In this Theragun G3 vs Prime review, we will compare Therabody’s mid-level massage gun of the third generation with their entry-level device of the fourth generation.
Other than becoming slightly smaller, it is admittedly hard to tell a difference between the two when just looking at the design. So do the changes made to the newer Theragun Prime make it the better choice, or should you stick with the proven G3 model?
This side-by-side comparison will help you find out.
Theragun G3
Theragun Prime
Stall Force
40 lbs
30 lbs
Battery Life
Up to 1 hour
Up to 2 hours
Adjustable Speed
1750 to 2400 ppm, 2 levels
1750 to 2400 ppm, 5 levels
Working Noise
Up to 70 dB
Up to 65 dB
Attachments
4
4
Comparison: Theragun G3 vs Prime
Amplitude
Both created by one of the market leaders for percussive therapy, the Theragun G3 and Prime come with a high amplitude of 16 mm. This makes them ideal for a deep-tissue treatment, as opposed to the more surface-level massage experience offered by most competing devices.
Winner: Draw
16 mm
16 mm
Force
While the Theragun Prime reaches its limits at around 30 lbs, the industrial-grade Japanese motor inside the Theragun G3 can deal with up to 40 lbs of pressure before it begins to stall. Therefore, the older model is a better fit for everyone looking for a more intense treatment.
Winner: Theragun G3
40.0 lbs
30.0 lbs
Frequency & Speed Levels
Both starting at 1,750 percussions per minute (ppm), the Theragun G3 and Prime also share the same upper limit of 2,400 ppm. However, the newer model offers more possibilities to adjust the massage experience with five speed settings compared to two for the G3:
- Level 1: 1,750 ppm
- Level 2: 1,900 ppm
- Level 3: 2,100 ppm
- Level 4: 2,200 ppm
- Level 5: 2,400 ppm
Winner: Theragun Prime
1750 to 2400 ppm, 2 levels
1750 to 2400 ppm, 5 levels
Connectivity
Unlike the Theragun G3, the three models of Theragun’s fourth generation can be connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Among other things, this allows you to have an app control your massager for you, making it easy to follow the professionally developed recovery routines.
Winner: Theragun Prime
No
Yes
Battery
The product engineers at Therabody managed to increase the battery life of the Theragun Prime to around 2 hours, double that of the G3. That said, with every treatment session not taking longer than a few minutes, both models will get you through the day on a single charge.
Winner: Theragun Prime
Up to 1 hour
Up to 2 hours
Noise
Being more powerful, the Theragun G3 is unsurprisingly the louder of the two devices. Running at full speed, it operates at around 70 decibels (dB) compared to a maximum of around 65 dB for its newer competitor, which is equipped with a less noisy brushless motor.
Winner: Theragun Prime
Up to 70 dB
Up to 65 dB
Attachments & Accessories
To allow you to personalize the massage experience to your exact needs and the muscle group you are about to target next, the Theragun G3 and Prime both include four interchangeable head attachments:
- Dampener: Used mostly for tender or bony areas. Perfect for overall use
- Standard Ball: Perfect for overall use on large and small muscle groups
- Thumb: Used mostly for trigger points and the lower back
- Cone: Used mostly for pinpoint muscle treatment, including the hands and feet
The G3 ships with a travel case, while the Prime only comes with a soft pouch.
Winner: Theragun G3
4 massage heads, travel case
4 massage heads, soft pouch
Weight & Dimensions
In the final round of this Theragun G3 vs Prime comparison, we will have a quick look at the weight and dimensions of both devices. At just 2.2 lbs, the Theragun Prime became noticeably lighter. In addition, it also takes up less space in your gym bag.
Winner: Theragun Prime
2.7 lbs, 9.8 x 7.9 in x 2.8 in
2.2 lbs, 8.9 x 2.9 x 6.3 in
Conclusion: Theragun G3 vs Prime
While the two massage guns were tied when it came to their amplitude, the Theragun G3 did clearly have the upper hand in terms of stall force. It offers the same head attachments and even includes a more sturdy travel case that allows for convenient storage and transport.
The Theragun Prime, on the other hand, convinces with a more customizable massage experience thanks to more speed settings and the ability to interact with the Therabody app. Furthermore, it comes with a significantly increased battery life and a lower noise level.
Theragun G3
Theragun Prime
Find out how the Theragun G3 performs against the Prime’s successor in our comparison Theragun G3 vs Elite.