How to Choose the Right Theragun For You
Authors: Therabody Scientists: Michelle Darian, MS, MPH, RD, LDN; Tim Roberts, MSc; Rachelle Reed, PhD, MS, ACSM-EP
Theraguns are the original (and best) options out there for massage guns. The question is, which one is right for you?
There are currently eight models in the Theragun® lineup (and that number is always growing). While all deliver a science-backed dose of percussive therapy, some are designed for athletes who want deep muscle work to speed up recovery, while others are made for everyday stress relief, or travel-friendly comfort.
So, let’s break down the similarities and differences so you can choose the right Theragun for the way you move, live, and recover.
How to think about choosing a Theragun
To start, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to a Theragun. All Theraguns are FDA-registered medical devices that are HSA/FSA eligible and provide you with access to the Therabody app. Some models also give you access to Coach by Therabody, guiding you through personalized routines based on your goals, soreness level, and activity. Thanks to Theragun’s signature ergonomic triangle grip, most models make it easier to reach tricky spots (like mid-back or hamstrings) without straining your wrist.
The Theragun is also the most extensively studied massage gun, with 16 peer-reviewed studies and counting. Each Theragun delivers percussive massage therapy and is scientifically proven to help relieve muscle tension and soreness, improve circulation, enhance range of motion, and support stress relief. [1, 2, 3]
What makes each Theragun different comes down to how they deliver percussive therapy, through slight variations in design. Some models go deeper into the muscle (with a higher amplitude), some layer on additional treatments like heat or LED light, and others prioritize durability or portability. Those distinctions make some devices better suited for a specific lifestyle or type of recovery. [1]
Let’s break those down.
Theraguns for performance and recovery
If you train hard, you need a device built to keep up. Theragun’s performance lineup is made for athletes, frequent exercisers, and anyone who needs a deep muscle massage to bounce back faster between sessions. These models deliver the deepest percussive massage therapy (16mm), helping loosen tight muscles, improve mobility, and speed post-workout recovery.
The ultimate multi-therapy device: Theragun PRO Plus
Quick stats:
- Amplitude: 16mm
- Therapies: Percussive, heat, near-infrared LED light, vibration, and cold therapy (sold separately)
- Best for: Competitive athletes or avid trainers who are serious about optimizing recovery with a tool that can truly do it all
This is the only massage gun available that combines five therapies for recovery: Percussive, heat, near-infrared LED light, vibration, and cold therapy. Combining these therapies in one device helps your muscles recover from multiple angles at the same time. Heat and percussion loosen stiff tissue, near-infrared light supports deep cellular repair, vibration calms the nervous system, and cold therapy controls inflammation. [4, 5] Used together, they create a more efficient and comprehensive recovery than any single modality alone. Plus, it also provides guided breathwork and routines directly on its LCD screen.
Want that deep tissue percussive massage without added therapies? Opt for the Theragun PRO variation instead. It provides a 16 mm amplitude to help reduce muscle tension, soreness, and pain while improving range of motion and flexibility.
The best heated massage gun: Theragun Prime Plus
Quick stats:
- Amplitude: 16mm
- Therapies: Percussive, heat (sold separately: vibration and cold therapy)
- Best for: Regular exercisers who want to prioritize what-enhanced recovery at a more accessible price point than the PRO Plus
This heated percussive therapy device has five speeds and three heat levels (it can reach its maximum heat in under a minute and is 30% warmer than other massage guns). It’s also drop and scratch-resistant, making it a smart choice for those looking to keep this tool in their gym bag or locker. The device is also compatible with attachments that deliver cold and vibration therapy (they’re just sold separately).
The most durable Theragun yet: Theragun Prime
Quick stats:
- Amplitude: 16mm
- Therapies: Percussive therapy
- Best for: Those seeking a powerful recovery tool for daily use from gym or outdoor activities, and don't need multi-therapy features.
This Theragun delivers the deep percussive massage therapy of the Plus lineup and has an impact-resistant rubber exterior and reinforced edges to withstand drops of up to 10 feet. Its handle also offers a wider grip for bigger hands.
For portability and multitaskers
If you’re constantly on the move (from the gym to meetings, games, or flights), Theragun Mini Plus gives you powerful recovery in a compact, travel-friendly device.
For heated performance on the go: Theragun Mini Plus
- Amplitude: 12mm
- Therapies: Percussive therapy, heat (option cold and vibration attachments)
- Best for: Professional-grade recovery for those who need to fit everything in their purse or backpack
This is the only travel-sized (TSA-friendly) Theragun that also provides heat therapy, warming up to 131°F for results up to three times faster. Small and portable, the Mini Plus is built for recovery wherever life takes you, supporting circulation, reducing soreness, and speeding up muscle repair on the move via three heat settings and three massage speeds.
Looking for portability without the heat? Opt for the Theragun Mini 3.
For everyday wellness
For those seeking a calmer experience to relieve tension and stress and promote sleep, these Theraguns deliver more moderate amplitudes, supporting daily self-care while helping you recover from workouts.
For better stress relief: Theragun Sense
Quick stats:
- Amplitude: 12mm
- Therapies: Percussive therapy
- Best for: Stress management, relaxation, tension, and sleep support
This is the only Theragun designed specifically for stress relief, featuring visual pressure feedback on its LCD screen, so you always know how much force you’re applying. Preloaded routines help you unwind at night or decompress after long days. Customers have long enjoyed using the Theragun before bed, and a study from Biostrap Labs found that doing so actually helped people fall asleep faster and wake up less during the night.
For an everyday massage: Theragun Relief
- Amplitude: 10mm (gentlest option)
- Therapies: Percussive therapy
- Best for: Simple, effective tension relief for daily aches (at a budget-friendly price).
Theragun Relief delivers a 10mm amplitude, which is comfortable yet still strong enough to work through tension, stress, and sore muscles. It’s lightweight and comes with three attachment heads for targeting sore spots and tight muscles.
Choosing between Theraguns
The best Theragun is the one that fits your lifestyle, your goals, and the way you recover.
Many people actually benefit from a two-device setup: Keeping a more powerful model at home (like Prime or PRO Plus) paired with the Mini Plus for travel, the gym, or quick warm-ups. If you can only pick one, think about which one suits your needs 80% of the time.
And remember that no matter which device you choose, you’re getting scientifically proven percussive massage therapy.
Ready to shop? View the full lineup here.
References:
- Comparison of Interventional Strategies to Improve Recovery after Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue
- The Acute Effects of Theragun™ Percussive Therapy on Viscoelastic Tissue Dynamics and Hamstring Group Range of Motion
- The Effect Of Percussive Therapy On Musculoskeletal Performance And Experiences Of Pain: A Systematic Literature Review
- Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance?
- Vibrations and their applications in sport. A review
