Thumper Massagers Reviews – How to Choose the Right One! 

Thumper Massagers Reviews

December 13, 2019

When it comes to deep tissue massage, the home use market has moved forward in leaps and bounds in recent years. At the forefront of the home massage device market is a Canadian company called Thumper. Thumper massage products help soothe sore muscles, speed up recovery and make people feel good. In this article, we take a close look at the Thumper range with reviews of their entire product line. We’ll also answer your most pressing Thumper related questions with our in-depth FAQ.

About Thumper

Thumper has been developing percussive massage equipment for more than 45 years. Their first products were exclusively designed for clinical use. Today, however, their top selling percussion massagers are designed for self-use. In 1974, Thumper released to the market the very first percussive massager. New product lines were introduced over the ensuing decades, with all of them being produced out of Thumper’s Toronto, Canada factory.

Thumper exclusively produces massagers, making them true experts in the industry. Their current line of home use massagers encompasses the following;

  1. Thumper Maxi Pro
  2. Thumper Mini Pro
  3. Thumper Sport
  4. Thumper Versa Pro
  5. Thumper Equine Pro
  6. Thumper Verve
  7. Thumper Lithium8

1. Maxi Pro Massager


Key Specs:

  • Size: 8″ W x 10″ L x 7.5″ H (20 cm x 25 cm x 19 cm)
  • Weight: 7 lbs. (3.2 kg)
  • FDA Class 1 approved.
  • Certified to UL, CSA, CE Standards
  • 2-year warranty

PROS:

  • Lightweight
  • 8 massage spheres
  • Adjustable pulse
  • 7mm penetration

CONS:

  • Commercial use only

The Thumper Maxi Pro Massager is designed for use by professionals such as chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and athletic trainers. This device should be used on large muscle groups.

The Maxi Pro Massager is a lightweight, ergonomically designed device. It weighs in at just 7 pounds, yet provides all of the pressure that the professional needs to work the muscle deeply. The percussive energy will penetrate through the layers of fascia without the user having to apply any pressure at all!

The Maxi Pro provides you with 8 massage spheres. These can cover a large surface area, making them ideal for working your large muscle groups like the quads and lats. If you need to target a small area of a muscle, you can simply tilt the device and use a single massage sphere.

The pulses per second of this massager can be adjusted between 20 and 40. You can also adjust the depth of massage penetration to four different levels. This unit provides perpendicular energy penetration into the affected muscle group.

2. Equine Pro


Key Specs:

  • Size: 8″ W x 10″ L x 7.5″ H (20 cm x 25 cm x 19 cm)
  • Weight: 7 lbs. (3.2 kg)
  • FDA Class 1 approved
  • Certified to UL, CSA, CE Standards
  • 2-year warranty

PROS:

  • Originally Designed for horses
  • Very powerful
  • Circuit interrupte

CONS:

  • May be too strong for some users

The Equine Pro is an even more powerful percussion massager than the Maxi Pro. This product was originally designed to be used on horses. Many professional athletes prefer to use the Equine Pro for their hamstrings and glutes due to is power and deeper penetration. This is the only massager on the market that is regularly used by horse trainers and breeders in addition to professional athletes. It provides a maximum penetration depth of 8mm, which is fifteen percent more than the Maxi Pro.

The Thumper Equine Pro has been used to great effect on racehorses, hunters, rodeo and dressage horses, along with many others. This massager is perfect for treating repeated stress and overuse. The very large massage sections of this device make it ideal for massaging the muscles of horses. It makes use of tapotement action to drive energy deep into the muscle tissue. Most people looking for a massager won't need the power of the Equine Pro however if you looking for one of the most powerful massagers on the market this is a great choice

The Equine Pro is fitted with a ground fault circuit interrupter so you can safely use it in barns and stables. The ergonomic handles are placed at 90-degrees to the massage surface to make the device easier to use. You also get a heavy-duty, fan-cooled, high torque DC motor that provides extremely durable performance.

3. Thumper Lithium8 Battery Powered Professional Percussive Massager


Key Specs:

  • Size: 10.6″ W x 10.2″ L x 7.9″ H (27 cm x 26 cm x 20 cm)
  • Weight: 7.9 lbs. (3.5 kg)
  • FDA Class 1 approved.
  • Certified to UL, CSA, CE Standards
  • 2-year warranty

PROS:

  • Battery operated
  • Portable
  • Large massage area

CONS:

  • Loud

The Lithium 8 is the first battery-powered massager by Thumper. This is the ideal massager for people on the go who do not want to be restricted to a cord and power outlet. This device is as powerful as the plugin massagers while providing an unprecedented amount of user freedom.

The Lithium 8 provides you with a large massage area enabling you to get a full body massage in 5-8 minutes. There are five electronically controlled speeds that range from 20 to 35 pulses per second. The ideal ergonomic design and balanced feel combined with the lightweight of just 7.5 pounds means that the user doesn’t need to apply any pressure.

The battery life of the Lithium 8 is 60 minutes. The heavy-duty, high torque DC motor provides a reliable power source.

4. Mini Pro Massager


Key Specs:

  • Size: 13″ L x 6″ W x 5.5″ H (33 cm x 15 cm x 14 cm)
  • Weight: 3 lbs. (1.4 kg)
  • FDA Class 1 approved
  • Certified to UL, CSA, CE Standards
  • 2-year warranty

PROS:

  • 3-speed settings
  • Ergonomic design
  • Heavy-duty motor

CONS:

  • Not overly durable
  • Made of plastic

The Thumper Mini Pro massager is a durable massager that is intended for professional clinical use. It allows the user to get into those smaller muscle groups. The long handle of this unit makes it easy to self massage your back and hamstrings. This is a lightweight device that weighs in at just 3 pounds. This makes the Mini Pro perfect as a travel massager.

