Ultimate Guide to Charging Your Massage Gun: Best Practices and Essential Tips

It’s no secret that one of the weakest links in percussion massagers is, unfortunately, the battery. Time and again, it’s been the source of the most common issues we hear about from our community.

Today, we’re diving deep into a topic crucial for all of us: the best practices for charging your massage gun. We all rely on these tools (sports massagers), but how often do we consider the importance of proper battery charging habits?

From what we have learned over the last years of writing about sports massagers (or muscle massagers), the way we charge our devices significantly impacts their efficiency, battery life, and overall performance.
So, we’ve put together all we know into this guide to help you get the most out of your massage gun battery.

Understanding Your Massage Gun Battery: Key Facts Before Charging

Let’s start with those two fundamentals – whenever they sound trivial, it’s really where you should start with your sports massager charging process.

• Read the User Manual

It might seem straightforward, but the first step should always be to read your massage gun’s manual. Each model can have its unique charging requirements and battery specifications.
Familiarize yourself with these details to avoid any common charging mishaps.
Therabody Theragun is quite good at providing heaps of them!

• Understand Battery LED Indicators Meaning

Your sports massager’s battery LED indicators are more than just pretty lights. They provide essential information about your device’s battery life and charging status.
A green light typically indicates a full charge, while red or amber might signify low battery or charging mode. However, these can vary between brands and models, so it’s crucial to understand what your device’s signals mean. Check, for example, the Ekrin Athletics brand.

Other sports massagers, such as Theragun Pro, Theragun Elite, or Bob and Brad D6 massage gun, have OLEDs that display battery charge.

Top Battery Charging Practices for Maximum Performance

Now that we’re familiar with the basics of our percussion massagers, let’s talk about maintaining their heartbeat: the massage gun battery.
Proper charging is not just about plugging in your device; it’s about nurturing it to ensure peak performance and longevity. 

We are not inventing the wheel here. You should already know this from other battery-driven devices you have… such as your smartphone, right?

So, let’s make them clear in the context of sports massagers:

• Heat Management

Heat is a battery’s nemesis. When charging your massage gun, please place it in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight or any heat sources.
This ensures the device and its battery stay cool, reducing the risk of overheating, which can significantly shorten battery life.

• Charge at Room Temperature

Related to the previous one, but a bit different. Batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so always charge your massage gun in a room-temperature environment. Extreme cold or heat can lead to decreased battery health efficiency and cause potential damage.

• Embrace Partial Charges

Lithium-ion batteries, which power most massage guns, have a longer lifespan when they aren’t drained completely. Keep your device’s battery charged between 20% and 80% whenever possible. This range is the sweet spot for extending its life.

• Avoid Overnight Charging

It’s tempting to leave our massage guns charging overnight, but this habit can lead to overcharging, even if the device has built-in protections. Instead, charge your device until full and then unplug it to prevent heat build-up and preserve battery health.

• Proper Storage^​1​

If you won’t be using your massage gun for a while, store it properly. An ideal storage place is a cool, dry place with a partial charge (around 50%). This state helps maintain battery health and ensures your sports massager is ready to perform when you need it again.

TIP: use a carrying case; it’s the best you can do for your device.

How to Optimize Charging Time for Your Massage Gun

Typically, a full charge can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the model and battery capacity. However, this can vary, so – once again – we recommend referring to your sports massager’s manual for the exact charging time.

It’s important not to leave your device plugged in longer than necessary. A good practice is to charge your massage gun or a mini massage gun (as shown in the photo) after your workout, keep an eye on it, and unplug it once it’s fully charged. (maybe on your desk while working)

This not only conserves energy but also prevents potential overcharging, which can degrade the battery over time. I’ll explain more about that in a moment.

By tracking charging times and managing them wisely, you ensure your percussion massager is always ready when you need the best deep tissue massage without putting undue stress on the battery. Remember, a little attention goes a long way in maintaining the health and longevity of your device.

Now, let’s talk about daily care and maintenance of your muscle massager.

