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This is another Bob and Brad massage gun we are reviewing this year. But this one may be the most interesting of the Bob and Brad massage gun brand we have seen yet.
We’ll be looking at whether this sports massager is a worthy muscle massager. Or is it the Theragun Pro knockoff that it uncannily resembles?
Welcome to this in-depth Bob and Brad D6 Pro massage gun review.
Review Conclusion
We will say a few things at the end of this Bob and Brad D6 Pro review.
This is an awesomely 16 mm amplitude sports massager combined with a powerful ~60 lbs stall force (our estimate). It’s well-designed and of amazing quality. It’s one of the most affordable massage guns (in the 16 mm amplitude category). It gives you the best deep tissue massage or trigger point massage.
It has 7 massage gun attachments (including a soft air-cushion head), 6 speeds, and a lockable rotational head with 6 positions. This allows you to find the best angle and grip for holding the sports massager on hard-to-reach areas, such as when treating pain in lower back and buttocks.
But the resemblance to the Theragun Pro is appalling. Its value for money is amazing (less than the price of Therabody’s smallest percussion massager, the Theragun mini), and it is one of the best sports massagers at the moment. Still, like any other percussion massager, we don’t know how it will hold in the long run (i.e., noise, battery, and motor performance).
In This Article
- Review Conclusion
- Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun Review
- Unboxing the Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun: Video Review
- What Is Included?
- Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun Design
- Massage Gun Size and Ergonomics
- Understanding the Controls
- Exploring Different Massage Gun Attachments
- Performance Review
- Warranty and Price
- Bob and Brad D6 Pro vs. Theragun Pro – Summary
- Best Alternative – Achedaway Pro
TIP: If you haven’t heard of Bob and Brad, they are perhaps the most famous physiotherapists online. Their YouTube channel has close to half a billion.
Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun Review
Bob and Brad D6 Pro Specifications
Our testing impressions:
- Really powerful deep tissue massage gun
- Top-notch design & quality
- Excellent Value for Money
Our review score:
4.7
Get 10% Off with the MGAD6PRO code.
Buy it here
| Feature | Bob and Brad D6 Pro Specs |
|---|---|
| Stall Force | ~60 lbs (advertised: 80 lbs) |
| Stroke Length | 16 mm |
| Speeds | 6 |
| Percussion range | 1460 – 2460 RPM (advertised: 1500 – 2500 RPM) |
| Weight | 2.86 lbs (measured with a flat attachment) |
| Dimensions | 10.5″ x 7.6″ x 3.1″ |
| Massage Gun Attachments | 7 included |
| Noise (decibel) | ~67.1 dB (on top speed) |
| Battery | 2500 mAh 1.5 – 2 hours (advertised: 3 hours) |
| Pros | Very powerful True to specs USB-C charging Adjustability Nice Attachments Good Ergonomics |
| Cons | Heavy Non-removable battery Too Theragun-ish? (lack of uniqueness) |
| Warranty | 1-year default 2-year for our readers |
| Base Price & Discount | $249.99 before coupon Apply the MGAD6PRO code for the extra 10% off* |
| Where to Buy | Check at Amazon |
*apply the code at Amazon checkout.
Unboxing the Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun: Video Review
What Is Included?
We have to talk about the carrying case first, which is reminiscent of all other Bob and Brad massage gun cases. It’s a semi-hard case, a single zippered bag.
It’s perhaps the first real difference from the Theragun Pro Gen 5. The Bob and Brad D6 Pro case is softer and perhaps better than the one on a Theragun Pro (see it in our review here). It looks sturdy and likely to last a while.
We also like how compact they kept it—just enough to fit the sports massager, the massage gun heads, and whatever else needed to fit in there.
There is a small pouch that carries the massage gun attachments, which is awesomely convenient.
The manual, which includes the device’s specs, is also included. It has very well-written “how to use” information—probably the best we have seen in a while. It’s 86 pages long and includes lots of information and pictures.
We also found a USB charger and two spare gaskets for the massage gun attachments.
