Top 10 Best TENS Units of 2019 – Best Models TESTED
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is a small device that has electrodes that send stimulating pulses of the small amount of electric current along the nerve strands and across the skin’s surface. The stimulation via impulses helps to reduce the pain in the body and produce more endorphins which is a natural painkiller.
Earlier for using a TENS unit, a prescription from certified Doctor was a necessary, but now anyone can buy TENS unit online and use it. TENS unit are most useful for reducing muscle pain and curing chronic illnesses. It also helps to increase the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles.
Best TENS Units of 2019:
Table of Contents
Unlike earlier days, Now you can buy TENS devices online without a mandatory Doctor’s prescription. Here we have prepared a list of top 10 TENS units that you can buy online.
Healthmateforever TENS unit is an FDA approved handheld electronic pulse massager kit. It is most suitable for people who are looking for a small and portable TENS device.
HealthMateForever comes with 8 inbuilt typical massage modes namely Acupuncture, Scraping, Cupping, Tapping, Foot, Shoulder, Back and wrist. It operates via two independent channels with four outputs that can be utilized by using the 4 sets of dual leads wires provided in the package.
It comes with four long-lasting soft pads which can be attached to parts such as the kneecap, calf, arms and other areas which require treatment. The pads are made of non-woven material and provide a comforting and soft finish.
Sue to its plain structure it is very flexible around joints like knees, ankles, and elbows. The pads are self-adhesive and can be easily stuck to any body part. The conductive plates on the pads ensure that there is no need for any kind of gel or cream to be applied before using the device.
The device is small and has buttons around it which are clearly labeled with their actions such as Neck, Shoulder, Back, Elbow, Hip, Ankle, Knee, Foot / Hand, Wrist etc to clearly distinguish their features. It has a large LCD display which shows on which mode the device is currently operating and which all other modes you can select for the message.
HealthMateForever has 15 modes which can be selected easily with the buttons provided on the device. It has a belt attached to the device which makes it portable. It provides high-intensity massage with 20 levels of intensity to choose from. You can use all the four outputs at the same time or just use one. The intensity can be adjusted to work upon equally effectively on one pad as well as all the four pads together.
To start using the device just connect the provided wire plugs to the output ports, you can either connect to just one port or use all the four. Now connect the electrode pads with the electrode wire and make sure all the connections are tight. Now remove the protective layer from the electrode pads and place the pads on the targeted area.
Pros –
- Multifunctional, can be used as a TENS unit as well as a PMS device.
- Easy to use interface.
- Portable and very small.
- 15 modes with 20 intensity levels.
- Flexible electrode pads can be easily used even on knees and elbows.
Cons –
- Too many modes
- No option for custom modes.
Make sure that the pads are attached to the skin tightly and are not overlapping. Now switch on the device using the ON / OFF switch. By default, the device will start on mode 1 with intensity 1. You can change the mode and intensity to your liking by using the dedicated buttons provided on the device. Make sure that you don’t use the highest intensity unless it is necessary or prescribed by the doctor.
The Auvon Rechargeable TENS unit is an FDA 510k Cleared device that helps to cure muscle aches and stiffness using simulated electric signals. The Auvon Electric Massager excites/stimulates the sensory muscles and nerves and helps to reduce the pain. It activates a specific natural pain gate mechanism which increases the production of endorphins which helps in reducing the pain.
Auvon TENS unit is small but incredibly powerful. It uses low-frequency electrical muscle stimulation to massage your body. Due to its small size, it is highly portable and can be carried with you anywhere, be it be an office or the gym you can carry it in your briefcase or the gym bag. It works efficiently on body area such as neck, deltoid, shoulder, lower back, arm, hip & thigh.
The TENS unit pads that come with the device are of high grade and have the high-performance adhesive that provides much better grip on the skin. It is made of strong Non-Woven cloth material that ensures that the skin can still breathe through it. It is a multilayer pad having four layers.
The topmost layer is a non-woven cloth layer followed by a conductive Wire-end layer. The conductive carbon film layer lies below it which provides high electrical conductivity. The last layer is the TENS premium gel layer which helps the pad to stick tightly yet comfortably to the skin to provide the best results from the therapy.
The electrodes on the pads are Medical-Grade electrodes having a classic pin-style. These electrodes provide much better current stability and anti-corrosion properties.
