Massage guns have become incredibly popular in recent years, but they're not just a novelty gift to pass around the family after Christmas dinner. There is a huge range of options to suit any budget, which begs the question—what exactly are you paying for when you buy a premium-priced massage gun?

When it comes down to it, surely there's only so much that can be different between an affordable massage gun and an expensive one. In this guide, we're going to take a look at why you don't need to break the bank to reap the benefits of percussion therapy.

1. Branding Matters

We all have brands we love. Whether it's a car, a pair of sneakers, or a box of cereal, we're comfortable with paying a little more than we would for an off-brand item. Partly because we trust their quality, but also partly because a brand carries a certain social status.

The same applies to items within the health and fitness world, and even within massage guns. Just because something has a premium name, doesn't necessarily mean the product itself is going to be more effective, or even last longer than a cheaper option.

2. Design Adds Value

A premium muscle massage gun will use certain materials, both on the body of the gun and on the massage heads. These materials may serve a functional purpose, but often they are simply more aesthetically pleasing than a less expensive option.

If you like your fitness accessories as stylish as they are functional, then you're probably used to paying a premium for them. But if you want a massage gun that does what it's supposed to, you shouldn't need to pay over the odds for it.

3. Versatility Is Important

Massage guns come in many shapes and sizes, but they also come with varying amounts of attachments to make them more versatile. Some massage guns will have a permanently attached silicone ball, whereas others have multiple interchangeable heads. Expect to pay a little more for a fully-loaded muscle massage gun.

That being said, there are massage guns that are both affordable and functional.

4. Is Stronger Better?

A selling point on many massage guns is the power of their motor. It would be reasonable to think that the more powerful the gun, the better it is at things like deep tissue massage for rehabilitation. But it's important to keep in mind that there is a marketing motive behind how powerful a massage gun is. 

Expensive massage guns may claim to have the most powerful motor on the market, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best massage gun you can buy. 

While it's true that a faster motion will allow for more intense tissue massage, studies show that any reasonable speed of massage is adequate for good results.

Massage Guns Are Effective

It's widely accepted that massage guns aren't a fad, and are actually a hugely beneficial tool in rehabilitation and recovery. But there's no need for you to spend too much on one. Keep in mind that marketing is good at making you spend money, so do your research and look at your options before committing to buy.

Check out some more articles to learn even more about massage guns and their benefits.