Ekrin Athletics B37v2 review: the best value percussion gun we tested

The Ekrin Athletics B37v2 is the percussion gun we point most people toward in our best massage guns guide, and it is the one that beats both the cheap bestsellers and the brand names on the metric that matters most: power per dollar. This review covers exactly what you get, the spec details that get glossed over, and where it wins or loses against the alternatives.

Who it is for

This gun fits one buyer especially well: an athlete or regular gym-goer who wants real power and build quality but refuses to pay $400 for it. The 56 lbs of stall force means the head keeps pounding when you press it into dense muscle, where cheaper guns bog down and stall out. The 15 degree angled handle is the quiet standout, because it lets you work your own upper back, traps, and shoulders without cranking your wrist into a painful angle.

It is less ideal if you want a connected, screen-driven experience. There is no Bluetooth, no app, and no display, just LED speed indicators. If guided routines and on-screen pressure feedback matter to you, look at the Theragun instead. It is also not the choice if you specifically need the deepest possible stroke: the 12 mm amplitude is solidly mid-range, and users chasing maximum deep-tissue penetration may want a 16 mm gun. If you are not sure how a percussion gun fits alongside other recovery tools, our best foam rollers guide covers the cheaper, complementary side of recovery.

Full specifications

Spec	Detail
Kit Score	8.2 / 10 (researched, not lab-tested)
Amplitude	12 mm
Stall force	56 lbs
Speed range	1,400–3,200 RPM across 5 levels
Noise level	49–61 dB
Battery life	Up to 8 hours (Samsung Li-ion, USB-C PD)
Weight	2.2 lbs
Attachments	4 heads included (ball, bullet, flat, fork)
Handle	15 degree angled grip
Warranty	Lifetime
Price	$180–$230

The spec that does the heavy lifting here is the 56 lbs stall force paired with the 8 hour battery. Plenty of premium guns post a longer stroke but stall sooner under pressure or die in two hours. The B37v2 leans the other way: strong enough to stay productive on dense muscle, and able to go days between charges.

Pros and cons

What it does well:

• 56 lbs of stall force reliably holds speed when you press into thick muscle groups like quads, glutes, and the upper back, instead of bogging down the way lighter motors do.
• The 15 degree angled handle noticeably reduces wrist and forearm fatigue, which matters most when you are reaching your own back and shoulders.
• A lifetime warranty plus an included carry case and a Samsung battery cell add real long-term value at a price well below the major brands.

Where it falls short:

• No Bluetooth or app connectivity. You get LED indicators only, no display screen, so guided routines and pressure feedback are off the table.
• The 12 mm amplitude is mid-range. It is plenty for most recovery, but users who want maximum deep-tissue penetration may prefer a 16 mm stroke.

How it compares

Against the budget TOLOCO EM26, the trade is power and longevity versus price. The EM26 costs a quarter as much, throws in ten attachment heads, and is genuinely good for relaxation and light circulation work. But its plastic build is not made for years of daily use, its measured amplitude falls slightly short of its claim, and it publishes no stall-force rating at all, which tells you it is not built to push through dense tissue. The B37v2 costs more, yet the brushless motor, the documented 56 lbs stall force, and the lifetime warranty are what you are paying for.

Against the premium Theragun Elite, the trade flips to value versus depth and ecosystem. The Theragun wins on raw stroke with its 16 mm amplitude and adds an app, guided routines, and a recognizable brand, but it costs roughly twice as much and actually posts a lower stall force. For most buyers the Ekrin delivers the meaningful 80 percent of the Theragun experience at well under half the price, which is exactly why it earns our best-value pick. If a longer stroke and connected features are non-negotiable, the Theragun is the upgrade; for everyone else, the B37v2 is the smarter spend.

For the full field, including the budget and premium options scored the same way, see our best massage guns guide. If you are coming from a rucking background, the Ruck Authority recovery guides cover loaded-carry soreness in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ekrin Athletics B37v2 worth it?

For most athletes and regular gym-goers, yes. It earns a Kit Score of 8.2 and our best-value pick because it pairs a genuinely strong 56 lbs stall force with up to 8 hours of battery, an ergonomic angled handle, a carry case, and a lifetime warranty, all at a price well below the major brands. The main reasons to spend more are if you want the deepest possible stroke or an app-connected experience.

How does the Ekrin B37v2 compare to a Theragun?

The Theragun Elite has a longer 16 mm amplitude stroke plus an app and guided routines, but it costs roughly twice as much and actually posts a lower stall force. The B37v2 gives up some stroke depth and the connected features, but holds speed well under pressure and delivers most of the practical performance for under half the price. For value, the Ekrin wins; for maximum depth and ecosystem, the Theragun does.

How quiet is the Ekrin B37v2?

It runs at 49 to 61 dB depending on speed, which is quiet enough for use while watching TV or in a shared room at lower speeds, and noticeably restrained at full power for a gun with this much stall force. The brushless motor is a big reason the noise stays controlled even under load.

What attachments come with the Ekrin B37v2?

It includes four heads: a ball for large muscle groups, a bullet for pinpoint trigger points, a flat for general use, and a fork for areas like the spine and Achilles. That is fewer than some budget guns bundle, but the four cover the situations most people actually use.

Does the Ekrin B37v2 have a long battery life?

Yes. It runs up to 8 hours on its Samsung Li-ion cell, which is among the longest in the category and well past the two hours some premium guns manage. It charges over USB-C PD, so most people go days or weeks between charges depending on how often they use it.

For the full field, including budget and premium alternatives scored the same way, see our best massage guns guide.