Actigun Review : An Impressively Powerful Massage Gun

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I’ve been quite the lucky badger recently, with Actigun reaching out to ask if I’d like to review their fancy pants massage gun. I was very excited about this and I know it’s something that could be of interest to a lot of folks, so I’m thrilled to be able to share my thoughts with you here. This is one powerful, top quality, high tech piece of kit.

About Actigun

Actigun works on the premise of percussive therapy, essentially referring to the benefit derived from acting on deep muscle tissue in quick, pulsating, and focused strokes. Such therapy can help  relieve muscle tightness, release tension, encourage healthy circulation, accelerate regeneration and increase range of motion.

Anyone could use and benefit from a massage gun, but I was keen to try this bad boy given as how I live with chronic pain and have problems with muscle stiffness and knots. In particular, I wanted to see if this could help the knotted muscles around my neck and shoulders, which worsens the dislocations of my shoulders.

Actigun is a Hong Kong-based company. They started up in 2020 but already the products have had a lot of publicity. They have two products for sale via their website : The Actigun Classic and the Actigun Ace. 

Both Actigun devices offer professional treatment for pro-level benefits in a way that’s highly versatile and customisable to your needs.

Key Points

• Shock-resistant handle & non-slip design – More ergonomic and comfortable to use 

• Quiet operation – ‘Whisper quiet’ brushless motor (the Ace is only 45dbs)

• Powerful motor – 1800-3400 rmin, high torque, effective and powerful motor (Ace operates at 1500-3500 r/min)

• Heat dissipation – Won’t get too hot to handle

• Long battery life – Up to 3 hours continual use per battery charge (the Ace is 4+ hours)

• Adjustable speed – 6 speed settings 

• Smart customisation – AI smart chip responds to your body

• Lightweight – Weighing in at around 1.2lbs, this cordless massager is easy to store & highly portable (the Ace is 1.5lbs)

Benefits Of A Massage Gun

There are various potential benefits from a massage gun, beyond the obvious regarding tight muscles. Here’s a look at just a couple of benefits of massage guns and the deep tissue massage they provide : 

• Improved muscle contraction, leading to improved strength and length of muscle and fascial tissue.
• Better range of motion and general mobility, with relief of muscle stiffness or spasm.
• Boosts blood circulation, leading to improved oxygen and nutrient supply around the body.
• Boosts lymphatic flow.
• Increased circulation and tissue metabolism can also aid tissue repair and break down scar tissue, helping with prevention and recovery in the case of injury or overtraining. 
• Improved sports performance and recovery after training.
• Targeted pain relief.
• Vibration from massage guns (“percussive massage”) can benefit the rest of the body, and not just where the gun targets, for instance by helping shoulder, lower back and neck pain.
• Easing of muscle tension.
• Relief of muscle soreness releasing lactic acid build up.

There are, of course, also wider implications to overall wellbeing from these above benefits. For instance, improved sleep, mental health, immune system functionality, ability to move a little more freely, less stress from pain and so on.

★ ★ ★

Actigun Classic vs Ace

The classic Actigun comes in silver or black, and includes 4 interchangeable massage heads. The Ace is an all black design that comes with 6 massage heads and a neat carry case. 

The Ace is a tiny bit heavier and comes with more goodies, but it also has a slightly more powerful motor, longer battery life between recharges and it features a touchscreen with HD LCD display, showing you the speed and battery life and allowing you to adjust the settings as required. 

Massage Heads

• 1&2 : Bullet Head (x2 sizes)- deep tissue massage, targeted massage and joint injuries
• 3 : U-Shaped Head – massaging spine, achilles and neck
• 4 : Rubble Gas Head – all areas of the body
• 5 : M&L Ball Head – larger muscle groups like the back, thighs, calves, buttocks and arms
• 6 : Flat Head – all parts of the body for muscle relaxation

Smarter Massage

What really sets this bad boy apart from similar massagers is the built in AI Smart Chip. This humanisation of the product is designed to enable the massager to react to your muscles and specific needs, adjusting the percussive strength as required. The chip can enable faster, more effective and quieter performance, tailor made to your body. It also prevents the massager from overloading, overcharging or overheating, for safe operation and peace of mind. 

Battery 

This uses a 12.5V / 2550mAH lithion-ion battery, giving the Ace 4+hrs of runtime on a single charge. When the battery is depleted, it’s recommended you charge for 4-5hrs to fully juice it up and don’t leave it unattended while charging.

