Vibration Plate Buying Guide

This buying guide provides comprehensive product knowledge and insights to help you make an informed decision when selecting a vibration plate.

1.Four Types of Vibration Plates

Vibration plates can be distinctly categorized into four types based on their mechanics and vibration characteristics.

Linear Vibration

Pivotal Oscillation

3D/4D Oscillation

Low-Intensity

Vibration plates within each category exhibit a similar range of vibration parameters.

The movement pattern, frequency, and amplitude of vibration are key factors that determine how vibration affects your body and how your body responds to it.

Manufacturers often come up with their own fancy names or terms for their vibration plate models, such as 3D, 4D, Tri-planar, Pulsation, Wave, PrecisionWave and others. These names or terms provide little or no clarity of the actual movement patterns. Many terms are made up for marketing hype, while some are misused or even misleading.

2.Linear Vibration Plate

Eccentric Wheel + Springs

Linear vibration plate utilizes an eccentric wheel and a spring mechanism to generate primarily vertical vibrations. The rotation of the eccentric wheel creates centrifugal force, which drives the vibration.

"Linear vibration" is a physics term describing a simple harmonic vibration. The term "linear" refers to a characteristic of the spring: the relationship between the displacement and the applied force is linear.

Section View of VT003F Linear Vibration Plate

Linear vibration plate is typically designed to vibrate at higher frequency (15-40Hz) and lower amplitude (less than 3mm).

3.Pivotal Oscillation Plate

Planar Four-bar Linkage

Pivotal oscillation plate is a planar four-bar linkage device, which imitate a vibrational movement by transferring the motor rotation to reciprocating motion.

The movement of the device resembles a seesaw, oscillating around a fixed central pivot axis - hence "pivotal oscillation".

Section View of VT027 Pivotal Oscillation Plate

Pivotal oscillation plates are usually designed to oscillate at lower frequency (5-15Hz) and higher amplitude (8-10mm).

Manufacturers commonly label pivotal oscillation plates as vibration plates. These models dominate vibration plate listed on Amazon market place, heavily redundant in its category.

4.3D Vibration Plate

3D Vibration Plate

A 3D vibration plate consists of two planar four-bar linkage devices: one oscillates in a seesaw movement; the other oscillates in a lateral (side-to-side) movement. Each device is driven by a separate motor, separately controlled.

[Animation] Seesaw + Lateral = 3D
Two pivotal oscillation movements combined to form a "3D" movement.

Seesaw

Lateral

3D

Section View of a Jintuo 3D Vibration Plate

Although called a "3D" vibration plate, it actually generates a complex 2-Dimensional movement.

Just like pivotal oscillation plates, 3D vibration plates are designed to oscillate at low frequency (5-15Hz) and high amplitude (8-10mm).

3D vibration plates are created as a marketing gimmick. There is no logical basis to suggest that a more complex movement pattern is more beneficial than a simple one. It may actually be the opposite.

The side-to-side lateral oscillation of a 3D model does not engage muscle work and can instead adversely stress the knee joints.

5.4D Vibration Plate

4D Vibration Plate

A 4D vibration plates is made up from a 3D vibration plate by simply attaching a small eccentric wheel beneath the upper platform of a 3D vibration plate.

Therefore a 4D model has two four-bar devices plus one eccentric wheel device, each independently controlled by a separate motor, so 3 motors.

[Animation] 3D + Eccentric Wheel = 4D

3D

Eccentric
Wheel

4D

Although called a "4D" vibration plate, it produces a complex 2-Dimensional movement.

Manufacturers created such a "4D" vibration plate so that they can boast its complex 3-motor movements and a "bump-up" 40Hz vibration frequency.

The side-to-side lateral oscillation of a 4D vibration plate does not engage muscle work and can instead harms the knee joints.

6. Low-Intensity Vibration

Low-intensity vibration plates form a special category, as they are so referred by two manufacturers — Juvent and Marodyne. These plates utilize either a solenoid or a piezoelectric actuator, not requiring an electric motor, to produce their high-frequency vertical oscillations.

Although not disclosed by the manufacturers, vibration plate models designed by Marodyne and Juvent most likely use either solenoid or piezoelectric actuators.

Inside View
Juvent Micro-Impact Platform

[ Special Purpose - Osteoporosis ]
Juvent and Marodyne are very influential among individuals seeking vibration plate to treat osteoporosis. Both brands advocate for vibration plate with extremely low amplitude and around 30Hz frequency being beneficial for bone growth.

Their extremely low amplitude is comparable to the thickness of a sheet of printer paper.

7.Vibration Characteristics

Movement patterns, frequency, and amplitude are the most critical factors to consider when selecting a vibration plate. These characteristics decide the intensity of the vibration, how the vibration affects the body, and how the body responds to and interacts with the mechanical stimulation.

Movement Patterns

Linear vibration and pivotal oscillation are the two primary movement patterns to consider when selecting a vibration plate.

Side-to-side lateral oscillation as in 3D and 4D vibration plates are out of our question, as they do not engage muscle work. Additionally, lateral oscillation may pose a risk of harm to knee joints.

For the extreme low amplitude solenoid or piezoelectric oscillation by Juvent and Marodyne, we will have a separate page to discuss.

Here, we focus solely on examining the vibration characteristics of simple linear vibration and pivotal oscillation.

Linear Vibration

Linear vibration is mainly a vertical movement plus a minor forth-n-back horizontal movement.

Vertical movement is the essential vibration intervention for our body because it works right against gravity, maximizing the impact of vibration acceleration on the musculoskeletal system. Human body is inherently designed to withstand and overcome gravity.

Vertical vibration can travel to the upper body and head. Some people can get nausea or dizziness when their stomach or brain is vibrated.

