Find Out About the Best TENS Units Available

Last updated on November 5th, 2019.

The Secret to Getting Rid of Pain without Medication

Chronic pain can be difficult to manage. Medication can work, but you build up a resistance over time which leads to taking stronger medication. It’s no wonder so many people with chronic pain develop a painkiller addiction.

So, what alternatives are there? Well, more than you might think – and electrotherapy is one of the best, as I’ve discovered over the years.

Today I’ll tell you all about TENS units – an easy and safe way to achieve a life free of pain!

See also:

• Best Back Massager Reviews 2022: Ultimate Guides
• Best Home Foot Spa Machine Reviews & Buying Guide 2022
• Best Neck and Shoulder Massager 2022 Reviews

Our Top Picks
The Best Portable Unit	HealthmateForever HM8ML(Black) If you’re looking for a TENS unit to use on the go, this product is the best choice. Poor instructions.	90% Great CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON Read our review
The Most Versatile Unit	Santamedical Dual Channel TENS Unit/EMS Unit If you want a two-in-one unit, this is the one for you. Difficult to see the info in bright sunlight.	90% Great CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON Read our review
The Best Unit for Large Areas	iReliev TENS + EMS Combination Unit Best TENS unit for back pain. Can’t be recharged.	90% Great CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON Read our review
The Best for Seniors	Massage Therapy Concepts TENS Unit and EMS Combination Large buttons – Easy to use for elders. Not to be used for light pain.	80% Good CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON Read our review
The Best Value	iReliev TOP-BEST TENS Massager Unit Bundle Comes as a bundle. The electrode pads do wear out a bit faster.	90% Great CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON Read our review
The Most Adjustable Unit	Zewa Professional & affordable FDA cleared, FSA eligible TENS Unit The most adjustable TENS units. No EMS function	100% Fantastic CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON Read our review

What is a TENS Unit and How Does it Work?

TENS is short for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation – now, that might sound complicated, but don’t worry about it too much. These machines are quite simple at their core.

Here’s how they work – they have electrodes embedded in pads that you can attach to your skin. The electrodes then deliver small electric shocks to the nerves beneath your skin.

So, how does this reduce the pain you’re feeling?

Well, there are a few theories, but the most prominent one is that the electric impulses overload your nervous system, reducing the ability of your pain receptors to deliver pain messages to your brain.

At the same time, the impulses stimulate the release of endorphins in your brain – chemicals that make you feel good and that reduce pain. The same types of chemicals are also released when you get a massage.

As has been proven time and time again, TENS units are great at relieving pain while not causing addiction as prescription medications do.

There’s more to TENS units than just this, though. A lot of them have other functions, some of which I found to be extremely valuable in my work with patients. One of the most common ones is that they can double as an EMS unit.

What are EMS Units?

EMS units are named for their function – electronic muscle stimulation. Now, why would you shock your muscles?

If you’ve ever broken an arm or a leg, you know how difficult it can be to move it after you remove the cast. This is because you haven’t moved the muscles in a while and they atrophied.

What follows after that is usually a long period of massaging, training and physical therapy. I’ve helped others do it, and I’ve done it myself, so let me tell you – it’s quite a difficult process, especially after bad injuries.

EMS units are designed to help prevent that or at least make the recovery process shorter.

By shocking your muscles with electricity, they stimulate them even while they’re in a cast or you’re unable to move from bed. They have proven to be quite effective, especially in critically ill patients.

Keep in mind that TENS and EMS units are medical machines – they can be dangerous if used improperly.

I’ve had a few patients who treated them like regular massage machines, and it didn’t end well. Read the instruction manuals carefully and consult with your doctor if you have any doubts.

– Read more: TENS vs. EMS: Which Is Better for You?

How to Use a TENS Unit?

The simple answer goes like this – you attach the pads to the part of your body that’s hurting, and you turn the unit on. You turn it off when you feel that you’ve had enough.

But it’s not that simple, is it? That’s how it looks to my clients when I apply it to them, but I’m a trained professional, and I know what I’m doing.

Keep reading, and I’ll tell you what you need to do.

TENS Unit Settings

TENS Unit Application

Before you turn on the machine, make sure that the intensity and frequency knobs are turned all the way down.