The Ace gun has a digital display and control buttons for adjusting the massaging power. The display shows the massage power level to the left, and the battery life remaining before it’ll need recharging to the right.

There are 6 levels on this gun : 

Level 1- 1500r/min   /  Level 2 – 1900r/min  /  Level 3 – 2300r/min  /  Level 4 – 2700r/min  /  Level 5 – 3100r/min  / Level 6 – 3500r/min

As you can see, level 1 is the lowest and slowest, and level 6 is the most powerful, so be cautious when using the 5th and 6th levels.

Price

The price is the only downside I can see here because it’s not cheap. On the website, the Actigun classic sells for £99.99 (RRP £299.99) and the Ace sells for £169.99 (RRP £600). I don’t personally believe the RRP but the current prices you can buy these massage guns are – after using one myself and shopping around – more reasonable than I originally thought.

I’ve seen surprisingly similar massage guns online and I’ve tried to compare them from the specifications and reviews. The cheaper ones are better for your purse, but the quality, technology and power appear much lower. Reviews are more hit and miss for the cheaper non-branded versions, and even if you spend £60 on one it’s a lot of money if the product doesn’t do as intended and you don’t have reliable customer service if you need a replacement or repair. 

Having used Actigun, I can see why it’s pricier and why it gets rave reviews. It’s high tech, it’s top quality, it’s effective. It’s better value for money if it lasts you longer and you get good use from it, and there’s some peace of mind that you’re getting a known brand and customer support. 

You get a lot more bang for your buck with Actigun so I can see it being a worthwhile investment given the potentially priceless benefits.

Website & Customer Service 

The products can only be purchased directly on the Actigun website and they deliver worldwide.

24/7 customer service is offered. On their Contact Us page, you can contact them by the email address provided, use the web form, or even meet them in person if you’re in the Hong Kong area! If you’re not nearby then fear not, for a telephone number is also provided. 

I’ve not had to use their customer service but my interactions with their team in relation to this review have been positive.

The website is very basic but it contains the key information you might need and it’s very simple to navigate to the Actigun or Actigun Ace for purchase. I would have liked to have seen additional pages, more versatile navigation and some background on the company itself. I would also have liked to see more information on the likes of shipping costs, and whether they’re on any social media. 

Generally speaking, the website just seems a bit barebones and not the swish getup I’d anticipate from a big company with a badass product like this. That said, it’s still a young brand and instead of faffing with websites, they’re probably more able to focus on customer service and the product itself, which is what really matters.

How To Use

Given the pressure of the gun, it’s recommended that you wear clothing (you can still massage in the buff, just cover the part your massaging with clothing). They also advise that you massage any single area for only one minute at a time, and that you don’t use it on your head or any bony parts.

1. When you first get the gun, you’ll need to fully charge the battery. Simply plug it in and ensure the gun itself isn’t on when charging. 
2. Select the head required for your purposes.
3. Turn on the power switch at the base of the handle.
4. Use the +/- buttons on the gun to increase or decrease massage power.
5. Massage away! 
6. Change the head to massage other areas, or once finished turn off and store safely.

If you’ve used the massager for an hour, it’s recommended you turn it off for at least half an hour before using again. This is because it’s a powerful piece of kit and for safety purposes you want to avoid overheating, so give it time to cool between long uses.

Maintenance  –  You can wipe down the surface of the massager with a slightly damp cloth, then pat dry with a soft dry cloth. If you’re storing it for an extended period of time, recharge the battery fully. 

★ ★ ★

My Experience 

I’ve struggled with my neck and shoulders for a little while now, particularly with knotted muscle that makes the subluxation (popping out) of my shoulder joints all the worse. While I’m seeing a private physiotherapist for massage therapy, this is very expensive and I always feel like I need more. To have something that provides relief in between appointments would be brilliant. To have a tool that negates the need for so many of these pricey appointments, even better! 

The massager feels incredibly solid and robust. It’s weightier than I’d imagined, but it’s manageable, especially as you should only do a minute on any specific area at a time. It’s far better to be heavier and robust than tacky plastic that’ll fall apart, that’s for sure! 

As well as the gun feeling solid, it looks the part, too. It’s professional and sleek, with a modern, minimalistic design. All of the interchangeable heads likewise look and feel top quality, with no rough edges or poorly finished connections.

You can see you’re paying for quality for every element. Meanwhile, the neat case makes for much more convenient use and storage. 

