Liz lives and works in the Inland Empire of CA. She was a multi-sport athlete in her youth, competing in softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and swimming. Liz swam collegiately at Webster University, where she earned her B.A. degree in Communications. She is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant with an A.A.S. degree from St. Louis Community College – Meramec. Liz has advanced training in orthopedic physical therapy through NextGen PT and movement analysis through Movement Links. She is also a certified NASM-Performance Enhancement Specialist. Liz is passionate about providing parents and coaches with the knowledge and resources necessary to create a safe and enjoyable environment for young athletes.
Today, let’s find out what the best heated massage gun is. Now, we all know how popular massage guns have become, especially in the last few years – they’re the gadgets of the moment. To be fair, though, this hype is not just hot air; these percussion tools have been proven to work.
We’ll share our top picks, including the leading option and notable alternatives. We’ll also explain the differences between heated massagers and standard ones.
Then, we’ll let you know what to look for when you go out to buy a heated massage gun. So, stick around and get warm as we guide you through this.
If you can’t hang around for long, you want to know what the best heated percussion massage gun is. We won’t keep you for long, but recommend the KiCA Evo massage gun.
We like it not just because it provides a heated massage option, but it also packs superb features, such as a medium 12mm massage gun amplitude, a telescopic handle, and a rotation head. We also discovered some other notable features, which we have outlined below.
Best Heated Massage Guns – Top 3
Why is A Hot Massage Therapy Good?
Before you even factor in a percussion massager, a hot massage is a highly effective therapy that not only soothes your muscles and significantly reduces pain, but also significantly improves blood circulation to the affected area. A massage gun with heat also increases muscle flexibility.
Now, factor in percussion therapy and you’ve got something even more beneficial. It’s a kind of having a hot stone massage, which gives you a host of benefits like:
Since you’re using a massage gun that punches the skin during percussions, the heat penetrates deeper into the muscle, giving you a much more satisfying experience.
That means that a massage gun with heat is an improvement over the regular ones. But perhaps not always…
How are Heated Massage Guns Different?
If you are an amateur in the massage gun world, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a heated percussion massager was a completely different device from a “standard” massage gun.
To be honest, there isn’t that much difference between the two (at least not as far as everything else is concerned).
Based on our own experience with those devices, a heated deep tissue massager differs primarily in that it features a heat function and one attachment that works in this mode. Otherwise, everything else is as regular as it should be.
Think of the heat function as a bonus you don’t get with any other standard massage gun.
Usually, the one attachment that is used for the hot massage therapy is the flat head (typically ceramic). Some massage gun brands, such as Bob and Brad, also offer an attachment that converts the device into a massage gun with heat and cold therapy capabilities. All the other attachments are standard and will not give you a heated massage.
But, is there a catch here?
The Trade-Offs…
Although everything else is similar and perhaps standard, certain compromises have been made with some heated massage guns.
Unfortunately, many of those compromises are related to performance. We found that many heated massage guns are dwarfed where it matters the most. But don’t worry, it’s not too much, but it’s noticeable. But where?
Stall Force
The amount of pressure enough to stall the motor of a massage gun (when pressed to the body) is known as the stall force. Generally, the higher the number here, the better.
However, with most heated percussion massagers, the stall force rarely goes beyond 30lbs. Apart from these heated massage guns, the Bob and Brad D6 Pro Plus and the Bob and Brad X6 Pro Max (which surprised us to be honest), no other massage gun heated in this niche can handle anything over 30lbs.
Amplitude
This is how deep the massage gun punches. Here, the higher the number, the more punchy the massage gun feels on the skin. However, with most heated muscle massagers, the amplitude rarely goes beyond the 10-12mm mark.
So once again, our top pick defies this fact with a confirmed 12.7mm amplitude (we used a digital caliper to measure it precisely).
Stall Force Comparison
Observations: The punchiest is the Bob and Brad D6 Pro Plus, followed by its sibling, the X6 Pro Max. The rest are between 20 and 30 lbs.f, which for some of us is enough.