Pro Tips for Maintaining Your Massage Gun Battery Life

Regular massage gun maintenance goes beyond simple charging practices; it’s about ensuring your sports massager operates smoothly every time you need it. Here’s how we can keep our devices in tip-top shape:

• Regular Use and Care:

Believe it or not, regular use can contribute to the longevity of your muscle massager’s battery. Don’t let your device sit unused for too long.
Regular use helps keep the battery chemicals active, but remember to follow the partial charge guidelines to avoid draining it completely.

• Avoid Fast Charging:

If your sports massager comes with a standard and a fast charger, opt for the standard one for regular use.
Fast charging can be convenient, but it generates more heat and can decrease the battery’s overall lifespan^​2​. Save the fast charger for times when you’re in a real pinch.

• Maintenance Checks:

Like any well-used device, your sports massager needs a check-up now and then. Regularly inspect the charging port and the charger itself for any signs of damage, such as frayed wires or loose connections. If you notice any damage, replace the parts immediately to avoid risking your safety or damaging the muscle massager.

• Cord Care:

The charging cord is often the most overlooked component. After use, do not bend it aggressively or wrap it too tightly. Instead, store it loosely coiled in a dry place. This prevents the wires inside from breaking and ensures the charger’s longevity.

By adhering to these maintenance tips, we ensure our percussion massagers remain reliable and effective. It’s all about treating our recovery tools with the same care we expect them to provide to us.

In the next section, we’ll cover some battery safety tips and massage gun troubleshooting methods to help you solve common problems without a hitch.

Safety Tips: Avoiding Common Battery Issues in Massage Guns

Ensuring the safe operation of your massage gun and knowing how to handle common issues can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches. Here’s what we recommend:

• Safety First:

Always use the charger that comes with your sports massager or one the manufacturer approves.
Off-brand or non-certified chargers may not only damage your device but can also pose serious safety risks, including fire hazards.
Also, keep your muscle massager away from water to prevent any risk of electric shock or damage to the device.

• Troubleshooting Tips:

If your sports massager isn’t charging correctly, first check the basics. Ensure the outlet is working, the charger is fully plugged into both the wall and your muscle massager, and there are no visible signs of damage to the cord or the massage gun itself.

If everything looks good but your device still won’t charge, try resetting it if your model allows, or consult the troubleshooting section of your manual.

• Signs of Battery Issues:

Be on the lookout for signs that your battery might be failing. This can include a significantly decreased runtime, the muscle massager not holding a charge, or the massage gun getting excessively hot during use or charging. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to contact customer service or consider replacing the battery if possible.

Remember, taking good care of your massage gun and using it responsibly will help prevent many common issues.
However, if you do encounter problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to the manufacturer’s customer support for assistance. They can provide guidance and, if necessary, service or replacement under warranty.

In our final thoughts, we’ll discuss the importance of proper battery disposal and how to ensure you’re not only looking after your sports massager but also the environment.

Environmental Considerations: How to Recycle Your Massage Gun Battery

As we wrap up, let’s touch on an often overlooked aspect of massage gun care: responsible disposal and recycling. When it comes time to part ways with your sports massager or its battery, it’s important to do so in an environmentally friendly manner.

Disposal and Recycling:

Batteries should never be thrown in the trash. When not disposed of properly, they contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. 

Check with your local waste management services for battery recycling programs or drop-off locations. Proper disposal ensures that the materials are handled safely and can often be reused in new products, reducing environmental impact.

Non-removable batteries contained in electronic devices^​3​​: as many muscle massagers have non-removable batteries, in that case, the entire device can be taken to certified electronics recyclers, participating retailers that provide electronics takeback services, or local electronics or household hazardous waste collection programs.

Warranty and Support:  Always keep your massage gun’s warranty in mind. If you encounter issues, check if they’re covered under the warranty terms before attempting any DIY repairs, which could void your coverage. Also, make use of the customer support offered by your massage gun’s manufacturer. They can provide valuable assistance and advice, ensuring your muscle massager is properly cared for and maintained.

Final Thoughts

Remember, proper care and maintenance are key to extending the life of your massage gun battery. By following the guidelines we’ve discussed, you’ll ensure that your sports massager continues to perform at its best for as long as possible.

We hope this guide has been helpful. We’re passionate about sharing our knowledge and experience at Massage Gun Advice to help you get the most out of your percussion massager. Keep these tips in mind, and your percussive therapy tool will remain reliable for years to come.