Now, back to the device itself.
Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun Design
If we didn’t know better, we’d say this design looks similar to the Theragun Pro.
Maybe it’s not quite the triangular shape of the Theragun Pro, but there’s no mistaking that someone was referencing the Theragun Pro when they designed this one.
Either way, it’s not that bad. We’d say the quality is excellent and almost close to what the Theragun Pro has.
It’s nicely built with decent-quality materials. The body is all plastic, but it’s good-quality plastic. We love the sleek finish with rounded edges—it looks very modern. The frame is all cover in rubber to enhance grip.
Another thing we noticed (put that in the differences bucket) is that there is no aluminum plating, as on the Theragun Pro, which is the motor cover. That aside, there is no denying this device could resemble the Theragun Pro (a classic case of “copy everything but don’t make it obvious”). What are we talking about?
The OLED display is located in more or less the same place as on the Theragun Pro. Even though the ergonomics have been slightly tweaked, the percussion arm is painted glossy black, even as the rest is matte black. The same thing as Theragun Pro.
As you will see in other sections of this review, there are even more similarities.
Our Take:
The Bob and Brad D6 Pro massage gun is a highly impressive massage gun at first glance.
The build quality and everything else is on point (if you like). If you have seen the Theragun Pro (if not, here is our review), you might know what we’re on to. But is this a good thing?
Well, this is likely awesome for customers. But we’re not overly impressed by how uncannily similar it is to one of the most popular massage guns (Therabody Theragun).
We know that Therabody has patented1 the overall design of its massage guns, including some features. We know that even the massage gun attachment design and other features are patented. It helps to keep them unique, something we like to applaud whenever we mention Therabody.
The D6 Pro looks like a copycat of the Theragun Pro. We’ll give them credit for not making everything similar. But we have mixed feelings about this.
Nevertheless, we are not expert designers and didn’t take part in making this massage gun. We can only give our honest assessment based on the experience we have gathered using massage guns.
No doubt, customers will want to buy this affordable Theragun Pro knockoff.
Massage Gun Size and Ergonomics
This large sports massager measures 10.5 inches high, 7.6 inches wide (without the massage gun attachment), and 3.1 inches thick.
It weighs 2.86 pounds (or 1299 grams) with a flat head massage gun attachment mounted, about the same as Theragun Pro gen 5, which weighs 2.82 pounds with the ball head-mounted.
If we consider the percussion massager weight standard, this is one of the heaviest devices on the market. This means your arm will be fatigued if you hold it for longer.
But Bob and Brad massage gun brand ensures you get an ergonomic muscle massager that sort of mitigates the extra weight problem. When discussing ergonomics, we must mention how similar it is to Theragun Pro, but the devil is in the details.
Bob and Brad massage gun brand avoided Theragun’s signature triangular shape and opted for a D-shape with two handling areas—should we call them handles? Even then, Theragun’s shape is better because you have three handles. Even the angling is better.
This D-shape adopted by Bob and Brad D6 Pro doesn’t offer plenty of angles to work with. In fact, the two handles feel pretty similar. However, we noticed that the distance between the handles makes one better for massaging the front muscles (like trapezius muscle pain). At the same time, the other handle is better for massaging the back muscles or glute muscle pain.
The bottom and upper handles work the same way and help you with a proper trigger point massage. But they are not as versatile as Theragun’s handles. These ergonomics are great for such a large and heavy sports massager.
But why didn’t they go for Therabody’s patented triangular shape? Your guess is as good as ours. We’ll refer to what we alluded to earlier: a case of copying but not making it obvious. Even so, you can’t help but see the similarities.
That said, we know that Therabody furiously fought against imitators, including guns with the D-shape. Remember the once-popular Kraftgun Force and Lifepro Pulse FX?
Both devices no longer sell due to Theragun’s legal action. We’ll see how long this one lasts.
That aside, we like the material on the handles—slightly rubberized plastic. But we don’t like the shape of the handles. Instead of round, they opted for plain oval with edged sides. The edges feel slightly rounded, but not enough for our liking. You feel discomfort from those edges when you hold the device for a few minutes.
