Nothing beats a deep and relaxing massage after a long day. Although going to the masseuse is an option, we all know that can be expensive. As an alternative, a deep tissue massager is the perfect way to release the tension and knots without killing your budget.
This is an essential tool, especially if you’re an athlete and want to reduce the pain caused by intense training. Here, we sifted through all the best deep tissue percussion massagers to narrow our final picks down to this list.
Lets jump in…
Quick Answer Best Deep Tissue Massagers:
- Best Overall: DynaSphere Percussion Muscle Massager
- Runner Up: OPOVE M3 Deep Tissue Massager
- Best Value: Sonic Handheld Massage Gun
- Most Powerful: TimTam Deep Tissue Massager
- Best For Self Massage: Mighty Bliss Deep Tissue Massager
- Great Value: Renpho Rechargeable Deep Tissue Massager
- Cheap Option: Wahl Deep Tissue Massager
Deep Tissue Massager Reviews
DynaSphere Percussion Muscle Massager
Our Rating
Summary
Deepest penetration into the muscle
Why we love it: Deep muscle penetration, high stall weight, quiet, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
If you want the best deep tissue massager, look no further.
The Dynasphere is a very powerful deep tissue massager that comes standard with a lifetime warranty. What separates this one from almost all others is the deeper travel. In short, this is how far the massage head travels from the starting position to its full extension. Most massagers are between 8 and 10 mm. However, this one has a 13 mm travel which means it penetrates deeper into the muscle. This is ideal if you have tight glutes and hips because there’s often more padding in those areas.
However, this deeper penetration wouldn’t matter if you couldn’t put pressure on the massager. Fortunately, the Dynasphere has a 66 lb stall weight which is really high. In other words, you’d have to try really hard to stall it out and it’s unlikely you could handle the pain associated with that amount of pressure. I tried and I could not stall it out.
Overall, it’s an affordable, high-quality deep tissue massager that you won’t be disappointed with.
Who should buy the Dynasphere Percussion Massage Gun?
This is best advised for athletes, bodybuilders, and those with dense body mass and deep knots.
What Makes It Special?
- Lifetime Warranty
- Deepest tissue penetration
- Very high stall weight
- Long battery life
Specs
- Product Weight: 2 lbs
- Colors: Black, Blue, and Gray
- 13 mm amplitude
- Longer Battery life
OPOVE M3 Pro Deep Tissue Percussion Massage Gun
Our Rating
Best in style & form factor
Why we love it: It’s extremely highly reviewed, powerful, quiet, and stylish.
The M3 pro is built for durability with a Nylon 66 and glass fiber shell that can withstand a fall up to 6 feet high. This makes it perfect if you plan on bringing it with you when you’re in the box or you travel and take it with you. At 2.5 lbs, it’s one of the heavier options but only by ½ a pound which isn’t all that noticeable.
The battery life is pretty solid as well. It comes with a detachable and rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a 3 hour lifespan. This should give you about a week between charges with daily use. One feature that we aren’t crazy about is the 10-minute shut off time. Most of the other percussion massagers go longer between shut offs but it’s not a dealbreaker by any stretch.
As far as power goes, it puts out 3,200 pulses per minute which is more than ample but it does have a lower stall weight of just 25 lbs. If you really like digging in, you might find that this doesn’t quite go as deep into the tissue as you want. It’s extremely highly reviewed though and most people love it. We’re just gluttons for punishment and really like the highest pressure we can get. That being said, 25 lbs of pressure is still deep tissue and more than enough for most people.
As far as accessories go, it comes with a nice carrying case so it’s easy to travel with it and it has 4 head attachments for various muscles. Overall, it’s well built, quiet, and looks pretty snazzy.
Who should buy the OPOVE M3 Pro Massage Gun?
If you like mid to high pressure, quiet operation, aesthetics matter and you don’t mind a slightly heavier massager, the OPOVE M3 is a solid choice.
What makes it special?
- Durable exterior shell
- 3 hour battery life
- 3,200 pulses per minute
Specs
- Product Weight: 2.5 lbs
- 3 speed settings
- Available Colors: Camouflage Red, Silver
- Lightweight and Carrying Case
- 4 Head attachments
- Anti-drop shell
Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
Our Rating
Best Value & Features
Why we love it: Super quiet, lifetime warranty, powerful, extreme battery life, and lightweight.
