ByMario
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Welcome to our hands-on Aura Revive massage gun review. We came across the Revive heated massage gun a while ago, purchased it, and subjected it to our usual tests.
There are things we liked about the Revive massage gun. The first thing that intrigued us was its HSA/FSA eligibility. We also wanted to see its effectiveness as a heated massage gun. Its specs aren’t bad, either.
We tested it using the usual criteria and now have much to say about it. Read on for more.
Aura is based in Brooklyn, New York, in the US. This is a relatively new sports massager on the market, but their website indicates that they have been in operation since 2013.
Apart from the Revive heated massage gun, they also sell other products from two different branches. The branches are Aura Medical (which sells nebulizers and steam inhalers) and Aura Daylight (which sells light therapy devices).
We found out they don’t sell their products on retail channels like Amazon or Walmart. They work exclusively with HSAstore and FSAstore. You can only find their products in these stores.
The Aura Revive massage gun is their flagship muscle massager. It has numerous reviews, many of which are very positive. They also offer a more beefed-up device, the Revive Ultra massage gun.
Summary
If you want to enjoy the FSA/HSA benefits, this is the proper gun. It looks good, feels modern, and performs just above average with a low amplitude and below average percussions. Its biggest selling point are the features and accessories.
| Features | Aura Revive |
|---|---|
| Stall Force | ~25-30 lbs (our estimate) |
| Stroke Length | 9 mm (advertised: 12 mm) |
| Max Percussions | 2600 ppm (advertised: 3500 ppm) |
| Speeds | 5 |
| Battery Life / Capacity | 3h / 2600 mAh (non-removable) |
| Attachments | 8 |
| Weight | 1.92 lbs |
| Noise | 50-65 dB (advertised: 40-60dB) |
| Main Pros | Heated mode Dynamic speeds Interesting attachments Carrying case |
| Main Cons | Acceptable amplitude and stall force Max. percussions lower than advertised There is no rubber on the handle |
| Warranty | One year |
| Aura Revive massage gun price | $199.99 |
| Where to buy with discount | Get it at FSAstore.com or HSAstore.com |
If you wish, you can skip to the section Best Massage Gun Alternatives below:
Nothing is surprising about the design; we’ve seen it before with sports massagers such as Mebak 3 and Darcorm.
However, despite the classic T-shape design, we like their modern approach. It has a nice finish with curved edges, similar to the Mebak 3. The entire body is made of plastic, but good-quality plastic. It feels and looks well put together. It’s sturdy enough and will do the job for a while.
There are no visible screws; you’ll have to go all the way underneath the panel to find one. We also like the matte black finish, although we would’ve appreciated a bit more variety in terms of color – nowadays you only get a white version.
Another good thing is the zippered carrying case, which looks fantastic. Everything is neatly packed, including a user manual with the gun’s specifications and warranty information, as well as an Aura Revive massage gun manual with instructions on how to operate it.
It’s a full-sized sports massager, but not as large as we earlier suspected. It measures about 6.3” x 8.4” x 2.4”.
The handle isn’t adjustable, but it looks decent. It’s a little shorter than we have seen with many other guns, but it will do. The short handle is great for maneuverability, but may be a little short when trying to reach your back.
Since it’s a tad smaller than larger guns (e.g., KiCA Evo), we hoped it would also be lighter. We measured it on our high-precision scale and found 1.92 pounds with the flat (heated) attachment mounted, indicating that it is indeed light and within the optimum range of 1.9 -2.2 lbs (for a full-sized heated massage gun – see the review).
Also, we like that it’s well-balanced – most of the weight is in the handle.
The handle diameter will feel okay for most folk, but guys with smaller hands may want something similar to the Ekrin 365 (review). Even so, this one will still hold.
We only wish Aura had added a bit of rubber on the handle to increase the grip. We worry you’ll have to deal with sweaty hands if you use it for long sessions.
The handle is also a fingerprint magnet.
Our Take:
That said, we still appreciate its size and the way it is well-proportioned. However, we are a bit disappointed they didn’t try to make the Aura Revive heated deep muscle pain relief device a bit lighter.
When comparing the Aura Revive massage gun to other sports massagers, the picture appears slightly different.
You rarely see a 4-button control sports massager. We are used to one-button operation. We are also aware of devices that have an on/off switch located at the bottom of the handle. The Aura Revive massage gun does things a little differently.
