Best Massage Guns for Plantar Fasciitis – Our Recommendations

Plantar fasciitis can literally be a pain in the foot – no pun intended. Whether your therapist or doctor has diagnosed you with this condition, or you just happen to know the symptoms for it, you’ll need something to keep the pain away.

Luckily massage guns are one of the easiest and perhaps the cheapest way to manage your plantar fasciitis pain. You just need to pick the right one. That is where we come in. We understand how tough it can be to pick the best massage gun for plantar fasciitis. Some are too expensive (up to $599) while some are cheap and ineffective.

We have tested dozens of massage guns, both cheap and expensive and we know what to look for in one. This post is going to guide you through the process of choosing the perfect massage gun to manage your plantar fasciitis. We’ll also offer some tips on how to use a massage gun to treat your plantar fasciitis safely and effectively.

Why Trust Our Advice and Some Disclaimer

Before we strat, we have to say that this article will not give medical advice. We are not Physiotherapists and we certainly don’t hold any degrees in medicine.

However, we have plenty of knowledge about massage guns. This article reflects our genuine experiences and insights as consumers. Over the years, we’ve personally tested numerous massage guns.

However, before we publish our articles, we consult with our experts (in this case with Dr. Alex Stone, DPT) to make sure we are giving trustworthy, accurate information. 

Lastly, we don’t just recommend a single product so that it sounds like some kind of internet marketing campaign. We give alternatives and explain our reasoning behind them. This way you can make an educated buying decision.

How to Choose the Best Massage Gun for Plantar Fasciitis and Foot Pain

When we first felt the effects of plantar fasciitis on our soles, we knew we needed a solution. There are several ways to treat and manage this condition^​1​.

Massage therapy is one of the ways to manage it^​2,3​ – this can be effectively done using a massage gun.

From our trials, we’ve pinpointed certain features of a massage gun that are crucial to keep in mind if you want to get the right device to manage your plantar fasciitis: stroke length and stall force.

Why Stroke Length?

Stroke length, or otherwise known as amplitude refers to the distance traveled by the massage gun head during the percussion.

This distance is important in determining what kind of a massage you can get from a particular device. A massage gun with a high amplitude is suitable for a deep tissue massage – which is most likely to be effective for treating plantar fasciitis.

A massage gun with 15-16mm amplitude punches the hardest and is perfect for a deep tissue massage, while one with 6-9mm amplitude doesn’t punch as hard and can only deliver surface-level massage – vibrational therapy.

We often get asked if a high amplitude massage gun is essential for plantar fasciitis?

Well, for mere foot massage, you don’t need an aggressive massage gun – a massage gun with 15-16mm amplitude would be considered an aggressive massage gun in this case.

But here’s the thing, to treat plantar fasciitis experts recommend that you don’t focus solely on the bottom of your feet. Before heading straight to the foot, other areas of your leg should be massaged first. These include the hip or glute area, calves, shins and the sides of your ankles – these are key muscles that need to be warmed up and relaxed before you move on to the bottom of your foot.

As it turns out, some of these areas have large muscles that need an aggressive massage to get them ready. That is why we recommend a massage gun with enough amplitude. Not necessarily 15-16mm (unless you are a bodybuilder and have huge muscles), but something mid-range.

In our definition, midrange amplitude should be about 10-13mm. This is not too aggressive but also not too vibrational.

What about Stall Force – Why is it Important?

So, stall force refers to the pressure needed to stall the motor of a massage gun. The more pressure a massage gun can withstand, the more effective it can be during a massage. More in our glossary here.

Here, devices with 30lbs. or less are considered entry-level. Mid-level devices should be able to withstand 35-50lbs. of pressure, while strong devices can have 50-60lbs. of stall force – these don’t stall easily. 

