Ekrin Bantam vs Kestrel: Battle of the Extremes
Naila Syifa
Updated December 2024
If we put Ekrin Bantam and Kestrel in a line, they are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of price, size, and power. Ekrin is the most affordable, compact, and least-intense massage gun while Kestrel is the most expensive, full-sized, and most powerful option among Ekrin's massage gun lineup.
So, how do these two contrasting massage guns stack up against each other?
Key Takeaways
The Bantam is smaller and cheaper, but the Kestrel delivers more power at 56 lbs force and 13 mm amplitude compared to the Bantam's 35 lbs force and 10 mm amplitude. Bantam uses a single button for operation, while Kestrel has a more user-friendly scroll wheel for control. Kestrel is also more customizable with 6 attachments and 6 speed levels, compared to Bantam with 4 attachments and 3 speed settings.
Ekrin Bantam
Travel-Friendly Design
✓ 10 mm Amplitude
✓ 3 Speeds
✓ 4 Attachments
✓ Lightweight at 1.1 lbs
Ekrin Kestrel
Most Powerful
✓ 13 mm Amplitude
✓ 6 Speeds with Scroll Wheel
✓ 6 Locking Attachments
✓ Textured Grip
Design & Controls
Ekrin Kestrel
Both the Bantam and Kestrel have a similar T-shaped design with a 15-degree angled handle and premium soft-touch materials that are sweat and moisture-resistant.
The difference is that the Bantam is 50% smaller and more compact than the full-sized Kestrel, making it much easier to pack and carry around. At 1.1 lbs of weight, it is also very lightweight and comfortable to hold for extended periods, compared to the Kestrel with 2.2 lbs of weight.
However, Bantam has a very simple control featuring just one button on the base of the handle, which you can long press to power on/off and short press to cycle through the speed levels.
Meanwhile, Ekrin Kestrel features a scroll wheel, which can be pressed for power on/off and rotated for speed level adjustment. Scrolling the wheel is much quicker and more convenient than having to cycle through all the speeds with a single button.
Four blue LED lights at the bottom of the scroll wheel display the remaining battery life, while colorful indicators above the wheel show the current speed setting. Green indicates low speeds (1 and 2), yellow for medium speeds (3 and 4), and purple for high speeds (5 and 6).
Ekrin Bantam only has one light indicator for battery level and none for speed. It can be frustrating as we can’t see the current speed setting at a glance. We have to directly feel the vibration intensity to gauge the speed level we're on.
Ekrin Kestrel also has a textured handle, which provides better grip and control during use. The Bantam, meanwhile, has a smooth handle that may be a bit slippery when your hands are sweaty.
Attachments
Ekrin Bantam
Ekrin Bantam comes with 4 attachments included, which make it versatile to target different muscle groups and massage needs.
The Flat is for overall use, the Bullet is for targeting trigger points and knots, the Fork is for the spine and neck, while the Round offers a more gentle massage of sensitive areas.
Ekrin Kestrel offers all four attachments of the Bantam, plus two more specialized heads: a Cone for targeting tender and bony areas, and an Air Cushion for softer massage on sensitive spots. With 6 attachments, the Kestrel provides more options for customizing your massage experience.
On top of that, attachments that come with Kestrel are locking attachments, which means they can be twisted clockwise to better secure them into place, reducing the risk of them falling out or twisting during use.
Performance
Ekrin Kestrel
The Kestrel is powered by Ekrin's Level 4 Brushless Motor, which is far superior to the Bantam's Level 1 motor in terms of power output and performance.
Ekrin Kestrel demonstrates this power with an impressive 56 pounds of stall force, a deep 13 mm amplitude, and fine-tuned control through six speed settings that range from 1800 to 3500 RPM.
The Bantam, on the other hand, generates 35 pounds of stall force and a 10 mm amplitude, which is still effective for everyday muscle recovery but not as intense as the Kestrel's deep tissue massage capabilities.
Ekrin Bantam also offers more limited speed settings with just three levels operating at 2000, 2600, and 3200 RPM.
Battery & Charging
Ekrin Bantam
The Ekrin Kestrel leads in battery performance with an impressive 8-hour runtime, thanks to its large 2600mAh battery capacity.
Meanwhile, the Bantam is rated for up to 6 hours of operation with its 1600 mAh battery. Though Bantam has a shorter battery life, it's still plenty sufficient for a massage gun.
Both models utilize modern USB-C charging cables, but only the Kestrel supports Power Delivery (PD) to enable fast charging, allowing for a quick charging time despite its larger battery capacity.
Ekrin Bantam vs Kestrel
Final Thoughts
Ekrin Kestrel
The Kestrel stands out as the more powerful and feature-rich option, with its superior motor, powerful performance, more intuitive control interface, and longer battery life. Meanwhile, the Bantam excels as a compact, minimalistic device that's perfect for basic recovery needs and travel. Your choice between the two will largely depend on whether you prioritize maximum power and versatility or portability and simplicity.
For deep tissue work and serious athletes, the Kestrel's extra power makes it worth the higher price, but casual users seeking basic muscle relief will find the Bantam more than adequate at a lower cost.
If you like to read more about massage guns, check out our other relevant guides here:
Ekrin Bantam vs B37
Ekrin B37 vs B37S
Ekrin B37 vs Kestrel
Ekrin B37S vs Kestrel
Ekrin Bantam vs Theragun Mini
Ekrin Bantam vs Hypervolt Go 2
Ekrin B37 vs Hypervolt 2
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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