Massage guns aid in recovery. I tested a $200 Therabody tool against one that’s half the price

This year, I’ve started marathon training in addition to keeping up with my regular exercise routine. And as I approach my late 20s, my body is not feeling quite as spry as it used to. As a lifelong athlete, I’m no stranger to waking up feeling sore and stiff from the previous day’s workout, but this year, recovery and injury prevention have been top priorities for me. I’d been eyeing a massage gun, which can help alleviate muscle tension and reduce soreness by improving circulation. Specifically, I was considering mini massage gun models that are designed with a more travel-friendly, compact footprint.

It’s impossible to search for a mini massage gun without encountering Therabody’s Theragun Mini. Therabody is a premium brand that dominates the recovery product space, making everything from compression boots to eye-massaging masks, but with the Theragun Mini costing more than $200, I wondered if there was a comparable option that could do the job for less. A few moments scouring Amazon led me to the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini Massage Gun, which seemed to meet all my needs for a more digestible $100.

At such varied costs, I started to wonder how starkly different these devices could be. To answer that question, I acquired both the Theragun Mini and the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage guns, testing each device for two weeks to compare their performance, ease of use and overall design. After using these products to tackle my body’s tensest knots and deepest aches, I found that the price different accounts for more than just pure massage performance.

Therabody Theragun Mini

The Theragun Mini is a premium massage gun that offers enhanced muscle treatment in a sleek, simple build. This device comes with three massage heads, all of which glide effortlessly across the skin. Plus, you can sync the device with Therabody’s companion app to unlock an array of real-time guided recovery routines.

Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini Massage Gun

Available for $100 or less (I’ve noticed the model is often on sale), this massage gun comes with five attachments, including one heated massage head, plus a convenient carrying case to organize all your gear. It’s easy to use, comfortable to hold and able to deliver quick relief to achy muscles.

Quick comparison

5 massage heads: ball, air cushion, bullet, U-shaped, head heat with infrared LED lights

3 massage heads: dampener, standard ball, thumb

Carrying case, charging cord, replacement rubber sleeve for dampening vibration on heads

Travel pouch, charging cord

Yes

No, available on other models

5 speed levels

3 speed levels

1,800 revolutions per minute (RPM) at lowest speed; 3,000 RPM at top speed

1,750, 2,100 and 2,400 percussions per minute (PPM)

180 minutes

150 minutes

0.95 lbs

0.88 lbs

2-year warranty

1-year limited warranty

Yes

Both massage guns are comfortable to hold

Though they might not be as powerful as full-sized massage guns, these mini options are lighter and easier to maneuver across your body. As always, before you consider adding a massage gun or any other fitness tool to your routine, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first. We’ve reviewed the Theragun Mini before, but this updated third-generation iteration launched last year. Both massage guns weigh just under 1 pound, and the Theragun Mini is just a few ounces lighter than the Q2 Ultra Mini.

I found both models comfortable to hold for extended 10-minute massage sessions. The Theragun Mini has a trapezoidal shape designed to rest across the palm of your hand. Using the flat sides, you grasp the device with four fingers on one side and your thumb on the other. It’s not the most natural grip, but I didn’t have any problems comfortably holding the device as I moved it around. It doesn’t have a nonslip surface, but the smooth, matte finish provided enough grip for the massage gun to feel secure in my hand.

The Q2 Ultra Mini has a nonslip handle and a pill-shaped design that offers several grip options. I could hold it like the Theragun Mini, with my palm supporting the bulk of the device, or I could move my hand lower to wrap my fingers fully around the base — similar to holding a baseball bat. These different grip options gave me a bit more leverage with the massage gun in certain areas. For instance, if I were massaging my pecs, I could use a slightly underhand grip to pull the massage gun into the muscle instead of just pressing against it.

The lack of grip options on the Theragun Mini isn’t a deal breaker, but being able to alternate positions with the Q2 Ultra Mini did help take some strain off my arm operating the gun, which was especially nice following heavy upper-body strength-training days at the gym.

