Buying a shock wave device: what should you check?

Two "shock wave device for sale" listings at a similar price. One says 250 mJ, the other 6 bar. Which is more powerful? There is no answer, because the two numbers belong to two different working principles, and one cannot be converted into the other. This is where buying often goes wrong: the buyer compares numbers that cannot be compared.

This guide goes through what is worth checking on a shock wave device before you order: the type, the energy, the heads, the wear part and the support behind it. The examples come from the Movtech Shock Wave models, because we know their data precisely.

What types of shock wave devices are there?

Widely used shock wave devices fall into three types: electromagnetic, pneumatic (compressed air) and piezoelectric. The power of electromagnetic devices is stated in millijoules (mJ), that of pneumatic and piezoelectric devices in bar. The Movtech Shock Wave Standard, Pro and MAX are electromagnetic devices, so their output cannot be expressed in bar.

The basic principle is similar for all of them: in the handpiece, a projectile strikes the inner surface of the applicator head at high speed, and the energy of the impact travels through the skin into the soft tissue as a short pressure wave that spreads out radially. The difference is in what accelerates the projectile. In an electromagnetic device it is an electromagnetic pulse, in a pneumatic one compressed air.

People search for the same device under many names: shock wave machine, shock wave device, shockwave device, radial shock wave, home shock wave device. Movtech devices work on the radial principle: the pressure wave spreads radially from the applicator head and acts to a depth of roughly 3–4 cm. This is a recovery and massage device, not a medical device.

What does mJ mean on the spec sheet?

The millijoule (mJ) shows how much energy the device delivers with each pulse. The higher the top value, the wider the adjustable range. In practice, what matters is not the maximum, but being able to start low and increase in fine steps. This is shown by the number of intensity levels.

The top values of the Movtech models are 150 mJ (Standard), 200 mJ (Pro) and 250 mJ (MAX). The number of levels is 13, 20 and 27 respectively. More levels mean a smaller jump between two neighbouring settings, which makes it easier to find the level that is still firm, but not unpleasant.

We recommend always starting the energy low and only increasing it if you were comfortable with the previous level. The top value is there so you have room to progress, and so there is reserve for larger muscle groups.

Why do the size and number of heads matter?

The same energy reaches the skin concentrated on a small-diameter head and spread out on a large one. This is described by energy flux density (mJ/mm²): the energy divided by the surface area of the head. Movtech applicator heads range from 8 to 36 mm in diameter, so your choice of head controls the effect at least as much as the energy level does.

An example calculation. 250 mJ on a head with an 8 mm diameter (4 mm radius): 250 ÷ (3.14 × 4²) ≈ 4.96 mJ/mm². The same 250 mJ on a 36 mm head is roughly 0.25 mJ/mm². So the small head is for precise, targeted work, and the large head for large muscle groups.

It follows that the number of heads is a real feature, not a packaging extra. The more heads in the set, the more body areas and tasks you have a suitable shape for:

• Small, conical or pointed heads: targeted work, smaller areas, such as along tendons or around the elbow.
• Large, flat or rounded heads: large muscle groups, such as the thighs, glutes and back.
• Rubber heads: for more sensitive skin and for getting started, with softer contact.

The Standard comes with 4 metal and 4 rubber heads, the Pro and MAX with 7 metal and 7 rubber heads. If you use the device on several body areas or several people, a larger set of heads is worth more than a few extra millijoules.

Frequency, pulse count, programs

Frequency (Hz) shows how many pulses the device delivers per second. Pulse count shows after how many pulses a session stops. Programs are preset combinations of energy, frequency and pulse count. For beginners, the programs matter most, for advanced users, being able to set all three values manually.

• Frequency: Standard 1–8 Hz, Pro 1–15 Hz, MAX 1–16 Hz. A lower frequency is a slower, gentler rhythm, a higher one faster.
• Programs: Standard 5, Pro 7, MAX 12 selectable programs.
• Pulse count: on the MAX handpiece it can be set between 500 and 2500, and the device stops by itself when the set number is reached. This way a session can be repeated exactly.
• Timer: Standard 3, Pro 4, MAX 5 levels.

A practical note worth knowing before you buy: above 10 Hz, the device clicks more and is clearly audible in an enclosed space. This is part of how it works, not a fault. In an apartment in the evening, it is worth working at a lower frequency.

What wears out in the device, and when does it need replacing?

Every shock wave device has a wear part, the only question is which one and how much it costs. In Movtech Shock Wave devices, the projectile inside the handpiece wears out, with a rated lifespan of about 2.5 million pulses. The handpiece itself is not a consumable: it is designed to last several years and can be used without replacement.

