ByMario
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Bob and Brad released its first mini massage gun, the Q2, in October 2020. Its latest version, the Q2 Pro mini massage gun, was released in April 2024.
The Q2 mini percussion massager (previous model) has been a hit for its outstanding qualities. It stood out from other comparable mini massage guns on the market for these reasons:
What’s new on the Q2 Pro mini massage gun?
Spoiler alert: They have added a new ‘Hot and Cold Therapy’ attachment!
But what is this ‘hot and cold therapy’ massage gun attachment for? Simply put, it assists with pain relief for muscle pain. Like hot packs, heat therapy improves blood flow and flexibility, which can be beneficial before a workout. On the other hand, like an ice pack for injury, cold therapy helps reduce muscle inflammation and is great after workouts.
Key Takeaways:
TIP: Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck have over 60 years of combined experience in the physical therapy field. Their YouTube channel, which started in 2011, strives to offer the best “get fit, stay healthy and pain-free” information. The Bob and Brad brand was started in 2014.
Let’s get into the details of what the Q2 Pro mini massage gun offers!
Our review score:
4.8
| Q2 Specs | Q2 Pro Specs | |
|---|---|---|
| Stall Force | ~32 lbs. (our estimation) | 35 lbs (improved) |
| Stroke Length | 7 mm (verified) | Same as on the left column |
| Speeds | 5 | Same as on the left column |
| Percussion range | 1800 – 3000 RPM (verified) | Same as on the left column |
| Weight | 1 lb (with a flat attachment) | Same as on the left column |
| Dimensions | 5.7 x 3.3 x 1.8 inch | Same as on the left column |
| Attachments | 5 included | 4 standard and 1 Hot and Cold therapy |
| Noise | ~49 – 52 dB (verified) | ~30 – 35 dB (improved) |
| Battery | 2500 mAh / ~2 hours | Same as on the left column |
| Pros | Good stall force Good percussion range Pocket size Low noise USB-C charging Overall quality | All of the qualities on the left column, plus: Sleek design Portable Hot and Cold Therapy |
| Cons | Low amplitude Short, non-angled handle | Same as on the left column |
| Warranty | 1-year default 2-years for our readers | Same as on the left column |
Summary
The Bob and Brad Q2 Pro mini massage gun has an innovative hot and cold therapy attachment for different muscle recovery applications. It is a great traveling companion, super compact, whisper-quiet, and has an extraordinary stall force. It is an everyday mini percussion massager that delivers impressively while not being as overpriced as its competitors. It is an affordable mini massage gun.
We have made a video (below), which was published on our YouTube channel (remember to subscribe 🙂
In the video, you see us unboxing the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini Massage Gun, showcasing the attachments, and demonstrating its operation.
Our video aims to help you better visualize what the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro mini massage gun comes with before we discuss it in more detail below in this expert review. Enjoy it!
As you’ve seen in the video, the Q2 Pro comes with a nice lux case. It’s a compact 7 x 7-inch case made of semi-rigid material, and you can expect it to last. The case also has a carrying strap, which is quite helpful.
Inside, you will find:
In what is a first for a mini massager (or portable massager), Bob and Brad have added a hot and cold therapy attachment.
This massage gun attachment is a great addition to the Q2 Pro’s kit and works well!
The ‘Hot and Cold Therapy’ massage gun attachment works independently from the percussive massager. One button activates the cold settings, and the second is the hot one.
To turn it on, press either mode button for 3 seconds. If you want a different hotter or colder setting, then it’s a single press of the same button.
We were impressed by how quickly the head heats and cools. When the cold is in operation, condensation starts to form on the head; it is noticeable within seconds of turning on.
At this point, we’d like to add that the hot and cold attachment also works independently from the percussive massager.
Whilst the attachment is operating in cool mode, a low-frequency ‘swirl’ sound is audible. This noise is from its internal fan system and is normal. It’s not loud and is imperceptible when the massage gun is on.
The attachment is charged separately to the percussion massager and has different charging times. Both will automatically switch off after 10 minutes of operation.
Anecdotally, I have had ongoing issues with elbow pain during training. Generally, to reduce discomfort, I’d apply pressure and massage the area before, during, and after training. This helped to alleviate the pain, but it was still bothersome throughout my workouts.
I decided to test the Q2 Pro with the hot and cold attachment on the area to see if I could improve the tenderness. To warm the muscle and promote blood flow, I started by warming the muscle with percussive therapy and the attachment set to hot—using both 102°F and 113°F temperatures for approximately 5 minutes.
