7 Best Massage Guns for Athletes in 2024
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
Massage guns have been rising in popularity everywhere from professional sport, to fitness and rehabilitation centers, and at home.
Inspired by the Swedish massage technique Tapotement, they use rapid, precise, rhythmic movements to successively hit the muscles for various treatments and sensations.
Today I’ll show you the best massage gun for athletes, describe their benefits, and explain how to properly use them.
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Ekrin B37 Massage Gun.
The handle is designed with an ergonomic 15-degree angle to ease wrist tension during usage, but also helps you reach some tougher spots without assistance.
Top 7 Best Massage Guns For Athletes Reviewed
- Ekrin B37 Massage Gun — Top Pick
- Sportneer Elite D9 Massage Gun — Runner-Up
- THERAGUN PRIME By TheraBody — Premium Pick
- VYBE V2 Percussion Massage Gun — Budget Pick
- Ekrin Bantam Travel-Sized Muscle Massager — Best Portable Gun
- Bob and Brad Deep Tissue Percussion Massager Gun
- TOLOCO Massage Gun
| Product | Final Score | Speed Options | Battery Life | Durability | Noise Level | Quality for Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ekrin B37 | 58 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Sportneer | 57 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| THERAGUN | 56 | 9 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 9 | 10 |
| VYBE | 55 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
| Ekrin Bantam | 54 | 8 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 | 10 |
| Bob and Brad | 53 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| TOLOCO | 52 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
1. Ekrin B37 Massage Gun — Top Pick
Ekrin Athletics is a company founded in the U.S. by former collegiate athletes seeking to create the best muscle recovery and injury prevention solutions for all athletic levels.
They have a few massage guns available which have been seen at various sports courts and fitness centers and are recommended by athletes such as WNBA star Rebecca Allen and NHL defenseman Kevan Miller.
Their prized product and my personal favorite is the Ekrin B37 massager for athletes.
- Power: 56 lbs Stall Force
- Material: Hard Plastic, Rubber Grip
- Item Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Power Source: 2550 mAH Battery (8 hours)
- Color: Green and black
- Size: 5.91 x 3.15 x 2.36 Inches
- Performance: From 1400 to 3200 RPM, around 0.47 inches amplitude, roughly 35 – 55 dB noise when used
- Product Benefits/Use for: Full-body pre-workout muscle activation and reactivation, post-workout pain relief and recovery
- Items included: Travel case, charger, four attachments – standard head, precision head, round foam head, and neck and spine fork
- Special features: Five speed levels, 15-degree ergonomic handle, 8-hour battery life, soft-touch materials
At 2.2 pounds, the B37 weighs similarly to most athletic massage guns.
The handle is designed with an ergonomic 15-degree angle to ease wrist tension during usage, but also helps you reach some tougher spots without assistance.
With four attachments designed for different precision levels, muscle groups, and benefits, it covers a wide variety of pre- and post-workout uses.
The travel case is a nice addition for storing or carrying the gun with you.
It has an amazing 8 hours of battery life when fully charged, and four LEDs showing battery level, so you’ll never have to guess.
However, the lithium-powered battery is not removable.
This, for example, means you can only carry it in hand-held luggage onto airplanes.
With four attachments designed for different precision levels, muscle groups, and benefits, Ekrin B37 covers a wide variety of pre- and post-workout uses.
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2. Sportneer Elite D9 Massage Gun — Runner-Up
My second choice for the best athletic massage gun comes from the brand Sportneer.
In terms of design and performance, this product is very similar to the Ekrin B37, only slightly losing out in some categories, but also arguably outperforming in others.
Some notable things about the Sportneer sport massage gun include the sturdy metal build, low noise creation, and the two attachments with metal heads.
