The Hyperice HyperVolt Plus is the premium version of one of the leading percussive massage devices: the HyperVolt.
Once among the first percussive massagers, it's now one of many, and the technology has developed rapidly in recent years.
There are now a variety of high quality percussive massagers to choose from, some offering more features for less money.
Popular HyperVolt Plus alternatives include the Theragun, Hydragun, ExoGun, and our very own AlphaGun X.
However, the HyperVolt Plus remains one of the most popular and expensive devices - so it's worth looking at it in detail before exploring the alternatives.
In this HyperVolt Plus review, I'm going to cover:
1. What the features of the HyperVolt Plus are
2. What's good about the HyperVolt Plus
3. How it is different to the basic HyperVolt
4. What's bad about it
5. How it compares to the AlphaGun X, which is about half the price, but has more speeds, more massage heads and some other extra features too.
What's good about the HyperVolt Plus?
Hyperice currently makes three versions of the HyperVolt:
the (basic) HyperVolt ($299)
the HyperVolt Plus ($399)
and the HyperVolt Go ($199).
The HyperVolt Plus is the upgraded version of the classic HyperVolt, and it costs an extra $100 at $399 (the carry case costs an extra $49).
For this, you get all the core features of the basic HyperVolt, but with slightly more speed settings, 10lb more stall force, and it's available in a sleek black color instead of grey.
While the basic HyperVolt has 3 speed settings, which start at 1,800 RPM, rising to 2,400 and finally 3,000 RPM, the Plus has 5 speeds between 1,800 and 3,000 RPM (2 extra speeds).
Although it has more speeds, as there are still only 5, so they still rise in steep increments - but less so than the basic HyperVolt, which has only 3 different speed settings to chose from.
In fact, all versions of the HyperVolt have fewer speeds than many alternative devices we compared it to, but more on that later.
The HyperVolt Plus also has a higher stall force than the basic HyperVolt. Although Hyperice have stopped stating the stall force of their devices, it's estimated that the basic HyperVolt has a stall force of 25lb and the HyperVolt Plus offers about 35lb.
These are both lower than other devices in the same price range, but should be more than enough for most users.
The basic HyperVolt and the Plus both have 5 massage heads that are designed to target various parts of the body. This is slightly more than most devices - even some of the most expensive have only 3 or 4 heads.
All three versions have about 3 hours of battery life. This is more than some premium devices, such as the Theragun.
The HyperVolt Plus weighs 1.8lb, the same as the basic version, making it a relatively lightweight device (most massagers are around 2.5lb). Both emit about 60-65dB of noise, making them fairly quiet for massagers.
The carry case costs an extra $49 for both - this is not included free with the more premium HyperVolt Plus device.
Both the latest versions of the HyperVolt now come with Bluetooth, a feature rare among massage devices.
This means you can use an interactive smartphone app that:
1. gives suggestions to guide your use of the device
2. provides timed routines that adjust between the 5 speed settings automatically
This is clever, but the device is already easy to use and most users will know what speed setting is comfortable for them, so can make their own manual adjustments. Although the app is useful, some users may have preferred more speed settings or stall force for the extra $100 instead.
All HyperVolt massagers are all well designed, popular, and portable massage devices. Overall, the HyperVolt is a good all-round performer.
What's Bad About the HyperVolt Plus?
The first potential negative with the HyperVolt Plus is the high price tag. For $399 you get a device very similar to the basic HyperVolt, but with two extra speeds, a bit more stall force and a different body color.
This is in the same price range as another leading massager, the Theragun, but their top level $599 model does come with a lot more features than the basic version.
Crucially though, the HyperVolt's range of speeds and massage heads are limited, especially considering the high price.
The HyperVolt Plus has only 5 speed settings, and the lowest setting still has quite a high RPM. There are two potential problems with this:
1. The HyperVolt effectively only has 5 massage programs - there are now alternatives with up to 6 times as many speeds for half the price.
2. The speed settings do not increase gradually, but in steep increments. For example, if your body is very sore, the lowest setting of the HyperVolt might feel too powerful - and there's a big jump in RPM between each setting as there are only 5 in total.
If it had more speeds, you could start at a lower intensity for very sore or painful muscles and move up more gradually. Compared to some alternatives, this means a HyperVolt may not offer such a highly customizable massage.
In fact, the HyperVolt has fewer speeds than most of the other devices we compared:
The HyperVolt Plus is, of course, a high quality device from a well known brand - so you would expect it to have a high price point.
