Theragun is a name that is often associated with some of the best massage gun options currently on the market. Massage guns can help relieve muscle soreness after a workout or other physical activity, and they are handheld and easy to use, so you can experience the benefits of massage therapy at home when you need to loosen your muscles. Currently, Theragun has four options in their massage gun line-up. Although each Theragun is unique in its particular features, they are all effective at addressing your muscle pain.
Theragun's four massage guns include the PRO, the Elite, the Prime, and the mini. So how do you decide which Theragun is the right one for your needs? To help you decide which massage gun to purchase, our ACTIVE Reviews Team has done the pertinent research for you, with our comprehensive Theragun review.
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A Quick Look at the Theragun Family
Theragun is a part of Therabody, a company that is aimed at providing natural, accessible solutions to wellness. Their products have been created through education, innovation, and over a decade of research on wellness technology. The four Theragun's available, PRO, Elite, Prime, and mini, all feature a brushless motor with QuietForce Technology to make your muscle massage quieter than other options. Theraguns have also been designed to offer a powerful treatment that goes 60-percent deeper than the average Percussive therapy massage gun.
Because we all respond to physical activity differently, massaging the muscles requires different things from person to person. To address these unique needs, Theraguns interact with the Therabody Bluetooth app. This app, when integrated with Apple Health and Google Fit, learns about your behaviors and specific health data. You can also use the app to customize Theragun's speed options to ensure you get the treatment needed for your muscles to recover. On top of personalization features, Theraguns have an ergonomic handle that helps to reduce strain and discomfort while you use these massage guns.
Theragun PRO
SPECS
- Speed: 5 speed options
- Stall pressure: 16 mm amplitude
- Battery life: 2 swappable batteries, 5 hours total
- Handle: Theragun triangle handle, 4 arm positions
- Noise level: 55% quieter than previous generation
- Attachments: 6 attachments
Because the Theragun PRO is the most expensive massage gun in the line, its features are top-notch. With six head attachments, the Theragun PRO can be tailored to your unique needs more than the other Theragun models. Although not the heaviest or largest massage gun on the market, it does weigh more than the others in this line-up but features the brand's signature ergonomic design. Additionally, it is the only Theragun to have an adjustable arm.
Theragun PRO is great for deep percussive therapy thanks to its 60-pounds of stall force and 16-millimeter aptitude. This high stroke length makes Theraguns, in general, above-average massage guns. Although this Theragun is 55-percent quieter than its previous model, it is still the loudest of the current options available for purchase. And to further provide customized muscle relief, Theragun PRO connects to the Therabody App via Bluetooth. Even though the Theragun PRO is on the pricier side, it has high-quality features that help make it worth the price.
PROS
- Most attachment options
- Highest stall force at 60 lbs.
- Connects to Therabody App via Bluetooth
CONS
- Heavier than other Theraguns
- Slightly more noise is produced
Theragun Elite
SPECS
- Speed: 5 speed options
- Stall pressure: 16 mm amplitude
- Battery life: 150 min.
- Handle: Theragun triangle handle
- Noise level: 75% quieter than previous generation
- Attachments: 5 attachments
In terms of power, the Theragun Elite massage gun comes in just behind Theragun Pro. With a 40-pound stall force, this Theragun can massage deep tissue soreness. This massage gun comes with five-speed options and five head attachments, so you can ensure that different muscle groups get the treatment they need after your workout. Unlike other Theraguns, you can save the speed, time, and pressure for three separate routines. Theragun Elite can also connect via Bluetooth to the Therabody app for speed control and personalized guidance.
Built with a QX65 Motor and QuietForce Technology, this Theragun makes less noise than other options, and this generation of the Theragun Elite is 75-percent quieter than its previous version. Compared to the Theragun Pro, it is also smaller and weighs less. Despite being more lightweight, the Theragun Elite still features the company's patented triangle handle designed to make use more comfortable. If you need to relieve soreness with a deep tissue massage at home, Theragun Elite has the power you need while being lightweight and quiet.
PROS
- Ergonomic handle
- Connects to Therabody App via Bluetooth
CONS
- Arm is not adjustable
- Battery is not removable
Theragun Prime
SPECS
- Speed: 5 speed options
- Stall Pressure:16 mm amplitude
- Battery Life: 120 min.