Stall force is an important consideration because most of the time it goes hand in glove with the amplitude. While you don’t necessarily need a lot of stall force to massage your feet – it’s mostly just passing the massage gun head over the muscle and letting it do the work, maybe a few gentle presses here and there for trigger points – you still require a strong device to massage large muscle areas like your quads, glutes, and hamstring. For deep tissue massage in these areas, you’ll require considerable pressure.

We suggest settling for a sweet spot and picking a massage gun that is universal – not too weak, but not too strong either. We’ll throw in a number and say go for a massage gun that promises 35-50lbs. of stall force.

Don’t forget that it should be paired with just enough amplitude. With this kind of massage gun, you should be able to treat your plantar fasciitis and also massage the rest of your body when needed.

What Else to Look For

Apart from amplitude and stall force, here are a few other aspects that you should look out for when selecting a plantar fasciitis massage gun:

• Percussion range – This shouldn’t be a big concern because most massage guns have a decent range. Keep in mind that devices with long amplitudes (15-16mm) tend to have fewer maximum percussions compared to devices that have say, 12mm amplitude. In our experience, most devices with higher amplitude tend not to rev over 2800rpm. Those with 12mm or so, tend to rev up to 3200rpm.
• Number of Speeds and Programs – We’d say 4 to 5 speeds is about enough, but you’ll find some guns with up to 8 speeds. That is okay. However, some guns promise up to 20 or 30 speeds. This makes it complicated and there is no added value.
• Noise – We shortlisted devices with 65dB as the maximum noise level. This should be enough to have a conversation during a massage. Sometimes massage gun brands understate noise levels and we always check with our decibel meters for accurate levels. 
• Ergonomics – You should be able to comfortably hold your massage gun during a massage. We appreciate brands that try to come up with something other than the cliché T-shape design. Ekrin B37 is a good example with its angled handle. Look out also for a rubberized handle for better grip.
• Weight – A good massage gun should be heavy enough not to feel like a toy. However, anything over the 2.5lbs mark isn’t optimal in our opinion.
• Attachments – You’ll typically need 4-5 attachments to give you options for a full body massage. For the feet, you’ll need a standard ball attachment, a bullet head for trigger points, and maybe a softer one for pain areas. You’ll also need a flat head for large muscle groups.
• Battery capacity and time on battery – This shouldn’t be an issue as well because most guns have decent battery capacity. If you use the device sparingly, you should have enough juice to last you for 1-2 weeks. Bigger batteries tend to add more weight to the gun.
• Warranty offered – Cheap massage guns will offer a 1-year warranty or nothing at all. Best brands will offer a lifetime warranty.
• Overall value for money – cheap is expensive, but don’t break your bank for a device that doesn’t offer much. More on that in cheap vs expensive massage gun post.

Our Top Picks for Treating Plantar Fasciitis Explained

Ekrin B37 – Our Best Massage Gun for Plantar Fasciitis

Our testing impressions:

• Versatile and reliable massage gun
• Great value for the money
• Excellent quality overall
• Lifetime warranty

Our review score:

4.8

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From our hands-on experience, the Ekrin B37 stands out as one of the most versatile massage guns available.

Ekrin launched their company with this gun and so far it’s been a great device to have. It has so much going for it, and best of all, it has all the proper aspects for a plantar fasciitis massage gun.

First, watch our video to see our initial impressions and tests of this device. Observe its quality and how powerful it is.

As you can see, it has an angled handle that makes its ergonomics excellent. This reduces stress and fatigue on the wrist during a massage.

But the best characteristics of this gun come where it really matters – performance! It has a 12mm amplitude which is just perfect to relieve foot pain. It doesn’t hit too hard, and it’s not vibrational either – exactly as you need it to be.

Remember how we said that you need a bit of pressure for the quads and hamstrings? Well, this percussion massager has up to 56lbs. of stall force. This is enough to apply pressure on those large muscles. 

The B37 has a percussion range of 1400-3200 across 5 speeds. We love that range because it means you can start real slow before you crank up the intensity when you need it.

It comes with 4 attachments, including the most effective heads for a good foot massage.

