Liz lives and works in the Inland Empire of CA. She was a multi-sport athlete in her youth, competing in softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and swimming. Liz swam collegiately at Webster University where she earned her B.A. degree in Communications. She is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in which she holds an A.A.S. degree from St. Louis Community College – Meramec. Liz has advanced training in orthopedic physical therapy through NextGen PT and in movement analysis through Movement Links. She is also a certified NASM-Performance Enhancement Specialist. Liz is passionate about providing parents and coaches with the knowledge and resources necessary to create a safe and enjoyable environment for young athletes.
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In this best mini massage gun guide, we share with you the best options in ‘small massage gun’ and ‘mini massage gun’ categories, as well as make the selection process a bit easier.
Why trust our reviews? We bought and personally tested 25+ mini massage guns over the past two years. We go as far as to verify the official specs with our set of tools because, unfortunately, too many brands tend to overpromise but underdeliver. Here, you get the verified information.
Short on time?
Look no further than the Ekrin Bantam, with its superb portability, top-notch power-to-size ratio, and lifetime warranty. The MGA20 coupon will give you 20% off.
Alternatively, consider the latest Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini. It shines with the highest amplitude among mini massage guns we’ve tested and stands out as an excellent choice for those looking for top value in their investment.
Here’s what we’ve looked at when testing the devices:
Size: Naturally, we only take mini-sized and small-sized massage guns into consideration;
Performance: Here we look at a number of things;
Stall Force: This is the ability of the massage gun motor to continue working under a certain amount of pressure when pressed on to the body. It affects how effective a gun can be. Basically how deep a massage you can get.
Amplitude: Also known as the stroke length, it is simply how far the head travels back and forth. The longer the better, and the deeper it hits.
Percussion Range: This is how many hits per minute the massage gun can give. Low stall-force devices slow down percussions upon exerting pressure, impacting the effectiveness of a massage.
Brand Trustworthiness: How a brand interacts with its customer is crucial to us and we don’t pass up a chance to speak directly with the seller. Customer support has to be on point.
Accessories Included: We check for the number of attachments and if a travel case is included.
Battery and Charger: A good battery means a good product. Convenience in charging, e.g. via USB, is a plus for us as well.
Warranty: We prefer lifetime warranties, but a 1-year warranty is a minimum.
Value for Money: A small massage gun should at least be sold at a reasonable price.
Read More We will discuss these parameters in detail in the guide section below.
Our Expert Recommendation for the Best Mini Massage Guns
Specs Comparison Table
Here’s a sneak peek into 5 of the recommended mini guns after our testing, along with the two previous generation guns, which we think you should avoid.
In the video below, we’re showing off the Bantam, all its attachments, and what’s included in the box. Plus, we run some speed and stall tests.
Ekrin gave us two magnificent massage guns in Ekrin B37 and its beautiful sequel, the B37S. They also introduced us to excellent customer support and unbelievable faith in their products with a lifetime warranty for everything they sold us.
You better believe we were eager to lay our hands on their mini massage gun. The Bantam is a darling to us here.
It’s basically if the B37 and the B37S had a child it would be the Bantam. Everything they gave us with the full size guns they simply replicated into the Bantam. The only difference being the size.
First photo: Bantam next to the full-sized B37; Second photo: Bantam vs Hypervolt Go 2 and also vs. Theragun mini (last photo). See how small it is?
As you can see, it’s super compact and perfect in size. In fact, if there ever is an on-the-go travel massage gun, this is it.
It measures just 6.5” by 4.5” by 1.9. Just about the same height as iPhone 12 Pro and noticeably smaller than the Hypervolt Go 2, for instance.
It has superb ergonomics with its 15-degree angled handle and weighs only 1.1 lbs.
The build quality of this mini massage gun is equally impressive. It not only feels durable, it is durable: we’ve had it with us on a number of hikes, and even though we accidentally dropped it a few times, nothing bad ever happened to it. This is part because of the sturdy, and slightly rubberized plastic it’s been made of, and part because of how well it’s been put together.
Ekrin Bantam is tiny, light, and durable – great travel massage gun.
Obviously being a smaller gun you’d expect some compromises. That’s why the stall force is 35lbs. and not 56lbs. like the bigger guns. Still this is very impressive power for a mini massage gun. It also has a respectable amplitude of 10mm – you won’t need more.
