The Best Theraguns and Therabody Tools for Recovery
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Theraguns have become the gold standard for massage guns, so much so that the name has become synonymous with the category. But Therabody, the innovative company behind Theragun, has expanded its repertoire to boost wellness for more than just sore muscles. It now offers a suite of gadgets aimed at alleviating eye strain, soothing cramps, and even rejuvenating your skin. We haven't tried every product in their lineup, but we have put several to the test, and these are our top picks.
While Theraguns are an excellent investment for active individuals, it's worth noting that percussive massage guns are available at lower price points. If you're not married to the brand, see our Theragun Alternatives guide for more recommendations that won't break the bank. But if you do opt for a Theragun, you can purchase a range of accessories and foam tips separately. This means you don't need to commit to the high-end Theragun Pro for high-quality relief. Just remember to double-check compatibility with your model.
Updated November 2024: We have added the TheraFace Mask, the TheraGun Mini (2nd Generation), and the TheraCup.
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- Photograph: Theragun
Best for Serious Athletes
Theragun Pro PlusIf you’re in the market for a professional-grade massage device, the Pro Plus is especially favored by college athletic departments and pro sports teams. Priced at around $600, this Theragun model is the most expensive and complex, so I would only recommend it for serious athletes. What I love the most about this iteration is the addition of heat therapy. If you also want cold therapy, however, you’ll have to purchase an additional attachment for $89, which seems a bit steep for what is already a splurge. I have yet to test the cold therapy attachment, so I can’t say for sure if it justifies the cost.
The Pro Plus also includes a vibration head for targeting sensitive areas and near-infrared LED light therapy to help promote circulation and speed up recovery. One of my favorite features is the guided breathwork program, which syncs with a heart rate sensor. But this setting is also available with the Theragun Sense if you’re looking for a more affordable option.
Specs Number of Attachments: 5 (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb, Wedge, Micro-point) Weight: 3.64 lbs (without attachments) Battery Life: ~150min - Photograph: Theragun
The Quietest Theragun
Therabody Theragun SenseThe Theragun Sense is slightly smaller (and lighter) than the Pro Plus, and it’s also impressively quiet. Some settings are almost silent, allowing for a discreet recovery session at whatever time of day without having to worry about bothering your housemates. It has the same LCD screen and breathwork features as the Pro Plus, too. The main difference here is that it's compatible with fewer attachments, but four are still more than enough for the active individual.
Specs Number of Attachments: 4 (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb, Micro-point) Weight: 1.6 lbs Battery Life: ~120min
- Photograph: Theragun
Most Affordable
Therabody Theragun ReliefThe Theragun Relief was the last of 2023’s devices and remains the cheapest so far—priced even lower than the Mini. For the price tag, you’re sacrificing some of the premium features, like the LCD screen and Bluetooth connectivity to the Therabody app. There are three head attachments and three speeds, which is a step down from the standard five speeds and 4+ attachments; still, the Relief is equipped with more than the average person needs.
Specs Number of Attachments: 3 (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb) Weight: 1.37 lbs Battery Life: ~120 minutes - Photograph: Therabody
Best Portable
Therabody Theragun Mini (2nd Generation)The Mini is as simple as a Theragun can get. I recommend the Mini if you’re new to percussive therapy or need something packable for travel. The second-gen is noticeably more portable—20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than the original model. The ergonomic triangular design lets me target muscle groups like my hamstrings and calves with more pressure control, though that same shape makes it awkward to use on my lower back. It also comes with a soft zip-up case that fits into a tote, gym bag, or carry-on. If you don’t need the travel-friendly size, the Theragun Relief is cheaper ($149) and might be the smarter purchase based on your priorities.
Specs Number of Attachments: 3 (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb) Weight: 1 lb Battery Life: ~120 minutes
- Photograph: Therabody
A Foam Roller
Therabody Wave RollerFoam rollers are great for improving range of motion, increasing blood flow, and reducing muscle soreness. You can buy a decent foam roller for significantly less, but the Wave Roller offers Therabody app integration for a personalized experience and five vibration frequencies. Designed for full-body use, the Wave is best for warm-ups and post-workout recovery.
Specs Weight: 3.3 lbs Battery Life: ~180 minutes - Photograph: Amazon
For Muscle Soreness
Therabody PowerDot 2.0 DuoThe PowerDot 2.0 Muscle Stimulator uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to ease muscle pain, spasms, and even period cramps. You simply attach a reusable pad (or pads) to the sore muscle, and the device connects magnetically to the pad. The accompanying app gives you the power to control the intensity or select a specific session tailored to your needs. The key is to start low and gradually increase the intensity based on your tolerance. During my first two days of severe period cramps, I found that the PowerDot provided temporary relief. I’ll admit, I was a bit apprehensive about whether it would feel like an electric shock, but it was pleasantly soothing. If you’re looking to treat multiple or larger areas (like your abdomen), I would recommend the Duo version.