- Power: 40 lbs of pressure
- Material: Aluminum build, foam handle
- Item Weight: 2.3 Pounds
- Power Source: 22350 mAH Battery (7 hours)
- Color: Black
- Size: 8.5 x 7 Inches
- Performance: From 1300 to 3200 RPM, around 0.43 inches amplitude, between 30-45 dB of noise when used
- Product Benefits/Use for: Full-body muscle awakening, fitness massage, muscle relief
- Items included: Travel case, charger, six attachment heads
- Special features: Six speed levels, ergonomic foam handle, 7-hour battery life, corrosion resistance, wear and tear resistant, two chrome-plated head attachments
The Sportneer Elite D9 is encased in a hard aluminum alloy shell, making it quite durable and resistant to accidental drops from different heights.
The ergonomic handle is covered in foam and once again angled to allow for easier grip and reach of certain areas.
A unique feature of this athletic massager gun is, among the six attachments, the two with chrome-plated heads.
These provide additional therapeutic benefits, as they can be heated up or frozen for cold/heat therapy.
You can also apply massage oils to them, as they’re easy to clean off.
Those features can easily sway you to purchase the Sporteer massage gun.
The battery can be fully charged in between 3-5 hours and lasts up to 7 hours, and there’s a LED power indicator on the button.
At just 30-45 decibels of noise creation, it’s one of the quieter athletic massage tools, especially in its price range.
One thing I should point out is that while the speed has six different settings, the speed button does not allow reversal.
This means if you put it in speed 4 and would like to go back to 2, you’ll have to press the button enough times that it cycles up from 5, 6, 1, and back up to 2, which can be a minor inconvenience.
At just 04.3 inch (11 mm) amplitude and 40 pounds of pressure, it's on the lower end compared to similar products, this can be too low for some athletes or perfect for beginners.
At just 04.3 inch (11 mm) amplitude and 40 pounds of pressure, Sportneer is on the lower end compared to similar products, this can be too low for some athletes or perfect for beginners.
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3. THERAGUN PRIME By TheraBody — Premium Pick
Back in 2009, Therabody founder Dr. Jason Wersland had a motorcycle accident.
When he realized no products on the market were good enough to ease his recovery pain, he decided to make his own solution and accidentally invented the prototype massage gun.
After using it on himself and allowing some of his patients to try it - and seeing great results - he knew he had a product that was needed on the market.
That’s how he created the first Theragun.
Over a decade later, TheraBody is among the industry leaders when it comes to at-home massage solutions, and Theragun Prime is one of their prized products.
- Power: 30 lbs of pressure
- Material: Hard Plastic
- Item Weight: 3.09 Pounds
- Power Source: 3200 mAH Battery (2 hours)
- Color: Black
- Size: 12 x 3 x 12 Inches
- Performance: From 1750 to 2400 RPM, around 0.62 inches amplitude, roughly 60 dB noise in full power
- Product Benefits/Use for: Deep tissue muscle therapy, faster recovery, pain relief
- Items included: Travel pouch, charger, four head attachments
- Special features: Bluetooth connectivity, controllable via the smartphone app, near 360-degree ergonomic handle
The thing that stands out the most about the Theragun, apart from being a quality massager for athletes, is the smart device compatibility.
Via the Therabody smartphone app, you can not only adjust the device itself, but you can also track your progress and export that data to various compatible fitness apps.
The near 360-degree handle allows for a wide range of grips and motions to reach even the toughest muscle groups by yourself.
At 0.6 inches of amplitude, one of the highest among similar products, it can apply pressure to even the deepest muscle groups.
The near 360-degree handle of Theragun allows for a wide range of grips and motions to reach even the toughest muscle groups by yourself.
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4. VYBE V2 Percussion Massage Gun — Budget Pick
My suggestion if you’re on a tighter budget would be the VYBE V2 percussion massage gun.
Considering its price point, it offers a fair amount of uses, the build quality is good, and it has some features that are unique to it.
