The 8 Best Theragun Massage Guns, According to 400+ Hours of Testing

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Say so long to sore muscles.

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If you're in the midst of marathon training season or are constantly sore from standing all day at work, you've likely gone on a hunt for the best massage guns that can alleviate sore muscles fast. Chances are, this search has led you to many different Theragun models. Therabody, the brand behind Theraguns, has a wide variety of massage guns available for shoppers to indulge in, but which models are the best Theraguns, and how do you know what type to get for your unique needs?

The Shape team set out to find answers to these questions by conducting some seriously rigorous tests. We also consulted with an on-site physical therapist to ensure these devices were used correctly and efficiently. In the end, we spent more than 400 hours testing these models. Once we rated every model, we then determined the best Theragun massage guns. Check them out below.

Can save three preset recovery routines

Six attachments and five speeds

300-minute battery life

Four arm positions help eliminate hand and wrist strain

Not as quiet as other models

Attachments: 6 | Built-In Speeds: 5 | Total Battery Life: 300 min | Weight: 2.8 lb

If you’re concerned about the comfort or convenience of self-massage, our testers noted that the Theragun PRO 4th Generation was especially easy to hold and maneuver, thanks to its triangle shape and rotating arm. The rotating arm can be used to offer more precise pressure without uncomfortable twisting or reaching. It offers four extra arm positions to help eliminate any hand or wrist strain, which might make this massage gun worth the price tag if that’s something you struggle with. And with 300 minutes of battery life in total, you can feel confident that this massage gun will last as long as your muscles need it.

"I really appreciate that the arm can be moved to the preferred position depending on which area you're working on. The settings are super easy to change while using it and the head attachments can be swapped super easily. I loved the LED screen on this one that showed which out of the five speeds we're at." —Michelle P., Shape tester

Lower price point than other models

Five built-in speeds and four attachments

Easy to hold and use

Quiet

Includes fewer attachments than other models

Attachments: 4 | Built-In Speeds: 5 | Total Battery Life: 120 min | Weight: 2.2 lb

The Theragun Prime 4th Generation model won our testers over for combining the best of all Theragun massage guns — at a more accessible price point. The Theragun Prime includes five built-in speeds and a customizable speed range of 1750 to 2400 pulses per minute, or ppm (just like its more expensive counterpart, the Theragun Pro). It features the signature triangle design that makes Theragun massage guns easy to hold and use without straining or contorting into weird positions. Its stall force (read: the amount of pressure you can apply to the head of the massage gun before the motor stalls) is 30 pounds, which our testers found to be plenty powerful for the average user. Plus, testers found it to be quieter than the other models, a major plus if you’re trying to use it while watching television or listening to a podcast.

"I would absolutely recommend this Theragun. You're getting a decent-sized massage gun that's still lightweight and easy to hold. The design is sleek and attractive, plus it functions incredibly well and feels durable enough to last for years." —Sarah F., Shape tester

Offers the most power of any massage gun on the list

Six attachments and five speeds

May be too intense for some

Attachments: 6 | Built-In Speeds: 5 | Total Battery Life: 150 min | Weight: 2.6 lb

For endurance athletes, powerlifters, or anyone else working their muscles to fatigue several times a week, the Theragun PRO 5th Generation offers the most power of any Theragun massage gun on the market. In fact, our testers noted that at times, the pressure was too intense (especially for those with petite frames). However, with six attachments, 150 minutes of battery life, and 60 pounds of stall force, there’s no doubt that this recovery tool is meant for serious athletes.

"I felt great after using this Theragun on various muscle groups. I thought it was very effective at relieving tight and sore muscles. But I would say that it is pretty intense and heavy-duty. I would say someone would need to be super active or an athlete to make this worth it." —Michelle P., Shape tester

Fits in the palm of your hand and can be taken on the go

Three attachments and three speeds

Good choice for cyclists and runners

Limited reach

Attachments: 3 | Built-In Speeds: 3 | Total Battery Life: 120 min | Weight: 1 lb

For a pocket-sized massage gun that can go with you anywhere (literally, it even fits in our fanny packs), our editors love the Theragun Mini. Its smaller frame is easy to hold, and with three attachments and three speeds, you won’t get overwhelmed figuring out the optimal settings for your needs. One tester particularly recommended this massage gun for cyclists or runners, since it’s easy to target calves and hips and apply the desired amount of pressure with the Mini.

"I'd say this was a stellar starter massage gun. If you don't lift or do anything truly hardcore, this is a fantastic little gun. It's portable and I'd say it's great for runners or anyone who gets a lot of leg tension." —Donna F., Shape tester

Offers LED light therapy

Has seven attachments and five speeds

Includes carrying case

Cold attachment will need to be purchased separately

Attachments: 7 | Built-In Speeds: 5 | Total Battery Life: 150 min | Weight: 3.5 lb

The Theragun Pro Plus has pretty much every feature you could possibly think of for recovery — and then some. To start, it boasts a mind-blowing five speeds and seven attachments. This many massage gun attachments could get confusing, but the carrying case has a helpful guide on the inside cover that quickly identifies each attachment and how to best utilize it. Also, the heated attachment for the Theragun Pro Plus delivers warm, but not scorching, heat therapy to sore muscles. (You can choose from three temperatures, FYI: 113°F, 122°F, or 131°F.)

The near-infrared light therapy (which boosts circulation) is also cutting-edge. It’s placed on the massage gun so you can easily double up on percussive and infrared therapy in the same session. You can also use the biometric sensor to track your heart rate before and after sessions (although it’s slightly awkward to hold). We loved the ultra-clear LCD screen and how easy it was to navigate both pre-loaded treatments and quick-start options.

