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James Bricknell Senior Editor
James has been writing about technology for years, but has loved it since the early 90s. While his main areas of expertise are manufacturing tools—3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters—he also likes to play board games and tabletop RPGs.
- 6 years working professionally in the 3D printing space / 4 years testing consumer electronics for major websites.
If you experience sore muscles after exercise, investing in an affordable massage gun is a great way to soothe different muscle groups. Massage guns use shock therapy to help relieve stress and pain in your sore muscles. They come in different sizes and are easy to use.
Some of the more popular massage guns like the Theragun tend to be expensive, but there are more affordable alternatives. We've tested some of the cheapest, off-brand, and budget options on the massage gun market. Here is a short list of the best budget massage guns available in 2025.
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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 first one better, partly 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 compared to models like the MaxKare and Taotronics, but it's also bigger than the Naipo and Recoverfun. So let's call it “medium”.
But wow, is it powerful — on par with Theragun in terms of muscle-pounding power. With only three speeds, however, it can prove a bit much if you prefer a gentler massage. Hyperice doesn't provide a carrying case, which is inconvenient, and the AC adapter is proprietary.
Between this and the Theragun Mini, I would choose this. But there are budget massage guns that are also more versatile, so it's not my top choice.
- Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
- Charging method: Ownership
- Number of heads included: Two
- Carrying case included: Top for drawing
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The triangular Mini exerts an impressive amount of force for the size of a portable massage gun, but the shape makes it difficult to hold comfortably. What's more, Therabody does not provide multiple head attachments; includes ball head only. Other massage guns here come with at least two—if not four or even six—for a lower price.
Even at the lowest of the three speeds, the Mini feels more powerful than many other budget massage guns I've tried. In fact, anyone looking for just a light, relaxing massage may find it a little too powerful.
Meanwhile, the unit relies on its own AC adapter rather than USB-C. That's one more thing to pack when traveling — and the adapter doesn't even fit in Therabody's cozy zippered carrying case.
While I'd be happy 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
- Charging method: Ownership
- Number of heads included: One
- Carrying case included: With a patent
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Naipo's massager is the lightest and most compact model in the group, with a small but comfortable grip and more punch than you'd expect.
Other benefits include five speed settings and four different massage heads. Naipo does not provide a carrying case, which is a bit disappointing. But my only real complaint is that it's not among the quieter massage gun options; the other “minis” in the review, the Recoverfun and Sportneer, produce much less noise.
I have seen various coupons or code deals that reduce the price of this massager, so you should get it when it is on sale.
- Weight: 14.11 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four
- Carrying case included: no
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Available in three colors (including sparkly red), the Recoverfun Mini is among my favorite massagers of the bunch. While it's heavier than Naipo's similarly compact model, with a metal barrel that feels a bit cold until it warms up, it's also surprisingly quiet. (When you're trying to relax, the extra noise doesn't help.)
The gun offers four speed settings, and Recoverfun supplies the “big four” attachments: ball, bullet, fork and flat. The flat one is made of aluminum, which offers no clear advantage that I can see, but it looks cool. You also get a drawstring carrying case, though you'll need to provide your own USB power port for the USB-C charging cable.
- Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: Four
- Carrying case included: Top for drawing
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You know the old saying: Two heads are better than one. But is that true of most massage guns? I thought Fishda's Frankenstein was just a gimmick, but damn if it doesn't deliver double the muscle-pounding goodness. For large areas like thighs and glutes, I honestly enjoyed this “bigger” massage.
Fortunately, it's not twice as loud as other guns; in fact, it's surprisingly quiet. It also has a relatively compact form factor, basically a taller version of the Recoverfun Mini. But it has some heft: at 1.7kg it weighs more than any of the best massage guns in its size class. Expect arm fatigue to set in a little earlier with this one.
It's also on the expensive side compared to other models, although that's to be expected given the dual heads. However, you can often find coupons that significantly reduce the price.
- Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces
- Charging method: USB-C
- Number of heads included: four (times two)
- Carrying case included: Top for drawing
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Watch this: Can't get a professional massage? Get a massage at home with the right equipment
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions you may have regarding your medical condition or health goals.