TOLOCO vs Theragun Prime: Is the ~$50 Bestseller Good Enough, or Is the Theragun Worth It?

The TOLOCO Massage Gun is the massage gun most people actually buy. The Therabody Theragun Prime is the one most people want. One costs about as much as a pizza night. The other costs about as much as a new pair of running shoes and a gym membership.

Short answer: TOLOCO for most guys who want post-workout relief on a budget. Theragun Prime if you want deeper percussion, better ergonomics, an app, and a big-brand build.

Head-to-head specs

Specs per the manufacturers at time of writing.

Round 1: Depth — Theragun wins

Amplitude is how far the head travels, and it’s the spec that matters most for feeling it in big muscles. The Theragun’s 16mm stroke goes deeper than the TOLOCO’s 12mm. Owner reviews back it up: the Theragun feels more like a deep massage, the TOLOCO more like a strong one.

Round 2: Ergonomics — Theragun wins

The Theragun’s triangle handle gives you multiple grip positions, so you can reach your own upper back and hamstrings without contortion. The TOLOCO’s standard pistol grip is fine for legs and arms, awkward for your back.

Round 3: Extras and smarts — Theragun wins

Bluetooth and the Therabody app give you guided routines and speed control. Therabody quotes about 120 minutes of battery. The TOLOCO has no app, just an LED touch screen with a battery display. It does include 10 heads to the Theragun’s 4, though.

Round 4: Noise and top speed — TOLOCO wins

TOLOCO rates its gun at a quiet ~40–50dB and it tops out at 3200 rpm, higher than the Prime’s 2400 ppm max. For couch use in front of the TV, the TOLOCO is the easy-going roommate.

Round 5: Value — TOLOCO wins, by a mile

You could buy several TOLOCOs for the price of one Theragun Prime at list. For warm-ups and post-workout recovery, the TOLOCO covers most of what most guys need, and its ~62K ratings at 4.4 stars say owners agree.

Get the TOLOCO   Check Theragun price

Who should buy which

Buy the TOLOCO if… you want a solid massage gun for leg day and desk-job stiffness without spending big, or you’re buying your first gun.

Buy the Theragun Prime if… you train hard most days, want the deepest percussion, need to reach your own back, and like the app and premium build. Or if someone else is paying.

Use either one safely

Keep it on muscle and off bones, joints, the spine, the neck and the front of your throat. Skip injuries and bruises. Check with your doctor first if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or have a blood clotting disorder.

The verdict

Theragun wins on the tool, 3 rounds to 2. But the TOLOCO wins on the wallet, and that’s the round most guys care about. Buy the TOLOCO unless you know you need the extra depth.

See the full lineup in our 10 best massage guns, or read why the TOLOCO is a must-have.