When Therabody launched the Theragun PRO Plus in 2024, it was not a simple refresh — it was a rethink. For the first time, a Theragun combined percussive therapy with heat, vibration, LED light, and breathwork guidance in a single device. But the Theragun PRO (5th Gen) that it replaced was already one of the most respected massage guns on the market.

So the real question is: does the PRO Plus genuinely do more for your recovery, or is the PRO (Gen 5) still the smarter choice? This guide walks through every difference that matters — from motor specs and therapy modes to battery design and real-world usability — to help you decide.

What Are These Two Devices?

Theragun PRO (5th Generation)

Released in 2022, the PRO (Gen 5) was Therabody's flagship for two years. It featured a redesigned brushless motor that was 20% quieter than the 4th Gen, an OLED display with guided routines, and the signature Theragun triangular ergonomic handle. It became the go-to for professional physiotherapists, CrossFit athletes, and anyone serious about structured recovery.

Theragun PRO Plus

Launched in mid-2024, the PRO Plus replaced the Gen 5 as Therabody's top-tier device. Rather than simply improving the percussive engine, Therabody turned it into a multi-therapy platform — adding vibration therapy, three-temperature heat, near-infrared LED light therapy, guided breathwork, a biometric heart rate sensor, and support for an optional cold therapy attachment. It is the most feature-dense massage gun available today.

Core Percussive Performance

Let's start with the foundation both devices are built on: deep-tissue percussive therapy.

Amplitude

Both deliver 16mm of amplitude — the deepest in Therabody's entire lineup. This means the massage head travels 16 millimetres per stroke, reaching into thick muscle groups like quads, glutes, hamstrings, and upper back that shallower devices cannot penetrate effectively. For serious athletes, this depth is non-negotiable.

Speed Range

Both devices offer adjustable speeds up to 2,400 percussions per minute. The PRO (Gen 5) provides five presets: 1,750, 1,900, 2,100, 2,200, and 2,400 RPM. The PRO Plus offers a comparable customisable range. Low speeds are useful for warm-ups and sensitive areas; high speeds are ideal for post-WOD deep-tissue recovery.

Stall Force

The PRO (Gen 5) handles up to 60 pounds of applied pressure without the motor stalling — meaning you can press hard into a stubborn knot and the device keeps working. The PRO Plus performs comparably. Both are built for aggressive, high-pressure use.

Motor and Noise

The Gen 5 introduced the EQ150 brushless motor, operating between 52 and 67 decibels depending on speed. The PRO Plus uses an updated motor that maintains similar noise levels while also powering the additional therapy modes. Neither is whisper-quiet, but both are a significant improvement over older Theragun generations.

Where They Diverge: Multi-Therapy Capabilities

This is where the PRO Plus earns its name. The PRO (Gen 5) is a single-purpose percussive device. The PRO Plus is a multi-therapy recovery platform.

Heat Therapy

The PRO Plus includes a dedicated heat attachment with three scientifically optimised temperatures: 45°C (113°F), 50°C (122°F), and 55°C (131°F). Combining heat with percussion increases blood flow to the targeted area, loosens tight fascia, and makes treatment more effective — particularly for chronic tension, pre-workout preparation, or cold-weather training. The PRO (Gen 5) has no heat capability.

Vibration Therapy

The PRO Plus features a vibration attachment with three frequency settings: 47 Hz, 50 Hz, and 53 Hz. Unlike percussion, which drives deep into muscle tissue, vibration stimulates surface-level circulation and provides gentler, more soothing recovery. It is ideal for sensitive areas, near joints, or lighter recovery days when full percussion feels like too much. The PRO (Gen 5) does not offer vibration therapy.

Near-Infrared LED Light Therapy

The PRO Plus integrates near-infrared LED light therapy — specific wavelengths that penetrate the skin to promote cellular recovery. Research suggests near-infrared light can reduce inflammation, accelerate tissue repair, and ease pain at a cellular level. Having this built into your massage device means you can combine light therapy with percussion or vibration in one session rather than buying separate equipment. The PRO (Gen 5) does not include light therapy.

Breathwork Guidance

The PRO Plus includes on-device breathwork routines. The screen guides you through controlled breathing patterns designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system — your body's "rest and recover" mode. This is particularly valuable after high-intensity sessions, competitions, or as part of an evening wind-down. The PRO (Gen 5) does not offer breathwork.

Cold Therapy (Optional Add-On)

The PRO Plus supports an optional cold therapy attachment sold separately. Cold therapy is a well-established modality for reducing acute inflammation and numbing pain post-training. Combined with the heat attachment, you can build hot-and-cold contrast therapy routines using a single device. The PRO (Gen 5) does not support cold therapy.

Design and Build

Ergonomics

Both devices feature Therabody's patented triangular ergonomic handle, allowing multiple grip positions without wrist strain. The PRO (Gen 5) includes an adjustable arm to change the massage head angle — useful for reaching your own back. The PRO Plus offers four unique arm positions for similar versatility.