Amplitude Comparison
Conclusion: A 16mm massage gun amplitude is almost unheard of, and so is the heated feature in that category. We found the D6 Pro and a heated Theragun. The KiCA Evo is a good compromise, though, while the rest feel more vibrational.
But why the Trade-Offs?
We figured there are some reasons:
The goal: The primary function of a heated massage tool is to provide a soothing effect to sore muscles and give a relaxing massage. They’re rarely intended for a deep-tissue pain massage.
Practicality: Obviously, the heated function means hardware added to an already bulky muscle massager. A bigger motor (for a higher stall force) and space to accommodate a higher amplitude would mean an even bigger massage gun, which wouldn’t be necessary in this case.
However, we know a brand (Feiyutech KiCA massage gun) that has at least tried to incorporate as much as possible into their product and still managed to produce a decent muscle massager. Our top recommendation, the KiCA Evo massage gun, appears to have solved a conundrum…
Not only is it light at 1.5 lbs, but its percussion range is generous. The vibration intensity, or the number of percussions per minute (PPM), maxes out at 3200 RPM. We’re glad they didn’t interfere with this aspect of the device because we feel you still need intensity even in a thermal gun massager.
What Else Should You Look For?
We have reviewed over 70 massage guns to date. Here’s what else we believe should occupy your mind when you’re choosing your next massage heat gun:
Brand Trustworthiness: A massage gun brand must offer you a good buying experience and top-quality customer support.
Accessories included: Look out for details such as whether the gun comes with a carrying case and the number of attachments included.
Battery: We prefer a good capacity battery that will ensure a smooth experience.
Warranty: We love lifetime guarantees because they demonstrate the company’s commitment to standing behind its product. Some have 1-year and 2-year warranties.
Value for money: Cheap may not always be good. Some massage guns offer more for a reasonable price.
What About A Heated Theragun?
Sure, why not?… If you have the budget for it. If not, the alternative below won’t disappoint, unless you are looking for App connectivity, in-built routines, infrared therapy, and so on.
We reviewed the Theragun Pro 5th Gen and were amazed by its app connectivity, powerful 16mm amplitude, and incredible stall force. We also like the ergonomics, but it is on the heavy side, just as the Bob and Brad D6 Pro (not a big issue if you are a large person, but for petite body shapes, it may feel a struggle.
In 2024, Therabody released its Theragun PRO Plus (read our review) (Gen 6 Percussion massage gun) and the Theragun Prime Plus. The PLUS refers only to heated Theraguns. The Theragun heat attachment is provided, while the cold Therapy is provided by a different attachment, which is not included, resulting in an extra cost.
But they didn’t stop there. Therabody added the option to get “Vibration Therapy” for their percussive PLUS massagers. This one is softer and is designed for use in sensitive joints and sore muscles, aiming to enhance blood circulation while relieving pain and tension, at an extra cost on the Theragun Prime.
Something the Theragun Pro has that the Prime doesn’t is the “Built-in LED light therapy” and the “built-in Biometric sensor“. We doubt that a short exposure to a small LED would have a significant impact, but we found the biometric sensor and breathing therapy sessions to be quite useful.
Theragun red: light therapyTheragun Technology
You can have a Theragun that is both hot and cold when purchasing the PLUS versions, as well as the “Theragun Pro Plus Cold Attachment”.
The Theragun PRO 5th Gen had removable batteries, but this option was removed on the 6th gen (the PRO Plus). Nevertheless, nowadays, Theraguns are charged via a USB-C cable, instead of a specific, bulky wall charger.
One big difference between the Pro Plus and the Prime Plus, is the weight. The Theragun Prime heated massage gun is definitely lighter than the Pro Plus!
Both models have 16mm amplitude, but the PRO Plus has the highest stall force of 60 lbs. , while the Theraagun Prime Plus is less punchy at 40 lbs.
Theragun Prime Plus: Basic controls.
The speed range remains unchanged, ranging from 1750 RPM to 2400 RPM on both models.
Both can be connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone for a customized experience and routines.