The Auvon TENS unit has 16 inbuilt preprogrammed massage modes that are easy to navigate and use. The adjustable timing feature allows you to set the timer for the device for as long as you want and enjoy the electric massage.
The device operates on a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that can deliver uninterrupted massage for up to 10 hours. The led battery indicator keeps you aware of the remaining charge and the device can charge from 0% to 100% in 1-1.5 hours.
Using the Auvon TENS unit is very easy and anyone can set it up within 5 minutes. To start using the device just connect the lead wire with the Auvon TENS electrodes. Now tear off the protective transparent film attached to the electrodes and stick them on your body.
Pros –
- Easy to use
- Small and portable
- Adjustable timer
- Flexible pads allow attachment to parts like elbows and knees easy.
Cons –
- A display is dimly lit.
Plug in the lead connectors in the Auvon TENS unit and turn the device on. Press “M” on the device and select any one out of the six massage modes. You can select between Knead, Acupuncture, Cupping, Shiatsu-Deep, Tapping and Auto-Combination.
Press the middle button to select among the sub-modes under the previously selected massage mode. You can adjust the intensity of the massage with the ‘+’ or ‘-’ buttons and adjust the duration of the massage with the ‘T’ button.
iReliev TENS + EMS unit is a two-in-one device that can provide therapies of TENS as well as EMS. It is a small yet powerful device which is of the size of a credit card. Being this small proves to be a great advantage when carrying it around. It is highly portable and can be carried wherever you want. You can carry it in your purse, bag, briefcase, etc.
It comes with two different sized pads. One is small and the other one is XL sized pads. The small pads are ideal for treating body regions such as Ankle, Calves, Elbow, Feet, Shoulder, Knee, Lower back, Quads, Wrist, Upper back and upper arm, while the XL sized pads, are ideal for Uppers back, Abs, Calves, Knee, Lower back, Upper arm and shoulder.
iReliev TENS unit delivers low voltage pulses to the skin and stimulates nerve ends and fibers and effectively block the pain receptors from sending the pain signals to your brain. It also promotes the production of endorphins which is a natural pain reliever. This device has a total of 14 different pre-programmed massage modes out of which 7 are TENS pain relief modes that can be used to treat aching muscles and other body parts. 1 TENS of Arthritis mode to help old people with arthritis and 6 EMS muscle recovery and strength modes.
Pros –
- Very small in size
- Easy to use
- 2-in-1 therapy modes
Cons –
- The timer can be only set for maximum of 60 minutes.
iReliev features an adjustable intensity function which allows you to adjust the intensity of the device over 25 levels of 80 mA intensity. It also has a timer which allows you to set timers for the massage duration ranging from 5 minutes to 60 minutes. A lock function and dual channel action are also provided for better effectiveness.
Roscoe Medical’s TENS 7000 is a highly versatile over-the-counter TENS unit that can be used at home, office or anywhere. If you want to get the same kind of TENS therapy that you get at a professional doctor’s clinic, TENS 7000 is the best option for you. Equipped with dual channel functionality, The TENS 7000 allows you to use either two or four electrode pads around the affected area.
TENS 7000 provides the ability to control and adjust the intensity levels between 0-100 mA which can be increased or decreased in 10mA increments or decrements using the rotating knobs present on the device. The intensity of both channels can be adjusted independently giving the full control over the effectiveness of the device.
The device can be covered in the safety cover provided with the package which ensures that the settings do not get changed accidentally and stay the same throughout the therapy. It comes with a pack of four small-sized pads that are made of high-quality fabric which does not cause irritation on the skin during the treatment and is flexible enough to be used on areas such as the knee and elbows.
TENS 7000 has 5 program modes such as burst mode, which gives continuous small bursts of electric shocks on the selected areas and is effective for areas having extreme muscle pain. Normal mode is suitable for general therapy and can be used anywhere on the body. Modulation mode is where you can alter the setting such as frequency, intensity, and pulse as per your choice and get modulated pulses of electric current and is most useful for wrists, hands, forearms, and back.
The last two modes are the strength-Duration mode 1 & 2 which are used for long-term therapy lasting from 1-2 hours. Mode 1 has a lesser intensity than mode 2. If you need higher intensity and frequency pulses select mode 2.
