Latest news with #AmazonU.S.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I tried this $129 Hyperice heated massager, and it's perfect for office workers with a bad back
'I've got a bad back' is a phrase you'll hear me repeating day in, day out. I have mild scoliosis in my upper back, which can cause aches and pains after strenuous activities, and I think I've tried just about every solution out there to ease my symptoms. I never thought that a vibrating pad would be the answer to my woes. If you're considering one of the best massage guns to counteract your muscle tension, you might want to first look towards the Hyperice Venom Go: a small, adhesive strap device that combines vibration and heat. Research suggests that vibration therapy can aid with pain relief and muscle rehabilitation. The vibrations activate the muscles, while the heat soothes by increasing blood flow to the area, therefore reducing the effects of any spasms. The Venom Go can be used anywhere on the body as the reusable sticky pad easily adheres to the skin with the sticky gel. The pod, which sends signals for heat and vibrations, is then attached to the pad magnetically. There are nine possible heat and vibration combinations, and controlling the pod through the app is a breeze. It is also lightweight and compact for use basically anywhere. But you should be aware that you need to buy refills for the adhesive pads as they do lose their tack. The battery life only lasts one hour, and you can't check how much juice is remaining. You can find out more about my experience testing this massage pad in my full Hyperice Venom Go review. Price $129/£129 Pad dimensions 5 x 3 x 0.3 inches Pod dimensions 2 x 2 x 1 inches Weight Less than 0.2 lbs Battery Up to one hour Connectivity Bluetooth The Hyperice Venom Go is available at Amazon U.S. for $129 and at Amazon U.K. for £129. This price is for the device only, but it's also available for purchase with a carry case. However, with the addition of the case the price skyrockets by nearly $80 to $207 at Amazon U.S./ £210 at Amazon U.K., so I'd recommend skipping it. The Venom Go is unlike anything else on the market, with the most similar in size and shape being a tens machine. A tens machine is typically small, like the Venom Go, but it works by sending small electric shocks to the muscles, whereas the Venom Go simply vibrates to activate the muscles. The Venom is also different from hand-held massagers like the Bob and Brad M7 or Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro, which use kneading and vibration. The Hyperice Venom Go is very compact and portable, even without the added carry case. The device weighs less than 0.2 pounds, so when using it at home, I just carried on with my day as normal without it impacting any of my chores. The device is all black and consists of a vibrating pod and an adhesive pad that magnetically attaches. They quickly snap to each other with zero fuss, and I could even do it easily behind my back. The pod, which measures 2 x 2 x 1 inches, controls the vibration and heat settings. At the top of the pod is the power button, on the left is the vibration settings, and on the right is the heat settings. There is also a USB-C charging port at the bottom. There is also a USB charging cable included, and the need for charging is indicated by an amber light. However, I found that when it needed charging it would simply shut off mid-session. When it was finished charging, which took about an hour, the indicator light turned green. With the device you get three reusable adhesive pads measuring 5 x 3 inches, a similar size to heat packs I would normally pick up at the drugstore. These are how the device fastens to your body, wherever you need pain relief. The pads are reusable and Hyperice says each one can be used 20 times. However, after 4 uses, I noticed the sticky backing had lost some of its stick. To ensure the pad stayed sticky, I reattached the protective film after to ensure it stayed clean. Refill packs which have three pads and will set you back $29 (at Amazon U.S.) each time, so the price will quickly mount up if you need to use the Venom Go frequently. The Hyperice Venom Go is now a staple in my daily routine. Especially after a long hike, which sometimes strains my back; or after sitting at my desk all day like the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. It eases tension almost immediately, and as someone with diagnosed scoliosis, it's a real game changer. You can alter your routine to best suit you, with nine possible setting combinations. There are three different heat settings and three different vibration settings, as well as the option to have either function turned off. This made me feel like I was in control of the experience and meant I could get the intensity of treatment I needed just right for every situation. The three heat options are 105°F (level 1), 109°F (level 2) and 113°F (level 3). At times, I found level 3 to be too hot, so I switched down to level 2 partway through the session. This was easy to do with the app, and I felt the difference in temperature instantly. When heated, the pad relieved tension in my muscles the same way any heat pad would, and while the vibrations take some getting used to, I felt a difference in