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Sore muscles can be a nuisance, so giving them some TLC is always a good idea. A recent CNET survey found that six in 10 Americans are willing to spend on a better sleep setup, and a massage gun can help contribute to feeling more relaxed before bed. You've probably seen the price point for some of the top brands such as Theragun, one of our favorites, which can retail upwards of $400. Realistically, this isn't in everyone's budget, but the good news is you can relieve pain and soreness without spending a fortune.
Massage guns can also be used to prep the body before a workout. If you’re looking for relief without breaking the bank, here are our top picks for the best budget-friendly alternatives.
Which is the best overall budget massage gun?
The best overall is the Hyperice Hypervolt Go. It's priced the same as the Theragun Mini but packs a better punch and is only slightly bigger. It's also the ideal massage gun if you're on the go, so you always have muscle relief available. This massage gun has three speeds and two massage gun heads to choose from depending on the area you're looking to target.
Rick Broida/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 Rick Broida/CNET Best overall massage gun for serious muscle relief Hyperice Hypervolt Go Like Therabody, Hyperice is a premium brand with prices to match. And speaking of matching, the Hypervolt Go sells for around the same price as the Theragun Mini. But I like the former more, in part because it comes with two heads instead of one massage gun head and has a more comfortable gun-style design. It's a compact massage gun when compared to the likes of the MaxKare and Taotronics models, but also larger than the Naipo and Recoverfun. So let's call it "medium." But, wow, is it powerful -- on par with the Theragun in terms of muscle-punching force. With only three speeds, however, it might prove a little much if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperice doesn't supply a carrying case, which is inconvenient, and the AC adapter is proprietary. Between this and the Theragun Mini, I'd choose this. But there are other budget-friendly massage guns that are also more versatile if that's what you prefer. Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
1 pound, 8 ounces Charging method: Proprietary
Proprietary Number of heads included: Two
Two Carrying case included: Drawstring ... Show more Get it now $120 at Amazon $120 at Best Buy
David Carnoy/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 David Carnoy/CNET Powerful, but hard to love Therabody Theragun Mini The triangular Mini exerts an impressive amount of force for its portable massage gun size, but the shape makes it hard to hold comfortably. What's more, Therabody doesn't provide multiple head attachments; it only includes a ball head. Other massage guns here come with at least two -- if not four or even six -- for a lower price. Even at the lowest of its three speeds, the Mini feels stronger than a lot of the other budget massage gun options I tried. In fact, anyone looking for just a light, relaxing massage might find it a little too powerful. Meanwhile, the unit relies on a proprietary AC adapter, not USB-C. That's one more thing to pack on a trip -- and the adapter doesn't even fit in Therabody's snug zippered carrying case. While I'd be glad to have this on hand for deep-tissue relief, it's hard to recommend otherwise. There are too many other models with more features and lower prices. Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
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