The Theragun Mini Will Save You - Esquire

[Jordi Lippe-McGraw]

Here's something no one ever told me about parenting: No matter how old your kid gets, they’ll always find new ways to use you as their personal playground. Combine that with my workouts and long hours sitting at a desk (I really should be standing), and my body feels like Mike Tyson suiting up 30 years too late.

This isn't ideal, but it's fixable. I can get massages, or I can get an at-home massage gun. The second option is more practical, and I've been told the Theragun Mini is the best tool for what I need. My only issue with was that I wasn't sure something this small could make an impact on my aching body. In short, it can. It's now one of our favorite gadgets. From the moment I fired it up, I’d found the solution I didn’t know I needed.

Theragun Mini​

Now 20% Off

Small size, big results.​

The current iteration of the Theragun Mini is small, 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than its predecessor. And, it was already by far the smallest in the Theragun lineup. But don’t let the size fool you, it's plenty powerful. The 12mm amplitude is plenty for anyone who isn't lifting heavy or running marathons. For context, amplitude here is a measure of how deep a massage gun can press into muscle, and the top-of-the-line Theragun Pro Plus operates at 16mm. The Mini packs a lot into a small package.

For me, that's massive. Living in a New York City apartment, and working as a travel journalist, I appreciate anything that doesn’t take up more space than it absolutely has to. In a busy apartment or packed carry-on, space is at a premium. The Mini’s compact design is a win for small-space living—it easily fits into a drawer or shelf without adding clutter to my already cramped space. But it still competes with those more powerful massage guns.

The Mini features three-speed settings—1750, 2100, and 2400 PPMs—letting you customize the intensity of that 12mm amplitude to match your needs. For stubborn knots, I turn it all the way up, and in a few minutes, the tension just melts away. For general soreness, like after a weekend walk, the lowest speed does the trick. The ergonomic triangle grip is an adaptation of Therabody's hollow triangle grip, and it's just as impressive. It makes the massager easy to hold and maneuver, even for hard-to-reach spots like your upper back or calves. Though those are still better massaged by a partner.

The relief goes where you go.​

One of the best things about the Theragun Mini is its portability. IT weighs just 1 pound, and has a convenient little carry bag. Whether you’re traveling, heading to the gym, or just keeping it in your desk drawer, the Mini fits seamlessly into your routine. Another major plus? It’s quiet. I’ve used it during work calls, train rides, and even while binge-watching TV. No one’s been the wiser. Wherever you are, relief is there.

The battery life is another highlight. With 120 minutes of runtime, it takes a good bit of use before needing a recharge. When it does need juice, the USB-C charging makes the process quick and easy, no searching for a specific cable that only works for one device. The Therabody app is another small plus, with specific routines for different areas of the body.

That said, not everything about the Mini is perfect. While it comes with a storage pouch, it doesn’t fit all the attachments, which is a bit of a letdown. For such a well-thought-out product, this felt like a minor oversight, maybe a symptom of being as packable as possible. It’s not a dealbreaker, but having to stash the extra attachments elsewhere is mildly inconvenient—especially when you’re already trying to keep things tidy in a small space.

My verdict.​

I made the right choice. If like me, you’re looking for a compact, effective solution to muscle soreness and tension, the Theragun Mini is worth every penny. It’s powerful enough for most people, but portable and quiet enough to use just about anywhere. For me, that's all I need. It's not a pain to store or pack, and it'll help me get out of bed in the morning.

Sure, the packing pouch situation could be better, but that’s a small gripe in the grand scheme of things. If I were spending more than $200 on it, I would expect a solution. For this price, eh, I'll overlook it. So, whether you’re recovering from a workout, dealing with the aches of daily life, or just want a tool that keeps your body feeling its best, the Theragun Mini is a fantastic little investment.