Bob and Brad Massage Guns: How to Choose the Right Model

Who built Bob and Brad, how the Q2, C2, T2, D and X lines differ, and how to match a model to your needs, care routine and warranty.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.

Man using a Bob and Brad massage gun on his forearm in a gym

Bob and Brad sells more than a dozen massage guns, and the model names do not explain themselves. Q2, C2, T2, D5, D6 and X6 all sound alike until you learn the code behind them.

This guide does that decoding for you. It covers who built the brand, how the range is organized, how to match a gun to the way you will use it, what heat and cold really adds, how Bob and Brad stacks up against Theragun and how to look after the gun once it arrives.

It draws on the brand’s own spec sheets and policies, plus findings from independent reviewers and testers. Anything those sources do not cover is left out, so you will not find guesses dressed up as facts.

Who Is Behind Bob and Brad

The company that makes the guns is B&B Innovation LLC, headquartered in Winona, Minnesota. Its founders are two physical therapists, Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck, and the business grew out of a YouTube channel they launched in 2011 to take on questions that kept coming up in their clinic.

Their training and work history, in brief:

  • Bob Schrupp: trained at the Mayo School of Health-Related Sciences and graduated as a physical therapist in 1985. From there he went on to found a rehabilitation agency in southeastern Minnesota called Therapy Network, Inc.
  • Brad Heineck: a physical therapy program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (1996), then years as a clinical therapist working next to Bob.

Added together, the brand puts their hands-on experience at more than 60 years.

Man holding a Bob and Brad massage gun and smiling outdoors under a clear sky

Products came later. Once the channel had an audience, viewers began asking which massage gun the pair would recommend. The founders chose not to endorse another maker and partnered with a manufacturer on a gun of their own, and the company followed from that decision.

A brand announcement put total sales above one million massage guns worldwide. Brad framed the goal as putting professional-quality physical therapy tools within everyone’s reach.

Bob Schrupp has since passed away. Older videos show both founders together, while Brad Heineck and Bob’s family keep the channel and the product line running. The channel’s stated mission is unchanged: serving people from age 0 to 101 and helping them stay active.

Beyond guns, the catalog also lists a full-body massage chair, heating pads, and massagers for feet and eyes. Bob and Brad sells through Amazon, Walmart, eBay and its own website.

How the Lineup Is Organized

Sorting the names into four tiers makes the range much easier to read. The details follow the brand’s own spec sheets.

TierModelsWhat defines it
MiniAir 2 Mini, Q2 Mini, Q2 Pro MiniCompact bodies made for travel
CoreC2, C2 Pro, C2 PlusOne full-size body, 8mm amplitude, about 35 lbs of stall force
T2T2, T2 Pro10mm amplitude, 4000mAh battery, USB-C fast charging
PowerD5 Pro, D6 Pro, X6 Pro MaxHigher-output motors, with the D6 Pro at the top

The mini tier

Three guns share the small format. The Q2 Mini is the entry model: quiet, sized for a gym bag and meant for quick work, not deep-tissue sessions. The Q2 Pro Mini uses that same body but arrives with a heat-and-cold head.

The Air 2 Mini supplies five attachments and a zippered case, and the brand lists a runtime of about 2 to 4 hours between charges.

The core tier

The C2, C2 Pro and C2 Plus all sit on one full-size body, and the head is what separates them. The Pro carries the heat-and-cold head, the Plus has a heated head only, and the standard C2 has neither. On paper the three match, at 8mm of amplitude and about 35 lbs of stall force.

The T2 tier

Moving up to the T2 line changes the numbers. Amplitude goes from the C2’s 8mm to 10mm, a 20% increase, and the battery grows to 4000mAh with USB-C fast charging. The base T2 is the plain version, and the T2 Pro adds the heat-and-cold head.

Bob and Brad T2 Pro massage gun shown with its five attachment heads and gray carrying case

The power tier

The D5 Pro, D6 Pro and X6 Pro Max make up the top group, aimed at larger muscle groups and more frequent sessions. On paper they lead the range for both stall force and amplitude. The X6 Pro Max gets its heat and cold from a metal head, and the D6 Pro sits at the very top of the lineup.

