Having worked out my entire life, I never really bought into the hype around foam rollers and post-workout massages. For me, soreness was just a sign of an effective workout. But now that I’m in my 40s, that soreness tends to stick around longer, and progress is harder to achieve. A few years back, someone at my gym raved about “massage guns,” but when I tried one in a store, I wasn’t impressed—especially not for the $600+ price tag. However, I began to read about the physiological benefits of massage guns but hesitated to invest due to their high cost. This year, I noticed prices had dropped significantly, with many reliable options around $200, including this RENPHO model for under $200.

I first learned about RENPHO when I was searching for a scale that measures weight, BMI, and bone mass, and all the reviews pointed to them as a top value brand. Value matters to me; I’m happy to skip a few extra features if the reviews are solid and the price is right. After purchasing that scale, which I still love, I’ve turned to RENPHO for other products, and this massage gun is no exception.

It’s crucial to note that this device isn’t meant for a gentle backrub. It can be intense, but in an “effective” way rather than painful. Massage guns are designed to break up scar tissue, release lymphatic fluid, enhance blood flow to muscles, and disrupt the pain cycle in the brain. Typically, you’ll use it for about 2 minutes per muscle group, not the 15-30 minutes you might spend with a relaxing massager. (UPDATE: I recently got their heated massager, which is a better option for gentle relaxation. I’ll share a pic and more details below for those interested.)

Also, this massager is more suited for trainers and therapists to use on others, although you can target your chest, quads, and calves on your own. However, reaching your upper back, lower back, triceps, glutes, rear delts, and hamstrings would require a partner or friend willing to assist you for a few minutes each week. You could offer to massage them in return for their help. (UPDATE AGAIN: The RENPHO handheld massager I just bought is fantastic for reaching my back, neck, and more, but it serves a different purpose than a massage gun.)

Now, how does it work? There are plenty of videos online, but here’s a quick rundown on the attachments: the flat head works for nearly any body part, the bullet attachment is great for trigger points and the soles of your feet, and it excels at targeting areas where muscles meet, like the sides of your legs. Be cautious with the bullet attachment, as it can hurt if you hit bone, so start at a low speed. The round head is ideal for larger muscle groups, while the ridge head is useful for the spine’s surrounding muscles. The air cushion head is designed for sensitive areas, although I haven’t tried it yet. Different speeds offer various therapeutic effects, but I usually go with what feels comfortable.

Additionally, always ensure the battery is fully charged before the first use. The duration of subsequent uses will depend on how well you charged it initially, so avoid charging it for just 15 minutes and then trying it out. The unit is sturdy, heavy, and powerful. The carrying case is stylish and helpful for keeping everything organized.

In conclusion, if you work out or deal with chronic pain like sciatica, this product is a must-have. These devices used to retail for over $600, and now you can grab this portable, cordless, rechargeable massage gun for under $200. You might need a friend to help with your back, but they’ll likely appreciate the return favor. While it’s not a relaxing massager for long sessions, it’s a surprisingly effective tool for chronic pain and post-workout recovery.

UPDATE DEC 2020 As much as I love this product, I recently sought something for general muscle relaxation. Sometimes, after a long day, I come home with a sore neck or back. For these types of aches, I found that a soothing massage is better than something akin to a pocket jackhammer. So, I picked up a RENPHO Back Massager with heat. I won’t dive into a full review here, but for those considering this massage gun for daily aches, the back massager might be a better option. It’s perfect for self-massage and has heat for added tension relief. However, I still reach for the RENPHO Massage Gun at least three times a week for sports-related recovery and chronic pain. It’s an intense experience, applying pressure to sore areas that intensifies the pain for a moment before relieving it—like magic. I’m a strong advocate for massage guns, especially this one. It offers all the power, attachments, and durability you need.

This massage gun works wonders on sore necks and backs, as well as thighs, calves, and rotator cuff muscles. Both my wife and I use it regularly, and the handle makes it easy to reach those tricky spots on our backs. My wife appreciates that I can give her back and neck massages again—something I used to do daily—without exhausting my hands. The large battery lasts for about two weeks of daily use before needing a recharge.

What really impresses me, though, is how much it has aided my recovery from rotator cuff surgery I had 2.5 years ago. Although the surgery was successful, I struggled with flexibility and mobility despite diligently doing my physical therapy exercises twice a day for over a year. Using this massage gun every other day to target the muscles and tendons of my rotator cuff has significantly improved my range of motion. After being stuck for months with little progress, I’m finally feeling optimistic that I can regain enough flexibility to do handstands again—something I’m eager to achieve.

A couple of additional points worth mentioning:
We love that we can charge this massager via a USB-C charger, eliminating the need for a dedicated power brick and cable. We were looking to declutter our home of various chargers and appreciated this feature, which is why we passed on several other massage gun options that didn’t support USB charging.

Like most massage guns, this one comes with a good selection of attachments. The bullet-shaped one is perfect for targeting knots, while the broad cushioned head is great for areas with less flesh over bone and for those who prefer a gentler massage. Our favorite attachment is the one between the bullet and cushioned heads, which works well on the upper shoulders, lower back, and larger muscle groups. The two-tine fork head is useful for stretching adhesions in muscles and connective tissue. (Update May 2023:) The only attachment I wish it had is a “wedge” type head, which the newer version includes. Instead of upgrading, I ordered a $20 set of massage heads compatible with Hypervolt massagers.

As for the round ball attachment, it seems better suited for personal use rather than for a device meant for muscle relief. If that’s what you’re looking for, consider a mini-massager with a shorter stroke length, though this attachment can still work on necks.

Pros:

• Good balance between the shallower stroke of higher-powered mini-massage guns and the deeper strokes of expensive units used by physical therapists.
• Effective for massaging necks, backs, and sore muscles.
• Versatile set of massage heads.
• Quiet operation.
• Long battery life between charges.
• Comes with a nice case.
• Priced under $100.

Cons:

• The stroke length is closer to 10mm, not the claimed 12mm. Many massage guns seem to exaggerate their stroke depth, but this is sufficient for our needs.
• It’s not the most travel-friendly size, but we missed having it during a recent 3-week trip. We purchased a second “SlimPal Store mini massage gun” for travel. (Updated May 2023:) While it doesn’t compare to our full-size unit, it’s a great addition to our travel gear and is helpful for relieving tight spots while waiting for international connections.