Quick Answer: The Ekrin Bantam is a 1.1 lb travel massage gun with an 8mm amplitude and 35 lb of stall force, priced at $149.99 (frequently discounted to around $105-$112 during Ekrin’s regular sales, per Ekrin’s published pricing). It ships with 3 speeds (2,000-3,200 RPM), 4 attachments, and Ekrin’s signature lifetime warranty when registered within 30 days — coverage no Theragun or Hypervolt mini matches. Independent testing from Massage Gun Advice measured its real-world stroke at 7.84mm, confirming Ekrin’s spec, and concluded it “topples” pricier rivals on force-per-dollar. It’s the best value mini on the market if you want real pressure tolerance in a gym bag without paying Theragun prices — the trade-off is a shallower stroke than the Theragun Mini’s 12mm.
Check Ekrin Bantam price on Amazon →
If you’d rather order through Amazon than Ekrin’s own site, a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial gets the Bantam to your door with two-day shipping — worth starting before you check out if you don’t already have Prime.
Ekrin Athletics built its reputation on the full-size B37, but the Bantam is the model that answers a narrower question: how much real percussion can a $150 mini gun deliver? After digging into Ekrin’s published specs and independent testing, our take is that the Bantam is the strongest force-per-dollar mini on the market — it just asks you to give up some amplitude to get there. This review breaks down exactly where it wins, where it falls short against the Theragun Mini, and who should actually buy it.
Ekrin Bantam at a glance
| Spec | Ekrin Bantam |
|---|---|
| Amplitude (stroke depth) | 8mm published / 7.84mm measured |
| Stall force | 35 lb |
| Weight | ~1.1 lb |
| Speeds | 3 (2,000-3,200 RPM) |
| Battery life | Up to 6 hours (USB charging) |
| Attachments | 4 included |
| Noise | ~50dB |
| Warranty | Lifetime (register within 30 days) + 30-day money-back |
| Price | $149.99 (often ~$105-$112 on sale) |
| Best for | Travel, gym bag, budget-conscious mini shoppers |
| Rating | ★★★★½ |
What the Ekrin Bantam gets right
Stall force that punches above its price. At 35 lbs, the Bantam’s stall force is a genuinely strong number for a 1.1 lb mini — it’s the spec Massage Gun Advice’s independent testing flagged as the reason the Bantam “topples” pricier minis on value. Stall force measures how much resistance the motor can push against before stalling, and a higher number means the gun keeps working muscle instead of bogging down under real pressure, which matters more than a flashy amplitude spec once you’re actually leaning into a tight muscle.
A lifetime warranty nothing else in this class offers. Register the Bantam on Ekrin’s site within 30 days and it’s covered for life, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. The Theragun Mini and Hyperice’s mini guns both cap out at one year. For a device that’s mostly a motor and a battery — the two parts most likely to fail after year two — that difference in coverage is worth real money over the gun’s lifespan.
Real portability. At about 1.1 lb, the Bantam is lighter than the Theragun Mini and small enough to disappear into a gym bag or backpack pocket. USB charging and a rated 6-hour battery mean it’s ready for a full week of short sessions between charges.
Genuinely strong value. At $149.99 list — and often closer to $105-$112 during Ekrin’s frequent site sales — the Bantam undercuts the Theragun Mini by $50-$90 while beating it on stall force and warranty. For shoppers who want a real travel gun without paying the Therabody premium, it’s hard to argue with the math.
Where the Ekrin Bantam falls short
Amplitude is the real trade-off. Ekrin publishes an 8mm amplitude for the Bantam, and Massage Gun Advice’s independent measurement came in at 7.84mm — essentially confirming the spec. That’s meaningfully shallower than the Theragun Mini’s 12mm stroke, and amplitude is the number that determines whether percussion reaches into muscle or just buzzes the surface. For light-to-moderate tension the Bantam’s stall force compensates well, but for the deepest, most stubborn knots, the Mini’s extra stroke depth will feel more thorough.
Only three speeds, no app. Like most minis in this price range, the Bantam skips Bluetooth connectivity, a display, and guided routines — you get a single button cycling three preset speeds. Fine for quick spot treatment, less useful if you want a structured recovery routine.
Sold mainly direct and through fewer retailers. Ekrin sells through ekrin.com, Amazon, and Walmart — a narrower footprint than Therabody’s retail presence, though the lifetime warranty applies wherever you buy from an authorized seller as long as you register within 30 days.
Ekrin Bantam vs the alternatives
| Massage gun | Best for | Amplitude | Stall force | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ekrin Bantam | Best value / force-per-dollar | 8mm | 35 lb | $149.99 |
| Theragun Mini (Gen 2) | Best amplitude in a mini | 12mm | Not published | ~$199 |
| Hypervolt Go 3 | Quietest mini | 10mm | 45 lb | ~$149 |
| Bob and Brad Q2 Mini | Cheapest capable mini | ~8mm | Not published | ~$70 |
- Ekrin Bantam vs Theragun Mini: The Mini’s 12mm amplitude digs deeper, and Therabody’s build quality is a step up, but you pay $50-$90 more for a 1-year warranty versus the Bantam’s lifetime coverage and weaker (unpublished) stall force.
- Ekrin Bantam vs Hypervolt Go 3: Hyperice’s Go 3 now publishes a strong 45 lb stall force of its own and is quieter, at a similar ~$149 price — the closer real competitor to the Bantam than the Theragun Mini is, and worth cross-shopping before you buy either.
- Ekrin Bantam vs Bob and Brad Q2 Mini: The Q2 Mini is ~$80 cheaper and PT-designed, but the Bantam’s 35 lb stall force and lifetime warranty justify the step up if your budget stretches to $150.
See the full Ekrin lineup for the B37, Kestrel, B37S, and 365, or the complete field in our best mini massage gun ranking.
Who should buy the Ekrin Bantam?
Buy it if: you want a real travel gun with strong stall force, don’t need the deepest possible stroke, and value a warranty that outlasts the device. It’s the pick for gym bags, carry-ons, and anyone who wants Ekrin’s lifetime-warranty peace of mind in the smallest body the brand makes.
Skip it if: amplitude matters more to you than stall force — in that case the Theragun Mini’s 12mm stroke will feel noticeably deeper. And if you’re just getting started and want to spend as little as possible, our best budget massage gun picks cover sub-$100 options.
Ekrin Bantam by the numbers
| Spec | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Amplitude (published) | 8mm | Ekrin Athletics published specs |
| Amplitude (independently measured) | 7.84mm | Massage Gun Advice testing |
| Stall force | 35 lb | Ekrin Athletics published specs |
| Weight | ~1.1 lb | Ekrin Athletics published specs |
| Typical price | $149.99 (often ~$105-$112 on sale) | Ekrin Athletics / Amazon listing, 2026 |
| Warranty | Lifetime (register within 30 days) + 30-day returns | Ekrin Athletics warranty policy |
The bottom line
The Ekrin Bantam earns its spot as the best value mini massage gun of 2026. Its 35 lb stall force and lifetime warranty beat the Theragun Mini on two of the metrics that matter most for long-term ownership, at $50-$90 less. The trade-off is amplitude — its 8mm stroke (7.84mm measured) is shallower than the Mini’s 12mm, so if you specifically need the deepest possible percussion, spend up for the Theragun Mini instead. For everyone else who wants real pressure tolerance in a gym bag without the Therabody premium, the Bantam is close to unbeatable. See how it fits into Ekrin’s full range in our Ekrin massage gun review, or check the complete field in our best mini massage gun guide.