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On the show Project Runway, supermodel host Heidi Klum was notorious for telling the departing designers, “In fashion, one day you’re in and the next you’re out.” Applied to the fitness and recovery space, truer words have never been spoken.
Take the massage gun, for example. It wasn’t too long ago that every influencer and publication on the planet was praising the massage gun as the de-facto muscle recovery device. Heavy hitters like Theragun and Hyperice dominated the upper echelon of peak massage gun design, and it was not long before the market was flooded with copycats. In the midst of that craze emerged the Ekrin B37S from Ekrin Athletics.
Released back in 2020, in today’s review, we take a retrospective look at the Ekrin B37S. Long considered one of the best massage guns around, we question: Is it still relevant today? How well has it held up over the years? Can it still compete with the current competition? And more importantly, is the Ekrin B37S still worth buying in 2024?
We answer all those questions and more in this in-depth revisitation.
What sets the Ekrin B37S apart and makes it truly exceptional?
Coincidentally, in 2019, we were early adopters of the original B37 massage gun. Although completely unknown to the public at large, we didn’t (and we still don’t) hesitate to recommend it.
As standards go, the B37 embodies everything you want in a massage gun. It has an ergonomic design, it can withstand everyday abuse, offers superior battery life, and comes with an industry-leading lifetime warranty.
So when Ekrin Athletics announced the upgraded B37S model, we thought, “How could it get any better?”.
And better it is, in almost every way.
Ekrin B37S features that contribute to its greatness:
Unleashed Power
Ekrin Athletics took an already powerful motor and made the B37S a force to be reckoned with. Offering 30% more power with up to 56 lbs of stall force pressure, the high-torque brushless motor delivers a vigorous percussive massage that reaches deep into your muscles.
Personalized Therapy
No two bodies are alike, and the Ekrin B37S understands that. With 5 speed settings ranging from 2000-3200 RPM, you have the freedom to tailor your massage experience to your specific needs. Whether you prefer a gentle touch or an intense session, the Ekrin B37S accommodates your preferences, ensuring a personalized and satisfying massage every time.
Quiet Operation
Embrace tranquility as the Ekrin B37S operates with a whisper-quiet hum. Well, mostly. The B37S is very quiet on the lowest settings, conducive to a more peaceful atmosphere during your massage sessions. Predictably, as you unleash the higher torque settings, it does get louder (up to 55 dB), but not unbearably so.
Intuitive Design
The 15-degree angled handle is Ekrin’s design language as it has been carried over to every model they offer. That, however, is a good thing. Although it doesn’t seem like much, that small angle makes gripping the B37S more natural. Great for extending user comfort as you pound away the muscle knots.
Related Reading: Ekrin BANTAM Review
At 2.2 lbs., the lightweight construction makes it easy to maneuver, even during longer massage sessions. The Ekrin B37S seamlessly combines form and function for a delightful user experience.
Endurance Champion
Don’t let battery life concerns interrupt your blissful relaxation. The Ekrin B37S boasts an impressive 8-hour life for extended use on a single charge. Whether you’re using it at home, at the gym, or on the go, you can trust that the Ekrin B37S will be there, providing uninterrupted relief whenever and wherever you need it.
And best of all? The Lithium-ion battery inside the B37S is from Samsung. FYI, unreliable, generic batteries going dead suddenly is a real thing.
Other Standout Features
There are two more features introduced with the B37S that really make it stand out, the Reactive Force Sensor and the Locking Massage Heads.
Built into the upper body of the Ekrin B37S is a serious of blue lights that make up the Reactive Force Sensor. As you apply more downward force, the lights sequentially light up and serve as a gauge as to how much pressure you’re applying. If you’re ever unsure how much pressure is too much, this is a handy way of knowing.
Unlike every other massage gun out there, Ekrin has designed 6 new massage heads with locking threads. With a simple twist, you can be assured that your massage head isn’t going to shoot out at you like a missile mid-massage. Other brands rely on rubber gaskets, which can prove to be unreliable long-term.