The difference isn’t because Aura is trying to be unique; this handheld massager has different massage modes. Aura Revive thought it was wise to have a button for each mode.
The most visible button is the activation button (depicted by the Pause/Play icon). This button activates the muscle massager at the first speed. You can press the button again to increase the speed. The speed indicators consist of 5 LEDs located at the top of the screen.
The other 3 buttons are reserved for the 3 other different modes. There is no Aura Revive massage gun reset button.
Let’s take a look at the massage modes on the Aura Revive deep muscle and joint pain.
The first of the 3 massage mode buttons activates the heated mode, and the same button deactivates it. Once on, a “sun” icon lights up at the center of the display.
The heated mode works with a special flat attachment. Ensure it’s adequately inserted before activating the mode.
Aura says the heating technology used here is infrared and patented. We thought it looked pretty similar to what we saw with the KiCA Evo massage gun and Hypervolt. Either way, it works okay and gets pleasantly warm after about a minute or two.
We concur with Aura that the heated mode helps to relieve pain by promoting blood circulation2–4. We talked about heated therapy in massage guns in a previous post. We won’t go into details here, but it suffices to say that this feature elevates the status of this sports massager.
The therapy is perfect for the back of the neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and calves. You can use the hot percussion treatment after running or cycling in cold weather. It’s also perfect just before you retire for the night. We prefer the heated massage gun attachment over the others.
But the heated mode isn’t the only mode here. There are two other modes.
You can activate this mode using the center button. In this mode, percussions go from low to high in that order, which is suitable before a workout.
In this mode, the speed increases sporadically. It goes from low to high and so on. This mode is appropriate for muscle relaxation after workouts.
These two modes are very similar to the Bob and Brad D6 Pro Plus modes. They are nice to have, but perhaps as optional modes. They are not as top-notch as the heated mode, which makes it a heated massage gun, similar to that on the D6 Pro Plus.
This sports massager comes with 8 attachments. Eight is generous, but we appreciate that they are varied, even if some of them share a similar feel.
They are as follows:
Our Take:
Overall, this is a good set of attachments, even if most are made of hard plastic. We love that they included spare gaskets for the attachments. Gaskets wear out over time, so that’s a nice touch!
Let’s examine how the Aura Revive massage gun performs.
Also known as stroke length, it’s the distance traveled by the massage gun head as it percusses. It determines how deep a massage you can get.
We couldn’t find the stroke length information on Aura’s HSA/FSA product page, but the Aura Revive massage gun manual says it’s 12 mm. We measured it just to be sure (as we always do), and it’s close to 9 mm, not 12 mm, as the manual claims.
Now, 3 mm isn’t a huge difference, but it matters significantly in the world of percussive therapy. With a 9 mm amplitude, the Aura Revive massage gun will be slightly more vibrational than percussive.
This means that this massage gun will suit you if you want a light, soothing massage to relieve mild muscle soreness, promote blood flow, and target the small muscles in the body.
However, it may not provide an effective deep tissue massage on the muscle. It will also not be very effective on large muscles. You will need a gun with a much higher amplitude to achieve a deep tissue massage.
For comparison, it has about 50% less amplitude than any full-sized Theragun or the Bob and Brad D6 Pro (both have 16 mm amplitude). The Theragun mini has a 12 mm amplitude – 25% more, despite being a mini massage gun.
The Stall force of a sports massager is its motor’s ability to withstand pressure. Sometimes, when a sports massager’s amplitude is slightly disappointing, the stall force can save the day if it’s stable enough.
Again, we couldn’t find the stall force information for this sports massager. We had to estimate it using the sports massagers, the stall force of which we already knew.
Our estimation says it has a stall force of 25-30 lbs, which we associate with entry-level massage guns. It slows down when pressed against the body. Nonetheless, we did notice that the stall force improves at speeds 4 and 5.
We compared it to the Theragun Prime (the entry-level Theragun), and the Aura Revive massage gun stalls sooner than the Prime. However, measured against what we think is its true competitor—Urikar Pro 2—it feels a tad more powerful.
The Aura Revive massage gun has 50% less power than other competitors, such as the Ekrin B37. The next Ekrin Athletics model, the Ekrin Kestrel, boasts 28 lbs of stall force in its first speed alone and 56 lbs. of stall force at its top speed.
