The Best TENS Machines

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iRenew TENS + EMS Combination Unit

As of 06/05/2023

The iRelieve iRenew is a TENS and EMS combo device that can help with pain relief and muscle relaxation simultaneously with its dual-channel design.

Massages for pain, recovery, endurance, and one designed specifically for arthritis.

Doesn't have a rechargeable battery.

Touch X TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator

As of 06/05/2023

The Touch X's touchscreen lets you easily switch between massage modes and intensity levels or adjust therapy time during your session.

20 intensity levels and 24 massage modes including Tai-chi and reflexology.

Some reviewers complain settings can get accidentally changed.

Dual Channel TENS EMS Unit

As of 06/05/2023

For less than $40, the Belifu can provide the benefits of TENS and EMS with 24 massage modes and 20 intensity levels.

Dual-wire channels can be set up with different intensity levels.

Included self-adhesive pads don't stick well at times.

2.0 Duo Smart Electric Muscle Stimulator

As of 06/05/2023

The wireless PowerDot 2.0 Duo lets you track progression and provides therapy tips and electrode placement guides with its smartphone app.

You can adjust contraction length, rest time, pulse length, and more.

Expensive, comes with only two electrode pads.

TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator AS8015 Touchscreen Massager

As of 06/05/2023

The small but powerful RAKZU offers 12 different types of massages for a great price.

Affordable (less than $30), dual-channel technology can provide two different intensities and styles at the same time.

Some users complain pads don't stick that well.

iReliev

iRenew TENS + EMS Combination Unit

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As of 06/05/2023

TechCare Massager

Touch X TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator

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As of 06/05/2023

Belifu

Dual Channel TENS EMS Unit

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As of 06/05/2023

PowerDot

2.0 Duo Smart Electric Muscle Stimulator

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As of 06/05/2023

RAKZU

TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator AS8015 Touchscreen Massager

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As of 06/05/2023

The iRelieve iRenew is a TENS and EMS combo device that can help with pain relief and muscle relaxation simultaneously with its dual-channel design.

The Touch X's touchscreen lets you easily switch between massage modes and intensity levels or adjust therapy time during your session.

For less than $40, the Belifu can provide the benefits of TENS and EMS with 24 massage modes and 20 intensity levels.

The wireless PowerDot 2.0 Duo lets you track progression and provides therapy tips and electrode placement guides with its smartphone app.

The small but powerful RAKZU offers 12 different types of massages for a great price.

Massages for pain, recovery, endurance, and one designed specifically for arthritis.

20 intensity levels and 24 massage modes including Tai-chi and reflexology.

Dual-wire channels can be set up with different intensity levels.

You can adjust contraction length, rest time, pulse length, and more.

Affordable (less than $30), dual-channel technology can provide two different intensities and styles at the same time.

Doesn't have a rechargeable battery.

Some reviewers complain settings can get accidentally changed.

Included self-adhesive pads don't stick well at times.

Expensive, comes with only two electrode pads.

Some users complain pads don't stick that well.

Sending electrical currents through your skin to stimulate your nerves may sound pretty painful, but it can actually have the opposite effect.

In fact, this kind of physical therapy treatment has been used for decades to help reduce pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a type of therapy that uses electrical currents to disrupt pain signals that travel across nerve strands in aching areas. Basically, TENS therapy uses electricity to trick your nerves into transmitting fewer pain signals to your brain. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

TENS machines, once available mainly only in physical therapy offices, are now sold widely for home use, with no prescription needed. These at-home units usually cost between $30 and $100 and can provide safe, controlled electrical stimulation. They can be used to reduce pain associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, endometriosis, everyday muscle aches and many injuries.

TENS therapy is not a magic cure. Some experts still doubt the long-lasting effectiveness of TENS since there's limited scientific evidence available. Also, depending on your pain level, the therapy may only work when used as part of a broader treatment program including exercise, physical therapy or pain meds. Before trying this kind of treatment, it's a good idea to ask your doctor if implementing a TENS machine in your routine could be beneficial.

TENS is considered a noninvasive treatment option that's safe for most people. However, it's seriously recommended that pregnant women and people with epilepsy, heart problems, pacemakers or other types of electrical or metal implants consult a doctor before use.

Most TENS machines are battery-powered and completely portable — small enough to fit in your pocket. They come with several sets of electrode wires and pads of different sizes. These pads are self-adhesive and can be easily placed on any area of the body, as long as it's directly on the skin.

Once the pads are in place, you can turn on the machine and it’ll deliver low-voltage electrical currents to the targeted area. These currents inhibit how nerves in the area transmit pain signals to the spinal cord and brain, resulting in some pain relief and muscle relaxation.

All TENS machines have the same basic functionality, but might differ in their massage modes and intensity, or the number of electrode pads they can power at the same time. Here are some factors to consider when searching for a model that's suitable for you:

• Massage modes. Most TENS machines have at least 20 preset massage modes. These can include traditional massages for commonly injured areas such as the lower back or neck. Others are designed to mimic more niche therapies such as cupping — a form of traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern massage that involves creating suction on the skin with a glass cup to promote circulation and healing.

When shopping for a TENS machine, take into account the specific body areas you would like to treat, and research which machines have the appropriate massage modes for those areas.

• Intensity levels. TENS machines have intensity settings that can be used to adjust how deep (or not) the massages feel. Many models have a range of about 20 different intensity levels, although some machines have even more, allowing for incremental adjustments and a more customized experience.

• EMS therapy. In addition to TENS massages, some machines include EMS modes. EMS stands for electric muscle stimulation. While TENS therapy uses lower currents to target nerve strands in injured areas, EMS delivers slightly stronger currents that cause muscles to contract — and is said to help strengthen them. It also promotes blood flow to the area, which can help shorten recovery time from an injury or warm up the muscles before exercising.