how my muscles moved when the vibrations stopped. Where I was stiff before, I could move more freely. But, there is no deep tissue activation with the vibrations, like you would get from the shocks of a tens machine. However, the vibrations did make me feel relaxed. So, while it is therapeutic, it won't work for larger knots. Nevertheless, the Venom Go relieved pain well enough that I could still get on with my chores around the house, rather than needing to sit still with a hot water bottle on my sore muscles. If you are looking for something to give deep tissue relief, you'll want to turn your attention to the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro ($349), which uses deep amplitude kneading — that means the head of the gun moves back and forth to penetrate deep into the muscle. For athletes, the Hypervolt 2 Pro would be a better choice. The Venom Go's battery is slightly confusing. There is no way to check how much battery is remaining, so it just stops mid-session. It would be useful if there were an area in the app to check the battery percentage and avoid sessions being cut short. There is one hour of battery life on a full charge. I found a 10-minute session provided lots of pain relief, so six of those is fairly good going. However, I had to keep a charger on hand as I was using the Venom Go frequently. The app is my favorite thing about the Hyperice Venom Go. The pod connected via Bluetooth to my phone, although I had to reconnect it each time (which was only a minor inconvenience). The heat settings are controlled with a slider, and the vibrations can be selected by their names, which made it very easy to visualize what was going on in my sessions. Since I was using the Venom Go on my back, the app made it far easier to control as I wasn't reaching around to press buttons, nor having to detach the pod to see what I was doing. I could change the settings even mid-session. The response time between the app and pod is instant, so I could feel the temperature change immediately. I recommend the Hyperice Venom Go to anyone who needs relief from everyday muscle tension and aches. It can be used anywhere on the body, but I found it very effective for tension in my upper and lower back. The lightweight and compact design means it's discreet under clothes and can easily be put in your training bag for immediate relief after a training session. Like I said, it won't offer deep tissue treatment. The app also enhances the whole experience by letting the user visualize treatment options. That being said, it isn't perfect. Although the adhesive pads are reusable, they lose their stickiness much faster than advertised, and you'll need to purchase pricey refill packs. There is also no way to check remaining battery life on the device, and the battery only lasts for an hour, so have a charger on hand. All that said, the Venom Go has become an everyday relaxation staple for me after sitting at my desk all day and after a workout. If you enjoy strenuous activity and need deeper muscle stimulation, definitely look into handheld massage guns instead.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
KitchenAid 1.7L Variable Temperature Kettle review
The KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle is a beautiful, sleek-yet-retro electric kettle, destined for a sparkling kitchen countertop. KitchenAid has manufactured one of the prettiest kettles I've ever seen, but at a cost. The 1.7L Kettle is a whopping $179, which makes it one of the most expensive electric kettles I've ever seen. Yes, Fellow makes $200 kettles, but Fellow's kettles have an esoteric purpose — the KitchenAid offering seemingly doesn't. The KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle is an everyday, generic kitchen kettle, but is it enough to be one of the best electric kettles? To find out, read this KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review. Price $179 / £179 Capacity 1.7 liters (1.8 quarts) Heating element Electric Accessories Limescale filter Weight 3 pounds Dimensions 5.8 x 5.8 x 10 inches The KitchenAid 1.7L kettle is really expensive for what it is. It's $179 from Amazon U.S. and £179 from Amazon U.K.. This makes it around the same price as the iconic Fellow EKG range: the Fellow EKG Stagg and Fellow EKG Corvo are $199 each, respectively. However, these are both specialty kettles from a renowned specialty coffee brand. The KitchenAid 1.7L kettle is more of a generic everyday kettle. In comparison to other general-use kitchen kettles, the Ninja Precision Temperature kettle I use every day is just $89, and the Cosori Glass Kettle is just $27. The KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle excels with its design. The sleek-and-modern-yet-cool-retro vibe is almost reminiscent of Smeg, but with KitchenAid's individual charm. I tested the sage green version, which would be my choice if I was buying it for myself. It also comes in black, white, and red. I'd like to see it in more color options to match the diverse colorways of other KitchenAid products, like the Artistan Stand Mixer and KitchenAid Blender. The kettle has an angled spout and a pop-up lid, which is a little stubborn sometimes. Other users have reported the lid release button jams after a while, but I didn't experience