A massage gun arrives with a bag of heads and very little explanation. Most people click on the round one and never touch the rest.
The heads do different jobs, and the difference is simple: how wide the contact is and how soft the material is. This article covers what each one is for. For rollers, guns, and compression boots together, start with the recovery equipment buying guide.
Short answer: use a soft, wide head for most of the body and for anything tender. Save the small, firm heads for one stubborn spot at a time, on a low speed.
What each head is for
Therabody publishes a one-line description for each attachment on the Theragun PRO. They are the clearest maker descriptions we found, so we quote them here.
| Head | Therabody’s description |
|---|---|
| Supersoft | “Perfect for sensitive and sore areas near bones or joints.” |
| Dampener | “Gentle, yet firm massage to reduce aches and pains on tender or sensitive areas, like around bones.” |
| Standard Ball | “Full-body massage that helps to reduce tension and target areas in need of a firmer or deeper touch.” |
| Wedge | “Firm and controlled treatment best for large muscles and scraping areas like quadriceps and IT bands.” |
| Thumb | “Trigger point massage ideal for targeting the lower back.” |
| Micro-point | “Targeted therapy with small micro-points that increase circulation and stimulate smaller muscle groups.” |
From Therabody’s Theragun PRO product page, accessed October 9, 2026. These are the maker’s descriptions, not test results.
Other brands use different names for the same shapes. A “bullet” is a small pointed head, like the Thumb. A “flat” head is a wide firm disc. A “fork” has two prongs. The logic is the same across brands.
The rule behind the chart
Here’s what the spec sheet won’t tell you. Two things decide how a head feels.
Contact area. The gun delivers the same force whichever head is on it. A wide head spreads that force over more skin. A small head puts all of it into one spot. That is why the Thumb feels far stronger than the ball at the same speed.
Hardness. A soft foam head compresses and takes the edge off each hit. A hard plastic head doesn’t.
So the chart runs from gentle to intense: Supersoft, Dampener, Standard Ball, Wedge, Thumb. When you change to a smaller or harder head, drop the speed first and bring it back up slowly.
Which heads come in the box
| Massage gun | Price | Heads included |
|---|---|---|
| Theragun Mini (3rd Gen) | $179.99 | 3: Dampener, Standard Ball, Thumb |
| Hyperice Hypervolt 3 Pro | $349 | 5, including a heated head |
| Theragun PRO (5th Gen) | $529.99 | 6: Supersoft, Standard Ball, Dampener, Wedge, Thumb, Micro-point |
From Therabody and Hyperice listings, checked September 2026. Our data doesn’t name the other four Hypervolt heads, so check the listing.
Run the numbers before you pay for heads. The three that come with the Mini cover a soft option, an all-round option, and a pinpoint option. For most people that is the whole job. The extra heads on the PRO add a gentler choice and two specialist shapes. They are worth having if you know you’ll use them, and not a reason by themselves to spend $350 more.
A sensible starting routine
Cleveland Clinic’s advice on massage guns is short. Start at a low intensity, stay on muscle and off bone, and keep to no more than a couple of minutes on any one muscle group. It also notes the devices haven’t been proven to improve speed, power, or endurance.
With that in mind:
- Fit the softest head you have.
- Set the lowest speed.
- Rest the head on the muscle and let it float. Don’t lean on it.
- Move slowly along the muscle for up to a couple of minutes, then move on.
- Change to the standard ball only if the soft head feels like too little.
My rule: stay away from the spine, the front and sides of the neck, and any joint. Stop if you feel sharp pain, numbness, or tingling. If you have a clotting disorder, take blood thinners, are pregnant, or have a recent injury, ask your doctor before using one.
Heated and specialty heads
The Hypervolt 3 Pro includes a heated head, the only one in our catalog. Warmth on a stiff muscle feels good. Our data doesn’t give its temperature, so ask Hyperice if you plan to use it on sensitive skin.
Treat any specialty head as an extra.
Care
Wipe the heads after use, since they pick up sweat and skin oil. Seat a head fully before you switch on.
To compare a massage gun with compression boots, see our recovery equipment comparison.
Bottom line: wide and soft for most of the body, small and firm for one knot at a time. The three basic heads do nearly all the work.
Sources
- Therabody, Theragun PRO product page (attachment descriptions), accessed October 9, 2026: therabody.com
- Cleveland Clinic, article on massage guns and percussive therapy, February 14, 2023: health.clevelandclinic.org
- Therabody Theragun Mini and PRO and Hyperice Hypervolt 3 Pro listings (heads, price), checked September 2026