Rpms are impressive as well, running at 2000-3200rpm with 3 gears to separate the intensity. This is standard percussions range for most guns in this category, but it feels slightly more stable. We’ve verified the percussion range using our laser tachometer device.
Perhaps the most important feature, as far as the performance is concerned, is the Bantam’s ability to give an intense, deep tissue massage without slowing down percussions upon pressing it harder to larger muscles. This is where 95% of other mini massage guns fail miserably. They’re just too weak for the job.
We independently verified the Bantam’s ability to deliver 3200 percussions per minute.
In other words, when you get the device rev at 3200 hits per minute, it will continue rev as fast even after pressure is exerted (due to high stall force).
It’s a quiet device as well, with only about 55-62dB noise level – we checked with our noise meter.
Other things you may want to know include its superior built-in Samsung battery that’ll give you 3-5 hours of battery juice. Unlike its bigger counterparts, the Bantam has a USB-C cord charger.
It comes with 4 attachments and a very informative instructional manual on how to use the heads. You’ll also be pleased to learn that it comes in a nicely done travel case.
Lastly, this mini massage gun is backed by Ekrin’s signature lifetime warranty.
It costs $149.99 but you can use our coupon code MGA20 that gives you 20% off so you can have it at only $119.99 in the Ekrin’s store right here.
Read MoreCheck out our full Bantam review if it caught your attention.
Ekrin Bantam – the best mini percussion massager in our opinion.
The Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini has arrived on the scene (November 2023), challenging current standards of mini massage guns with its impressive features and unmatched value. And after adding it to this list, we must admit this compact powerhouse clearly stands out.
Its size puts it in the middle of the pack; it is only slightly larger than the Theragun mini with which it directly competes. The build quality and high-grade materials ensure durability without the bulk.
Here you can check out our unboxing and first impressions video, which includes stalling tests and size comparision:
Despite its smaller size, it doesn’t compromise on specifications.
Its impressive 12mm amplitude, a rare find in mini massage guns, delivers deep and effective muscle penetration, exactly matching the mentioned Theragun mini.
In terms of stall force, the Air 2 Mini may slightly trail behind the Bantam, but it holds its own for everyday use (except about 20lbs). Its performance is consistent and reliable, making it suitable for routine muscle maintenance.
It’s especially user-friendly for beginners or those with moderate massage needs. For our testing procedure, I’ve used it numerous times as part of my running warm-up routine, and it has worked perfectly.
Also ergonomics, though it’s not its strongest suit, are designed for a comfortable grip. We find ourselves partial to the classic shape for easier maneuverability, like that of the Bantam, for example.
Where the Air 2 Mini really shines is its attachment set. It surpasses rivals like the Theragun mini or Bantam, offering a versatile range of attachments (5 pieces) that are easy to swap out and effectively target various muscle groups. And there is one cushioned included, a big plus!
And finally, its last standout feature: the price. At under $90, it’s a steal, especially with our exclusive code MGAAIR2MINI, which offers an additional 10% off.
While the original Theragun Mini left much to be desired, the Mini 2.0 is a game changer in the mini massage guns arena.
With a verified 12mm stroke length, it packs a punch that even the best mini massage gun on the market, the Bantam, can’t quite match (the Bantam still has an impressive 10mm for mini standards, but 12mm is the best). If you prefer a punchy feeling, the Theragun Mini 2.0 is the way to go.
The Bantam will feel slightly vibrational compared to Theragun mini 2.0 in this regard. Still, the Bantam betters Theragun mini 2.0 with its 3200RPM max percussions (vs. 2450 in Theragun).
The new mini 2.0 is smaller, lighter and overall much better than its predecessor.
But it’s not just the performance that has us excited about this new addition. The Theragun Mini 2.0 is now smaller and lighter than its predecessor, making it even more portable and easier to use. It now weighs just 1.1 pounds (watch out, Bantam!) compared to Mini 1’s 1.5 pounds.
Plus, it’s finally quiet! Theragun has addressed the biggest concern that users had with the Mini 1. And with its USB-C compatibility and three attachments included, the Theragun Mini 2.0 is now a much better value for its price point than before.
The new Mini 2.0 is much quieter, and as compact as the Bantam (second picture).
