As an avid athlete and weekend warrior constantly battling muscle soreness, I‘ve tested my fair share of percussion massage guns. Therabody and Hyperice stand out as two of the most popular brands in this rapidly growing category. But with high price tags and very similar claims of effectiveness, how do you decide which is right for you?
I‘ve used the flagship models from both companies over the past year – the Theragun PRO and Hypervolt 2 Pro. In this detailed guide, I’ll compare the key features and performance of Therabody and Hyperice to help you determine the best choice for your needs and budget.
Overview of Therabody and Hyperice
Therabody and Hyperice offer high-end percussion massage devices designed for both athletes and regular consumers to accelerate muscle recovery and release tension.
Therabody
Founded in 2016 by chiropractor Dr. Jason Wersland, Therabody pioneered the category of percussion massage therapy with their Theragun devices. The flagship Theragun PRO features the brand’s signature ergonomic triangular grip and houses Therabody’s most advanced and powerful quiet motor. With Bluetooth connectivity and the Therabody app, users can follow customized wellness routines and track progress over time. Therabody also offers foam rollers, vibration therapy products, compression gear and more.
Hyperice
Founded in 2010, Hyperice aims to help everyone “move better” through innovative recovery and movement enhancement technology. The Hypervolt 2 Pro percussion massager is their top-of-the-line massage device featuring QuietGlide technology for a nearly silent but powerful motor. It can pair with the HyperSmart app for customized routines and usage tracking. The brand is used regularly by professional sports teams and has a wide range of mobility, compression, vibration and thermal products.
So in short, both are premium brands catering to athletes, fitness enthusiasts and chronic pain sufferers with high-performance percussion massage devices and a suite of other recovery products. Now let’s dig deeper into how they compare.
Key Features Comparison
Speed and Power
When it comes to sheer percussive force and speed control, the Theragun PRO wins hands down. It offers a 60-lb stall force with speeds up to 40 percussions per second. The speeds are fully adjustable through the Therabody app or device buttons in 5 increments ranging from 1750 to 2400 to 3200 percussions per minute.
By comparison, the Hypervolt 2 Pro has 3 speeds pre-set at 1800, 2600 and 3200 RPM controlled by the device buttons only. Independent tests suggest the Hypervolt motor provides around 53-lbs of stall force. So while both top out at 3200 percussions per minute, the Theragun allows more precise speed adjustments for your tolerance and target muscles.
I found even the lowest speed on the Theragun PRO capable of effectively working out stubborn muscle knots. And the highest setting works incredibly well to warm up muscles before activity. The Hypervolt Is plenty powerful for most users as well, but the Theragun packs more of a wallop if you have high pain tolerance and really tight tissues.
Winner: Theragun PRO
Attachments and Ergonomics
Both devices come with several attachment heads designed for different body areas and uses – standard ball, bullet, wedge and fork. The most notable difference in this category again goes to the Theragun PRO and its signature ergonomic handle. The unique triangular design allows for easier manipulation and control to reach all areas of the body without straining your wrist or arm. And the rotating arm provides a wider range of motion to target tissues from multiple angles.
The Hypervolt 2 Pro has a simple pistol-grip handle by comparison. While it gets the job done for most needs, I have found the Theragun’s ergonomic handle reduces fatigue allowing longer self-massage sessions. The ability to hit hard-to-reach spots with less effort is also a major perk, especially for serious athletes.
Winner: Theragun PRO
Battery Life
In the portable massage gun battle, battery life is critical. Here the Hypervolt 2 edges out with a 3-hour runtime versus the Theragun PRO’s 2-hour battery. However, the Theragun does come with two removable batteries, so you can keep swapping them out for extended sessions. And Therabody sells extra batteries you can take on the go for all-day power.
Since I mostly use my massage gun post-workout or while watching TV at home, battery life hasn’t been much of an issue. For marathoners, hikers and multi-day athletes, the Hypervolt could have the advantage of fewer required recharges. But the Theragun remains the more versatile option allowing spare batteries for travel. I’ll call it a draw here.
Winner: Tie
App Connectivity and Customization
If smart features are your thing, both the Theragun PRO and Hypervolt 2 integrate with mobile apps over Bluetooth: Therabody and HyperSmart respectively. Each has an extensive library of body area and condition-specific massage routines you can customize to your needs. The apps guide you through proper form, recommended attachments, speed, duration and pressure for the selected treatment. You also have the option of creating fully customized routines.
The apps also sync usage data over time so you can monitor the frequency and body areas targeted. I’ve found the data charts particularly helpful for ensuring balanced and comprehensive use of my device.
In terms of guidance, education and custom program creation, I’d give Therabody a slight edge. But both provide plenty of automated massage guidance and tracking capabilities most users will appreciate. For the less tech-inclined, both devices work perfectly fine in manual mode as well.
Winner: Theragun PRO
Noise Level
Early percussion massage guns were notoriously loud – sounding more like a power tool than a recovery device. But the latest models from Theragun and Hyperice tout much quieter motors for relaxing self-massage without irritating bystanders.
