Bob & Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun review: minimalist design maximum impact

There’s no shortage of options if you’re looking for a massage gun. In this hands-on review, I turn my attention to the Bob & Brad Q2 Mini. It is a unique pocket-sized massager that offers much of the functionality of its larger rivals.

The massage guns are great. They are probably the best thing to do after seeing a physiotherapist. Use them regularly for relaxation and general well-being of mind and body. They relieve muscle aches and pains, while promoting blood and lymphatic circulation.

For a long time I didn’t even know about massage guns. Which can be a problem if you’re serious about racing. Sooner or later, your muscles will get stiff from all that work. It can even lead to injury. So it’s best not to skip stretching before and after a workout and use a massage gun once in a while.

I got my hands on the Q2 Mini a few weeks ago and have been using it as a recovery tool ever since. I also took it with me on a trip abroad. The following is my full review.

Bob & Brad Q2 mini massage gun review: Design

Quality look and feel

Physical therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck have a few massage guns in their arsenal of devices. This includes the C2, the T2 X6 Pro, the 721 foot massager, and a neck and back massager. Something for everyone there. The Q2 Mini is different in that it’s a miniature version of the big thing.

Its size can be compared to a small bottle of water. Measuring 5.7 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches (L x W x H), it fits nicely in the palm of your hand. The dimensions of the carrying case are only slightly larger at 7 x 7 x 2.75 inches. You can’t put the case in your pocket, but it can be easily stored in a small purse, purse or backpack.

Inside the carrying case is space for the massage gun itself and five replaceable tips that can be used to target different muscle groups. Pack everything neatly, close the case and you’re good to go.

I had no problem packing it in my airplane carry-on while traveling in Europe. It went through the scanner with no problem. But it may depend on the country/airline, so it’s best to check the airport if you plan to take it on a plane.

As for the build, the exterior of the device is made of heavy plastic and rubber for grip. The case is matte black, transitioning to the glossy end panel.

Everything looks and feels, sturdy and quality. Very resistant. When you think of a mini massage gun, an image of something fragile comes to mind. That’s just not the case with this device.

For its size, the gun is actually heavier than I expected. This was probably done on purpose, in order to add some weight when pressing the muscles.

Simple controls – incredibly quiet operation

As for the controls, there is a single on/off button. A long press will turn on the massage gun. Keep pressing to cycle through the adjustable speeds. There are five – 1800, 2100, 2400, 2700 and 3000 percussion (rpm) per minute. This gives you a lot of flexibility. You’ll know which gear you belong to thanks to a strip of LED lights that extends from the power button.

The vibration amplitude is 7mm, which means the stroke is punchy but not that long. If you push it into your muscles, you will feel the percussion, which makes the device suitable for deep tissue massage.

This provides excellent post-exercise therapy as it promotes abundant blood flow to your muscles, helping you recover after a workout. That said, those after a very deep percussive massage will probably want to opt for a more powerful device. The Brad & Bob C2 (see on amazon) or one of the other devices might be a better option for them.

What impresses a lot is the fact that the Q2 Mini massage gun is very quiet during operation. Having used large massage guns in the past, I am very familiar with the noise they can generate. As I live in an apartment building, I have always made sure not to run them late at night so as not to disturb the next door neighbors. You won’t have such problems with Q2 Mini. It has noise reduction technology and sounds are less than 55dB even at the highest speed setting.

Five different attachments to target different muscle groups

As mentioned, there are a few different attachments that slide into the gun’s metal casing. Insert the one you want into the hole and it will stay in place. To remove it, you will have to pull firmly.

The size of the attachments is no different than what you’ll find on larger massage guns. Where you will find a difference in size is because of the massage gun itself. But not with massage heads.

You get five different options in the box. These are pretty standard and include:

• Fork head which is good for improving flexibility. With two stretch ends, it is recommended for the back, neck and spine;
• ball head which takes a spherical shape and serves to massage large muscles;
• bullet head. It has a small tip which makes it easier to target difficult areas. It basically provides the intensity of the fork clamp but with more precision;
• Air cushion head. This one is my favorite. It has a round, flat end and covers a wide area for large muscle groups. A good accessory to use if your muscles are very tense or to deal with bruises.
• flat head. A general purpose accessory. Its flat top evenly distributes the force of the massage gun. Easy to glide along muscles.