What does this mean in numbers? If a practice has 20 sessions a week with 2000 pulses each, that is 40,000 a week, or about 2 million pulses a year. So the projectile needs replacing roughly every 1.5–2.5 years. With home use, much less often.

A pulse counter runs on the device's display, so you can see where you are and plan the replacement in advance. Before buying any device, ask the same question: if the wear part is the entire handpiece, the running costs are in a completely different league.

The three Movtech models side by side

The Movtech Shock Wave is available in three versions. The Standard is an entry-level device for home use, the Pro is the professional base model with a larger set of heads, and the MAX is built for several sessions a day in a busy practice. All three work on the electromagnetic, radial principle, and you can choose between them on the same product page.

If you are unsure, we recommend the Pro to most people: twice as many heads, a wider energy range and more levels than the Standard, so it works for more body areas and more users. You can see the models and current prices on the Shock Wave product page, and a detailed comparison on our shock wave technology page.

How much does a shock wave device cost? New, used, rented

The price of a shock wave device depends on the type, the energy range, the set of heads and the warranty. In October 2026, Movtech Shock Wave devices are available for 199,700 HUF (Standard), 377,500 HUF (Pro) and 533,900 HUF (MAX). If you want to try one first, you can rent the device for 10 days from 29,990 HUF, and if you buy it before the rental period ends, we deduct the rental fee from the purchase price.

Prices are for guidance only, the current price is always shown on the product page and the rental page.

Renting a shock wave device: who is it for?

Renting suits you if you do not yet know whether the device will become part of your weekly routine, or if you need it for a shorter, well-defined period. A 10-day rental is enough to get to know it, a 30-day rental covers a full, regular series. If you are unsure, we recommend starting here: the rental fee is not lost if you then buy the device.

Used shock wave device: what to watch out for?

With a used device, the wear part is the deciding question. If the device has a pulse counter, ask for the reading, and ask when the projectile was last replaced. In Movtech devices, the projectile has a rated lifespan of about 2.5 million pulses, which for a heavily used practice device means roughly one projectile replacement a year. Also check whether there is an invoice, whether the warranty transfers, and whether the full set of heads is there. If there are no clear answers to these, a rented device or a new one bought with a 30-day money-back guarantee is the lower risk.

Warranty, service, getting started

With a device costing several hundred thousand forints, the support behind it matters at least as much as the spec sheet. Check how many years of warranty you get, whether there is local service and spare parts, whether you get a Hungarian-language user guide, and whether you can try the device before buying. Movtech Shock Wave models come with a 1, 2 or 3-year warranty respectively, with service support in Hungary.

• 30-day money-back guarantee: on top of the statutory 14-day right of withdrawal, you can ask for your money back within 30 days without giving a reason if you are not satisfied.
• Rental: the device can be rented for 10 or 30 days, the fees are listed above with the prices.
• Online course: the shock wave technology device course shows the settings, head selection and precautions in Hungarian-language videos.
• Instalments: the devices can also be paid for in instalments.

Six questions to ask before you buy

Before buying, ask the seller for a concrete answer on six things: the type of device, the energy range and levels, the number and size of the heads, the wear part, the warranty and service, and whether you can try the device. If there is no answer to any of these, that in itself is a warning sign.

1. What type of device is it? Electromagnetic, pneumatic or piezoelectric? This determines whether you read the power in mJ or in bar.
2. What are the lowest and highest energy, and in how many levels? If only the maximum is listed, ask about the minimum too.
3. How many heads come with it, and what size are they? Without the diameter, the number of heads is only half the information.
4. What is the wear part, how long does it last and where can you order it? If there is no answer to this, the running costs are also uncertain.
5. How many years of warranty, and where is the device repaired? A device sent abroad for repair can mean weeks without it.
6. Can you try it? Without a rental option or money-back guarantee, the buyer carries the full risk.

If a spec sheet only says "powerful" and "professional" without any numbers, we would not buy that device.

Who is the device for, and who should not use it?

Shock wave devices are most often bought by physiotherapists, massage therapists, coaches, athletes, and home users looking for a shock wave device for home because they want to regularly look after specific body areas (sole and heel area, lower leg, thigh, shoulder, elbow). However, it must not be used without consulting a doctor during pregnancy, with a pacemaker, while taking blood thinners, with cancer, a fresh injury or a metal implant.

In summary

Comparing shock wave devices starts with the type: mJ can only be compared with mJ. Next come the energy range and number of levels, the size and number of heads, whether the pulse count can be set, and finally the wear part and the support: warranty, service, training material, the option to try it.

If there is a concrete answer to every question, there is a good chance you will buy a device you will use for years. If you are unsure, renting is the cheapest way to find out whether it fits into your routine. Whether a shock wave device for home is worth it is covered in our article on owning your own device.