Clean the skin are you want to apply the TENS pads to with soap and water and dry it off completely. I sometimes use rubbing alcohol – easy to apply and clean up.

When you start up the unit, slowly turn up the frequency and intensity dials until you find what works best for you.

The treatment should not be painful – if it is, you’re doing something wrong and turn off the unit immediately.

Are There Any Side Effects?

So far, there are no known side effects to using a TENS unit. You might get minor skin irritation on the place where you place the electrodes if you have sensitive skin, but that’s about it.

Besides that, a limited number of people have reported slight feelings of numbness in the area, but the results concerning that are inconclusive. I’ll update this section if something new comes up.

How to Find the Best TENS Unit for You

Read on to find out what you should look for when buying a TENS unit!

Adjustability

It’s important that you have the widest range of possible options available to you so you can get exact pain relief you need.

Look for a unit with the most options for intensity, frequency, and duration. Avoid those that only have pre-programmed modes.

Battery Life

TENS units are not that useful when they die after two uses – look for ones with long battery life that will last through dozens of treatments.

Additional Features

Things like adjustable timers, EMS features and more all add to the value of a TENS unit.

Size

If you want to use your TENS unit outside of your home, you should look for a smaller unit that can fit in your pocket or something similar. Some are as small as credit cards.

Best TENS Units On The Market – Reviewed & Compared

Now that you know what to look for and what makes a good TENS unit, let’s put this practical knowledge into action. I’ve found the best (by reviewers & sales) TENS units on the market, and now we’ll compare them together.

#1 HealthmateForever HM8ML(Black) – The Best Portable Unit

Chronic pain can ruin anything – a productive day at work or just a relaxing night out with friends can turn into a nightmare. That’s when you need a device like this, something that can relieve your pain and do it for hours on end, leaving you worry-free. Read on and see just how this TENS unit is able to do it all!

(Via: amazon.com)

Things I Liked

• With this device, you get 6 pads, and it has a 4-leads wire, allowing you to use 4 pads on one output.
• Despite that, this is quite a small device, allowing you to carry it around wherever you go. The battery life is amazing, and it can be used for up to 10 hours before recharging.
• The controls on it are easy to use and highly adjustable, so you can get exactly the type of therapy you want. The 8 pre-programmed modes are good too if you don’t want to fiddle around with it.
• The timer can be adjusted to work for 10 to 60 minutes, and there are 20 levels of intensity that you can cycle through with the press of a single button. It’s easy and convenient!

Things I Didn’t Like

• The instructions for using it are either non-existent or poor, depending on the exact model you get. However, that’s not a huge problem since the controls are intuitive and easy to understand on the first go.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a TENS unit to use on the go, I’d say this is your best bet.

Get This Product on Amazon

#2 Santamedical Dual Channel TENS Unit/EMS Unit – The Most Versatile Unit

You’re a savvy consumer, so you’re probably always looking to get as much value as possible out of everything you buy. This unit delivers on that front with its high adjustability and dual functionality. Let’s see what it can do and test it against our knowledge of TENS units.

(Via: amazon.com)

Things I Liked

• For a start, this is not just a TENS unit – it also doubles as an EMS unit, and it does the job quite admirably.
• Changing between the two modes is not a hassle. You can just press one button, and it’s done.
• It comes with 4 large pads and two-channel functionality. You also get two additional larger pads. All of them are latex-free, so you don’t have to worry about allergies. I also prefer using latex-free pads in work with my patients whenever possible.
• The battery life is good, and it uses three AAA batteries. It comes with an auto-shutoff function, so it wastes no power.

Things I Didn’t Like

• The screen is not backlit, so it might be difficult to see the info in it in bright sunlight, but you don’t need to look at it that often anyway.

Verdict: I always suspect that machines with multiple functions might perform both of them poorly – but that’s not the case here. If you want a two-in-one unit, this is the one you need to get since it does everything amazingly.

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#3 iReliev TENS + EMS Combination Unit – The Best Unit for Large Areas

It’s easy to use a TENS unit when you can pinpoint the exact source of your pain – but it’s not always that simple. When you’re hurting all over, a TENS unit with extra large pads is exactly what the doctor ordered, and this is one such product. But it has more benefits than just that – read my review and find out more.