- Power: Around 60 lbs of pressure
- Material: Plastic
- Item Weight: 3.53 pounds
- Power Source: 1500 mAH Battery (2 hours)
- Color: Blue
- Size: 5.98 x 8.2 x 0.39 inches
- Performance: From 500 to 2400 RPM, around 0.62 inches amplitude, up to 80 dB of noise
- Product Benefits/Use for: Relaxing massage, target sore spots, reduce muscle knots, release tension
- Items included: (number of heads/attachments etc.): Travel case, three attachments, two-lithium ion batteries included
- Special features: 90-degree rotating massage arm, five speed levels
The 90-degree rotating arm is a unique feature of the VYBE V2 compared to similar products.
It allows for a greater range of uses and approaches, which helps out a lot when handled by one person.
The 500 RPM mode allows for one of the softest touches and as such is very beginner-friendly.
Although, at up to 80 dB, it can create noticeable noise during use.
However, for what comes in the package, it’s unmatched at its price point.
The 500 RPM mode allows for one of the softest touches and as such is very beginner-friendly. Although, at up to 80 dB, VYBE V2 can create noticeable noise during use.
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5. Ekrin Bantam Travel-Sized Muscle Massager — Best Portable Gun
Another product from the Ekrin Athletics company worth mentioning is the Bantam.
This travel-sized muscle massager provides nearly the same quality muscle treatment as the B37 while on the go.
- Power: 35 lbs of pressure
- Material: Lightweight plastic
- Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
- Power Source: 1600 mAH Battery (6 hours)
- Color: Black with green details
- Size: 8.5 x 8.07 x 2.99
- Performance: From 2000 to 3200 RPM, around 0.39 inches amplitude, roughly 50 dB noise when used
- Product Benefits/Use for: on-the-go muscle therapy
- Items included: Travel pouch, USB charger, four massage heads
- Special features: Travel-size product, ergonomic handle, LED color-coded battery indicator, 6-hour battery life with USB-C type charging
This is the perfect product if you want to easily carry your gun massager around.
The slim travel pouch can fit into any gym bag, hiking backpack, travel suitcase, etc.
The USB-C type charger allows you to plug and charge directly into a power socket or via other USB ports, such as on a laptop.
The Samsung lithium-ion battery inside provides 6 hours of battery life, very impressive for its size.
The USB-C type charger allows you to plug and charge Ekrin Bantam directly into a power socket or via other USB ports, such as on a laptop.
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6. Bob and Brad C2 Massager Gun
The next massage gun I want to look at comes from Bob and Brad, the world's most famous physical therapists.
While technically “the most famous” might just be a slogan, their YouTube channel and website count millions of visits for a reason.
Bob & Brad are big proponents of athletic massage tool usage and have talked extensively about gun massagers in their videos and articles.
As physical therapists with decades of experience under their belt, it was only natural that they released their own version - and they delivered a valuable product.
- Power: 40 lbs of pressure
- Material: Hard plastic
- Item Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Power Source: 2500mAh Battery (3-4 hours)
- Color: Black
- Size: 6.8 x 2.4 x 5.1
- Performance: From 2000 to 3200 RPM, around 0.39 inches amplitude, roughly 30 - 55 dB noise when used
- Product Benefits/Use for: Full-body physical therapy, muscle recovery, increased blood circulation
- Items included: Travel case, five head attachments, USB-C type fast charger, silicone handle
- Special features: Automatic shutdown after 10 minutes of continuous use to avoid over usage and potential harm
At just 1.5 pounds, the C2 sport massage gun is noticeably light.
The battery life supports up to 3 hours of continuous use and uses a common USB-C type quick charger.
This might seem low at first glance, but considering massage gun sessions last for a few minutes, plus the USB-C charger, you shouldn't find yourself running out of battery.
Bob & Brad recommend this product primarily for runners, climbers, and similar cardio-focused athletes - and that would be my advice as well.
The gun is excellent for therapeutic use, muscle relaxation, and especially good for senior citizens to rejuvenate their bodies and improve blood circulation.