The build is great with quality materials used. It feels premium in hand. It’s a quiet massage gun with a more than decent battery that can last for up to 8 hours with a single charge. 

If you love brands that take care of you, then you’ll love Ekrin because they offer a lifetime warranty for all their products.

Overall, we believe this is the perfect massage gun to treat your plantar fasciitis. If you want more power, check out their B37S model – it has 30% more stall force for each speed gear, a pressure sensor, and an extra attachment.

It’s a good bargain as well:

B73 usually costs $229.99 but if you use the MGA20 coupon in Ekrin’s store, you can get it for only $183.99. Grab the discount here!

Read More Read our hands-on Ekrin B37 review for more details.

Achedaway Pro – Our Go-To for Athletic Needs

Our testing impressions:

• Impressive stall force
• Great size and ergonomics
• Excellent quality overall
• Accessories

Our review score:

4.6

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For those like us, who want nothing but the best, the Achedaway Pro is a top contender. If you would rather go for the biggest and “baddest” device available, then this one is for you.

The Achedaway Pro doesn’t kid around. It has everything switched to ultimate – especially when it comes to performance, which is what really matters if you want the pain in your foot to go away.

Now you’ve heard us talk about stall force and amplitude in this article. Well, here’s a massage gun with a high amplitude and a lot of stall force. Is it good? That depends on what your needs are. Athletes will love this device.

Athletes want a massage gun that can dig deep into their well-developed muscles and this massage gun will do just that. With the 16mm amplitude, it can punch harder than most massage guns.

We are used to Theragun when it comes to 16mm amplitude, and this is something of that caliber.

Speaking of Theragun caliber, the Achedaway Pro promises up to 80lbs. of advertised stall force (feels closer to 60lbs. though). That is Theragun Pro-like – the best in the business. It has a percussion range of 1700-2800rpm – better than Theragun and enough hits per minute for a foot massage. 

It has a 3200mAh capacity battery. Seems huge but gets drained pretty quick. The Ekrin B37 will give you more time on battery than the 2-4 hours that you can get here.

If you plan to use it extensively, you’ll need to buy it with a spare battery. It’s as quiet as the B37 above but the quietest among guns with high stroke lengths. It’s also weighty – 2.6lbs, given the power, it’s understandable.

It comes with a 2-year warranty. Not as good as Ekrin but better than most brands – including Theragun Elite and Hypervolt.

It costs $299 but with the MGA60 code, you can save $60! Buy it at Achedaway store now!

Opove M3 Pro 2 – Our Preferred Budget-Friendly Choice

Our testing impressions:

• 12mm amplitude & ~40lbs of power
• 6 high-quality attachments
• Excellent for both beginners and experts
• Outstanding value for the price

Our review score:

4.6

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If you’re on a budget like we were at one point, the Opove M3 Pro 2 offers great value.

The Opove M3 Pro 2 is a simple device – typical T-shape design – but it has everything you need to alleviate the pain from plantar fasciitis.

For starters, has a 12mm amplitude, which is more than enough to get the job done well.

It’s not as powerful as any of the two devices that we just saw, but we believe that 40lbs. of stall force is more than enough for a full body massage (unless you’re a bodybuilder or a pro athlete).

We guess 80% of people will find this amount of power adequate. You’ll still be able to press the gun against the skin, and it should be able to withstand some decent pressure.

Don’t expect it to hit as deep as either of the above guns but you can expect 1300 to 2600 hits per minute. This is enough percussions to get a good, intensive massage in. It has 5 speeds to manage the percussions.

It comes with 5 great quality attachments that are nicely varied to give you as many options as you require. It weighs just 2.5lbs, which is light enough if you need to use it for longer sessions.

The battery is decent as well, 2600mAh, and you can expect it to run for 3-4 hours before you need to charge it again. 

The device is backed by a 1-year warranty, and you have 30 days to return the device for any reason.

It currently costs $119.99, which is 40% OFF the regular price ($199). Get it at opove.com here.

