The sixth generation of Therabody’s bestselling device is a perfect holiday gift for a loved one who wants an effective but simpler (and more budget-friendly) massage gun
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As the flagship massage device from wellness tech company Therabody, Theraguns are popular tools for relieving muscle pain and soreness, reducing tension and improving circulation.
Therabody’s sixth-gen Theragun Prime model is an easy-to-use, more affordable version of the tool, perfect for a loved one or family member who might want a simpler way to access percussive therapy. The latest version costs $10 more than its predecessor, and it’s also currently on sale during Therabody’s Black Friday event for just $269.99 (regularly $329.99).
Athletech News tested the Theragun Prime to see how it compares to other percussive therapy devices and massage guns on the market.
Therabody Theragun Prime Review: Pros
The Theragun Prime has five speeds that you can either control with the app or on the gun itself. It’s powerful, with speeds up to 2400 PPM, along with a 120-minute total battery life and the quintessential Theragun ergonomic triangle multi-grip.
On sale during Black Friday for 18% off, the Theragun Prime is significantly cheaper than other Theragun models, compared to the Pro Plus ($549.99; reg. $649.99) and the Prime Plus ($369.99; reg. $429.99). The Prime is also about the same weight (and much of the same functionality, but with fewer attachments) as the just-launched Therabody Sense, which is on sale for $249.99 (reg. $299.99).
The Prime is much quieter than other massage guns on the market, with a scratch-resistant design perfect for gym visits. It comes with four attachment heads, including the Heated Percussive Plus Attachment, the Standard Ball Plus Attachment, the Dampener Plus Attachment, and the Wedge Plus Attachment, which is perfect for specific areas around the shoulder blades and IT bands.
I found that the Theragun Prime was perfect for workout warmups and recovery, and using it 3-4 times a week for 5-10 minutes significantly reduced pain and soreness, even from working at a desk. It was surprisingly easy to reach even the upper back due to the ergonomic and triangular design of the massage gun.
Therabody Theragun Prime Review: Cons
The fifth-gen design had four attachments, but the newest Therabody Prime comes with only two. Overall, the sixth-gen version has fewer accessories than other models, which could come into play for those who want to target very specific areas of the body. It’s also not the most portable, particularly compared to the Mini, which is perfect to stick in a gym bag.
In addition, while the Therabody app is a comprehensive and well-designed tool, for those who want to use the Prime in a standalone manner, the product isn’t as comprehensive as the Theragun Pro Plus’s screen.
Therabody Theragun Prime Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, the Theragun Prime is a more affordable tool for percussive therapy, with a quieter and more effective design than other models. Right now, it’s $259.99 (compared to $329.99 normally) for the holiday season, and it’s HSA and FSA-friendly.