The ball-shaped head is made of firm foam material. The head of the air bag is made from a rubbery material while the remaining accessories are made from a harder plastic material.

Battery life is about 3.5 hours

In the box you will also find a USB-C charging cable. Plug it into the end of the massage gun and connect to a USB outlet when you want to refuel. You can also charge with a regular phone adapter or a 5V/2A adapter. Although these are not included in the purchase.

Next to the speed lights is a small battery light. This will let you know if you are running empty. If the color is red, you have less than 30% battery charge left. If the light starts flashing, you are below 20%. The blue color indicates that you still have quite a bit of massage time left. A full charge takes between three and four hours, which is quite long compared to the competition. When the device is charging, the light turns green.

The actual battery capacity is 2500mAh which is good for a few hours of massage. Up to 3.5 hours according to user manual.

Bob & Brad Q2 mini massage gun review: Tech specs

Bob & Brad Q2 mini massage gun review: how to use it

The Q2 Mini massage gun is one of those devices where you really don’t have to read the instruction booklet. Everything is explicit.

Charge it up, choose a setting, press the power button and cycle through the five percussive massage frequency settings until you find the one that’s right for you. To pause the massage unit, press the power button for 2 seconds. Press it again to resume. If you take a break, the machine will turn off after a period of non-use. That’s all there is to the controls.

As for the attachments, you just need to firmly insert the fitting inside the enclosure. The fork crown is the only one you need to be careful to align properly, otherwise it may fall off during use.

A simple controlled downward pressing motion is usually required when massaging. There is a small instruction booklet in the box which explains the different massage techniques. Or just fire up Youtube and watch one of the thousands of videos on the subject.

As a heavy user of massage guns, I was surprised at the benefits of using a smaller massage gun. It is lighter while allowing you to exert sufficient pressure on your muscles. The small size lets you reach muscles you couldn’t reach with the same ease with other massage guns. This includes areas such as your back, shoulders, and the inside of your legs. This is because you hold the massage gun in the palm of your hand so you can maneuver it more easily.

It also helps that the Q2 Mini has ergonomic silicone grips that ensure the device stays firmly in the palm of your hand. This allows for an easy and comfortable grip. Because it’s less hassle to use than big massage guns, I found myself reaching for the device more often than I usually would. It gave my sore muscles some much needed relief.

The company claims that Q2 Mini has an exclusive brushless motor inside which is very compact. In my tests, it worked perfectly. Despite using the massage gun several times a day for the past few weeks, the engine has not stalled once. The user manual states that the Q2 massage gun’s stall force is 32 lbs. In English, that means it would take a lot of pressure to stop him.

I’ve used massage guns that come with smartphone apps before. The beauty of this product is that it removes all of that. Take it out of the small case and massage yourself. No need for an app, internet connection or anything that could complicate your life.

Safety Precautions

It is important to note that after 10 minutes of operation, the device will turn itself off. This is a safety measure to guard against overheating. In fact, the thing has a smart chip inside that can protect against overvoltage, overcurrent, short circuit, overheating and more. After the 10 minutes, you can wait a while before turning it back on. Or turn it back on immediately and it will work for another 10 minutes.

The Q2 Mini gets a little warm after a few minutes of operation but it doesn’t get hot. There is a head dissipation air drop at one end which makes sure of this.

As with all massage guns, you should only use the device on joints and deep tissue. Do not press it against bony areas such as the shins, the backs of the feet or hands, or the head. It really should go without saying.

Bob & Brad Q2 mini massage gun review: The end result

The Bob & Brad Q2 Mini is a simple to use, handheld device that massages well and doesn’t cost too much. Its size means you can take it anywhere you go for quick relief and relaxation. Slip it into your gym bag or purse and you’re ready to go.

Where the device excels is in the strength of its motor, quiet operation and portability. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a serious machine that feels very solid. It may be lightweight in terms of size, but it is a heavyweight massager in terms of capabilities. Very easy to use and hold, definitely more comfortable to handle than larger counterparts.

Bob & Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun Gadgets & Wearables can get a commission

I give the Bob & Brand Q2 Mini my highest recommendation. It’s a great little product that does exactly what it’s designed to do. It is an ideal purchase for those who travel a lot or have an active lifestyle.

Another advantage is that it is one of the cheapest massage guns on the market. You can view it at Amazon. A purchase entitles you to a 1 year warranty. The company says that if you’re unhappy with the product, they’ll exchange, replace, or refund you under the warranty.