Another key feature we noticed here is the arm’s adjustability. Again, the massage gun’s arm is adjustable, just like the Theragun Pro’s.
But they made it slightly better. Instead of four, the D6 Pro has six lockable positions. A push button allows you to adjust the arm from 0 to 90 degrees.
Our Take:
We like the ergonomics here, but we’d go for Theragun Pro—it holds better. The Bob and Brad D6 Pro massage gun is heavy and may be tough for small people to hold for long.
However, you can adjust and hold the rotatory arm at multiple angles. Bob and Brad massage gun brand worked on improving ergonomics.
Understanding the Controls
They are different – perhaps the part where they didn’t want to make it so obvious?
There are two buttons here. The top button turns the device on or off—press and hold to switch it on or off. You can also use it to increase speeds by quick pressing.
If you quick-press the lower button, the speed decreases. Long-pressing it changes the massage mode – we will discuss the modes later in the article.
Exploring Different Massage Gun Attachments
There are 7 attachments included here. The set is of a good variety and is of superb quality. We felt the material used to make the attachments resonates with Theragun Pro. The attachments are soft.
The massage gun attachments included, per Bob and Brad’s naming:
- Large ball head: It’s reasonably large and made of standard EVA foam. It feels hard with a little give. You can use it to massage large muscle groups. We are not huge fans of it, though.
- Standard ball head: This looks and feels almost identical to Theragun’s dampener.
- Damping head: It looks like Therabody’s standard ball head. It feels exactly like the standard ball above. The difference is that this one has a smaller surface area than the standard ball.
- Air Cushion head: This is the softest of the bunch. It’s air-filled and has a large contact area. It’s good for bony areas and delicate massages.
- Flat head: Unlike most flat heads, this one isn’t made of hard plastic. It has some give. Unfortunately, it’s also smaller than other normal flats. We would’ve loved a much larger contact area. If you need a more aggressive massage, this treats small and large muscle groups2.
- Bullet head: This one looks very similar to Theragun’s Cone attachment. It’s great for treating trigger points3 and targeted massage. It’s also good for treating feet and other smaller muscle groups.
- Spade head: This one is reminiscent of Theragun’s Wedge attachment, albeit slightly softer. Most wedge-type heads we have seen tend to be hard plastic. They are often good for muscle scraping (shoulder blades, IT bands, quads, and more). This one feels too soft for our liking and bends too much.
Our Take:
The value here is awesome – you get 7 amazing massage gun attachments. The quality of the set isn’t bad either.
But they also look very Theragun-ish. We had some negative things to say about the Theragun set, remember? Some of the heads feel the same.
For instance, the damping and the standard ball massage gun attachments. We would’ve also loved it if they included a fork attachment, which Theragun doesn’t have either.
That said, we like this set anyway. We are only wondering why they made them very similar to Theragun attachments.
We obviously cannot know what Bob and Brad’s massage gun designers were thinking when they created this sports massager. However, this will be interesting going forward, given that Theragun has patented some of its massage gun attachments.
We guess Therabody’s lawyers may be busy now trying to earn their pay—we’ll see how things unfold in days to come.
Performance Review
It would be a shame if a Theragun knockoff didn’t have stellar performance features. We checked the amplitude, stall force, and percussions per minute—collectively known as “power.”
Amplitude
Also known as stroke length, it’s the distance the head travels as the gun percusses.
The advertised amplitude here is 16 mm. Surprise! Indeed, it’s 16mm. We confirmed it with our digital caliper.
This is only the third gun with a 16 mm stroke length. The others are the Achedaway Pro, Theragun Pro, the Theragun Elite, and the Theragun Prime.
TIP: This massage gun’s high amplitude can deliver heavy punches and the best deep tissue massage. However, it may feel too aggressive for some people. In that case, you can use the air-filled massage gun attachment.
