Top 5 Theragun Massage Guns for 2023: Thorough Testing and Reviews

Whether you’re training for a triathlon or you’re just finding your groove in a new movement routine, one thing’s for sure: You’ve got to dedicate time to recovery. From foam rolling to stretching to cold plunging, certain recovery tools can help your muscles rebuild and recover at a faster rate than just laying on your couch for hours, as tempting as that may be. 

One of the most intriguing recovery devices on the market is the massage gun, a percussive therapy device that uses pulsing nozzles to increase blood flow to your muscles, releasing tension and speeding up recovery. While you can find plenty of generic massage guns on Amazon or at any sports retailer, Therabody has made a name for itself as the go-to brand for its premium massage gun, the Theragun. But with four different models and several generations to choose from, how do you know which Theragun massage gun is best for you?

To find the best Theragun massage gun, we asked our testers to put several different Theragun models to work on their tight muscles, under the supervision of a physical therapist. Testers considered the amount of pressure provided by the Theragun, as well as how easy it was to hold and use. These are the best Theragun massage guns of 2023.

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 between 1750-2400 ppms (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 on yourself without straining or contorting into weird positions, and 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.

But the real cherry on top of the Theragun Prime 4th Generation is that it’s $299 — an investment, yes, but still on the cheaper end of brand-name massage guns (and only a hundred more dollars than the Theragun Mini). That lower price point, combined with all of its features, earned it rave reviews. We loved that it has all of the customizable features that the PRO models have, with the ease of use of the Mini — it's still lightweight and easy to hold.

A few caveats: While the Theragun Prime includes four attachments, other models include more — so do your research and decide which attachments are important to you before buying. Also, while our testers found the design and weight of the Theragun Prime to be ergonomic, the Theragun PRO features a rotating arm for even more control over your massage.

For casual exercises or those not yet sure if they want to shell out for more premium models, our testers recommended the Theragun Mini 2nd Generation for massage gun beginners. 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. It's one of actress Sarah Hyland's gym bag essentials. We'd particularly recommend this massage gun for cyclists or runners, since it’s easy to target those areas and apply the desired amount of pressure with the Mini.

But heads up: If you want a massage gun for back or shoulder pain, you won’t be able to reach those areas without the help of another person, thanks to the Mini’s petite size and lack of handle.

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 is the Cadillac of massage guns, with all the bells and whistles you could possibly need. We felt great after using this model on various muscle groups, and while it was effective, it was also pretty intense and heavy-duty. So, unless you're super active or a hard-core athlete, you can probably skip.

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 (or if you don’t want to call in an assistant to help get that hard-to-reach spot on your back). 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.

Heads up, this Theragun massage gun is slightly heavier than other options (but the difference is so small, you may not notice it).

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.

After thoroughly researching each Theragun massage gun, we tested the six models available on their website. Prior to testing, we consulted with Theresa Marko, PT, DPT, MS, owner of Marko Physical Therapy, to understand the features of massage guns and how to use massage guns safely and effectively. We then tested Theragun massage guns in our testing lab under the supervision of Monica Saliu, PT, DPT, Co-founder & COO of Tribeca Physical Therapy. Testers reviewed the massage guns based on comfort, effectiveness, ease of use, stall force, portability, and value. Testers then took the massage guns home to continue using them in their everyday life for additional insights.

When shopping for massage guns, you might wonder which features are actually important for muscle recovery and which are just added bonuses. Here’s what to know about different massage gun features.

Your massage gun experience will likely depend on how much pressure your muscles need. Theraguns generally offer speeds from 1700 to 2400 ppms (pulse per minute), and devices feature anywhere from three to five built-in speeds. 

Stall force is the amount of pressure you can apply to the head of the massage gun before the motor stalls, or how powerful a massage gun is. A higher maximum no-stall force means you can apply more pressure before the motor shuts off. 

Most massage guns come with a variety of attachments that offer different benefits for particular muscle groups. These attachments might be in the shape of a cone, a wedge, a “thumb,” a large ball (for larger muscle groups), a dampener (for tender or bony areas), and more.

As the senior fitness editor at Shape, Kristen Geil 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. She led the first-ever Best in Fitness Awards, the largest awards program in the industry, and personally oversaw the nomination process for products in 170 categories (including best recovery tools and best massage guns).