The Theragun Elite this comparison used to cover is gone from Therabody's lineup, so the real question in 2026 is the Ekrin B37v2 against the current Theragun Prime (6th Gen), the Theragun closest to it in price. The short version: Ekrin builds the stronger, longer-running gun with the better warranty; Therabody builds the better grip and the better app.
The short answer by use case
- Buy the Ekrin B37v2 if you lean into tight hamstrings, glutes, and calves, train most days, or want a gun you will not have to replace. Stronger measured motor, longer rated battery, four heads, lifetime device warranty.
- Buy the Theragun Prime (6th Gen) if you work on your own mid-back, like guided routines on your phone, or want a gun rated to survive a 10-foot drop.
- Skip the Theragun Elite unless you already own one. It is no longer in Therabody's lineup, so new stock is old stock with a 1-year warranty.
- Buy neither if you need treatment for an injury. A spec sheet cannot tell you whether percussion is right for a medical condition.
The numbers side by side
| Spec | Ekrin B37v2 | Theragun Prime (6th Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Score | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Price | Check current price | Check current price |
| Best for | Athletes and regular gym-goers who want a powerful, ergonomic gun with serious stall force and won't miss app-connected features. | Buyers who want the Theragun grip, app routines, and brand support at the lowest price in the full-size Theragun line. |
| Why it stands out | 56 lbs stall force reliably holds speed when pressing into dense muscle groups | Triangle grip with a wider opening makes solo work on the back and shoulders easier |
| Tradeoff | No Bluetooth, app connectivity, or display screen | 30 lb force rating trails cheaper guns built for heavy pressure |
| Stall force | 56 lb (MassageGunAdvice measurement of the B37) | 30 lb (Therabody figure via MedGrade) |
| Amplitude | 12 mm (measured) | 16 mm (Therabody figure via MedGrade) |
| Speeds | 5, 1,400–3,200 RPM | 5, 1,750–2,400 PPM |
| Noise | 48.8–60.9 dB measured (Ekrin lists 35–55 dB) | 55 dB (maker figure via MedGrade) |
| Battery | Up to 8 hours (Ekrin) | Up to 120 minutes (Therabody) |
| Charging | USB-C PD | USB-C |
| Weight | 2.2 lb | 32 oz (2 lb) |
| Attachments | 4 | 2 |
| Handle | 15 degree angled handle | Triangle grip, wider opening |
| App | None | Therabody app with guided routines |
| Warranty | Lifetime device, 2-year battery | 1-year limited |
"Measured" means MassageGunAdvice's own measurement. Every other figure is a maker number. No one we cite has published an independent stall-force or noise measurement of the 6th Gen Prime yet.
Stall force vs stroke: the core tradeoff
Amplitude is how far the head travels on each stroke. At 16 mm, the Prime reaches further into tissue than the B37's 12 mm, and on big, dense muscles like glutes and quads that depth is real.
Stall force is the pressure at which the motor bogs down. MedGrade lists the Prime at 30 lb; MassageGunAdvice measured the Ekrin B37 holding its stroke up to 56 lb at top speed. Press hard into a knotted hamstring and you can pass 30 lb, which is where the Prime's extra depth starts to shrink. Therabody says the 6th Gen's adaptive motor holds speed under pressure to prevent stalling; that is a maker claim, and no independent measurement of it has been published yet.
For most recovery work, such as post-run calves, post-lift shoulders, and pre-hike glutes, the B37v2 delivers more consistent percussion when you push. If you use a light touch and want depth, the Prime's stroke is the better match.
A deeper stroke only helps if the motor can sustain it under your pressure. The Ekrin trades 4 mm of travel for a motor that keeps going when you lean in.
Battery and charging
Ekrin rates the B37v2 at up to 8 hours per charge with USB-C Power Delivery; MassageGunAdvice got 5 to 6 hours from the original B37. Therabody rates the Prime at up to 120 minutes at its lowest speed. Both now charge over USB-C, so you can share a phone or laptop charger with either.
The practical difference is how often you charge. Daily ten-minute sessions drain the Prime in under two weeks at best; the B37v2 lasts several times longer between charges, which matters more on trips and at races.
Grip and reach: where Theragun earns its price
The Prime's patented triangle grip is its clearest advantage. You can hold it from three positions, which is what makes solo work on the mid-back and shoulders possible. The 6th Gen widens the grip opening, and Therabody says it eases reaching the back.
The B37v2 uses a 15 degree angled handle. It is comfortable on legs, arms, glutes, and the lower back, but on your own thoracic spine it is a compromise. If that is where you hurt, the Prime is the better tool.
