Best TENS units & EMS machines with heat therapy (UK) - Buying Guide: 2024

The electrostimulation devices are designed almost exclusively for physiotherapy, focusing on various branches of physiotherapy. Muscular electrostimulation therapy focuses on physical conditioning, while Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is applied for the treatment of ailments. In addition, it is possible to find devices with thermotherapy.

This type of therapy promotes muscle relaxation and the relief of pain caused by bone injuries and rheumatic disorders such as arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as other types of joint pain. In the following paragraphs, we will teach you everything you need to consider when purchasing electrostimulation devices with heat therapy, how to differentiate which type of stimulator is right for your needs.

Best electrostimulators and TENS machines with heat therapy

The physiotherapy brand Beurer offers its users one of the most versatile electrostimulation devices that can be found on the market. It is the Beurer EM59, which contains an incredible 4-in-1 function that allows you to apply therapeutic massage, muscle stimulation, nerve stimulation and heat therapy, providing a completely different level of relief to its users with its more than 70 programs and 50 intensity levels.

This powerful electrostimulation equipment offers immediate relief for almost any type of ailment using stimulation methods that stimulate the production of natural pain relieving agents within the body. It also works as an effective methods to accelerate muscle growth and regeneration, while combining with heat therapy to provide one of the most complete treatments you will find.

Omron has a wide range of electrostimulation devices in stock, including Omron HeatTens, which combines the therapeutic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with the effective method of heat therapy, resulting in one of the most complete relaxation and pain relief effects available on the market.

Its operation is really simplified, having 6 preset programs that focus on treating different areas of the body, which you can customize by modifying the 3 TENS massage modes, in combination with the 3 heat therapy modes. It is the best choice for joint and muscle ailments and you will get 1 Omrom HeatTens, 2 Omron gel pads, 1 power adapter and an instruction manual.

This wireless electrostimulation unit brought to the public by DIGOT brand, is one of the most versatile devices thanks to its compact size, portability, power and included heat therapy function, which makes it the most recommended option for the treatment and relief of any type of ailment, from joint problems caused by arthritis to muscle pain caused by injuries.

It has 6 massage modes with 19 intensity levels, among which you can switch between heat therapy modes. Its adhesive gel pad is reusable up to 50 times, and its internal lithium battery will give you enough autonomy to withstand several sessions before the next charge.

The Beurer brand offers a specialized model of portable electrode designed to relieve menstrual complaints. The EM50 uses an innovative combination of TENS electrostimulation and heat therapy to relieve pain caused by menstrual symptoms in a natural way. Its ergonomic and portable design offers great versatility for use anywhere, and features 15 adjustable intensity levels that you can tailor to your needs.

To deal with menstrual and endometriosis ailments, the EM50 makes use of its TENS stimulation modalities and a soothing heat wave, which can reach a temperature of 43°C (109°F), which will help relieve symptoms such as muscle cramps and other ailments. It is powered by a rechargeable battery that gives it an autonomy of up to 6 sessions.

The electric neck massager from physiotherapy brand FORTHiQ is one of the most precise electrostimulation units available, with an ergonomic design designed exclusively to fit the neck area and deliver TENS electrical impulses to the most sensitive areas, allowing for fast pain relief.

It has 6 modes of use and 15 intensity levels that allow access to deep neck tissue for complete relief of any type of ailment. It can be switched between TENS and effective heat therapy modes very easily thanks to its remote control, and its high capacity battery allows a battery life of up to 6 hours, with a charge of only 30 minutes.

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Buying guide: What should I take into account to buy the best electro stimulator with heat therapy?

While electrostimulators have a wide variety of uses, it is necessary for the buyer to be clear about what their needs are, and what they require from an electrostimulator, in order to select the right device, especially when it comes to one with such a specific function as heat therapy.

Types of uses

• Type of use: Generally, the need to acquire a device with a thermotherapy function arises from a rheumatic ailment or the need for a method to relax tense muscles. These are the most common uses for this type of therapy.
• User experience: it is necessary to look for a device that has an ease of use appropriate to the user's experience with the use of electrostimulators, especially those that include the heat therapy function.
• Time of use: this is a factor that has an impact on the required quality of the device. It is important to keep in mind that the longer you need to use the stimulator, the higher the quality must be in order for it to last the necessary time.

