The Mini is the smallest and cheapest massage gun in Theragun's lineup — and I think it's the perfect entry-level massager for anyone who keeps active

Rick Stella

Jul 3, 2020, 02:01 IST

Theragun

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Theragun's latest generation of massage guns features the brand's smallest and most inexpensive model called the Mini.
The Mini offers a similar amount of percussions per minute as Theragun's high-end models, is compact enough to fit into a small bag, and delivers effective relief for pre- or post-workout.

Updated on 7/2/2020 by Rick Stella: Therabody announced it's discounting the Theragun Mini from $199 to $174 through July 5 (while supplies last). Visit the Theragun Mini landing page to take advantage of the discount.

Massage guns have exploded in popularity of late. As a go-to recovery tool for everyone from professional athletes to casual runners and weightlifters, they've been a boon for the sports medicine industry — and something anyone can use from the comfort of their home.

At the forefront of massage gun innovation is Theragun, a company that's offered a lineup of at-home percussive therapy devices since 2016. In the years since its debut, the brand has consistently released updated and overhauled versions of its flagship massage gun, headlined by 2018's Theragun G3 and Theragun G3Pro.

Today, Theragun enters its Fourth Generation. Along with a rebranded name (it now goes by Therabody and offers CBD products), the company unveiled its most advanced lineup of massage guns. There's the commercial-grade Pro, the smaller yet similarly effective Elite, the basic Prime, and the portable Mini, which is arguably the most compelling.

With the three high-end models, Theragun improved on its tried-and-true formula. There's the triangular shape, a remarkable amount of power, the ability to deeply work muscles without stalling the gun, and now they even have smartphone app-integration.

The Mini forges its own path, though. Meant to complement the larger lineup, the Mini actually does enough to stand on its own — it's portable, has a different design, offers a similar output of percussions per minute (PPMs) as the advanced models, and carries a price tag of just $199.

To get a feel for how well it performs on its own, I spent around four days with the Mini essentially attached to my hip. I used it for everything, too, from loosening up before a three- to four-mile run to recovering after a 45-minute free weight, resistance band, or medicine ball workout. To my surprise, it kept up no matter how sore or stiff I'd be. After digging into its specs, it turns out I should've expected that kind of outcome from the start.

A powerful massage gun in a small package

That impressive performance is almost entirely attributed to what's under the Theragun Mini's figurative hood. With three separate speed options of 1,750, 2,100, and 2,400 PPM, the Mini is anything but a watered-down version of Theragun's more advanced models.

In fact, each of the brand's Fourth Generation massage guns offers speeds ranging from 1,750 to 2,400 PPMs, allowing the Mini to mostly stand toe-to-toe with its kin. Though the advanced models offer more custom PPM control within that range, the Mini still packs the same percussive punch — even if it lacks customization by only offering those exact three speeds.

Unlike the high-end models, the Mini may have a harder time hitting muscles deeper and for longer periods of time before stalling. Although its PPM output is similar, the Mini has a far lower threshold of no-stall force (the amount of force it is able to dole out before stalling). While the Pro or Elite offer upward of 60 pounds and 40 pounds of no-stall force, respectively, the Mini offers just 20 pounds.

Since I used the Mini almost entirely to either loosen up before a run or recover after a workout, I never found this to be an issue. Anyone who needs deeper work on their muscles, or who doesn't want to fumble with a device that stalls as they press harder, may want to look at a different model. The Mini still worked great on my quads, lower back, shoulders, and calves without ever getting close to stalling.

I even found myself reaching for it more often than the Pro, despite the high-end model sitting right next to it. When I wanted quick relief, I knew the Mini would suffice. Unlike massage guns that come with a selection of interchangeable heads, including the high-end Theraguns, the Mini comes standard with just one rounded massage head — however, it is removable and all Fourth Generation heads are compatible. Still, with a wide surface area, the standard head delivered an even massage no matter where I used it. It also proved to be soft enough to not painfully rattle my bones whenever I'd run the gun across them.

An unfamiliar design

Although its power is relative to Theragun's more expensive models, the Mini's design is dramatically different. It still features an ergonomic shape that makes it easy to hold but it doesn't have the same triangle grip that's become synonymous with Theragun's massage devices.

Instead, the Mini is shaped like a squatty spade (the card suit, not the shovel) with an indented area near the base that provides a spot for grip. An on/off/speed change button and charge port are located on one side, while the head is attached to a small arm protruding out from the top.

Turning it on requires a short hold of the on/off button, and pressing that same button changes the speed from its lowest setting on up to medium and high. Three lights sit atop the button to quickly alert you of what power level it's currently set at.