However, considering the relatively low power of the C2 massage gun, I can’t recommend it for athletes who do heavier workouts and work on muscle building, such as powerlifters or bodybuilders.
Bob an Brad C2 gun is excellent for therapeutic use, muscle relaxation, and especially good for senior citizens to rejuvenate their bodies and improve blood circulation.
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7. TOLOCO EM26 Massage Gun
Last but not least is the TOLOCO massage gun.
This product is worth mentioning simply because of its huge usage variety - with 15 head attachments and 7 power level settings.
Considering what comes with the package, it stands at a reasonable price point, too.
- Power: 35 lbs of pressure
- Material: Silicone
- Item Weight: 3.75 Pounds
- Power Source: 2500 mAH Battery (up to 6 hours)
- Color: Four color options - black, gray, off-white, and patterned
- Size: 9.84 x 3.94 x 7.87 inches
- Performance: From 1300 to 3200 RPM, around 0.47 inches amplitude, roughly 40-50 dB noise when used
- Product Benefits/Use for: Full-body muscle therapy, pre- and post workout routine
- Items included: Hard shell travel case, 15 head attachments, USB charging cable
- Special features: Seven speed levels, LED display, USB charging
The 15 different attachments are what make this product stand out.
Here’s a quick list of every replaceable head:
- Round
- Bullet
- Y-shape
- Fork
- Crescent
- Elbow
- Claws
- Thumb
- Air cushion
- Bulge
- Wedge
- Patterned bulge
- Shovel
- Convex
The LED display is a cool touch, although it can certainly seem unnecessary and unreliable compared to physical dials and buttons, especially because of touch sensitivity.
The product promises up to 6 hours of battery life, but with the seven power settings and LED displays, realistically you should expect half of that.
The TOLOCO Massage gun promises up to 6 hours of battery life, but with the seven power settings and LED displays, realistically you should expect half of that.
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What is a Massage Gun?
A massage gun is a tool that can provide a full-body massage and pre- or post-workout therapy, primarily designed for at-home or on-the-go usage and single-person handling.
It can also be found under different names, such as fitness massage gun, portable massage gun, etc.
Most massage guns come with multiple attachments, which can do everything from switching up intensity levels, improving massage precision, targeting specific muscle groups, and so on.
What are the Benefits of Using Massage Guns for Athletes?
✅ Massage Guns are Therapeutic
Massage guns promise to speed athletic recovery, increase circulation, decrease muscle pain and soreness, reduce inflammation, increase mobility, and similar benefits that result from regular massages.
They’re equally good at preparing your body with pre-workout muscle activation, easing muscle tension after a hard workout, or simply stimulating your blood flow.
Studies have shown that after just five minutes of pummeling, a massage gun increased calf muscle motion rage in healthy adult males.
✅ Massage Guns are Excellent Warm-Up Tools
Everybody knows the importance of regular warm-ups before moving on to exercising.
Standard warm-up routines typically involve some cardio and stretching to help get your blood circulation up and boost your energy.
However, using a massage gun in your pre-workout routine can help you precisely activate the muscle groups you want to work on.
This is especially beneficial if you exercise with heavier loads and need to ensure you’re ready for it.
✅ Massage Guns Ease Post-Workout and Injury Recovery
Just as you can use it to warm up, you can also use your athletic massager gun for post-workout therapy.
According to studies, vibration therapy - such as that achieved by massage guns - eases up muscle soreness and lessens the pain threshold, which is especially beneficial if you have any post-workout pain, such as a sustained injury.
✅ Massage Guns are Precise Tools
Unlike other at-home massage tools, massage guns let you precisely target the muscles you want to work on without much effort.
For example, foam rollers are very popular because they’re cheap and get the job done.
But they require greater energy use, can force you into uncomfortable positions to hit certain muscles, and have a much higher risk of causing pain and harm.
