Ekrin B37 (v2) vs Theragun Elite (5th Gen): A Worthy Alternative?
Naila Syifa
Updated December 2024
Theragun Elite is among the premium massage guns on the market, offering sophisticated features at a premium price point. Ekrin B37 is more on the mid-range side, but its powerful performance makes it a strong competitor to the Theragun Elite. But is it truly a worthy alternative to the Theragun Elite?
Key Takeaways
Theragun Elite is more user-friendly with an OLED screen and in-app guided routines, but performance-wise, the Ekrin B37 is stronger with a higher stall force, a wider speed range, and a very long 8-hour battery life. If you're willing to give up on the premium features and focus more on raw power and performance, the Ekrin B37 is the better choice.
Ekrin B37 v2
Powerful Performance
✓ 12 mm Amplitude
✓ 56 lbs Force
✓ 4 Attachments
✓ 5 Built-in Speed
Theragun Elite (5th Gen)
Premium Athletic Recovery
✓ 16 mm Amplitude
✓ 3 Built-In Preset
✓ OLED Screen with Force Meter
✓ Therabody App
Design
Theragun Elite (5th Gen)
Ekrin B37 comes in a drill-like design, similar to most other massage guns on the market. What sets it apart is the 15° angled handle, specially designed to accommodate three grip positions for better reach and comfort.
While Ekrin B37 is already unique, the Theragun Elite is even more unique with a signature triangular handle design typical of Theragun devices. While it may make the massage gun look more bulky, it provides more ergonomic multi-grip positions that allow for better control and maneuverability.
On top of the handle, Theragun Elite integrates a button pad for control and a sophisticated OLED screen, which displays the device's speed settings and force meter so you can monitor the intensity of your massage.
Meanwhile, Ekrin B37 has a very simple control interface featuring just one button for power/speed adjustment and light indicators to show the current speed setting and battery level.
Attachments
Ekrin B37 vs Theragun Elite
Ekrin B37 provides four massage attachments to suit different needs, including a flat head for general use, a silicone round head for low-impact treatments, a bullet-shaped head for targeted relief, and a fork-like head designed for the neck and spine.
With five attachment heads, Theragun Elite is more versatile for addressing different muscle groups and massage needs. The dampener head is designed for tender areas, the standard ball for general use, the thumb for trigger point, the wedge for shoulder blades or IT bands, and the Micro Point for increased stimulation.
Performance
Ekrin B37 v2
Theragun Elite has one of the highest amplitudes in the industry, boasting up to 16 mm of stroke length as compared to the Ekrin B37 with just 12 mm amplitude. This significantly high amplitude allows for deeper tissue penetration, reaching effectively into the muscle and providing a more intense massage.
However, Theragun Elite is losing to the Ekrin B37 in terms of stall force, delivering just up to 40 lbs of force compared to the Ekrin B37 with up to 56 lbs of force. That means the Ekrin B37 can apply more powerful pressure and effectively work out tighter and more stubborn knots.
With Theragun Elite leading in amplitude and Ekrin B37 leading in stall force, it is not easy to determine which massage gun delivers a better overall performance. Amplitude and stall force are equally important factors, but you may want to prioritize stall force because the lack of amplitude may be compensated with proper technique, while lack of stall force can limit the effectiveness of the massage gun.
Other than amplitude and stall force, speed is another factor that can impact the performance of a massage gun. While both models have 5 built-in speed settings, they differ in the minimum and maximum speed they can deliver.
Ekrin B37 covers a wider speed range, offering 1400, 1800, 2200, 2600, and 3200 PPM compared to the Theragun Elite's 1750, 1900, 2100, 2200, and 2400 PPM. That gives the Ekrin B37 an advantage in terms of versatility, allowing users to better customize the massage experience to their needs and preferences.
Smart Features
Theragun Elite (5th Gen)
Ekrin B37 doesn't come with a companion app, in contrast to Theragun Elite which can be connected to the Therabody app via Bluetooth.
On the Therabody app, users can access guided routines, see real-time force meter, and control the device's settings, including customizing the speed to anywhere between 1720-2400 PPM instead of just choosing between the 5 built-in speed settings on the device.
We can also save up to 3 preset treatments — a combination of time and speed settings — from the Therabody app to the device for easy access.
Battery Life
Ekrin B37 v2
Ekrin B37 has a very impressive battery life of 8 hours, quadrupling the 2-hour battery life of the Theragun Elite. Actual battery life varies by settings and usage, but the gap between the two is very huge, making the Ekrin B37 clearly the winner in this category.
Ekrin B37 vs Theragun Elite
Final Thoughts
Theragun Elite (5th Gen)
Ekrin B37 offers a more powerful massage with its higher stall force and wider speed range, while also boasting an exceptional 8-hour battery life. If you only need a powerful massage gun that can simply do the job, this is all you need.
However, if you want more sophisticated additional features, such as an OLED screen, app controls, and guided routines, the Theragun Elite is smarter and more user-friendly.
If you like to read more about massage guns, check out our other relevant guides here:
Ekrin B37 vs Theragun Prime
Ekrin B37 vs Theragun Pro
Ekrin B37 vs Hypervolt 2
Ekrin Bantam vs Theragun Mini
Ekrin Bantam vs Hypervolt Go 2
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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