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Massage gun attachments: which heads you actually need
Updated
Most people use two heads: a round ball for big muscles and something softer for tender spots. Our picks come with anywhere from 2 heads to 10. A long list of heads is easy to add to a box. It does not change how deep the gun can work. That is amplitude and stall force.
- TOLOCO EM2610 heads
- Bob and Brad D6 Pro7 heads
- Hypervolt 2 Pro5 heads
- Theragun Prime (6th Gen)2 heads
What the common heads are for
| Head | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Ball or standard ball | All-round use on big muscles. Therabody calls its Standard Ball the head for all-over recovery |
| Dampener or cushion | Softer, for tender or sensitive areas. Therabody includes a Dampener. Bob and Brad's D6 Pro has an Air Cushion head |
| Flat | Broad pressure on large, dense muscles like the thigh |
| Fork | Works along either side of a long muscle. Not over the spine itself |
| Bullet or thumb | A small point for one tight spot. The most intense head, so use it briefly and on a low speed |
How many heads come with each pick
- TOLOCO EM26: 10 heads. Owners like the assortment.
- Bob and Brad D6 Pro: 7 heads, including the Air Cushion.
- Hypervolt 2 Pro: 5 heads: fork, ball, cushion, flat and bullet.
- Theragun Prime (6th Gen): 2 heads, the Dampener and the Standard Ball.
- Bob and Brad C2, RENPHO Thermacool 2 and Q2 Mini: the listings we read do not give a count. The C2 comes with a carrying case for its heads.
Soft heads do not make bone safe
Makers sell cushion heads for sensitive areas. Bob and Brad even says its Air Cushion suits bony joints. Our advice is more careful. Cleveland Clinic says to stick to muscles, not bones, and warns that running a gun over a bony spot can hurt. Therabody lists bony prominences as a reason for extra care. Use soft heads on tender muscle, not as a way to work over bone.
Keep them clean
Wipe heads after each use, above all if you share the gun, and follow the manual's cleaning steps. Never use a head over broken skin. Compare the guns themselves with the checker and our shortlist.
Health note. This is general information, not medical advice. Keep the gun on muscle, not bone, and off the head, face, the front of the neck and any injury, bruise or open wound. Ask your doctor first if you are pregnant, have or have had a blood clot, have a pacemaker or other implanted heart device, have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners. See where not to use a massage gun.