Tom's Guide Verdict
The Hypervolt 2 Pro is ideal for serious athletes. If you want a top-tier massage gun with premium construction, fantastic app compatibility and a sleek aesthetic, this could be perfect for you. However, for most people, its price is simply unattainable. If you want a Hyperice product more affordably, check out the Hyperice Go 2 or the Hyperice Pro.
Pros
- +
Slower low speed compared to others
- +
Pre-programmed massage sets
- +
Fantastic app
Cons
- -
Laughably expensive
- -
Really heavy
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The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro is one of the most expensive massage guns on the market. But does that mean it’s also one of the best massage guns?
Not exactly. Yes, the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro is loaded with impressive specs like Bluetooth connectivity, an app full of massage routines, RPM adjustable from 1,700 to 2,700 and an impressive 180-minute battery life.
However, impressive specs don’t mean something is impressive in action. I found the Hypervolt 2 Pro much easier to use on someone else than on myself, thanks to the hefty 2.6-pound weight. The deep amplitude also means it’s not recommended for those with weak muscles.
The Hypervolt 2 Pro is pro in name and use case: this is a massage gun for serious athletes. This is not a casual gun for office workers or ad-hoc runners. Find out if this massage gun suits your needs in this Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review.
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review: Cheat sheet
- What is it? A premium massage gun
- Who is it for? Serious athletes, if you want the best of the best and cost doesn’t matter
- What does it cost? $349 / £329
- What do we like? The app is utterly fantastic, and it’s easy to use
- What don’t we like? The steep price is intended for professionals
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review: Specs
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review: Price & availability
The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro massage gun is pro in name and in price. It’s a whopping $349 from Amazon U.S. and £329 on Amazon U.K..
This price makes the Hypervolt 2 Pro one of the priciest massage guns on the market. I’ve tested the $89 Bob and Brad M7 Mini Pro, which, when compared to the Hypervolt 2 Pro, is practically free.
Bob and Brad’s closest competitor to the Hypervolt 2 Pro is the $299 D6 Pro Plus, which has a 16mm amplitude compared to the Hypervolt 2 Pro’s estimated 14mm.
The Theragun Elite is the Hypervolt 2 Pro’s closest competitor. The $399 massage gun has a lowest speed of 1,750RPM (50RPM faster than the Hypervolt 2 Pro) and a 16mm amplitude. The Theragun Elite, however, has a small screen you can adjust the RPM with, which gives it a more high-tech feel.
I see no reason why the Hypervolt 2 Pro needs to be so expensive, other than its app connectivity. But I still don’t think these premium features work hard enough to justify the nearly $300 price increase compared with other options.
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review: Design
The Hypervolt 2 Pro is considerably larger than alternative massage guns. The Theragun Elite has a 9-inch length, while the Hypervolt 2 Pro is 10 inches. In comparison, the more affordable massage guns on the market tend to be around 5 inches long.
Whether you like this large size will depend on you. My boyfriend loved it, as the long handle meant he could reach all areas of his back. I struggled as it was simply too heavy for me to hold up and maneuver.
The 2.6-pound weight meant the Hypervolt 2 Pro was tricky to hold up for long periods. When I was trying to massage my shoulders, I found my arm started to hurt before long.
I found it much easier to massage someone else rather than myself, because I could use two hands, but I’ll talk about that in the ‘Performance’ section later.
Turning on the Hypervolt 2 Pro is easy: simply flick the switch on the bottom. The LED panel lights up green. You use the dial on the back of the barrel to change speed, and there are 5 speed levels. I found the top speed was too powerful for all muscle groups except the quads and glutes.
There are five attachments: flat, fork, bullet, cushion and ball. I found the ball was best for everyday aches and pains; the bullet was almost painful; the fork was good for traps and calves after a long day of hunching over a desk, so I’d recommend that for fellow sedentary workers — but only at the lowest speed.