The device works on a single 9-volt battery which can last easily over 48 hours of continuous usage. The voltage is adjustable can be set from 1v up to 8 volts, though setting it between 3v to 4.5v should be more than enough for effective treatment. Thought the battery is not a rechargeable battery and it is recommended to switch to a rechargeable 9v battery as soon as the default one dies.
Pros –
- Small yet very powerful
- Small and portable.
- Multiple modes allow you to select the best option suitable for you.
- The digital display allows for easy navigation.
Cons –
- The non-rechargeable battery is provided in the package.
It comes equipped with digital led display and tactile buttons on the front portion that can be used to control and navigated through all the modes and options the device has to offer. The time setting offered in the device is very useful if you need to get the therapy only for a certain period of time. To achieve the best results it is recommended to set the device for smaller, quicker and less powerful electric pulses as they provide a very soothing effect on the nerves.
Nursal TENS Rechargeable is an FDA cleared electronic Pain relief massager. It is a pocket-sized portable device which can be conveniently used anytime anywhere. It is most effective against chronic pain in areas such as back, knee, shoulder, ankles, wrist, and elbows. This device comes with 8 pads of various sizes. 2 large pads, 4 medium size pads, and 2 small pads.
Such variety of sizes allows easy and convenient placement of the pads over the affected areas. The pads come with pre-applied high-quality adhesive and offer conductive gel pads thus there is no need to apply any kind of external cream or gel. Out of the small and medium-sized gel pads, a total of six pad can be applied to two different areas simultaneously providing coverage over a larger area at a time.
Nursal TENS unit provides multi massage modes for body relaxation which can be chosen by pressing the ‘M’ button on the dialer pad on the device. This device provides 20 adjustable intensity levels which can be easily adjusted by using the dedicated buttons provided on the device The settings are easily adjustable and can be navigated through using the animated display on the LCD screen.
Pros –
- Very small and portable.
- Comes with 8 conductive gel pads of different sizes.
Cons –
- The battery is non-removable so once the battery’s lifespan is over, the device becomes useless.
- Unclear usage instructions.
You can also set the treatment time ranging from 10 minutes to 60 minutes, by default it is set on 20 minutes. Once the timer is set and the time is due, the device automatically shuts down to save battery. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can give up to 10 hours of continuous usage once charged fully and the battery level indicator helps to keep you informed about the current battery status. It is strictly recommended not to use the device when it is in charging state.
If you usually start feeling pain or minor aches after playing a game or experiences joint pains often then CNXUS TENS Unit is the best option for you. CNXUS TENS unit is an FDA 510K cleared device and offers a huge variety of functions to ease your pain very efficiently and comes with a warranty of one year and free lifetime technical support. IT is exceptionally small and can be carried with you anywhere in your backpack or purse.
This device comes with 12 diverse pre-programmed modes to choose from. These modes offer a diverse range of therapies such as Knocking, Kneading, Shiatsu and much more. Unlike other products in the market which provide multiple modes with only slight or no changes at all, CNXUS TENS unit has a very diverse range of 12 totally different massage techniques to relieve you from pain. The various modes offer pain relief against aching muscles, shoulder, waist, back, buttocks, etc.
It is a dual channel device and provides 100% power on both the channel without dividing the power or compromising on the strength. It comes with 12 different pulse settings and multiple intensity options. The intensity levels can be adjusted with 20 different stages independently on both the output channels. This means you can set one intensity level on one output port and simultaneously set some other intensity level on the other output port.
You can choose from any of the channels or you can also use both of them simultaneously. The long length of the provided cable for the electrodes ensures that the device can be used by two people at the same time. This device comes with an inbuilt timer feature which allows you to set time for the therapy period ranging from the minimum of 10 minutes to a maximum of 60 minutes.
The default timer is set at 20 minutes per session. The large animated LCD display makes sure that you can easily navigate through the options and settings and all the content on the screen is clearly visible and readable. CNXUS TENS unit comes with an in-built lithium ion battery which can be recharged and provides 10 hours of continuous use on one single full charge.
A total of 8 pads are provided with the device which ranges from large to small sizes. The different sizes of the pads ensure that they can be used on all the body parts easily. Maximum four pads can be applied at a time. Using the device is very easy, just plug in the device and charge it fully.