Our advice here:if you can and like the last tech in massage guns, sure, choose to buy Theragun – an American company that cares about their customers with top notch customer support and are willing to stand behind their products with 1-year warranty on any Theragun.
However, if you’re squeezed on your budget, you might opt for any of the heated massage guns options, and maybe the one that is good for you and fit your purpose.
The Best Heated Massage Gun & Runner Ups
Here are the best heated percussion massage guns that captured our attention. We discuss them briefly.
Feiyutech KiCA is a relatively new brand in the massage gun industry. They aren’t a big kahuna, but as an advanced high-tech company, they have some pretty unique devices apart from massagers.
You can tell they did their homework because they try to tackle things that the market hasn’t quite figured out yet. They went all out to try to improve ergonomics and power, while keeping the weight as light as possible.
Their KiCA evo massage gun model is a heated massage gun that stands tall among its peers. It has a reasonable 22lbs. stall force, as advertised. When we tested it and compared it with similar devices, we concluded their claim is accurate.
This massage gun with heat claims a medium 12mm amplitude. However, our tests show that our testing device is close to the 13mm mark – see the photo above. This is still a remarkable stroke length, especially for a heated muscle massager, many of which don’t even reach a 10mm stroke length.
What’s most important, perhaps, is that it has a special ceramic head that warms up to 104 +/-3 degrees Farenheight (99°F–110°F [37°C–43°C]).
A bit on the process: You’ll first need to insert the heated head attachment, then press the power button. Once it is on, press it again so the ‘M’ on the control panel changes to orange. Within the next 30 seconds, the flat head attachment will warm up, providing a comfortable and soothing massage. If the ‘M’ is green, then the attachment can be used without heat.
The ceramic heated attachment is Urikar Pro 2’s unique feature – it works as advertised.
The percussion range is also top-tier, with an advertised top of 3600 RPM. However, due to the sliding speed button, the minimum start-up speed may vary; however, we measured it and concluded it to be approximately 1200 RPM.
With a variable speed range, it covers all the bases you need. Additionally, it’s touted as remarkably quiet, operating at a noise level of between 30 and 40 dB.
Other things that we loved include its impressive ergonomics with a rotating arm (113-degree rotation). This is a rather unique twist that looks simple but works like a charm (as can be seen in the photos just below).
But that’s not all… this KiCA massage gun is a massage gun with extended handle. Very simple to operate, too. Just a short twist clockwise to unlock it, then pull the handle and twist it anticlockwise to lock it in place.
Rotating massage gun. Long handle back massager.
We found the battery life satisfactory. Theoretically, it can last 12 hours at a minimum speed and with no load. In practice, it offers between 2 and 3 hours of use on a single charge. Also, if you are using the “hot rock massage therapy”, then expect less than that, as most of the power consumption will focus on the heat massage therapy.
The provided USB-C cable allows you to plug it into a phone charger or similar device, so you don’t have to have multiple wall chargers around the house.
Finally, the KiCA Evo massage gun is delivered in a box for storage purposes. It comes with a total of six massage gun attachments that can be stored inside a provided pouch, making it convenient for travel (what you need to know when taking a massage gun on a plane).
The Evo Gun, a massage gun with heat, retails for $149.99, but you receive a massive discount when you buy two or more. Buy it right here.
The heated head attachment is a twist and screw mechanism.
You can get the standard black color, or you may prefer the white one.
Our hands-on experience with the Bob and Brad massage gun range of heated massage guns has provided us with valuable insights into their functionality and performance. They are a customer-centric brand with an extensive catalogue of percussion massagers and are even credited with pioneering heated massage guns.
From their heated lineup, we focused on the Bob and Brad D6 Pro, which stands out for its affordability compared to premium Theragun models. It offers pre-programmed massage modes, a rotatory head, a distinct shape, and now, the D6 Pro Plus includes a heated attachment.
However, we placed it second because for some people it can be too heavy.
On the other hand, offers impressive versatility. It can function as a regular massage gun, but its standout feature is undoubtedly the heating mode. It heats up to an impressive 115°F within 20 seconds!