Technical characteristics

• Channels: the number of channels available in the device is directly related to the electrodes that can be used on the user's skin. It is possible to find stimulators with thermotherapy function with two channels, which support the use of up to four or more wires.
• Pads/Electrodes: the greater the number of electrodes the stimulator has, the greater the area of effect of the electrical impulses and heat applied by the device. The number of electrodes is directly related to the number of channels available in the machine. In general, two-channel stimulators can support up to eight electrodes.
• Modes/Programs: Modes increase the effectiveness of the devices, since they allow the treatment of a greater variety of ailments, in the case of TENS; as well as access to a greater variety of training modes, in the case of EMS. The more programs a device has, the greater its versatility.
• Intensity levels: these are directly related to each mode individually, i.e., each program has a certain number of intensity levels that increase the penetration capacity of the electrical impulses and heat waves, increasing their effectiveness.
• Type of screen: directly influences the user-friendliness of the device. Touch screens may offer better visualization of modes and levels, but may be more complex for certain populations. Analog screens offer less visibility, but a more direct approach to their modes of use. The type of display on a device primarily impacts its ease of use and price, but not the performance of the equipment.
• Wireless: this is an important factor in the portability of the equipment, since it is necessary to determine whether it will be necessary for the user to keep the device on his or her person and, therefore, to decide whether a device that requires constant connection to power, or a wireless one, is desirable.
• Heat therapy: a very useful feature in terms of the treatment of bone and rheumatic joint ailments and muscle relaxation. It is not a feature that is present in all devices, so the price of those that do include it tends to be higher.
• Size: this has a direct impact on the ease of use, mobility and portability of the device. Larger and heavier electrostimulators tend to work with constant connection to an electrical source, limiting their versatility and completely eliminating their portability.
• Portable: this is a necessity that varies according to the buyer's requirements. A portable electro stimulator is a better option when the user requires short sessions at certain times of the day. The device needs to be compact enough so that you can have it on your person.
• Types of electrodes pads: this is a factor that depends on the brand and model of electro stimulator. The most expensive and best quality electrodes usually have specially adapted electrodes which can only be replaced by special order. Electro stimulators compatible with universal pads are usually of lower quality, but much cheaper in comparison.
• Battery type: the type of battery to choose depends entirely on your portability needs. Devices powered by rechargeable lithium batteries tend to be more expensive, but more durable, and in the long run represent a lower expense than AA battery stimulators, which require a constant expense in battery replacement.
• Pre-programmed timer: this is not an indispensable feature, although it can be very useful to specifically measure the duration of each therapy. Not all devices have this feature, although in most cases it does not affect the price.
• Combo: having a device that includes TENS therapy, EMS and Thermotherapy is an excellent investment, although in general a device with all these functions can be quite expensive.
• Interferential: it is an excellent alternative for the treatment of ailments using low frequency impulses. It is not a feature found in conjunction with other types of therapy in all electrostimulators, but finding interferential therapy stimulators is fairly straightforward.
• Warranty: Warranty may vary slightly from one brand to another, and from one point of sale to another. However, in regions such as Europe, the minimum warranty by law is two years.
• Price: the relevance of this factor is determined by the economic capacity of the buyer, which must be realistically adapted to his needs, in order to obtain the best balance between economy and coverage of his requirements.

Differences between TENS and EMS: Which one is better for me?

Electrostimulation devices are one of the best and safest forms of physiotherapy available today, although it is necessary to have a certain level of knowledge about the applications of both Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) in order to apply them correctly and obtain optimal results.

TENS Units

• Treatment of acute ailments: recent pains can be treated quickly by means of TENS therapy for a more effective recovery in a shorter time.
• Treatment of chronic pain: with the use of a lower frequency for longer periods of time, it is possible to reduce pain caused by chronic ailments.
• Muscle relaxation: the low intensity of its electrical discharges promotes the relaxation of muscle and fibrous tissue, reducing its tension and minimizing the sensation of pain caused by such tension.
• Ailments caused by hormonal imbalances: hormonal conditions such as endometriosis or dysmenorrhea can cause quite severe ailments, for which TENS therapy has proven to be an effective solution.
• Pain caused by rheumatic diseases: TENS therapy is very useful for rheumatic and joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, thanks to its effects on the nervous tissue of the affected joints.

EMS Electrostimulators

• Muscle toning: it is possible to improve the condition of muscle tissue by means of EMS electrostimulation therapy.
• Maintaining and resuming physical activity: it can be used to recover part of the physical condition after long periods of sedentary life or recovery from surgical procedures.
• Rehabilitation of the musculature after injuries: it is a method widely applied in the fields of physiotherapy to regain muscular condition after the injury recovery process.
• Increased muscle tissue recovery: the electrical impulses of EMS therapy promote the activation of muscle tissue, which promotes the regeneration of fibers.

Contraindications for the use of TENS and EMS machines with heat effect