The Actigun is very user-friendly and easy to get to grips with. I like that the interchangeable heads just pop in place, so impaired dexterity shouldn’t be a problem there, and the digital screen is handy to have, making it simple to adjust the level you’re on or see how much battery’s left.

The battery itself has a very respectable life between charges, so you should get a fair bit of use from it before needing to recharge.

The power behind this little beauty is impressive. I’m quite petite so I’ve been using it on levels 1 and 2, which I find to be powerful enough for me. The only slightly tricky part is avoiding bone because, well, we have quite a few of them and they’re not that far spaced apart when you’re a short arse like me. 

You can feel the vibrations through your arms as you use it. It takes some getting used to as you figure out what works best for you, where to use it and with which attachments, and how much pressure to apply so as to get a smooth motion rather than it jumping up and down over your skin. 

I anticipated some problems holding and using this because of the weight, and yet I actually got on with it just fine for the most part. I don’t think I could do an extended use of time because I don’t have the muscles in my arms for much more than crushing a grape these days. That shouldn’t really matter too much because you’re only hitting one point for a max of 60 seconds at a time anyway. 

I’ve managed my neck/shoulder area at the top far more easily than I’d anticipated. Problems with joints and mobility can make the back area harder to reach with any device, so that’s not an issue with Actigun at all. If you have such issues but have someone who could help you out, then that would be ideal.

This does a wonderful job when it comes to working out tension and knots in muscles. I could feel the relief almost instantly and it’s much, much easier to get precision treatment with this than with a massage wrap or shiatsu style neck massager. 

Furthermore, it’s also a lot more convenient than bulkier massagers that you have to plug in and stuff in a cupboard – the Actigun takes up minimal space and you can use it anywhere cordlessly. For someone like me, that also means I’m more likely to actually use it regularly!

I fully intend to continue using this. Once you get the feel for what works for you, you start to realise just how useful and convenient is actually is. Knowing that such percussive massage therapy can also help with circulation, rehabilitation, range of movement and more are all added bonuses that make this so worthwhile.

Further Praise For Actigun

Actigun proudly displays some reviews and promotional information on their website. For instance, the quote from Cheyenne Parker, basketball player for WNBA Chicago Sky, who credits the Actigun for helping with “back pain, fixes neck pain, relieves sore muscles, and it’s known to be the most powerful and effective massage gun”. 

The Actigun has been rated and featured on the likes of cnet, Mashable, Entrepreneur, ABC’s Good Morning America, and New York Post.

It’s also been featured on the Kelly Clarkson show in the US, where the product was demonstrated and came highly recommended.

★ ★ ★

Actigun Review : In Conclusion 

This is an impressive pro-level device whether you go for the classic or Ace version, versatile enough to satisfy various needs and effective enough prove its worth in the long run. 

While I’ve not been wowed by the website and I’d like to hope improvements will be made in that respect, I’m very pleased with the device itself and the customer service from the brand.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by just how nifty this massage gun is. It’s incredibly convenient, especially compared to larger massage wraps, which is makes regular use that bit easier. The various massage heads, speed settings and AI chip allow for greater flexibility and customisation to your individual needs, and the potential benefits are priceless.

Actigun Massage Gun Review : Summary Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent build quality and finish 
• High tech with an AI chip for efficiency and safety
• Packs a punch with the power & the 6 levels allow for adequate customisation as to your needs
• Range of heads for different areas for versatility 
• Very respectable battery life (the Ace is 4hrs+ between charges)
• Very convenient being cordless, which also makes it portable
• Handy carry case with the pro version for very neat storage
• Straightforward to pick up and use
• Range of potential benefits with effective results 
• Worldwide delivery

Cons

• Costly (though arguably a worthwhile investment and you get top quality for your dosh)
• Fairly weighty so those with significant arm weakness may find it less convenient unless you have help. However, you should only hold it in one spot for up to a minute so it’s likely to be manageable for most.

★ ★ ★

Check Out Actigun

This massage gun is one I’d absolutely recommend for convenience, quality and effective results, whether your needs are for chronic pain, circulation or fitness and muscle issues.

Actigun can be purchased via the website, where you can also find further information on the product. They deliver worldwide.

The Actigun Website (Sadly it seems no longer available)

Caz  ♥

[ The Actigun was gifted in return for an honest review, which I have provided here. No affiliate links are included. ]