Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review
However, impressive specs doesn't mean something is impressive in action. I found the Hypervolt 2 Pro much easier to use on someone else than myself thanks to the hefty 2.6 pound weight. The deep amplitude also means it's not recommended for those with weak or frail 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.
Price
$349 / £329
Dimensions
8 x 2.5 x 10.4 inches
Weight
2.6 pounds
Speed
1,700-2,700 RPM
Amplitude
14mm (estimated)
Battery
180 minutes
Colors
Black
Attachments
5
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 little 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 near-$300 price increase from other options.
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 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 really 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.
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 the 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 to me. He runs, lifts weights, and does fight training, so he works out considerably harder than me, 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 have 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.
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 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's 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 side. 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.
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 is $229. Both of 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 was $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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Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
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But now, I actually look forward to it. This dryer is fast, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use, and the styling attachments each serve a real purpose (especially the Express TouchUp Brush, which I basically live for). That said, it's not without its faults. The airflow is definitely on the louder side — not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if you're noise-sensitive. And while the attachments work beautifully on longer hair, I can see them being a bit trickier to use on short styles. Still, it's earned a permanent spot on my vanity. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
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Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 review
The Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 is a premium massage gun with a premium price tag to match. Everything about the Hypervolt Go 2's design is luxurious: its ergonomic handle, ease of use and grippy material. Is this enough to make it one of the best massage guns? If you've got money to spend, then of course. The Hypervolt Go 2 is $139, much more expensive than other mini massage guns I've tested. Although it lacks premium Bluetooth features found on other Hyperice options, it could be a good supplementary massage gun for traveling (and it's TSA-approved!). I'll discuss everything in detail in this Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 review. Price $139 / £129 Dimensions 6.7 x 7.3 x 2 inches Weight 1.5 pounds Speed 2,200 - 3,200 RPM Amplitude Estimated 10mm Battery 180 minutes Colors White, black Attachments Flat, bullet The Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 is the cheapest of Hyperice's massage guns. It's $139 from Amazon U.S. and £129 from Amazon U.K.. This makes it $200 cheaper than the Hypervolt 2 Pro I reviewed recently, yet $50 pricier than the Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini. Spoiler alert: Bob and Brad works in pretty much the same way, so I see no reason why you should spend the extra money for the Hyperice. More premium Hyperice massage guns — like the aforementioned Hypervolt 2 Pro and the $199 Hypervolt 2 — have Bluetooth and app connectivity, which was my favorite aspect of the 2 Pro. As the Go 2 lacks this feature, I don't really see how that $139 price tag is justified. It's so much more expensive than other similarly priced massage guns, like the Bob and Brad options. But I'll get more into that later. As with other Hyperice products I've tested, the Hypervolt Go 2 excels in its design. The Hypervolt Go 2 is a beautiful, ergonomic, and high-quality massage gun that works hard to justify its high price. I say "ergonomic" very loosely: I'm not a medical professional, nor someone professionally knowledgeable about what is or isn't ergonomic. However, the Hypervolt Go 2 feels comfortable and easy to hold. It's made from a grippy silicone-like material, so it's almost impossible to drop. I found it very easy to grip the handle tightly enough to massage difficult-to-reach areas. This silicone-like material is probably one of my favorite design aspects of the Hypervolt Go 2. In terms of ergonomics, while the Hypervolt Go 2 isn't particularly lightweight (1.5 pounds compared to the Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini's 14 ounces), it has a nice feel to it. I found the handle easy to grip. On top of that, the center of gravity was well-balanced. I could stretch out my arm without dropping it or having to loosen my grip. The gun is available in two colors: black and pale gray. I tested the pale gray option, and I found its light color didn't make it look dirty at all. I was worried it would be a dust magnet, but it wasn't. Although it's not a truly 'mini' massage gun, the Hypervolt Go 2 is the smallest gun in Hyperice's lineup. It's