Ekrin Bantam vs Theragun Mini: Let's Pick the Winner!
Naila Syifa
Updated December 2024
If you want a capable yet portable massage gun, the Ekrin Bantam and Theragun Mini are two excellent options to consider. Both have a compact, travel-friendly design, but they have different areas they excel at. Which massage gun wins in each category? Let's find out which one comes out on top!
Key Takeaways
Theragun Mini wins in design, controls, and smart features, while Ekrin Bantam wins in massage performance, attachments, and battery life. Choose Theragun Mini if you want in-app guided routines and gentler massage, but choose Ekrin Bantam if you prioritize power and strong performance over smart features.
Ekrin Bantam
Small but Powerful
✓ 10 mm Amplitude
✓ 35 lbs Force
✓ 4 Attachments
✓ Lightweight at 1.1 lbs
Theragun Mini (2nd Gen)
Small, Light, & Smart
✓ 12 mm Amplitude
✓ 20 lbs Force
✓ Therabody app via Bluetooth
✓ Lightweight at 1 lb
Design
Ekrin Bantam
Both massage guns have very different designs. The Ekrin Bantam has a pistol-like design with a 15° angled handle, while the Theragun Mini has a triangular shape. However, they are compact and optimized for a comfortable grip and easy access to different body parts.
Theragun Mini is slightly lighter at 1 lb (0.45 kg) compared to Ekrin Bantam, which weighs 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg). However, it's a very tiny difference that won't be noticeable in actual use.
What could be more significant is the varying color options that the Theragun Mini offers, including black, desert rose, and white. The desert rose color particularly appeals to female users who may prefer a more aesthetically pleasing design. Meanwhile, Ekrin Bantam only comes in black with a green accent.
Winner: Theragun Mini
Control Interface
Theragun Mini (2nd Gen)
Ekrin Bantam and Theragun Mini have a similar single-button operation. Long pressing the button will turn on/off the device while quick pressing it will cycle through the different speed settings.
What's different between the two is the position of this power/speed button. Theragun Mini has the button on the right side of the device, while Ekrin Bantam places it on the base of the handle, next to the charging port. Some reviewers mentioned Bantam's button placement as somewhat awkward and would prefer it on the top of the handle instead.
Alongside the single button, Theragun Mini also adds LED indicators. One LED indicator for the battery is found in the center of the button, while three LED indicators for speed are located to the left of the button.
Ekrin Bantam only features one light indicator for battery level next to the button. There are no speed indicators, so you'll have to rely on the vibration intensity you feel to know which speed setting you're on.
Winner: Theragun Mini
Attachments
Ekrin Bantam vs Theragun Mini
Ekrin Bantam comes with 4 attachments made of soft EVA materials. These include the flat for various body parts, the bullet for pinpoint massage, the round (silicone) for large muscle groups, and the fork for the spine and neck.
Meanwhile, Theragun Mini only offers 3 attachments, including the standard ball for general use, the dampener for tender or bony areas, and the thumb for trigger points and the lower back. These attachments are made of closed-cell PU foam.
With more attachments, Bantam offers greater versatility to target different muscle groups and massage needs.
Winner: Ekrin Bantam
Performance
Theragun Mini
Ekrin Bantam delivers 35 lbs of stall force with a 10 mm amplitude, while Theragun Mini provides 20 lbs of stall force with a 12 mm amplitude.
A higher stall force on the Bantam means stronger power, but Theragun Mini's higher amplitude means it reaches deeper into the muscle tissue. With each having its own strengths, it's difficult to declare one as definitively more powerful or effective than the other.
So let's examine the next aspect: speed. Both massage guns offer 3 built-in speed settings, but they cover different ranges. Theragun Mini is on the lower side with 1750, 2100, and 2400 PPM speed options while Ekrin Bantam operates at a higher range of 2000, 2600, and 3200 PPM.
Adding the speed into the equation, the Ekrin Bantam appears to have a slight edge in overall performance with its higher stall force and speed options. You can expect a more intense massage compared to the Theragun Mini, whose lower force and speed may give a gentler, more soothing feeling.
Winner: Ekrin Bantam
Additional Features
Ekrin Bantam vs Theragun Mini
Theragun Mini can connect to the Therabody app via Bluetooth, expanding its features beyond the basic on-device controls. For example, on the app, you can customize the speed to anywhere between 1750-2400 PPM, giving you more flexibility than the fixed speed settings on the device.
You can also see the force meter, which displays how much pressure you're applying during the massage so you can optimize your technique for better results.
But perhaps the most appealing feature of the app is the guided routines. You can select from a library of routines depending on your specific purpose, then the app will guide you through the massage session step-by-step. It even auto-controls the device settings to match the routine and gives you recommendations on which attachment to use.
Ekrin Bantam has no companion app, so it lacks the smart features and customization options offered by the Theragun Mini through the Therabody app.
It simply comes with instructions paper that covers which muscle to target and the recommended duration and time for each muscle. That provides some level of guidance, but you still have to count the time and progress manually. Therabody app, meanwhile, does all the work for you so you can just follow along.
Winner: Theragun Mini
Battery Life
Ekrin Bantam
Ekrin Bantam is claimed to offer up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge. Some reviewers have reported the claim to be pretty accurate, but different settings and usage patterns affect the actual battery life, so expect 4-6 hours of real-world usage time.
Even so, the Bantam's battery life is still superior to the Theragun Mini, which is rated for just up to 2 hours of runtime on a single charge. 2 hours is still decent for a massage gun its size, especially as you won't be using the device for more than 20 minutes at a time.
However, Ekrin Bantam's three times longer battery life gives it a significant advantage, allowing for more extended use without needing to recharge.
Winner: Ekrin Bantam
Ekrin Bantam vs Theragun Mini
Final Thoughts
Theragun Mini
Theragun Mini excels in its appealing design, more user-friendly controls, and smart features enabled by Therabody app connectivity. Meanwhile, the Ekrin Bantam offers stronger massage performance, a wider range of attachments, and significantly longer battery life. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
If you prioritize power and don't mind giving up some smart capabilities, the Ekrin Bantam is the better pick. However, if you think in-app guided routines are important and prefer a gentler massage experience, the Theragun Mini would be the more suitable option.
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 Kestrel
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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