Theragun Mini Vs. Relief: The 2mm Difference That Changes Everything

I’ve been staring at two small, sleek massage devices on my desk for a week, and I’m frozen by indecision. In one corner, the Theragun Mini, a compact powerhouse that looks like it’s built for serious business.

In the other, the Theragun Relief, a newer, friendlier-looking device that promises comfort. My muscles are sore, and I just want to know which one to use. This isn’t just a simple product choice; it’s a choice between two completely different philosophies of recovery.

My goal in writing this is to finally figure out that difference, helping me (and you) decide which one truly deserves a place in our lives.

The Quick Comparison

The Real Problem: Power Vs. Comfort

Before I get into the specifics, let’s set the stage.

My main problem was this: on paper, these two devices look almost identical.

They have the same stall force (20 lbs), the same number of attachments, the same speed settings, and app connectivity.

The price is often very similar. So why do two different products exist?

The answer, I’ve learned, comes down to one tiny, 2-millimeter difference: Amplitude.

The Theragun Mini has a 12 mm amplitude. The Theragun Relief has a 10 mm amplitude.

This sounds like nothing, but in the world of percussive therapy, it is everything.

It is the entire difference between a deep, thumping massage and a soothing, relaxing treatment.

This article is my journey of discovering what that 2mm difference actually feels like in the real world.

A Deeper Look At The Theragun Mini

• My First Impression: The Pocket Rocket

Picking up the Theragun Mini, the first word that came to mind was “dense.” It’s small, yes, but it has a satisfying heft. It feels like a solid, premium piece of equipment. The unique geometric shape is striking.

It’s not the classic triangle handle Theragun is known for. It’s a sort of rounded, compact triangle designed to be gripped in multiple ways.

When I turned it on, I was immediately surprised. The motor has a powerful, high-frequency hum. This little thing wants to work. It feels less like a wellness gadget and more like a professional tool that’s been shrunk down.

• The Power Analysis: 12 mm of Depth

This is the Mini’s entire reason for being. That 12 mm amplitude means the attachment head travels 12 millimeters back and forth. When I pressed it into my quad after a long run, I felt it. This isn’t a surface-level vibration. It punches deep into the muscle tissue.

The 20 lbs of stall force is the amount of pressure you can apply before the motor stalls out.⁶ For a device this small, 20 lbs is impressive. I’m not a small person, and I had to push intentionally hard to get it to stop. For 90% of my use, it was more than enough power.

On my traps, calves, and quads, the Mini was able to get in and break up the knots I was feeling.

However, that 12 mm depth is a double-edged sword. When I tried to use it on my neck or near my shins, it was… a lot. It felt jarring, almost too aggressive for those tender areas.

• The User Experience: My On-the-Go Specialist

After a few days, the Mini found its permanent home: my gym bag. Its tiny size is its superpower. It’s so small that I never have to make a choice to not bring it. It’s always with me.

I use it in the car right after a hike. I use it at my desk for 60 seconds to wake up my glutes. I’ve taken it on a weekend trip, and it was a lifesaver after a long flight. The Bluetooth app connectivity is also a huge plus. The app guides me through routines, telling me where to move the device and for how long. For a post-workout flush, this is fantastic.

Pros of the Theragun Mini

• Unmatched Portability: I cannot overstate this. The Mini (2.0) is about 20% smaller than the original, and it fits in the palm of my hand. It’s the only truly powerful massage gun that I can fit in a large jacket pocket or a small purse. For anyone who travels or moves between a home, office, and gym, this is its killer feature.
• Surprising Percussive Depth: This is the “power” part of the “pocket rocket” nickname. For its size, the 12 mm amplitude is phenomenal. Most other “micro” or “nano” massagers on the market top out at 8 or 10 mm, and they feel more like vibrators. The Mini delivers a true percussive massage. If you have dense muscle tissue or are an athlete, this depth is non-negotiable.
• Smart App Connectivity: Having the Therabody app guide my sessions adds real value. Instead of just guessing, I can pull up a “Post-Run Recovery” routine and follow along. It controls the speed automatically and shows me the optimal grip. This takes the guesswork out of it and makes me feel like I’m getting a more scientific treatment.