However, despite its many advantages, we feel that Theragun Mini 2.0 still falls just short of the Bantam in terms of overall value:
The Bantam boasts faster percussions (which for many folks is quite effective),
it has more stall force (35lbs. compared to just about 20lbs. for the mini 2.0),
it comes with a carrying case included in its package, making it the better choice for many users.
And with a lifetime warranty and a 20% discount the Bantam is the clear winner when it comes to quality and what you get for the money.
That being said, we can’t recommend the Theragun Mini 2.0 enough for those looking for a mini massage gun that delivers impressive performance in a sleek, compact package.
It’s an upgrade that actually lives up to the hype, and we’re excited to see what Theragun has in store for future iterations.
Theragun mini 2.0 will cost you $199, but if you apply the X8YZF10 code at the checkout, you will get 10% off – only pay $179.1. Use this link to buy it at therabody.com.
Bob and Brad have dubbed themselves as the best physical therapists on the internet. It’s not hard to see why because they have a YouTube channel with over 4 million subscribers. They help people with actionable advice on how to diagnose muscle problems and treat them.
They also offer very good advice on massage guns. They have been selling percussion massagers for a while now, and the Q2 Mini is one of their exquisite massage guns (the other is the Theragun-like D6 Pro model).
During our test, the Q2 Mini impressed us just like its bigger brother and we chose to include it in this guide as a result.
Talking of fitting perfectly, this device will literally fit in your pocket – hopefully you’ve pockets that can fit a 5.7”x 3.4 x 1.8 massage gun. It’s so small, you may have trouble believing it’s not a toy.
But at 1 lbs (with an attachment), it is the lightest option on our list, sizable enough to deliver as a true mini massage gun (we think it’s the best travel massage gun on the list).
Bob and Brad Q2 is a true mini massage gun.
It has a rather unique shape compared to the rest here. It’s a rounded shape that’s more oval than anything else.
We would recommend this for people who want to have a massage gun that can relieve slight pain in muscles, break lactic acid build-up, or just get a much needed session after a long day at the office. You’ll find the very reasonable stall force quite useful (we estimate it at upper 20s lbs, if not 30lbs.)
The amplitude is a bit of a let-down because it’s only 7mm. But the percussions per minute range is decent and will give you up to 3000 hits. We verified both these values in our test lab.
Bob and Brad Q2 vs. Ekrin Bantam – the Q2 is a tad smaller, but the Bantam is stronger.
You get 5 speed gears to go with the high percussions. You probably won’t get a harder punch, but you’ll definitely get a thorough massage.
It comes with 5 attachment heads, which is awesome because with a full set there’s more to your massage session.
The battery is powerful enough, parking just the right capacity of juice – 2500mAh. You can use it for 3-4 hours before you think of charging it again. A USB-C charge cord is provided. If you love traveling bags, this one comes in a tiny nice carrying case.
If you’re absolutely tight on budget then this mini massage gun will serve you well. It won’t offer you the best in power but it’s very low-priced.
Lifepro Dyna Mini – The Smallest One
Lifepro might not be a top banana in the bunch. At least not as far as mini massage guns go. But they built a good reputation with their massage guns, as well as a variety of other fitness products.
Their Dyna Mini is an interesting mini massage gun, though. Interesting because in terms of size, it’s super tiny. It’s smaller than all of the guns we’ve looked at. At only about 5.6”H x 3.5”L x 1.7”W, it can easily fit into the pocket.
They say it’s made with aircraft grade aluminum. We’ll give them that because, anything but plastic, right? A lot of these massage guns are made with plastic.
Onto serious business, and we noticed the stall force is somewhere between 12-15 lbs. which isn’t much, but is enough to treat sore neck, provide relaxation after a workout, and also if you are just looking to have a light, soothing massage.
We measured the amplitude to be 6mm, which again isn’t impressive as compared to our top picks above, but if you consider the size of this gun, and the price, it is probably acceptable.
Percussion range is 1300-3200rpm with 4 built-in speeds. This is normal range stuff as far as most massage guns go. Even so, it’s a super quiet massage gun – much better than what we’ve seen so far – with 45-53dB noise levels (this is largely due to small amplitude). Hushed!