this. It just took a few tries to get it to release on a couple of occasions. At the base of the kettle is a temperature control slider. Instead of having buttons on the base like the Fellow and Ninja precise temperature kettles, the KitchenAid is controlled by this slider on the kettle itself. I found the slider easy to use and responsive, and never got stuck. There's a button on the side of the kettle, which is the on/off switch. Unlike Fellow's EKG kettles, simply selecting a temperature does not set the kettle on to boil. When the kettle finishes boiling, it emits a one-note tone. If you've ever been on an airplane and heard the seatbelt announcement tone, it's the exact same. I felt like an air hostess every time my kettle finished boiling. It's actually adorable. In terms of features, there actually aren't that many, especially considering this is a $179 kettle. There's no hold temperature setting, unlike the Fellow and Ninja offerings. You can't control temperature to the degree (like Fellow) or to 5° (like Ninja). It's 122°F-212°F (in increments of 18°F, except 203°F). Yes, this is still a great feature, but for $179, I'd expect a little more. However, the kettle's actual performance is one of the best kettles I've ever tested (I'd hope so for $179…), which I'll discuss in full now. As with all kettles I review, I put the KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle through a series of tests. Time taken to heat, volume while heating, and the ability to retain heat. Pouring feel is really nice: the kettle doesn't leak even when pouring out large volumes of water in one go. The spout is angled and small, yet is still capable of pouring quickly. Here's the results from the heating speed tests. I filled the kettle to its max (so 1.7 liters/1.8 quarts) and used water straight from my tap. It should be noted that my testing was done using a 240V version, as I live in the U.K., in the U.S. with lower mains voltages, the times may differ. 122°F/50°C 1 min 50 sec 140°F/60°C 1 min 59 sec 158°F/70°C 2 min 37 sec 176°F/80°C 3 min 5 sec 194°F/90°C 3 min 53 sec 212°F/100°C 4 min 1 sec My Ninja Precision Temperature kettle takes 4 minutes and 10 seconds to heat its full capacity (also 1.7L), so the KitchenAid pipped it to the post by 9 seconds. Comparatively, the Cosori Glass Kettle took 4 minutes and 4 seconds to heat 1.3 quarts, and the Hario Gooseneck kettle took a shocking 5 minutes and 53 seconds to boil just 800ml (0.8 quarts) of water. The KitchenAid really impressed me with its boiling speed. This is a very fast kettle that made light work of boiling huge amounts of water quickly. The KitchenAid 1.7L kettle isn't just fast — it's also really quiet. To measure the volume level, I used the DecibelX app, as always. Here are the results of my tests. 122°F/50°C 69dB 140°F/60°C 68dB 158°F/70°C 65dB 176°F/80°C 60dB 194°F/90°C 56dB 212°F/100°C 51dB The KitchenAid 1.7L is noticeably quiet while boiling. I wouldn't have any reservations about making myself a cup of tea at 5 in the morning. The Cosori Glass Kettle was between 67-70dB while boiling, while the KitchenAid, Fellow, and Ninja were just 50dB while boiling. For this test, I boiled a full kettle of water and then measured the water's heat after 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes. Here are my results. 30 mins 74°C/165°F 60 mins 68°C/154°F 90 mins 61°C/141°F 120 mins 55°C/131°F While I expected these results (as there's no hold temperature setting), I was still pretty disappointed to see such a drop off in the first 30 minutes. The kettle's insulation did a decent job of retaining heat after that initial drop, but I would still reboil the kettle after thirty minutes if I was making another tea or coffee. If you live in a hard water area, you'll need to descale the KitchenAid 1.7L kettle semi-regularly. Upkeep will depend on your location. I live in one of the hardest water areas in the U.K., so I would descale about once every 6 weeks. KitchenAid recommends using vinegar, citric acid, or lemon juice to clean mineral buildup (limescale) off the inside of the kettle. The kettle itself, as I said in the 'Design' section above, is beautiful. There'd be no reason to store this inside a cupboard between uses: it's destined for the countertop. It's just gorgeous. At just 5.8 inches wide, too, it doesn't take up too much space. The heating element base is noticeably smaller than my Ninja Precision Temperature. If you're not concerned about cost, then yes, the KitchenAid 1.7L kettle is a fantastic premium kettle that boils quickly, quietly, and prettily. Is it a necessary purchase if you've already got a basic electric kettle? No, not at all. If you value a fast, attractive kettle that'll bring some pizzazz to your kitchen, I completely recommend the KitchenAid 1.7L. Personally, I wouldn't buy it, as I love my $79 Ninja Precision Temperature. The Ninja option does everything the KitchenAid does for $100 less. However, that doesn't mean the KitchenAid is redundant. It fulfils its purpose as an electric kettle well, and looks a treat while doing so. It's just really expensive.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I review audio gear for a living, and the only budget headphones I've ever recommended are 35% off right now — hurry!