In terms of performance, the Bob and Brad D6 Pro Plus exhibits top specs. Its stall force is around 60lbs (advertised as 85lbs), which is the best for a deep massage therapy. We measured it, and it’s a 16mm amplitude massage gun, which is rare unless it is a Theragun Pro.
The device’s percussion range sits comfortably between 1500 and 2500 RPM, which makes it very percussive. It also comes with SIX speeds. This sort of punchy muscle massager tends to be louder than smaller massagers, because this is a truly high-amplitude massage gun. Our test measurements revealed a maximum noise level of 67 dB.
It comes in a nice travel case, and you’ll also find seven attachments inside. Its 2500mAh battery is on par with other devices in our review, providing between 1 and 2 hours of use on a single charge.
As a trusted brand in the market, ‘Bob and Brad’ stands behind their products with a 2-year warranty, a commitment shared by only a few other brands.
The “Bob and Brad D6 Pro Plus massage gun” typically costs $269.99, but you can use the coupon MGAD6PRO3 and buy it for 10% less. Get the device right from their Amazon Shop.
Read More: For more information on this device, read our D6 Pro review.
Bob And Brad X6 Pro MAX – massage gun with heat and cold
Bob and Brad is a known American brand in the massage gun industry. They are a duo of well-known therapists who have done their homework, as they aim to tackle things that the market hasn’t quite explored yet.
With the new X6 Pro massage gun, they went all out to try and improve on ergonomics and added a pretty unique attachment that can work great for a heated massage (and for an ice-cold one, too). We are referring to the flat metal attachment, as shown below.
Bob and Brad X6 Pro metal attachment for hot and cold massage therapy.
The way this attachment works is simple, yet brilliant:
Since it is a screw-in attachment (unlike the other ones), it doesn’t have any rubber gaskets. It means that this all-metal head can be submerged in hot water, so it becomes a massage gun with heated tip. Since it’s all metal, you can heat it (or freeze it) easily – don’t put it in a microwave though.
You can use this metal massage gun attachment for a more intensive massage, as it is rigid.
You could call it the “passive heating“, but you get “active heating and cooling” with the Bob and Brad X6 Pro MAX. (heated and cooled massage gun for those who love Cold Therapies).
Settings: Red 113°F/45°C, Orange 102°F/40°C, Blue for 59°F/15°C, andGreen 50°F/10°C.
This attachment with “hot and cold therapy” features 4 temperature settings that can be reached within seconds and has a programmed 10-minute auto shut-off. It also has independent power, allowing for convenient charging via a USB port.
You will use cold therapy post-workout recovery to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
That being said, as far as the performance is concerned, Bob and Brad’s X6 Pro MAX model is a heated massage gun that stands tall among its peers. At its affordable price, we couldn’t find another heated percussion massager with 44lbs. of advertised stall force. We’ve tested this device ourselves, and we can confirm it is a pretty powerful one – the stall force is unmatched among heated massage guns.
It has a 10.5mm amplitude (which we verified through our measurements), which, on paper, is slightly shorter than the KiCA Evo massage gun. However, the truth is that the Bob and Brad X6 Pro feels more intense because of the weight located behind the percussion head. It is a well-balanced massage gun.
The percussion range is also top-tier, with speeds ranging from 2000 to 3200 RPM, which means you’re getting an intense massage with this massage gun with heat and cold settings. It comes with 5 speeds, which is just perfect for the percussion range – you don’t need more.
It is a quiet massage gun, and you can have an everyday conversation while using it. Expect approximately 45dB at lower speeds and 55dB at higher speeds.
Other things we loved include its improved ergonomics (compared to the earlier Bob and Brad C2) with a pill-shaped handle for a more confident grip. This is the same twist that Hyperice introduced in their Hypervolt 2 and Hypervolt 2 Pro – looks simple but works like a charm.
The battery is okay. A 2500mAh capacity is not bad, as it allows for 2-5 hours of use with a single charge. We believe the 10-day battery life is achievable if you use the device at a low intensity and apply minimal pressure.