Bob and Brad Massage Guns have just released a mini massager called the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro mini massage. It has a 7 mm amplitude, a decent 35 lbs of stall force, 5-speed, and easy button operation (more details here).
Related: Highest amplitude massage gun recommendations.
Stall Force
It’s the pressure it takes to stop a massage gun’s motor.
We have seen most guns imitate Theragun in all other aspects but fail miserably regarding stall force.
We thought this Bob and Brad massage gun would be the same. Based on other Bob and Brad sports massagers, we had reason to be pessimistic about the D6 Pro. We were wrong!
The Bob and Brad D6 Pro massage gun is a real monster, a hard massager. Although the 85 lbs max stall force is exaggerated, it is a very strong gun.
We pitted it against our Theragun Pro, and the stall force felt the same. Translating that into figures means you should expect a robust 60 lbs stall force for this sports massager.
Believe us, it feels almost impossible to stall. The gun doesn’t slow down when applying pressure, even at the first speed. Expect a powerful and best deep tissue massage!
D6 Pro Massage Gun Percussions, Speeds, and Modes
Given the high amplitude and powerful stall force, we wondered what the percussions would be. We like the percussion range allocated here. The advertised range is 1500 RPM to 2500 RPM.
We used our laser tachometer to confirm this. We measured 1460 RPM to 2460 RPM, which is very close to what they say. Again, this is reminiscent of Theraguns.
There are 6 speed settings. this is different from the 5-speed seen on Theraguns.
The manufacturer also didn’t include Bluetooth connectivity with this D6 Pro sports massager. Unlike the Theragun Pro, this one doesn’t have an app with customized massage speed settings.
If we compare it to the other gun with a 16 mm amplitude, Achedaway Pro, this one has about 300 RPM less at maximum speed. Even so, this doesn’t diminish what this gun can do. We believe it’s a real monster and great for the best deep-tissue massage.
Dynamic Speeds
Even though you won’t have access to connectivity and App assistance, you still get 4 massage modes. You can select a massage mode by long-pressing the lower button indicated with an M. Then, you can choose the mode you want by pressing either the upper or lower button.
The modes are as follows:
- Mode M1: The regular mode where you can manually change speeds – speeds 1 through 6.
- Mode M2: This is the incremental mode, in which the gun revs between 1500 RPM and 2500 RPM every 5 seconds and repeats.
- Mode M3: The decreasing mode – as above, but goes from high to low.
- Mode M4: This is the triangle wave mode. The speed goes up every 2 seconds and then starts to go down before going up again.
The M4 mode impressed us the most. It’s the best for an everyday mode. It’s great for warm-up sessions before a workout.
Pressure Sensor
It has a pressure sensor, too.
Yes, like the Theragun Elite and the Theragun Pro, it has a built-in pressure sensor. When you exert pressure, the OLED display shows a bar scale with the corresponding pressure level—you guessed it, just like Theragun! But…
They could’ve executed this much better. Unlike Theragun, the sensor detects the first pressure level later than normal.
It records when more pressure is applied rather than sensing the slightest initial pressure. The more you press, the more the device shakes, and the screen is unreadable. You must have a sharp eye focus to capture the accurate reading. In practice, it barely works.
Our Take on Performance:
This is absolutely one of the most powerful massage guns out there. It matches the Theragun Pro and is way more powerful than the Theragun Elite, even though it costs much less.
If you need a super-aggressive massage, this sports massager is for you. The percussions won’t slow down when you apply pressure.
The long stroke length hits deep but not as fast as guns with lower amplitude. Even so, 2500 RPM for a high-amplitude gun is decent. We like the dynamic modes, too.
They could’ve done better with the pressure sensor, but it doesn’t hurt everything else.
The D6 Pro is superb!
Noise
Despite having the highest amplitude in the business, it’s a relatively quiet device.
We know Theragun struggled to keep their devices quiet. But their new Theragun Pro 5th gen is quieter than the D6 Pro. The D6 Pro maxes at 67.7 dB, compared to the Theragun Pro’s 66 dB.
