How To Travel And Thrive With A Massage Gun [2023]

Should You Bring Your Handy Massage Gun With You?

Even though traveling works wonders to break us out of our daily routines, unfavorable habits, and the ruts we may find ourselves in, it also risks disrupting any existing positive habits we may have already established. While some of these positive habits can be performed nearly anywhere, like following a relatively healthy diet (tempting as it may be to stray), others require specific tools which we can benefit from bringing with us even when we do leave home. One such tool is a massage gun. If you own a massage gun, upcoming air travel may prompt the question, “Can you bring a massage gun on a plane?”

Let’s take a quick step back. If you’re unfamiliar with this device, a massage gun is a tool for administering deep tissue massage therapy. Their popularity has grown in recent years for all the right reasons and understandably so. Historically they were used primarily by physical therapists and athletic staff for rehabilitation and recovery, respectively. They’ve recently become increasingly accessible and affordable for personal use thanks to a wave of new and innovative products. These valuable massage tools have completely changed the game regarding self-massage therapy.

Can You Bring A Massage Gun On A Plane?

The short and simple answer to the question is yes. You can bring a massage gun on a plane. According to the list of pre-approved items on the ‘What Can I Bring?’ page of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website, massagers are generally allowed and can be packed in your carry-on luggage and checked baggage.

That being said, there are a couple of “ifs and buts” to consider before flying with an electric massager.

Guidance On Bringing Massage Guns On Planes

According to the TSA,

“Devices containing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations.”

Furthermore, here’s what the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says. According to the FAA,

“Most consumer personal electronic devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, data loggers, PDAs, electronic games, tablets, laptop computers, cameras, camcorders, watches, calculators, etc. This covers typical dry cell batteries and lithium metal and lithium ion batteries for consumer electronics (AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, camera batteries, laptop batteries, etc.)”

Why is the FAA also relevant here you may ask? Essentially, the FAA focuses on airport safety while TSA focuses on airport security. When it comes to what you can and cannot bring on board an aircraft unsurprisingly these two intersect and overlap. Basically, both regulatory bodies dictate what is and isn’t permitted.

Key Considerations For Transporting Massage Guns On Planes

Based on the TSA and FAA’s guidance, transporting an electronic device largely comes down to the type, composition, and size of the device itself or, in this case, the massage gun. When determining if and where to pack your massage gun simply take a minute to reflect on the following three questions below.

1) Is The Battery On The Massage Gun You’re Traveling With Installed Or Detachable?

If your massage gun’s battery is installed (non-detachable and built-in) then the choice is yours. You can place it in your carry-on bag or checked bag. If your massage gun’s lithium-ion battery is not built-in (i.e., it’s detachable or a spare), it is prohibited from being left in a checked bag. If so, it must be placed in your carry-on bag.

You should know that best practice is for portable devices containing a lithium battery (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) to be carried in your carry-on bag when possible.

2) Are You Planning On Checking In A Massage Gun?

If you do in fact decide to check in a massage gun with a built-in battery, whether that be at the ticket counter, gate, or planeside, the massage device will need to be completely powered off. It will also need to be covered in such a way as to prevent it from turning on, damaging itself, or causing a fire hazard inadvertently.

Once more, a massage gun (or any electronic device) with spare batteries or removable batteries that are lithium metal or lithium-ion is not allowed in your checked luggage under any circumstances. It must be removed from your checked bag and kept with you in the aircraft cabin.

3) Are You Planning On Bringing A Massage Gun In Your Carry-On Bag?

If you decide to transport your massage gun in your carry-on bag then make sure:

• It fits properly in your bag.
• It’s not large enough to be suspected of serving as a blunt instrument.
• It’s readily accessible to be taken out during the security screening process.

As a general guiding principle for travel (and life), it’s always a good idea to be proactive instead of reactive. Therefore, I recommend the massage gun be taken out of your bag during security screening and placed in a bin. This is similar to how you would for laptop computers and other larger portable electronic devices. This will diminish the risk of a delay as a result of it being flagged together with the trouble of having your entire carry-on bag inspected in depth.

When In Doubt, Reach Out!

There’s nothing more nerve-racking than approaching airport security and not knowing if one of your prized possessions will be allowed through. Or equally as stressful, showing up at the airport with only a carry-on bag with the fear that you’ll be told one of your items needs to be checked in.

When in doubt about items not listed on the What Can I Bring?’ page on the TSA website, simply snap a picture of the item in question or send your question via social media to AskTSA on Facebook Messenger or Twitter.