Both massage guns are easy to operate

You don’t really need to crack open the instruction manuals to get these massage guns moving (though you should still give them a read). The Q2 Ultra Mini and Theragun Mini both have only one button. To turn the devices on, hold down the power button until the massage gun starts moving, then click the same button to control the speed. Once you reach the highest speed, the next press will take you back down to the lowest setting. You’ll find the USB charging ports clearly located on the side (Theragun Mini) or bottom (Q2 Ultra Mini) of the massage guns.

On a full charge, the Q2 Ultra Mini has an 180-minute battery life. According to the Therabody site, the Theragun Mini has an 150-minute run time, but alternative retailers like Best Buy and Amazon list an 180-minute run time for the device. Either way, in actual practice, I didn’t notice a huge discrepancy between the battery lives on these massage guns. I tested each device for two weeks, and I used them daily for 10-minute recovery sessions without ever needing to recharge them. Each device has a battery light that flashes either red (Q2 Ultra Mini) or orange (Theragun Mini) when the massage gun is low on charge. These lights popped up during the last one or two days of my testing period.

I’ll note that during my first few sessions using the Theragun Mini, there was a smell reminiscent of burning rubber coming from the device. Thankfully, the smell went away as I used the device more regularly, but it may be initially off-putting for first-time users.

Both deliver an effective total-body massage

Any massage gun worth its salt should be capable of delivering a satisfying full-body massage, and I’m happy to report that both models delivered on this front.

The Q2 Ultra Mini has five speed settings, starting at 1,800 revolutions per minute (RPM) and reaching a top speed of 3,000 RPM. The Theragun Mini only offers three speeds (1,750, 2,100 and 2,400 percussions per minute, or PPM), but I can’t say I felt a huge difference between the two top speeds when I was actually using each device. There was, however, a noticeable difference between the low and high speeds on each device.

Sometimes I want to gently warm up a muscle at a lower speed, and other times I want maximum percussion power for breaking up knots, hence why a versatile range of settings is critical. The speed settings on both massage guns were varied enough to satisfy anything my body needed on any given day. Both the Q2 Ultra Mini and the Theragun Mini nicely balance speed and massage depth; even on the highest settings, I felt totally in control with each device and appreciated that they didn’t aggressively jump or rebound from my skin.

As far as massage performance goes, I can’t say I strongly preferred one over the other. These massage guns melted tension in my neck and shoulders and relieved aches through my hips and feet. Once they were powered on, I was too focused on the relief they provided to detect any huge differences in the overall power or massage quality between the two brands.

If noise is a concern for you, I’d say the Theragun Mini is marginally quieter and more discreet when in use than the Q2 Ultra Mini. Both devices create a buzzing sort of sound, but neither was annoying or grating. The Theragun Mini has a smoother, lower sound, while the Bob and Brad device is a bit higher-pitched, but you’ll still be able to comfortably watch a show or have a conversation without being drowned out by the percussion on either.

The Theragun has fewer attachments, but they feel more premium

Both the Theragun Mini and the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini come with several massage heads so you can adapt the device to your needs. The Q2 Ultra Mini has five different attachment heads: a ball head, an air cushion head, a bullet head, a U-shaped head and a heat head with infrared LED light. I was personally a fan of the U-shaped head, which created two points of contact on my muscles and felt especially nice gliding down my shoulders, glutes and IT bands. The Q2 Ultra Mini also has a heating element, which is activated only when you attach the heat head to the device.

The heat and infrared light settings are designed to improve muscle relaxation and increase circulation for faster recovery. It takes just seconds for the Q2’s heated head to feel warm to the touch, but I could only feel the heat when the massage gun was in direct contact with my skin (and not my clothes). Though the heat felt nice, the smooth, flat surface of the heated head didn’t target my knots as well as the U-shaped and bullet heads, so I didn’t find myself reaching for it all that much.