When we used it, it sounded okay. We noticed that the sound is similar to the Theragun Pro Gen 5’s (at this point, the surprise muscle is exhausted!) We heard no rattling or creaking noises, even when pressure was applied.
We figure that all has to do with the good build quality. We left it running to see if it heated up or if the attachment popped out (it happened with our Bob and Brad T2 massage gun), but it worked okay.
Battery
It has a 2500 mAh battery, which is about the standard size for most percussion massagers today.
It’s a non-removable battery. Theragun Pro has a removable one—the same as the Achedaway Pro.
It has a USB-C charging cable, just like Theragun Pro Gen 5, and it also comes with a charger. This is great because it can charge 5V to 12V.
Can you expect 3 hours on the battery as they promise? We believe they were being too optimistic. You’d have to use the device on speed 1 and not apply any pressure to get 3 hours.
We believe that, realistically, it would last 1.5 to 2 hours on average, even when you use pressure and dynamic modes. This still means you get a week before charging it again.
Talking of charging, it takes 210 minutes to charge the battery fully. The battery indicator is visible on the OLED screen. It has overheating protection. You will see an icon on the screen. You will then have to let your device rest for 30 minutes.
We are not sure how long the battery will last. We’ve had it for about three weeks now, and we are waiting for time to judge it.
Warranty and Price
Given how it performs, we’ll say it’s wonderfully priced.
It currently retails for $249.99, but you can get it cheaper. First, tick the coupon box on Amazon. Then, apply our MGAD6PRO code at the checkout for a 10% discount. The price should be below $200—great value. Buy it on Amazon.
However, we are not sure about the device’s long-term reliability. By default, it has a 1-year warranty. We’d say Theragun Pro may feel safer as it offers a 2-year warranty, albeit more expensive. But keep reading! We can get you a 2-year warranty on the Bob and Brad D6 Pro massage gun!
WARRANTY EXTENSION
Bob and Brad Massage Guns brand contacted us recently and offered our readers an exclusive one-year warranty extension!
After you buy the D6 Pro or any Bob and Brad massage gun, contact [email protected], provide your order number, and include the phrase “Massage Gun Advice Warranty Extension” – your warranty period will be extended.
Bob and Brad D6 Pro vs. Theragun Pro – Summary
What Bob and Brad D6 Pro sports massager has that Theragun Pro doesn’t:
- 1 more attachment
- 1 more speed setting – 6 vs 5
- 1 more arm lock position – 5 vs 4
- 3 dynamic modes in addition to the manual mode
- Semi-hard case — more protective but perhaps less practical than Theragun’s new, excellent soft case.
Where Theragun Pro G5 beats Bob and Brad D6 Pro massage gun:
- The triangular shape feels more practical than Bob and Brad’s D-shape
- Quieter: 66 dB vs. almost 68 dB at top speed
- Better handle shape – more comfortable to hold
- Removable battery
- Higher capacity battery: 3200 vs. 2500 mAh (time on battery is similar, though)
- Bluetooth connectivity + Therabody app
- Visually guided routines (on-screen)
- Custom speeds (via the app)
- Bright color accents (e.g., the aluminum motor cover); D6 Pro is all-black
- Lots of extra accessories available in store.
Similarities:
- The Bob and Brad D6 Pro looks and feels almost the same
- Overall quality
- Size (Theragun’s tad smaller at 10” x 7.1” x 3”, versus 10.5” x 7.5” x 3.1”)
- Same weight (both 2.8 lbs)
- Sports massager performance:
- amplitude – 16mm
- Stall force – 60 lbs (advertised 85 lbs — we’re unable to confirm precisely, but it feels the same)
- percussion range (~1500 to ~2500 percussions per minute)
- It has the same (or very similar) look and feel as some massage gun attachments
- Pressure sensor (although Theragun’s is better executed)
- Glossy arm (looks identical)
- Adjustability
- OLED screen
- Makes a similar sound when revving
- USB-C charging (only 5th generation Theragun Pro)
- Both have an extra pouch for attachments
- It’s the same warranty (2 years, but you’ll have to contact Bob and Brad Massage Guns).
