a handful of studies as well as a significant amount of anecdotal evidence to suggest that mini massage guns may have benefits at various points during the workout cycle, including before, during, and after workouts. 

Loosening Muscles Before Your Workout

Mini massage guns can help loosen tight muscles before a workout. They can also increase blood flow to specific muscles and help you warm up before exercising. These factors may increase workout efficacy and help prevent injury.

Keeping Muscle Fired Up During Workouts

It might be time to consider bringing a mini massage gun into the weight room. According to a study published in 2021 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, using a massage gun during rest periods between sets increased the number of bench press reps someone could perform before slowing down.(1)

Recovery After A Workout

Massages provided by mini massage guns don’t just feel good at the moment. It may also help with recovery by reducing delayed onset muscle soreness. According to a 2014 study, using a massage gun post-workout may aid in recovery. (2) Researchers found that athletes who used vibration therapy experienced significantly less pain 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise compared to those who did not.

How Much Do Mini Massage Guns Cost?

A high-quality entry-level mini massage gun will run about $50, while more feature-rich options can push $200. It’s also worth factoring in whether the mini massage gun includes a case and attachments, as those can be an extra cost down the road. 

Best Mini Massage Gun Overall	Theragun Mini 2	$199.00
Best Mini Massage Gun for Athletes	Sportneer Mini 3 massage Gun	$49.99
Best Budget Mini Massage Gun	BOB AND BRAD Q2	$59.49
Best Premium Mini Massage Gun	Theragun Mini 2	$199.00
Best Mini Massage Gun for Travel	Hyperice Hypersphere Go	$49.99
Best Mini Massage Gun on Amazon	BOB AND BRAD Q2	$59.49

The major differences tend to be in build quality as well as connectivity. Users have reported that less expensive mini massage guns tend not to last as long and don’t include robust warranties. And while it’s easy enough to use a mini massage gun without the assistance of a smartphone app, many of them include other fitness and relaxation features in addition to simple how-tos.

What to Consider Before Buying A Mini Massage Gun

While mini massage guns seem similar in form (it’s a massage gun, only smaller), there are in fact, a host of differences between models. As such, there are many factors to think about when buying a mini massage gun, including what attachments are included, how much battery life you need, and whether you should pull the trigger on a full-size massage gun. 

Mini Versus Full-Size Massage Gun

Mini massage guns are more portable than larger models, but they are also typically less powerful. And mini massage guns have smaller batteries than larger modes, so they need to be recharged more often. People who will primarily use a mini massage gun in the comfort of their own home may opt for a larger and more feature-rich model as opposed to a mini massage gun. 

Attachments 

Almost every mini massage gun comes with a ball attachment, which works well on large muscles. The smallest complete set would also include a wedge head to target the back and neck, a wishbone to use on the neck and Achilles, and a flathead suitable to massage soft tissues.

People who prefer less pressure or who are just getting used to percussive treatment may also want an air cushion head or a soft orange head as they provide a more gentle massage.

Battery Life 

Two hours is usually the minimum runtime for a quality mini massage gun. Some high-quality models can push four or five hours of massage at the highest setting. Battery life can last much longer if mini massage guns are used on low settings, so carefully read any qualifiers used when companies tout how long batteries last before requiring a recharge.

Pulsations Per Minute (PPM)

Pulsations per minute, also known as rotations per minute, refers to how many times a massage gun’s head pulses in and out of the gun. Most guns operate at anywhere from 1,800 to 3,200ppm, and the higher the ppm, the more intense the massage. So if you’re looking for a more intense massage, consider going with a mini massage gun with a higher PPM. 

Amplitude

This refers to how far into the muscle a massage gun will press. For instance, if you hold the gun steady against your quad, how far will it push into your muscle? This number can range anywhere from 6mm on smaller guns to 16mm on full-size massage guns. If you’re looking for a deep tissue massage, choose a massage gun with a higher amplitude. 

Stall Force

Simply put, stall force is how hard you can push a massage gun into your body before the gun’s head stops moving. If you’re the type that really likes to dig into your muscles, you’ll want a higher stall force. Most mini massage guns tend to fall within the 20- to 30-pound range, with some outliers going above. 

Final Word

Mini massage guns may not provide the same experience as visiting a trained masseuse, but they are a solid option for those who need percussive therapy while out and about. While there’s enough variation in the marketplace to help people find the right mini massage gun for their personal needs, it’s also a challenge to sift through the myriad of options and their feature variations.

Finding a mini massage gun that works for you takes some research. Before starting your search, think about how you plan to use your mini massage gun, as well as where you plan to use it. Are you looking to speed up recovery or get ready for a workout? Do you work out on the road often and need something portable, or do you plan on bringing your massage gun to the gym with you? Regardless of your answers to any of these questions — we have you covered. 

FAQs

References

1. Garcia-Silero, M., Jurado-Castro, J. M., et al. (2021). Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment on Movement Velocity during Resistance Training. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18 (15):7726.
2. Imtiyaz, S., Vegar, Z., & Shareef, M. Y. (2014). To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in the Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). J Clin Diagn Res. 8(1): 133–136.