The Theragun Elite and Theragun Pro are two of the best massage guns out there and for good reasons.
They both deliver deep massages to help any muscle in your body recover after a workout. They're also ergonomically designed, so are comfortable to hold. And their top-notch build quality means your investment will last for years.
However, I found a few drawbacks as well that I'm always sure to warn readers and clients about before I fully recommend either one.
So is the Theragun Elite or Pro better? The Theragun Pro is better. It comes with 6 heads so that you can vary your massage techniques. The pressure stalls at 60 lbs, so you can go deeper than the Elite, which only reaches 40 lbs (that's still good, though). And the battery lasts for a lengthy 5 hours versus only 2 hours with the Elite. Overall the extra price is worth it.
But some readers will think the Elite is better and would be throwing money away to purchase the more premium Pro model. I know that after my workouts, the right recovery tool, like a premium massage gun, can make all the difference.
Keep reading for our detailed Theragun Elite vs. Pro comparison and to learn more about why the Theragun Pro is the best choice for powerlifters, weightlifters, and athletes to aid muscle recovery after a tough workout or when dealing with an exercise-related injury.
Who Should Choose the Theragun Elite?
The Theragun Elite is best for those who:
- Are shopping for a massage gun with a higher budget
- Are searching for a massage gun with wireless charging
- Want to follow guided massage sessions on their smartphone
- Want a massage gun with plenty of force and attachments
Who Should Choose the Theragun Pro?
The Theragun Pro is suitable for those who:
- Have a high budget and are willing to pay top dollar for the best features
- Are searching for a massager for deep tissue massage
- Want to use a wider range of attachments on their massage gun
- Are searching for a massage gun with long battery life and wireless charging
- Want to pair their massage gun with their smartphone to follow guided tutorials
Not liking either one? Check out the best massage guns on the market this year in this full review.
Theragun Elite Overview
| Affordability | Higher price |
|---|---|
| Affordability | Higher price |
| Design and Materials | Triangular ergonomic handle |
| Size and Weight | 4.72 inches x 1.18 inches x 4.72 inches 2.2 lbs |
| Charging | Cable and plug and wireless charging available |
| Battery Life | Two hours |
| Stall Force and Amplitude | 16 mm, 40 lbs |
| Percussion and Speed | 1750 - 2,400 reps per minute (rpm), five speed settings |
| Bluetooth Capabilities and Smart Features | Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone app, and you can save up to three custom massage routines on your account |
| Accessories and Attachments | Five attachments (ball, thumb, cone, dampener, and wedge) Carrying case |
| Display Screen | Yes, OLED display screen |
| Noise Level | 66 - 68 decibels Equivalent to an electric toothbrush |
| Mobile App Compatibility | Yes |
Rating: 4/5
Pros
- Great stall force of 40 lbs
- OLED display screen that shows the selected speed
- Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone app where you can save three custom massage routines
Cons
- Short battery life of 2 hours
The Theragun Elite is one of the more expensive models in the Theragun range. However, the higher price point is warranted when I compare this gun's features with budget-friendly models.
It has four-speed settings and five different attachments that enable you to target each muscle in unique ways. I can get a full massage with just this gun, whether I want to go deep into large muscles like my quads or pinpoint a muscle on my hands or feet, I can just switch attachments.
I can use the thumb head to hit trigger points in my lower back with the way the gun is designed. Basically, I can massage any muscle however I want, and while I'm an experienced lifter, I'm no massage therapist.
The stall force (the amount of pressure you can apply before the motor stops) is 40 lbs, which allows you to get a deeper level of massage. This isn't as much as the Pro, which lets you go 50% harder. But the budget models may not even mention stall weight because they can't compete.
You won't be able to get this type of massage or recovery with a cheap model.
The amplitude (how deep the massage gun can get into your muscles) is also at a standard level of 16 mm.
I like the color options. You can choose from three colors: black, white and red, or white and blue. There’s an OLED display screen to clearly see your selected speed setting. It has the noise level of an electric toothbrush, so it’s perfect for public gyms where you’ll be close to other people.
If you don't like a strong massage, you could find a cheaper model and feel pretty satisfied. This one will work you over a bit, which can be helpful if you're a lifter looking for recovery.
But if you love a deep massage, the next model will suit you even better.
Theragun Pro Overview
| Affordability | High price point |
|---|---|
| Design and Materials | Triangular ergonomic handle Adjustable shaft |
| Size and Weight | 12 inches x 3 inches x 12 inches 3.09 Pounds |
| Charging | Cable and plug |
| Battery Life | Two swappable batteries lasting a total of five hours |
| Stall Force and Amplitude | 16 mm, 60 lbs |
| Percussion and Speed | 1750 - 2,400 reps per minute (rpm), five speed settings |
| Bluetooth Capabilities and Smart Features | Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone app |
| Accessories and Attachments | Six attachments (ball, dampener, super soft, thumb, cone, and wedge) Carrying case |
| Display Screen | OLED display screen |
| Noise Level | 63 - 66 decibels QuietForce Technology |
| Mobile App Compatibility | Yes |
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros
- Comes with six unique attachments and a carrying case
- Total battery life of five hours
- High stall force of 60 lbs and massage depth of 16 mm
Cons
- Relatively high price tag
The Theragun Pro is even pricier than the Theragun Elite, but the wider selection of features and build quality is worth it for me.