In my testing, I’d give Hyperice the decibel edge here – its trademarked QuietGlide technology lives up to the name. You can comfortably use the Hypervolt 2 while watching TV or have a conversation. The Theragun PRO is significantly quieter than earlier generation Theraguns and is unlikely to disturb the whole household. But it does still produce more audible noise in operation. For those sensitive to sound or who primarily use their massager while others are sleeping or working nearby, the Hypervolt may be the more considerate pick.
Winner: Hypervolt 2 Pro
Performance and Effectiveness
Now to the million dollar question – which massage gun provides more pain relief and better muscle recovery? Based on my testing alternating between the two flagship models over many months and usage sessions – along with input from fellow athletes in my circles – I’d call this a draw.
Both the Theragun PRO and Hypervolt 2 Pro provide incredible relief from muscle tightness and aid post-workout or activity recovery. I use my massage gun as part of my warm-ups, cool-downs, and rest days. And I’ve found both highly effective whether targeting large muscle groups like quads and glutes or smaller areas like shoulders and forearms prone to overuse strains.
The only time I notice a performance difference is when tackling really dense, deeply knotted tissues like my notoriously tight IT bands. Here the extra penetrating power of the Theragun is an advantage – though the Hypervolt still gets the job done with patience and various attachments.
For most users, either device will significantly accelerate warmup and recovery between workouts while lowering injury risk. Both utilize proprietary technologies and make similar claims around boosting blood flow, breaking up lactic acid, easing soreness, etc. But the true “proof is in the pudding” so to speak. These are two exceptional massage guns delivering impressive real-world results.
Winner: Tie
Pricing and Value
As premium brands with extensive research and development behind their products, neither Theragun nor Hyperice run cheap. Their flagship massage guns cost between $400-$600. And accessories, replacements heads, and bundles can quickly tack on more to your purchase.
But are they worth the price tags? Resoundingly, yes – IF percussion massage fits into your regular training, recovery and pain management regimen. These pro-grade massage guns outperform cheaper generic alternatives in every aspect while still costing thousands less than professional massage therapy.
When comparing value strictly between the two brands, I believe Theragun PRO delivers more features and capabilities per dollar spent. The superior ergonomics, broader speed range, included accessories and dual battery system edge out the Hypervolt package. Plus Theraguns tend to maintain their resale value very well should you ever wish to upgrade models.
All said, while Hyperice prices fall a bit below Theragun across comparable models, I think Therabody provides greater overall value and long-term ownership proposition. But both represent reasonable value investments for serious athletes or pain sufferers based on real-world impact.
Winner: Theragun PRO
Availability and Shipping/Return Policy
When it comes to actually getting your hands on these massage devices, Theragun beats out Hyperice again in terms of retail availability both online and in physical stores. The full line of Theragun models sell on Therabody.com, Amazon, BestBuy, Target, and through an authorized dealer network around the world.
Hyperice still focuses primarily on direct-to-consumer ecommerce sales through Hyperice.com and Amazon. So locating or trying a Hypervolt locally can prove challenging outside of some specialty sports retailers.
For shipping and returns, both offer standard policies:
- Theragun ships free internationally and provides 30 days for returns/refunds
- Hyperice charges shipping fees and allows 30 days from delivery for returns
I’ve found Therabody generally quicker with order fulfillment and shipping during non-holiday periods as well. And their wide availability across so many trusted retail partners provides more flexibility in payment/financing options.
Winner: Theragun
The Verdict: Which is Better – Theragun or Hypervolt?
While both Therabody and Hyperice make exceptional, best-in-class percussion massage devices, when comparing the flagship models head-to-head:
The Theragun PRO proves superior for its unrivaled power range, signature ergonomic design, smarter app features and overall performance-to-value ratio.
However, the Hypervolt 2 Pro does win out for its ultra-quiet motor and battery efficiency. So for value seekers or noise-sensitive buyers, I can understand favoring Hyperice in those specific use cases. And rest assured customers report outstanding results from long-term Hypervolt ownership as well.
Here is a quick pros vs cons rundown of factors I considered reaching my verdict:
Theragun PRO
Pros
- Superior stall force and speed control
- Ergonomic handle reaches more areas with less strain
- Dual battery system
- Slightly "smarter" app and usage tracking
- Better value for performance
- 30-day returns policy
- Far wider retail availability
Cons
- Louder than Hypervolt
- Slightly higher price tag
Hypervolt 2 Pro
Pros
- Ultra-quiet operation
- 3-hour battery life
- Slightly lower cost
Cons
- Less maximum force and speed settings
- Standard handle limits motion
- Direct sales focused so harder to test locally
- Unknown long-term durability
So in summary – those seeking maximum power, better ergonomics and accessories for serious training should go Theragun all the way. Casual fitness buffs who value peace and quiet most may find the Hypervolt a smarter pick. But no matter which you choose both deliver immense, proven benefits that can be life (and workout) changing.
I hope this detailed Therabody vs. Hyperice comparison helps shed light on the pros, cons and real performance differentiators between these two percussion massage device leaders. Feel free to drop me any additional questions in the comments below!
