GOOD GEAR RATING — 7/10 STARS

Summary: If a full-size massage gun feels like overkill, the TEND Focus is the packable, pencil-gripping vibration device you can take anywhere. Of course, it won’t replace a professional bodywork session, but for travel soreness, post-dancing feet, tense shoulders, and even TMJ, it delivers legit relief without the bulk or noise of a classic massage gun.

What I Love:

  • The pencil-style grip makes it easy to hit precise, finicky sore spots (like arches, ankles, or TMJ points) that bigger massage guns can’t hit.
  • It’s packable and quiet — truly a “toss in the bag and go” device.
  • Materials feel premium (aerospace-grade aluminum, medical-grade silicone).
  • It has a long battery life (listed “up to 12 hours”) + a 2-year warranty.
  • The brand has a helpful tutorial library, so you can quickly learn the best techniques.
  • It’s “IPX7 Waterproof” which means it’s submergible. Pretty nice for swimmers.

Things To Know:

  • The TEND devices use “high frequency vibration” therapy, while devices like the Theragun or the Hyperice use “percussive amplitude” therapy. Basically, this means TEND has a lighter, purely vibrational effect that is great for tendons and sensitivity, but it doesn’t really pummel you the way a typical massage gun would.  

It doesn’t matter how bad things are: You will always feel better after a massage. That is a credo I live by. I have questioned many purchases over $200, but never have I once regretted spending it on a 90-minute deep tissue.

“It doesn’t matter how bad things are: You will always feel better after a massage. That is a credo I live by.”

Unfortunately, a bodywork session isn’t always available to me — especially during the travels of wedding season. I’m currently on a flight back to New York from my second of three weddings this month. I knew this time was going to be rough on my body, which is why I was interested in a device that would hold me over between appointments with my massage therapist.

I tried the Hyperice years ago, but using it is a workout in itself. The Theragun has been known to catch my eye…but when I saw that people were using the TEND focus device for both muscles and TMJ relief, it felt like the perfect 2-in-1. And I am a sucker for a perfect 2-in-1.

The TEND Focus arrived right in time for my first wedding of the season. On my way out the door, I threw it in my carry-on. I had just scored a pair of Manolos from The RealReal and — delusionally — decided to break them in on the dance floor. For that, my feet had to pay the price. 

“When I saw that people were using the TEND focus device for both muscles and TMJ relief, it felt like the perfect 2-in-1.”

Once the wedding was over, and I was back at the hotel, I ran the TEND over the balls of my feet and up my calves, then parked it on my traps while I answered texts. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right. After some poking around, I found that the brand maintains a short, useful library of how-to videos, so you can copy a PT-style routine for ankles, hamstrings, feet, and more. 

That first use immediately revealed the core differentiator behind TEND — ultra-targeted vibration in a form you’ll actually carry around. I like how TEND isn’t trying to be a jackhammer, more so leaning into focal vibration for circulation and relief. The brand touts their Focal Vibration Therapy (FVT) across two compact, quiet tools — The TEND Focus (lighter and more portable) and the TEND Deep (bigger and more intense). I know words like “high frequency” probably lose some people immediately, but it just made me curious.

What is Focal Vibration Therapy (FVT) and how does it work? 

Focal Vibration basically just means ultra-targeted, rapid speed vibration. It works by going deep into your muscle tissues to “boost blood flow, reduce inflammation, and enhance mobility.” Sending rapid oscillations through tissue increases local blood flow, “modulates” pain signaling, and helps muscles relax, which means faster recovery times.

“It works by going deep into your muscle tissues to ‘boost blood flow, reduce inflammation, and enhance mobility.'”

Current research shows promising outcomes for quicker recovery with vibration therapy vs. just passive rest. 

Basically, TEND can help with soreness, tightness, and recovery, but I wouldn’t think of it as a cure-all.

