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Let’s get straight to it: We’re reviewing massage guns for women today. We asked our wives, sisters, and mothers to try out more than 15 sports massagers and report on their ease of use, design ergonomics, and compactness for a purse.
With their insights and our technical expertise, we’ve put together a no-nonsense list of top performers. And guys, this is for you, too—especially if you’re looking for a gift that hits the mark.
What to Look for in a Massage Gun for Women: Key Features and Benefits
First, here is a brief guide based on feedback from our female testers, giving you the essentials from their perspective. We’ve streamlined their insights with added technical details.
Feel free to go to our top picks section if you’re in a hurry.
Weight, Size, and Ergonomics are the Most Important Aspects
Our female testers prioritized weight, finding anything over 2 pounds cumbersome. The Ekrin 365 stands out here, hitting the mark at just 1.7 pounds.
Compactness also mattered. Bulky models like the Achedaway Pro and Bob and Brad D6 Pro didn’t make the cut for daily use.
Our Take: A percussive therapy gun should be lightweight yet reasonably powerful. Don’t sacrifice performance for portability — a massage gun needs to be effective.
Ergonomics matter, and here’s what to look for:
- Handle Angle:
Avoid traditional straight handles. They strain your wrist, causing fatigue, especially with heavier guns. Angled handles offer a more natural grip, crucial for self-massaging hard-to-reach areas like the lower back. - Handle Shape:
Our ladies opted to skip bulky rounded handles. Slimmer or oval-shaped handles, such as the Hypervolt 2’s, are more comfortable, especially for smaller hands. - Handle Length:
For full-sized massagers, a longer handle is key for hard-to-reach mid and lower back areas. For mini massage guns, it’s less about length and more about how it feels in your grip (and how well it fits into a purse, naturally!).
Last but not least – the design. No one wants a tool that looks like it belongs in a garage. We’ve picked out massagers that feel good and look good, favoring those that seem to have women in mind in their design.
Our Take: Based on our female testers’ attention to aesthetics, we’ve chosen devices that combine top performance with sleek design.
How Powerful Should the Massage Gun Be?
Here’s what really matters as far as performance is concerned:
Amplitude (Stroke Length)
This is how far the head of the percussive massager travels as it pulses. Think of it in three tiers:
- Under 10 mm is short (more vibrational).
- Between 10 and 13 mm is midrange (the “sweet spot”).
- From 14 mm to 16 mm is a long amplitude, which offers a deep-tissue massage.
Tests and feedback from our ladies show that midrange amplitude hits the right balance for most women—it’s gentle on the skin yet can delve into almost a deep tissue massage when needed by pressing harder, as long as the stall force is adequate.
For those needing a more intense massage—like professional athletes or those with specific needs—a higher amplitude might be preferred in the 14 to 16m range offered by devices such as the Opove Apex, the Achedaway Pro, the D6 Pro, or Theraguns. But be warned, they’re quite forceful and can be too much for sensitive areas like the shoulders or lower back.
On the flip side, percussive massagers with less than 10 mm amplitude are for those who prefer a lighter, more vibrational massage—common in many mini massage guns.
Our Advice: Avoid anything with a 10 mm amplitude or less on a full-sized massage gun unless you only want a gentle surface massage or a toy.
Read this post for more information on why amplitude matters in percussive therapy massagers.
Stall Force
Stall force means the ability of a device to withstand some pressure when pressed against the body.
To keep it simple, here’s a simple breakdown:
- Entry-level massage guns typically offer 25-30 lbs of stall force. In our opinion, they’re fine for light use but might stop if you apply too much pressure.
- High-end devices can pack 50-60 lbs of stall force, which is great for heavy-duty use but could be too intense for many women, possibly causing discomfort or irritation.
So, what’s the ideal choice?
Our experience and feedback from our female users suggest that a stall force between 30 and 40 lbs is the perfect balance.
This range is strong enough to provide a deep tissue massage and work out knots in large sore muscles without being overwhelming. Plus, it’s gentle enough for DOMs, for a calming massage before bed, or to prep your muscles with blood flow before exercising.
If you’re looking for a percussive massager that offers versatility and power without going overboard, aim for one in this stall force range.
Check this guide for an in-depth look at power and stall force in massage guns.
Percussions Per Minute
Percussions per minute (PPM, sometimes called RPM) reflects the number of times a massage gun strikes per minute.