But don’t let these numbers scare you from trying out the Aura Revive massage gun. We believe this gun has enough power for the average person. About 85% of folks don’t need an aggressive massage where they must press the gun against the body.
Also, if you have never used a heated massage gun before, this gun has more than enough power for your first time using it.
We appreciate that the Revive heated massage gun doesn’t have 30-speed settings, unlike some other muscle massagers. Five speeds are enough, and you can easily toggle between them using the main button.
The percussion range is very impressive (at least on paper). It says that it can go from as low as 1100 RPM to 3500 RPM. We have yet to see a heated massage gun with this kind of range and amplitude; by saying that, the Ekrin Kestrel truly revs up to 3500 RPM.
We had to confirm this using our digital laser tachometer. We measured 1200 PPM at the first speed and 2600 PPM at the top speed. Specifically, for speeds 1 through 5, here’s what we got: 1260 PPM, 1530 PPM, 1820 PPM, 2180 PPM, and 2580 PPM.
Based on our measurement, it’s clear that the Revive massage gun overstates the percussion slightly for the first speed and even more for the top speed (25% less).
But how much of this actually matters? Well, not so much for most people, but for those who seek maximum intensity, the discrepancy in percussion might be discouraging.
The 1200 – 2900 RPM range is okay for most people—you won’t even notice the few PPM missing. You will still miss the intensity of 3200 RPM, as seen with Ekrin Athletic massage guns, but the wide range here is just okay.
We believe it works best at the top speeds. The lower speeds will work better with the heated mode, where you typically don’t require a lot of pressure.
In our Revive massage reviews, we found it to be a reasonably powerful entry-level massager. You can apply some pressure when needed, and it quickly resumes percussion when stalled.
However, we still think the 9 mm stroke will feel vibrational and may be disappointing for users who were hoping for 12 mm—25% less than advertised.
The exaggeration in percussion is also something to be aware of.
This isn’t a huge deal breaker since it’s within the acceptable range, but with the low amplitude and not-so-great maximum percussions, the Aura Revive gun won’t match the best massage guns on the market.
Noise isn’t an issue here. The Aura Revive is quiet, but not like the quietest massage guns we listed in another article. Its low amplitude helps to keep it hushed—high-amplitude sports massagers tend to be noisier.
The lower-than-advertised percussions also help to reduce the noise: since the machine doesn’t percuss so fast, it makes less noise.
In terms of noise, Aura advertises 40 dB at the first speed and 60 dB for the highest speed gear. We think this is slightly understated. Our noise meter measured 52 dB and 65 dB. This is slightly above the normal noise range these days, but the noise will not be too disruptive.
We didn’t hear any significant rattling during our testing. We also noticed that very few vibrations are transferred to the holding hand during the operation, which is great!
The battery has a capacity of 2500mAh. You should expect it to last 2-3 hours for consecutive use. The battery time will heavily depend on the speed and pressure applied during operation.
The extra modes, especially the heated massage gun mode, will expend more energy. The battery is non-removable (there is no Aura Revive massage gun battery replacement), and an Aura Revive massage gun charger is included.
You can check how much juice is left by looking at the color of the LED ring on the handle—it’s red when empty or nearly empty and green when fully charged.
Aura Revive massage gun vs Theragun:
The Aura Revive massage gun is available for $199.99 on FSAstore.com. This is less than the entry-level Theragun Prime, but slightly higher in terms of its capabilities.
It’s undoubtedly the best FSA/HSA-eligible massage gun out there because no other gun offers the kind of features it offers in a single package.
It comes with a 1-year warranty. We don’t know whether it will hold out as long as we have red comments about the Aura revive massage gun not working.
However, if you don’t want to worry about cover for your massage gun, other sports massagers have better warranties; some even offer lifetime warranties.
This is a good entry-level massage gun for everyday use at home. If you are just starting with heated massage guns and don’t need something too powerful or hard-hitting, this is a good option.
Additionally, if you believe you can benefit from a heated massage, it is worth considering. It’s an option for individuals seeking an FSA/HSA-eligible massage gun – the high price shouldn’t be a concern.
It will be a good gun for:
However, it may not be the perfect pick for:
These are our recommended sports massagers. Further down in this article, you will find more details on each of these sports massagers.
Learn more about the massage guns mentioned above.
The Bob and Brad C2 Pro massage gun with hot and cold therapy was launched in December 2023.
The new attributes of this model include a refreshed control panel at the back of the sports massager that displays a stall force indicator.