We simply can’t get over the Sonic percussion massager. The Sonic Handheld percussion massage gun packs some serious power in a quiet and lightweight package. The overall noise level is quiet enough for a physical therapy office. You can use this thing and still have a conversation without raising your voice.
The overall battery life is also exceptional. From a full charge, you’ll get between 3-6 hours of use which equals about a week between charges if you use it for 30 minutes every day.
One of the most important factors is the amount of pressure the massager can exert. This is especially important if you have tight glutes and hips because these areas require significant pressure to really loosen things up. Fortunately, you can put a pretty substantial amount of pressure on the massager before any slowing or stalling. It has a 70 lb stall weight on the highest setting which means you can apply 70 lbs of pressure onto the massager before stalling occurs.
As far as bells and whistles go, it comes standard with 5 massage heads, 5 speed settings, and an easy to read LED panel that displays important information like battery life and speed level. The style of the massager is built similar to a handheld drill and it’s pretty convenient for almost all body parts. The exception being the muscles of your back. You can’t really massage your own back muscles with this so you will need a partner. That being said, the design makes it easy for a partner to hold and dig into the knots for you.
It’s just 2 lbs and with the design being the way it is, it’s extremely balanced in the hand and feels very lightweight.
Who should buy the Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun?
This is ideal for athletes who really want something that’s both quiet and powerful.
What makes it special
- Lifetime warranty
- High stall weight
- 3-6 hour battery life
- Very quiet
Specs
- Long life 3-6 hours battery run time
- 1,200 – 2,800 rpm and 12 mm amplitude
- Smooth and quiet ( 55- 75 DB)
- Ergonomic hand grip
- Adjustable 5 speeds and 5 massage head attachments
TimTam Deep Tissue Massager
Our Rating
Best in power – almost impossible to stall
Why we love it: Articulating head, extremely powerful, and a detachable battery.
The TimTam is built like a full on power tool. It looks like a jigsaw and it’s almost as loud. Make no mistakes, this is not for the faint of heart. It’s super powerful with the highest stall force of all the massagers we’ve tested. In fact, we don’t really know what the stall force is because even with the maximum pressure we could exert, it didn’t stall.
A few things that make it a little less convenient are the fact that it’s a one touch trigger that only has one speed of 2,500 pulses per minute. Additionally, it’s very loud so you wouldn’t use this anywhere but at home. And finally, it only comes with one round head out of the box so you’ll have to buy other heads if you don’t like the round one. That being said, if you’re hardcore and need something intense, you’ll get serious relief with this one.
Who should buy the TimTam?
Serious athletes who want the most powerful deep tissue massager and don’t mind noise.
Newest version of the TimTam (It’s quieter but at the time of writing more expensive)
What makes it special?
- Extremely high stall weight
- 90-degree articulating head
- Includes padded carrying case
Specs
- Removable battery
- Very noisy
- One massage head included
- 1 hour run time
MIGHTY BLISS Deep Tissue Back and Body Massager
Our Rating
Best for massaging your own back
Why we love it: Lifetime warranty, beautiful design, long battery life and quick recharge.
You’ll definitely love the Mighty Bliss deep tissue massager. It’s built with a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery that lasts for 2 hours from a full charge and takes just 60 minutes to completely recharge after it dies. If you’re in the market for a higher powered option, it puts out 3,700 pulses per minute and doesn’t slow down when you put pressure on it.
Weighing just 1.25 lbs, you’ll barely notice you’re holding it and, while you would think something that light would feel flimsy, it’s actually very rigid and sturdy. Out of the box it also comes with 6 massage heads from the trigger point head all the way to the wider heads for larger muscle groups. Additionally, it has a lifetime warranty so if it breaks, they’ll send you a new one. They don’t even ask you to send the broken one back which is amazing because returning items is always a pain.
Who should buy the MIGHTY BLISS Deep Tissue Back and Body Massager?
If you’re an athlete and need something powerful and affordable, the Mighty Bliss is fantastic.
What makes it special
- Lifetime warranty
- Very lightweight design
- 2 hour battery life – recharges to 100% in 1 hour
Specs
- 3,700 rpm powerful motor
- Product weight: 1.25 lbs
- Lifetime warranty and Hassle-free lifetime replacement
- 100% money-back guarantee
- 6 head attachments
RENPHO Rechargeable Hand Held Massager
Our Rating
Best balance of power and price
Why we love it: It’s portable and lightweight, making it the perfect companion or a gift for anyone!