The Mini's limited grip angles mean it won't easily get to some hard-to-reach areas (like your upper back) and if you are able to reach them, the massage head won't always be in a position to deliver a direct hit. I did find the unique grip to be comfortable but it took some getting used to.

Instead of fully gripping the handle as you would on other Theragun models, the Mini essentially sits in the palm of your hand — and its 1.5-pound weight is heavy enough to sit naturally without causing too much strain. Even over some longer 20-minute sessions, I never experienced any hand or arm fatigue. Aside from its ergonomic shape, the Mini also features a matte-like finish that gives it a grippy, soft texture.

QuietForce Technology makes a world of difference

If there's been one consistent complaint about a massage gun of any type, it's that they can be incredibly loud. Since longer sessions can get boring, it's natural to want some form of stimulation from something like Netflix or a podcast — but there's always a persistent whir just loud enough to make you think about it.

In the Mini, Theragun debuted what it calls QuietForce Technology — and although it sounds like gimmicky brand speak, it actually lives up to its name. Before digging into the spec sheet that came with the Mini, I tore open the packaging and immediately turned it on. After a few seconds of use, one thing was clear: it's far quieter than any massage gun I've used. The noise is still there, no doubt, but it's far less annoying, especially over longer sessions.

Is it worth it?

At $199, the Mini is the cheapest massage gun to sport the Theragun name. As an entry-level device that's highly portable yet powerful and effective, the Mini is an impressive addition to the brand's lineup. Though it may not replace any of the brand's advanced models, for the more casual user, it's perfect.

It provided just enough relief post-workout that it became second nature to grab for the Mini the same way I do a foam roller. I appreciated how well it worked on areas of my body that were especially sore, too — most notable of which is my lower back. A few minutes of massage across my lower back was effective enough to allow me to avoid my standard back therapy routine of two pills of Ibuprofen and a hot shower before just accepting it'd be sore the rest of the night. Instead, the Mini loosened up those back muscles to the point where I'd forget they were sore at all.

The Theragun Mini also comes with an included charge cable and a soft carry case. It's worth pointing out that the case is only large enough to fit the device on its own and doesn't have an area for the charger. This certainly isn't a deal-breaker but it'd be nice to have the entire setup fit into a single package.

Cons to consider

To nitpick the Mini would be to point out that it doesn't feature a removable battery. This means that its 150-minute battery life is as good as it gets and once it's dead, you'll have to plug it back in to recharge without being able to use it again. Considering the fact I hardly used it for longer than maybe 20 to 30 minutes at a time, I never ran into a situation where the Mini battery died and I still needed to use it.

It's hard to find anything else wrong with the Mini outside of it just not being powerful enough to satisfy deep muscle work. This is hardly a con because the entire point of the Mini is to act either as a companion device to a more advanced model like the Pro or to function on its own as a less intense massager. It's important to understand its limitations and then to use it in a way that highlights its strengths.

The bottom line

The Theragun Mini is a simple yet effective massage gun that often made me question whether I'd even need any of the advanced features offered by the brand's more expensive models. Of course, there are use cases that call for a more intense or deeper massage but the Mini always delivered exactly what I needed — whether that was to loosen up before heading out for a jog or to work out knots and stiffness after a long workout.

For longer, targeted sessions, the speed customization and head variety of models like the Pro, Prime, or Elite would certainly be useful but for quick recovery, the Mini impressed. I'd use it for anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes at a time, depending on how stiff or sore I was, and never did I feel as if I needed more from it.

Though it features a different design than the tried-and-true triangle shape Theragun's popularized, it still was easy to use and remained comfortable sitting in the palm of my hand. The lack of an external battery could mean waiting to use the gun for a few hours while it recharges but since I used it over shorter sessions, I never ran into it being a problem.

The Mini is an excellent addition to Theragun's current lineup of massage guns and is more than just a companion device to the brand's high-end models. On its own, it provides enough power to suffice as an everyday massager and quickly became a go-to for all my pre- and post-workout recovery.

Should you buy it? If you want a no-frills massage gun that's effective, powerful, and easy to use, then yes. The Mini may not offer the same level of force as other Theragun models like the Pro or Elite but it does deliver the same range of PPMs, features a soft head attachment with a wide surface area, and is small enough to take with you on-the-go. It's perfect for loosening up before a run or for working out any muscle stiffness or soreness after weightlifting.
What are your alternatives? In terms of size, power, and price, there are no direct alternatives to the Mini. Even a budget option like the Vybe Premium is more expensive and offers less amplitude. True alternatives would be any other device from Theragun's Fourth Generation release, including the Pro, Elite, or Prime, or even its previous generation guns in the Liv and G3.