Massage guns are precise, they can be used in whatever position makes you comfortable, and they can have additional precision and benefits with proper attachments.
✅ Massage Guns Make You Feel Good
At the end of the day, any form of physical therapy will make you feel better and rest easier.
Massage guns are a great way to help yourself achieve a positive state of mind at the end of an intense workout, or even just a hard day in general.
Once you try it, you’ll always look forward to using it.
When Do You Need a Massage Gun?
Nearly anyone can use a massage gun for various reasons.
As discussed, athletes can use them for pre- or post-workout routines.
But even regular people can use them as well to relax their body, especially if they feel muscle pain or tension from, for example, sitting or sleeping uncomfortably.
Senior citizens can use them to reinvigorate and activate their muscles, and they help with improving the blood flow as well.
If you face chronic tight spots, sore muscles, or other soft-tissue complaints, using a massage gun will make your life easier.
Massage guns are highly recommended by physical therapists.
What to Look for in Massage Guns?
1. Power
Different massage guns offer different power levels.
Most people will find the medium power level guns best.
However, people with strong muscle tensions, such as powerlifters, may find higher-powered guns to be better.
Equally, senior citizens, beginners, and individuals with specific medical conditions (such as weaker bone structure), should stick with lower-powered massage guns.
Tips From the Champ
A massage gun is a tool that can provide a full-body massage and pre- or post-workout therapy, primarily designed for at-home or on-the-go usage and single-person handling.
It can also be found under different names, such as fitness massage gun, portable massage gun, etc.
Most massage guns come with multiple attachments, which can do everything from switching up intensity levels, improving massage precision, targeting specific muscle groups, and so on.
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Battery Life
How fast you’ll have to recharge your device will depend on usage frequency.
All options in this list have moderate to long-lasting battery life in the span of a few hours.
Since the average therapy gun session should last no longer than 10 minutes, you’ll get quite a few uses out of these guns before having to recharge.
3. Speed Options
Speed options are fairly standardized for most guns and typically fall somewhere between 1800 and 3200 RPM.
Most people will find themselves in the happy middle of that, and lots of higher-tier guns only offer a few speed options for this reason.
However, depending on your needs and athletic level, you can try a lighter or heavier gun.
Similar to power, lower speed may be better for seniors or beginners, while those focused on intense muscle building may find faster options to be more suitable.
4. Durability
The build quality of all products on my lists goes from standard to high.
This typically changes with the price point, and with massage guns it’s no different.
More expensive guns are made from tougher materials and will be more durable, but that doesn’t mean the other choices are bad.
If you avoid improper use, they should all be durable.
5. Noise Level
While noise might have been an issue in the past, most athletic massage guns nowadays are fairly quiet while working.
However, if you have any condition that might cause discomfort, such as proneness to headaches, getting one of the lower noise guns might be best.
6. Price vs Quality
All products on the list are of reasonable prices for the quality they offer.
Price VS quality is a big factor in product placements on this list, so the higher it is ranked, the more value for money it provides.
However, I understand people have different budgets and make sure to include premium and affordable choices equally.
How to Use Massage Guns?
1. Do Not Use More Than a Few Minutes Every Day
Most sport massage guns recommend not using them for more than 10 minutes per day.
Some even have built-in chips that stop them around that time threshold.
2. Split Usage Into 3 Sets Of A Few Seconds
It may be tempting to use a massage gun for minutes on end, especially on body areas in need of recovery.
However, proper usage lands somewhere between 15-30 seconds to a maximum of one minute per muscle group.
3. Don’t Push Hard, Let the Massager Do Its Job
Pressing down too hard with your gun massager can have negative effects or even cause injury.
If you feel you’re not reaching a certain pain point, instead of pushing harder, try a faster speed or a different attachment.
4. Start with Low Intensity and Work Your Way Up
Just like with any workout, you should warm yourself up to the usage of the massage gun, before attempting higher intensity.