Ekrin Bantam vs. Lifepro DynaMini (first picture) and Lifepro DynaMini vs. Bob and Brad Q2
We checked the stats on the battery and our jaws almost dropped. 16 hours is super impressive don’t you think? But hold on a minute, we realized it only goes that long if you were using it at the lowest of speeds. If you go a bit more intensive, you’ll run out of juice in about 7-9 hours. Which is still pretty impressive.
It may be a tiny massage gun but Dyna Mini comes with 4 attachments unlike Theragun Mini. They offer a lifetime warranty, just like Ekrin, and have a superb customer support system – we had a smooth buying experience.
If you want to buy it you’ll only part with $80.90 if you use the coupon MGA10 that gives you 10% OFF the regular price. Get it in theLifepro Store right here.
By now, you might have noticed that the Hypervolt Go 2 is missing from our list. Are you wondering why it didn’t make the cut? We’re aware of the hype surrounding Hyperice devices, so here we will tell you honestly what we think about it, enabling you to make your own informed choice.
Hypervolt Go 2 – Pricey, With No Clear Advantage
Unlike the Theragun mini, we didn’t have any mixed feelings with this one. It doesn’t have any clear advantage(s) over the others. We’ll share some points about how we feel:
It has 10mm amplitude which is the same as the Bantam.
It has a disappointing stall force of only about 12-15 lbs (our estimation). It stalls very easily, unfortunately, and it’s feels very underpowered compared to all guns on this list (maybe except of the Dyna Mini, but Dyna is like 30-40% smaller)
Not really a unique design – tons of guns look the same i.e. it borrows a leaf from Ekrin’s design book as far as the ergonomics go.
It weighs 1.5lbs. Possibly the heaviest of them all.
They also don’t get any points over any of the others as far as portability. It’s worse really, no pouch, no case, nothing!
It comes with only 2 attachment heads.
No USB-C charging cord option.
Just the 1-year warranty.
Sells at a hefty price point. Definitely not a great option if your budget isn’t as flexible.
You see why it doesn’t make our list, don’t you?
Oh, and it you wonder if the Go 2 is better than the Go 1 then we’ll tell you right away – it is not. It is about the same.
TIP Refer to our Hypervolt Go 2 Review to read what has changed and what has not vs. the Go 1.
Hypervolt Go 2 compared side-by-side to Ekrin Bantam.
Things to Pay Attention To When Choosing
With massage guns, big is often better. At least if you really want to get results. But small is just as good if not better. They will not give you intensive percussion therapy, but they will offer you just about enough to keep you going. They will work to:
Improve your blood flow 1.
Provide relief to sore muscles by breaking up the lactic acid accumulation especially after a workout session.
Reduce tension or inflammation 2.
Improve muscle performance 3. You can do this by having a quick massage before a workout session. It’s even more effective when you have one after.
The full-sized massage guns will still give you all of these, or perhaps even better, but the important thing here is the portability the little percussive devices offer you instead.
But perhaps that’s just about the only great thing about a mini percussion massager will give you. Unlike their full-size counterparts, the mini massage guns;
Won’t give you an aggressive, punchy deep tissue massage. This is because their less than enough stall force and amplitude likely won’t get the job done.
Because of this, regular sized guns are a better choice for people with massive body sizes or muscles, athletes, bodybuilders or those looking for intensive percussive therapy.
The Bantam’s well suited to deliver the deep tissue massage on the go.
Even though you may not get as intensive massages as the regular sized guns, it’s important that your choice will serve your purposes just as well. Here are key things to pay attention to as you make your choice:
Size and Weight
Quite obviously, when you shop for a mini massage gun the size and weight are two very important factors. You should know that although most massage gun brands tend to call small massage guns as ‘mini’, there are two main types as far as size is concerned.
Smallest devices, which we like to call as mini massage guns. These are Ekrin Bantam, Lifepro DynaMini, as well as the Bob and Brad Q2.
Slightly bigger, yet still very compact ones. We call them small massage guns instead of mini. Example devices Hypervolt Go 2.
When it comes to two industry darlings, Hypervolt Go 2 and Theragun mini, we would classify the former as small and the latter as mini (as the name suggests).
Weight Comparison (lbs.)
Stall Force
This is the amount of pressure needed to stall the motor of any given percussive massager.
This is measured in pounds (you’ll notice we always abbreviate it as “lbs.”). A stronger motor will not stall easily when pressed down hard on the body.