Pros –
- Small and portable
- Comes with 8 pads (4 extra pads).
- Multiple intensity levels.
Cons –
- Manual instructions are not clear.
Once charged completely, turn on the device by sliding the switch under the rubber flaps on the top of the unit. Now attach the cables and pads and place the pads on the area you want to treat. You can either use the output port ‘A’ or ‘B’. The intensity can be adjusted by pressing the right arrow key for increasing the power and left arrow key for decreasing the power. To change the mode press the ‘M’ button.
The micropore TENS unit is a small yet powerful TENS device that can be used for the treatment of various parts such as Back, Knee, Shoulder, Ankle, Wrists, and Elbow. It is small and lightweight which makes it very easy to be carried around anywhere with you be it gym or office, it can easily fit in your backpack or purse without any issues.
The micropore TENS unit is a touch-screen device and all the functions can be controlled via the touchscreen itself. The device operates on a rechargeable lithium battery which can be charged fully in less than two hours and can deliver power continuously for up to 10 hours with just one full charge. The device comes with a total of 8 pads out of which 4 are medium sized, 2 are large and 2 are small pads.
Different sized pads can be used as per the requirements. MiroPure TENS unit provides 12 different massage modes and the intensity can be adjusted on 20 different levels with just a click of a button. A total of Six areas of the body can be treated simultaneously at any given time with this device.
It is a dual channel device and comes with two output ports through to get maximum power out of both the ports you need to use both the negative and positive ports provided in the package.
Pros –
- Touchscreen
- Lightweight and portable
- Rechargeable battery
Cons –
- The instruction manual is not clear.
MiroPure comes with an inbuilt timer feature which allows you to set the timer ranging from 10 minutes to 60 minutes. The intensity of the device can be increased or decreased using the ‘+’ and ‘-’ button present on the screen to increase or decrease the levels by one over a range of 20 different levels. It comes with a manufacturer warranty of 2 years.
Omron Max Power TENS unit is a versatile and incredibly powerful yet very small sized device. It comes with a belt clip attached to it for better portability. It is the perfect choice for those people who regularly experience pain in the lower back, recurring knee joint pain or shoulder pain. Due to its portability, you can carry it wherever you want and use it any time of the day.
This device provides 2x the power with 1 to 15 levels of intensity which can be chosen as per the requirement. There are 9 pre-set modes on this device which offers tailored pain therapy with 6 different pain modes for different body areas such as shoulders, arms, lower back, and knees and 3 different massage modes like Rub, Tap and Knead.
The device has an LCD display on it which is quite clear and easy to read and comes with big buttons for the controls for easy operation. Standard sized pads (2.5 inches x 4 inches) are provided with the device which is tested for long life usage. These are soft, comfortable pads which gently stick to your skin. The pads are reusable and a single pad can be used up to 150 times and can be washed up to 15 times.
The device also features an inbuilt timer which can be used to set session limits from 10 minutes to 60 minutes. It is recommended to take 1 session up to 30 minutes and 1-3 sessions per day. Using the device is very easy, just attach the pads to the body area and then attach the electrode wires to the device output ports and the pads. Now switch on the device and select the pain mode and then choose the intensity level.
Pros –
- High power and intensity.
- Dual channel
- Small and portable
Cons –
- Battery backup is not that great.
You can switch between the predefined modes as per your wish. When the device is in working condition you may feel variations like tapping, tingling or massage-like sensations. Omron Max Power Relief TENS unit block the pain messages from reaching the brain and triggers endorphin production which acts as natural painkillers. It also helps to improve blood circulation throughout the muscles.
TEC.BEAN TENS unit is an FDA cleared device and is a great option if you have muscle spasms or pain in Knee, Shoulder, Ankles, Wrist or elbows. It is a small and portable device that operates on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can deliver up to 10 hours of continuous power. This unit comes with eight FDA approved adhesive conductive pads that do not need any type of extra gel or lotion to be applied on.
The pads are washable and can be used 30 times without washing and can last up to a total of 300 uses. It comes with 16 pre-programmed massage modes and the adjustable timer which can be adjusted from 10 minutes to 60 minutes. By default, the timer is set at 20 minutes. The animated LCD screen allows to easily select the massage modes and other settings for the therapy.