(Via: amazon.com)

Things I Liked

• The main benefits of this unit are the large pads you get with it. It comes with eight standard 2-by-2 pads, but it also has four extra large 3.5-by-5 pads as well. I’ll tell you right now – for back pain, this is the best option.
• Besides being a TENS unit, it also has a great EMS function.
• It’s also a highly adjustable unit, with 25 levels of intensity, a timer that goes from 5 to 60 minutes, 8 TENS programs and 6 EMS programs.

Things I Didn’t Like

• The only major downside is that it can’t be recharged – you have to use three AAA batteries. However, due to the long battery life, that’s not a huge issue.

Verdict: If you’re suffering from back pain, I think this is one of the best TENS units you can get – but it’s good even if that’s not what you need. If you like the look of it, get it straight away.

Get This Product on Amazon

#4 Massage Therapy Concepts TENS Unit and EMS Combination – The Best for Seniors

I find that it can be difficult for some people to get used to using TENS units, especially older people. So, what’s the solution? Well, a unit like this with tons of preprogrammed features and large, accessible buttons is it, as you’ll find out.

(Via: amazon.com)

Things I Liked

• The best thing about this unit is how approachable it is. The smartphone-like look and 12 versatile programs to choose from, all accessible from large, illustrated buttons on the front make it easy to use.
• Other options, including a timer and 20 levels of intensity are all easily accessible as well.
• It has two channels, each connected to two electrodes with separately adjustable intensity levels. That means you can treat two different painful areas at the same time.
• Besides that, it also doubles as an EMS unit and a good one too.

Things I Didn’t Like

• It’s exceptionally strong, so it’s not to be used for light pain – but it’s great for people suffering from stronger pains.

Verdict: This unit is especially great for the seniors, due to the large buttons and the fact that anyone can learn to use it in seconds. If your grandmas birthday is coming up, buy it for her right now.

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#5 iReliev TOP-BEST TENS Massager Unit Bundle – The Best Value

It’s a bother to buy a TENS unit and still need extra batteries, leads, pads and more. With a bundle like this, you get everything you need at once – it’s great value. What’s included in it and how the unit performs is just below.

(Via: amazon.com)

Things I Liked

• You get a lot of stuff in this bundle besides the TENS unit itself. You get a tote bag for storing it, a belt clip for easy portability, 20 2-by-2 electrode pads, 3 AAA batteries, and 4 lead wires.
• The batteries are rechargeable and last for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about them running out.
• If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund within 14 days of purchase as well, which I would say is a great deal.
• The unit is also adjustable, with 25 intensity levels and 8 programs, as well as a timer.

Things I Didn’t Like

• The electrode pads do wear out a bit faster than most, but you get a lot of them in the pack, so it’s not a big deal.

Verdict: You probably can’t waste money, right? Well, then this bundle is ideal for you since it gets you a lot of stuff all at once, along with a good unit.

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#6 Zewa Professional & affordable FDA cleared, FSA eligible TENS Unit – The Most Adjustable Unit

If you’ve got problems with both strong and weak pains, you need a TENS unit that can deal with both. This one is probably one of the most adjustable units available, but it can offer you more than just that. Let’s check it out and see what it can do.

(Via: amazon.com)

Things I Liked

• This unit boasts 30 different intensity levels that can be adjusted on 2 separate channels – two electrodes per channel. I find that useful since two areas can be treated with just one device.
• It also has a timer that can be set and it goes all the way up to 95 minutes, while most other devices offer a maximum of 60. For longer therapies, that’s a blessing.
• There are also 8 modes programmed into it, which you can switch through with the press of a button.
• The three AAA batteries it’s powered by can last for quite a while too, and the device is small, so you can use it on the go.

Things I Didn’t Like

• There is no EMS function, but this is a dedicated TENS unit, and that would only limit the number of options it can offer to you.

Verdict: I think this is one of the most adjustable TENS units that I have come across. I’d definitely recommend it for people who have issues with both mild, pulsing pain and intense pains.

Get This Product on Amazon

Conclusion

I have encountered a lot of different TENS units in my day, but it was still difficult for me to decide which one of these is the absolute best.

I hope I managed to help you at least a little bit. If you have any questions, pop into the comments and ask them – I’m wide open!

If you liked the article and know someone who might find it useful – share it with them!

Until next time, have a wonderful pain-free life!