Theragun Buying Guide in 2024: PRO vs Elite vs Prime vs Mini vs Sense vs Relief
By Naila Syifa
Updated July 2024
Theragun from Therabody has long been hailed as the pioneer of percussive therapy. Its founder, Dr. Jason Wersland, created the first prototype more than a decade ago. Since then, they have become the gold standard in this space, gaining popularity among athletes, celebrities, and the general public.
As of 2024, Theragun offers 7 different massage gun models to choose from. Each model has its own unique features and capabilities to cater to different user needs and budgets.
It can be overwhelming to decide which Theragun model is the best fit, but in this guide, we'll break down the key features and differences between all the Theragun models so you can make an informed decision on which Theragun is right for you.
Things to Consider
Theragun Prime
Before exploring the available Theragun models, it is important that you know what your specific needs and preferences are. Here are some aspects to think about when choosing a Theragun:
- Budget-friendly or premium price. Are you willing to spend a fortune in return for the best possible massage experience, or are you only willing to invest in a more budget-friendly model? Theragun Relief is the most affordable option at US$149, while the Theragun PRO and PRO Plus are the most expensive at US$599.
- Mild or intense massage. Do you have low or high pain tolerance? Do you need a milder, gentler massage for everyday muscle tension or a more intense, deep-tissue massage for muscle recovery and chronic pain? Theragun Relief, Mini, and Sense are on the milder end of the spectrum, while Theragun Prime, Elite, PRO, and PRO Plus offer more intense, powerful, and deeper percussive therapy.
- Massage-only or multi-therapy. Are you looking for a percussive massage-only device, or would you like additional therapy capabilities? Theragun Sense and PRO Plus come with added therapies beyond just the percussive massage, while all the other Theragun models are focused solely on percussive massage.
- Compact or full-sized. Do you need a compact, portable massage gun that you can easily take with you on-the-go, or do you prefer a full-sized model for more sedentary use? Theragun Mini is the most compact and portable option. All the other models are full-sized Theragun offering patented ergonomic multi-grip triangle handle design with varying weights and dimensions. Theragun PRO Plus is the bulkiest and heaviest at 3.63 lbs (1.65 kg).
After considering these factors, you'll have a better idea of which Theragun model may best suit your needs and preferences.
In the following sections, we'll dive into the key features and capabilities of each Theragun model so you can make the most informed decision on your purchase.
Theragun Prime (5th Gen)
The Original
Smart percussive therapy for an effective deep muscle treatment with all the original, essential features.
Buy on AmazonBuy on Synced
Theragun PRO (5th Gen)
The Best-In-Class
Scientifically-proven professional-grade deep muscle treatment with adjustable arm and visual guidance.
Buy on AmazonBuy on Synced
Theragun Elite (5th Gen)
The Mid-Premium
Powerful percussive massage with premium tech features.
Buy on Amazon
Theragun Relief
Budget-Friendly Therapy
Simple and mild percussive massaging device for daily aches, pains, tension, and stiffness.
Buy on AmazonBuy on Synced
Theragun Mini (2nd Gen)
On-The-Go Therapy
Theragun power, packed into an ultra-portable package that's now 20% smaller and 30% lighter.
Buy on AmazonBuy on Synced
Theragun Sense
Mind and Body Therapy
Scientifically-proven percussive massage with calming breathwork.
Buy on AmazonTheragun Models
#1 The Original: Theragun Prime
Theragun Prime
Theragun Prime is the most basic Theragun model that offers all the original, essential features that made Theragun the gold standard in percussive therapy.
Theragun Prime offers a deep tissue massage with its powerful 16 mm amplitude and 30 lbs of stall force, providing a therapeutic experience comparable to the higher-end Theragun models.
It offers 5 built-in speeds and 4 attachment heads (Dampener, Standard Ball, Thumb, and Micro-Point) for customizable massage experiences tailored to your needs.