A higher RPM usually means a more vibrational massage, which the women in our test group preferred for its lighter, more enjoyable touch. Skipping lower speeds, they gravitated towards the highest setting for a satisfying high-frequency massage.
To clarify
Ppercussive massagers with longer stroke lengths generally have lower PPMs since the head travels a longer distance. For instance, many 16 mm devices – like Theraguns – max out at around 2400 RPM, delivering slower but more forceful hits. This slower pace can still provide deep tissue massage therapy but doesn’t feel as buzzy or vibrational as those with a higher PPM.
Our selected models, with stroke lengths of 10-12mm, provide quicker hits, usually between 3000-3300 PPMs. For example, Ekrin 365 leads our list with a peak of 3200 RPM. While it may not deliver the intense force of larger models like Theraguns, the higher frequency of percussions compensates, resulting in potent performance.
The exception here is Opove Apex. This is the only high-amplitude massage gun on our list – an option for those who prefer deeper hits.
Other Features Worth Checking
- Noise – high noise levels can be a deal-breaker for many. Our picks are on the quieter side.
- Attachments – during the tests, we found that 4-6 varied attachments are usually more than enough. Don’t be tricked by devices that have up to 20 different heads. But make sure you get at least one soft tip.
- Battery and charging – most modern massage guns come with reliable batteries. You can expect a week or more of use on a single charge. We also highly recommend devices that offer USB-C charging for convenience.
- Travel case – well, it’s always nice to have one.
- Warranty—Most brands offer a one-year warranty. However, some, like Ekrin, offer a lifetime warranty and great customer support (we discuss this below).
- Value for the money—Naturally, it is wise to know if the device is worth the money you are paying for it.
Top 4 Massage Guns for Women: Comparing Models, Prices, and Reviews
After extensive tests using percussive therapy for DOMs, pain relief, and muscle recovery, our female testers have hand-picked the percussive massagers highlighted below as their favorites. Naturally, we agree with their choices (and this has nothing to do with the fact that we always agree with our wives).
Ekrin 365 – Best Overall
Key Highlights
- Versatile and reliable massage gun
- Great value for the money
- Excellent quality overall
- Lifetime warranty
Our review score:
4.6
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This massage gun won our ladies’ hearts right from the start. It feels comfortable when holding it and features a gorgeous blue color that immediately catches their eye. Only the Hypervolt 2 could compete with that, but we’ll get to that later.
So, what does the Ekrin 365 have to offer women?
Well, pretty much everything we’ve just discussed. We won’t go into exhaustive details here because we’ve covered most of it in our detailed review of the Ekrin 365. Just the key highlights:
Design and Ergonomics
Right out of the box (or the carrying case, which is quite well-crafted), it’s evident that this is a premium-quality product with materials that feel great to the touch.
One of the initial surprises for our wives and sisters was its lightweight nature. Tipping the scales at just 1.7 pounds, this full-sized percussive massager was straightforward for them to handle, allowing effortless maneuvering.
The handle’s 15-degree tilt and 5.4-inch diameter were thoughtfully designed to accommodate varying hand sizes, which our beloved testers found comfortable even during extended use. The rubberized grip was appreciated for its slip-resistant properties, which proved invaluable during more intense massage sessions.
Performance
Here, the Ekrin 365 ticked all the boxes for our female testers. It offers a 12 mm amplitude and up to 40 lbs of stall force, versatile enough to provide gentle relaxation and deep muscle relief. The 3200 RPM maximum speed was noted for its adequacy in delivering a calming experience after a long day.
The 365 also features a built-in pressure sensor. But, it turned out that what excites us isn’t very important to our ladies.
We tested the battery, which can go for 5 hours on one charge. That’s enough for at least 10 days of two 15-minute daily sessions. Plus, charging with a USB-C cable is a breeze and readily available at home and in places like airports (yes, you can take it on a plane).
Other things we liked
- The device operates quietly, and its sound is smooth and non-intrusive for your daily routine.
- The attachments are high-quality and varied. The soft air-cushioned attachment, in particular, emerged as a favorite, frequently chosen for its gentle approach to sensitive areas—a detail that our ladies emphasized as particularly beneficial for women.
- Ekrin is a trusted premium brand. You receive a lifetime warranty and US-based customer support, which is highly responsive. We’ve been their customers and can vouch for their reliability.