I test the best headphones, the best earbuds, the best speakers, and much, much more every single day. If an audio product exists, I've probably listened to it at some point. There are a few budget earbuds and speakers that I love, but only one pair of budget headphones. Other inexpensive headphones seem to fall flat in almost every area, especially the most important: sound quality. However, there's one pair that I won't shut up about. The JLab JBuds Lux ANC. And while the regular MSRP is $79, right now you can get them for just $51 on Amazon U.S. . The JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones are on sale in all four colors (white, black, purple, green) on Amazon U.S. right now. There are many reasons to love these headphones, but the most important reason of all? Sound quality, of course. There are so many reasons why these headphones outperform every other pair I've tested, but it basically boils down to one element. Sound quality. The JLab JBuds Lux ANC simply excel in terms of sound quality. While other brands' budget headphones tend to send me to Tinny City (an overly-obvious metaphor for trash sound quality), the Lux ANC cans offer balanced yet deep sound. I will admit the bass performance is a little heavy-handed. In my review of the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, I wrote, "Jazz-tinged crooning vocals from Clairo's 'Sexy to Someone' was smooth and gentle, with the charisma you'd expect from much pricier headphones. I especially liked the sliding guitar notes in the chorus; but the bass notes were a touch muddled." I added, "Confidence Man['s] 'Let Them Bells Ring' pounded through the drivers with such groove that I wanted to stop mid-walk and start boogie-ing (I won't, for everyone else's sakes), although a little of the bass was lost amongst the liveliness of the track." While it's true that the bass can be muddled, this isn't rare on budget headphones. Actually, this is the main symptom of cheap headphones. I've yet to find budget cans that completely blow me away, but the Lux ANCs are the closest I've ever got to affordable perfection. Now they're just $51, so I'd boogie over to Amazon to snag this deal before it's too late.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones review: A one-way ticket to Tinny City
Some of the best headphones come cheap, so I was really hopeful when I unboxed the Mixx StreamQ C4. However, my hopes were quickly dashed by the disappointing sound quality. Muddy soundscapes, flat bass, and tinny midsections were enough to put me off. The StreamQ C4 are definitely the kind of headphones that'll send you to Tinny City (which basically just means they don't sound great). For some people, though, poor sound isn't as much of a dealbreaker as for others. If you're one of those people who need affordable headphones with great ANC, then the StreamQ C4 headphones might be the ones for you. If you want seriously decent music quality, though? I don't think these are the headphones for you. I'll discuss everything in full in this Mixx StreamQ C4 review. Price $59 / £49 Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 ANC Yes Battery 40 hours Weight 14 ounces Dimensions 3.5 x 5.9 x 7.1 inches Colors Black, white Compatibility iOS, Android The Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones are $59 from Amazon U.S. and £49 from Robert Dyas in the U.K. This makes them some of the cheapest headphones I've tested, alongside the EarFun Tune Pro, EarFun Wave Life ($59), and EarFun Wave Pro ($79). Just a little bit of foreshadowing for you: I didn't award any of those EarFun headphones above a 3, and obviously, I only awarded the Mixx StreamQ C4 a 2.5. The only budget headphones I wholeheartedly recommend are the $79 JLab JBuds Lux ANC, which sound great for the price tag. We also tested the 1More Sonoflow Pro and loved the budget cans. The main thing I like about the Mixx StreaMQ C4 headphones is their comfort. The earcups are pillow-soft and don't smell like plastic, unlike EarFun gear, which has a tendency to. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the mesh casing over the plastic interior is quite thick and soft, so my ears don't touch the drivers as I'm listening. The headband is padded, which adds to the comfort, and the headphones don't clamp onto my ears. I could wear these headphones for hours and hours because of how comfortable they are. The controls are easy to use and accessible: on the right cup, there is a button for play/pause, Siri (or your phone's equivalent), and an ANC button. I love that the headphones announce which ANC mode you're switching to, as some budget headphones lack this important feature. On the bottom of the right cup there's a USB-C charging port and a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired playback. Yes — you can listen via Bluetooth or wired connection (the headphones don't have to be turned on for this to work). I'll talk about this more in detail in the 'Audio quality' section below As I mentioned earlier, you can listen via Bluetooth or aux cable. However, the aux cable that came with my Mixx headphones didn't work. Thankfully, I had other aux cables so I could test this properly. However, it's still worth noting that the provided aux cable was faulty. The Bluetooth connection initiated quickly. However, there's no multipoint connectivity, which you can get on other budget headphones like the $59 EarFun Wave Life. It's also worth remembering that if you listen via wired playback, you won't get digital features like ANC or EQ. As for other features, well, there are very few. That's kind of expected on a pair of $59 headphones, but I still found myself a little disappointed. There's no app, which you get with similarly-priced EarFun and JLab gear. You can switch the EQ using the on-cup buttons. I liked the bass boost the most, but none of the three (voice, bass, music) options sounded particularly great. Yes, there's ANC, and yes, it's pretty good, especially considering the $59 price tag. However, I was still yearning for a little more. I wish I could adjust the EQs manually. To test the Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones, I listened to a range of genres on Qobuz, our best streaming service for audiophiles. Oh, I have some bad news. The StreamQ C4 headphones don't sound good at all. 