Mini Massage Gun or Full-Size: The differences can be confusing

The mini massage gun is becoming increasingly popular, more so than the regular option. The difference in price is probably the biggest driver of this trend. It is probably the reason companies came up with the compact massaging device. These little gizmos can do a lot of what the full-size can do but definitely do not match up to it. Here I will break down the differences that apply across brands. Meaning, these will be the differences when comparing a mini percussion massager from any brand to a regular-sized from the same brand. The comparison would not hold true if a miniature from one brand is compared to a regular-sized from a different brand.

Main hand-held massager comparison points include:

• Price
• Power
• Battery life
• Attachments
• Size and weight
• Noise

The tiny option wins the price comparison

We already kind of addressed price, but to be more specific, a mini percussion massager is going to be around half the price of the larger option, give or take a few dollars of course. If it is just about price, go with the smaller, but recognize that there’s a reason for that.

Bigger devices are more powerful

The main difference between the small percussion massager and the larger option, is power. With tiny dimensions, comes a tiny motor; it will not be as powerful. This translates to less ability for the compact to penetrate deep into connective tissue and muscles. So, if you are looking for a deep tissue massage, a smaller gun massager is not the best choice.

Smaller size device means shorter battery life

Battery life will also be better for the larger model. Similar to the situation with the motor, the larger the device, the increased potential for a larger battery. A mini gun massager can work for 2-3 hours before it needs a recharge. The larger model, on the other hand, can work for 5-6 hours on one charge.

Traditional massage guns will also come with more attachments.

The compact could come with 3-4 attachments, while the full-size counterpart would have 6-8. This may or may not be important, depending on your needs. Think of it like video games; some individuals will buy a video game console because it has a specific game, and nothing else matters. It is similar here; there may be unique attachments that are only on the full-size. So, it is something you need to think about carefully before you buy.

Where does the smaller massage gun excel?

The mini gun massager comes out on top in several areas. The first being size and weight; the compact size and about half the full-size weight make it more portable. You can take it with you anywhere. Both sizes will fit in your backpack, but the full-size will not take as much space. In fact, I’ve seen a compact fit into someone’s jeans pocket. Not something you should try, but if you have a big enough pocket, it can work.

The other advantage to a smaller, is noise. A smaller motor means less noise. For many individuals, noise is a dealbreaker. This is especially true if you use it in public or a public space at home. While there are regular-sized massage guns that are quiet, they will still make more noise than the compact from the same brand.

I hope this article clarifies the main differences between a mini massage gun and a full-size. Let us know if you still have questions that were not addressed.

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