Unboxing the Tend Focus

The Focus arrived in a slim, minimal box that immediately felt different from the bulky, plastic-heavy packaging I’d seen from other massage guns. No unnecessary inserts, no extra waste — just the essentials. Pulling the device out, I noticed the weight first. It’s dense in a reassuring way, not heavy, but solid enough to feel like a tool built to last. The satin-matte aluminum catches light softly, and the silicone top has that slightly grippy texture you want when you’re pressing into skin. Smooth, but not slippery. It’s easy to wipe clean with a towel or a disinfectant wipe, something I appreciated after using it on my feet one night and then my jaw the next.

“It’s dense in a reassuring way, not heavy, but solid enough to feel like a tool built to last.”

The real standout on first touch, though, is the shape. Instead of the pistol-grip design of most massage guns, which always feels a little awkward to angle on yourself, the Focus is closer to holding a pen or wand. That design makes intuitive sense the first time you reach for the arch of your foot, or trace down along the Achilles tendon—no wrist strain, no contortions, very easy.

A Tend electric toothbrush kit on a wooden table, including the toothbrush, USB charging cable, cloth pouch, user manual, instructions, and an open cardboard box.
A hand holding a Tend electric toothbrush above its open box, with a charging cable and a black carrying pouch on a wooden table.
The Focus came in minimal packaging, without extra bulky plastic or styrofoam. I was immediately interested in its shape and weight, which I could tell would be easy to manipulate myself.

Setup and first use

Could not be more straightforward. With bigger guns, there’s always a moment of “do I need to download an app?” or “where do I keep these five different attachments?” With the Focus, it was simply: Charge, attach the head, press the button. It uses USB-C charging, which means one less extra cord to keep track of in my drawer (already a win). Thankfully, there’s no app to babysit, no batteries to track down. It’s super straightforward and ready to use out of the box.

“Thankfully, there’s no app to babysit, no batteries to track down. It’s super straightforward and ready to use out of the box.”

My first real use was post-wedding, back in the hotel room, when my new heels had officially won the battle against my arches. I started with 2–3 minutes on each foot, slowly tracing across the ball, heel pad, and up into my calves. Then I moved to my upper traps, pressing and holding for about a minute on each side, before finishing with a quick pass on my TMJ points along my jaw.

A hand holds a black and gray Tend toothbrush with a curved handle; a pair of black heeled shoes is on a white, rumpled bed in the background.
A person uses a handheld massage tool on the sole of their foot while lying on a white bed.
The first time I used the Focus was in my hotel room after dancing all night in my new shoes, and it brought me instant relief.

The sensation is more “buzz” than “punch.” Where a Theragun feels like it’s pounding, the Focus feels like it’s vibrating into the tissue — gentler, but still powerful enough to create warmth and release. On my feet, I noticed that satisfying “ahhh” almost immediately, like the fascia was waking up. My ankles felt looser, and I didn’t hobble around the next morning the way I usually do after a night of dancing.

“Where a Theragun feels like it’s pounding, the Focus feels like it’s vibrating into the tissue.”

Looking back, I realized this was also the moment I knew exactly who this device would serve: anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis, tight ankles, or even just tired feet from long days on the go.

Long-term results

Over the next few weeks, I made the Focus part of my travel and home routine. Planes, Ubers, long hotel stays — I kept it in my bag and reached for it almost daily.

Person taking a mirror selfie in a room, holding a box of Tend, with a suitcase and shoulder bag, wearing a leather jacket, crop top, and jeans.
I took Tend on the go with me in planes, Ubers, and daily in my bag. Here’s how it performed for all my needs.

Feet & ankles

This became my most consistent use. After long days walking in the city or slipping into heels, I’d run the Focus for 2–5 minutes per foot. The payoff was clear: less stiffness getting out of bed, easier first steps, and fewer moments of “my feet are killing me” after a long day. The arch of the foot, especially, felt like it responded to the buzzing, almost like the tissue was being gently kneaded awake.

