Best Portable TENS units & EMS machines (UK) - Buying Guide: 2024

Portability is one of the most outstanding characteristics of portable electrostimulation devices, since it allows users to apply therapies whenever necessary. Portable electrostimulators can be found in a wide variety of models and provide immediate pain relief to their users.

Despite their portability, these types of devices come in very different sizes and functions, so it is necessary to take several factors into consideration when purchasing a portable electrostimulator. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the different characteristics of portable electrostimulators and which ones to look out for in order to acquire the one that provides the most relief.

Best electrostimulators EMS and portable TENS machines

The physiotherapy brand Med-Fit has a large supply of mini electrostimulators, designed to apply TENS and EMS therapy on localized areas of the body. It has the capacity to give electric massages on different areas affected by pain, as well as to provoke high frequency impulses to generate muscular activity.

It has a rechargeable battery that provides an autonomy of up to 8 hours, and more than 1000 charges. You can charge it through its USB port, by means of the cable included in the package. In addition, you will find the mini electrostimulation unit, 1 butterfly electrode, 2 self-adhesive electrodes of 2x5 cm, 1 user manual and several guides for positioning the unit.

The PL-029K5 electrostimulation device of the Easy@Home brand is a TENS device that offers its users the professional quality required to effectively eliminate the sensation of pain produced by injuries or illnesses, stimulating the production of endorphins. This feature makes it ideal for the treatment of injuries, especially in the joints, back, abdomen, neuropathies and much more.

Thanks to this device, you will not need drugs or chemicals to produce the sensation of relief, since this will come thanks to the application of low-frequency electrical impulses, which interact with the nervous system. The device is compact, wireless and easy to control, thanks to its simple button design and has 6 modes of use and 20 levels of intensity.

The TechCare mini massager is one of the best and most practical tools to deal with acute and chronic ailments safely and without the use of medication. It is a device that combines TENS and EMS massage functions, applying low voltage electrical impulses to effectively block pain signals, as well as increase the natural production of endorphins, a natural painkiller.

It features 10 pre-programmed massage modes and 20 intensity levels that target different types of ailments and injuries. It has a session timer function that allows you to adjust the duration of the sessions and has a lithium battery that allows you to apply therapy for more than 20 consecutive hours.

The TechCare Plus 24 muscle massager is one of the most comfortable and compact models available on the market. It offers the best solution for any type of muscle pain through its electrotherapy massages, which are a combination of TENS and EMS modalities, which apply low intensity currents to greatly reduce the sensation of pain in the treated area.

It includes 24 modes of use that apply different types of massages focused on dealing with particular ailments. Its lithium battery allows continuous use for more than 20 hours, and has a session timer that can be set from 10 to 60 minutes. The purchase includes 1 mini Plus 24 electro stimulator, 1 carrying case, 6 large electrodes, 2 guide cables, 1 user manual and 1 USB charger.

From EOSVAP comes this compact wireless electro stimulator, effective for back pain, sciatica, arthritis and muscular ailments, although its range of function is so wide that it can be used almost anywhere on the body. Its portability and rechargeable battery make it an excellent investment when it comes to pain relief.

It has 7 intensity levels and 5 massage modes that allow for instant pain relief in a natural and completely drug-free way. Its rechargeable lithium battery provides 24 hours of continuous use on a single charge, and can be charged via its USB connectors. Undoubtedly a complete revolution in the massage experience that you can keep in your pocket and take with you anywhere thanks to its small size.

Omega has available this fantastic and compact electro stimulator, called Omega Wireless Remote for its wireless function. Each of the electrodes is operated by means of a remote control, through which you can adjust and switch between the 6 available massage modes, making it one of the most practical and easy to use models on the market.

Its low intensity electric impulses offer a complete recovery of muscular and nervous pains, and its reusable electrodes have a superior quality adhesive gel, long lasting and easy to apply, so that each session can be carried out in a very simple way.

The Irest Massager brand brings for your use one of the best massage devices on the market. This is its classic mini TENS massage unit, which has 6 modes of use and is focused on relieving pain caused by injuries and diseases. It is particularly useful for joint ailments and neuropathies, although it can be used for almost any type of muscle or nerve pain.

It uses a combination of TENS and POMS technologies to apply low intensity electrical impulses to the affected area, which block pain signals, eliminating the sensation, and increasing the production of endorphins. It has 6 massage modalities and the package includes 1 control, 2 large electrodes, 2 small electrodes, 2 guide wires, 1 electrode and cable case and 1 massage treatment point guide.

The wireless electrotherapy device of the OSITO brand, offers its users the functions of TENS massage for the treatment of ailments of all kinds, and TENS electrical stimulation to improve physical condition by creating activity in the muscle fibers. It has 10 modes of use between TENS and EMS modes, with 25 levels of intensity in each one.

Its design is intended to be practical and portable, so you can even keep it in your pocket and use it anytime and anywhere, avoiding the possibility of tangled cables and allowing you to use it much more easily and quickly. It is undoubtedly one of the most complete options in terms of portable electrostimulation.

The E3 model from OMRON is a TENS electrostimulator of compact size and great power, designed to be portable and used to relieve pain caused by exhaustion, injuries or diseases such as sciatica or neuropathy. This device uses TENS stimulation technology, proven and widely used by physiotherapists for its ability to relieve any type of pain.

It has a wide variety of pre-programmed modes of use designed to treat a wide range of ailments. Its compact size makes it incredibly convenient to carry wherever you want, and its specialized long-lasting electrodes can be washed and reused up to 150 times. The purchased package contains 1 OMRON E3 electrostimulator, 1 electrode cable and 1 long-lasting pad.

