It’s our goal to cut through the noise and arm you with the information you’ll need to find the best massage gun for you. With so many options, we know it can be a somewhat overwhelming process — which is why today, we’re taking a look at one of the most popular ones on the market. Of course, we’re talking about The Sharper Image deep tissue percussion pro massage gun. The M3 Pro Max has an on/off switch at the base of its handle. The manual setting allows you to move freely through its speeds, though you can’t cycle up and down through them; you can progress to the maximum speed and then back to off.
We noticed that when we applied increasing pressure, the motor surged a bit. I guess my second complaint, if you can call it that, is that the battery life is 4.5 hours as compared to 6-10 of other higher priced massage guns. Begin by choosing an attachment that will complement the muscle group you’re treating. All of our picks come with a basic owner manual that at least recommends which attachments to use on which areas of the body. Float the attachment over the area you’re targeting and adjust the pressure as you go.
In our hands, the device felt substantial yet compact, striking a fine balance between weight and portability.
But though its attachments stayed secure during use, our unit rattled, a result of the attachment connection point shifting ever so slightly from side to side within the device. We plan to test the second-generation Theragun Mini, Therabody’s smallest massage gun, which has a 12 mm amplitude and operates at three speeds (1750, 2100, 2400 PPMs). We’ll also test the sub-$100 Sharper Image Power Percussion Deep Tissue Massager, which is heavier than our picks but highly reviewed by customers. The HoMedics Therapist Select Percussion Massager promises a battery life of two and a half hours; one charge lasted through our three-week testing period. It has a two-year warranty and comes with a carrying case. The Opove M3 Pro Max promises a four-hour battery life; we did more than three weeks’ worth of testing on one charge.
The Compex Fixx 2.0 Massager has a multi-grip handle reminiscent of the Theragun Prime’s. Weighing about 3 pounds (the heaviest of the bunch), it felt unbalanced to us. Instead of buttons, it has an adjustment dial, which we had a hard time controlling. It has a decent warranty (two years), and the neck can move into three different positions.
The nodes loosen tight or stiff muscles to reduce soreness and get you back in the game quicker. According to the brand, you should get about 4.5 hours of operation time according to Sharper Image. However, this sounds like an exaggeration, unless you don’t move past speed 1. In our test, under normal usage, with some pressure applied and when used higher speeds, a single charge lasted for 1.5 – 2 hours.
According to the Sharper Image, the machine weighs about 1.5 pounds. The carrying case is fairly attractive, too, unlike some other brands such as the Hypervolt. For deals on Wirecutter picks that are actually worth grabbing, check out our list of the best Prime Day sharper image deep tissue massager deals. Interruption-free relaxation with smart electronics designed to keep the massage intensity up. Get the best value on product protection including fast repairs or replacements. It is our policy to make every effort to respect the copyrights of outside parties.
The overall design is nice with an ultra-smooth finish to the body. We particularly like the orange accent rings around the back that provide just the right amount of aesthetic pop. We believe that everyone can optimize not only their athletic performance but their human potential. The way we believe we can optimize performance is through transparency, clinically effective doses, and clinically proven ingredients with evidence-based outcomes. We provide the nutrients you need to power your active lifestyle. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners.
There is also a simple display that shows the battery level (in percentage). Well, for starters, the handle is straight and not slanted like Ekrin devices (the B37 for example). It’s slightly harder to maneuver this gun than the Ekrin devices. Also, the T-shape handle causes the wrist to strain when you are using the device for longer sessions. As we share our personal observations from using the product, we’ll share why, in our experience, there might be stronger contenders in this price bracket.