- Handle: Theragun Triangle handle
- Noise Level: 70% quieter than previous generation
- Attachments: 4 attachments
For massage therapy enthusiasts on a budget, Theragun Prime provides a wide range of quality features at an affordable price. This Theragun has a lower stall force—30-pounds—than both the Elite and PRO options, meaning it will not be strong enough for deep tissue massage. Fortunately, the five-speed options and four head attachments make the Theragun Prime the ideal entry-level massage gun. Like the Theragun Pro and Elite models, the Therabody Bluetooth app works to personalize your massage routine based on data gathered from Apple Health or Google Fit.
When it comes to Theragun Prime's design, simplicity is the focus. Instead of an OLED screen, there is a power button, two arrow buttons, and LED indicators. Speed is adjusted using the arrow buttons, and the LED indicators display the current speed setting and battery level.
Even though this Theragun has a less complex construction, it features the signature triangle handle that helps reduce the risk of hands, wrists, and arms while massaging your sore muscles. Because the Theragun Elite massage gun has the essentials in the simplest form, it is an excellent option for beginners and those on a budget!
PROS
- High amplitude
- Ergonomic design
- Connects to Therabody App via Bluetooth
CONS
- Low stall force
- No case included
Theragun mini
SPECS
- Speed: 3 speed options
- Stall pressure: 12 mm amplitude
- Battery life: 120-150 min.
- Handle: Theragun triangle shape
- Noise level: QuietForce Technology
- Attachments: 1 attachment
We can't always predict how our muscles will react to physical activity, so having a portable massage gun can be very helpful. With its compact design, the Theragun mini is ideal for relieving your muscle pain on the go. Since it weighs less than two pounds, this option is significantly lighter than the PRO, Elite, and Prime. The stall force provided by this Theragun is less than 20 pounds, so it is less effective for deep tissue soreness. Despite this, it still has a decent stroke length at 12 millimeters and QuietForce technology that can keep the noise levels down during use.
Although there are fewer speed options, there are still a few different speeds you can choose from to customize your massage to fit your needed pressure. Compared to the other full-gun models, there are fewer ways to personalize your experience. There is only one head attachment included, meaning you cannot adjust depending on the muscle group that needs treatment. This smaller Theragun also does not integrate with the Therabody App. What the Theragun mini lacks in customization, it makes up for in portability. It does not have features like OLED or LED indicators, but it does have the unique and comfortable Theragun-patented triangle handle, which fits the compact size of this massage gun. Theragun Mini is also a great fitness gift for those who love to work out.
PROS
- Portable
- Unique ergonomic design
- 3 speed settings and 150-min. battery life
CONS
- Low stall force
- Does not connect to Therabody Bluetooth App
Final Thoughts on Theragun
With the variety offered by the four Theragun models, there are options to suit anyone's needs. Whether you need deep tissue percussive therapy or relief from mild muscle aches, one of these Theraguns will do the trick. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about causing too much of a disruption, thanks to QuietFore technology and the ergonomic design, specifically the triangle handles, help to prevent wrist, arm, and hand pain from developing while using your Theragun.
If you are new to massage guns or have been using them for years, Theragun offers an unmatched personalized massage in the comfort of your home. If you travel often, the Theragun mini can address your soreness wherever you may be headed. No matter what your unique and specific massage gun needs are, a Theragun can help loosen your muscles and speed up recovery.
FAQs about Theragun
Is a Theragun worth it?
Theragun has some of the highest quality features to help relieve muscle soreness. These features include QuietForce Technology, Theragun triangle handle, several speed options, multiple head attachments, high stall force, and even more. You can reap the benefits of these features in the comfort of your home because the massage gun is handheld and can be used without extra assistance. Because of the included features and convenience factors, we believe Theraguns are worth the expense.
What does a Theragun do to the muscles?
Theraguns help release tension in the muscles to improve tissue metabolism as you recover. This sore muscle recovery can be achieved through constant percussive motion that works to "wake up" the muscles and aid in releasing the lactic acid buildup that can occur after working out. In addition to relieving muscle soreness, Theraguns can also help improve overall wellness, quality of sleep, and immunity.
Can a Theragun be harmful?
While Theraguns are generally safe to use, it is best to limit the amount of time spent focusing on one specific muscle group. Massage gun use should be limited to two minutes or less per area. Anything more can be excessive and could lead to harm or other side effects such as bruising, muscle damage, or increased soreness.