The X6 Pro MAX comes in a nice, sturdy carrying case that has a professional look. Aside from the metal attachment for a heated massage, plus the attachment that makes it a heat and cool massage gun, this device comes with 4 regular heads, providing plenty of options.
In our exploration of heated massage guns, we’ve had the opportunity to test the Bob and Brad Q2 mini massage gun, and like the X6 Pro above, this one also has a PRO version. This massage gun holds the distinction of being the only one on our list that’s a compact percussion massager with heat, allowing you to take it with you, even on a plane.
Massage guns are FSA/HSA eligible. Beyond that, the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini is a heat and cool massage gun. It uses the same attachment as the X6 Pro MAX, but the neck connection is thinner.
Following our performance process, we measured the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini’s amplitude (stroke length) to be 7mm. This is a low amplitude that offers vibrational therapy rather than a deep muscle massage.
Massage gun amplitude: Digital caliper zeroed at the point when the shaft was in.
We were surprised when holding it in our hands as it has some weight to it (which you need, so don’t exhaust yourself pressing hard), and by its stall force during use… We estimated 25-30 lbs., and for such a small device, it has a punch that is resilient when applying some pressure.
In terms of design, it looks nice as it doesn’t have any visible screws. Additionally, the rubber is where it’s most important, so you have a proper grip on it. The small “T” shape allows it to be grasped from the most convenient sides, making it comfortable.
In practice, it can make reaching your lower back a bit of a challenge, but its purpose is to be a compact massage gun with heat and cold features that you can easily take with you.
The Bob and Brad Q2 (PRO) comes well-equipped with five attachments and a carrying case. The quality of the attachments is on par with that of standard good muscle massagers, and includes a soft one as well.
Due to its small amplitude, the Q2 is quieter than any of the full-size massage guns we reviewed above, even when at its fifth speed. The 2500mAh battery promises 2-3 hours of continuous use, which we found to be quite accurate in our no-load, minimum speed testing.
It comes with a 1-year warranty and is available for $89.99 on Amazon. Don’t be fooled by other mini massage guns on Amazon, which are often cheaper but fail to deliver on their promises.
Also, Bob and Brad massage gun brand is focusing on hot and cold therapy, and the image below shows you their variety.
Conclusion
With that, we hope you can now choose the best heated massage gun without a hassle.
We must say, Theragun Technology always surprises us, but their steep price is a limitation for many of us. We have provided you with some of the best Theragun alternatives, along with other heated massage guns that can be the right fit for you and your pocket.
Our first choice, the KiCA Evo, is selected primarily due to its simplicity, including the telescopic handle and rotation of its percussive head, as well as its heated massage gun capabilities. We mentioned that it might not be the right choice for people of a bulky muscular shape, but for them, the Bob and Brad D6 Pro PLUS would work tremendously.
Here, you have discovered that there is even an option for a compact percussion massager with heat (i.e., Bob and Brad Q2 Pro) and cold therapy, that you can easily take with you on trips while keeping a full-sized massage gun at home.
Finally, suppose you are after a heating and cooling massage gun (full-size). In that case, the Bob and Brad X6 Pro Plus is an interesting alternative as it has a long, comfortable handle, is easy to operate, and has a good, balanced weight that adds intensity.
Now, remember that if you’re looking for a handheld percussion massager with heat, there are several options available on the market. Here at massagegunadvice.com, we have tested them, so it’s less risky and you won’t be disappointed.
The best massage gun with heat is one that fits your needs. They are recovery tools and are FSA/HSA eligible.
Thank you for coming this far. Enjoy the heat massage benefits and see you again soon!
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Post Update History
Here's a quick rundown of all the tweaks and edits we've made to this article to keep it accurate and up-to-date!
Current version.
August 31, 2025: Introduction text revisited for better readability. Some internal and external linking changes to improve navigation. (By: Mario)
Hi! I'm Luke, a Biomedical Engineer with a passion for sports. I'm a lead reviewer for massage guns and wellness tech products at Massage Gun Advice. Alongside a dedicated Experts Board, I ensures each review is the result of thorough testing, in-depth research, and rigorous fact-checking, providing our readers with reliable and comprehensive insights.
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