A U.S. Postal Worker/Endurance Athlete Reviews the Hyperice X 2 Knee Therapy Device

Hyperice has become known for its range of recovery products that have had triathletes queuing in line to try out Normatec compression boots at the finish line of events. Now, the Hyperice X2 Knee joins a line of products that target specific areas, like the Normatec Elite Hips or the Hyperice X2 Shoulder. And although it may not be quite as stylish (for some) as their latest Nike collaboration, the Hyperboot, this futuristic-looking device still turned heads and has sparked plenty of questions.

Upon arrival and unpacking, it was clear that Hyperice is setting the scene with immaculate packaging fitting for a $450 product – but would it really make a difference to my old post-office knee (an all too common injury amongst U.S. postal workers) that constantly flares up after a seven-year career of twisting in and out of a small van to deliver mail and heavy packages? I needed it to.

I was finally back into running and training for an upcoming ultramarathon with my dad and brother, meaning my knee was at a new all-time low as I tried to balance the running load with my work. And the literal time cost of constantly icing the knee or trying heat wraps and knee braces was wearing on me.

On that note, let’s walk through the setup: Simply charge it, position it on your leg, and wrap the velcro as tightly as possible. It doesn’t require the app to operate, and the hardware controls are refreshingly simple, with just four buttons. The app mirrors the device controls almost exactly, but adds the option to set a custom timer or run hot-cold contrast cycles.

From there, the easy-to-read digital display allows you to set your desired settings for heat, cold, and compression. Choose your combination, hit start, and the device’s series of compression chambers and temperature elements begin to work their magic – and you’ll immediately sense you’re in for something different.

Review rating

4.5 out of 5 stars

Basics

The Hyperice X2 Knee is a single-knee therapy device with targeted compression, heating, and cooling capabilities ranging from 40 degrees F to 121 degrees F – now with contrast therapy.

Pros

• Simple and user-friendly
• Long-lasting battery
• Highly effective temperature control
• Clear, readable display
• Easy to wear
• Premium comfort
• Convenient for light activity

Cons

• Bulky charging brick, not USB
• Massive velcro straps
• Noisy fans
• Expensive

Weight: 2.5 lbs

Price: $450

Battery: 90 minutes on max heat setting & 1 hour on max cold setting

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Hyperice X 2 Knee Therapy Device – The Good

What impressed me right away was how powerful the temperature performance was. I was surprised by how the device gets genuinely hot and truly icy cold, especially when paired with the automatic compression, which delivered immediate relief after runs and helped my knee warm up faster before training sessions. I even found the heat to be too intense at the highest level when paired with a high level of compression – obviously, you don’t want to overdo it, but it’s nice knowing the temperature ceiling is so high.

Cold sessions quickly became a staple in the evenings – far easier and more effective than dealing with sometimes-messy, oddly-shaped ice packs that were either too cold or not cold enough – and I even enjoyed surprising my skeptical friends and family by having them feel how frozen my knee was afterward. The simplicity of getting that kind of relief made me actually look forward to recovery time.

The overall build quality is another strong impression on top of the recovery. It still looks and performs the same as day one, even after repeated daily use, and strangely enough, I think the fact that it actually looks sleek (not as ridiculous as some budget alternatives I found on Amazon) helps with using it every day, particularly in places you might not feel comfortable pulling out an ice pack.

Comfort-wise, the padding is just right, even better than I expected for extended periods. Even if it was uncomfortable, having this on for 30 minutes versus having to wear straps or braces during long workdays is a no-brainer. Set to the max cold setting while watching TV, and after my knee went numb, it was easy to forget I was wearing it.

Finally, I found the device is also much simpler to integrate into a routine than anything I’d used before – just leave it plugged in next to your couch or bed, strap it on, and feel the immediate relief without thinking.

Hyperice X 2 Knee Therapy Device – The OK

Not everything was perfect, but most of the issues fell into the “manageable” category. The straps, while sturdy, could crease behind the knee if you didn’t position them just right, and can get uncomfortable during heavy compression.

As mentioned, the heat at maximum compression can be too intense, which means there’s a bit of a learning curve to finding your ideal levels. I also felt like the device really needs the compression to be effective; rarely have I found myself using it without the compression.

Lastly, the fans are definitely audible, noticeable enough that anyone nearby will hear them. It can be distracting to others, especially if you’re watching a movie, sitting in a quiet room, or on a plane traveling to your next race. Oh, and speaking of travel – if we could get a standard USB-C power supply over that old Xbox-style charging block, I would take this thing everywhere.

Hyperice X 2 Knee Therapy Device review – Conclusion

Coming from a background of post-office knee pain – years of stepping in and out of the vehicle on the same side while carrying packages – and then adding the increased mileage of ultramarathon training, I was looking for something that could help me protect my knee long-term. I had tried straps, icing routines, stretching, the usual stuff, but nothing had made a meaningful difference. This device did.

With consistent use, the pain significantly eased up, mobility improved, I no longer have issues with squatting, and my running volume increased without the flare-ups I’d been dealing with.

It earned a permanent place next to my couch, and I’ve now begun to use it preemptively on my other knee as well. For those with two bad knees, who might think they need two of these devices, I personally feel like two devices wouldn’t be necessary; there is enough charge to do both knees, one at a time.

I am even to the point of seriously considering the Hyperboot if it will produce the same relief on my chronically sprained ankle. For anyone dealing with lingering knee issues, overuse, or recurring irritation, even for the hefty price tag, I would recommend it every day of the week.