Previously used by massage therapists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other bodywork therapists, over recent years, percussive massage guns have become popular devices used to provide relief at home.
If you have a massage gun and are using it to get rid of cellulite, like so many TikTok influencers are… or you use it to relieve pain, leaving it at home during travel can be difficult.
What are the rules on flying with a massage gun? Can you bring a massage gun on a plane? It’s a gun, after all!
Yes, you can bring a massage gun on a plane, but there are a few things you need to be aware of. I’ll explain below.
Can You Bring A Massage Gun On A Plane?
When it comes to the question of whether or not you can take a massage gun on a plane, it all depends on the situation you find yourself in. Technically, it’s completely fine to do so, but there are certain requirements that you need to consider before you do.
According to the TSA’s website, you are allowed to pack a massage gun in both your carry-on and checked-in baggage. However, as with anything to do with the TSA, this isn’t a complete black-and-white rule.
According to the TSA’s website, you are allowed to pack a massage gun in both your carry-on and checked-in baggage. However, as with anything to do with the TSA, this isn’t a complete black-and-white rule.
For instance, it might happen that you will be subjected to additional random screening, which means that you might not be allowed to bring your massage gun with you in your carry-on baggage.
Or your percussive massage gun might trigger an alarm during the screening process, or a TSA official could decide that the device looks like it has been tampered with.
If this happens, you could even be fined, or end up being denied boarding. So it is a good idea to place your massage gun (along with any removable battery pack and/or charger) in a separate bin on its own before it goes through the screening.
It’s also a good idea to let the TSA agent conducting your security screening know that you are carrying a percussive massage gun with you.
Unfortunately, though, there is always a possibility that you will find yourself in this scenario. The TSA is always unpredictable.
And airport security can cause unnecessary stress on top of the normal anxiety you can feel from the traveling process itself.
Therefore, if you follow the simple procedure outlined above, then you should be totally fine bringing your massage gun with you.
Can You Put A Massage Gun In Checked Luggage?
Whether or not you can check in your massage gun depends on the mode of operation that it uses.
For example, if you have a percussive massage gun that you plug in (i.e. it’s not battery-powered) then it is completely fine to pack it in your checked luggage.
Obviously, the device will be off for the duration of the flight. But make sure that you remove it from the case, before finishing with your packing. In this way, when your checked baggage goes through the x-ray machine, the airport security officials that are screening it will be able to clearly see that it’s not a threat.
Assault With A Battery
Now, if you have a massage gun that contains a built-in lithium-ion battery, then you will have to follow a different procedure altogether.
For instance, you won’t be able to check it on your device with your other luggage. You’ll also have to carry any removable batteries, as well as the charger, onto the flight with you.
Lithium-ion batteries are considered completely safe to travel with, according to the TSA. However, in general, it is requested that you pack them in your carry-on luggage because they can potentially catch fire unexpectedly.
Just think of all the expensive Teslas spontaneously combusting — that’s because of their lithium-ion batteries!
So, if your massage gun has either a built-in battery or a removable battery pack that’s made of lithium-ion, you will have to bring it on board the flight with you. If you’re not sure, then you’ll need to check the label on your device, or consult the manufacturer’s operating manual.
You should also double-check the device’s charger because many of these also contain lithium-ion batteries. If this is the case with your massage gun charger, then you’ll have to carry it on the plane with you as well, not in your checked-in luggage.
Get Ready For Liftoff
So, can you bring a massage gun on a plane? Well, basically yes you can, but you need to double-check to make sure that your beloved device is packed in the correct way, so as not to make a TSA official having a bad day flag your luggage as a cause for concern.
Basically, your main concern is to see if your massage gun has a built-in, or removable, lithium-ion battery and/or charger. If it does, then you’ll definitely need to carry it with you for the duration of your trip.
But at least then, you can be assured that your massage gun arrives safely with you at your final destination. Happy travels!
