Theragun Buying Guide in 2023: PRO vs Elite vs Prime vs mini
By Linus Tan
Updated Jan 2023
Theragun 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 everyday people.
Recently, Theragun released two new upgraded models to the collection: the 5th Gen Theragun PRO and the 2nd Gen Theragun mini. The Theragun Elite and Prime models remain unchanged from the 4th generation release.
Although each device has similarities, they also have distinct differences. If you're considering getting a Theragun, we'll break down the similarities and differences in each model to help you find the right one for you.
On-The-Go Therapy: Theragun mini
✓ 20 lbs of stall force
✓ 12 mm amplitude
✓ Up to 2 hours of battery life
✓ Lightweight and portable design
The New Standard: Theragun Prime
✓ 30 lbs of stall force
✓ 16 mm amplitude
✓ Up to 2 hours of battery life
✓ Patented ergonomic triangle design
The Quietest: Theragun Elite
✓ 40 lbs of stall force
✓ 16 mm amplitude
✓ Patented ergonomic triangle design
✓ OLED screen display
The Best-In-Class: Theragun PRO
✓ 60 lbs of stall force
✓ 16 mm amplitude
✓ Adjustable arm with ergonomic triangle design
✓ OLED screen with visually-guided routines
#1 On-The-Go Therapy: Theragun mini
On-The-Go Therapy
Theragun unveiled the latest 2nd generation Theragun mini in late 2022.
The Theragun mini as its name suggests is the smallest model in the range. It solves one of the main problems of massage guns: their bulkiness and difficulty to travel with. However, you do forgo some premium features in return.
Despite its incredibly portable size, the Theragun mini still packs a powerful punch. Weighing only 450g, the mini is perfect for on-the-go therapy when you're out and about or travelling. Simply slip the device into your bag and you're ready to soothe those aching muscles throughout the day, no matter where you are.
On-The-Go Therapy
The mini is lightweight and triangular in design, making it easy to hold and providing excellent mobility to access most areas of the body. With a stall force of 20 lbs and an amplitude of 12 mm, the lowest among the Theragun collection, it can still match the top speed of 2,400 percussions per minute (PPM). It has a battery life of 120 minutes.
The new second-generation Theragun mini model comes with a few upgrades, the key difference being Bluetooth connectivity. Now, it can connect to the Therabody app, allowing you to access guided routines anytime, anywhere. It also now comes with 3 attachments: Dampener, Standard Ball & Thumb. You can read more about the differences between the two models in our Theragun mini (2nd Gen) vs Theragun mini (1st Gen) review.
If you're part of the Theragun family and looking for a portable recovery tool, the mini is for you. Alternatively, if you're just starting out with percussive therapy, it's a great introductory option.
Theragun mini
On-The-Go Therapy
✓ 20 lbs of stall force
✓ 12 mm amplitude
✓ Up to 2 hours of battery life
✓ Lightweight and portable design
#2 The New Standard: Theragun Prime
Theragun Prime
The Theragun Prime continues its legacy with its 4th generation model.
The Theragun Prime was released as an upgrade to its predecessor of the 3rd generation model — Theragun Liv. It features key upgrades like sound dampening and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Theragun Prime is designed with all the essential elements for everyday deep percussive therapy. Compared to the Theragun mini, it has a key difference: the patented ergonomic triangle multi-grip design. For those unfamiliar, this design is one of Theragun's trademarks. It provides unparalleled ease of use when using the device to massage all around the body, effectively reaching up to 95% of body parts with utmost convenience.
Theragun Prime
The Theragun Prime has a higher stall force of 30 lbs and an amplitude of 16 mm, allowing it to penetrate deeper into your muscles than the Mini. It can reach speeds of up to 2,400 PPM. Additionally, it has built-in Bluetooth connectivity, enabling you to connect to the Therabody app for guided routines. The Prime has a battery life of 120 minutes and comes with four attachments: Dampener, Standard Ball, Thumb, and Cone.
If you're looking for an entry device with all the essential Theragun features, the Prime is an excellent choice.
Theragun Prime
The New Standard
✓ 30 lbs of stall force
✓ 16 mm amplitude
✓ Up to 2 hours of battery life
✓ Patented ergonomic triangle design
#3 The Quietest: Theragun Elite
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite remains unchanged with its 4th generation model and continues to be Theragun’s quietest model ever.
The Theragun Elite was released as an upgrade to its predecessor of the 3rd generation model — Theragun G3. The key upgrades include a huge reduction in sound and all-new Bluetooth connectivity. It also features the classic patented ergonomic triangle multi-grip design and an amplitude of 16 mm for precise depth.
The Theragun Elite has a few main differences compared to the Theragun Prime. Visually, it has an OLED screen instead of an LED indicator. This screen displays the device's speed and also has a force meter to show the depth of the massage.
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite also has a higher stall force of 40 lbs and comes with five attachments instead, with the Wedge being the additional piece. The Wedge is generally used for "scraping" or "flushing" to increase blood flow in the shoulder blades or IT bands. These attachments are also available separately, so they aren’t a major factor when deciding which Theragun to buy.
The key selling point of the Theragun Elite is its quietness and is a mid-entry option for users who would like to go for a little more in their massage gun. To sum it up, when compared to the Prime, you get a quieter device, a greater stall force, an OLED screen and one more attachment with the Elite.
Theragun Elite
The Quietest
✓ 40 lbs of stall force
✓ 16 mm amplitude
✓ Patented ergonomic triangle design
✓ OLED screen display
#4 The Best-In-Class: Theragun PRO
Theragun PRO
Theragun unveiled the latest 5th generation Theragun PRO in late 2022.
The Theragun PRO sits at the top of the Theragun range and is arguably the best massage gun available on the market for recovery and pain relief.
The Theragun PRO packs a punch with a stall force of 60 lbs while still going deep with an amplitude of 12 mm and up to 2,400 PPM. It also has a battery life of 2.5 hours like the Theragun Elite and has Bluetooth connectivity to connect to the Therabody app like the rest of the devices.
Theragun PRO
Here’s where the Theragun PRO stands out. The device features an adjustable arm for greater flexibility when reaching most body parts. It also has removable and swappable batteries, making it easy to replace them in case of battery malfunctions or issues when the device is no longer covered by the warranty. With the PRO, you also get the full range of six Theragun attachments, providing a comprehensive percussive therapy treatment for various needs. This device is also the only one in the collection with an industry-leading 2-year warranty, giving you confidence in its top-quality performance for years to come.
The new 5th generation Theragun PRO model comes with a few upgrades, the key difference being the new OLED screen with visually-guided routines built directly into the device. It also now comes with the new patented Micro-Point attachment that provides increased stimulation. You can read more about the differences between the two models in our Theragun PRO (5th Gen) vs Theragun PRO (4th Gen) review.
If you're a serious athlete and are looking to invest in the best massage gun, the PRO is the one for you.
Theragun PRO
The Best-In-Class
✓ 60 lbs of stall force
✓ 16 mm amplitude
✓ Adjustable arm with ergonomic triangle design
✓ OLED screen with visually-guided routines
Compare Theragun 5th Generation
Final Thoughts
Every Theragun model is thoughtfully-designed to serve a unique purpose and it's important to ensure you pick the right one for your journey ahead towards faster recovery and greater performance.
Regardless, with Theragun, at least you know you're getting the highest standard of percussive therapy there is.
To see the full collection for Theragun Singapore, you can visit the link here.
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