It’s important that the compact massage gun you choose has a stall force of at least more than 20lbs.
We prefer going for the ones that are listed as having 30-plus pounds of stall force. This is because there are many cheap devices bearing the same title that are listed as having only 10lbs. stall force. We are sorry to say that those aren’t really offering percussive therapy but vibration therapy.
Stall Force Comparison (lbs.)
Conclusion As far as the performance is concerned, Ekrin Bantam has the most power.
Stroke Length (Amplitude)
This is also known as the stroke length. It refers to how far the massage head will travel as the device vibrates.
The head hits the part of the body you’re trying to massage rather than just vibrate over it. With this one, the longer the length, the more punch you’ll feel.
For some people, a longer amplitude punches gets the job done much more effectively. For others, however, it is the frequency (percussions per minute) that matters the most – think of what kind of feeling you refer (light or hard kicking).
Most mini massage guns will have about 6-10mm amplitude. This is the accepted standard here. Anything lower than that and you’re probably just buying a vibrating tool rather than a percussive therapy device.
Conclusion Amplitude is the one feature where the Theragun mini shines with its 12mm. Now, the new Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini matches this, offering a better price. However, sometimes you might prefer to trade a bit of head travel for more no-stall force.
The 12 mm amplitude of both the Theragun Mini and the Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini is truly impressive for mini devices.
Percussion Range
This is the measure of how much faster the device can hit. However, these aren’t really the magic numbers.
Just because a gun has more hits per minute doesn’t mean it’s the most effective, at least not always. This is because sometimes the manufacturer may choose amplitude over percussion range. In that case the device isn’t hitting faster, but hits deeper.
In fact, the longer the stroke (amplitude), the slower device will percuss. For example the Theragun Mini may have only 2400rpms but it makes up for the reduced speed with a 12mm long stroke. On the other hand, Ekrin Bantam has ~20% less amplitude, but revs up to 3200rpms – a whooping 800rpm difference.
Therefore, here, instead of just looking at how fast the device works, or how long the stroke is, factoring in the amplitude is recommended.
Also, you’ll do well to pick a device with 3000rpm but with 10mm amplitude, rather than one with 3500rpm but only 6mm stroke length.
Comparing RPMs: Theragun Mini with a long amplitude at 2400rpm max, and Ekrin Bantam with a shorter amplitude but higher 3200 rpms. Each offers a unique approach and experience, neither inherently better or worse.
Speed Options
How many speed options is good enough? Most mini massage guns come with 3-5 speed options.
On the lower end look for at least 3, but you’ll probably need 4 or at most 5. Sometimes however, it’s not surprising to find devices that have over 15 speed options.
In our opinion this is ridiculous (all pun intended). How many times do you think you’ll have to press the button on the device to find the right range?
Noise Level
A mini massage gun’s motor will make a certain amount of noise when it’s turned on. There’s tolerable noise and then there’s madhouse noise levels.
You can get any of these depending on what device you pick. However, since you are probably looking for something to use in the office or at the gym without drawing unnecessary attention, we’d recommend less noisy guns.
The optimum noise level for us would be less than 65dB, with the 35 dB being the ambient sound in the room. Mini massage guns tend to be quieter than their full sized counterparts, so this shouldn’t be much of a hassle.
We’ve made the choice easier here because none of the guns in our list are loud. They wouldn’t make the list if they were.
We measure noise levels of every device that we test. Here are the Theragun mini and Bob and Brad Q2 Mini at their top speeds.
…And a Few More Considerations
Apart from what we just explained above, sometimes the cherry on the top doesn’t do any harm at all. So here are a few cherries you might want to consider when making a choice:
Materials: As you’ll see below, some massage guns are made from metal (aluminum) while some others are plastic/rubber. From our experience, the former are better for home use, while the latter are more practical and better for people on the go (e.g. great for hiking trips).
Number of attachments: One or two attachments on any device just isn’t enough for us. Get a device that has at least 4 attachments. This gives you more options to massage different parts of the body.
Battery capacity: You’ll rarely find a mini massage gun that won’t run for at least 2-3 hours on a single charge. You’ll probably only need to charge them once in a week.
Charger type: Smaller massage guns should at least afford you with a convenient charging means. A USB-C is much more suitable than a dedicated charger.
Travel case: You want a device that at least gives you the option to carry your massage gun around easily.
