Two of the top massage gun brands on the market today are Theragun and Hypervolt, but we ask ourselves what is the difference between the two? I took a look at both massage gun brands and did extensive research on both in order to determine if one is better than the other or is it a personal preference because they both offer exceptional features and capabilities?
Theragun vs. Hypervolt: How Did It All Begin?
The founder and developer of a massage gun is one of my key factors when researching these devices, as I think it’s important to know the catalyst for the creation of the massage gun. I believe that when an industry professional, such as a physical therapist or chiropractor, develops a massage gun, it can make a difference in the overall functionality and performance of the device because they know how to target pain. As well, if the founder(s) has a mission to help others alleviate daily aches and pains, because of personal experience, then that can be an essential element in developing a good massage gun.
Let’s start with Theragun.
Theragun was started by a chiropractic doctor, Dr. Jason Wersland, who was in a traumatic motorcycle accident that left him with debilitating pain. He felt that there had to be a solution to help alleviate his pain so he developed the first prototype of the Theragun in his garage. Through extensive testing and studies, this prototype took 8 years to hit the market, so you know that this massage gun has to be top-notch based on that alone.
Dr. Wersland stated, "I created Theragun Percussive Therapy to help people feel better naturally when they weren’t in my care. Looking back, Theragun Percussive Therapy was a catalyst for a bigger mission. I’m proud to say that Therabody is committed to providing natural solutions that work."
Now, let’s take a look at how it all started for the Hypervolt Massage Gun.
Anthony Katz is the founder and CEO of Hyperice, the Company that created the Hypervolt Massage Gun. He started to feel sore after playing weekly basketball games, so he paid attention to what athletes would do during a game as a method of recovery. One thing that he noticed was icing on the sidelines. The first product he developed was an icing device, but the Company’s product evolution made Hyperice an innovator in the sports and fitness space. In 2018, the Company introduced the Hypervolt Massage Gun as a way to get a cutting-edge massage therapy device into the hands of all people, not just professionals.
Hyperice’s mission is “to help everyone on Earth move better, live better, and be better. Whether you’re an elite athlete or an individual who is simply looking for solutions to combat the impact of daily life, our suite of innovative products is here to help you unlock the best version of yourself. So you can always be at the top of your game, no matter what that game might be.”
All in all, both massage guns were developed by people with a personal drive and passion; therefore, I would say that both Theragun and Hypervolt are top-notch in this aspect.
Comparing Theragun Pro To The Hypervolt 2 Pro
Ergonomic Handle: The Theragun Pro has 4 unique arm positions which allow for angles that comfortably reach any part of the body. And the ergonomic Theragun Triangle handle is patented allowing you to hold the handle in various ways which reduce any potential strain on your arms, wrists, and hands. And the Hypervolt 2 Pro has a pill-shaped handle, making it comfortable to hold. This is where Theragun Pro clearly wins, because not only does it have 4 arm positions, but it also has a patented ergonomic triangle handle, whereas Hypervolt 2 Pro has a “pill shaped grip for a comfortable hold.”
Weight: The weight of the Thergun Pro is 2.9 pounds whereas the Hypervolt 2 Pro is 2.6 pounds. That’s a minor 0.3-pound difference in weight, which is minimal. Weight is important when looking for a massage gun because a lighter weight device makes it easier to maneuver and it is less strain on your arms, hands, and wrists.
Battery Life: The battery life of the Theragun Pro is 5 hours because it comes with 2 batteries. You can use one while charging the other and then switch them out. That’s incredibly convenient, especially if you are on the road with this massage gun. And the Hypervolt 2 Pro’s battery life is 3 hours. This is a matter of personal preference. Having an extra battery can be nice because you can always have one [or both] of your batteries fully charged, giving you a total of 5 hours. Then again, having one 3-hour battery means that you can travel lighter and only need to worry about charging one battery. Again, this comes down to what you prefer and what works better for your lifestyle.
Head Attachments: Theragun Pro has 6 targeted attachments that focus on specific muscles, knots, and areas of the body. These attachments include a dampener, supersoft, standard ball, wedge, cone, and thumb. And the Hypervolt 2 Pro has 5 unique interchangeable attachments that include the fork, ball, cushion, flat, and bullet heads.
Amplitude: The Theragun Pro has an impressive amplitude of 16mm which ensures you get a nice deep massage, whereas the Hypervolt 2 Pro has a 14mm amplitude. This is where the Theragun pro has a bit of an advantage here, as that 2mm difference will give you a deeper massage.
Force: Theragun Pro delivers 60 pounds of force without stalling giving you a powerful massage with a good tension release and better circulation. And the Hypervolt 2 Pro has the same force at 60 pounds. So we are neck-in-neck here.
Speed Levels: Theragun Pro has 5 built-in speeds that can be controlled in the app via Bluetooth. The speeds have been “scientifically calibrated” and range from 1750 to 2400 PPM: 1) 1750 PPM, 2) 1900 PPM, 3) 2100 PPM, 4) 2200 PPM, 5) 2400 PPM. Hypervolt 2 Pro has 5 levels of speed: 1) 1700 PPM, 2) 1900 PPM, 3) 2100 PPM, 4) 2400 PPM, 5) 2700 PPM. This is where Hypervolt 2 Pro has a leg-up with its max speed of 2700 PPM versus the Theragun Pro at 2400 PPM.
You really can’t go wrong with either the Theragun Pro or Hypervolt 2 Pro, as they are both outstanding massage guns. There are certain factors that may be more personal to you, such as handle type, battery life, speed levels, and attachments, which will help you make a decision.