Any downsides? Our ladies pointed out that the control panel was hard to read and not very responsive. They suggested larger LED indicators and better feedback from the button would make it just a perfect massager. Despite this, they still voted it the best option.
Price
You can buy the device for $179.99. Feel free to use the MGA20 coupon for an additional 20% off. Buy it right here.
Hypervolt 2 – Pretty But An Expensive Device
Our Testing Impressions:
- Overall quality and premium feel.
- Nice 12 mm amplitude but low stall force.
- Great for beginners and everyday use.
- Lack of carrying case, steep price.
3.5
Buy it at Hyperice.com.
Check the Price Here!
Our female testers took the latest Hypervolt 2 for a spin, and here’s the scoop: this model is a game-changer for massage guns for women, shedding the bulkiness of its predecessors for a sleek, lighter design that appeals to everyone—not just professional athletes.
After testing it for a few weeks, we were impressed by its sleek design and lighter build. It’s slated gray and has slate-gray attachments – we love the combination. They now also offer it in all black.
Ergonomically, it’s improved as well. It’s smaller than the first Hypervolts and has a smaller cylindrical oval handle. We still hold that Ekrin 365’s handle is better, but this one is better than what was on the first Hypervolts. It weighs 1.8 pounds.
The photos below show it being handled by our female tester:
Performance-wise, it delivers with a 12 mm stroke length—better than the first-gen Hypervolt—and a stall force we estimate at 20-25 lbs (Hyperice wouldn’t disclose the actual figure). It’s not top-of-the-line but sufficient for daily muscle maintenance without pressing hard.
The speed tops out at 2700 RPM, not as vigorous as our top picks but enough for a routine rubdown. It includes a pressure sensor and Bluetooth for syncing with the Hyperice app, which offers guided sessions—ideal for newcomers to massage guns.
TIP: Read our post on how to use a massage gun if you have never used one before.
The battery life is solid at 3 hours per charge. You don’t get a USB-C charger with this one. It’s a classic dedicated wall charger.
The warranty is just 1 year, which we have to say is pretty disappointing for a top brand like Hyperice.
The Hypervolt 2 will cost you $199 at hyperice.com. That is pretty expensive, in our opinion.
Ekrin Bantam Mini Massage Gun – Best Travelling Companion For Women On The Go
Our Testing Impressions:
- Compact but powerful, up to 3200 RPM.
- Great size and ergonomics.
- Excellent quality overall.
- A Lifetime warranty.
4.9
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We got our hands on the Ekrin Bantam, and it’s a true mini massage gun in every sense. It’s highly portable and will probably fit in most women’s handbags. It’s that tiny.
Here’s the picture that shows it well:
But don’t let the size fool you. It is not a toy; this mini gun delivers quite a punch.
During our tests, we found it incredibly easy to hold and maneuver. It comes with the typical slanted handle, as with all Ekrin devices. The handle circumference is 5 inches – about the same size as the larger Ekrin 365. The handle is rubberized for a firm grip.
Don’t miss our short video showcasing its user-friendly design and how it fits comfortably in your hand. We also take a closer look at the variety of attachments provided.
In terms of power, the Ekrin Bantam mini massage gun competes with full-sized percussive massagers. It offers a 10 mm amplitude—impressive for its size—and boasts up to 35 lbs of stall force. With three speed settings, it reaches up to 3200 RPM.
Included are four distinct attachments and a carrying case for added convenience. The battery longevity is impressive: 4-6 hours of continuous use or up to 10 days of daily use, all with the convenience of USB charging.
Ekrin supports this mini massage gun powerhouse with a lifetime warranty and customer support.
It costs $149.99, but you can get it for just $119.99 if you use the MGA20 code, which gives you a 20% discount. Check it out here.
MORE INFO: Read our in-depth Ekrin Bantam Review for more information and photos.
Opove Apex – For Ladies Preferring Deep Hits
For women seeking a high-amplitude device with a unique ergonomic design, our hands-on sessions suggest this might be the one for you.
Opove APEX doesn’t cut corners. Opove hit the nail on the head with this one in terms of performance. Instead of embellishing it with Bluetooth OLEDs and other bells and whistles, they opted to work on its amplitude and stall force. It’s a good alternative for women who want something slightly different in the same price range.
Ekrin 365 boasts a lighter body and a much thinner handle. This one is slightly heavy (2.27 lbs), but the angled handle has more to it. Instead of just the 15-degree angle on Ekrin 365, this one is aggressively angled at 45 degrees.