The Air 2 Mini and Bantam come with a case, and the Theragun Mini includes a pouch. The Hypervolt Go 2 doesn’t come with any of these accessories.
Bottom Line
We’ve come to the end of our mini massage gun guide. Hopefully you have enjoyed the ride and will be a lot wiser when you pick your best mini percussion massager.
To conclude, the Ekrin Bantam is our top pick in the mini category with superb ergonomics, more no-stall force, lifetime warranty and wonderful customer support from the company. It also proved to be very effective in our test, so it doesn’t get as comprehensive as this!
Our second best recommendation is the new Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini, which will give you a more percussive experience at an attractive price point.
Please drop a comment below if you have any questions or need more information. We’ll be glad to help.
References
1.
Weerapong P, Hume P, Kolt G. The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention. Sports Med. 2005;35(3):235-256. doi:10.2165/00007256-200535030-00004
2.
Dupuy O, Douzi W, Theurot D, Bosquet L, Dugué B. An Evidence-Based Approach for Choosing Post-exercise Recovery Techniques to Reduce Markers of Muscle Damage, Soreness, Fatigue, and Inflammation: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Front Physiol. 2018;9:403. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00403
3.
Davis H, Alabed S, Chico T. Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020;6(1):e000614. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000614
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Post Update History
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.
December 6, 2023 Updated our rankings to feature the Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini as our #2 pick and added a video review; removed Renpho R3 for not being a true mini massager and dropped Theragun Mini 1st Gen due to unavailability. (Author: Greg)
November 15, 2023 UX and internal/external linking changes for better navigation and experience. (Author: Greg)
July 14, 2023 Minor editorial adjustments made to enhance clarity and improve readability. (Author: Greg)
July 11, 2023 Ekrin Bantam unboxing/preview video has been added to the article. (Author: Greg)
June 3, 2023Updated for June 2023 with the latest pricing, discount and where-to-buy information. (Author: Greg)
April 23, 2023Added a comparison table to make comparing specs and features easier. (Author: Greg)
February 28, 2023Added new photos of Theragun Mini, Ekrin Bantam. (Author: Greg)
February 15, 2023Added new photos of Lifepro DynaMini. (Author: Greg)
January 9, 2022Added Bob and Brad Q2 Mini to the list, following our hands-on review. (Author: Greg)
December 1, 2022Added Theragun Mini 2 as our second best recommendation, following the review we’ve done. (Author: Greg)
November 20, 2021Removed Minirex from our recommendations, after hearing reports about major shipping issues.
Hey, I'm Greg, co-founder of MassageGunAdvice.com, with three years of experience in testing over 50 different massage guns. As an avid marathon runner interested in sports tech, I ensure our product reviews are accurate. My responsibility is to verify device specifications and maintain review consistency, simplifying product comparisons for our readers. With a web and graphic design background, I snap the photos and videos you see and keep our site looking sharp.
I recently stumbled upon this article while researching mini massage guns, and I must say it’s incredibly informative and helpful. The detailed reviews and comparisons provided a clear understanding of the top options available in the market. I appreciate the fact that the author personally tested the products and shared their honest opinions. This article has definitely made my decision-making process much easier. Thank you!
Thanks for the thorough comparison.
Not sure what your ranking is though:
Q2: “the best travel massage gun after Ekrin Bantam”
Air 2 Mini: Our second best recommendation is the new Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini
Also, do the mini/travel massage guns require more grip strength or effort to hold in place or press against the muscle because they’re lighter?
More generally, are there significant disadvantages to using a mini/travel massage gun that are not captured by the specs? (Beyond the obvious like handle size and the ability to reach certain spots.)
Hey Taylor, thanks for the comment. Looks like some parts were unclear (sorry about that), so I’ve tweaked the content.
Now, to clear up your doubts: Our go-to is the Bantam (it’s small but packs a punch), with the Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini as a close second (bigger amplitude, less power, and not as comfy to hold, but good value for money). The Q2 is what we suggest for those who want something super compact, though it does mean a trade-off in power (and it’s clear compared to the other two).
Generally speaking, mini/travel massage guns are designed to achieve a compact size and be easy to transport. This is done at the cost of power; it’s not easy to fit a strong motor (which, BTW, requires a larger battery) into a small, lightweight device. Many of these small massagers out there aren’t that strong and might stall if you press hard. Our recommendations stand out in this (especially the Bantam) while still remaining small and portable.