Weight

The PRO (Gen 5) weighs approximately 1,315 grams (2.9 lbs). The PRO Plus is heavier at roughly 1,650 grams (3.6 lbs) without attachments. The extra mass comes from the heat element, vibration motor, LED array, and biometric sensor. For most users, the difference is manageable. If you regularly use the device overhead or for extended self-treatment sessions, you will notice it.

Display

An interesting trade-off: the PRO (Gen 5) uses an OLED screen with superior contrast and sharpness. The PRO Plus uses an LCD screen — perfectly functional for displaying its wider array of therapy modes and routines, but not as visually crisp as the older model's OLED. A minor point, but worth knowing.

Build Quality

Both are built to professional-grade standards. The materials, fit, and finish are what you expect from Therabody's flagship tier. Neither feels cheap. Both are designed for daily use in athletic and clinical settings.

Attachments

Theragun PRO (Gen 5) — 6 Attachments

The Gen 5 ships with six percussive therapy attachments: the Dampener for tender or bony areas, the Standard Ball for general all-over massage, the Thumb for trigger points and knots, the Wedge for shoulder blades and IT bands, the Micro-Point for circulation stimulation, and the Supersoft for ultra-gentle treatment near joints and bones.

Theragun PRO Plus — 7 Attachments

The PRO Plus includes seven attachments: the Dampener, Standard Ball, Thumb, Wedge, and Micro-Point carry over from the Gen 5. Replacing the Supersoft is a dedicated Vibration head that provides gentle treatment for sensitive areas while adding the vibration therapy modality. A Heat attachment rounds out the set for heated percussion sessions. If you relied on the Supersoft, the Vibration head serves a similar purpose with added functionality.

Battery and Charging

PRO (Gen 5)

The Gen 5 has a built-in internal battery delivering approximately 150 minutes of use and a charge time of about 75 minutes. The battery is not removable — when it dies, you stop and charge.

PRO Plus

The PRO Plus uses a swappable battery system. Battery life averages around 150 minutes, though heat and LED modes drain faster than percussion alone. The ability to carry a spare battery and swap mid-session is a significant advantage for professionals treating multiple clients back-to-back, or for anyone who trains frequently and does not want to worry about charge levels.

Smart Features and Connectivity

Both devices connect via Bluetooth to the Therabody app for guided routines, usage tracking, and personalised recommendations.

The PRO (Gen 5) shows four guided routines on its OLED screen: Sleep, Warm Up, Recovery, and Theragun Break — each walking you through device placement, timing, and speed selection.

The PRO Plus expands on-device routines to cover all its therapy modes and adds a biometric heart rate sensor. You can monitor your heart rate directly on the device during recovery without wearing a separate fitness tracker — a useful feature for gauging how your body is responding in real time.

Full Specs Comparison

*Cold therapy attachment sold separately.

Who Should Choose the Theragun PRO (Gen 5)?

The PRO (Gen 5) remains a genuinely excellent device. It delivers the same 16mm percussive depth as the PRO Plus, it is lighter, and its OLED screen is sharper. It is the right choice if you primarily need deep-tissue percussion and nothing else, if you prefer a lighter device for extended use or overhead reach, if you already own separate heat or light therapy tools, or if you are looking for a professional-grade massage gun at a lower price point — the Gen 5 is frequently available below its original MSRP now that the PRO Plus has taken over as flagship.

Who Should Choose the Theragun PRO Plus?

The PRO Plus makes sense if you want to consolidate multiple recovery modalities into one device. Instead of buying a massage gun, a heat pad, an LED light panel, and a vibration tool separately, you get everything in one platform. It is the right choice if you want heat, vibration, and LED therapy alongside percussion, if you are a mobile trainer or travel frequently and need to carry fewer devices, if swappable batteries matter — professionals doing back-to-back sessions or athletes who train twice a day benefit most, or if you want built-in heart rate monitoring during recovery without wearing a separate tracker.

For athletes who push through demanding workouts — whether that is heavy barbell sessions, HIIT circuits, or competitive training — having multiple recovery modalities available in one tool means you can match your recovery to how your body feels on any given day. Light vibration on rest days, heated percussion after a heavy deadlift session, LED therapy for nagging inflammation. One device, multiple approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Verdict

The Theragun PRO (Gen 5) and the Theragun PRO Plus share the same percussive foundation — 16mm amplitude, comparable speed and stall force, and Therabody's signature build quality. Where they differ is in philosophy.

The PRO (Gen 5) is a specialist. It does percussive therapy at the highest level and does not try to be anything else. That focused approach is a strength for athletes and therapists who already have their recovery toolkit built out.

The PRO Plus is the all-in-one. It matches the Gen 5 on percussion and layers heat, vibration, LED light, breathwork, and optional cold therapy on top. The trade-offs are modest — a heavier body and an LCD instead of OLED — and for most people, the added recovery versatility more than compensates.

Neither is a wrong choice. The right one comes down to how you train, how you recover, and whether you prefer a single-purpose tool or a multi-therapy platform.