Theragun Prime supports Bluetooth connection to the Therabody app, allowing users to control the device, customize speed between the 1750-2400 PPM range, view the force meter, and access a library of guided massage routines, enhancing the overall user experience and effectiveness of the massage therapy.
Theragun Prime (5th Gen)
The Original
Smart percussive therapy for an effective deep muscle treatment with all the original, essential features.
#2 The Best-In-Class: Theragun PRO
Theragun PRO
For professional-grade percussive therapy, the Theragun PRO is a top-of-the-line model that offers unparalleled power, performance, and customization.
Theragun PRO combines a deep 16 mm amplitude with a powerful 60 lbs stall force, delivering an intense and penetrating massage that can effectively treat deep muscle soreness and tension.
Theragun PRO boasts a unique rotating arm design, which is adjustable to 4 positions for improved ergonomics and access to hard-to-reach areas.
Theragun PRO
The OLED screen allows you to visually follow guided routines directly on the device, without needing to use the Therabody app like you would with other models. Otherwise, Bluetooth connectivity to the Therabody app is supported for customization, control, and access to guided massage routines.
Theragun PRO also supports impressive customization with the included 6 attachment heads (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb, Wedge, SuperSoft, and Micro-Point), 5 built-in speeds, and a customizable speed range from 1750-2400 PPM via the Therabody app.
Theragun PRO (5th Gen)
The Best-In-Class
Scientifically-proven professional-grade deep muscle treatment with adjustable arm and visual guidance.
#3 The Mid-Premium: Theragun Elite
Theragun Elite
Theragun Elite can be considered a mid-premium model that sits between the basic Theragun Prime and the top-of-the-line Theragun PRO.
Theragun Elite offers intense percussive massage therapy with 16 mm amplitude, 40 lbs of stall force, and 5 built-in speeds.
The 5 attachment heads (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb, Wedge, and Micro-Point) should be sufficient to accommodate different muscle groups and massage preferences.
Theragun Elite features an OLED screen, which allows you to easily monitor the speed, force, and battery life of the device.
Bluetooth connection to the Therabody app allows you to control the device, access guided routines, and customize the speed range from 1750-2400 PPM. You can also save your favorite massage presets from the Therabody app to the device for easy access, but it only supports saving time and speed settings, not displaying visual guidance directly on the screen like the Theragun PRO.
Theragun Elite (5th Gen)
The Mid-Premium
Powerful percussive massage with premium tech features.
#4 Budget-Friendly Therapy: Theragun Relief
Theragun Relief
At US$149, Theragun Relief is the cheapest model in the Theragun lineup, offering budget-friendly access to Theragun percussive therapy technology without breaking the bank.
Offering 10 mm amplitude and 20 lbs of stall force, Theragun Relief provides a fairly gentle and mild percussive massage. It is great for relieving everyday aches and tension, such as from desk work or light exercise, but will not be as effective for deep tissue massage or muscle recovery.
Theragun Relief has 3 built-in speeds and 3 attachment heads for customization, including a Dampener, Standard Ball, and Thumb.
Routine Cards of Theragun Relief
The affordability comes at the cost of some advanced features found in the higher-end Theragun models, as it lacks Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to customize the speed range through the Therabody app.
You can still access the Therabody app to view a library of content, but the device doesn't connect to the app for automatic control during guided massage routines. This is why Theragun Relief comes with 3 routine cards instead, providing instructions for targeted massage sessions you can follow without the need for the app.
Theragun Relief
Budget-Friendly Therapy
Simple and mild percussive massaging device for daily aches, pains, tension, and stiffness.
#5 On-The-Go Therapy: Theragun Mini
Theragun Mini
If portability is your priority, Theragun Mini is the perfect option that is compact and lightweight. At 5.55 x 4.92 x 1.93 inches in size and only 1 lb (0.45 kg) weight, Theragun Mini is the most travel-friendly Theragun model, making it easy to take with you anywhere.