Cons of the Theragun Mini

• The Grip Can Be Awkward: That unique, compact shape is great for portability, but it’s not the most ergonomic design ever. When I try to reach my own mid-back or shoulder blades, I have to contort my arm into a weird position. The classic Theragun triangle handle is famous for a reason—it provides leverage. The Mini sacrifices that leverage for size.
• It Can Be Too Intense for Some: This is not a “relaxing” massage gun, in my opinion. It’s a “recovery” tool. If you have sensitive muscles, fibromyalgia, or are just looking to gently ease some tension before bed, the Mini might feel like a tiny jackhammer. On bony areas like the shoulders, collarbone, or ankles, I had to be extremely careful.
• The Stall Force is Just “Good,” Not “Great”: While 20 lbs is good for its size, it’s not a Theragun PRO. If you are a powerlifter or someone who wants to mash their muscles with extreme pressure, you will find the Mini’s limit. I was able to stall it on my glutes when I put my full body weight into it. This is a minor complaint, but worth noting for power users.

A Deeper Look At The Theragun Relief

• My First Impression: The Welcoming Wellness Tool

Taking the Theragun Relief out of the box was a completely different experience.

It’s noticeably lighter than the Mini, despite being a bit larger.

The most important difference?

It has the patented Theragun triangle grip.

My hand instantly knew how to hold it.

It’s made of a softer-touch, almost matte plastic.

It feels less “medical” and more “wellness.” When I turned it on, the sound was different. It was a lower-pitched, softer hum. The entire first impression was one of comfort and ease. It’s an “ahhh” device, not a “brrr” device.

• The Power Analysis: 10 mm of Comfort

Here is that 2mm difference in action. The 10 mm amplitude feels drastically different from the Mini’s 12 mm. It doesn’t “punch.” It “thumps.”

When I used it on my neck, it was perfect. It was exactly what I wanted. It eased the “tech neck” tension from staring at my computer without rattling my teeth. The 20 lbs of stall force is the same as the Mini, but it feels more powerful on the Relief.

Why?

Because you’re not fighting a 12 mm jackhammer. The 10 mm stroke is smoother, allowing you to press in and use that 20 lbs of force more effectively for a compression-style massage.

I used this on my forearms, my neck, and my lower back. In every single one of those sensitive spots, the Relief won, hands down.

• The User Experience: My Everyday Companion

The Relief didn’t go in my gym bag. It went on my bedside table. I found myself reaching for it while watching TV. I’d use it for two minutes on my shoulders before getting into bed.

This is the device for the 9-to-5 worker. It’s for the person who woke up with a stiff neck. It’s for the parent who pulled a muscle picking up their kid. The one-button operation is brilliantly simple. You press it to turn it on, press it again to change speeds.

No complexity, just immediate… well, relief. The fact that it’s an FDA-Registered medical device also gives me a lot of confidence in using it specifically for pain and aches.

Pros of The Theragun Relief

• The “Just Right” Gentle Feel: That 10 mm amplitude is the sweet spot for everyday aches and pains. It provides all the benefits of percussive therapy—increased blood flow, reduced tension—without the aggressive impact.¹⁰ It’s the first massage gun I would feel comfortable recommending to my mom or anyone who is new to percussive therapy.
• Superior Ergonomics for Self-Use: The triangle handle is a game-changer. I can easily grip it in three or four different ways, allowing me to hit my lower back, traps, and hamstrings without any strain. For anyone who wants to massage their own back, the Relief is infinitely better than the Mini. This ergonomic advantage is, in my opinion, its biggest selling point.
• Beginner-Friendly Simplicity: From the one-button control to the softer-touch materials, the entire device is designed to be approachable. It’s not intimidating. It’s a tool that invites you to use it, rather than a high-performance machine you have to learn. The app connectivity is still there for guided routines, which is a great bonus.