just 7 inches long and 6 inches wide (with a 2-inch diameter on the actual 'gun' part), compared to the 2 Pro's 10-inch length. I much prefer the smaller size of the Go 2, but I wish it had a larger speed range and came with more attachments. Unfortunately, presumably, as this is the entry-level Hyperice, the Hypervolt Go 2 only comes with two attachments: a bullet and a flat top. I used the flat top the most, as the bullet was a bit too painful. If you have a tight knot, though, the bullet attachment could be your best bet. Comparatively, the Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini has five attachments (one of which heats up) for just $89. I know which massage gun I'd buy. All in all, the Hypervolt Go 2 is a premium-looking massage gun with a premium price tag to boot. Whether it's worth its price tag is another question in and of itself: I don't think it's worth $139, but if you're a more serious athlete and you want the luxury brand of massage gun, then it's the cheapest way to achieve that. It takes a number of seconds to turn on the Hypervolt Go 2. I found myself wondering if it had run out of charge, only for it to then light up green. You control percussion speed with the on/off button at the rear of the body. As there are only three speeds, a fourth press will turn off the device. I was pretty disappointed to see just three speed settings, as the Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini has five speeds. As mentioned in the "Design" section above, though, the Hyperice option is much prettier and nicer to hold than the Bob and Brad, so there's a sacrifice. As the lowest speed is 2,200 RPM, the Hypervolt Go 2 is a pretty intense massage gun. Even at the lowest speed, I found it too much on my back. I could only use it on my traps, quads, calves and glutes. When you first turn the massage gun on, it takes about five seconds to accelerate to the desired speed. Honestly, I found this acceleration period more comfortable on my muscles than the minimum 2,200RPM percussion speed. My boyfriend is much more muscular than I, and he was able to use it on his back with no problems. I would recommend the Hypervolt Go 2 for relatively muscular users, like athletes or bodybuilders. If you're a casual user, I'd recommend the weaker and cheaper Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini. Unfortunately, there's no Bluetooth or Hyperice app compatibility. This was my favorite aspect of the $349 Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro, and it at least did some work to justify its premium price. Even though the Hypervolt Go 2 is $139 — around $50 pricier than similar spec massage guns — it doesn't have any app functionality. I was majorly disappointed to see this; if it had app functionality, I would see this massage gun as a much better deal. I'm not saying the Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 is a bad massage gun. It's perfectly in line with the rest of Hyperice's range: premium, aesthetic and expensive. It's not intended for casual massage gun users who may want a quick massage post-workout. It's intended for customers who desire the best of the best — it's kind of like buying a MacBook Pro rather than a Chromebook, when all you're going to be doing is browsing the web. The best feature (that almost justified the high price tag) of the Hypervolt 2 Pro is missing from the Go 2; I don't see the Go 2 as good value. However, Hyperice has a reputation — and an intended clientele — and if you fall into that category, then there's no reason why the Hypervolt Go 2 won't be the perfect massage gun for you. If you want the best of the best and don't mind spending the dollars, then the Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 is the massager for you.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I'm utterly bamboozled by this ultra-cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine — and not in a bad way
The Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder is one of the most affordable bean-to-cup machines I've ever come across. At just $349, this machine goes head-to-head with other inexpensive espresso machine brands like Casabrews. However, obviously some sacrifices will have been made to keep that price down. For starters, the steam wand is pretty poor, and the appearance isn't the best. Still, though, could it be one of the best espresso machines for coffee enthusiasts on a budget? I'll discuss all the technicalities in this comprehensive Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder review. Price $349 Weight 23.9 pounds Grinder Yes Dimensions 11.5 x 13 x 16.1 inches Heating system Thermoblock Pressure 20 bar Water tank capacity 77 ounces Accessories included Dual and single-walled portafilters, tamper, cleaning pin, milk jug The Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder is $349 from Amazon U.S. At time of writing, it's not available in the U.K. Bizarrely, this machine isn't mentioned anywhere on Gevi's website, but I have made the brand aware of this discrepancy. This $349 price makes it one of the cheapest espresso machines with a built-in grinder available today. Usually, machines with grinders start from about $500 — and that's classed as a budget price. Recently, I tested the $249 Casabrews Ultra, which has no grinder but is one of the cheapest larger espresso machines I've tested. Unfortunately, it suffers from the same problems as the Gevi — which I'll get into soon — but of course I can't ask for perfection from a cheap machine. The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera, which