arboleaf

Mini Massage Gun

Best for: Sore muscles after workouts or desk days, in a size that fits a gym bag

Our take

Full-size massage guns are heavy and loud enough that many end up in a drawer. This mini version weighs 380 grams, a little over a pound, and is small enough to hold comfortably in one hand and reach your own shoulders and calves. The body is aluminum, not plastic, and the brushless motor is rated by arboleaf at 35 to 55 dB, quiet enough to use while watching television. There are four manual speeds and a fifth pressure-responsive mode that raises the intensity as you press harder, covering 1,000 to 3,200 percussions per minute, and the brand quotes 35 lb of percussion force. Four silicone heads are included: a ball for large muscles, a flat head for general use, a bullet for knots and a fork for either side of the spine and the Achilles. It charges over USB-C, the listing gives about 8 hours of battery life and a 3-hour charge, and it switches itself off after 10 minutes, which is a sensible limit for one area. A mini gun has a shorter stroke than a full-size one, so it will feel less deep on large muscles like glutes and thighs; serious athletes may want the bigger tool. Use it on muscle, not on bone, joints or the front of the neck, and ask a doctor first if you have an injury, a circulation problem or are pregnant. The warranty is three years.

— WebShop Tech Desk

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