What’s the difference? With this one, there’s more than one place to hold. You can hold the top, which will sit nicely between your thumb and index finger. Even though it’s slightly heavier than Ekrin 365, the weight converts into a pushing force that makes for an effortless massage – and greatly reduces the strain on the wrist.
What about the stall force? Isn’t Ekrin 365 much stronger?
We’d say it’s pretty much the same. Even though Opove advertises the stall force to be 50 lbs, we estimated it to be 40-45 lbs on the highest speed gear.
What about the stroke length? Isn’t 14.5mm too strong for women?
As we have recommended, most women don’t need a very aggressive massage gun. However, there are instances when you need something slightly aggressive. If 12 mm won’t do it, 14.5m is another sweet spot you can try. Even so, there are few percussions here.
To cut a long story short, this gun is the moderate version of Theraguns and Achedaway Pro and the most user-friendly high-amplitude gun out there.
The device normally sells for $199. You can get a 20% discount, reducing it to only $159. Get it at opove.com here.
MORE INFO: Read our hands-on Opove Apex Review.
Best Theragun for Women
Of course, our testing journey wouldn’t be complete without exploring Theraguns. They’re known for their high amplitude – all their full-sized massage guns have a 16 mm stroke length, and the Theragun Mini has a 12 mm. That makes them hard-hitting devices. Just be aware of that.
But which one will be perfect for the ladies?
Theragun Prime – Entry Level
We suggest going for the entry-level Thereagun Prime. It’s compact and reasonably light, weighing 2.2 pounds – heavier than we would’ve liked, but it won’t kill you. The top-tier model delivers up to 30 lbs of stall force, which is good enough for 90% of folks.
Our ladies concluded that Theraguns Elite and Theragun Pro were too big and heavy.
At $299, the Theragun Prime is also the most affordable full-sized Theragun percussive therapy massager.
Read More: Theragun Prime in our review.
Theragun mini
This is by far the best Theragun for women. It’s small and travel-friendly, with all the specs in place (note that it has only 2400 RPM; more later).
It weighs just 1.1 pounds, has three best-in-the-business attachments that perfectly fit women’s needs, and offers Bluetooth connectivity. The last feature is a great way to get started with massagers; our ladies were fascinated by it.
Price: $199 at Therabody.com. It’s quite expensive, but worth it.
Read More: Theragun Mini review here.
Regarding the percussions, it’s worth noting that all Theraguns can rev up to a maximum of 2400 ppm – even the smaller and lighter Mini.
This limitation is due to their high amplitude. Physics is unforgiving, and having both parameters at the top level is impossible. Theragun has chosen a path with high amplitude for its devices. Therefore, the experience is slightly different; many people like its punchy percussions.
Our Take
Would we suggest Theraguns for women? Absolutely.
From what we could see when our beloved testers used them, they were satisfied with the devices, the Therabody App, and the overall massage experience.
Yet, why aren’t Theraguns on our list of recommendations?
It boils down to the price. As we stress the importance of value for money in our guide, we believe that equally effective or superior massage guns are available at a more reasonable cost.
Bottom Line
Women’s insights on massage guns offer a fresh perspective, emphasizing the hands-on experience over technical specs. They prioritize the actual use and the muscle relief the devices bring, followed by reduced muscle soreness and rapid muscle recovery.
Ultimately, it’s the satisfaction and wellness benefits that matter most.
We trust you found this article useful. We’re eager to hear about your massage gun experiences. Which model did you pick? Are you happy with it? Your feedback is invaluable – drop us a comment below!
Take care!
P.S. Thank you, Ren, Justa, Aga, and Zuza, for your time and patience during the testing phase.
We love you.
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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.
June 25, 2024: The content was updated to include newer devices. (Author: Mario)
November 3, 2023: Revised the introduction and made minor edits in the guide section to make it more clear and concise. (Author: Luke)
September 19, 2023: Added videos showcasing the reviewed devices (Author: Greg)
August 17, 2023: Revised introduction and minor edits in the guide section. (Author: Luke)
January 20, 2023: New information was added in a section dedicated to Theraguns for women. (Author: Luke)
September 2, 2022: Added new photos from hands-on testing. (Author: Greg)
May 23, 2022: Added new photos from hands-on testing. (Author: Greg)
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Greg Szostak
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