Theragun Alternatives: Best Budget Massage Guns for 2024
Best (and only) dual-head massage gun
Fishda Double Massage Head Fascia Gun (Update: Out of stock)
Whether you’re a regular gym-goer, getting older, or overworked, you know what it’s like to have sore muscles at the end of the day. A massage can help in such situations, but if you don’t have time to go to a spa, it’s not that hard to get one in the comfort of your own home, thanks to massage guns.
Massage guns use a percussion technique to relieve stress and pain in your sore muscles in just a few minutes, and they’re not that difficult to use. They come in many shapes and sizes—from full-size guns that look like hair dryers to mini guns that are easy to store—and are usually more than capable of alleviating some of your pain. One model I tested even has a strange, triangular body, while another has two heads.
I tried to get a good sample of what was out there by putting my muscles on the line — with an eye on cheaper massage guns that cost $100 or less. I started with the most affordable models from Hyperice and Therabody, the premium and popular massage gun brands. Then I worked my way down to the least expensive off-brand and budget-friendly massage guns I could find.
Below is a short list of the best budget massage guns available in 2024.
Like Therabody, Hyperice is a premium brand with prices to match. And speaking of matching, the Hypervolt Go retails for about the same price as the Theragun Mini. But I like the former better, partly because it has dual heads instead of a single massage gun head and a more comfortable gun-style design.
It is a compact massage gun compared to the MaxKare and Taotronics models, but also larger than the Naipo and Recoverfun. So let’s call it “medium”.
But, wow, is it powerful — comparable to the Theragun in terms of muscle-pumping power. With only three speeds, though, it might be a bit much if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperice doesn’t include a carrying case, which is inconvenient, and the AC adapter is proprietary.
Between this one and the Theragun Mini I would choose this one. But there are budget friendly massage guns that are also more versatile so this wouldn’t be my first choice.
- Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
- Charging method: Protected by property rights
- Number of heads included: Two
- Including carrying bag: Drawstring
The Naipo massager is the lightest and most compact model in the group, with a small but comfortable grip and more percussive force than you might expect.
Other pluses include five speed settings and four different massage heads. Naipo doesn’t include a carrying case, which is a bit disappointing. But my only real complaint is that it’s not one of the quieter massage gun options; the other “minis” in the roundup, the Recoverfun and Sportneer, are much quieter.
I have seen several coupons and code offers that lower the price of this massager, so buy it when it is on sale.
- Weight: 14.11 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four
- Including carrying bag: No
Recommended with reservations
The triangular Mini packs an impressive amount of punch for its portable massage gun size, but its shape makes it difficult to hold comfortably. Additionally, Therabody doesn’t offer 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 on the lowest of its three speeds, the Mini feels more powerful than many other budget massage gun options I’ve tried. In fact, anyone looking for a light, relaxing massage might find it a bit too powerful.
Meanwhile, the unit relies on its own AC adapter, not USB-C. That’s one more thing to take with you when traveling — and the adapter doesn’t even fit into Therabody’s sleek zippered carrying case.
While I would be happy to have this on hand for deep tissue lighting, it is hard to recommend it otherwise. There are too many other models with more features and lower prices.
- Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
- Charging method: Protected by property rights
- Number of heads included: A
- Including carrying bag: With zipper
Available in three colors (including an eye-popping red), the Recoverfun Mini is one of my favorite massagers of the bunch. Though it’s heavier than Naipo’s similarly compact model, with a metal cylinder that’s a bit chilly to the touch until it warms up, it’s also surprisingly quiet. (When you’re trying to relax, extra noise doesn’t help.)
The gun offers four speed settings, and Recoverfun includes the “big four” attachments: ball, bullet, fork, and flat. The flat is made of aluminum, which doesn’t offer any obvious advantage, but it does look cool. You also get a drawstring carrying case, but you’ll need to provide your own USB port for the USB-C charging cable.
- Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four
- Including carrying bag: Drawstring
You know the old saying: Two heads are better than one. But does that apply to most massage guns? I thought Fishda’s Frankenstein was just a gimmick, but damn if it doesn’t deliver twice the muscle-toning goodness. For large areas like thighs and butt, I really enjoyed this “bigger” massage.
Thankfully, it’s not twice as loud as other guns; in fact, it’s surprisingly quiet. It’s also relatively compact, essentially a taller version of the Recoverfun Mini. However, it’s a bit heavy: at 1.7 pounds, it’s heavier than even the best massage guns in its class. Expect to experience arm fatigue a bit quicker with this one.
It is also on the expensive side compared to other models, although that is to be expected given the dual heads. However, you can often find coupons that will reduce the price considerably.
- Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four (times two)
- Including carrying bag: Drawstring
Check this out: Can’t Get a Professional Massage? Get a Massage at Home with the Right Equipment