Durability, app, and warranty
Therabody rates the Prime (6th Gen) to survive drops of up to 10 feet thanks to a rubberized shell and reinforced corners, and it pairs with the Therabody app for guided routines and recovery plans. The Ekrin has no app, screen, or Bluetooth.
The warranty gap runs the other way. Ekrin covers the B37 device for life and the battery for two years; buy outside Ekrin's own store and you must register within 30 days. Therabody covers the Prime for one year. On a tool you might use daily for years, that difference is worth more than a drop rating.
What happened to the Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite (5th Gen) is the gun this page originally compared. Therabody rated it at a 16 mm stroke, 40 lb of force, and 120 minutes of battery with an 80-minute charge, and MassageGunAdvice measured it at 60 to 67 dB, louder than the B37. MedGrade reports it was discontinued in early 2025, it no longer appears in Therabody's Theragun lineup, and Therabody's certified refurbished Elite page showed it sold out when we checked in October 2026.
If you already own an Elite, there is no reason to replace it. If you are shopping now, the Prime (6th Gen) is the current Theragun with the same 16 mm stroke and triangle grip, and the Ekrin B37v2 remains the stronger value.
BEST FOR MOST PEOPLE
Ekrin Athletics B37v2 Massage Gun
Best for: Athletes and regular gym-goers who want a powerful, ergonomic gun with serious stall force and won't miss app-connected features.
- 56 lbs stall force reliably holds speed when pressing into dense muscle groups
- No Bluetooth, app connectivity, or display screen
Kit Score 8.2/10 · Check current price · how we score gear
Buy on AmazonProduct details
The B37v2 is a direct update to one of the most consistently recommended mid-range massage guns: 56 lbs of stall force keeps it working under real pressure, the 15-degree angled handle reduces wrist strain during back and shoulder use, and the 8-hour battery life is among the longest in the category. A lifetime warranty (register within 30 days if bought outside Ekrin) comes at a price well below the major brand equivalents.
- Amplitude
- 12 mm (independent measurement)
- Stall force
- 56 lbs (independent test; not an Ekrin spec)
- Speed range
- 1,400–3,200 RPM across 5 levels
- Noise level
- 49–61 dB measured independently (Ekrin lists 35–55 dB)
- Battery life
- Up to 8 hours (Ekrin claim; USB-C PD)
- Weight
- 2.2 lbs
- Attachments
- 4 heads included (silicone ball, bullet, flat, fork)
More strengths
- 15-degree angled handle noticeably reduces wrist and forearm fatigue
- Lifetime warranty adds long-term value (battery covered for 2 years)
Other tradeoffs
- 12 mm amplitude is mid-range; users seeking maximum deep-tissue penetration may want 16 mm
BEST THERAGUN
Theragun Prime (6th Gen)
Best for: Buyers who want the Theragun grip, app routines, and brand support at the lowest price in the full-size Theragun line.
- Triangle grip with a wider opening makes solo work on the back and shoulders easier
- 30 lb force rating trails cheaper guns built for heavy pressure
Kit Score 7.9/10 · Check current price · how we score gear
Buy on AmazonProduct details
The current Theragun Prime keeps the 16 mm stroke and patented triangle grip that made the line the most-recommended brand-name gun, then adds a rubberized shell Therabody rates for drops up to 10 feet, an LED pressure readout, USB-C charging, and app routines through the Therabody app. The trade-offs are a 30 lb force rating, two attachments in the box, and a 1-year warranty.
- Amplitude
- 16 mm (Therabody figure via MedGrade)
- Stall force
- 30 lbs (Therabody figure via MedGrade)
- Speed range
- 1,750–2,400 PPM across 5 speeds
- Noise level
- 55 dB (maker figure via MedGrade)
- Battery life
- Up to 120 minutes (Therabody; USB-C)
- Weight
- 32 oz (2 lbs)
- Attachments
- 2 (Dampener, Standard Ball)
- Warranty
- 1-year limited
More strengths
- 16 mm stroke matches Therabody's premium models
- Rated to survive drops up to 10 feet, with USB-C charging and an LED pressure readout
Other tradeoffs
- Ships with only two attachments and a 1-year warranty
How to choose
Match the gun to how you use it
You press hard on dense muscle
The B37's measured 56 lb stall force keeps the stroke going under load. The Prime's 30 lb rating means the motor slows sooner.