Cons of The Theragun Relief

• Not for Deep Knots: After my leg day, I reached for the Relief. It felt… nice. But it wasn’t doing what I needed. It was thumping away on the surface, but that 10 mm amplitude just couldn’t get deep enough into my dense quad muscle to release the serious, post-workout knot I had. I put it down and grabbed the Mini. For serious athletes or “muscle mashers,” the Relief will feel underpowered.
• Amplitude Might Leave Power Users Wanting More: If you are a “more is more” person, you will be disappointed by the Relief. It is purposefully not the most powerful device. It’s built for comfort. If your idea of a good massage is one that hurts a little, this is not the tool for you.
• It’s Larger Than the Mini: While it’s still a very portable device (it will easily fit in a backpack), it is not the “pocket rocket” that the Mini is. The triangle handle, while ergonomic, gives it a larger, more awkward footprint in a packed bag. It’s portable, but not ultra-portable.

Head-to-Head Comparison of Theragun Mini And Relief

I decided to put them both to the test in a few common scenarios.

• The “Tech Neck” Test: I sat at my desk for four hours straight. My traps were screaming. I tried the Mini first. Even on the lowest setting with the soft “Dampener” attachment, the 12 mm amplitude was too much. It rattled my head and felt uncomfortable.

I switched to the Relief. Instant. Bliss. The 10 mm amplitude was perfect. It broke up the tension without feeling like an attack.

Winner: Theragun Relief, by a landslide.

• The “Post-Leg Day” Test: My quads and glutes were tight and sore after a heavy squat session. I used the Relief first. It felt like a nice, gentle vibration. It was pleasant, but my knots were laughing at it.

I switched to the Mini with the “Standard Ball” attachment. That was what I needed. The 12 mm depth dug right into the trigger points, and I could feel the muscle fibers releasing.

Winner: Theragun Mini, and it’s not even close.

• The “Travel” Test: I packed a carry-on bag for a weekend trip. The Relief and its triangle handle took up a surprising amount of space, about the size of a rolled-up t-shirt.

The Mini slid into a shoe. It fit in the small accessory pocket of my bag without a second thought.

Winner: Theragun Mini.

• The “Ergonomics” Test (Reaching My Back): I tried to hit a spot on my mid-back. With the Mini, I had to grip it like a doorknob and twist my arm. I could barely reach the spot, and I couldn’t apply consistent pressure.

With the Relief, I just held the top of the triangle handle and let the device hang down my back. It was simple, comfortable, and I could reach everything.

Winner: Theragun Relief.

Who Should Buy Which?

This week-long comparison made one thing crystal clear: these devices are not competitors. They are for two completely different people.

You Should Buy the Theragun Mini if…

• …You are an athlete, gym-goer, or runner.
• …You prioritize power and depth over comfort.
• …You need the absolute smallest, most portable option for a gym bag or carry-on.
• …You already have a full-size gun and want a smaller, travel-friendly version that doesn’t sacrifice depth.
• …You are treating dense muscle groups like quads, glutes, and hamstrings.

You Should Buy the Theragun Relief if…

• …You are new to percussive therapy and feel intimidated.
• …You are not an athlete, but an everyday person with aches and pains.
• …You suffer from “tech neck,” shoulder tension, or lower back pain from sitting.
• …You have sensitive muscles or just prefer a gentler, more soothing massage.
• …You value ergonomics and want to be able to easily massage your own back.

Also Read: Comparison of Theragun Elite And Theragun Pro Massage Guns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thought

So, which one did I end up keeping on my desk?

After all this analysis, I realized I was asking the wrong question. The question isn’t “which is better,” but “which is better for the job?” I now keep the Theragun Mini in my gym bag permanently. It’s my specialist for tough, post-workout recovery.

But the Theragun Relief? That’s the one that earned the spot on my bedside table. It’s the one I use every single day.

For you, the choice should be just as clear. Don’t look at the specs; look at your pain. Are you trying to fix an athletic problem, or are you trying to soothe a life problem? If you’re an athlete, get the Mini.

If you’re a person who sits at a desk and just wants to feel better, I wholeheartedly believe the Relief is the one for you.