It has five pre-programmed speeds, unlike the 4 speeds you get with the Pro. Even better, you can control it from the Therabody app on your smartphone and set up a programmed massage from a professional.
Its high stall force of 60 lbs and standard amplitude of 16 mm makes it great for use in deep tissue massages for a full recovery, alongside other techniques like ice bath recovery, if you’ve destroyed your body during a workout!
Even at its highest speed setting, it only reaches around 68 decibels of noise, which isn’t the quietest but also isn’t extremely loud and disruptive. This is thanks to its QuietForce Technology. The Elite is quieter if this is an issue for you.
One overlooked thing by my clients when they first see it is its handle. It has an ergonomic triangular handle that enables you to use multiple grips. This just makes it super comfortable to use in your hand. I've tried other massage guns, and if they hurt my hands, I know I won't use them regularly.
Plus, the OLED screen lets me easily see the currently selected settings.
Let's compare them visually side-by-side though to wrap things up.
Theragun Elite vs Theragun Pro: Head-to-Head Comparison
Let’s compare the Theragun Pro vs. the Theragun Elite to see how each of these muscle stimulators performs in several categories.
1. Affordability
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite is one of the more expensive Theragun models, but it’s cheaper than the Theragun Pro.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro has a hefty price tag, so it’s best suited for those with a higher budget.
The Winner: Theragun Elite
Price isn’t the most significant difference between the Theragun Pro and Elite because they're both relatively expensive compared to other models in the Theragun range, like the Prime massager. However, judging solely on price, the Theragun Elite is the superior option as it's about 20% cheaper than the Theragun Pro.
2. Design and Materials
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite massager has a triangular-shaped ergonomic handle that lets you find a comfortable grip and reduce strain on your wrists. It has an OLED display screen that shows the currently selected speed settings and is available in three color options: black, white and red, or white and blue.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro also has Theragun’s classic ergonomic handle and an OLED display screen. It’s available in three color options: black and red, black and blue, or black and gold.
The Winner: Theragun Pro
Neither the Theragun Elite or the Pro is better in their handle design, as they offer an ergonomic handle for multiple grips and a sleek and stylish aesthetic.
However, the Theragun Pro has a moveable attachment arm that enables you to access harder-to-reach areas of your body, so it takes first place in this category.
3. Size and Weight
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite is smaller in size than the Pro, measuring 4.72 inches x 1.18 inches x 4.72 inches. It also weighs less than the Pro at 2.2 lbs.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro measures 12 inches x 3 inches x 12 inches and weighs 3.09 lbs, making it bulkier and heavier than the Theragun Elite.
The Winner: Theragun Elite
Size and weight are some of the biggest differences between the Theragun Pro and Elite.
Due to its lighter weight and smaller size, the Theragun Elite is the winner here. It’s easier to transport in your gym bag and hold in your hand for longer massage sessions than the Pro model.
4. Charging
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite comes with a cable and a plug socket for charging purposes. You can charge the Theragun Elite wirelessly if you purchase the additional wireless charger (which costs $80 extra on top of the cost of the massage gun itself).
Theragun Pro
The Pro uses two removable batteries that you can charge or change when necessary. You can charge one set of batteries while using the other in your massager, so you’re never stuck with a dead massage gun in times of need.
The Winner: Theragun Pro
I have to give the Pro first place in this category because it enables you to enjoy unlimited battery life if you’re smart about using and charging your removable batteries. Plus, you need to spend extra money to enjoy wireless charging with the Theragun Elite, which makes it less affordable and less appealing.
5. Battery Life
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite has a total battery life of around two hours in total before it needs recharging. The battery is built into the device.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro has removable batteries that you can charge when necessary. In total, the batteries last five hours before they need to be recharged, but as I mentioned above, you can charge one set of batteries while you’re using the other set in your massage gun, so you can enjoy unlimited battery life.
The Winner: Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro wins when it comes to battery life because it lasts longer than the Elite model before needing to be recharged, and you can charge the batteries while using your device.
6. Stall Force and Amplitude
Theragun Elite
The Elite Theragun massager has a stall force of 40 lbs, which is 20 lbs less than the Pro. However, it offers the same amplitude as the Pro at 16 mm.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro has an impressive stall force of 60 lbs, which means the gun is able to penetrate deep into your muscles for ultimate relief. It has an amplitude of 16 mm.
The Winner: Theragun Pro
Although the amplitudes are the same for both models, there is a significant difference between the Theragun Elite and Pro regarding stall force, so I’ve given first place to the Theragun Pro for this category.
7. Percussion and Speed
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite has a maximum percussive speed of 2,400 and a minimum of 1,750 reps per minute. It has five speed settings.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro has the same percussion range as the Elite and also offers six different speed settings.
The Winner: Tie
There is no difference in the percussion and speed between the Theragun Elite vs. Theragun Pro massage guns. Therefore, there is no clear winner for this category.
