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Hyperice Hypervolt 2 massage gun review: Sweet relief from sore muscles
Your body will thank you, but your wallet might appreciate one of the cheaper options out there.
Hyperice is one of the pioneers of the massage-gun category, and the Hypervolt 2 fully demonstrates the company's muscle-punching acumen. If you're seeking relief from sore quads, hips, hammies, glutes and more, you'll find it here. This full-size percussive massager offers more power than most and connects with a mobile app to guide you through a variety of routines. Plus, it's cheaper now than it was when it first came to market. But there are a few things you should know before pulling the, er, trigger on this gun. Here's my Hyperice Hypervolt 2 review.
Weight: 1.9 pounds | Speeds: 3 | Attachments included: 5 | Amplitude: 12 mm | Noise (low/high): 68/75 dB
PROS: Splendid high-power massage; guided routines in companion app
CONS: Large and heavy; no carrying case; proprietary AC charger
VERDICT: While there's no arguing with the Hypervolt 2's massage quality, there are competing products that cost less, run quieter and do better on the accessory side.
The Hypervolt 2 is a handsome gray machine (also available in black) with a substantial grip. It also has substantial heft, weighing in at close to two pounds. That can lead to some arm fatigue after just a few minutes of operation. There are other models out there that weigh less.
To charge the gun, you plug an included AC adapter into a port on the bottom. While it's nice that the charger is included, I'd prefer if Hyperice switched over to USB-C charging, which is much more common these days. If you forget to pack the proprietary adapter while traveling, you're out of luck once the battery dies. And if you lose it altogether, you'll have to buy a new one from Hyperice.
Read more: 7 amazing massage guns to soothe your sore muscles, tested and reviewed
Forgetting or misplacing it would be less likely if the Hypervolt 2 came with a carrying case, but, alas, it doesn't. There's a small zippered case to hold the five attachments, but nothing to hold the gun itself. That may seem like a trivial matter, but I find it rather unforgiveable that a premium product like this — with its premium price tag — should leave out such a useful accessory. Virtually all other massage guns I've tested recently, including those costing much less, come with a case.
To operate the Hypervolt, you press and hold the power button located on the back end. That turns it on, illuminating a nifty green LED band in the grip. Each subsequent button-press cycles between the three speed settings. I found it a little awkward to power off the gun while it was running on the higher speeds, because it requires a long button-press and there's a lot of vibration. Better to cycle back through to standby, then power down.
I'll admit to being initially confused by some of the LEDs — all unlabeled — that share space with the power button. There are three that correspond to the selected speed setting, but another three just below the button that don't seem to do anything. I thought perhaps they showed battery status, but it turns out they're pressure-sensitivity indicators, illuminating only if you exert excessive force while massaging. Honestly I don't see much point to that, as you'll know well enough if you're pushing too hard. And you won't be able to see those LEDs most of the time anyway, as they'll be angled away from you.
By the way, that green LED band in the handle? That's the battery indicator. Very cool, if not immediately obvious.
Hyperice supplies five different massage heads. In addition to the standard ball, spine, flat and bullet attachments, there's an accordion-style "cushion" head for working on more sensitive areas — calves, for example. Unfortunately, neither the included quick-start guide nor operating instructions explains what the various heads are for or how they should be used.
Thankfully, the Hyperice app is practically a personal trainer, with lots of videos that guide you through using the Hypervolt on various muscle groups (along with which attachments to use). These aren't just static tutorials, though: Because the massage gun is connected to the app via Bluetooth, any speed changes introduced during a routine are automatically applied. (Weirdly, though, you can't manually adjust speed in the app unless you're watching a video.)
The Hypervolt 2 offers an impressive 12mm amplitude, which is the distance the head travels during each stroke. Generally speaking, higher amplitude equals deeper massage. I consider 12mm to be optimal; any more and it can be a little too powerful. Lower amplitudes are fine, but you have to exert some pressure to go deeper, and that can tire you out more quickly.
One could argue that the most important aspect of a massage gun is how well it massages your muscles, and in this respect the Hypervolt is excellent. It's powerful, if a bit noisy, and has all the attachments you need for all parts of your body.
That said, it didn't quite make the cut in my recent lineup of the best massage guns, and that's because it earned just a few too many demerits. What's more, although it now sells for $199, a full $100 below its original price, you can get the same amplitude, more speeds, more attachments and quieter operation from something like the Renpho Power Plus, which is currently priced at $106.
Will your muscles thank you for buying a Hypervolt 2? Absolutely. But you can make your muscles and your wallet happy with something cheaper.
Good, not great. While there's no arguing with the Hypervolt 2's massage quality, there are competing products that cost less, run quieter and do better on the accessory side.