Price
- Theragun Pro 6th Generation: $599, or slightly less, with the X8YZF10 promo code.
Our Two Cents:
This Bob and Brad D6 Pro massage gun is so similar to Theragun Pro that we don’t know what to think.
That said, some customers who can’t afford Theragun Pro will be happy to get the best cheap massage gun option to the Theragun Pro-like gun.
But could it also be ethically wrong? If Theragun has spent so much energy and resources making a unique device, here you have a competitor who just clones the best features. And then sells it at half Theragun Pro’s price.
From what we have seen in the past, Theragun may not sit this one out. This D6 Pro may soon follow in the way of Kraftgun Force and other copycats. For now, however, all we can do is speculate. Maybe there’s a uniqueness to this D6 that is all Bob and Brad – even though most features look copied.
But one thing is for sure: the value of money on this thing is simply hard to beat. We don’t know about the long-term reliability of this device, but it will hold for now.
Best Alternative – Achedaway Pro
In Achedaway, you have a proven brand with an equally powerful device.
Achedaway Pro is a powerful Theragun Pro option that is way cheaper than Theragun. It has the same powerful features as those on the D6 and Theragun Pro.
Achedaway Pro has a 16mm stroke length if you like a high-amplitude gun. It’s backed up by a powerful stall force of up to 60 lbs.
We don’t think the D6 has the 80 lbs. it’s touted to have, but it feels a tad stronger at lower gears than the Achedaway Pro.
The Achedaway Pro is also one of the few high-amplitude massage guns that revs fast. It can rev up to 2800 RPM—300 RPM more than the D6 Pro.
It comes with a non-adjustable arm but has a removable battery instead. The battery is juicier than the D6 Pro’s—3200mAh vs. 2500mAh. Even with the large battery, it’s lighter, weighing 2.7 pounds.
You won’t get multiple grips like the D6 Pro, but the angled handle works fine. You also get 4 “unique” attachments—two are aluminum coated.
It’s probably the quietest, high-amplitude massage gun out there. Expect no more than 66 dB at high speed. The sound is smoother, too.
It has a 2-year warranty, while the D6 Pro only has a 1-year warranty (unless you contact [email protected] with your order number and mention our website name—you will get a free one-year extension to match Achedaway’s two-year period).
Its price is similar. It sells at $239 with the MGA60 code.
READ MORE: In our hands-on Achedaway Pro Review.
Our Bob and Brad D6 Pro Rating
-
Quality
-
Effectiveness
-
Usability
-
Accessories
-
Price Value
4.7
Summary
It is an amazingly powerful and well-equipped massage gun with impressive performance specs. The Bob and Brad D6 Pro is one of the best sports massagers for demanding users who need a punchy, deep tissue massage for sore muscles after gym. However, the resemblance to the Theragun Pro Gen 5 is baffling.
User Review
( votes)References
- 1.www.therabody.com. Theragun Patents & Design Registrations. https://www.therabody.com/us/en-us/patents.html
- 2.Konrad A, Glashüttner C, Reiner M, Bernsteiner D, Tilp M. The Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment with a Hypervolt Device on Plantar Flexor Muscles’ Range of Motion and Performance. J Sports Sci Med. 2020;19(4):690-694. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33239942
- 3.Lavelle ED, Lavelle W, Smith HS. Myofascial Trigger Points. Anesthesiology Clinics. Published online December 2007:841-851. doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2007.07.003
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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.
November 29, 2023: Small content corrections, updates to recent product prices, and enhancements in internal linking. (Author: Greg)
July 27, 2023: Added information about a free one-year warranty extension available to our readers. (Author: Luke)
August 7, 2023: Added our video review to complement this written analysis. Now you can visually explore the unboxing, attachment overview, stall force tests, and charging instructions. (Author: Greg)
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Luke Deszczulka
Luke Deszczulka
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