"I actually do think it's worth the price. If you're a lifter or a runner, and you're dedicated and you give your muscles a workout, this is great. It checks ALL the boxes and then some ... if you ran the NYC marathon, for example, this could be your unicorn." —Donna F., Shape tester

Percussion is gentle and lower intensity than others

More affordable than other Theragun massagers

Three speeds

May not be strong enough for some

Attachments: 3 | Built-In Speeds: 3 | Total Battery Life: 120 minutes | Weight: 1.3 lb

For casual exercisers or those not yet sure if they want to shell out for more bells and whistles, the Theragun Relief delivers on one simple promise: relief at the touch of a button. With one button, three speeds, and no LCD screen, the Theragun Relief is one of Therabody’s most basic massage guns — in a good way. We found it really easy and intuitive to operate, and the 10mm percussion therapy was a pleasant alternative to the “hurts so good” of the Theragun Pro Plus or more intense models.

Testers said this model remained relatively quiet throughout use and noted that it was great at relieving everyday aches and pains, but a different model would be better for more intense issues.

"Over the month I have been testing, I found many uses where this is my preferred massage gun. It eases you into the world of percussive therapy with all of the benefits and none of the adjustment period." —Shannon B., Shape tester

Shape / Phoebe Sklansky

Biometric sensor works with pre-loaded sleep routines

Four attachments and five speeds

Comes pre-loaded with breathwork and massage therapy routines

Biometric sensor is a little awkward to use correctly

Attachments: 4 | Built-In Speeds: 5 | Total Battery Life: 120 minutes | Weight: 1.6 lb

We know that sleep is a major part of muscle recovery (after all, sleep is the time when your muscles repair themselves after your workout). The Theragun Sense cleverly combines breathwork with massage therapy to get your body primed for sleep. It comes pre-loaded with breathwork and massage therapy routines that target muscle relaxation for sleep. Like the Theragun Pro Plus, it also has a biometric sensor that tracks your heart rate before and after the breathwork sessions.

However, the biometric sensor can be a bit glitchy. A few times during use, a tester noticed that it wasn’t reading her heart rate correctly. You’ll also have to hold the Theragun Sense in a very particular (and somewhat awkward) position in order to place your finger on the sensor correctly.

"I keep the Theragun Sense on my bedside table so I have no excuse not to use it before bed, and I’ve come to really enjoy the ritual of winding down with massage therapy and breathwork. I started with the pre-loaded Sleep Routine, which targeted muscle groups that I don’t typically pay attention to (like the soles of my feet and my forearms). I followed that with a two-minute breathwork session, and I noticed that the way you have to hold the Theragun to track your heart rate was actually pretty helpful because I couldn’t reach for my phone or Kindle." —Kristen G., Shape tester

Shape / Krisha Joshi

Lightweight and quiet

Five attachments and five speeds

Good choice for travel

Offers less pressure than other models

Attachments: 6 | Built-In Speeds: 5 | Total Battery Life: 120 min | Weight: 2.2 lb

If you’re constantly on the go or you’re looking for a massage gun that you can travel with, our testers recommend the Theragun Elite 4th Generation. It’s the quietest of the Theragun massage guns, thanks to its QX65 proprietary brushless motor with QuietForce Technology, and it includes five attachments. Plus, it comes with a hard-shell carrying case that won us over. The case has indentations for the gun and the attachments, and it felt protective and durable. The case is a little large (it probably won't fit in your average backpack), but it would be great for road trips or suitcases. Aside from its portability, it has most of the same features as the cheaper Theragun Prime, our choice for best overall, so consider which fits your budget better.

"I felt that this massage gun was effective — I used it on my sore shoulders and felt better even after just 60 seconds of use. I like the triangle shape of the device, which makes it easy to adjust my grip and reach all of the muscle groups I need to address. I also like the number of heads — five is the perfect number because it's enough to get targeted relief, but not so many that I don't know what each shape does." —Sarah F., Shape tester

We regularly test fitness equipment in our New York City testing lab and at home in the real world. For this roundup, we conducted rigorous tests, using the massagers at different speeds and modes, and consulting an on-site physical therapist to ensure proper use. In total, we spent more than 400 hours testing these models of Theragun massage guns and considered the following when making selections:

Experts believe that using massage guns like Theraguns can be beneficial both before and after exercise. "By warming up the muscles before exercise, they can improve performance and reduce the risk of injury,” Brittany Steindl, PT, DPT, previously explained to Shape. “Post-activity, the massage gun aids in muscle relaxation, reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and accelerates recovery.”

This depends on what part of the body you're using it on — the best practice is to avoid bony areas, like your kneecaps, elbows, and clavicles, as to not injure these areas. Theraguns have a variety of settings that can change the speed or force with which they massage, so adjust this according to taste during use. use lower speeds for sensitive areas and higher speeds to simulate a deep-tissue massage. Switch attachments if desired.

This depends on your taste and budget. Shape testers rated the Theragun Prime 4th Generation the highest for its accessible price point, customizable speed ranges, and ergonomic shape.

Avoid using a Theragun on bony areas, on your face, on any injuries or sprains, on bruises or open wounds, and in areas where you've experienced severe or unexplained pain.

Summer Cartwright is a marathon runner, certified cycling instructor, and the senior editor at Shape. She has raced in the Chicago Marathon, Houston Half Marathon, Brooklyn Half Marathon, Columbus Marathon, New York Mini 10k, and dozens of other events. She has expertise in running shoes, performance gear, and recovery equipment. She updated this article in 2024 with additional insights and performance findings.

Kristen Geil is a former Shape fitness editor and has spent the last several years trying every workout under the sun, and she’s got the sore muscles to prove it. Kristen is a NASM-certified personal trainer who regularly covers fitness products and tests recovery tools.