How to Choose Between the Models

Start with three questions. Which budget tier suits you? How big are the muscles you plan to work on? Do you want heat and cold, or percussion alone? Your answers point to one tier quickly.

If you travel or want something small

A bag-sized gun is the right idea here. The Q2 Mini is the smallest model and sits at the entry-level end of the range, compact enough for a carry-on. For deep-tissue work you would still want a full-size gun, so treat the Q2 Mini as a tool for quick sessions on the road. The Air 2 Mini is the other small option, with a larger set of attachments.

Man using a Bob and Brad massage gun on his shoulder while seated in the back of a car

If you want one gun for most jobs

Look at the C2. It is a full-size gun with a full set of attachments, and it reaches most muscle groups without moving into the premium tier. That mix also makes it a straightforward first gun if you have never owned one.

If you want heat and cold

Three models offer a swappable hot-and-cold head: the C2 Pro, the Q2 Pro Mini and the T2 Pro. Of those, the T2 Pro has the strongest specs, since the 10mm stroke and the larger battery come along with the head. For a closer look at that model, read our full verdict on the Bob and Brad T2 Pro.

If you train hard or work large muscles

The D5 Pro, D6 Pro and X6 Pro Max are the three to consider. Each tops the range for stall force and amplitude.

If you are buying a gift

When the gun is for someone else, pick a box that includes a carrying case and the full head set. The C2, C2 Pro and T2 Pro fit that description, and they spare you from guessing the recipient’s preferences.

Whatever you shortlist, check the handle shape, the storage case and the head count before you decide. Those details matter every time you pick the gun up.

Do You Need Heat and Cold?

Four models carry the swappable hot-and-cold head: the T2 Pro, C2 Pro, Q2 Pro Mini and X6 Pro Max, which uses a metal head. The C2 Plus offers a heated head only.

Heat and cold is an extra, not a replacement for the basics. Every gun in the range still rests on the same core features: amplitude, stall force and battery. On the T2 Pro the special head is one of five in the box, so it sits alongside the standard heads instead of replacing them.

If you would rarely swap heads, the plain C2 covers much of the same ground on a body similar to the C2 Pro’s. One independent reviewer made a related point, noting that buyers who do not specifically need the heat-and-cold head may find a better fit elsewhere.

To see what is listed for these models, you can check the current price on Amazon, which opens Bob and Brad’s storefront there.

How Bob and Brad Compares With Theragun

Theragun is the premium name that Bob and Brad’s own catalog invites you to compare against, because both brands sell on percussion, stall force and battery life. The differences show up in four places.

Motor and power

In independent testing, Theragun’s Pro model and the D6 from Bob and Brad land in the same 90-watt motor class, with stall force ratings that look alike on paper. Theragun has been on the market longer.

Some independent reviewers also felt that the T2 Pro in particular delivers less stall force in use than its spec sheet states, so read that figure with some caution.

Head design

Where Theragun stands apart is an arm that adjusts to several angles, so your own back and shoulders come within reach without a helper. Bob and Brad uses a fixed head, which works for legs, arms and most other areas but makes solo lower-back work harder.

Bob and Brad does put more in the box. The T2 Pro comes with five heads and a case, while the Theragun Mini includes a single attachment.

Battery

Listed runtime favors the Bob and Brad minis. The Air 2 gives roughly 2 to 4 hours, while the Theragun Mini is listed at 1 to 2.5. The T2 Pro’s 4000mAh cell is rated for about 50% longer than the brand’s earlier guns, and both brands offer USB-C fast charging.

Positioning

Theragun occupies the premium end of the category. Bob and Brad is aimed at shoppers who want a brand founded by physical therapists without stepping up to that tier.

Theragun is the better match when the most adjustable arm is the priority and cost is not a deciding factor. If you would rather have most of the features from a physical-therapist-founded brand, Bob and Brad is a reasonable trade.

Using and Caring for Your Massage Gun

Because the motor works against steady pressure, small habits affect how long the heads and the battery last. The advice below combines the brand’s own guidance with points that independent reviewers raise.

