Top 7 Vibration Plates of 2023: In-Depth Testing and Reviews

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Strength training can get a little stale when you’re doing the same moves (planks, squats, deadlifts, etc.) day in and day out. If you’ve been considering shaking things up in the weight room, vibration plates may already be on your radar. But before you invest in workout oscillation, it’s important to learn how these babies work and discover which one is the best for you.

“Vibration plates have become increasingly popular over the last several years,” says Sarah Gascon, PhD, Performance Coach at Future, a personal training app. “These machines, with vibrating platforms, transmit energy into your body. This energy forces your muscles to contract and relax.” Translation: When you try your go-to workout moves on top of one of these devices, you’ll experience an extra challenging workout.

There are a lot of vibration plates on the market, so we tested eight devices to see which ones offered good vibrations.

Our best vibration plates overall pick comes jam-packed with 60 adjustable speeds and seven types of vibration. The device even comes with a little remote that allows the user to toggle through the speeds and vibrations. Users can stream their own music straight through the plate and level up their workouts with resistance bands, loop bands, and an exercise mat—all of which come in the box. Best of all? This vibration plate’s large surface means it’s primed for planking, squatting, and any other moves that take up some serious space.

After testing the LifePro Rumblex Plus in our lab, we were pleasantly surprised by the new challenge the vibration plates offered all of our workouts. When we hopped on this vibration plate, the moves that usually feel like old friends suddenly transformed into something unrecognizable and really freaking hard.

While our overall experience was pretty exceptional, we did wish that this vibration plate felt a little more beginner-friendly. The many vibrations and speeds make a great experience for intermediate and advanced vibration plate users, but newbies may find the whole setup overwhelming.

The Bluefin meets the trifecta of affordable, comfortable, and customizable—three qualities that we deemed most important in a vibration plate. At $200, it’s one of the most budget-friendly options we tested, but still offers a compact, oval-shaped design that feels stable and safe.

We loved that this plate comes in five intensities ranging from P1 (low vibrations) to P5 (very high vibrations), making this an appropriate pick for beginner, intermediate, and advanced vibration plate users. It also comes with four resistance bands and two workout cords, so it’s ready to use straight out of the box.Something to keep in mind: One of our editors found that the material on the vibration plate dug into her hands and caused a little bit of pain. She solved the issue by simply placing a towel over the vibration plate, but those with particularly sensitive skin should consider another model.

Those just dipping their toes into the world of vibration plates will appreciate this simple, user-friendly option. We noted that the lowest setting on this plate (15-40 Hertz) is extremely gentle and thus great for anyone who’s brand-new to this technology. And users can increase the Hertz as they grow more confident in their vibration plate abilities.

The remote makes it easy to toggle between settings during the middle of a workout. And we also loved that the brand offers a larger, extra-comfy base that’s perfect for crunches, lunges, or any other move in the lineup.

Of course, those who consider themselves vibration plate experts should look for a more advanced device that will help them level up.

We loved that this vibration plate arrived ready for action. With 20 intensity settings controlled by a remote, FitNation makes it simple to customize every last detail of a workout experience. It also comes with a remote, bands, and a seat for even more exercise creativity.

At $184, this happens to be one of the most affordable options we tried—so buyers are getting a lot of bang for their buck, too.

On the downside, those who are new to vibration plates may find this setup overwhelming. Twenty settings can be a little daunting! We also found that some of the plate proportions didn’t quite make sense. For example, one of our testers found that she had plenty of room to place her hands on the plate but struggled to feel comfortable when she stood on it.

As the hefty price tag implies, this is the top-of-the-line power plate. The thick, wide surface leaves room to comfortably perform moves like wide-legged squats, and it comes with six different, pre-programmed intensities. We found it easy to set up and still easier to work out on (although, it’s worth noting that it’s really, really intense—even at the lowest settings).

On the downside, we were a bit mystified by the price. After we finished our testing, our best guess is that this device likely belongs in a clinical setting, like a physical therapist's office. But even then, there wasn’t a great deal to set it apart from other plates other than its roominess.

Let’s face it, some of these vibration plates are space-hoggers—but not this one. For those living in big cities with small spaces for home gym equipment, the AXV wowed us with its low price tag, five settings, and smaller build. All in all, this device comes in at four to five inches narrower than the other options we tried. (And shoebox apartment-dwellers know every last inch is spoken for).

As a bonus, the AXV also includes the ability to connect to Bluetooth so you can jam while you work out.