Dioche has available to the public one of the best TENS machines on the market, which stands out for its ease of use, versatility and portability. You can use it to relieve pain caused by various causes, from neuropathies and arthritis to injuries and muscle contractures.

One of its best features is the presence of a laser line for the nose that will allow you to treat rhinitis symptoms effectively, improving your health conditions considerably. The dual channel function of this rechargeable mini TENS machine allows you to treat multiple parts of the body simultaneously, bringing benefits such as improved circulation, reduced pain and accelerated metabolism.

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Types of TENS machines and muscle electrostimulators that you should know about

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

Electrostimulators have a large amount of functionality that makes them versatile, since they can be oriented to a specific purpose, or be multipurpose. For this reason, it is necessary to take into consideration certain points when acquiring the appropriate device.

Types of uses

• Type of use: there are electrostimulators that offer different types of electrotherapy, so you should determine whether you plan to use it for treatment of ailments, rehabilitation, muscle training, or another purpose.
• User experience: the number of functions and methods of use varies from one electro stimulator to another, making the difficulty of programming them also variable. You should be aware of your own experience with this type of device in order to select one with appropriate ease of use.
• Time of use: the quality of the electro-stimulators determines in many cases their useful life, so it is necessary to have an idea of how long you will need it for, in order to acquire a device with a useful life adequate for the buyer's purposes.

Technical characteristics

• Channels: although portable electrostimulators tend to be compact in size, the best quality ones can have a maximum of two channels, allowing the insertion of four lead wires.
• Pads/Electrodes: the number of adaptable electrodes depends on the number of channels available, with a maximum of eight electrodes in two-channel stimulators.
• Modes/Programs: this is a determining factor in the amount of ailments or training that can be applied by each device. The most versatile devices can have between 15 and 20 programs, giving them a wide coverage for your treatments.
• Intensity levels: these are independent of each level and vary depending on the brand and model of the devices. They directly impact the effectiveness of the treatments, since a high intensity level allows the impulses to reach deeper into the muscle and nerve tissue.
• Type of screen: LCD touch screens offer greater ease of use, since they allow better visibility and smoother handling of the device's functions. This is a feature that mainly impacts on price, since analog screens are much cheaper and offer similar quality.
• Wireless: by default, portable electrostimulators are wireless, although it depends on the type of power source. They may use lithium batteries, which require the use of a charger, or AA batteries, for which spares need to be on hand.
• Heat therapy: this is a very useful modality for users who wish to treat rheumatic disorders such as osteoarthritis and gout. It is not present in all devices and impacts the price, so it is advisable to purchase devices with this function only if necessary.
• Size: the point of a portable device is that it should be compact enough to fit at least in a backpack or purse. There are models of different sizes, so you should select it according to your circumstances and needs.
• Portable: they should be small enough to be carried on your person, or at least in a backpack.
• Types of electrodes pads: this is a factor that varies depending on the brand and model of the device. The more expensive ones have their own electrodes, while cheaper brands are compatible with universal electrodes.
• Battery type: lithium batteries have a much longer life and are much more economically efficient than AA batteries, due to the substantial savings of not having to buy spare parts for the latter.
• Pre-programmed timer: although not an indispensable feature, it is very useful for keeping track of each electrotherapy application. Purchasing a device with this feature is completely up to the buyer.
• Combo: the most versatile devices have both Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Muscle Electrostimulation functions, allowing a greater variety of situations to be addressed with a single device. While offering considerable benefits, the presence of both functions has a significant impact on the price of the machine.
• Interferential: a very useful feature due to its ability to have a deep tissue effect and no side effects. It is not very common in most devices and those that do have it tend to be expensive.
• Warranty: the minimum warranty by law for electrotherapy devices in Europe is two years.
• Price: the importance of this factor is determined by the purchasing power of the buyer, although it should never be a decisive factor when acquiring a device that may have all the features you need.

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

Electro Muscular Stimulation (EMS) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) are the most used physiotherapy techniques for the treatment of ailments and muscular rehabilitation, and since both therapies are oriented to different purposes, it is necessary to take into consideration what each of them is for, in order to apply them correctly and obtain optimal results.

TENS Units

• Treatment of acute ailments: it is an excellent method for treating recent pain, since its electrical impulses quickly inhibit the sensation of pain in the affected area.
• Treatment of chronic pain: prolonged treatment with TENS electrostimulation presents a gradual decrease in chronic pain.
• Muscle relaxation: its electrical discharges promote the relaxation of fibrous tissue, decreasing muscle tension and reducing the sensation of pain.
• Pain caused by hormonal imbalances: TEN therapy is very useful in relieving the sensation of pain caused by hormonal conditions such as endometriosis or dysmenorrhea.
• Pain caused by rheumatic diseases: it is an option to consider for the treatment of ailments such as those caused by rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica or gout.

EMS electrostimulators

• Muscle toning: the electrical impulses generate contractions that improve the elasticity and resistance of the muscle fibers worked.
• Maintaining and resuming physical activity: it is an excellent option to maintain physical activity when it is not possible to perform complete exercises, or to recover muscular condition after a prolonged period of sedentary lifestyle.
• Rehabilitation of the musculature after injuries: it is widely used in the field of physiotherapy to recondition a muscle or muscle group that has gone through its recovery period after a surgical process or an injury.
• Increased recovery of muscle tissue: the activation of muscle groups caused by the high intensity electrical impulses of EMS promotes the recovery of muscle fibers.

Contraindications in the use of portable TENS and EMS machines