Charging habits

The guns charge over USB-C. There is no need to run the battery flat before recharging, and short top-ups between sessions suit the lithium cells used across the range.

Keeping the heads seated

Independent reviewers of the T2 Pro report heads working loose or popping out, mostly at higher speeds. Press each head in until it clicks before you start, and switch the motor off before changing heads. If a head still feels loose once seated, contact customer support instead of carrying on.

Man sitting on a concrete ramp outdoors using a Bob and Brad massage gun on his thigh

Do not fight the stall

A stall comes when the head presses into bone or a tight muscle. Lighten up instead of pushing harder, drop to a lower speed and let the percussion do the work. Independent reviewers of the T2 Pro say the head needs two to three seconds to get going again afterward, and forcing the gun through repeated stalls adds strain to the motor.

Cleaning and storage

Wipe the heads clean after each session, especially after a workout, when sweat or lotion may be on the skin. A canvas or zippered case is better than a loose bag, where dust and lint can reach the head and the charging port.

Warranty, Returns and Authentic Listings

Bob and Brad’s returns and warranty page sets out clear rules, and nearly all of them depend on where you bought the gun.

QuestionWhat the brand says
Which channels are official?Amazon, eBay, Walmart and the brand’s own website
What does the warranty cover?Brand-new units from those channels carry a limited warranty lasting two years, claimed with proof of purchase such as an order number
What is left out?Used, refurbished and secondhand units
How long do I have to return it?30 days, for any reason, if the gun is unused and in its original packaging
Who pays?You cover return shipping, and non-defective returns carry a restocking fee
What happens after 30 days?Only manufacturer defects qualify for a refund or exchange
Where do I send it back?To the place of purchase, so an Amazon order goes through Amazon’s own return process
What about shipping?The brand states free shipping on orders through its own channels

Buying outside those four channels means taking on more risk, since a defective unit from another seller may leave you with no route to a repair or replacement.

Unauthorized resellers can turn up on any large marketplace, so check the seller before you pay. These are the warning signs:

  • a spec that disagrees with the brand’s sheet, such as a different battery size or number of heads
  • an Amazon or eBay seller other than Bob and Brad’s own storefront
  • an offer far below what the brand itself asks for that model
  • no return policy in sight, or a seller with a short order history

If you would rather buy on Amazon, one of the channels the brand lists, see Bob and Brad’s storefront on Amazon and compare each listing with the specs above. For a defective unit from an official channel, the brand’s customer service line is 612-567-3035.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Bob and Brad?

Two physical therapists, Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck. They began with a YouTube channel in 2011 and brought out massage guns afterward.

Is the brand still active?

Yes. After Bob Schrupp’s death, Brad Heineck and Bob’s family kept the channel and the products going.

Which company makes the products?

B&B Innovation LLC, which is headquartered in Winona, Minnesota.

Which model suits a first-time buyer?

The C2 is the brand’s standard full-size gun, with a full attachment set and reach across most muscle groups, so it is a simple place to start.

Which models have heat and cold?

The C2 Pro, Q2 Pro Mini, T2 Pro and X6 Pro Max. The C2 Plus has a heated head only.

Are the guns waterproof?

No. The brand does not rate them as waterproof, so keep water off the unit and wipe the heads clean.

How loud are they?

The T2 Pro’s sheet lists 45 dB, yet one independent test recorded about 54 to 58 dB. Read the official number as the quietest you will get.

Where can I buy an authentic unit?

The brand names four channels for warranty coverage: Amazon, eBay, Walmart and its own website.

Final Thoughts

Bob and Brad has built a wide range around a physical-therapy background, and the naming is easier than it looks. Think in tiers: minis for travel, the C2 family for everyday use, the T2 line for a longer stroke and a bigger battery, and the D and X guns for heavy use.

Pick the tier first, then decide whether heat and cold earns a place in your routine. Check the handle, the case and the warranty channel, and keep the care habits above in mind once the gun arrives.

The main trade-off against a premium rival is the fixed head, along with the issues independent reviewers raise about the T2 Pro. Compare your shortlist with the brand’s spec sheets, and weigh them against the rest of the range before you buy.

More in Fitness & Outdoors

The Latest