To change the attachments on the Q2 Ultra, you use a counterclockwise motion to twist off the current attachment and a clockwise one to put the new attachment on. My only quibble with this twist-on system is that I noticed the U-shaped massage head would often reorient from a horizontal to a vertical position as I moved it across my muscles. This didn’t affect the massage, and a quick adjustment got the head back into its proper place, but it was something I noticed as I tested. Luckily, you don’t need to apply a ton of force to get the attachments on or off. I was able to turn them gently using just a few fingers or the palm of my hand, so those with arthritis or dexterity restrictions shouldn’t have an issue changing them out.

On the Theragun Mini, the attachments pop on and off, but you’ll need to use both hands and a bit of force to secure and remove them. The Theragun Mini comes with three rounded attachment heads: a damper for tender areas, a standard ball for breaking up tension and a thumb head for handling knots. Though there are fewer attachments, the Theragun’s heads have a more premium feel; they’re sturdy and strong, yet soft and smooth, gliding effortlessly over muscles.

With the Q2 Ultra Mini, I felt that some of the attachment heads dragged on my skin rather than coasting across it. The ball head has a foam finish that I found a tad scratchy, and the air cushion head tended to tug against my skin. I also found these Q2 Ultra Mini attachments harder to move on top of clothes, which is another reason I preferred the smooth plastic finish on the device’s U-shaped and bullet heads. By comparison, the Theragun Mini’s attachments truly floated across the body, working just as well on skin as on clothes.

Though there are fewer attachments, the three included heads for the Theragun Mini more than got the job done; I felt just as much relief from the Theragun Mini as the Q2 Ultra Mini. You can also buy additional attachment heads for the Theragun Mini if you’re looking to expand your collection. The Theragun Mini model I tested doesn’t have heating capabilities, but the newest Theragun Mini Plus massage gun (which was unavailable at the time of my testing) does — though it will run you an extra $60.

Bob and Brad’s carrying case is more organized

Both of these mini massage guns are designed to be portable and travel-friendly. As such, they each come with a travel case for secure transport. The Q2 Ultra Mini comes in a square zippered travel case with compartments for all five attachments and the massage gun’s body, plus a mesh pocket to hold the charging cord and manual. The all-in-one container makes it easy to stay organized and is still small enough to throw in a gym bag or suitcase without too much hassle.

Therabody also provides a zippered travel pouch for the Theragun Mini, but it’s only large enough to hold the massage gun and one massage head. This pouch is lower in profile and easier to carry around, but it also means you’ll need to hold on to the cardboard Therabody box (or find an alternate storage solution) if you want a dedicated home for the additional attachments and charger. Though this isn’t a huge deal, I found it annoying that there wasn’t a succinct case that allowed you to take the Theragun Mini and all its attachments on the go — a feature I don’t think is a huge ask given the over-$200 price point.

The Theragun has Bluetooth synchronization and customized daily plans

I tend to roll my eyes when I see “Bluetooth connectability” on any product that’s not a pair of headphones or a portable speaker. The same goes for when a device has a companion app for its controls. In most cases, I find these extra features useless, but I thought Therabody’s take on them was pretty snazzy.

When you connect the Theragun Mini to the Therabody app, you’ll unlock a variety of guided massage routines. You can find routines built around the muscle groups you want to target, as well as ones based on certain activities and desired benefits. There are pain-relief plans for things like plantar fasciitis and sciatica, warm-up sessions for running and weightlifting and recovery programs for hiking, swimming and even pickleball.

The magic really starts once you press play on one of the preset plans. The app takes total control of the Theragun Mini. You’re responsible for watching the routine and moving the massage gun around your body as directed, but the app controls the speed and duration of the massage. Once the timer runs out, the Theragun Mini automatically stops pulsing, giving you time to readjust and move the device to the next body part. There’s even a gauge that can tell you if you’re applying too much or too little pressure in real time and an icon that displays how much charge is left on the massage gun.

I tried the 10-minute lower body recovery session after a weightlifting workout, and it was nice to turn my brain off and mindlessly follow the onscreen prompts. The preset program forced me to hit muscle groups I normally skip, like my foot arches and shins, and it even incorporates stretches that further deepen the cool-down. On top of these routines, the Therabody app also crafts a daily plan based on your exercise habits and preferences. For instance, my daily plan included a short massage in the morning to address tech neck, an evening warm-up session ahead of my gym workout and a bedtime back-relief program to wind down.

The Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra doesn’t have any of these Bluetooth-enabled features, though the instruction manual does include some recommended exercises to target muscles in your back, arms and legs. However, these read-along instructions can’t compare to the real-time, sport-specific programs offered through the Therabody app.

I did have to create an account to use the Therabody app, but I appreciated that the massage routines and recovery plans were accessible at no extra cost. Do I want to do a preset Therabody plan every time I pick up my massage gun? No, sometimes I just want to hammer away at my tense muscles on my own whims. However, these plans and the real-time synchronization with the Theragun Mini can help you get the most out of your massage gun day to day. Plus, they eliminate some of the guesswork for those new to using handheld massage devices.

Bottom line

After testing these devices for almost a month combined, I now believe a massage gun is well worth the investment if you frequently exercise or regularly experience muscle tightness. I was amazed by how drastically these devices eased my muscles in just a few minutes, helping me recover faster and move about my daily life with less stiffness. Both the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage gun and the Therabody Theragun Mini are easy-to-use devices that deliver effective full-body massages. The one that’s better for you will depend on the kind of experience you’re looking for.

The Theragun Mini massage gun offers a more luxe and premium experience in nearly every aspect: the attachment heads are ultra-plush and smooth, the look is sleek, the controls are streamlined and the ability to deploy real-time, synced massage programs from the Therabody app is something I’ve never seen (and never knew I wanted) in a massage gun. But all these premium features come at a steep $220 cost. If you’re really keen to have a device you can tote anywhere that’s both luxurious and high-performing, the Theragun Mini might be your pick. Similarly, if you’re an athlete who trains intensely or someone who suffers from chronic pain and plans to use the Theragun every day across multiple sessions, you could quickly drive down the cost-per-use of the device.

Though the Theragun is truly a treat to use, I understand most people might not want to fork over that kind of cash. If you’re looking for general relief from muscle aches and soreness, I think the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini ticks all the required boxes for a massage gun. Sure, it’s not as luxe as the Theragun Mini, but it has a versatile range of attachments, a convenient storage case and enough percussion power to break up tough knots, all at a fraction of the cost. On top of all that, it’s straightforward to operate, so people of all ages and experience levels can pick it up and start massaging with ease. Plus, if you don’t need the heating element on the Q2 Ultra, you can pick up alternative massage gun models from Bob and Brad at an even deeper discount.

FAQs

Is the Therabody Theragun Mini or the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage gun more expensive?

The Theragun Mini retails for $220, while the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage gun is currently listed on Amazon for $100, though it frequently goes on sale for less.

How many colors do the Therabody Theragun Mini and the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage gun come in?

You can shop the Therabody Theragun Mini massage gun in three colors: black, Desert Rose and Oat. The Q2 Ultra Mini massage gun only comes in black. Bob and Brad does make a similar mini massage gun model that’s available in blue, green and red, but it lacks the heat and infrared features found on the Q2 Ultra.

Does the Therabody Theragun Mini or the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage gun have a better battery life?

According to the product specifications on the Therabody site, the Theragun Mini delivers 150 minutes of power, which is slightly shorter than the 180 minutes of massage time the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage gun offers. However, alternative retailers like Amazon and Best Buy list the battery life for the 3rd Gen Theragun Mini as 180 minutes.

Are the Therabody Theragun Mini and the Bob and Brad mini massage gun FSA-eligible?

Both the Theragun Mini and the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini massage guns are HSA- and FSA-eligible. However, keep in mind that the FSA Store specifies that only massage guns intended primarily for the treatment of pain are eligible for reimbursement. Massage guns used for your overall well-being or for relaxation and recovery purposes are typically not eligible, and a Letter of Medical Necessity from a medical professional is required to qualify for reimbursement in these situations.

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this story, CNN Underscored associate editor Jillian Tracy tested both the Therabody Theragun Mini and the Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra massage gun for two weeks to see how they compared on performance, ease of use and overall design.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.