The best travel-friendly massage guns for runners - Runner's World UK

[Ali Ball]

Hydragun’s mini offering is on the more expensive end of the scale, but they have absolutely rammed it with top-notch features that, we feel, justify the price point.

First up, the power. At 8mm, the amplitude is towards the top end of the spectrum for mini models, and given this is combined with 17.6lbs (8kg) stall force (essentially how much pressure you can apply to the gun before the motor stalls), it packs quite a punch. But that’s not to say portability has been sacrificed. Unlike some compact models, which are only slightly smaller than their big brother counterparts, the Atom is a truly dinky device. It’s lightweight, easy to hold and measures up at just under 15cm in height. Plus it stands up on its own, making for a smaller footprint, and as an added bonus, the brushed aluminium casing feels high-end.

There are three speeds, ranging from 1800 to 3200ppm (again among the higher speeds you can expect from a mini massage gun) and three attachments that differ in firmness as well as shape, for added versatility. The firm, flat head it comes fitted with is ideal for large muscle groups and general use, plus there’s a firm, pointed bullet (goodbye, pressure points) and a softer rubber ball head, which you can use with light pressure on sore spots or with firm pressure on knots, as you would a thumb attachment.

Speaking of pressure — when you apply more than a gentle touch, this does make a bit of a noise. It’s not a din by any stretch, but on higher speeds it emits a high-pitched tone which isn’t the most relaxing. But for the power you get, this is hard to argue with.

The Atom also has a whopping battery life (five hours), comes in a super slick zipped carry case and includes a cleaning cloth, charging cable and several different power adaptors, so you can charge up no matter where you are in the world.