Is the Power Plate Mini + Strong enough?

First off, while the Power Plate Mini + is strong, let's keep in context that it is primarily for on the go and travel situations. While you can certainly use it for everyday soreness, you should also consider the Power Plate Pulse, their full size version. The Mini + provides four intensity level options ranging from 1,800 vibrations per minute (VPM) to 3,000 vpm. In general, I mostly enjoyed using the 2nd level (2,200 VPM) and the 3rd level (2,600 VPM) to treat general soreness, such as after working out or even after waking up from a bad night of sleep. I would occasionally decide to use the 4th level of intensity, just to take the treatment a step further. Thanks to its 8 mm amplitude and 3,000  VPM, my knots would be subdued very quickly when using it at level 4.

 

If you are like me and your main gym was temporarily closed during the pandemic, the Mini + will be an especially useful tool as your body adjusts to getting back to a workout routine or schedule. When you start working out again after a period of no activity, you will feel fatigue and muscle soreness more frequently, and more intense than usual. The Power Plate Mini + helps combat this post workout soreness quite nicely.

 

 

 

When it comes to evaluating massage guns, power is a key factor. As you may guess, if a handheld massager isn't powerful enough to subdue your toughest knots, you won't be 100% satisfied.

 

I've included my analysis below, which I hope will give you a better idea of what type of power you can expect from the Power Plate Mini +.

 

Power Plate Mini + Power Rating

 

I personally rated the Power Plate Mini + a 7 for power when using it at level 4. While I prefer using my full size massager when running into my worst knots, I was impressed at ability of the Mini + to still help treat sore areas very quickly due to the power capability. I like the pistol grip design, because it makes it easy to provide any extra manual pressure when needed.

 

How does the Power Plate Mini + feel on your Back?

 

Beyond describing the power of the Power Plate Mini + to you, I've also included the descriptions below for how the Power Plate Mini + does with different body areas.

 

Back: First off, one of the hardest things to do with a massage gun is maintaining a good grip when attempting to massage hard to reach areas like your upper back. However, the Mini Plus' extremely lightweight and simple design makes it easy to grip when operating. The Power Plate Mini + did my back wonders, as someone with a back injury, my back tends to randomly cramp up and stiffen throughout the day, especially after a good workout. This massage gun is able to loosen the knots and provide enough pressure to relieve the soreness. The Mini + truly feels great on my back and provides instant pain relief.

Legs & Feet: My running form is not the greatest, as I tend to be "heavy" footed or a plodder, so I run into many issues regarding poor circulation, foot pain and leg cramps. Before beginning a run, the Power Plate is able to dig deep into my calves to release tension caused by lactic acid, which helps get the blood circulating and works almost as a replacement to stretching. The gun works well pre and post run on your feet as well.

Front Shoulders, Forearms: I enjoyed using the small ball attachment at Level 1 on my shoulders and forearms, as this attachment at the low speed worked well on these thinner muscles.

Back pain? Check out our top picks for relieving back pain.

 

Accessory Options

When it comes to accessories, the Power Plate Mini + massage gun comes with a total of two attachments. While the thumb allows you to provide deep pressure when dealing with knots, the small ball is great for providing all around treatment.

 

The Power Plate also includes a handy travel bag, which is a great perk at its price point. In addition, the Power Plate Mini + is compatible with all of attachments included with the full size Power Plate Pulse.

Lastly, I enjoy the fact that the ON switch is at the bottom of the gun, away from the speed level button, so that I wouldn’t accidentally turn off the power while engaging in a massage.

 

• Thumb: The closest thing to a massage therapist's thumb!  Perfect for subduing the most painful of knots.
• Small ball: This tip is great for all around treatment.

Battery Life

The Mini Plus' battery life is rated a 3 hours, and I found myself rarely needing to charge it despite daily usage. As of this article, I’ve already used it a few days straight and according to the power level lights, I still have half of the power left. This is very convenient since as it is a travel massager, you may not have a convenient place to charge it or may prefer not to carry a charger with you.

 

If you’re convinced the Power Plate Mini + is the right massager for you, the pricing information for the massage gun is below.