+5.4°
Five minutes of percussive massage on the calves increased ankle range of motion without any loss of strength.
Konrad A, Glashüttner C, Reiner MM, Bernsteiner D, Tilp M. J Sports Sci Med. 2020;19(4):690–694.
Massage guns · South Africa
Massage guns in South Africa. Pick the right one.
Which massage gun should you buy in South Africa? For most people, the botthms Lite V1 (R3,299): 10 mm amplitude, 30 speed levels and 3–5 hours per charge. Choose the Master V1 (R4,399) for 12 mm deep-tissue work with six heads, or the Pro Mini (R2,399) for the gym bag, the office and travel.
Trusted by Vodacom Bulls and Lions players
Used by Springboks Marcell Coetzee and Elrigh Louw
12-MONTH WARRANTY
Local South African support by chat and email.
FREE DELIVERY OVER R1,500
Weekday orders before 14:00 ship the same day.
30-DAY RETURNS
Quick and easy returns and exchanges.
PAY LATER
Split it over up to 6 months, interest-free.
The five numbers
What actually matters on the box.
10–14MM
AmplitudeHow deep it reaches. Under 8 mm is a vibrator.
1200–3200RPM
SpeedLow for warm-up, high for flush.
3–6HOURS
BatteryA week of sessions per charge.
<45DB
NoiseQuiet enough to use in front of the TV.
Professional features. Designed for everyone.
Numbers a physio cares about.
10MM
Amplitude
Under 8mm vibrates the skin. 10mm+ works the muscle.
3–5HRS
Battery per charge
A week of normal use between charges.
30–50DB
Noise
Quieter than a conversation.
Compared against the median of ten sub-R1,500 massage guns sold in South Africa, September 2026.
Compare the three
Lite V1 vs Master V1 vs Pro Mini.
| Model |  Pro Mini
R 2,399.00TRAVEL |  Lite V1
R 3,299.00MOST POPULAR |  Master V1
R 4,399.00FLAGSHIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amplitude | 8mm | 10mm | 12mm |
| Speed | Up to 3,000 rpm · 4 speeds | 1,200–3,200 rpm · 30 levels | 1,200–3,200 rpm · 6 gears |
| Battery | 1,500mAh | 2,600mAh · 3–5 h | 3,400mAh Panasonic |
| Heads | 4 | 4 | 6 (2 steel) |
| Noise | Under 40dB | 30–50dB | 30–50dB |
| Best for | Gym bag, desk, travel | Most people, daily recovery | Deep tissue, contact sport |
| Price | R 2,399.00 | R 3,299.00 | R 4,399.00 |
| Pay later | from R 399.83/month | from R 549.83/month | from R 733.17/month |
| View | View | View |
Buying guide
What the numbers on the box mean.
Five specs decide whether a massage gun helps or just buzzes. Here is what each one does for you, and where the botthms range sits.
Amplitude: how deep the head travels
Amplitude is the distance the head moves forward and back on every stroke. It is the spec that decides whether the gun reaches the muscle or only shakes the skin. Our Pro Mini runs at 8 mm, the Lite V1 at 10 mm and the Master V1 at 12 mm. If you carry a lot of muscle, or play a contact sport, go deeper.
Speed: strokes per minute
Speed (rpm) changes the feel. Low speeds suit warm-ups, sore days and bony areas; high speeds suit a fast flush after training. The Lite V1 steps from 1,200 to 3,200 rpm across 30 levels, so you can fine-tune. The Master V1 covers the same range in 6 gears with pressure sensing, and the Pro Mini tops out at 3,000 rpm on 4 speeds.
Battery: sessions per charge
A full-body session is 5–10 minutes, so even a small battery lasts several days. The Lite V1 holds 2,600 mAh (3–5 hours of use), the Master V1 a 3,400 mAh Panasonic cell and the Pro Mini 1,500 mAh. Charge it on Sunday and it sees you through a normal training week.
Noise: can you use it in front of the TV?
Cheap guns rattle. A brushless motor and sound insulation keep the Lite V1 and Master V1 at 30–50 dB, and the Pro Mini under 40 dB, which is quieter than normal conversation. That matters if you recover at night while the family sleeps.
Heads: the right tool for each muscle
The round head does most of the work on big muscles, the bullet finds knots, the fork straddles the spine and Achilles, and the flat head covers wide areas. The Lite V1 and Pro Mini ship with those four. The Master V1 adds a steel flat and a steel round head for a harder pass on glutes and hamstrings.
Four attachments
Target muscles with precision.
N°01
Round
Glutes · quads · lats · traps
The everyday head. Large surface, even pressure, the one you'll use most.
N°02
Bullet
Feet · inner joints · trigger points
Pinpoint pressure for knots and deep trigger points. Go gentle.
N°03
Fork
Forearms · calves · either side of the spine
Straddles the Achilles and the spine so you work the muscle, never the bone.
N°04
Flat
Pecs · back · wide flat muscles
Wide, firm surface for big flat groups and general warm-up.
By sport
Which massage gun for how you train.