The intensity of the pulses can be adjusted using the ‘+’ and ‘-’ buttons present on the device. A total of 20 different intensity levels can be selected including 2-4 massage methods under each massage mode. You can use the ‘M’ button present on the device to choose the massage modes and methods.
Pros –
- Lightweight and portable.
- Rechargeable battery.
- Inbuilt timer.
- FDA approved
Cons –
- The battery takes too much time to charge
Using this device is very easy, you just need to fully charge the device first using a wall charger or via the USB port of your computer. Once fully charged, peel of the protective coating from the pads and stick the pads on the desired body part.
Now plug in the electrode connection wires into the pads and the other end onto the output port of the device. Now switch on the device and set the desired massage mode and the intensity level of your choice, you can also set the timer if you want. Now sit back and relax.
NueMedics TENS unit is a combination of TENS and PMS device. It is FDA 510K cleared and delivered low voltage electric pulses to effectively stimulate the nerve fibers and block the pain signals from reaching your brain. It also helps to increase the production of endorphins which are a type of natural painkiller.
NueMedics TENS unit comes with a user friendly interface and features an animated LCD display with backlighting that can be used to select among the multiple massage modes such as Neck, Hip, Acu, Knead, Foot/Hands, Tap, Shoulder, Back or you can just select the Random option and the device will select any one mode out of the given ones.
This device comes with 24 pre-programmed massage modes such as Acupuncture, Deep tissue, Cupping, joint etc which can be used for any duration of time ranging from 10 minutes to 60 minutes with the help of the inbuilt timer feature.
Six large sized conductive electrode pads are provided with the device for maximum coverage of the affected area. It operates on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can last up to 20 hours if usage and charges fully within 2-3 hours, it has a battery level indicator which keeps you aware of the battery level.
Pros –
- Long lasting battery, last up to 20 hours of continuous usage.
- LCD backlit display.
- Easy to use interface.
- Lifetime warranty
Cons –
- None.
Dual channel output ports allow two users to use the device simultaneously by plugging the electrode connectors in each one of the output ports. The intensity of the device can be adjusted on 20 different levels independently for both the output ports simultaneously for effective treatment.
What is TENS therapy?
A TENS is low intensity but high-frequency stimulation pulse which occurs about 100 times a second. Our body is a very complex system of nerve cells through which electrical signals travel. The exact way by which this system works is still entirely not wholly known, though medical science quite well understands the two regions responsible for these signals, the brain, and the nerve receptors.
TENS used because of their ability to interfere with the communication happening between these two parts of the body and get rid of the pain temporarily or permanently. Interruptions caused by TENS also enforce the production of endorphins in higher quantities which aid in repressing and minimizing the pain signals.
The process of pain can be understood as nerve endings present all over the body detect uncomforting or stimulating signals and pass them on to the area of the pain that travels throughout the body and towards the spinal cord. From the spinal cord, the pain signals reach the subconscious part of the brain.
The brain then pickups and intercepts the messages and produces a response accordingly such as giving the sensation of pain when a body part is hurt. TENS therapy requires the use of a TENS unit which sends low voltage, high-frequency electric pulses to the nerve cells and stops the pain receptive signals from reaching the brain.
Why should we use TENS machines?
TENS machines are used as an alternative form of pain-killing medication by many people who did not find oral medicines helpful or productive. The TENS machine is a small lightweight and portable box which can be worn on the body itself or held in hand. It is a battery operated device which is attached to the body via electrode pads and conducting wires.
It sends out small electrical pulses that are transmitted to the body through the skin tissues and intercepts with the pain signals that are being sent to the brain by the nerve cells. By intercepting and suppressing the pain signals TENS units successfully minimize or completely get rid of the pain. If you are facing chronic pain or have muscle aches or spasms, TENS units can prove to be a real lifesaver for you.
Conclusion –
If you are suffering from chronic muscular pain or face muscle spasms on a regular basis or if you are a sports person, then TENS unit is the best product for you. Pain caused due to stiffened muscles, spasms and other reasons can last a long time if not taken care of properly.
TENS unit provides an easy and fast way to relieve yourself of the agonizing pain by blocking the receptor signals sent by the nerve fibers of your body to the brain. It also encourages the production of endorphins which are a natural painkiller. So above given is a list of top 10 TENS units that you can buy online.