The Best TENS Devices of 2022

Avatar Joanna Taylor1 year ago
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Jasmine O'Connell, PhD in Health Informatics

If you are here it probably means that you are in pain. Whether it’s from an injury, stress, or surgery, chronic muscle and joint pain can be treated with TENS therapy. Unlike drugs and medications, TENS therapy is completely natural. It works by discharging precise and non-harmful electrical current through pads that are attached to the skin. It can be easily done at home, without the help of a professional. 

TENS Therapy reduces pain in two ways:

  • The first is that the electric current stimulates nerve cells that block the transmission of pain signals, reducing your perception of pain.
  • The second is that nerve stimulation raises the level of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain-killing chemical. The endorphins then block the perception of pain.

However, not all TENS devices are equal. Precision, features, user experience, and overall quality all affect results. In a market saturated with options, it may be difficult to choose the best device for you. 

For this review, we purchased and tested some of the most popular devices in the market. The devices were then utilized by recovering athletes, elderly patients, and people suffering from work-related injuries. Each one of them graded the device based on their experience and shared their results. Additionally, a collaborative team of orthopedic doctors also provided feedback. We compiled their reviews and listed below the top recommendations. Make sure to read the reasoning behind our recommendations so that you may choose the best device for your needs. 

The Best TENS Devices of 2022

Oxiline TENS X Pro
Rated #1 TENS of 2022
$179
$98.45

Overall

★★★★★ 5/5

User Experience

★★★★★ 5/5

Features

★★★★★ 5/5

Description

The Oxiline TENS X Pro is the number one recommended TENS device for good reason. It includes the perfect combination of simplicity and performance for both home and professional use. With 8 main modes and 32 sub-modes, it can provide highly customizable therapy sessions. However, it was not difficult to use thanks to its responsive 5” touchscreen display. The TENS X also includes 6 of Oxiline’s patented electrode pads that provide good adhesion and current distribution. The pads come in 3 different shapes which are ideal to target different areas of the body. We were impressed by the significant difference and precision between one therapy mode to the other. Whether it was a change in rhythm, flow, or intensity, the current stream felt clean and deep. This device is clearly built with high-grade components. At just 10 ounces the X is lightweight yet it feels compact and durable. Oxiline includes a lifetime warranty on the TENS X PRO and will replace it for free if it has any issues.

Pros

  • Most Precise
  • 32 Therapy Modes
  • Professional Grade
  • Great Battery Life
  • 6 Electrode Pads

Cons

  • None
HiDow XPD12
$399

Overall

★★★★☆ 4/5

User Experience

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Features

★★★★★ 5/5

Description

The HiDow XPD12 is one of the most expensive devices on the market. It is built with excellent components and provides very precise current distribution. It includes 12 modes with 20 intensity levels. It is very customizable and precise. This device may be ideal for professional users. However, there are some downfalls to consider. One major one is the battery life. This unit is smaller than a smartphone and includes a low mah battery. Therefore users reported that it required a charge after every 2 hours of use. Additionally, the interface is quite confusing and requires some memorizing. When it comes to function it is a very good device, showcasing all the benefits of TENS therapy, however, this unit might be ideal for professional users.

Pros

  • Highly Customizable 
  • 12 Therapy Modes
  • Professional Grade

Cons

  • Low Battery Life
  • High Price
  • Complicated Interface
iRelieve TENS
$179.95

Overall

★★★☆☆ 3/5

User Experience

★★★★☆ 4/5

Features

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Description

This wireless TENS unit is comfortable to use and versatile during therapy. It allows the user full control while not having wires attached to each electrode pad. It has a controller with several modes in both EMS and TENS functions. Most people enjoyed the experience of using this wireless type device since it allows additional freedom, however, there were some important setbacks to consider. Similar to the HiDow device, there’s the problem with low battery life. The Wireless Pods tended to run out of battery after every 45 minutes. Even though they charge up fast it is not ideal. Second, the controller display is outdated and a bit troublesome to use. The digits are small and with no visual cues, it requires you to memorize a lot of settings. This device may not be ideal for professional or recurrent users. It would be a comfortable choice for sporadic users that prefer the wireless function. 

Pros

  • Wireless Device
  • 7 Therapy Modes
  • Travel Case

Cons

  • Low Battery Life
  • Outdated Controller
Techcare Massager TENS
$59.95

Overall

★★★☆☆ 3/5

User Experience

★★★★☆ 4/5

Features

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Description

The Techcare massager is a touchscreen, dual-channel, and wired TENS unit. It includes 6 massage modes and 4 levels of intensity. It does provide solid current precision, however, it does not have as much versatility and customization as other options out there. We found that the jumps in intensity were too severe. From levels 2-3 the intensity can even become unbearable for some. Additionally, the included pads were not as adhesive as other options. The touchscreen did prove to be a great user experience.

Pros

  • Touchscreen Display
  • User Friendly
  • Good Battery Life

Cons

  • Limited Intensity Options
  • Not Highly Customizable
  • Low-Quality Electrode Pads
NEURO MD
$199

Whitening

★★★☆☆ 3/5

User Experience

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Features

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Description

The Neuro MD was developed specifically follower back pain. It includes an electrical stimulation device that is already attached to an electrode pad. That means that the source of current is already on the pad itself. This allows the device to be controlled wirelessly and provides reliable precision. However, it can prove uncomfortable to wear in various positions such as sitting or laying while facing up. Even though this may seem like the ideal choice for back pain, regular electrode pads proved more comfortable to use than this method. Additionally, it cannot be easily used in other parts of the body like the shoulders, arms, or legs. For the price, one would expect complete versatility of use, for that reason the Neuro MD falls short.

Pros

  • Targets Lower Back
  • Wireless Controller

Cons

  • Low Versatility of Use
  • High Price
NEURO MD
$79

Whitening

★★★☆☆ 3/5

User Experience

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Features

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Description

The Omron Max Power relief is a versatile TENS unit. It’s a dual-channel device that includes 2 electrode pads with ideal shapes to target several areas of the body. It’s small, portable, and easy to use. However, when it comes to current precision the Omron device falls short. Even at low levels, it showed random spikes in current power making it unstable. It includes 8 therapy modes, however, there was no notable difference between half of those modes. This device is not intended at all for professional use. The controller itself looks outdated with no touchscreen or backlight functions.

Pros

  • Small and Portable
  • Easy To Use

Cons

  • Low Precision
  • Outdated Interface
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Joanna Taylor

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