Theragun is well-known brand for percussive therapy massage gun. If you’re new to percussive therapy, it’s basically delivering vibrations to the muscle to enhance blood flow so that it will break up pain and help with recovery post-workout. It can also be used for warm ups and to reduce any aches and knots. TheraBody (formerly known as TheraGun) has a wide variety of massage guns. And the new Theragun Mini is designed to deliver the trusted TheraBody performance in a compact portable package.
Unboxing
In the box, you’ll find the following items:
- Theragun Mini
- Soft Case
- Standard Ball Attachment
- Power Adapter
Tech specs
| Battery life and charge time | 150 minutes; 80 minutes |
| Battery type | 12V Internal Lithium-ion Battery |
| Stall force | 20lbs |
| Amplitude | 12mm |
| Speeds | 1750, 2100, 2400 percussions per minute (ppm) |
| Weight | 650 grams |
Design and build quality
The main selling point of the Theragun Mini is its size. It’s the smallest massage gun TheraBody has ever made. Its silhouette and shape makes it easy to put in a bag and bring it along if you have a spin class or gym session amidst your schedule. The Theragun Mini weighs 650g which isn’t that light but it’s not too heavy considering all the other massage guns in the market.
The upside down triangle shape has rounded corners and grooves with a flat surface to make it easier to hold with one hand. It also has a non-slip surface so that is is easy to grip while using even if you’re sweaty. The overall design is very simple with just one button on the device to power on and change speeds.
Build quality is top notch. The whole device feels very well-built with no signs of poor sealing or any loose parts. Buttons are responsive and the charging port is tight. The non-slip surface also feels good to the touch and feels resistant to rough use, so if you plan on chucking it in your bag it should be fine. Or you could also use the provided soft Theragun Mini when you’re on the move.
User experience
The Theragun Mini has three speeds of 1750, 2100, and 2400ppm that you can cycle through. The highest speed of 2400ppm the same as what you get on the other larger Theragun models such as the Prime, Elite, or Pro. So if you enjoy the top speeds on those larger devices, you won’t be sacrificing any of it on the Mini. Check the video below for a short demo of the speeds and sounds:
However, do note that while the Theragun Mini gets to 2400ppm like its other models, the stall force maxes out at 20lbs whereas the flagships can go up to 60lbs. This means that the moment you exert more than 20lbs of force, the massage gun will stop moving. This limits the amount of manual force you can apply if you wish to reach deeper into a particular muscle area.
Theragun Mini only comes with the supplied standard ball head which is great for use on both large or small muscle groups. The Theragun Mini is compatible with all 4th-generation Theragun attachments. So if you seek more targeted massage or muscle treatment, such as the Cone attachment, you can purchase it separately for the Mini.
I generally used the Theragun Mini for warm ups and also after my runs for cool downs. The percussion that the TheraGun Mini provides quick and effective relief on my calves. The pressure provided by the Theragun Mini is sufficient to provide substantial relief to my sore areas and my pesky knots. As the Theragun Mini is rather light compared to other massage guns like HYDRAGUN, it’s less tiring to use so I usually end up using it for longer periods of time. Since it is lighter, I realised applying extra manual pressure is not as taxing too. I found the percussions on the Theragun Mini to feel more impactful and precise compared to the HYDRAGUN, where each percussion feels more focused. This could be due to the fact that the ball head used on the Theragun Mini has a softer surface than that of the HYDRAGUN.
I found the design of the Theragun Mini to be easy to grip and use. I could either hold it with palms wrapping over the straight side of the base, when I’m targeting my calves. Or I could hold it with my palms wrapping the corner of the massage gun when I’m relieving aches in my traps.
The fourth-generation Theraguns have the ability to connect to the TheraBody App via Bluetooth. However, the Theragun Mini does not have Bluetooth so you cannot connect the massage gun to the app. But you still can use still app for the massage routines it provides.
Battery life & Noise levels
Theragun Mini comes with what TheraBody calls its QuietForce technology so that the TheraGun remains quiet while in use. It’s not noisy, but it isn’t exactly very quiet. If you’re using it in the gym after you workouts, the noise will probably won’t be noticeable amidst the music playing in the background. But if you’re using it at home, it’s going to be noticeable but not noisy or intrusive enough to annoy anyone.
The Theragun Mini is rated at 150 minutes of use per full charge, which is pretty impressive for a massage gun of its size. It should definitely last you at least a week of use, but of course you mileage might vary.
Conclusion
The Theragun Mini takes all the essential features and tech from its higher end models and squeezed in into a small compact package that does not compromise on performance. It’s designed as a on-the-go massage gun that you can take anywhere. If you’ve owned a TheraGun and looking for something more portable, or looking for an entry-level device to get started, the Theragun Mini is likely the one you’re looking for. Theragun Mini retails at S$319, but WeAreReady is having a November promotion now so you cna get it for just S$279!