Unfortunately, there’s no travel case, so if you want to take the Hypervolt 2 Pro out and about with you, you’ll need to get your own bag. This has been a Hyperice issue for a while: Theraguns come with a hard carry case.
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review: Performance
As I mentioned briefly in the ‘Design’ section above, I found the Hypervolt 2 Pro much easier to use on someone else than on myself. I couldn’t hold it up for long enough to massage my shoulders.
As a result, I’d recommend this only if you’re a) really strong, or b) have someone to massage you.
I used it on myself after weightlifting, yoga and on my boyfriend after his various workouts. I found the lowest speed was enough for my aching muscles, and he agreed that it was enough for him, too. He said it was maybe a little too hard sometimes and wished the Hypervolt 2 Pro had an even lower setting.
My main issue with the Hypervolt 2 Pro — other than weight — is that it’s a little too powerful. The slowest RPM is 1,700 (300RPM slower than the Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini I use almost every day), but this was too powerful for my back, likely due to the deeper amplitude.
For context, I have a very bony back (I’m trying, but building muscle is hard) that’s mostly ribs and vertebrae. The Hypervolt 2 Pro just bounced off my bones instead of massaging what little muscle I do have.
Even on my shoulders, which have a little more meat than my back, the massage gun pummeled me rather than massaging me. Have you ever skimmed a stone across a body of water? That’s what it felt like across my back.
Fortunately, my boyfriend has the complete opposite body type from mine. He runs, lifts weights, and does fight training, so he works out considerably harder than I, and also has more muscle to massage.
I used the Hypervolt 2 Pro on him after workouts. He thought the pressure was a little too much on very tender muscles, but at least it was actually able to massage him.
I think this massage gun will suit people who are very muscled, rather than people who are currently growing muscle.
I found my favorite use case for the Hypervolt 2 Pro was with the Hyperice app. I loved being able to sync up a massage routine with the gun and not having to change any features. However, the Pro gun is still $349 — that’s $120 pricier than the base Hypervolt 2, which also has app compatibility.
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review: App
I adored the Hyperice app. Like other Hyperice massage guns, the Hypervolt 2 Pro uses the Hyperice app. This is a nice, clean app with an easily navigable UI and a range of features.
Connecting to the Hypervolt 2 Pro was easy. On the Hyperice app, I selected ‘Hypervolt’ from the list of compatible products, and it connected immediately.
From there, I could choose from a vast range of massage routines. As I’d just done leg day at the gym, I chose the 19-minute leg routine. There are loads more options, including ‘Nighttime relief’, specialized routines like ‘treating shin splints’, and even ‘NBA post game’.
Here are a few screenshots of the routine in progress.
The app tells you exactly which attachment to use, exactly where to massage, and changes the percussion intensity automatically (although you can do it manually, too).
The app controls the length of each massage routine and reminds you when to change sides. I think the Hyperice app is one of the best aspects of the Hypervolt 2 Pro, and the only feature that attempts to justify its $349 MSRP.
If you really want a massage gun with app compatibility and automated massaging routines, the Hypervolt 2 Pro will perform that role excellently. For those on a more restrictive budget, the base Hypervolt 2 ($229 — not the Pro) also connects to the Hyperice app via Bluetooth.
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review: Verdict
If you’re a serious athlete and you want the best of the best massage guns, then the Hypervolt 2 Pro won’t let you down. Just be wary that it’s pretty heavy and costs an arm and a leg.
If $349 is a little too steep for a massage gun, the Hyperice Go 2 is just $139 (but has no app connectivity), or the Hyperice Pro retails at $229. Both these options have the same fantastic Hyperice construction and style.
However, if money is no object, then the Hypervolt 2 Pro is a good option. Even if it were $50 cheaper, at $299, I would be more inclined to recommend it wholeheartedly.
But for those out there who want the premium option regardless of price, the Hypervolt 2 Pro won’t let you down.
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