Are you looking for a handy massage gun? Then I can recommend the Flow Mini and Nano massage guns. Today I would like to introduce you to both devices and reveal what the special features of each model are.
It is often advertised that you can take the massage gun with you to sports. But let's be honest: Anyone who has ever held a gun in their hands knows how bulky, heavy and unwieldy the devices can turn out to be.
To "just" put them in the gym bag or even take them on vacation, that's out of the question for me.
For the massage of the thighs, the large devices are best suited, but at the latest in the neck it becomes very cumbersome. There one can already ask oneself whether a Massage gun is useful at all.
When I was looking for a solution to this problem the other day, I came across stumbled across Flow Recovery. This supplier has two small guns in its range, which have been rated as very good by many testers.
That naturally piques my interest. What's the deal with the small, handy models? Do they have decent performance or are they just nice to look at?
Table of contents
How does a massage gun work?
A massage gun is used to generate short, powerful and often localized pulses that can reach deep muscle tissue. The muscles can be activated and relaxed in this way, loosening the surrounding tissue.
You can also use a massage gun to relieve your neck tension. The vibrations will relieve stress and ease the discomfort. A massage gun also helps to improve blood circulation in the body.
Exclusive Flow Massage Gun Discount Code
With the coupon code wegoflow10 you can get a 10% discount when you buy the Flow Nano and Mini. If you want to use the discount code for the massage gun, then proceed as follows:
- Go to the Flow Recovery website
- Choose the right product and add it to the shopping cart
- Click Checkout
- Enter here on the right the discount code wegoflow10 a
- Complete the order
Massage gun Flow Mini and Flow Nano
In total, there are small Flow massage guns. The classic and a new model - Flow Nano, which also has a heat function.
Both devices turn out really mini compared to classic Guns and are much lighter. Large Guns are aimed at athletes, professional athletes and physiotherapists. Since I clearly do not belong to this target group, it quickly became clear: The mini models should be more than sufficient for me.
Compact devices are aimed at amateur athletes and anyone who is not a muscle mountain. You can use them to relieve tension and, thanks to their handy design, you can easily reach all parts of the body - even the neck and shoulders. You can mobilize yourself and loosen up the muscles.
Due to their light weight, you also do not get cramped hands during and after the massage.
Unlike the Flow Mini, the Flow Nano Massage Gun something I could not find in any other gun: A heat function. But more about that in a moment. I would like to describe the two small devices in detail and help you find the right one for you.
In short, if you're looking for a small, lightweight and handy massage gun, then my review of the Flow Mini and Nano massage gun is made for you.
The massage gun Flow Mini in test
The Flow Mini Massage Gun is a portable and very handy gun that can be used both at home and on the road. According to the manufacturer, its design puts mobility and ease of use first.
With a compact shape and a weight of only 800 grams, it fits well in the hand. This product has a battery life of three hours, so until he gets empty, she can be many days in use. Because according to correct application you should not massage the tense part of the body for more than 15 minutes.
The dimensions of the Flow mini massage gun* The dimensions are 16.5 x 15.8 x 6 cm, so it really does fit into any handbag.
The optimal use for the device are tensions of any kind, for which 4 attachments are available.
The workmanship is very qualitative and the materials look very high quality.
You can choose different settings and massage your body with 1,800 to 3,200 beats per minute. Both on the lowest level and on the highest, the noise of the motor is not disturbing. The Flow Mini massage gun comes to 35 dB.
Battery
The Flow Mini is a battery-powered vibration massager. It has a rechargeable battery that is permanently installed. If the battery is empty, the device will not work - you also cannot use it if you are charging the battery.
With a battery runtime of 3 hours, the performance is more than sufficient. You have to allow about 2 hours to fully charge the battery, but it also works when the battery is only partially charged.
When the battery is running low, you can tell by the LEDs.
Speed levels
Flow Mini Massage Gun has three fixed speed settings and an automatic intensity level called Flow Wave Mode. The intensity varies between the three fixed levels, much like a wave.
Beats per minute in the speed levels
- 1st stage: 1.800
- 2nd stage: 2,400
- 3rd stage: 3,200
Flow Wave Mode: change between 1,800, 2,400 and 3,200 beats per minute
Power
The beats per minute and the force are both important. The Flow Mini manages to apply 9.1 kg of force. This value shows you how hard the gun can act on the muscles.