Neck & traps 

Laptop days are my downfall — hunched posture, shoulders that creep toward my ears. Using the Focus on each side for 2 minutes didn’t replicate what my massage therapist can do, but it gave me a quick reset. It took the grippy, clenched feeling down a notch so I could get through the rest of my work without constant tension.

Forearms 

Writing marathons leave my forearms tight, something I didn’t notice until I started paying attention. The pencil grip is perfect for running along the tendons near the elbow, a spot that’s nearly impossible to hit with a pistol-grip massage gun. The relief here was subtle but noticeable — I had less of that “achey” feeling after long typing sessions.

TMJ 

I was most excited about this. I’ve been told I clench at night, and I often wake up with jaw tightness. Using the Focus first thing in the morning along my jawline felt like a release — not dramatic, but enough to soften the tension before my day started. 

Routine stickiness 

Overall, it was so “sticky” and easy to incorporate into my routine. This is the biggest win of this device. Tech like this is only useful if you actually use it, and the Focus earns a permanent spot in my bag. It’s small enough to toss into a tote without thinking, which means I don’t have to remember it — it just comes with me. Compared to my Hyperice, which stayed home 90% of the time because it was too heavy and loud, the Focus has already proven itself as the more practical option.

Battery & durability

TEND claims “up to 12 hours” of use, and that tracked with my short nightly sessions. I still haven’t had to charge it yet. The exterior wipes clean easily. I’ve used it back-to-back on feet and jaw without worry — and there are no scratches or dents after being tossed into luggage.

Support & guidance

The video library really does help. The biggest risk with a tool like this is using it wrong or just randomly buzzing around without focus. Having quick, PT-style guides for placement and pacing makes it feel intentional and safe, especially around smaller or bony areas like the jaw or ankles.

Warranty & returns 

The brand offers a 2-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee. For a higher-end device like this, that safety net matters. It’s a reassurance that if it doesn’t become part of your routine, you’re not stuck with it. 

Is it worth it? 

At just under $200, the TEND Focus sits in that tricky middle ground: not cheap impulse-buy territory, but not as jaw-dropping as a $400 Theragun either. You’re investing in a tool that trades raw horsepower for intelligence — smaller size, smarter ergonomics, quieter operation, and materials that feel more elevated than most competitors. It’s a premium price for a niche design, and that’s the point: you’re not paying to beat your quads into submission, you’re paying for something light, sleek, and easy enough to actually keep in rotation.

The TEND Focus is worth it for

  • Travelers, wedding guests, and “desk-athletes” who want a packable, quiet tool for feet, calves, neck, TMJ, and forearms.
  • Anyone who finds big massage guns too aggressive or awkward to use — especially on tendons and bony areas.
  • Anyone who benefits from short, nightly “maintenance” doses of vibration, especially if you have plantar fasciitis.

The TEND Focus is not worth it for

  • Anyone wanting deep percussive amplitude for quads/glutes, or intense workout recovery. For that, I’d say, just get a full-size gun.
  • Those who need clinical treatment for injuries. This is a self-care complement, not a substitute.
  • Hardcore attachment collectors or app-guided routines (look to Theragun/Hyperice ecosystems).

My final verdict

If you’ve tried a massage gun or a mini and found that it collects dust under your bed because
it’s too loud or bulky, the TEND Focus solves both problems while giving you enough vibration to take a little edge off sore areas. Already, I reach for it more often than I ever did the Hyperice, and to me, that alone makes it worth it.

“The TEND Focus isn’t about being the most powerful tool on the market. It’s about being the one you actually use.”

Thinking about that first wedding of the season — slipping off my heels at 2 a.m., buzzing my arches and traps before collapsing into bed, that’s exactly why a device like this is worth it. The TEND Focus isn’t about being the most powerful tool on the market. It’s about being the one you actually use.

This won’t replace your massage therapist, but it will bridge the gap a bit. It’s the thing that holds you over between appointments. And after a season of long flights, long nights, or long workdays, a few minutes of care can make all the difference.

Allie Carr is a freelance writer and creative director based in New York․