Finally, at the end of my routine, I pulled out the small percussion massager Q2 Pro and used it in the cold setting to help reduce any inflammation. I was quietly surprised that this did, in fact, help reduce the discomfort I usually feel following my workout.
Although the hot and cold attachment provides relief for a small area, it seems less effective when applied to a larger muscle group or area. The surface area is just too small for it to provide much benefit to quads or glutes for instance.
This device includes five attachments. Four are standard shapes, and the fifth is the new hot and cold massage gun attachment.
The other four massage gun attachments are explained in this table:
| Attachment | Material | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet head | Hard plastic | It’s used for trigger point massage, best deep tissue massage, and small areas such as wrists, palms, and soles. |
| Fork head | Hard plastic | It’s used for spine and pain management, trigger points in neck, for trapezius muscle pain, the Achilles tendon pressure point2, or use it as a double-tip bullet head. |
| Ball head | EVA foam | For large sore muscles after gym, glute muscle pain. Using it on the skin is best, not when wearing clothes. |
| Cushioned head | Rubber | This is the softest one for massaging tender body parts, bony areas, or sensitive sore muscles but wanting relaxation. |
The five heads are enough for the number of attachments. The four standard heads can be seen below:
Its size makes it portable and handy, and all-round a great small massage gun device. Unlike many other small guns we’ve tested (such as the Theragun Mini or mini massager Amazon), the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro stands out in size, design, stall force, and quietness!
When grabbing it out of its case, the first impression is this portable mini massager’s unexpected weight (1 lb) and its size which is smaller than a US dollar!
The body of the Q2 Pro mini massage gun has a glossy plastic finish with rubber on the handle to add a good grip. It’s a seamless design with no visible screws. It has some tiny orifices at the top for cooling purposes and a charging port at the bottom.
This massage gun mini is very compact, unlike any other we have tested. It measures 5.7 x 3.3 x 1.8 inches.
Maneuvering into a position where you can comfortably massage your back is a little awkward because of its small size – unless you have the flexibility to reach those hard-to-get places. Read here for a guide to help you choose a massage gun that’s right for you and back pain!
Despite all this, it is still a great travel companion and an excellent portable massager.
Additionally, the Q2 Pro mini massage gun has been approved for carry-on baggage. Pack it in its sturdy case or pack it amongst your clothes. Either way, you’ll barely notice it’s there.
Control is straightforward. There is just one button on the back of the handle, and because it doesn’t protrude, accidental pressing is unlikely.
Pressing the button for 2 seconds turns it ON/OFF. When ON, the lightning-like LED and the first dot above light up blue. Every following button press increases the speed level until it reaches the fifth blue LED dot.
To pause, press the button for 2 seconds. The device will stand by for 15 seconds (the lightning-like LED will still be blue) and then turn off. To continue with the percussive therapy before it goes off, press the button once and select the desired speed by subsequent presses.
How does this mini massage gun perform during our tests? We focused on the amplitude, stall force, percussions per minute, and the combination of all three while in operation.
Also known as stroke length, this is the distance the massage gun head travels during percussion.
The measurement correlates to the manufacturer’s specifications. It is 7mm.
With a 7 mm amplitude, this mini percussion massager feels more like vibration therapy rather than that deeper feeling you get from a longer amplitude3. Let’s not forget that this is a mini massage gun, however, and it’s not going to give you the same sensations as a full-size massage device.
However, for the sake of comparison, the Ekrin Bantam has 9mm of amplitude. Despite the difference of only 2 mm, the additional stroke length can be felt.
Outclassing all of them in the mini massage gun category is the Theragun mini, dominating the others with an impressive 12 mm amplitude.
As we discovered, Bob and Brad have somewhat compensated for the shorter amplitude with a reasonable stall force on the Q2 Pro. Let’s find out more:
Stall force is the pressure it takes to stop a device from percussing.
Amazingly, the stall force of the Q2 Pro mini massage gun is pretty surprising! During our comparison tests against other mini percussion massagers, the Q2 Pro stood proudly.
The Q2 Pro’s stall force is advertised as 35 lbs, that number alone is considerable since it’s almost as big as some full-sized massage guns. Although we could stall the Q2, it was a challenge!
This small percussive massager has more stall force than some larger power percussion devices. So, don’t be fooled by its tiny size.
We wanted to compare the Q2 Pro (small percussive massager) with the Ekrin Bantam (mini vibration massager), which also claims to have 35 lbs of stall force. The Ekrin Bantam’s stall force was underwhelming, being quite a bit easier to stall than the Q2 Pro.
Our verdict on the Q2’s stall force – simply put, it’s incredible! This small percussive massager has more stall force than some larger power percussion devices. So, don’t be fooled by its tiny size.