Even if you’re quite familiar with your massager, starting slow and working your way up is never a wrong choice.
FAQ
Are Massage Guns Good For Athletes?
Massage guns are good for athletes of all levels, whether you’re professional, semi-professional, or recreational.
If you need more proof, just ask NBA players.
ESPN reported that various NBA teams and athletes had massage guns under their benches and used them during warm-ups, breaks, and post-match recoveries.
When Should You Not Use A Massage Gun?
Never use a massage gun on skin rashes, open wounds, internal bleeding spots (bruises), over blisters, tissue inflammation, and tumor spots.
Do not use it on your head or genital area, even on low settings.
If you have any form of sensory issue that reduces sensations on your body, avoid using a massage gun - you could be hurting yourself more than you’re actually feeling it.
Can You Damage Muscles With A Massage Gun?
With proper usage, massage guns shouldn’t cause you any injury or damage your muscles.
However, as with anything, using it too frequently or with too much intensity could have unwanted side effects, such as muscle damage.
Responsible usage won’t cause any problems.
Conclusion
Having an athletic massage gun is an excellent choice for pre- and post-workout self-care.
Using one regularly will improve your blood circulation, remove muscle knots, ease post-workout pain, and overall make you feel better and more energized.
All things considered, the best massage gun for athletes to me is the Ekrin B37 by Ekrin Athletics. That said, make sure you also check out the other options on the list, as you might find they have a benefit specific to your needs.
Have you tried using a massage gun before or after workouts? How much did they help you? Let me know in the comments below, and remember to follow me on social media for more exercise guides and workout tips.
Also read:
- Best Chiropractor Massage Gun
- Do Massage Guns Help With Cellulite
- Massage Gun For Cellulite
- Massage Gun For Sciatica
- Strongest Massage Gun
- Percussive Massager Benefits
- How to Use Massage Gun on Neck
References:
- A piece of Kobe tech is in the NBA playoffs and on every bench // ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29733438/a-piece-kobe-tech-nba-playoffs-every-bench
- Massage Guns: Why They Work & How To Use Them- Bob and Brad Concur // Bob and Brad: https://www.bobandbrad.com/post/massage-guns-why-they-work-how-to-use-them-bob-and-brad-concur
- Vibration Therapy in Management of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) // National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127040/
- The Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment with a Hypervolt Device on Plantar Flexor Muscles’ Range of Motion and Performance // National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7675623/
- How Effective Is a Massage Gun for Recovery? // VeryWellFit:
https://www.verywellfit.com/do-massage-guns-really-work-5114083 - How to Use a Massage Gun – Properly and Effectively // MassageGunAdvice:
https://massagegunadvice.com/how-to-use-a-massage-gun/ - Can You Use a Massage Gun on a Pulled Muscle? // Ekrin:
https://ekrinathletics.com/pages/can-you-use-a-massage-gun-on-a-pulled-muscle
Why Trust Us?
With over 20 years in Olympic Weightlifting, our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
All products we select are primarily approved and tested by the Olympic Weightlifting Champion Oleksii Torokhtiy. Under his guidance, we provide honest and reasonable assessments of the products we review by checking their characteristics, packaging, design, comfort and durability features, and general product rating. We select products from only high-quality and trusted sports brands, thus vouching for their quality.
The product testing process is described in more detail here
Author: Ihor Shymechko
Pro Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics. After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Oleksiy Torokhtiy is a professional athlete boasting 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. With multiple European and World titles under his belt, he has showcased his prowess in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). Upon concluding his illustrious career, Oleksiy dedicated himself to coaching. By 2022, he had conducted over 200 weightlifting seminars worldwide. He is the visionary behind an international sportswear and accessories brand known for its motto, “Warm Body Cold Mind.” Additionally, he is an esteemed author and the creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiries considering product reviews, you can reach out to us via email – [email protected]
