ByGreg Szostak
 | Kickstart 2025 with a 20% off on all EKRIN massage guns! Shop now and elevate your recovery routine! Lifetime warranty! |
Your HSA/FSA expires on 31st Dec. All Ekrin massage guns are HSA/FSA eligible!
25% to 35% Discount is applied at checkout. For the best deals, click here →
Welcome to our hands-on Elefor massage gun review. We tested this budget-friendly Amazon find to see how it compares.
Made in China and seemingly exclusive to Amazon, the Elefor didn’t quite perform miracles in our testing, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a look.
Although its performance is not awe-inspiring, our experience with it and other muscle massagers has allowed us to suggest some compelling alternatives.
So, stick with us as we guide you to the perfect massage gun to soothe your aching muscles!
| Feature | Elefor Massage Gun Specs |
|---|---|
| Stall Force | up to 20 lbs.* |
| Stroke Length | 12 mm |
| Percussion range | 1200 – 3200 RPM |
| Speeds | 20 |
| Attachments | 10 included |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs. |
| Noise (decibel) | 60 – 70 dB* |
| Battery Life / Capacity | up to 2 hours / 2000 mAh (varies by speed) |
| Pros | Price |
| Cons | Low stall force Quality issues Noise Soft attachment missing |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Better Alternatives: | Ekrin Bantam (lifetime warranty) Bob and Brad C2 Renpho Active (R3 Mini) |
First, the carrying case is a good addition. It’s always handy to have a place to store your massage gun, especially if you’re constantly on the go.
We also appreciate that the basic manual, which briefly describes the attachments, is included. It’s pretty basic, but it’s enough to get you started.
The sports massager itself is a good size—not too big and not too small—perfect for reaching hard-to-reach spots such as a sore middle back. Its design is similar to that of the Medcursor or Aerlang, which we’ve reviewed before.
It looks cheap compared to more premium massage guns, but it’s definitely not the worst we’ve seen. Plastic is everywhere, and unfortunately, the handle does not have rubber. However, the single color and somewhat modern-looking design are a plus.
TIP: Here we debate cheap massage gun vs expensive in detail.
The LCD is pretty basic and familiar.
The plus and minus buttons to change speeds are on the left side, and a battery charge indicator is on the right.
The only downside is that there are no physical buttons – just touch icons. Personally, we’re not huge fans of this because it can be easily unintentionally touched, get a bit laggy over time, and there’s no click feedback.
The on/off switch is located at the bottom, making it easy to access and use. Lastly, the Elefor massage gun has a USB-C port, which is a definite plus (also located at the bottom).
Overall:
The Elefor definitely has its pros and cons, but it’s not a bad option if you’re looking for a cheap massage gun.
First, it measures 9.05″ x 8.66″ x 1.2″, which we think is a good size. It’s relatively compact for a full-size massage gun, making it easy to take with you on the go.
However, the Elefor massage gun falls short in ergonomics. Its T-shaped design tends to fatigue the wrist compared to slanted handles, like those found with Ekrin devices. T-shaped handles also tend to appear large and somewhat generic.
Plus, the lack of rubber on the handle means you’re holding onto plastic for too long, which can get slippery if you have sweaty hands.
But at least the weight helps. It’s only about 1.5 lbs., which is pretty light. A light massage gun is easy to maneuver, and even though it has a T-shape that we’re not a fan of, the weight lightens things up.
Overall:
The Elefor muscle massager has pros and cons regarding size, weight, and ergonomics. It’s a decent size, but its T-shaped design and lack of rubber on the handle can make it uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. On the bright side, it’s lightweight, making it easy to use.
Let’s talk about the attachments included with the Elefor muscle massager. At first glance, we were wowed by the fact that 10 heads were included. But we know this trick: Many attachments tend to feel the same.
For example, there are two bullet heads and three flat heads (two feel almost identical). They’re all hard plastic—not a single soft or cushioned one is in sight. The ball head is the softest, but even that isn’t really all that soft—it’s just not a hard plastic one (it’s made of foam).
But there are a few attachments worth mentioning. The fork head is suitable for targeting the muscles near your spine, while the bullet head is great for trigger points1. The flat head is good for larger muscle groups2, and a U-shaped head is suitable for calves, biceps, and other medium-sized muscles (maybe even for carpal tunnel massage).
Overall:
While the Elefor massage gun comes with various attachments, many feel very similar. They’re also all hard plastic, which isn’t ideal.
However, at least a few standout attachments can be really useful, depending on your needs.
If you’ve stayed with us so far, you must’ve noticed that this massage gun isn’t the best, but it does have a few good features.