The Mini Pro gives you three different speed settings. These are 20, 30 and 40 pulses per second. The patented deep penetration system perfected by Thumper allows for deep tapotement penetration. The anatomically designed massage spheres direct 95 percent of the energy into the muscle.

As with all Thumper massagers, you do not need to apply extra pressure onto the device. The patented Thumper action will distribute the energy perpendicularly into the muscle and ensures that there is no kickback.

5. Thumper Sport Percussive Massager


Key Specs:

  • Size: 16″ L x 6″ W x 5″ H (40 cm x 15 cm x 13 cm)
  • Weight: 3 lbs. (1.4 kg)
  • FDA Class 1 approved
  • Certified to UL, CSA, CE Standards
  • 2-year warranty

PROS:

  • True Speed feedback system
  • Variable speed
  • Long handle

CONS:

  • Unable to fully penetrate

The Thumper Sport Percussive Massager is the most popular handheld back massager that Thumper produces. It weighs just 3 pounds and has a long ergonomic handle that allows you to get to your back and shoulders. It will work through clothing, so you can use it whenever you need to. Variable speed control allows you to adjust between 20 and 40 beats per second.

This massager features a unique True Speed feedback system that prevents low-speed stalls. Interchangeable massage spheres allow you to personalize your massage experience.

6. Versa Pro Massager


Key Specs:

  • Size: 14″l x 13″w x 9″h (36 cm x 33 cm x 23 cm)
  • Weight: 13 lbs. (6 kg)
  • FDA Class 1 approved
  • Certified to UL, CSA, CE Standards
  • 2-year warranty

PROS:

  • Steel construction
  • 13 massage settings
  • 184 acupressure massage nodes

CONS:

  • Pads prone to sticking
  • Noisy

The Versa Pro is specifically designed to work the muscles of your lower body. The devise features foot pads that have 184 acupressure massaging nodes to bring relief to your tired feet. It has 13 different massage settings as well as 7 different auto programs. An onboard controller provides you with everything you need to operate the machine.

The Versa Pro features a self-leveling suspension which automatically adjusts to the different parts of your body to provide just the right level fo penetration. The speed on this unit is adjustable to between 20 and 40 beats per second. With this unit, you also get the choice of dual controls– tactile controls on the base or push-button controls on the handheld remote.

7. Thumper Verve Massager


PROS
  • Single sphere massager
  • 3 interchangeable heads
  • Portable
CONS
  • Does not provide for large muscle massage

The Thumper Verve Massager is the latest addition to the Thumper product range. This is a single sphere massager that allows you to zoom in on precise areas of your body. Despite its small size, it still provides the power you need to bring relief to your aching muscles.

To use the Verse you take hold of it the same way that you’d grab a computer mouse. You then strap the band across the back of your hand and you are ready to begin massaging yourself. You should glide the massager along the full length of your muscle, using your palm to initiate the action.

The Thumper Verve Massager comes with three interchangeable massage heads to allow you to customize your massage and get faster relief. Weighing in at just two pounds and featuring an ergonomic design, the Verve is a very user-friendly massage tool.

FAQ:

What is the difference between the Thumper Maxi Pro and the Equine Pro?

Both the Maxi Pro and the Equine Pro are built on the same platform. Visually they look very similar. The key difference is that the Maxi Pro is created to be used on clients in a clinical environment whereas the Equine Pro is made to be used on horses. The pulsing action of the Maxi Pro has a depth of stroke of 7mm. This provides deep muscle tissue penetration. The large surface area allows for full body massage in 5-8 minutes. 

Thumper Maxi Pro Professional Electric Massager

Thumper Maxi Pro

The Equine Pro is even stronger than the Maxi Pro, allowing it to penetrate through the thick layers of muscle on the horse’s hide. It has an 8mm stroke depth, making it 15 percent stronger than the Maxi Pro. Some top-performing athletes actually prefer the higher strength of the Equine Pro to more effectively work their quads and hamstrings.

Thumper Equine Pro Professional Massager

Thumper Equine Pro

What is the difference between the Thumper Mini Pro and Sport?

The Thumper Mini Pro is designed for professional use, while the Sport is a home-use device. The Sport is ideal for use post-workout or at the end of your workday. Both of the products make use of Thumper’s patented percussive action. The Mini Pro is about 20 percent more powerful than the Sport. It is better suited for people with large frames. Both of these devices can reach every area of the body. They are both adjustable at speeds between 20 and 40 Hz.

Can you leave the Maxi Pro plugged in?

No, you should not leave the Maxi Pro plugged in when not in use. The device will overheat after about 35 minutes of use. This also applies to the other Thumper plug-in massagers.

Is the Maxi Pro noisy?

Yes, the Maxi Pro is quite loud when it is being operated.

Is the Thumper Mini Pro Massager loud?

The Thumper Mini Pro produces a slight humming sound that is similar to what you get from other percussion massagers of its size.

Conclusion

The Thumper range of Professional and home use percussion massagers represent the best that the market has to offer in terms of percussion self-massage tools. As we’ve seen, they have a full range of percussion massagers to meet the needs of professional practitioners, athletes, and recreational home users. Each of the Thumper handheld massage devices are ergonomically designed for maximum comfort, provide plenty of customized settings and deliver a good level of penetration and speed.

Whether you are a sportsperson, someone who is afflicted with ongoing pain or just a lover of massage, you can’t go wrong with Thumper.

About the author 

Kevin Lee

Health and fitness have always been a passion for me; whether its being in the weight room, going for a run before work or even participating in a half iron man triathlon. ShapeJunkie was created to share to knowledge and love of fitness with others.

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