Why You Should, In Fact, Bring Your Massage Gun With You

So you’re now aware that you can bring a massage gun onboard a plane by complying with any requirements. But just because you can does it mean you should? Ultimately, it depends on the type of traveler you are as well as your lifestyle, preferences, and personal needs. This is not about convincing you that you should! Instead, it’s about keeping you mindful of opportunities and highlighting some of the advantages of having this tool at your fingertips.

Numerous Health Benefits

As with any health and wellness habit, its benefits are compounded through consistency. This is precisely why any existing habit of using a massage gun shouldn’t be cut short every time you travel for an extended period of time. What’s more, even if you only use it on occasion you can still reap the benefits while traveling. Massage guns can help increase blood flow, soothe sore muscles, relax tight muscles, relieve muscle pain, and heal muscle tissue. Some of the added health benefits of using one include the following:

• Reduced muscle tension
• Stimulated nerve function
• Greater flexibility, mobility, and range of motion
• Improved sleep quality
• Eased stress and anxiety
• Better focus and concentration
• Accelerated rehabilitation
• Injury prevention
• Strengthened immune system
• Lymphatic stimulation
• Facilitated lactic acid release

Boosting Your Energy And Spirit While Traveling

While traveling is not necessarily about doing more, you’re surely at an advantage when you’re at your best. This is particularly true when you consider the time, financial investment, coordination effort, and planning that went into making your trip a reality in the first place. Plus, let’s be real. We’ve all been guilty of jampacking our itineraries such that we feel the need for a vacation after our vacation. These powerful gadgets can help you hack your physical conditions and energy levels throughout your travels to make each moment count. Personally, I take mine everywhere I go as I’ve found it helps me sleep better, relax stiff muscles, lessen muscle soreness, recover quicker from an active day, and stay energized — all on the go.

Can You Use A Massage Gun On A Plane During A Long Flight?

You may be wondering if, after all that, you’re actually allowed to use a massage gun during a flight. Absolutely! Long flights can take a toll on you and having one on hand can minimize any discomfort by providing muscle relief. Using your massage gun in flight is fine so long as you don’t cause any disruptions. Be sure to practice common courtesy, remain respectful to other passengers, and follow all airline safety protocols. A fun fact is they can help you hit the ground running after an overnight flight.

Other Travel Scenarios Where Massage Guns Come In Clutch

Whether you’re embarking on (or deplaning from) a long flight, sitting for hours a day on a road trip, putting in serious steps over the course of a long journey, or on your feet for long periods of time wandering a new city, one thing is certain. This is one piece of travel gear you’ll be glad to have with you at the end of each day. Below are a few additional scenarios where it can make all the difference later that day or the following day.

• Train rides
• Hikes and treks
• Biking and cycling
• Climbing and mountaineering
• Ski and snowboarding
• Water sports
• Music festivals
• Marathons and half marathons
• The list goes on and on…

An Added Bonus: Cost Effectiveness

Notwithstanding the long-winded list of health benefits, massage guns can also bring financial benefits. Owning a massage gun presents potential cost savings compared to receiving a regular massage from a massage therapist. This is especially applicable to those who suffer from chronic pain (such as back pain) and depend on regular massage therapy for immediate pain relief. Of course, this is not about comparing apples and oranges. Naturally, a massage gun is no replacement for a trained and certified professional. Nonetheless, it is an exceptional and convenient substitute without any extra cost following its one-time purchase. Hands-on massage prices will vary from place to place yet it’s clear how quickly one can break even given the long-term value these devices deliver.

Best Massage Guns To Bring On A Plane (And For Travel Generally)

Massage Gun Types: Percussion vs. Vibration

There are two main massage gun types: percussion (or percussive) and vibration. The major difference between them is that percussion devices provide a deeper and more targeted massage (about 60% deeper) while vibration devices resonate more widely. Percussion uses rapid and repetitive movements to apply varying degrees of singular pressure. Vibration, on the other hand, entails vibrating continuously to make your muscles contract and relax repeatedly. In reality, most massage guns use a combination of both percussion and vibration. The massage head swiftly applies focused pressure to the muscles (through percussions) while simultaneously relaxing the outer layers (through vibrations).

Suited For The Occasion

If you happen to be exploring different percussion massage gun options for purchase, some of the top brands out there include Achedaway, Bob and Brad, Ekrin, Hyperice, Lifepro, Opove, RecoverFun, Sportneer, Therabody, Urikar, and Vybe. Despite the fact that all of these brands vary in terms of their battery life, noise level, speed settings, interchangeable heads, stall force, percussions per minute (ppm), price points, and other factors, the truth is they all produce excellent handheld massagers.

Though you may be able to bring most massage guns on a plane with you, some are unquestionably far better suited for travel and public spaces than others due to their size, weight, and noise level. This is where smaller (or “mini”) massage guns rise to the occasion and can even come to rival their larger counterparts.