Theragun Mini offers mild percussive therapy with 12 mm amplitude and 20 lbs of stall force. It comes with 3 attachments, including a Dampener, Standard Ball, and Thumb.
It has a one-button operation with 3 built-in speed settings to choose from, but Theragun Mini supports Bluetooth connectivity to the Therabody app, so you can further customize the speed range from 1750-2400 PPM, remotely control the device, view the force meter, and access guided massage routines.
Theragun Mini has a unique triangle shape that is different from the ergonomic multi-grip design found in the larger Theragun models, but it still provides a comfortable and easy-to-maneuver grip. It also comes in 3 stylish color options, making it a great on-the-go percussive therapy solution for active lifestyles.
Theragun Mini (2nd Gen)
On-The-Go Therapy
Theragun power, packed into an ultra-portable package that's now 20% smaller and 30% lighter.
#6 Mind and Body Therapy: Theragun Sense
Theragun Sense
Theragun Sense is a wellness device that combines massage and mindfulness. Other than the percussive massage capabilities, Theragun Sense also includes features for relaxation and stress relief.
The guided breathwork feature offers haptic vibration cues to help you practice mindful breathing, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. The integrated biometric sensor can track your heart rate, allowing you to monitor your body's response to the massage and breathwork sessions.
Theragun Sense delivers a mild, gentle massage with 12 mm amplitude and 40 lbs of stall force. It comes with 4 attachments (Dampener, Standard Ball, Thumb, Micro-Point) and 5 built-in speeds.
Theragun Sense
Bluetooth connectivity to the Therabody app allows you to further customize the speed range between 1750-2400 PPM, control the device, and access guided massage routines.
Similar to the high-end Theragun PRO model, Theragun Sense also features on-device built-in visually guided routines, allowing you to follow the massage and breathwork sessions directly on the device's LCD screen without needing to use the Therabody app.
Theragun Sense
Mind and Body Therapy
Scientifically-proven percussive massage with calming breathwork.
#7 Multi-Therapy Arsenal: Theragun PRO Plus
Theragun PRO Plus
Theragun PRO Plus is the most comprehensive and versatile Theragun model, offering a combination of percussive massage therapy, near-infrared LED light therapy, vibration therapy, heat therapy, optional cold therapy, and breathwork. It represents the pinnacle of therapy and recovery tools.
The percussive massage it delivers is one of the most powerful in the Theragun lineup, with a 16 mm amplitude and 60 lbs of stall force. The device also includes 5 attachment heads, including a Dampener, Standard Ball, Thumb, Wedge, and Micro-Point, offering a wide range of customization options for your massage needs.
Theragun PRO Plus comes with 5 built-in speeds, but Bluetooth connection to the Therabody app unlocks the ability to further customize the speed range from 1750-2400 PPM, remotely control the device, view the force meter, and access guided massage routines.
Featuring an LCD screen, Theragun PRO Plus also supports on-device visually guided routines, allowing you to follow the massage and breathwork sessions directly on the device without needing to use the Therabody app.
Theragun PRO Plus (6th Gen)
Multi-Therapy Arsenal
A combination of deep muscle percussive massage with 5 more cutting-edge therapies.
Theragun Massage Guns
Final Thoughts
Theragun
There are many factors to consider when choosing the Theragun model that best suits your needs and preferences.
The Theragun Prime offers a solid baseline of percussive massage capabilities, while the Theragun Elite is a step more advanced and the Theragun PRO is the most powerful and advanced.
If portability is a priority, the Theragun Mini is a great compact option. If budget is a key consideration, Theragun Relief provides an affordable entry point to Theragun technology.
For those seeking a more holistic wellness approach, the Theragun Sense adds breathwork and biometric tracking features, while the Theragun PRO Plus offers the most comprehensive multi-therapy solution consisting of 6 different modalities.
Ultimately, the right Theragun model for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and preferences around factors like power, customization, portability, and additional therapeutic features.
To see the full collection for Theragun Singapore, you can visit the link here.
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