And finally, the fact that these devices are lighter doesn’t have a significant impact on how hard you need to press them – the truth is, any of them will stop if pressed too hard. They’re just not built for extreme force.
Hope this clears things up for you!
Hi Greg,
Many thanks for your quick and thorough reply!
I ended up with the Q2.
The Q2 offers enough power; the attachments I need; a compact, portable, attractive and ergonomic design; and low noise. All of your information was a great help!
On sale at best buy right now for $129. I couldn’t wait to try it, when I heard it in a store at the airport I was blown away. When I played mine, it was nothing like the sound I hey. No strong base, I’m hoping because it’s only at. 30 charge
Hello Lajuana, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, you didn’t specify which massager you’re referring to, and we’re really curious to know. Could you please let us know?
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message
home a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog.
A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
Any thoughts on the Pulsio Air? Seems pretty solid on paper.
Hi. Great website, and reviews. I read that the latest iteration of the Theragun Mini has a usb-c charging option, comes with three heads, got smaller and lighter, and maybe increased also it’s stall force? Isn’t it correct? Ciao, Diego (Milan, Italy)
Yes, it’s much smaller, has USB-C charging, and includes three heads instead of just one. It’s also notably quieter now. However, the stall force feels the same as before. Feel free to read the full review for a comparison to the mini 1.0.
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I recently stumbled upon this article while researching mini massage guns, and I must say it’s incredibly informative and helpful. The detailed reviews and comparisons provided a clear understanding of the top options available in the market. I appreciate the fact that the author personally tested the products and shared their honest opinions. This article has definitely made my decision-making process much easier. Thank you!
Thanks for the thorough comparison.
Not sure what your ranking is though:
Q2: “the best travel massage gun after Ekrin Bantam”
Air 2 Mini: Our second best recommendation is the new Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini
Also, do the mini/travel massage guns require more grip strength or effort to hold in place or press against the muscle because they’re lighter?
More generally, are there significant disadvantages to using a mini/travel massage gun that are not captured by the specs? (Beyond the obvious like handle size and the ability to reach certain spots.)
Hey Taylor, thanks for the comment. Looks like some parts were unclear (sorry about that), so I’ve tweaked the content.
Now, to clear up your doubts: Our go-to is the Bantam (it’s small but packs a punch), with the Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini as a close second (bigger amplitude, less power, and not as comfy to hold, but good value for money). The Q2 is what we suggest for those who want something super compact, though it does mean a trade-off in power (and it’s clear compared to the other two).
Generally speaking, mini/travel massage guns are designed to achieve a compact size and be easy to transport. This is done at the cost of power; it’s not easy to fit a strong motor (which, BTW, requires a larger battery) into a small, lightweight device. Many of these small massagers out there aren’t that strong and might stall if you press hard. Our recommendations stand out in this (especially the Bantam) while still remaining small and portable.
And finally, the fact that these devices are lighter doesn’t have a significant impact on how hard you need to press them – the truth is, any of them will stop if pressed too hard. They’re just not built for extreme force.
Hope this clears things up for you!
Hi Greg,
Many thanks for your quick and thorough reply!
I ended up with the Q2.
The Q2 offers enough power; the attachments I need; a compact, portable, attractive and ergonomic design; and low noise. All of your information was a great help!
On sale at best buy right now for $129. I couldn’t wait to try it, when I heard it in a store at the airport I was blown away. When I played mine, it was nothing like the sound I hey. No strong base, I’m hoping because it’s only at. 30 charge
Hello Lajuana, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, you didn’t specify which massager you’re referring to, and we’re really curious to know. Could you please let us know?
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message
home a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog.
A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
Any thoughts on the Pulsio Air? Seems pretty solid on paper.
Hi. Great website, and reviews. I read that the latest iteration of the Theragun Mini has a usb-c charging option, comes with three heads, got smaller and lighter, and maybe increased also it’s stall force? Isn’t it correct? Ciao, Diego (Milan, Italy)
Yes, it’s much smaller, has USB-C charging, and includes three heads instead of just one. It’s also notably quieter now. However, the stall force feels the same as before. Feel free to read the full review for a comparison to the mini 1.0.