• Wired or wireless. Traditional TENS machines have wired electrode pads, but there are now several models featuring wireless electrode pads that can be controlled with a remote. Others can be paired up with your smartphone and controlled with an app.

Whether you choose a wired or wireless TENS machine is a matter of preference, since their massage modes and intensity levels are very similar. Wireless machines can be somewhat easier to maneuver since there are no cords to untangle or sort out. However, they do tend to be more expensive.

• Replacement pads. The typical TENS machine comes with around 10 reusable self-adhesive pads, but these won't last forever. The pads eventually lose their stickiness, especially if used daily. Replacing the pads is an added expense, so consider that cost when choosing a machine.

TENS machine users often also recommend purchasing conductive gel for electrodes. The gel not only helps the pads stay sticky for longer, they also increase the machine's conduction of electricity.

List Price: $74.95

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The iReliev iRenew TENS + EMS Unit combines the pain-relieving benefits of TENS therapy with the slightly stronger currents from EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation). The currents from EMS treatments stimulate muscles and cause them to contract, which can lead to faster recovery periods and strengthening.

The machine features 14 preset therapy modes: eight for TENS (including one specifically for arthritis pain) and six for EMS. With 25 intensity levels, it's easy to make adjustments for a more customized experience. Sessions can be set to last anywhere between five minutes and an hour.

The machine's dual-channel feature allows you to customize treatment further. You can connect multiple electrode pads (four small ones or two large) to target several areas at the same time, and you can set each channel to deliver a different massage setting and intensity level.

This model has received clearance from the FDA, meaning that its cables and the output currents the machine produces comply with safety standards to prevent shocks, skin irritation and other accidents.

The iRenew TENS + EMS Unit is battery-powered. If this is a turnoff, the newer iRenew Plus ($100) works using a rechargeable battery. Its display is also larger and backlit, though the massage modes and intensity settings remain the same as the lower-priced model.

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List Price: $69.99

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TechCare Massager gives a modern twist to traditional TENS machines with the Touch X, a model that's around the size of a smartphone and has a touchscreen.

Other TENS machines that are small enough to fit in a pocket can be kind of annoying to use. To make adjustments, you typically have to push a single button numerous times to find your preferred treatment. But with the Touch X's touchscreen, you can make adjustments with just a few quick taps.

The Touch X offers 24 massage modes, including Tai-chi, reflexology and classic Swedish massage. It has 20 levels of intensity, a 20- to 60-minute adjustable timer and a rechargeable battery that can last up to 20 hours. The machine comes with eight large electrode pads, two electrode cables and a wall charger.

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List Price: $49.99

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For less than $40, the Belifu Dual Channel is both a TENS and EMS machine that can help relieve sore muscles and strengthen them while speeding up recovery.

It features 24 preset modes and 20 intensity levels to simulate therapeutic massages such as cupping, acupuncture and the traditional Chinese Tuina. Thanks to its dual-channel design, you can connect up to six electrode pads at the same time and set different intensity levels for each channel. That way, one set of pads produces a deeper (or lighter) massage than the other.

The Belifu Dual Channel has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 20 hours. It comes with a USB charging cable, a storage bag, 10 self-adhesive electrode pads and three electric wires. Take note that the power output for this unit is lower than some of the higher-priced machines. That means the Belifu's currents may be less intense than competing models.

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List Price: $349.00

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The PowerDot 2.0 Duo is a wireless, FDA-cleared machine that can be controlled from your smartphone. Setting it up is simple and straightforward. Download the app and follow the on-screen instructions to pair the Duo receiver pod with your phone. Once paired, the app asks for some general information — for example, whether you want to increase strength or improve flexibility and how often you exercise (or not).

With the app, you can measure your progress, receive safety advice and get therapy recommendations. You’ll also find placement guides for each massage mode to guarantee electrode pads are placed correctly and maximize the therapeutic benefits.

The Duo features 10 preset massage programs, including active recovery, warm-up, muscle endurance and explosive strength, or you can choose to focus on a specific injured area. A manual program lets you adjust settings such as number of contractions, contraction length, rest time and pulse length.

As with other TENS machines, you can adjust the massage intensity. However, while most TENS machines only have between 20 and 25 levels, the Duo offers an impressive 100 intensity settings. Retailing for around $350, this option comes with two receiver pods, four electrode pads and four lead cables.

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Like the TeachCare Massager Touch X, the RAKZU has an easy-to-read touchscreen that makes it simple to switch between massage modes, even in mid-session. And, retailing for a little under $30, it's more than $20 cheaper than our Editor's Pick, the Touch X. While the RAKZU does have fewer massage modes (only 12 compared to the Touch X's 24), it still offers a wide variety of styles, including tuina, acupressure, tapping and cupping.

The RAKZU also stands out for just how easy it is to use while on the go. Unlike many other TENS devices, this model lets you lock both the touchscreen and the unit's side buttons. This prevents any accidental changes in the settings, even if you’re moving around.

Like other dual-channel massagers, the RAKZU can be customized to provide two different kinds of massages and intensities at the same time. So, for example, if your neck needs a gentler approach than your lower back, you can customize your session accordingly. Many users praise the RAKZU's long-lasting battery and powerful massages — a pretty impressive combination, especially given its small size.

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Our commitment to the consumer begins with product selection and ends with the last word we write in each article. Each TENS machine is carefully vetted quantitatively through star ratings and the number of reviews qualitatively through careful examination of reviews and the features each one has to offer. Leveraging our team of bargain hunters, we’re also always sure to keep your budget in mind while we find the best TENS machines on the market. Our team of experts is dedicated to accurately depicting the pros and cons of each TENS machine, translating technical product specifications into information you can understand. Our mission is to help you get the best massage experience for your buck.

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