Like many space-saving devices, AXV has its flaws, chief among them being the size. Those with larger bodies may feel unstable on the small surface area. And people of every body size may find lower body work tenuous with so little plate-room to work with.

Hurtle is our choice for vibrating workouts on the go. This model’s handle, wheels, and small frame make it ideal for trips to the gym. The rectangular shape of this plate offers a surprising amount of room for how compact it is, and it comes preloaded with four distinct intervals and intensities for easy customization. We also loved that Hurtle included two resistance bands and handles that provide (nearly) infinite exercise move options to add to the rotation.

That said, at 30 pounds, the Hurtle is not exactly a feather-light accessory that fits in a gym bag. It will take some commitment to schlep this baby around, so think long and hard before pressing that “buy” button.

Even though we preferred the brand’s more premium model, the lower price point and 99 customizable speeds of the Waver may appeal to some. One thing we didn’t love? This plate is very small. One of us with size nine women’s shoes felt low on space when using this LifePro.

We love a strength training moment, so we were happy to take these vibration plates into the Shape Lab for a day of testing. To help us put these devices to the test, we asked physical therapists Jorge Giral, DPT, and Monica Saliu, PT, DPT, to design a workout program that would help us evaluate the plates’ speeds, surface area, accessories, and special features.

With Dr. Giral and Dr. Saliu’s guidance, we practiced squats, push-ups, lunges, and crunches on the vibration plates, carefully noting what we loved (and didn’t like) about each of the eight vibration plates.

After taking extensive notes, we made our best vibration plates overall pick (our sincerest congratulations, LifePro Rumblex Plus 4D Vibration Plate Exercise Machine) and decided on our two runner-ups, including best for beginners and best budget option. We then thought about the other categories our readers love, including the best portable option and best space saver.

Research on vibration plates is still in its early stages. So, if you’re considering investing in this workout tool, remember that it’s not a silver bullet.

“Some research suggests vibration plates decrease osteoarthritis with only 10 minutes of exposure time,” says Gascon. “Other research has shown vibration plates deliver mechanical loading to skeletal muscles, strengthening muscles and improving circulation and flexibility.”

Yet another study found that, during an eight-week intervention on middle-aged people, vibration plate treatment improved balance, pain levels, and gait patterns.

“No, vibration plates should not be used to replace workouts,” says Gascon. “Currently, there is not enough evidence supporting the use of vibration plates outside of a clinical setting. Vibration plates claim to aid in weight loss, flexibility, increased blood flow, increased strength, and decreased muscle soreness; however, research is lacking in these areas.”

If you’re interested in trying vibration plates, you should consider them a complement to (rather than a replacement for) strength training. The vibrations of these devices make your whole body work overtime to stay stable and may also strengthen your core. However, just standing on one can’t replace your daily dose of movement.

There’s quite a bit of jargon to learn before you hop on your new vibration plate, but the terms “frequency” and “amplitude” are the two you really need to get down. “Vibration plate frequency refers to the number of times per second that the plate vibrates or oscillates,” says Gascon. “Higher frequency values mean that the plate is vibrating at a faster rate, while lower frequency values mean the plate is vibrating at a slower rate.”

Amplitude, meanwhile, refers to the intensity of these vibrations. “Higher amplitude values generally mean that the plate is moving a greater distance, while lower amplitude values mean the plate is moving a smaller distance,” explains Gascon. “By adjusting the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillation, you adjust the intensity of the vibration. So frequency and amplitude are important factors that determine the intensity of the vibration.”

You can think of your vibration plate as an add-on to your strength training routine. The plate vibrates so that when you, say, squat or plank on top of it, your body has to contend with an extra challenge. The shaking makes it a little bit harder to stabilize your muscles, which basically puts all of your workouts on “hard mode.”  

If you’re stumped about how to start using a vibration plate, you’re in luck: There are a lot of tutorials on the internet that will show you how to adapt your favorite moves so that they’re vibration plate-friendly. You should also consult a certified personal trainer to learn the ins and outs of vibration plates.

Vibration plates are considered safe for the general population. However, these devices are optimal for some and should be avoided by others.

“Research has shown older populations suffering from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, balance and coordination challengings, low back injuries, and decreased strength may benefit from vibration plates,” says Gascon. However, those with a history of heart problems, orthopedic injuries, pacemakers, and electronic medical implants should avoid vibration plates. 

Remember, you should always talk to your physician before you start a new workout regimen.