What's Included: 2 PowerDot pods; 1 set of electrode pads (2 rectangular electrode pads, 4 round electrode pads); 2 sets of lead cables (10 cm and 30 cm); 2 micro USB charging cables; 1 protective carrying case
Specs Weight: 0.88 oz Battery Life: ~20 hours
- Photograph: Dermstore
For Your Face
Therabody TheraFace MaskThe TheraFace Mask is a cordless, hands-free light therapy device that uses three wavelengths to tackle different skincare needs. According to Therabody, the red light reduces fine lines and wrinkles; the red and infrared light helps fade dark spots; and the blue light targets acne-causing bacteria. To distinguish itself from its competitors, the TheraFace Mask includes a built-in vibration therapy mode that massages pressure points around the eyes, browline, and scalp for some added relief.
You can choose between a nine-minute preset that cycles through all the light options or a three-minute session for specific concerns. Therabody claims that after eight weeks of daily use, 93 percent of users saw visible improvement in their skin’s appearance. I’m currently a week into testing it myself, and I will report back with my final thoughts. For now, I do look forward to this meditative moment each morning. It comes with removable eye shields and a sleek display stand, which makes it easy to keep right on my nightstand.
Specs Weight: 1.27 lbs (without stand); 1.4 lbs (with stand) Battery Life: ~120 minutes for LED Light Mode; ~60 minutes for Vibration Mode - Photograph: Therabody
For Your Eyes
Therabody Smart GogglesFor those of us who struggle with eye strain or frequent headaches, SmartGoggles (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a game changer. There are three preset modes: Focus, Sleep, and SmartRelax. The latter uses biometric feedback to customize vibration patterns based on your heart rate. Like most Therabody gadgets, these blackout goggles connect to the brand’s app, which allows you to fine-tune your heat levels and incorporate TheraMind sound therapy for an added layer of zen. We haven’t had the chance to test the latest model yet, but we’ll be updating this guide as soon as we do.
Specs Weight: 14.8 oz Battery Life: ~150min depending on mode
- Photograph: Therabody
A Cupping Therapy Kit
Therabody TheraCupCupping is an ancient healing technique that draws blood flow to the affected area to speed healing. Therabody's version combines suction, heat, and vibration therapy for localized recovery. With three levels of suction (30, 40, and 50 kilopascals, or kPa), three heat intensities (41, 43, and 45 degrees C), and three vibration modes (low, high, and wave), I appreciate how you can customize how intense (or gentle) you want your session to be. The TheraCup is also programmed with an auto-shutoff after three minutes—so you don’t overdo any area—and built-in safety sensors that will cut off the pressure if it exceeds 60 kPa.
Specs Weight: 1.57 lbs Battery Life: ~120 minutes
Honorable Mentions
Therabody still sells a few older generations as well as refurbished models directly. Those are all likely still great. You may find even older models for sale on Amazon. While we haven't tried them all, we think it comes down to price. Anything older than 2019 or 2020 releases might not be worth it unless the price is shockingly low.
- Therabody TheraFace Pro for $399: The Theraface Pro includes six detachable magnetic heads for cleansing, microcurrent, percussive massage, and LED light therapy—blue light for acne, red light, and infrared for anti-aging. One WIRED writer tried the fancy facial device and said her skin was softer and brighter, but she noted that no studies prove that microcurrent is an effective facial treatment. You don't need to spend $400 on a skin-care gadget, but if you can afford it and like to pamper yourself—and you won't use it for a week and then forget about it in a drawer—it's nice to have a bunch of tools in one.
- Theragun Pro 5th Gen for $599: This Pro came out in 2022, so it's still a solid device for athletes. If you can find it on sale and don't need all the latest updates, you should be happy with this one over the Pro Plus.
- Theragun Elite 4th Gen for $399: This held our top spot for being the quietest before the slightly cheaper Sense took the title. If you can find it for less, it's a good buy.
- Theragun Prime 4th Gen for $299: We did not test the Prime, but based on its specs, it's right in the middle of Theragun's pack. This probably isn't the best fit for a professional athlete who constantly working their body to the max, but for everyday aches and pains, it's more than sufficient.
