When you’re looking for a percussion massage gun, naturally you’re thinking about investing in a Theragun device.
They’ve been a trusted name in the market for a number of years, delivering on both power and quality.
However their devices are a little pricey:
The basic model starts at around $199 with the more expensive ones reaching $600. You might therefore find yourself shopping for an alternative more within your price range.
We’ve scoured the market and shortlisted 10 of the best products, comparing their features with the four latest Theragun devices.
10 of the Best Theragun Competitors: Researched and Reviewed
We’ve compared each alternative to the Theragun range to help you choose the right massage gun for your needs and budget.
As we compare, we’ll talk about how they stack up against Theragun’s latest models, the Prime, Elite, PRO and mini.
Features to Consider When Buying a Massage Gun
If you’re still struggling to make your decision, then take a look below at a breakdown of the different features of a massage gun.
Thinking about how you’ll use your massager and where, might help you work out which features are most important:
Price
Prices range wildly so it’s worth setting a budget before you start shopping. You can get percussion massage guns for between $50 to $600, so be sure to shop around and read plenty of reviews before making your decision.
Weight
The weight of the device might not seem like an important feature, however if you’re holding it for a long period of time, you need to make sure it’s not too heavy. Also positioning a heavy massage gun when trying to treat hard to reach areas is more challenging. Typically percussion massage guns weigh under 3lbs, but it’s always worth checking before you make a purchase.
Stroke
When looking at massagers, you’ll often see the stroke mentioned, which is quoted in millimeters. This is the depth to which the massager will power into your muscles.
Speed settings
Speed settings are like the volume of the device, increments in which you increase / decrease the number of percussions (PPM). Some guns have speeds on the display (e.g. 1-5), others (like the PRO) show the number of PPM. A choice of speed settings can be good if you’re looking to treat different areas of your body with varying intensities.
Percussions per minute (PPM)
This is how many thumps your body effectively takes in a minute! This number is in the thousands and gives you an indication of the power of the product. More percussions = more power. However be careful to look at the depth of the stroke, as a device with a shorter depth will naturally provide a higher PPM as it isn’t going as deep.
Force
Shown in pounds, some manufacturers will promote the force of the product. This is the amount of applied pressure the massager can handle without stalling. As a general rule, the higher the no-stall force the better.
Grip
Consider the grip offered by the massage gun and whether you’d feel comfortable holding it for a long period of time. Some are a handle, others are more triangular shaped, both can be effective for your treatment.
Rotating arm
A number of massage guns have a rotating arm, this allows you to treat pretty much anywhere on your body much more easily. When paired with different grip positions, like on the Theragun PRO, you get numerous combinations to treat even the most hard to reach areas.
Bluetooth
Gun massagers can have built-in Bluetooth, enabling them to be paired with the manufacturer app. This can give you access to various programs and personalized routines.
Wi-Fi Enabled
Wi-Fi enabled massage tools have built-in guided programs to help you get more from your treatment. Automatic software updates can mean new programs / treatments are regularly available on your device.
Battery life
All of the top percussion massage guns today will include a rechargeable battery. Take a look at the quoted battery life and think about whether it meets your needs. Many of the pricier models ship with interchangeable batteries, so you can use one and have the other on charge. They’re great as you never have to experience the frustration of running out of power mid-treatment!
Noise level
Normally the noise level of the device is quoted in decibels (dB) to help you understand how noisy it will be. Consider where you’re going to use it, if you want to use it in a busy gym then a noisy tool might go unnoticed.
Attachments
Devices normally ship with different attachments, carefully created to work on different areas. For example large ball heads for larger muscles groups or a pointed head to work on trigger points.
Carrying case
You might want to look at whether a carrying case is included in the cost. Some massagers ship with a case or a well-designed storage box that could work as one, whereas others sell them separately.
Now you’ve explored all the alternatives, you might still be feeling like a Theragun is the right option for you.
Read our in-depth review of their 4th generation models before making your final decision!