Which Theragun for Plantar Fasciitis?

Having tried the famed Theraguns, we can vouch for their reputation. They started the whole percussion massagers thing and are quality devices.

The current generation devices, apart from Theragun mini, which is a seperate category, all have 16mm amplitude. It’s the stall force that differs across the board. 

So, many ask us, out of all the Theraguns we’ve tried (here is a post on that), which one truly stands out for treating plantar fasciitis?

By watching the video of Dr. Jason Wersland, the founder of Theragun, using the Theragun Pro to explain how to treat plantar fasciitis, you may think you need the top model; but is that actually the case?

However, we don’t believe you need the ultra-expensive Pro to massage your legs and feet.

Our Recommendation

In our opinion, the entry-level Theragun Prime (to be found here at therabody.com) is enough for the average user. It has 30lbs. of stall force to go with the long stroke length.

That isn’t much power but it’s more than enough for a surface-level massage with enough push for areas that need it.

But if you are an amateur athlete and you want to buy a Theragun, we recommend going a step up and getting the Elite model. It has better specs than the Prime. It also offers the best value for money across all the 4^th gen devices. To top it all off, it has 40lbs. of stall force. That falls within our recommended range and then some. It’s also quieter than both Prime and Pro.

It’s important to also highlight that the Mini model (reviewed here), despite being the smallest and least powerful, is capable of addressing foot pain.

And Which Hypervolt Do We Recommend?

Hyperice Hypervolt is another household name as far as massage guns are concerned – head to head with Therabody and their Theraguns.

A common question we receive is whether the Hypervolt truly delivers for plantar fasciitis? The answer is yes.

But which one?

We would recommend either the regular gray Hypervolt 2 or the enhanced Hypervolt 2 Pro version. You may want to skip the Go 2, as it is likely too weak for deep tissue massage on leg muscles, as discussed in this Hypervolt Comparison.

Is there a difference between the two available choices?

Well, there is, and it’s quite clear. Hypervolt 2 has a decent 12mm of stroke length (we verified it) but very low stall force of only about 20-25lbs. It is very light though, and easy to maneuver (only 1.8lbs)

The Hypervolt 2 Pro on the other hand has a respectable 14mm amplitude (we had to measure it because Hyperice doesn’t say what it is) and an estimated 30-35lbs. of stall force, which makes it a proper percussive therapy device.

If you’re looking to treat plantar fasciitis by massaging your feet, shins, and calves, the gray Hypervolt is an acceptable choice. It won’t be good enough for deep tissue – especially for large muscles – but it will get the easy job done.

However, if you want a serious Hypervolt, we suggest going for the more expensive 2 Pro model. The price difference is about $80 but you are getting a more versatile percussive device. You are also getting plenty of power to dig into large leg muscles.

The good news is that Hyperice recently reduced the prices of their devices again. The regular Hypervolt 2 was $299 but now it’s down to $199, while the Hypervolt 2 Pro is down to $329. Both devices come with only a 1-year warranty, and neither includes a carrying case.

TIP The official Hypervolt store now accepts HSA/FSA cards, allowing you to purchase Hypervolts as a medical device. We also have a post on FSA/HSA percussive massagers here – we suggest reading it too.

Final Words

Now that we’ve explored the various devices, it’s clear that massage guns can be a significant aid in alleviating the discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis. Through testing each of the discussed devices, we’ve discovered that obtaining relief doesn’t necessarily require the most powerful massage gun on the market.

So, let’s recap our top recommended massagers for plantar fasciitis:

• For the best massage gun for plantar fasciitis, we recommend the Ekrin B37 as a solid choice.
• If you prefer a higher amplitude and more stall force, the Achedaway Pro has got you covered. All at an affordable price!
• Theraguns and Hypervolts are reputable devices from industry giants, and are worth considering if you have a larger budget.

Let us know in the comments below what you ended up choosing and if you’re pleased with your choice.

Take care!