Equally interesting is the stroke. It shows you how deep the massage gun can penetrate the muscles. In the case of the Flow Mini, this is 10 millimeters. This is an optimal value for hardened muscles and tension.
Essays
You have four attachments at your disposal. These each have different functions and areas of application. Choose from Hammer, Bullet, Fork and Medium.
Volume
The Mini Gun is touted by the manufacturer as being very quiet. I can confirm this with my Mini Massage Gun test, where the device reaches just 60 decibels on the highest setting.
The lowest level makes it to 40 decibels and the middle 50.
Operation
In my opinion, the Mini has a good quality and looks very high-quality. The device fits well in the hand and is easy to use.
Due to its compact shape and light weight, you can run it on the highest setting for several minutes without getting a numb feeling in your hands.
Flow Mini Massage Gun Conclusion
I can highly recommend this device compared to conventional massage guns. In my small hands it is very comfortable and is not heavy even after massaging the entire thigh.
I find the Flow Wave Mode very good when my legs feel really heavy. The Flow Mini Massage Gun I've been using it for quite some time, so I'm really excited to see what the Nano has to offer.
The Flow Nano in the test
The Nano from Flow is particularly comfortable to hold. At just 310 grams, it is a true lightweight among massage guns.
Like the Mini model, it is delivered in a very sturdy cardboard box.
Included in delivery are:
- Flow Nano
- 4 massage heads
- USB-C cable for charging the battery
- Transport bag
- Instruction
Battery
Unlike the Flow Mini massage gun, you need to use the Flow Nano Massage Gun with a USB cable. You will find a USB-C cable in the scope of delivery, but you can also use the one of your smartphone.
This point in the mini massage gun test clearly goes to the nano model. A USB-C cable is always at hand, be it from the gun or the cell phone.
The Mini and Nano do not differ in terms of charging time and battery performance. The fully charged battery can withstand 3 hours of continuous use and takes about the same amount of time to fully charge.
The battery is permanently installed and cannot be replaced.
Speed levels
The Flow Nano has three different massage levels.
Beats per minute in the speed levels
- 1st stage: 1.800
- 2nd stage: 2,300
- 3rd stage: 2.800
Power
The maximum force applied when massaging at the highest level is 7.3 kg. The stroke of the Flow Nano is 6 millimeters, which is less than the Mini model. You can feel it when you run the gun on the thigh at the highest level.
Nevertheless, even the lowest level feels very pleasant.
Essays
Like the Flow Mini massage gun, you'll find four massage heads included with this model, namely: Hammer, Bullet, Fork and Medium. To use them, simply insert them directly into the massage gun.
Volume
A big plus point from me is the volume. While many inexpensive devices are very loud, this one is just 40 dB at the highest level.
Operation
The handling of the Flow Nano is very simple. The handle is ergonomically shaped and therefore lies well in the hand. The compact design is very practical, which means that I can also use it on the neck without any problems.
The special thing: The heat
And now let's get to the big difference between the two devices: the Flow Nano Massage Gun has an integrated heat function.
By pressing the button for different lengths of time, you can control the power and activate the heat at the same time. If you press the button for a long time, you turn off the device.
After two or three tries, you'll get the hang of it and know which massage level and heat level are currently active. On the top of the gun you can see an LED light, it shows you if the heat therapy is active.
The heat is not delivered through the massage head, but through the back of the device. Here you can see a metal plate that is turned on by double-clicking the button. When the plate is active, you have a choice of three heat levels:
- Green: 38°
- Orange: 42°
- Red: 46°
As soon as you turn on the heat, it becomes noticeable. Only the third level, at 46° C, takes a few seconds to reach maximum temperature. If you're worried that the heat will feel painful, I can reassure you. My mini massage gun test clearly shows that it's more of a comforting heat than burning hot. You definitely won't burn your fingers or any other part of your skin.
It is best to test with the lowest setting and then slowly turn up the temperature. Especially in the sensitive neck, you should not immediately select the highest temperature.
What is the purpose of a massage gun with heat?