First, the RENPHO massager is both FDA Registered and FCC certified so you know it’s safe. Secondly, we like the ergonomic design that makes it easy to massage hard to reach areas like your own back, for example. And even though this design is nothing new, the massager is highly effective and affordable. It’s also powered by an extremely powerful motor with three speed settings and it can put out 3,600 pulses per minute at the top speed.
Regarding safety, there’s a built in shut off that stops the massager after 20 minutes of consistent use. Of course, if you want to keep going, you can just turn it back on. They put this cut off time in there just in case you fall asleep while using it.
Additionally, the massager is cordless with approximately 140 minutes of use from a single charge. Unfortunately, you can’t use it while it’s charging which is kind of a bummer but not a deal breaker. When you’re using it, you’ll notice that it’s pretty lightweight (1.8 lbs) which is ideal when you’re using it on your back. Anything heavier and your arms start to feel the burn. As far as noise, it’s pretty quiet and nothing like a jigsaw with a massage head.
And speaking of massage heads, it comes with 5 right out of the box. They’re all different shapes which are designed for different body parts. Overall, it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a more affordable option.
Who should buy the RENPHO Rechargeable Hand Held Deep Tissue Massager?
If you’re on a budget and want something that’s lightweight, durable, and don’t care about simple design, it’s a great choice.
What makes it special
- 3,600 pulses per minute
- Lightweight design
- Lifetime warranty
- 140 minute battery life
Specs
- 3,700 rpm powerful motor
- Product weight: 1.25 lbs
- Lifetime warranty and Hassle-free lifetime replacement
- 100% money-back guarantee
- 6 head attachments
Wahl Deep Tissue Massager
Our Rating
Best cheap option
Why we love it: It’s user-friendly and, at the time of this writing, it’s one of the most affordable available.
The Wahl Deep Tissue Massager has a 9-foot long power cable so if your plugs far from the couch, you’re in luck. Its long handle allows you to massage your hard-to-reach areas such as your back and it includes four unique head attachments for a range of body parts.
There’s not a whole lot of power behind this one though. It puts out 3,350 pulses per minute but when you try to dig into the area, there’s a notable slowing of the massager. The motor just isn’t as powerful as some of the others. That being said, if you don’t like to dig in or don’t need a lot of pressure, this is a good option for an affordable price.
Who should buy the Wahl Deep Tissue Massager?
This percussion massager is perfect for users who want a low-intensity, simple and relaxing massage.
What makes it special
- 3,350 pulses per minute
- 9 Foot power cord
Specs
- Product weight: 1.6 pounds
- Product dimension: 6.5 x 16 x 10.9 inches
- 3,350 pulses per minute
- 9-foot power cord
- 4 unique attachment heads
Deep Tissue Massager Comparison Table
| Name | Attachements | Battery Life | RPM | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DynaSphere Percussion Muscle Massager |   | 5 | 7-hours | 3,000 | 5 stars |
| OPOVE M3 Deep Tissue Massage Gun |   | 4 | 3-hours | 3,200 | 5 stars |
| Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun |   | 4 | 3-6 hours | 2,800 | 5 stars |
| TimTam Deep Tissue Massager |   | 1 | 1-hour | 2,500 | 4.5 stars |
| MIGHTY BLISS Deep Tissue Back and Body Massager |   | 6 | 2-hour | 3,700 | 4.5 stars |
| RENPHO Rechargeable Hand Held Massager |   | 6 | 140-minutes | 3,600 | 4.5 stars |
| Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager |   | 4 | Plugs into the wall | 3,350 | 4 stars |
How to choose the best deep tissue massager
Speed & RPM
Deep tissue massage guns come with different speed levels in most cases. The higher the speed, the higher level of intensity you can expect. However, more speed levels isn’t necessarily better. For example, the TimTam has one speed level and you’ll have a hard time finding something more powerful.
Granted, the TimTam is really only for serious athletes who need major deep tissue power. Ideally, opt for one with at 3 – 5 speed settings. We found that the ones with higher settings are more annoying than they are helpful. There’s a bunch of choices that have 15 or even 20 speed settings. This just means you’ll have to click the button 20 times to get it to the highest setting which is far from convenient.
Noise
Another thing to consider in getting a percussion massager is the noise. The TimTam is by far the loudest but basically all of the others on this list are quiet enough to hold a normal conversation while you’re using them.
Weight
Since it’s a handheld massager, you want something lightweight that won’t burn your arms out while you’re using it. Most of the massagers weigh around 2 lbs or less with the exception being the OPOVE M3 weighing 2.5 lbs.
