How Does the Theragun PRO Compare to the Theragun Elite?

Perhaps you’ve been thinking of buying your own massage gun. Maybe you’ve seen a few different brands pop up on your social media accounts, or friends have shared their favorites.  There are many massage guns out there, but when it comes to the cream of the crop, Theragun really stands out. If the name sounds at all familiar, it’s because Theragun has a long and celebrated history in the arena of massage. With all of their models being superlative, you might wonder which to get, so we dive into the differences between the Theragun PRO Vs. Elite.

Innovation and education are the top priorities at the Therabody company, and the brand has applied these principles well in creating natural wellness products that are not just accessible, but take the user experience to entirely new levels.

How Did Theragun Start?

After being in a terrible motorcycle accident in 2009, chiropractor Jason Wersland searched for a powerful massage tool that would help ease his debilitating pain.

Even though there were plenty of massagers on the market, Dr. Wersland knew just what his body needed, and none of the old, clunky models were sufficient for the task.

So when he couldn’t find the perfect massage gun, he created it. 

What started as a jury-rigged tool made of materials from Wersland’s garage soon became a hit product that athletes and sports teams around the globe couldn’t wait to get their hands on. 

The Theragun massage gun was the only percussion massager of its kind until about 2016, when other brands began creating them as well. In 2020, Theragun rebranded itself as Therabody. 

Theragun PRO vs Elite: What Makes Them Both So Special?

Like all of the massage guns we review, Theragun provides percussive massage treatment.

But what makes Theragun massage guns so special?

Despite their powerful motors, the 4th generation Theragun models are quieter than previous models; they’ve been compared to the hum of an electric toothbrush. It’s also able to penetrate nearly 60% deeper into muscles than most of its market competitors. 

Theragun’s patented ergonomic handle, the Theragun Triangle, allows the user to hold the gun more comfortably in hand than other similar market products, while also allowing better angles to reach tough spots. 

Bluetooth connectivity allows you to track and manage your treatments on your own personal device, which is convenient.

With multiple models from Therabody to choose from, it’s important to know which of their models is the perfect choice for your specific needs.

Let’s have a look at Therabody’s two most premium massage guns, the 4th Generation Theragun PRO vs Theragun Elite, and compare them so that you can make the best choice. 

Theragun PRO: Made For The “Pros”

The PRO is named for who it was ideally designed for: professionals. The Theragun PRO is supercharged for professional athletes, personal trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors and physical therapists.

The PRO is designed to provide deep-tissue massage, and can exert up to 60 pounds of no-stall force. 

In addition to its raw power, the PRO has an adjustable, rotating arm with four unique position settings. These settings make it easier to hit those hard-to-reach spots without strain or discomfort. 

Theragun Elite: The Best At Home

 The Theragun Elite is a great massage gun model for those who would like deep muscle massage in the comfort of their own home. After all, we’ve all had times when we’ve felt awfully sore after a strenuous workout or a long day on our feet, right?

In terms of performance, the Theragun Elite massage gun operates almost exactly like the PRO. You’ll receive the same benefits; a percussion gun draws blood into the muscle tissue, which helps to promote oxygen flow and to remove waste. 

Not only does the process help with stiffness and soreness, but it also promotes healing and flexibility with consistent use. 

Theragun PRO Vs. Elite: Force and Speed

First, what are we talking about in terms of massage gun power?

Both models offer vibration therapy, which gives the user the power of adjustable speed ranging anywhere between 1700 and 2400 percussions per minute (PPM). 

Both also have five built-in speeds of 1700, 1900, 2100, 2200 and 2400 repetitions per minute.

While the custom speed settings are the same for both the Theragun PRO and the Theragun Elite, the amount of pressure applied is different. This detail is something that you’ll want to factor into your decision on which massage gun is more ideal for your needs.

Theragun PRO

You just played in the big game yesterday; while it was a sweet victory, you’ve got delayed onset muscle soreness and are in need of a deep tissue massage to alleviate your pain.

If you’re usually after a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) to combat your soreness, then the Theragun PRO is the choice percussive device for you. The Theragun PRO G4 has a 60-pound stall-force, which makes it the very top massager gun in terms of pounds of pressure. 

Theragun Elite

Find yourself constantly rubbing your sore neck after hours of work? Are you constantly struggling with upper back pain that Tyenol just can’t seem to alleviate?

You’ve probably said to yourself more than once, “I could go for a good massage right now.”

The Theragun Elite is one of the best handheld massagers that can provide the same sort of relief as you’d get from a licensed massage therapist, but you don’t even have to leave your couch!

Designed for the average consumer, the Elite has a 40-pounds stall force. This makes it great for those who prefer light to medium pressure massage. The Elite is ideal if you’re using a massage gun for chronic issues when deep pressure isn’t necessary.

Note: You should consult a qualified health provider before any massage gun use, especially if you have any medical conditions.

Theragun PRO vs Elite: in terms of punch, the PRO takes the point here (by sheer power).

Theragun PRO Vs. Elite: Battery Life

Considering the pounds of pressure, the percussions per minute, and the connectivity capability, you might be wondering what the battery life is like on these two models. Let’s have a look. 

Theragun PRO 

If you are worried about battery life, the Theragun PRO will not let you down. Equipped with a lithium-ion battery, you’ll get 150 minutes of battery life per charge with the PRO. Because it’s a removable battery, every PRO also comes with an extra battery which doubles the lifespan to 300 minutes. 

Having a swappable battery set will allow you to treat muscle issues all day long, changing out and charging your batteries as needed. 

You can also purchase additional batteries so you never have to worry about your massage gun losing charge.

Theragun Elite 

The Theragun Elite comes with a built-in battery that gives you up to 120 minutes of battery life.

When you get home from a long day, you can turn on a movie and enjoy a massage that can last for the entire film.

Theragun PRO vs Elite: the PRO takes this round in terms of battery longevity.

Theragun PRO Vs. Elite: Comparison Of Cost

Therabody massage guns are known to be pricier than similar percussive massagers. However, in the race of Theragun PRO vs. Theragun Elite, your price point is more a matter of what aspects are most important to you. 

Theragun PRO

The PRO is one of the most expensive models on the market. While its list price is steeper than other models out there, there’s a lot to be said about the superior engineering and innovation of this design. 

Therabody also offers some great benefits with this massage gun, including a two-year warranty (all other Theraguns come with a one-year warranty). 

Theragun Elite

While the Elite doesn’t offer all of the fancy features that the PRO does, it’s still comparable in functionality, and is a more budget-friendly option for consumers who want to relieve muscle pain and tension while spending a more affordable amount of money.

You can expect to spend about a couple hundred bucks less on the Theragun Elite than the PRO, and you’ll still have a one-year warranty. 

Theragun PRO vs Elite: Elite takes the final round in terms of price points.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a professional-grade massage gun that can be used for competitive athletes and in sports training rooms, then the PRO has some serious technical benefits (complete with a higher price tag), while the Elite is easier on the wallet and still offers most of the important features. 

Both models also offer the super cool advantages of all Therabody products, which includes customizable speed range and a smart app. 

So no matter which model you ultimately choose, deciding to buy a Theragun PRO vs  Elite is easy, because no matter which one you choose, you’re still ending up with a winner of a product.