8. Bluetooth Capabilities and Smart Features
Theragun Elite
The Theragun massage gun has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair it up with your smartphone to use the Therabody app during your sessions. The app allows you to save up to three custom massages, too.
Theragun Pro
Bluetooth connectivity to the Therabody app on your phone is also available with the Pro model. You can follow guided massage tutorials from qualified professionals.
The Winner: Tie
There’s no clear winner for this category because both massagers have Bluetooth capabilities and enable you to follow along with guided massage sessions on your smartphone.
9. Accessories and Attachments
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite massager has a carrying case and four attachments, including a ball, cone, bullet, U-shaped head, and wedge.
Theragun Pro
The Pro model has six attachments: standard ball, dampener, super soft, thumb, cone, and wedge attachments. It also comes with a carrying case where you can store the massage gun itself and all of the heads.
The Winner: Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro is the better choice for accessories and attachments because it offers more heads than the Elite, enabling you to enjoy a wider range of massage techniques.
10. Display Screen
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite has an OLED display screen that shows the currently selected speed setting. You’ll find the display screen on the top of the massage gun, so you can see it when using it.
Theragun Pro
The Pro model of the Theragun range has an OLED display screen, just like the Elite version. Again, it sits at the top of the gun, so you can easily see the selected speed setting during your sessions if the gun is in front of you.
The Winner: Tie
Since both the Theragun Pro and Theragun Elite have an OLED screen, neither option is particularly better than the other in this category.
11. Noise Level
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite uses QuietForce Technology to reduce the overall noise emitted when the gun is in operation. It emits the equivalent of an electric toothbrush, which is around 66 to 68 decibels.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro also has QuietForceTechnology to minimize noise as much as possible. It emits between 63 and 66 decibels of noise, depending on which speed setting you’ve selected.
The Winner: Tie
Both the Elite and Pro Theragun massage guns are suitable for use in a public gym because they’re relatively quiet. They’re both equivalent regarding noise production, so I can’t choose a winner.
12. Mobile App Compatibility
Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair it up with your phone to access the Therabody app. On the app, you can follow guided massage tutorials from experts in the industry and save up to three custom massage sessions on your account.
Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro also connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, so you can use the Therabody app. Again, there are customizable features with the Pro model.
The Winner: Tie
Both the Elite and Pro models of the Theragun range offer Bluetooth and mobile app compatibility, so neither option is better than the other.
Why You Should Trust PowerliftingTechnique
Here at PowerliftingTechnique, we comprise a team of powerlifting athletes and coaches, certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and fitness lovers. Together, we have several decades of personal and professional experience in the industry, and we’ve tried and tested a wide selection of products from top fitness brands.
We're able to create in-depth reviews and comparison articles covering the best fitness products using our extensive experience in the industry. We want to make sure that all of the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date, and we know how to separate trustworthy fitness brands from the ones that just want to make a quick buck.
How We Tested and Compared the Theragun Prime and Theragun Elite
I’ve tried the Theragun Elite and Theragun Pro for several weeks to create this detailed comparison. I used each gun on a daily basis, including immediately after my workouts, to determine whether they were as effective as they claim to be at reducing muscle soreness and stiffness in the post-exercise period.
To compare the Theragun Elite vs Theragun Pro, I considered a range of factors, including:
- Affordability
- Speed settings and stall force
- Technologies and smart features
- Comfort and ease of use
- Battery life and charging options
When considering all of the above factors, I was able to compare these two top-rated massage guns from Theragun to identify which one is the better choice of the Theragun Pro or Elite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Theragun Elite Quieter Than Pro?
When comparing the Elite vs Pro Theragun massagers, the Pro is slightly quieter, reaching a maximum sound level of 66 decibels. The Elite reaches up to 68 decibels. Both use QuietForce Technology to reduce sound production as much as possible.
Do Pro Athletes Use Theragun?
Many pro athletes can use the Theragun range as part of their recovery protocols because the brand is known for its high-quality products. Professional physical therapists and massage therapists also use Theragun massage guns to assist their clients who are rehabbing sports or lifting injuries.
Is the Theragun Pro Heavy?
The Theragun Pro weighs 3.09 lbs, which is heavier than some of the other Theragun models, such as the Elite. However, it weighs the same as the Prime model. Most people should feel comfortable holding the Theragun Pro for extended periods of time.
Final Verdict: Is the Theragun Prime or Theragun Elite Better?
The Theragun Pro is the best option when comparing the Theragun Elite vs. Pro models for a number of reasons.
The Pro offers a wider variety of features and settings than the Elite, including six different attachments (compared to five with the Elite model), a 60 lbs stall force (30 lbs more than the Elite), and a five-hour total battery life (three hours more than the Elite Theragun).
Despite having a longer battery life, charging takes less time, so you don’t need to wait too long between your relaxing massage sessions.
About The Author
Athina is a Biochemistry and Genetics graduate, and a qualified personal trainer with a passion for women’s health and fitness. She is passionate about helping women to learn more about the importance of the menstrual cycle and how to balance their hormones. She is the host and producer of Fertility and Freedom podcast, which covers all things women’s health and hormones.