According to the manufacturer, the heat has these functions:
- Promotion of blood circulation
- Muscle relaxation
- Soothing effect on tension
- Stretchability of the connective tissue is increased
- Improvement of the metabolism
- Improvement of blood flow and joint fluid
- Pain relief for tension
The catch with the heat function is that the metal surface is just 3.5×3.5 cm. This means that you can only apply the gun selectively to certain areas. The manufacturer explains that the heat should be applied to trigger points and not over a large area.
Also good to know: You can only use the heat function separately from the massage function. Both are not possible at the same time.
Flow Nano Massage Gun Conclusion
Flow Nano is more than a small massage gun. It has a heat function that allows you to relax muscles, stimulate metabolism and improve blood circulation.
It fits very well in the hands due to its compact size and light weight. After my Flow Nano test, I can say that I would immediately buy this device again.
Also interesting contributions for you
- This is how massage guns really work!
- This is what you need to know about using the Massage Gun!
- In test: the new Orthogun massage gun!
Which is better: Flow Mini or Flow Nano?
I personally like the Flow Nano Massage Gun better. You can see that the manufacturer still tinkered with the mini model and added a few practical features. For me, it is especially the heat function that convinces me. This is very pleasant for tension in the neck. I have the feeling that the muscles become even more supple.
To give you a quick overview, I have created a table for you here. So you can see the most important differences at a glance.
| Flow Mini Massage Gun | Flow Nano Massage Gun | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 800 g | 310 g |
| Steps | 3 +1 | 3 |
| Max. Beats per minute | 3.000 | 2.800 |
| Hub | 10 mm | 6 mm |
| Force application | 9,1 kg | 7,3 kg |
| Battery life | 3 hrs | 3 hrs |
| Essays | 4 | 4 |
| Volume lowest level | 38 dB | 32 dB |
Compared to the Flow Mini, the Flow Nano is smaller and much lighter. The lighter the gun, the more pleasant the massage - I can tell you that for sure.
However, the Mini is clearly ahead in terms of performance, at least in theory. I can hardly feel a difference in practice. The Nano can score in terms of volume. It is as loud at the highest level as the Mini at the lowest.
What should I look for when buying a mini massage gun?
If you want to put the best mini massage gun to a test and compare the models, there are a few criteria you should pay special attention to.
Long battery life
The battery life varies depending on the manufacturer, variant and model. In the best case, you should make sure that the massage gun has a runtime of at least three hours.
Of course, you won't be massaging your body for three hours at a time, but only briefly. However, with three hours of runtime, you can be sure that you won't have to charge the gun every time before use.
Low weight
Mini massage guns advertise that they are particularly handy. It is not only their size that is decisive for this, but above all their weight. You hold the device in your hands during the entire application, so the lighter it is, the more comfortable it is. Especially when you're massaging the neck.
You can find the details of the exact weight of the Flow Mini massage gun and the Flow Nano on the website or here in this review.
Speed levels
The more levels a device has, the more flexible you are in use. Mini massage guns usually have 4 to 8 speed settings. By the way, more does not always mean better. There are devices that have over 50 levels - but these are so similar that you hardly feel a difference when you're on level 12 or 17.
But be careful, do not confuse: more beats per minute does not mean that it is necessarily better. For mild tension, a massage at the lowest level is quite enough.
Volume
The first massage guns were really very loud (up to 90 dB), you could hardly talk to each other even at the lowest level. But fortunately, this has changed quickly. New models are around 50-60 decibels, which is perfectly fine.
The higher the volume, the more annoying the application and what I can say from personal experience: Loud massage guns are much less likely to be picked up.
Especially the very cheap devices from Amazon cannot score in terms of volume. Many are loud and additionally make strange noises when they run for a longer time.
Attachments and accessories
If you do a mini massage gun test then it quickly becomes clear that the manufacturers save a little on the attachments. While large guns have up to 7 or 8 attachments, the small devices have 3 to 4.
In practice, however, this is more than sufficient; for example, I only use 2 attachments regularly.
All devices come with a charging cable, a manual and a handy box or bag for storage.
My conclusion
If you compare the massage gun Flow Mini and Nano, it quickly becomes clear that both models are very good small guns. The newer model scores with lighter weight, is a bit easier to grip and can additionally apply heat. In return, the mini model is more powerful. Which one is the better choice for you is ultimately up to you. I would recommend the Flow Nano Massage Gun prefer, as it has more functions.
Have fun trying it out!
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