is one of the best bean-to-cup espresso machines, is a massive $899. Similarly, the impressive Breville Barista range starts from the $749 Breville Barista Express. In comparison, the Gevi option's $349 price tag is practically a steal. However, some sacrifices have naturally been made to hit that low price point. As this is a $349 machine, I didn't have high hopes for its appearance and build. Unfortunately, the Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder looks — and feels — pretty cheap, but I suppose that's because it is. A machine can't have everything, and some of the cost-cutting measures have been implemented in its design and construction. The top feels overly plasticky and the water tank lid is finicky. Even so, it's not plasticky or falling apart. It simply feels flimsy and looks a bit cheap. If that's something you're willing to look past (and remember: this will be out on the counter 24/7), then it's a worthy sacrifice. On the front of the machine is a rectangular black screen with a 'grind' bean icon and a single and double cup 'shot' icon. Each icon has corresponding buttons to control grinding or extraction. On the right side of the front facade is the steam dial. I understand why some home espresso machines have dials instead of buttons — it's almost certainly to make the machine feel fancier or more hands-on — but I think it's more of a hindrance than a help on the Gevi machine. I think a button would make much more sense: it would be less obtrusive and easier to control for a beginner. Press button: steam appear. Press button again: steam disappear. It just makes more sense for these beginner-orientated machines. I need to address some Amazon reviews in this section. Some Amazon reviewers have claimed the machine doesn't come with 'naked or bottomless portafilters' as a negative. No, the machine doesn't come with naked or bottomless portafilters, but neither do $1,000 Brevilles. I also don't think people who know what naked/bottomless portafilters are fall into the target audience of this machine. Another review claims the grinder lid doesn't fit on the machine. This is simply not true. It fits nicely and doesn't come loose. Now, I know that espresso machines with built-in grinders have inferior grinders, and that's just a fact of life. I also know that most decent grinders start from $349, so an espresso machine + grinder at this price point doesn't bode well for the quality of said grinder. However, I was really pleasantly surprised. No, of course this grinder isn't of the same quality as the $300 Comandante C40 MK4 or $649 Eureka Mignon Specialita, but it's also technically… free? All things considered. The grinder has 30 adjustment steps, which is nice to see on a budget machine. Some Amazon reviews claim there are no 'grinder settings', but I can assure you this is not the case. There are grinder settings — 30, in fact. There are only two major annoyances: 1) the grinder heats up a little, so my beans came out slightly warm to the touch during testing; and 2) actually getting the grinder to grind. Supposedly, you have to press the grinder button twice to grind for a double shot, but this only ground 14g. The single shot function also ground 14g. If you've got a coffee scale, it's easy to measure out the desired dose, though. For just $349, I found this error easy to overlook. On the whole, the grinder doesn't clump, is fast, and helps make tasty espresso. Of course it won't impress coffee enthusiasts, but then again, Gevi doesn't make machines for espresso enthusiasts, so no love lost there. Before drinking any beverages prepared on the Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder, I ran two water tanks' worth of water through the machine and the steam wand. This is to remove any nasty metallic or plastic taste from the manufacturing. I would recommend you do this to any new machine too. Gevi says the machine has 20-bar pressure and a PID controller, which is great for a cheap espresso machine. I found my espresso came out at reliable, controlled temperatures. After grinding my beans to number 5 on Gevi's grinder, I dosed 18g of coffee into the single-walled double-shot portafilter basket. I had to measure this with my Fellow Tally Pro scale (one of the best coffee scales) as I didn't trust the dose on the grinder. I then extracted this by pressing the 'double shot' button on the front of the machine. I stopped extraction at 36g — again using my scale. The default shot volume dosed 58g during my preceding tests, which resulted in a bitter yet watery shot. You can easily calibrate this shot volume by holding down the respective shot button until it flashes, then pressing the button again to stop it. I'm happy to manually start and stop extraction with the help of my coffee scale, though. I will note that the Gevi machine uses 58mm portafilters, which is the most common size, and the commercial standard. This larger diameter means the portafilter itself is shallower, which helps ensure a more even flow of water. This is great to see on a cheaper machine. There are also a wider array of aftermarket accessories available for 58mm portafilters than the smaller 54mm portafilters used on Breville machines like the $599 Breville Bambino Plus — our favorite entry-level machine. Anyway, here's a photograph of the espresso I made on the Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder. As you can see, the shot is quite dark, but the crema is thick. This is with single-walled portafilters, not the much-maligned pressurized baskets. An