Bob and Brad massage guns now come with an innovative hot and cold therapy attachment.
Independently, this attachment can warm to 113°F (45 °C) in seconds or cool to 50°F (10 °C).
This new technology sets the C2 Pro apart from the Aura Revive.
The Bob and Brad C2 Pro massage gun is priced as an affordable entry-level sports massager of great quality for everyday use.
This model continues Bob and Brad massage gun goals of delivering quality, user-friendly sports massagers for a broad clientele and easy availability on Amazon.
This sports massager with innovative hot and cold therapy is more affordable than the Aura Revive massage gun. Its price on Amazon is $109.99
When using our link, you will be prompted to their store on Amazon. When you tick the box beside the coupon, you can receive a $20 discount.
Buy it here.
Read More: Here is our detailed review of the Bob and Brad C2 Pro massage gun. If you require one with a long handle to reach your back, consider the X6 Pro Max, which features the same hot/cold attachment.
This one is also HSA/FSA approved. It’s an all-inclusive, premium option with a lifetime warranty.
We voted Ekrin the best massage gun brand. Their Ekrin B37 massage gun outperforms the Aura Revive in many aspects and is also more affordable.
For starters, it’s more powerful and versatile than the Aura Revive massage gun. It has a stall force of up to 56 lbs. It also revs much faster than the Aura Revive massage gun—up to 3200 PPM.
Additionally, it is made of premium materials, unlike the Aura Revive massage gun. It feels soft to the touch and has a top-quality look.
Even the accessories, such as the carrying case and the attachments, are of nicer quality than the Aura Revive massage gun.
It’s also light—it weighs 2.2 pounds. Ergonomically, it has a better handle that is easier to hold. The handle is slanted, which helps to ease tension on the wrist.
The sports massager comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s the only massage gun with a lifetime cover.
The regular price is $229.99, but with the MGA20 coupon, you get a 20% discount, which makes it $183. It is cheaper than the Aura Revive massage gun. Buy it right here.
Read More: Our in-depth Ekrin B37 review.
This one appears to be very different from the Aura Revive massage gun, at least in terms of its overall design.
The other advantage is that it’s FSA/HSA eligible. Additionally, it offers several advantages over the Aura Revive massage gun.
It’s 25% cheaper than the Aura Revive massage gun and sometimes has a higher discount during their sales. KiCA-Care is a renowned brand that has been in operation for years, and the KiCA 3 Pro massage gun is its flagship product.
The Evo Gun features a stable and impressive 12mm amplitude (25% more than the Aura) and a stall force of approximately 25 lbs. The percussion will not slow down when you press it against your body. It’s also quieter than the Aura Revive massage gun.
It comes with 6 attachments that are awesome in quality. One of them is the heated head.
It weighs 1.5 pounds, while the Revive gun is 1.9 pounds.
It only costs $119 when you follow our link.
Read More: Our hands-on KiCA Evo massage gun review.
We would like to mention a few key observations before concluding this Aura Revive massage gun review.
First, this is a decent muscle massager that’s worth the positive reviews on FSA/HSA-eligible stores. Aura makes its massager sound more powerful than it actually is. However, it still has enough power for muscle relaxation and everyday use.
We also appreciate its features, including the heated mode, various dynamic modes, and the excellent accessories. We believe that HSA/FSA eligibility is no longer a key factor in pursuing it.
However, given its price, we don’t believe it offers the best value for a massage gun outside the tax relief.
We listed alternatives above that offer newer hot and cold therapy technology, provide more force, and cost significantly less. It’s up to you to choose any of those HSA/FSA eligible massagers.
What about you? Which heated massage gun do you plan to buy? Drop us a comment down below!
Here's a quick rundown of all the tweaks and edits we've made to this article to keep it accurate and up-to-date!
Current version.
August 1, 2024: Bob and Brad C2 Pro hot and cold therapy included to update our readers on new technologies.
Published on:
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Written by:
Mario
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I have the same gun, also the same problem. I had it charging for the last 4 days now and even though the light is green it won’t turn on. I’m at wits end what to do with it.
We have two Aura Revive guns. My daughters and ours. Neither will charge and we cannot take them apart to redo the connections and reset the battery. There is no battery reset. There is no schematic to show how to take apart. We were able to remove several screws where the attachment interface resides, but that is it.
Big waste of money. Bought on FSA site.