A Showdown: Ekrin B37S vs. Theragun Elite – Decoding the Massage Gun Duel
For many obvious reasons, Theragun has become the gold standard when it comes to massage guns. Not only did they pioneer the massager, but they’ve consistently made them better with each new model. To this day they offer the most technologically advanced features of any company out there, including Ekrin Athletics.
Although not their flagship, the Theragun Elite is a beautifully designed powerhouse.
Features like built-in Bluetooth combined with the accompanying Therabody App bring a whole new dynamic massage experience. We go into a lot more detail in our Theragun Elite review.
So yeah, Theraguns are the shiniest toys on the shelf, but fundamentally, are they better than the Ekrin B37S? If you strip away the arguably unnecessary tech, at its core, the Ekrin is a better overall massage gun, and here’s why:
| Specifications | Ekrin B37S | Theragun Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | High-torque brushless | Proprietary brushless |
| Speed Settings | 5 speed levels | 5 speed settings |
| Attachments | 5 attachments | 5 attachments |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours | Up to 120 minutes |
| Amplitude | 12mm | 16mm |
| Stall Force | 56 lbs | 40 lbs |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs | 2.2 lbs (approx. 1 kg) |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 2 years |
| MSRP | $329 | $399 |
Percussive Prowess
The Theragun Elite exhibits an impressive 16mm amplitude range, providing a deep and intense massage experience. The Ekrin B37S on the other hand has an amplitude of 12mm. Not quite the depth of the Elite, but based on experience, they’re both effective at “digging in”.
Ergonomic Enchantment
Both the Ekrin B37S and the Theragun Elite showcase thoughtful designs, but they differ in their approaches. The Ekrin B37S entices with its 15-degree handle, offering a comfortable grip that ensures fatigue-free operation. Meanwhile, the Theragun Elite opts for a more sleek and streamlined silhouette. Its ergonomic triangular body design extends its flexibility with different hand placements.
All things equal, Theragun’s design language wins out in this category.
Battery Life
Unleashing the power of percussive therapy demands a reliable source of energy. The Ekrin B37S boasts a longer-lasting battery that endures extended massage sessions for up to 8 hours. Meanwhile, the Theragun Elite comes up majorly short with a total runtime of only 2 hours.
Related Reading: Ekrin 365 Review
Why The Ekrin B37S Is Better Than A Theragun
Arguments for which massage gun is best could go on forever, but in our book, if we were to buy a massage gun today, our money still goes to the Ekrin B37S and we’ve tried a LOT!
Because here’s the thing, yes, advanced features like Bluetooth are neat, but often forgotten. What really matters is the massage itself and between the two, there’s not much difference. Both percuss extremely well and are powerful enough to work out the stubbornest of trigger points.
Given that information, the only other differentiator is the price. At full price, the Ekrin B37S is $70 less than the Theragun Elite. Factor in our 25% off promo code for the Ekrin B37S and the price plummets to $237! At that price, purchasing the B37S is a no-brainer.
Final Thoughts
So let’s revisit our initial question, is the 3-year-old Ekrin B37S massage gun in still worth buying in 2024? Yes, we think so.
3 years with moderate use, our Ekrin B37S massage gun is still plugging along, working perfectly as it should. Cosmetically, it still looks relatively new too. That’s a true testament to its longevity if you ask us.
Although some technology has evolved, there’s not much that differentiates a newer massage gun from an older one. If we were to guess, the evolution of massage guns has already climaxed. That aside, even though the Ekrin B37S was released years prior, it still has standout features that are still very much “cutting edge”.
The authors and editors that comprise the Recovatech Team have 20+ years of combined experience and knowledge covering the topics of strength, fitness, and recovery. We are impassioned in our pursuit of presenting the most up-to-date information on strength training, cardio fitness, physical rehab, functional movement, nutrition, workout recovery, and best-in-class reviews. Should you feel inclined, please reach out to us at admin[at]recovatech.com.