I’ll be honest, massage guns have always been one of those things I thought would be too good to be true. As someone with chronically tense shoulders who loves challenging herself at the gym — whether that’s hitting a new deadlift PR or pushing myself in a brutal kickboxing class — I’ve tried plenty of gear and gadgets to treat my sore muscles at home.
From at-home shiatsu massagers to vibrating foam rollers and beyond, I’ve tried it all — and nothing seemed to work quite as well as a good old-fashioned lacrosse ball. Even after scouring rave reviews online, I was worried that I’d drop a few hundred dollars on a massage gun only for it to end up gathering dust in the corner of my closet.
When I was offered the chance to try the new Hyperice’s Hypervolt Go 2(opens in a new tab), however, I jumped at the opportunity to find out for myself if massage guns are worth the hype. And so far? I haven’t been disappointed.
The quality surprised me
One of my biggest fears when it comes to purchasing a new device is quality. Many massage products have the tendency to look great in photos only to feel plasticky and cheap in real life, but the Hypervolt Go 2 blew me away. It was sturdy without being too heavy, weighing in at 1.5 pounds, and the ergonomic design was both sleek and functional. Right out of the box, the Hypervolt Go 2 simply felt good, which immediately made the $199 price tag far more palatable.
It took seconds to set up
There’s no learning curve when it comes to the Hypervolt Go 2, which made it easy to dive right in without hesitating. The device came charged (although the instructions encourage users to let it charge for at least four hours before using it), and it powered on with a single two-second push of the button on the back.
There are three speeds to choose from, and you only need to tap the button on the back to switch between each one, with convenient LED lights showing which level you’re on. A separate LED band wraps around the bottom of the handle to indicate battery level, which was a subtle detail that contributed to the “next level” look and feel of the device without seeming overly done.
The massage felt amazing
Within a few seconds of using the Hypervolt Go 2, I knew I was hooked. The device was quieter than most massage guns I’d researched in the past, likely due to Hyperice’s patented QuietGlide technology, so I was able to watch television or have a conversation without the device drowning everything out. The ergonomic handle was comfortable and easy to maneuver, and I liked that I was able to massage hard-to-reach places without needing to twist around or ask for help.
Plus, the Hypervolt Go 2 only comes with two attachment options, which I actually appreciated. I opted to use the flat head most of the time, but the bullet attachment was particularly effective at digging into muscle knots in my shoulders.
The only downside was the speed choices: I liked being able to choose, but anything above the first setting felt a little too strong for my tastes — even on larger muscle groups like my quads or glutes.
It boosted my recovery
I was surprised to discover how often I reached for the Hypervolt Go 2. I was worried it would be something I used out-of-the-box and forgot about, but I’ve been grabbing it almost every single day. It was a great way to relieve any post-work tension in my shoulders, and I loved trying it on places I knew I carried stress like my hips and IT band.
Plus, the Hypervolt Go 2 was an amazing post-workout recovery tool. Research suggests(opens in a new tab) that a post-workout massage may help reduce the dreaded delayed-onset muscle soreness (or DOMS) by 30 percent, so I was excited to try it at the end of a heavy lifting workout. Not only did it feel great to give my fatigued muscles some much-needed attention, but I was also surprised by how great I felt the next day. My muscle soreness wasn’t as bad as it normally was, and any lingering stiffness was easily addressed by a mini-massage session with the Hypervolt Go 2.
The app was a little confusing
While the Hypervolt Go 2 isn’t Bluetooth-enabled like some of Hyperice’s other devices, I downloaded the free Hyperice companion app to see the routines they recommended for my device. I liked being able to see video tutorials on different ways to use the massage gun, especially using the “body” tab of the app to find routines for specific body parts or muscles, but the app was a little glitchy at times.
I could see why some people might like the app — especially the HyperSmart connectivity that allows you to link the app to your Strava, Apple Health, or Garmin — but the HyperSmart Score was a little clunky. Designed to interpret data from your wearable devices to offer routine suggestions and encourage you to keep using your device, it felt more like an afterthought than a feature. In the end, most of the time I found myself using the Hypervolt Go 2 without the app.
Bottom line: is it worth it?
As a former massage gun skeptic, I would say the Hypervolt Go 2(opens in a new tab) is worth it — especially for regular gym-goers. It’s a surprisingly powerful device that’s both quiet and convenient, making it an easy addition to any gym bag. Plus, the battery life was pretty great — it lasted all week on a single charge, even with daily usage — so I didn’t need to worry about keeping the charger nearby.
I will admit that the $199 price tag might be a little high for casual users, but if you’re someone who experiences a lot of muscle soreness then it’s definitely worth the investment. It’s a stunning device that’s both visually appealing and incredibly well-made, so if you’re looking for a quality massage gun that’s beginner-friendly and effective, this is definitely worth a buy.