The Q2 Pro mini massage gun has five speeds. By changing the speeds and adjusting the pressure, you can have a massage on the go. The manufacturer’s recommendations on speed and pressures are summarized below:
However, remember that this is still a mini massage gun. For the best deep tissue massage, consider a full-size percussion massager similar to professional massage tools.
During our tests, we measured the Q2 Pro’s percussion range and confirmed it is within the manufacturer’s specifications, ranging between 1800 – 3000 RPM.
The maximum 3000 RPM, combined with the great stall force of this muscle pain massager, is sufficient for providing natural pain relief.
Other competitors’ mini massagers, such as the Ekrin Bantam, can rev up to 3200 RPM, allowing it to achieve a deep massage without pressing it harder.
Key Takeaway:
It didn’t matter that the Q2 Pro had 200 RPM less than the Ekrin Bantam because we could apply greater pressure to the Bob and Brad without stalling it.
Read More: Our in-depth Ekrin Bantam review.
It’s not uncommon for such compact devices with small amplitudes to produce little noise. However, Bob and Brad hit the mark again and have produced a very quiet massage gun for a relaxed experience.
Standard digital sound level meters have an operational range between 30 and 130 dB. A faint level is considered between 20 – 30 dB, like leaves rustling. A soft level between 30 – 40 dB is like a whisper or the noise in a quiet library.
The Q2 Pro is the quietest mini massage gun we have tested. In the photos above, a female hand holds the percussion massager instead of clamping it to a surface. But why?
We noticed that at a distance of 8 inches apart, some minimum noise was registered from the vibrations going through the clamp and to the flat surface. To be more accurate, we eliminated that interference by asking Jade to hold the device at minimum and maximum speed.
The results were surprising! At 8 inches from the microphone (our common practice), the Q2 Pro never registered above 30 dB! Out of curiosity, we decided to put the noise meter just beside the motor, and the readings went to 43 dB at the lowest speed and 54 dB at the highest speed.
Its 2500 mAh battery capacity provides more than 2 hours of operation, depending on the speed settings and pressure applied to a muscle (different for a neck tight muscle or a sore middle back).
To charge the device, use the USB-C cable provided and a regular phone adapter with 5V/2A. If the adapter has less than 5V/2A, it will take longer to charge.
The battery LED indicator is lightning-shaped. It is blue when the battery capacity is more than 30%. This LED turns red when there’s a 30% battery, and if it starts flashing, it has less than 20%.
The light is solid green when charging and goes off when the battery is fully charged.
As mentioned, the ‘hot and cold’ attachment charges independently of the percussion massager. Below, we have summarized the specifications for both batteries and, more importantly, charging and running battery times.
| Feature | Mini Massage Gun | Hot And Cold Massage Attachment |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Voltage | 11.1 V | 3.7 V |
| Battery Capacity | 2500 mAh | 900 mAh |
| Charging Time | 210 minutes (verified) | 120 minutes (verified) |
| Running Time | 2 – 3 hours (verified) | ~1 hour (verified) |
| Auto Shut-off Timer | 10 minutes (verified) | 10 minutes (verified) |
| Rated Power | 25 W | 5 W |
It’s adequate for folks who want a portable mini percussion massager with hot and cold therapy included that actually works (even on a plane). It is like having the best massage near on the go.
Someone who spends long hours behind the desk would benefit from a short break to treat myofascial muscle release or trapezius muscle pain.
We find the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro to be an everyday mini massage gun. One of the features I appreciate the most is how whisper-quiet it is. As such, it can be used while watching TV without increasing the volume considerably or disturbing others.
Because of its speed range, powerful motor, diverse attachments, and hot and cold therapy attachment, this mini massage gun can comfortably be used on painful muscles or for soreness after workouts.
All of this helps accelerate muscle tissue recovery and responsiveness. This massager machine provides sufficient impact to improve blood circulation4 and lymphatic drainage.
The senior community may also enjoy the sensations of the hot and cold attachment. It has only one operational button, easy LED color signals, and can be charged with a standard USB-C; seniors will find it super simple to use and carry (our guide on massage guns for the elderly).
It is affordable for such a convenient massage device. Packed with great features and solid performance, this should be featured as the best massage gun Amazon! Well, mini!
As of the time this article was published, the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro was $89.99. The good news is that you can get $20 off with a coupon available on Amazon.
It comes with a 1-year warranty by default.
To take advantage of this two-year warranty offer, go to their website and register your device with them.
This is a very well-executed mini percussion massager from a well-known brand.
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.
July 25, 2024 Minor linking update.
Published on:
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Written by:
Mario
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