Rugby and contact sport
Front rows, loose forwards and anyone carrying bruised, dense muscle on a Sunday: take the Master V1. Its 12 mm stroke and steel heads get through big quads, glutes and traps. Use it low and slow the day after a match, never on fresh bruising.
Running, parkrun and Comrades training
The Lite V1 is the runner's pick. Use the fork head either side of the Achilles and the round head on calves, quads and hamstrings. Two minutes a muscle after a long run, then pair it with calf sleeves for the drive home.
Gym and CrossFit
Lifters who want warm-up speed before squats and a deep flush after heavy pulls get the most from the Lite V1. If you train six days a week or carry serious size, step up to the Master V1's longer battery and extra heads.
Pilates, yoga and studio classes
Smaller frames and lighter loading rarely need maximum depth. The Pro Mini fits a studio bag next to your grip socks and handles calves, feet, forearms and shoulders between classes.
Desk workers and long drives
Tight traps, a stiff upper back and forearms from a mouse all day: the Pro Mini lives in a drawer and is quiet enough for an open-plan office. If your lower back and glutes are the problem, the Lite V1 reaches deeper.
How to use one
Two minutes a muscle. Not more.
- 01 Before 30–60 seconds per muscle at low speed to warm up.
- 02 After 1–2 minutes per muscle, medium speed, flat or round head.
- 03 Sore days Low speed, keep moving, never on bone, joints or the neck front.
- 04 Rest day Full-body sweep at low speed, then sleep.
What the research says
Percussion works. Here's the evidence.
We don't sell magic. We sell a tool with a growing body of peer-reviewed research behind it. Three findings that matter for anyone who trains.
↓ DOMS
Massage-based interventions reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness and perceived pain in the days after hard exercise.
Imtiyaz S, Veqar Z, Shareef MY. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(1):133–136.
13 trials
A systematic review of percussive therapy found consistent short-term gains in flexibility and reductions in pain, with no adverse effects reported.
Sams L, Langdown BL, Simons J, Vseteckova J. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2023;18(2):309–327.
Summaries of published research, not medical advice. Effects vary between people. If you have an injury, a circulatory condition, or are pregnant, speak to a physiotherapist or doctor before using a massage gun.
#botthmspros
Used in the dressing room first.
Marcell trusts and relies on our botthms massage gun for one simple reason: unmatched recovery.
Elrigh Louw relies on our botthms massage gun for his recovery routine: precision, power and performance.
“Hands down the best gun I've used. That Achilles head is a game changer.”
“It has assisted me in getting much-needed treatment and recovery after rehab sessions at home.”
“The massage guns have made a big difference with regards to player recovery.”
Trusted by Vodacom Bulls and Lions players
Massage gun prices in South Africa
Under about R1,000 you mostly buy vibration: shallow strokes, loud motors and batteries that fade. Real percussion with 10 mm or more of amplitude starts in the low thousands, and deep-tissue models with metal heads and big cells sit higher. botthms prices are R2,399 (Pro Mini), R3,299 (Lite V1) and R4,399 (Master V1), each payable over up to 6 months, interest-free.
Theragun or botthms?
Imported premium guns are excellent, but you pay for the badge, import costs and overseas support. botthms gives you comparable amplitude and quiet brushless motors at a South African price, with a 12-month local warranty and a local team that answers by chat and email.
Buy with confidence
Order before 14:00 on a weekday and your gun ships the same day, with free delivery anywhere in South Africa on orders over R1,500. Every botthms massage gun carries a 12-month warranty, and you have 30 days for quick and easy returns and exchanges.
Questions
Massage gun questions.
What is a good price for a massage gun in South Africa?
Budget R2,000–R4,500 for a real percussion gun with 8–12 mm amplitude and a warranty. Much cheaper devices are usually vibration massagers with shallow strokes. botthms guns cost R2,399, R3,299 and R4,399.
Are massage guns worth it?
For people who train regularly, yes. Published studies show short-term gains in range of motion and less perceived soreness after percussive massage. It will not replace sleep, food or a physio, but it makes daily recovery easier.
Which botthms massage gun should I buy?
Lite V1 for most people. Master V1 for rugby, heavy lifting and deep-tissue work. Pro Mini if portability matters more than depth.
Amplitude or speed: which matters more?
Amplitude. It is how far the head travels and it decides whether you reach the muscle. Speed changes how the massage feels.
How long and how often should I use a massage gun?
30–60 seconds a muscle before training, 1–2 minutes after, once or twice a day. Longer is not better.
What are the disadvantages, and where should I not use it?
Used too hard or too long it can leave you bruised and sore. Keep it off bone, joints, the front of the neck, bruises, varicose veins and fresh injuries. If you are pregnant or have a circulation condition, ask a physio first.
Is there a warranty?
Yes: 12 months on every botthms massage gun, with local support by chat and email.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Stitch Pay Later spreads the price over up to 6 months, interest-free: from R399.83 a month for the Pro Mini, R549.83 for the Lite V1 and R733.17 for the Master V1. PayJustNow (3 monthly payments) and Payflex (4 payments over 6 weeks) are also available at checkout.
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