Amazon reviewer claimed the Gevi machine is incapable of making crema, but this is literally not true. The picture above is proof. One Amazon reviewer claimed the espresso only came out at 125°F, but when I was testing, it extracted at way above that. My meat thermometer read 176°F, and I know meat thermometers aren't ideal to measure liquids, but I can assure you the espresso was steaming hot. Overall, the espresso tasted fine. No, not particularly mind-blowing, but very good considering this is a $349 machine with a grinder. I would recommend this mostly for people who like flavored coffee, like pumpkin spice lattes and caramel macchiatos. If you're a casual or beginner home barista, this machine will impress you. Until you use the steam wand… Seeing as the espresso extraction was generally quite impressive (for the money), I hoped the steam wand performance would be equally so. Unfortunately, the steam wand turned out to be my number one disappointment with this machine. The steam wand takes at least 18 seconds to heat up after espresso — so long in fact that I started just steaming my milk first and continuing to swirl it to try and save the texture. Similar to the Casabrews Ultra ($249), the Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder suffers from a weak, spluttery, and overall disappointing steam wand. As there's only one hole, it naturally has less power than the 4-holed steam wand of the Breville Bambino Plus. However, the Casabrews 5418Pro has an utterly fantastic one-holed steam wand for just $249. Even so, you'd be sacrificing decent espresso with this machine — it comes with only pressurized portafilters. The Gevi option makes more 'technically' correct espresso. The Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder steam wand is too weak to actually texturize the milk. Unfortunately, it kind of spluttered air into my milk, and I wasn't able to whip up enough power to get the desired vortex in the milk. Here's a photo of the best drink I made on the Gevi. As you can see, that's a pretty shoddy milk quality. I was a barista for 3 ½ years, so I can assure you it's not a skill issue. If I've got a somewhat decent steam wand, I can make great milk and achieve pretty latte art. It also took ages to steam one pitcher of milk (no more than about 10oz). Like, 1 minute and 37 seconds. This just shows that the steam wand is pretty weak. Unfortunately, I was unable to achieve the ideal melted ice cream texture of milk on the Gevi machine. I wouldn't recommend this for people trying to perfect their milk aeration or trying to be the next latte artists going viral on TikTok. If you mostly drink black coffee or iced lattes, though, or you simply don't care about non-perfect milk texture, then the Gevi machine is an affordable way to get good espresso. As this is a pretty big machine — 13 inches wide and 16 inches high — you'll need to clear a decent amount of space on your kitchen counter before purchasing. Gevi provides a cleaning pin for the steam wand hole. Weirdly, there's nothing else provided to clean, so you'll need to buy that yourself. The water tank has no filter, so you'll need to be on it with descaling. I would recommend descaling about every 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on your water hardness. I live in one of the hardest water locations in the U.K., so I need to descale my kitchen appliances every 6 weeks or so. Gevi recommends cleaning the drip tray regularly — I would empty and clean mine at least every other day — and cleaning the portafilters regularly. At home, I clean my portafilter after every use in normal warm soapy water and clean my drip tray the same way. Gevi offers a 12 month warranty, which is around the same as Breville and De'Longhi's basic warranty. As I mentioned earlier, if you've got a small budget, there's really very little competition. The Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder is just $349, which is literally hundreds of dollars cheaper than other machines from bigger brands. Obviously the Gevi option isn't as good as those machines, but you get what you pay for, and I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that. If you want an excellent espresso machine on a small budget, I'd recommend the De'Longhi Stilosa ($149), although it has no grinder, so you'd need to buy one of the best coffee grinders separately. These are often pricey, with beginner electric options like the Varia VS3 costing as much as $299. Alternatively, though, you can invest in a manual grinder for much cheaper, like the fantastic $60 1Zpresso Q-Air — so a good station can be set up cheaply. If you need an espresso machine with a grinder and your budget is low, then the Gevi option kind of is the only machine for you. Just be wary that the steam wand isn't great and that it looks quite cheap. As I said in the headline, this machine is utterly baffling. Just how? How is it so cheap? Right, yeah, it's not without its imperfections (steam wand is pretty bad, takes ages to switch between espresso and milk), but that doesn't necessarily excuse the price. $349 is incomprehensibly low for a bean-to-cup espresso machine. Most grinders alone are $300, let alone getting an espresso machine on top of that. I'd expect this machine to be at least $450, and that's cheap, too. There's little competition at this price, so if you really want an espresso machine with a grinder and you've got a small budget, then the Gevi Espresso Machine with Grinder is your only option. Me? I'd probably get the De'Longhi Stilosa and a separate grinder, though.