But it's $100 more than the basic HyperVolt and twice the price of alternatives that have more speeds, stall force, accessories, and other features.
The Top Alternatives
We can't talk about HyperVolt Plus alternatives without mentioning the Theragun by Therabody.
Their top of the range model, the Theragun Pro, sells for even more than the HyperVolt Plus, and while it's a very good massager, it still shares some of the drawbacks of the HyperVolt devices: high price ($599), limited range of massage heads (up to 4) and limited speed settings (5 in total).
It does, however, come with some interesting features, such as two interchangeable batteries and a rotating head.
Even the ExoGun, a low priced alternative at $199, has some advantages over the HyperVolt Plus. It has the most of the same basic features, but 6 speed settings instead of 5 and costs $100 less than the basic HyperVolt, and $200 less than the Pro.
Then there's the more premium Hydragun. For $100 less than the HyperVolt Plus, at $299, the Hydragun offers more heads (7), more speeds (6) and a free carry case.
Finally, there's the AlphaGun X. The AlphaGun is similar to the HyperVolt Plus in design and color, and both have a powerful brushless motor, quiet-glide technology, strong outer casing and a 14mm amplitude. Most of the basic features are the same.
But in addition to that, the AlphaGun X has 30 speed settings instead of 5, up to 5 hours battery life (instead of 3), 8 massage heads (instead of 5) and is cheaper than any of the alternatives discussed so far - its currently on sale for $179.
That makes it about half the price of the HyperVolt Plus.
Unlike many massage devices in the same price range, the AlphaGun X is shipped from the US and delivery is free. Delivery usually takes 3-7 days.
The AlphaGun X has a higher stall force (50lb) and a slightly higher RPM of 3,500, so overall the power level is very similar.
The AlphaGun is slightly heavier at 2.5lb vs 1.8lb - but this is about the average weight for a massage gun.
Compare the HyperVolt and AlphaGun and others here.
However, the combination of 6x the number of speeds and more massage heads makes the AlphaGun X capable of a much wider range of massage programs - e.g. for different body parts, for when you're very sore, if you only want a very gentle massage, etc.
Not only does it have a much lower minimum speed (of 1,000 RPM), but you'll be able to increase the intensity much more gradually between the Alpha's 30 speeds compared to the HyperVolt Plus's 5.
Finally, the AlphaGun is currently on sale at $179 (reduced from $299), making it $220 cheaper than the basic HyperVolt 2. Less than half the price.
Unlike the HyperVolt Plus, this price includes a carry case.
Key reasons to consider the AlphaGun instead:
1. The AlphaGun is $220 cheaper than the HyperVolt Plus. The AlphaGun X comes with more speeds, heads and battery life and costs $220 less than the HyperVolt Plus (and the AlphaGun comes with a free case).
2. The AlphaGun has 8 massage heads while the HyperVolt has 5. Massage heads come in different shapes and sizes and are designed for different parts of the body - in addition to many more speeds, more heads means the AlphaGun is more adaptable and tailored to your whole body.
3. The AlphaGun has also has 30 speed settings compared to the HyperVolt Plus's 5. The Alpha has an LCD screen where you can select between 30 speeds from very gentle to intense, making it significantly more customizable - gentle when you're particularly sore, intense when required, and at very gradual increases in between.
4. The AlphaGun has a 3,500 RPM motor. The max speed of the AlphaGun X is slightly higher than the HyperVolt Plus's 3,000 max RPM and the minimum speed is much lower - so it has a wider range of speed (massage intensity) settings.
The AlphaGun offers very similar features to the HyperVolt, but for $220 less and with extra features including more speed settings and more massage heads.
The AlphaGun X also comes with a free carry case.
Compare the AlphaGun to the HyperVolt and others here
Both have a 30 day money back guarantee and a one year warranty.
Four key reasons to try the AlphaGun:
1. It's half the price at $179 compared to $399 for the HyperVolt Plus
2. The Alpha has more massage heads: 8 compared to 5 with the Hypervolt
3. The AlphaGun has a digital control panel and 6x as many speed settings
4. The AlphaGun has a 3,500 RPM motor - the higher max speed than the HyperVolt
5. The AlphaGun is shipped free from Chicago and usually delivered in about 3-7 days.
So, for a limited time you can get a powerful and versatile massage gun for $220 less by choosing the AlphaGun X.
Click here to see the AlphaGun now
