Percussion massage guns have gained significant popularity in recent years, leading to a wide range of options in terms of price, power, and size. While many companies seem to emerge suddenly, Bob and Brad stand out due to their combined experience of over 60 years in physical therapy. Together, they have developed products and provided online resources to educate and assist people in their recovery and enhance their overall fitness. Their product lineup includes options that focus on wellness, fitness, stretching, and pain management. Today, we will examine one of their most popular products, the Q2 Pro Mini Massage Gun.
The Q2 Pro Mini
Like many massage guns on the market, the Q2 Pro is operated by a single button. To turn it on, press and hold the power button. After that, you can press the button repeatedly to cycle through the five percussive speed settings, which range from 1,800 to 3,000 RPM. Despite its travel-friendly size, the top speeds provide ample force with a 7mm amplitude, allowing for a deep tissue massage. Notably, the Q2 Pro also features an impressive 32lb stall force, enabling users to apply significant pressure before the motor shuts off.
The Q2 Pro comes with a well-designed carrying case that will easily fit inside a duffel bag or backpack. On the cover of the case is some simple Bob and Brand branding. Inside are designated slots for the Q2 Pro and all five included attachments, along with a mesh pocket ideal for storing the USB-C charging cable.
It’s worth mentioning that a charging brick is not included in the packaging, but that should not be an issue, as most people can use a standard smartphone charger. Bob and Brad recommend fully charging the unit before its first use, and a full charge can take up to three hours. There is also a built-in 10-minute automatic shutoff feature to prevent accidental battery drain if left on in your gym bag or elsewhere.
Battery levels are indicated by a lightning bolt-shaped light. A blue light signifies that the battery is over 30% charged, while a red light indicates that the battery level is between 20% and 30%. If you see a red flashing light, it warns that the remaining charge is below 20%, which means it’s time to grab your charging cable.
The Attachments – Q2 Pro Mini
As mentioned above, five different attachments are included with the Q2 Pro Mini; below is a brief rundown of each.
Round: The ball-shaped head is easily the most recognizable attachment in the industry for percussion massagers. Not only is it popular in design, but it also effectively treats large muscle groups.
Air Cushion Head: This design draws inspiration from the typical flat head attachment, but it features an air-filled interior with a squishy feel. It is likely the least aggressive option compared to the other attachments included since it’s not made of hard plastic like the Fork or Bullet and has more flexibility than the round ball attachment. The most significant advantage of this air-filled design is that you can use it freely over bony areas without causing any pain.
Bullet: Another standard attachment paired with massage guns is perfect for knots or those seeking a deeper massage. Where the air-filled attachment is forgiving in nature, this one is the exact opposite, so be careful when using it.
Fork: Bob and Brad affectionately refer to this as “the field goal” because of its goalpost shape. This head design is the most targeted, specifically configured to work effectively around the Achilles tendon. It can also be used along the entire length of the spine and on areas such as your forearm.
Hot & Cold: The standout feature of the Q2 Pro is its hot and cold therapy attachment, designed for use before and after workouts. It offers four temperature settings, which can be easily adjusted by either single or double-tapping the hot or cold buttons.
For cold therapy, you can set the temperature to 50°F (indicated by a green light) or 59°F (indicated by a blue light). For heat therapy, temperatures can reach up to 104°F (shown with an orange LED) and 113°F (indicated by a red LED).
Testing Thoughts
Taking it out of the carrying case, the first two things that stood out were how light it was at just under 1 pound and how comfortable it was in the hand. The body is a combination of smooth, glossy plastic(hello fingerprints) and a soft silicone material that helps give a little extra grip.
Sound
Bob and Brad describe the Q2 Pro as ultra-quiet, with noise levels ranging from 30 to 50 decibels. When comparing it to another mini massage gun, we found the Q2 Pro slightly quieter. It was quiet enough to use in the living room without being asked to turn it off or raise the television’s volume. Additionally, the Q2 Pro was tested in an office environment and did not disturb any coworkers, even when operating at the highest setting.
Favorite Attachment
My favorite attachment is the air-cushioned head, but the one that garners the most attention is the hot and cold head. This hot and cold head is the primary distinction between the Q2 Pro and the standard Q2 model. The non-Pro Q2 features a traditional flat head instead of the hot and cold option and is priced about $20 lower.
Hot and Cold Performance
Regarding the performance of the hot and cold head, there are some important details to highlight. First, this attachment needs to be charged via USB-C. It also has an internal fan that activates when using the cooling function. However, if you are using the cold setting while the Q2 Pro is on and in percussion mode, the fan’s operation may go unnoticed. Regardless of the setting chosen, the flat tip responds quickly to either heating up or cooling down. Both settings have their purposes, but I used the heat setting more frequently.
Final Thoughts
The Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini Massage Gun can be purchased through their website and on Amazon. It currently sells for $89.99 regardless of which location you purchase it, although at the time of this writing, there is a $14 coupon available via Amazon. For anyone searching for long-term or additional feedback, the Q2 has received over 13,000 ratings on Amazon with an average feedback of 4.7. Bob and Brad have genuinely delivered a quality product for those seeking a portable massage gun.
Even if the Q2 Pro Mini is not the product for you, know that Bob and Brad offer more than just products; they also have a YouTube channel that covers a wide range of topics, from pain relief to posture exercises, better sleeping solutions, and even how to manage blood pressure. Their video library is quite deep, with over 4,600 videos, and they have garnered 5.2 million subscribers. While the running joke on their website is that Bob and Brad mention that they are the most famous physical therapists on the internet, they certainly have numbers to help feed that reality. Click here to check out their video content.
Anyone seeking more information on the Q2 Pro or other physical therapy needs should head to www.bobandbrad.com.