But here comes the bummer – the Elefor massage gun fails miserably in its performance.
We checked the massage gun amplitude, its stall force, and percussions per minute (PPM). Let’s find out the Elefor muscle massger performed, shall we?
Let’s talk about the Elefor massage gun’s amplitude.
Amplitude refers to the distance (mm) the device’s head moves back and forth when in action.
Although the manufacturer advertises an amplitude of 12 mm, our testing revealed that the actual amplitude is between 8 and 9 mm, indicating that the sport massager delivers relatively shallow strokes.
But all is not lost at this point. Vibrations can still be effective for deep tissue massage when the massager machine revs very fast (usually above 3000 RPM).
If a considerable stall force is present, the muscle massager can be pressed against the skin without slowing it down, delivering a reasonably powerful treatment.
How much stall force can you expect from the Elefor massage gun? We’ll find out soon, for now let’s see if it can rev fast enough.
Elefor massage gun promises a 1200 – 3200 RPM range, but according to our tests, it actually delivers less: only about 1700 – 2900 RPM.
While it does have 20 speeds, we’re not big fans of having that many. It’s just another way to wow customers, but cycling through all those speeds can be frustrating, especially since there’s lots of tapping to change speeds.
When you combine this with the shallow amplitude we talked about earlier, don’t expect a Theragun-like performance.
In our hands-on testing, we found the Elefor massage gun to be as basic as a massage gun can get. It can probably help with trapezius muscle pain or tension in the neck and shoulders or be used on a surface level to warm up soft tissues and get the blood going.
But in our experience, It’s not a deep tissue massage gun. Both the amplitude and intensity are too low to make it a worthy choice for serious athletes or people with chronic pain.
Unfortunately, our testing did not yield any good news. As expected, the stall force (a massage gun’s ability to withstand pressure) proved to be low, and even at the first speed, it slowed down with the slightest pressure or contact with the skin.
While we found further speeds slightly better, they’re still not enough. We think it could have 15 – 20 lbs. of stall force. Even though it revs up to 2900 RPM, it slows down a lot when pressure is exerted.
Once again, the Elefor massage gun fails to deliver deep tissue massage. The amplitude is low, and the stall force isn’t enough to handle pressure, so you might not get the relief you want.
If you need a sports massager that can withstand pressure and deliver the best deep-tissue massage, you may consider more powerful massage guns.
What does this kind of performance mean?
Our extensive testing found the Elefor massage gun to be quite basic and somewhat underwhelming in its performance. Despite being an affordable massage gun, the old adage “you get what you pay for” certainly applies here.
Our hands-on experience revealed a low amplitude, meaning the muscle massager failed to deliver the expected deep tissue massage. Though the massage gun could rev up to 2900 RPM, we noticed a considerable slowdown when applying any pressure, suggesting it isn’t suited for deep-tissue massage.
The Elefor massage gun’s simplicity may appeal to those seeking a more affordable option. Still, our tests have shown that other budget-friendly massage guns offer superior specifications.
Our initial impressions of the device were fairly positive, given its price point. However, as we continued to use it, we noticed increased noise levels—a common trend in a cheap massage gun. Our measurements indicated a noise range between 60 dB and 70 dB.
Over time, we identified that the rattling noise amplified as the attachment gaskets began to wear out and the motor parts loosened. This resulted in an increased noise when the muscle massager was applied to the body.
To put it in perspective, we’ve tested devices that produced even more noise. For instance, the Fitrx massage gun was noticeably louder than the others.
Let’s discuss the Elefor massage gun’s battery. Its 2000 mAh capacity isn’t a lot of juice, especially compared to other budget massage guns on the market.
For example, the Sportneer D9 Elite, one of the alternatives we’ve tested, has a 3350 mAh battery, which is over a third bigger. The Urikar Pro 2, another alternative, has a 2600 mAh battery.
So, don’t expect more than one hour of use, maybe two if used at low speeds (however, the Elefor muscle massager stalls too easily to be used at low speeds for an extended period).
If you’re looking for a better battery, take a look at the alternatives below.
Overall:
However, from our experience, we don’t expect it to last for long, and long-term customer service could be an issue since the company only seems to exist on Amazon.
However, we’ve read other reviews at Amazon (you can check them here) that suggest they’ve been responsive thus far.
What about the price and warranty of the Elefor massage gun?
It’s a very cheap massage gun; at the time of publishing this review, it’s priced at around $40 on Amazon. Check out the current price here.