'The Sofa' by Wolf Alice was tinny and flat, and the vocal pinched at the top of the treble. It was like I was listening to the vocal layer through aluminum foil. After 'The Sofa', I listened to 'Indexical reminder of a morning well spent' by The Japanese House. This is a soft, ambient guitar track with layers of atmospheric vocals, relaxed percussion, and textured guitars. I couldn't pinpoint the different instruments across the track; everything blended together like a muddled, tinny mess. Determined to find something that sounded good on the StreamQ C4 headphones, I switched to more electronic genres. I listened to 'Gossip' by Confidence Man & Jade, which has a synth bassline and Spanish-influenced guitar samples. The female vocals were clear, but there was very little bass to dance to, and the snare drum was very tinny. So indie, ambient, and electronic sounded poor. I thought, well, I'll put something heavy on, maybe that will negate the tinniness. I played 'Afterlife' by Evanescence, which quickly proved me wrong. Somehow, Amy Lee's voice sounded deep-fried. Like it was encased in an egg roll wrapper or something. And that's coming from someone who could eat about 50 egg rolls in one go. The bass was lackluster and the kick drum was tinny. On top of that, the heavy chorus was a mess of guitar, bass, and vocals, and I couldn't discern the instruments from one another. I switched genre to Skepta's 'Victory Lap', which is a grime track with a pulsating, growling bassline. I was hopeful, but unfortunately the bass was crackly and pressurized, as if the headphones couldn't handle the frequency. The only song that sounded good was 'Hold On' by MpH, which has a really satisfying stereo vocal and synth section. This section sounded great, although the tinny drum machine soon came in and ruined the immersion. As the Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones have wired and wireless listening, I listened via the provided aux cable too. I played 'Cobra' by Megan Thee Stallion, and while the bass was more powerful than Bluetooth playback, I was still yearning for more. 'Clover' by Billie Marten, which is an acoustic indie track, was nicely layered, but the vocal was a little tense and pinchy. I was really disappointed with the audio quality of the Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones. The bass was disappointing and weak, and the midrange was tinnier than a can of tuna. I wouldn't recommend these headphones for music lovers. I actually loved the ANC on the Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones. There are three modes, all controlled by a button on the right earcup. The modes are: transparent, ANC on, and ANC off. While the ANC makes the audio quality a little harsher, the sound wasn't particularly impressive to begin with so I found the overall impact was negligible. Transparency mode let in the right amount of noise — I couldn't hear traffic noise outside, but I could hear people talking around me. For a pair of $59 headphones, the ANC is remarkably powerful, and I can recommend these for a noisy environment like an open-plan office or a gym (there's no IP rating though, so I'd be wary about getting these headphones wet). However, as I made clear in the 'Audio quality' section, I wouldn't recommend them for music. To test the call quality of the Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones, I called my boyfriend, who is definitely a quality control at this point as he's been my guinea pig for most headphones I've tested. He said it was like I was speaking through a wall, so he didn't particularly enjoy the call quality. I had to repeat myself a few times, but he couldn't hear the environmental noise around me. I wouldn't recommend these based solely on call quality as a result of the muffled mics. I listened for well over 6 hours and the battery only went down to 90%, which is pretty impressive. Even so, this battery life is nothing in comparison to the unkillable EarFun Tune Pro, which lasted for over a week during testing. I still have nightmares about trying to drain their battery. However, if you want a cheap and cheerful pair of headphones with reliable battery life, then the Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones won't be disappointing. There are just better headphones — for both sound quality and features — for similar price points (cough JLab JBuds Lux ANC cough). I feel like the Mixx StreamQ C4 headphones know what they are, and they're not ashamed of it. These headphones are budget-friendly for people who hold ANC above anything else. There's nothing wrong with that. If you want headphones that are comfy enough to wear for hours, with awesome ANC that'll drown out all the sounds around you, and you aren't fussed about music quality, then I've just found your best headphones for the least amount of $$$. However, if you want your music to sound decent, you've really got to spend a little more. Not much more, thankfully, but $20 more for the JLab JBuds Lux ANC. So far, no other headphones I've tested have come close to these headphones for the price. I will continue the search for JLab-beating budget cans, as the StreamQ C4 unfortunately fell a little flat.
Tom's Guide
18-07-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review
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: Bluetooth connectivity, an app full of massage routines, RPM adjustable from 1,700-2,700, and an impressive 180-minute battery life. 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.
