Honorable Mentions
Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
TheraFace Mask for $650: The TheraFace Mask is a cordless, hands-free light-therapy device that uses three wavelengths (red, infrared, and blue) to tackle different skin care needs. To distinguish itself from its competitors, the TheraFace Mask includes a built-in vibration therapy mode that massages pressure points around the eyes, brow line, and scalp for some added stress relief. It comes with removable eye shields and a sleek display stand, which makes it easy to store on your nightstand.
JetBoots Prime for $550: Compared to the JetBoots Pro Plus, the JetBoots Prime keeps it simple: You get four pressure levels (25, 50, 75, and 100 mmHg) and three durations (20, 40, or 60 minutes), all adjustable throughout your session through a built-in control panel. They’re wireless with a 180-minute battery life and can even be used while charging. Plus, they fold down into the included drawstring bag, making them portable and fuss-free to stow away.
WaveRoller for $180: Foam rollers are great for improving range of motion, increasing blood flow, and reducing muscle tension. You can buy a decent foam roller for significantly less, but the WaveRoller offers Therabody app integration for a personalized experience and five vibration frequencies. Designed for full-body use, it works best for warm-ups and post-workout recovery.
Courtesy of Therabody
TheraFace Pro for $420: The TheraFace Pro includes six detachable magnetic heads for cleansing, microcurrent, percussive massage, and LED light therapy—blue light for acne, red light, and infrared for anti-aging. Former reviewer Haley Sprankle tested the facial device and said her skin was softer and brighter, but she also noted that no clinical studies prove that microcurrent is an effective facial treatment.
Theragun Mini (3rd Generation) for $220: I recommend the Mini if you’re new to percussive therapy or need something packable for travel. It’s the smallest and lightest Theragun, with three attachments (standard ball, dampener, and thumb) and a soft-zip case that fits into a tote, gym bag, or carry-on.
Theragun Sense for $300: The Theragun Sense is slightly smaller (and lighter) than the Pro Plus, and it’s also impressively quiet. Some settings are almost silent, allowing for a discreet recovery session at whatever time of day without having to worry about bothering your housemates. It has the same LCD screen and breathwork features as the Pro Plus, too. The main difference here is that it’s compatible with fewer attachments, but four heads are still more than enough for the active individual.
Theragun Pro (5th Generation) for $530: Therabody still sells a few older generations as well as refurbished models directly. You may find even older models for sale on Amazon. While we haven’t tried them all, we think it comes down to price. Anything older than 2019 or 2020 releases might not be worth it unless the price is shockingly low. This Pro came out in 2022, so it’s still a decent deep tissue massager. If you can find it on sale and don’t need all the latest updates, you should be happy with this one over the Pro Plus.
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