Below is a comparison list of some of the best mini massage guns to travel and thrive with. Ahead of that list are some of the standard technical terms used when describing massage gun features.

• Stroke Length: Describes how far the massage gun head travels back and forth and how deep it can get into those target muscle areas.
• Stall Force: Refers to the pounds of force that can be applied before the massage gun stops applying pressure.
• Max Percussion: Measures the peak number of rapid percussions the percussion massager can hit in a minute.

After comparing and contrasting these mini massage guns three frontrunners emerge, each with its own noteworthy set of attributes. They all have a compact design, pack a punch with a powerful motor, are comparably silent, and come with a handy carrying case.

My Top Pick: The Therabody Theragun Mini 2

My top pick and the one I own is the Theragun Mini. It’s the only lightweight massage gun that comes with a stroke length of 12 mm as this is something you really only find in larger, more full-sized massage guns. If like me you prefer a deeper massage and don’t want to compromise portability then this is your best option. I also, personally, like its triangular shape, texture, sturdiness, and travel case. It’s worth noting that the Theragun Mini is the highest-priced device on the list. Therabody has positioned itself as a premium brand and, like any Theragun massage gun, tends to command a higher price point. I presume this may also be due to its standout stroke length and unique Bluetooth connectivity feature. If you’re not looking to spend as much then definitely have a look at the other two contenders below. While they may not compete with the deeper strokes of the Theragun Mini, they surely compensate for it in more ways than one.

Best Overall: The Ekrin Athletics Bantam

Despite owning a Theragun Mini and loving it, I bow down to the Ekrin Bantam. It’s practically the best massage gun of its size and the perfect massage gun for travel available on the market today. The Ekrin Bantam weighs the same as the Theragun Mini. However, it costs less, includes 4 (instead of 3) interchangeable massage heads, and delivers greater stall force and percussions per minute. If you prefer grasping a handle compared to the Theragun Mini’s “ergonomic” shape then tack that on as an extra perk. Not only that but it comes with a lifetime warranty versus the Theragun Mini’s 2 years. The only drawback is that it doesn’t quite match the Theragun Mini’s longer and “punchier” strokes. This may just be a personal preference and one of the main reasons I went with my top pick.

Best Value: The Bob and Brad Q2

Last but certainly not least, the Bob and Brad Q2 comes ready to rumble with the rest. It offers the best bang for your buck which makes it the best massage gun as far as value is concerned. Be that as it may, its quality and performance are not proportional to its price. This remains a powerful massage gun operated by a strong motor. Additionally, it features 5 different speeds (more than the Theragun Mini and Ekrin Bantam) and includes 5 different massage heads (more than any other massage gun on the list). It’s priced lower than the Ekrin Bantam and delivers higher stall force and percussions per minute than the Thergun Mini. Realistically, there are specific muscle groups that don’t require as much pressure. Consequently, the 5-speed range of the Bob and Brad Q2 makes it a great option for anyone with varying sensitivity. Again, I tend to prefer that deeper massage feeling which is why I’ll keep gravitating back towards my Theragun Mini. Unfortunately, each Bob and Brad product is only backed by a 1-year warranty.

For a list of other travel tools you can benefit from traveling with, be sure to check out my Travel Gear page.

Bottomline — Can You Bring A Massage Gun On A Plane?

The good news is yes, generally speaking, you can bring a massage gun on a plane! Nevertheless, there are several things to consider and protocols to follow. Doing so will ease your overall travel experience by avoiding hold-ups, scrambles, and hassles at the airport. Here are the key takeaways:

• Examine Your Massage Gun’s Configuration: If your massage gun’s lithium-ion battery is built-in or installed (i.e., non-detachable) then you can pack it in your carry-on or checked bag. If your massage gun’s battery is detached (i.e., not built-in or a spare), you must carry it in your carry-on bag.
• Respect Conventions: It’s considered best practice for portable devices containing removable lithium batteries to be transported in your carry-on bag whenever possible.
• Practice Proactiveness: Anticipate the future and act before a situation escalates and becomes a source of complication and frustration. Always remove your massage gun from your bag during the security screening process and show it to the TSA officer.

In the end, the final go or no-go decision on whether an item is allowed through the security checkpoint is at the sole discretion of the TSA officer. It’s always a smart idea to check beforehand by (1) reviewing the ‘What Can I Bring?’ page on the TSA website and/or (2) snapping a picture or sending a question to AskTSA on Facebook Messenger or Twitter to be 100% sure.

Wishing you safe and reenergizing travels!

If you’re planning your next out of office odyssey, be sure to check out my Travel Resources page.

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