Pivotal Oscillation

Pivotal oscillation is a seesaw movement. It moves the two feet up and down in alternation, as well as tilts the body left and right. This tilting action forms another pivot point at the waist, corresponding the pivot point on the vibration plate.

On a pivotal oscillation plate, the hips move laterally, side to side, while no vertical movement is transmitted to the upper body. Pivotal oscillation usually does not cause nausea or dizziness.

Pivotal oscillation plates are typically designed to produce higher amplitudes, which cause significant side-to-side body swings. For physically weak individuals, it is advisable to use a handrail to ensure balance and stability.

Vibration Frequency

Vibration frequency refers to the number of up-and-down movements a vibration plate completes per second.

Linear vibration plates are typically designed to operate within a higher frequency range, usually between 15Hz and 40Hz.

Pivotal oscillation plates are typically designed to operate within a lower frequency range of 5Hz to 14Hz.

Different vibration frequencies affect how vibration is transmitted to the body and how the body responds to the stimulation. Click the link below for details.

Vibration Amplitude

For vibration plates, amplitude is defined as the vertical displacement of the plate during vibration.

Linear vibration plates are typically designed to deliver an amplitude of less than 3 mm. Its amplitude is subject to change when the body weight or the vibration frequency changes.

In contrast, pivotal oscillation plates are designed to deliver a higher amplitude, usually ranging from 8 to 10 mm at edges of the two sides. Their amplitude remains consistent, unaffected by body weight or vibration frequency.

Due to its seesaw movement, the amplitude at the center of pivotal oscillation plate is zero.

G-force

G-force is a key indicator of vibration intensity. While some manufacturers do not provide the G-force value for their vibration plates, it can be calculated if the frequency and amplitude are known.

Despite its name, G-force is not a force, but an acceleration rate expressed in units of G, the acceleration rate of gravity.

G-force is a useful metric for comparing the intensity of different vibration plate models.

8.Designs & Features

Beyond the choices of different movement patterns and parameters, there are various of design styles and features offered by different vibration plate models.

Manufacturers always try hard to find ideas to differentiate their vibration plates in the market. However, most variations are just cosmetic changes applied to generic designs.

Some manufacturers offer vibration plate models with designs that add little practical value, such as decorative lighting, Bluetooth speakers, warmers, and more.

Among the the designs and features, some are straightforward essentials, like a remote control. Beyond that, the features listed below warrant some closer examination.

9. Vibration Plate Shakes House 

Using a vibration plate at home can pose a risk of structural damage to your house due to the mechanical effects of vibration.

Click the link below to learn about the potential damage, a comparison with washing machines, an analysis of different types of vibration plates, and the steps you can take to minimize potential adverse effects.

Mobile home and the upper floor of a wood-frame house are not suitable place to use a vibration plate.

10. Our Recommendations

We do not recommend 3D or 4D vibration plates, as there is no scientific basis that these complex motion patterns would offer additional advantages. These products are created for marketing hype. It is important to be aware that the lateral (side-to-side) movement can be harmful to the knee joints.

Neither do we recommend low-intensity vibration plates, such as the Juvent and Marodyne LiV, because their extremely low amplitude does not provide a meaningful treatment intervention. Their purported effects on molecular process, such as influencing stem cell differentiation, remain beyond the scope of established scientific evidence and approval.

Our general recommendation for anyone interested in exploring vibration therapy is either using a simple pivotal oscillation plate or a linear vibration plate. The shared user experiences of these two types of machines are abundant on the internet. They have been proved safe to use.

Check the link below for a close look of the differences between linear vibration plate and pivotal oscillation plate.

Please note that no scientifically validated exercise or treatment protocols, recommendations, or effectiveness have been established regarding movement patterns, frequency, amplitude, exercise postures, or exercise routines.

At Vibration Therapeutic, we provide detailed product information and shares our own science-based studies to help you explore the potential benefits of vibration therapy.

We encourage you to do your research and consult with healthcare professionals to determine if vibration therapy is right for you.

While sellers and manufactures may take pseudo approaches to promote their vibration plates, vibration intervention and its influence on human body are facts and should be scientifically examined. Vibration intervention is unique, and may achieve the results that are not available from mainstream medicine. Positive evidences are abundant, with many life-changing success stories.

Make an informed decision, choose the right vibration plate, and start to unlock the potential of vibration therapy.

11. VT Vibration Plates

Vibration Therapeutic® offers both linear vibration model (VT007) and pivotal oscillation model (VT027). We concentrate on only these two models and continuously improve their quality and performance.

Both models come with our 90 day free return policy (US only) and a straightforward 10 year warranty.

Linear Vibration Plate Model VT007

10 - 40Hz Frequency
2 Amplitude Settings

Pivotal Oscillation Plate Model VT027

5 - 14 Hz Frequency

12.Country of Origin

Country of origin and brand names can signify the design, craftsmanship and quality of a product. It may also relate to personal preference.

Models Made in China

All vibration plate models currently (as of 2024) listed on Amazon are manufactured by Chinese OEM factories and sold under many brands and off-brands.

Most of these models are white-label products redundantly derived from just a handful of generic OEM designs. Below list includes the most popular white-label brands offered via Amazon.

Many small sellers on Amazon don't identify themselves, or do not have much web presence except for their product listings on Amazon.

Only a few brands are proprietary designs, which include Power Plate, Hypervibe and our Vibration Therapeutic.

Models Made in USA and Germany

Other than manufacturers in China, there are only four manufacturers (brands) from the US and Germany making vibration plates of their own properietary designs.

Beyond the brands mentioned above, there would not be other ones with significant market presence or availability.