Back Massager Thumper Mini Pro2 Hand Held Massager

I bought two MiniPro2's few years ago; one for me and one for my parents. They worked very well but in both the switch failed after a while. I have just disassembled my massager and noticed that the plastic switch slider in the handle is linked with the underlying mechanical switch by a very thin piece of plastic, which broke off rendering the massager unusable.

I give the massager four stars because it is a very good massager, but I wonder why the switch has such a lousy design in such an expensive massager. I will try to fix the switch.

I recently bought a Mini Pro2 to complement my Homedics PA-MH, a ~$30 massager representative of most units in its price class. I also have a Homedics PA-200H, a larger 5-speed unit mildly updated as the PA-300H and PA-400H. The corded MAX2, I've used a half-dozen times in Brookstone shops, so I'll be working from memory with that one. Likewise for the Homedics HHP-300.

What do you get for six times the price?

Physically, the Pro2 and the PA-MH are about the same length and width. The Pro2's cord is thicker and, at 12', twice as long. The PA-MH has a two-stage switch with heat, as does the HHP-300. The Pro2, three stages and no heat. The PA-200H, five speeds with heat and adjustable-width percussion pads. And the MAX2, five speeds and no heat. Build quality is somewhat higher with the Pro2 and PA-200H and higher still with the MAX2. The HHP-300 has an extending handle of dubious utility.

The more significant differences are in the massage heads. The Pro2 is over an inch deeper than the PA-MH and has larger, flatter percussion modules with at least half-again more travel. They're also slightly farther apart. The bulky plastic casing houses some heavy hardware: the Pro2 is 3 lbs, hefty relative to the 1.8 lbs of the PA-MH and 2.5 lbs of the PA-200H. It's like holding a dictionary over your neck. Less so for the HHP-300, which feels only marginally heavier than the PA-MH. Relative to the Pro2, the MAX2 is a bit wider, deeper, and lighter, and has an additional handle behind the massage head.

All that weight promises a lot of power. To see how much, I ran the Pro2, PA-MH, and PA-200H through a watt meter while unloaded and loaded. Here are the power draw numbers for each speed setting:

PA-MH setting 1: 8W / 13W (+5W heat)

PA-MH setting 2: 10W / 18W (+5W heat)

PA-200H setting 1: 9W / 16W (+8W heat)

PA-200H setting 2: 10W / 18W (+8W heat)

PA-200H setting 3: 11W / 20W (+8W heat)

PA-200H setting 4: 12W / 22W (+8W heat)

PA-200H setting 5: 13W / 24W (+8W heat)

Pro2 setting 1: 11W / 27W

Pro2 setting 2: 14W / 38W

Pro2 setting 3: 19W / 46W

Assuming equal efficiency, the Pro2 transmits more energy at the lowest setting than the PA-MH does at the highest. The way they go about it differs, though. The lowest Homedics setting oscillates almost exactly as fast as the highest setting on the Pro2. The PA-200H is much the same, amplified to the point where high settings are almost numbing. If your particular pain responds best to low penetration and high frequency, the two Homedics models will provide smoother and less violent treatment. I can't say the same for HHP-300 which was, despite the bulky massage head, perhaps a quarter less powerful than the PA-MH. The MAX2 is similar to the Pro 2, but with a slightly quicker top speed and noticeably stronger percussion.

Subjectively, the Pro2 and MAX2 provide a deep tissue massage that the PA-MH, and to a lesser extent the PA-200H, can't duplicate. The power difference is not subtle when there's any pressure on the head. People of ample size or muscle tone will benefit most. Given the huge cost disparity, it's worth trying one of the two PA models before springing for the larger units. The HHP-300, I wouldn't recommend.

Reliability is a wash. The Pro2 is rumored to have a weak switch. I bought my unit secondhand. The motor has subtle dips in frequency every now and again that suggest a poor connection, though not a bother, and I've never had it overheat. The PA-MH is perfectly consistent, but after three years, it's developed a rattle in the massage head that suggests it may not be long for this world. That's partly my fault; I tend to use it offset where only one side is loaded, which puts a lot of strain on the mechanism. I'm not aware of any issues with the MAX2. If you try that one and like it, you won't be missing out to purchase it over the Pro2. (Unless you buy the cordless version. It costs more and isn't as powerful or consistent.)

Be aware that these massage units often go for a song on Craigslist and at donation stores. The PA-200H was about $60 new; I found mine for $6 at Goodwill. Likewise for the Pro2 at $15. I wouldn't have bought the Pro2 at $200, or even half that. The MAX2 is a more impressive unit at the same price, or $100 secondhand.

Buy Back Massager Thumper Mini Pro2 Hand Held Massager Now

This is definitely an intense, strong therapeutic massager that is best used by another person upon you as it is a bit on the heavy side. It has two massagers that penetrate deeply into the body. I find the three different speeds helpful as some areas of the body need more or less stimulation. Beware, however that this model is a seriously strong, fast "thumping" action, even on the lowest speed. This massager fits the contours of the body well and is perfect for the tight knots along the spine, buttocks, and legs. It is a great product and the only downfall is that I am not able to use it upon my neck, due to the strength of the vibration and design of the massager head. I would highly recommend this product to another and also suggest they compare it to something like the Jeanie Rub, also available on amazon.com that I find to be similar, but more effective. This product came from All About Massagers and I appreciated their service and willingness to answer my questions.

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This is the third mini-thumper pro I have purchased over the years. We really put ours through a daily work out since both of my sons have neuromuscular problems and this is one of the few things we have found that helps. I also purchased the professional model with 8 balls. I like that, but it is too much for them as they have low muscle mass. The mini thumper has only two balls, or heads and is very easy to focus on a small trouble spot (example: point of attachment for various hip ligaments). I have tried other massagers before the mini thumper pro and they all pale in comparison.

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I'm about to buy my third thumper. (The first one, which I got about 13 years ago, happened to be in a bag that was stolen, and I foolishly lent the second one to a friend who left town before returning it.) It's not an ordinary massage unit. Obviously I think it's worth the price since I've paid full price for all of mine. The percussive action allows me to go longer between massages by a massage therapist, and that saves me money. This model reaches all along my back and does a good job on my legs. When I have muscle spasms (due to a medical condition that causes electrolyte imbalance) there's really nothing else I can use. The Thumper takes care of them in a few minutes, better than morphine!

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