Theragun's Mini Plus is our fitness expert's favorite recovery tool. It might be the only massage gun you ever need.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Massage guns can be incredibly useful for speeding up workout recovery and taking the edge off everyday aches. But after years of testing them as a fitness and health writer, I've found that most fall into the same traps: they're too bulky to grab regularly and too intense to use comfortably. That's why the Theragun Mini Plus caught my attention right away.

Launched in October 2025, this model fixes nearly all of my usual complaints. It's compact and easy to handle, powerful without being overwhelming, and it offers built-in heat therapy— a handy feature that makes recovery faster and the whole experience noticeably more comfortable.

If you've ever thought about buying a massage gun but weren't sure it'd be worth it, this is the one I'd start with. The Theragun Mini Plus typically retails for $280, though I've seen it drop to $238 on sale. Here's why it might be the most useful — and user-friendly — massage gun Therabody makes right now.

Why I love the Theragun Mini Plus

It's small and ergonomic, but still powerful. Like many women, I often find full-size massage guns too heavy or awkward — my arm gets tired before my muscles feel worked. The Mini Plus is easier to grip and more ergonomically shaped than any I've used. With a 10mm amplitude, it is less powerful than Theragun's full-sized devices (which reach about 16mm). However, it has a higher no-stall force than the standard Theragun Mini and still feels sufficiently robust to ease post-workout tightness. Most of all, it's lightweight (two pounds), and I appreciate not feeling like I've been holding a jackhammer after a session.

It's easier to reach awkward spots. The smaller shape and better angles of this design make it easy to target tricky areas, such as your lats or lower back, without having to contort yourself awkwardly.

The built-in heat therapy speeds up recovery. Most massage guns offer straight percussion therapy, but the Theragun Mini Plus comes with a specialized head that heats up, which is a significant part of what makes this my new favorite recovery tool. Therabody claims the heated massage head helps speed recovery three times faster, and in my experience, it actually feels like it. It's way more comfortable than drumming on cold muscles, and I find that I can score noticeable relief in under five minutes (instead of the typical 10).

It's incredibly travel-friendly. I often wish I could pack more recovery tools when I travel to ease my stiff back, and the Mini Plus finally provides a solution. It's compact, weighs under two pounds, and comes with a soft-shell case and travel lock so it won't buzz in your bag. It takes up less room than my makeup bag, so it's a no-brainer to bring it along on flights, road trips, and big adventure weekends.

It pairs with an app to provide personalized routines and guidance. The Therabody app creates a personalized prep-and-recovery routine based on your typical workouts and common pain points. Mine, for example, is designed for weightlifting, skiing, and low back pain, and provides 4-15 minute routines I can do with the gun in the morning, midday, and at night; each routine guides you through exactly where to focus percussive therapy, complete with a timer to keep you on track. The app can even sync with your Garmin or Strava data to customize your treatment based on that day's workout.

It has enough battery for multiple sessions between charges. You'll get about 80 minutes of use on medium with heat, or up to three hours if you're only using percussion. That's more than enough for several days or a full trip.

Cons to consider

It comes with only one attachment and offers a limited selection of add-ons. The Mini Plus comes with a heated round flathead, which is a solid, all-purpose head attachment, but that's it. There's a cold therapy attachment sold separately ($100), but for more versatility, you'll need to upgrade to the pricier Theragun Prime Plus ($430), a larger heated-percussion tool that comes with four attachments and two optional add-on heads.

It might not be powerful enough for some. While I love a deep tissue massage, day-to-day, I've never needed anything beyond the Mini Plus' medium speed, even for deep soreness after a workout or for pain relief. However, if you prefer a super-intense massage, the three-speed Mini Plus may not be enough. Therabody's larger Theraguns usually offer five speeds and more force.

The bottom line

The Theragun Mini Plus is my new go-to massage gun recommendation. It avoids all of the common issues I have with other models, and I love its integrated heat therapy feature. There are some limitations with attachments and speed that shoppers should be aware of, but if you just want a simple, compact massage gun that's comfortable to use and packed with value, this is the model to beat.

Looking for additional fitness recommendations and advice? Check out our other fitness guides:

• How to start a fitness journey you'll actually stick to
• The best Fitbits
• The best Garmin watches
• The best smart rings