Head attachments
Percussion massagers come with different head attachments each of which serve their own purpose depending on your preference. For example, the ball head is used to massage body parts that have larger muscles such as hips, thighs, legs, and buttocks. While the forkhead is used to massage the neck and spine. One of the most popular heads is the trigger point massage head. This is the one that has the smaller tip which is ideal for digging into specific knots.
Rotating arm
You might want to consider getting a percussion massager that has a rotating arm which makes it easier to hit hard to reach areas. There are several on this list that have a 90 degree rotating arm which helps a lot when you’re massaging your own calves, hamstrings, and upper back.
Cord length
If you’re going the route of getting a massager with a cord, then make sure it’s 9’ or longer. In most houses, this is enough length to plug into a socket that’s a little further away while giving you enough slack to work with. Ideally, you’ll go for a cordless massager if your budget allows. They’re far more convenient and you don’t have to deal with the cords.
Battery life
Most of the cordless deep tissue massagers come with lithium-ion batteries that hold a charge for longer. Several have run times of 3-6 hours which gives you enough charge to use the massager daily for about a week before it needs to be recharged.
Price
You know your budget better than anyone. But if you’re hoping to get a quality deep tissue massager that won’t stall for cheap, you’re going to be disappointed. Our recommendations aren’t breaking the bank by any stretch and they come with power and quality you can count on. We look at it this way, the cost of a massage is about $60 (not including the tip). So you can get a super high quality massager for the cost of just a few massages – and you’ll have it for a long time.
Portability
If you plan on bringing your massager with you when you’re out of the house or traveling, then it’s a good idea to make sure it comes with a case. This helps to protect your massage gun when it’s in your luggage and when you’re carrying it around. It also gives you a handy place to store all the tips, battery, and charger. And if you are traveling with it, a cordless massager is definitely the way to go. You don’t want the hassle of wrapping up cords and what not when you’re on the go.
Deep Tissue Massager FAQs
What are the benefits of using a deep tissue massager?
The benefits of a deep tissue massage extend beyond the improved mood and relaxation. It helps to improve circulation and blood flow, muscle recovery, general mobility, helps to relieve stress, and remove knots in muscles. Whether you’re an athlete, yogi, or you sit at a desk all day, the benefits of deep tissue massage are worth the price you pay for the massage gun. You’ll feel significantly better each time you use it and you have the ability to hit targeted areas where you store most of your stress.
Can I use my massager anywhere on my body?
No. You should be aware that there are parts of your body that are delicate and sensitive. These delicate parts could affect some nerves and connect to essential organs inside your body. Examples of body parts where you should not use your massager are your throat, face, spine, and head. Also, don’t use the massager if you have injuries like cuts or broken bones, cysts, or inflamed tissue as it may worsen the condition.
Can you use a deep tissue massager on sore muscles?
Yes. Anyone who has sore and stiff muscles can benefit from using a deep tissue massager. With the right speed and proper head attachment, you’ll improve blood flow to the area and speed up your recovery.
How does it help muscle recovery?
Deep tissue massagers help to increase blood circulation. This helps oxygen and nutrients get transported into the muscle and boosts its recovery. And it also breaks up tight knots which lowers the risk of painful cramps and injuries.
Summary & Our Top Picks
Each of the massagers on this list made the cut for being the best available in 2021. However, we have to pick our favorites so here goes:
- Pulse FX – Best Overall
- OPOVE M3 – Runner Up
- Sonic Handheld – Best Value
The Pulse FX is our top choice and at the time of writing, not that much more expensive than the OPOVE M3. If you have the budget and you have tough knots, this is the optimal choice. It penetrates the deepest into the muscle and doesn’t stall. This is especially great for glutes and hips which are notoriously hard to massage and stall out lesser quality massage guns. It also has a lifetime warranty that you can’t beat.
We chose the OPOVE M3 as our runner up for a variety of reasons. It offers an excellent balance of power, it isn’t the most pricey (at the time of writing), it’s quiet, and it has a solid 3 hour battery life. It’s also one of the more stylish designs.
And for our best bang for your buck choice, we chose the Sonic Handheld because it comes with a lifetime warranty, very solid penetration and power, it’s quiet and has a 3-6 hour run time which gives you at least a week between charges.
All of the massage guns on the list are solid choices but those are our top three picks for the best deep tissue percussion massager category. You’ll be more than happy with any one of those three and we’re confident you’ll get several years of high power, stress melting bliss.