You need to reach your own mid-back
The Prime's triangle grip is the better tool for solo thoracic work. The B37v2's angled handle covers most other sites.
You train or travel several days a week
The B37v2's rated 8 hours means far fewer charges than the Prime's 120 minutes.
You want guidance on what to do
The Prime's app routines walk you through sessions. The Ekrin is a button and five speeds.
You want one gun for years
Ekrin's lifetime device warranty beats Therabody's one year.
FAQ
Is the Ekrin B37 better than a Theragun?
On motor strength, battery, and warranty, yes. MassageGunAdvice measured 56 lb of stall force on the B37, against a 30 lb rating listed for the Theragun Prime (6th Gen); Ekrin rates the B37v2 at up to 8 hours against the Prime's 120 minutes; and Ekrin's device warranty is lifetime against Therabody's one year. The Theragun is better for reaching your own back, has a deeper 16 mm stroke, and adds app routines.
Is the Theragun Elite discontinued?
Yes. MedGrade reports the Elite was discontinued in early 2025, and it is not in Therabody's current Theragun lineup. Therabody's certified refurbished Elite page showed sold out in October 2026. The current Theragun Prime (6th Gen) keeps the Elite's 16 mm stroke and triangle grip.
Theragun Prime vs Elite: what changed?
The Prime (6th Gen) is the current model: a rubberized shell Therabody rates for 10-foot drops, an LED pressure readout, USB-C charging, and a wider grip opening. The Elite carried a 40 lb force rating against the 30 lb MedGrade lists for the Prime. Both have a 16 mm stroke and about two hours of battery.
Which is better for travel or a gym bag?
The Ekrin B37v2. It weighs about the same (2.2 lb against the Prime's 2 lb), but its rated 8-hour battery means you can skip packing a charger on most trips, and it ships with four heads to the Prime's two. If size is the real issue, the Ekrin Bantam and Theragun Mini are smaller; see our best massage guns guide.
Where these numbers come from
| Claim | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Ekrin B37: 56 lb stall force at max speed, 12 mm stroke, 48.8–60.9 dB, 5–6 hours on the original B37 (reviewer measurements) | MassageGunAdvice, Ekrin B37 review | Oct 2026 |
| Ekrin B37v2: up to 8 hours, USB-C PD, 15 degree handle, 1,400–3,200 RPM; Ekrin advertises 35–55 dB | Ekrin, B37 product page | Oct 2026 |
| Lifetime device warranty, 2-year battery warranty, 30-day registration for non-direct purchases | Ekrin, warranty policy | Oct 2026 |
| Ekrin B37v2: 2.2 lb, 5 speeds, 4 attachments | Ekrin B37v2 listing on Amazon, ASIN B0DFMPNXJ3 (linked above) | Oct 2026 |
| Theragun Prime (6th Gen): 5 speeds, up to 120 minutes, 32 oz, 2 attachments, USB-C, 1-year warranty, 10 ft drop rating, Bluetooth app | Therabody, Theragun Prime 6th Gen | Oct 2026 |
| Theragun Prime (6th Gen): adaptive motor maintains speed under pressure, wider grip opening, LED pressure display | Theragun Prime 6th Gen listing on Amazon, ASIN B0FKCJNHWB (linked above) | Oct 2026 |
| Theragun Prime (6th Gen): 16 mm amplitude, 30 lb stall force, 1,750–2,400 PPM, 55 dB | MedGrade, Theragun Prime 6th Gen | Oct 2026 |
| Theragun Elite: 16 mm amplitude, 40 lb force, 120-minute battery, 80-minute charge, 2.2 lb, 1-year warranty | Iron Company, Theragun Elite specifications | Oct 2026 |
| Theragun Elite measured at 60–67 dB across five speeds | MassageGunAdvice, Theragun Elite review | Oct 2026 |
| Theragun Elite discontinued in early 2025; absent from Therabody's lineup | MedGrade, Theragun Elite; Therabody, Theragun shop | Oct 2026 |
| Theragun Elite certified refurbished (5th Gen) listed as sold out | Therabody, Theragun Elite refurbished | Oct 2026 |
| Safety: two to three minutes per muscle group; avoid bony areas, front of neck, injured skin | University of Utah Health | Oct 2026 |
We have not used either gun. Figures are the makers' published specs or, where labeled, an independent reviewer's measurements; nothing here is a Kit Authority measurement.
For the full field, including mini, heated, and budget guns, see our guide to the best massage guns. Browse more fitness gear or read how we research and rate.
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Related buying guideThe best massage guns for muscle recovery, budget to premium
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