While one might say, “You get what you pay for,” we know that percussion massagers in the $50 to $70 range perform much better. So, is it worth it? Not really if you’re looking for a deep tissue massage.
Unfortunately, we know nothing about this device’s warranty, which is typical for cheap massage gun brands.
This is a portable massage gun of excellent quality from Ekrin Athletics, a USA company that offers a lifetime warranty on their products.
This model is a strong alternative to the C2 and might even surpass it in some areas.
The Bantam offers a similar 35 lbs. stall force, but at only 1.1 lbs., it’s much lighter, making it exceptionally travel-friendly. Its smaller, more compact design enhances portability compared to the C2.
A key advantage is its improved stroke length of 9-10mm, which is impressive for a mini massage gun.
Additionally, the angled handle improves ergonomics, and the overall build quality is superior. Many users have verified that Ekrin stands out with its lifetime warranty (compared to Bob and Brad’s one-year coverage) and unmatched customer support.
This device is a step up in quality from the Elefor. The ergonomics are also much better, with a 15° angled handle that is rubberized and comfortable to hold.
When we tested the stall force, we found it to be around 35 lbs, significantly stronger than what we experienced with the Elefor. We also noticed that the device revs up much faster, reaching speeds up to 3200 RPM—a confirmed finding.
We found the stroke length to be superior, measuring close to 10 mm. The Ekrin Bantam was noticeably quieter in our testing environment than the Elefor muscle massager. Its sound was smooth and free of rattling, and our measurements showed it ranged between 50 and 58 dB.
The Bantam retails for $159.99, but you can use the MGA20 coupon for a 20% discount, bringing it down to just $127.99—making it a better value than the Bob and Brad C2 (get it here from the Ekrin store).
It’s a much better option – Lifetime warranty and stronger!
Read More: Full Ekrin Bantam review.
If you’re in the market for a massage gun and considering the Elefor, we highly recommend the Bob and Brad C2.
It’s one of the better deals available right now, and for good reason.
The amplitude is 8.6 mm, similar to that of the Elefor muscle massager. However, the Bob and Brad C2 stall force is between 30 and 35 lbs, making it harder to stall when applying pressure.
We measured the percussion range between 1980 and 3045 RPM, with 5 speeds instead of 20 as on the Elefor massage gun.
Additionally, it comes with five varied attachments.
It is a lightweight massage gun weighing only 1.26 lbs. It is compact, has a 2500 mAh battery, a USB-C charger, and a low noise range between 56 and 64 dB.
When you tick the Amazon coupon, you will pay only $69.9 and sometimes less if there is an additional discount. This is a bit more expensive than the Elefor, but it is still an excellent value for what you get. Buy it here.
It also has a two-year warranty, which is much better than Elefor’s unknown warranty. Overall, the Bob and Brad C2 is a much better option if you want a powerful massage gun that you can use to relax with massage.
Read More: Our in-depth Bob and Brad C2 review.
Another great alternative to the Elefor percussion massager is the Renpho R3 Mini.
This massage gun is better made, with an oval handle and lots of rubber for a comfortable grip. Renpho is a proven brand, so you know you’re getting a quality product.
It’s even smaller than the Elefor, a hybrid of a mini and a full-size gun.
The specs are also better, with a 9mm stroke length and up to 3000 RPM. The stall force is also better, at about 25 lbs.
The battery, with a 2500mAh capacity, is also an improvement. It’s quieter, too, with no rattling, and it’s USB-C enabled for convenient charging.
Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty; at $99.99, it’s a good value for your purchase.
Overall, the Renpho R3 Mini is a much better option than the Elefor massage gun if you want a high-quality massage gun with better specs and features.
Before we end our Elefor massage gun review, here’s what to know;
While you’re certainly free to purchase it, based on our first-hand experience, we’d suggest considering one of the alternatives we’ve personally tested and discussed instead.
Based on our usage, it’s probably a passable option for those on a tight budget, but we feel it’s worth investing a little more for a device with superior performance and features.
Summary
From our hands-on experience with the Elefor massage gun, we found it suitable for basic massages but less so for deep tissue work. We had concerns about its long-term performance, but its budget price might appeal to some. However, our testing of other devices suggests that a slightly higher investment could yield better performance.
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.
Jan 10, 2025: Updated with more information from our testing – photos coming soon. (Author: Mario)
Published on:
•
Written by:
Greg Szostak
Disclaimers
The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
All product names, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners. All company, product, and service names used on this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.
Our policy is to make every effort to respect the copyrights of outside parties. If you believe your copyright has been misused, please provide us with a message stating your position, and we will endeavor to correct any misuse immediately.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.
