Massage guns, especially the variety that utilize percussive therapy, are essentially backed by the same oodles of scientific research that support massage as the ultimate workout recovery tool.

Below the best massage gun list, learn what to look for when shopping for a massage gun.

Best overall high-powered massage gun.

TimTam All New Power Massager.

The TimTam All New Power Massager gave me a start when I turned it on.

When people say that percussive massagers sound and feel like power drills, this is the kind of massage gun they're talking about.

Someone much more brawny and tough than myself may enjoy the high power output of the TimTam All New Power Massager.

The  TimTam Power Massager is the best massage gun overall for people who are looking for more percussion, less vibration.

While it does utilize both, the percussive motion is extremely intense and definitely hits deeper layers of soft tissue.

The Hypervolt Plus, the second generation of the powerful percussion massager from Hyperice, rivals the Theragun in functionality, effectiveness and design, but is the best massage gun if you're also looking for the quietest.

Achedaway Vibration and Percussion Massager.

If I had to pick a favorite, I'd pick the Achedaway Vibration and Percussion Massager.

Quiet and easy to handle, this device features five power and speed settings ranging from 1,500 to 3,250 rpm, which according to the website are suited to wake up muscles, release fascia, eliminate lactic acid, provide deep tissue massage and facilitate muscle recovery.

This ultra-portable massager delivers percussive therapy at five different levels, from just 15 watts to a powerful 160 watts, and 1,200 rpm to 3,200 rpm.

This percussive massager is also relatively quiet: The website claims the massage gun reaches a maximum of 55 decibels, which is softer than the volume at which most people listen to music.

TimTam Power Massager Pro.

Unlike the All New Power Massager, this TimTam model features more power settings that don't feel like repetitive punches to the muscles.

Overall, the Power Massager Pro felt less powerful, yet more effective, than the All New model -- the Power Massager Pro has five settings and is far quieter. .

It also comes with some unique attachments, including an auto-heating tip and a vibration attachment that increases the intensity of the vibration mechanism to add another element of massage alongside the percussion element.

Best budget massage gun?

Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Therapeutic Massager.

I tested out a few budget options, including the HoMedics heated massage gun, Vivreal handheld massager and Renpho deep tissue massage gun, and landed on the Wahl Deep Tissue model as the best (but still not as good as a three-figure device). .

The DreamPro offers six power and speed settings (the most out of any device on this list), ranging from 1,200 to 3,200 repetitions per minute and 20 to 53 Hertz in vibration speed

Percussion therapy and vibration therapy are often used interchangeably, but the two mechanisms do differ

Percussive therapy involves a punching or thumping motion, while vibration therapy involves, well, vibration

The majority of massage guns combine the two mechanisms, resulting in a therapy that reaches deeper layers of tissue (percussion) in addition to the superficial layers (vibration)

Everyone's pain tolerance and massage preferences differ, but anyone can benefit from a massager with at least two settings: one being less intense so you can still use the gun on very sore muscles where you are experiencing muscle tension or pain

Type of motion: As discussed in the Nordictrack description, percussion and vibration are very different

The most expensive massage guns usually offer more adjustable speed, power and motion settings, but less expensive models can certainly get the job done. 

Hyperice, the company that makes the quiet Hypervolt massage gun, also makes a vibrating foam roller, so you can get the effects of percussive therapy and foam rolling at the same time.