Top 10 Best EMS Units Reviews 2021

This handheld electrotherapy device from HealthmateForever is wildly popular – but does it live up to the hype? Let’s take a closer look.

On the outset, it seems rather impressive – it’s able to operate on 2 different channels and use 8 electrodes at once. It’s got 15 different modes and 20 different levels of intensity.

The modes can all be accessed through clearly labeled buttons that allow you to adjust the body area you want to target as well as the type of stimulation you want to use.

It also has other functions besides EMS – it’s primarily a TENS unit, and it also has massage functionality to boot with 6 different types of massage.

The stimulation is strong even when used on multiple channels which is a nice surprise.

However, if you use multiple channels, you’ll have to change batteries soon. It runs on 3 AAA batteries and can burn through them incredibly quickly.

There are also other niggling issues, like the fact that the timer can’t be changed or that the unit is a bit too bulky to be put into a pocket.

Overall, it’s good for the price – which is incredibly affordable – but don’t expect a miracle-worker.

This EMS/TENS combo unit from Ohuhu seems to be rather well-liked, but will it be the right fit for you? Take a look at what it offers and find out.

For a start, it seems to be fairly adjustable, with 20 levels of intensity and a highly adjustable timer – you can set it to anywhere between 10 minutes or a full hour.

As mentioned, it’s also a TENS unit in addition to being an EMS unit, which is always welcome. There are a lot of different modes tailored to different body parts and types of pain.

For a start, it seems to be fairly adjustable, with 20 levels of intensity and a highly adjustable timer you can set it to anywhere between 10 minutes or a full hour.

The unit is rechargeable, and it can work for up to 10 hours before needing to be recharged – which is more than enough to last you for at least a few days. It’s strong as well, though it might look fairly small.

It comes at an affordable price and, as a result, it does have some issues. The pads, in particular, are a problem since they lose their stickiness after only a few weeks and you’ll have to replace them.

The unit also has only 1 channel and can use no more than 4 pads at once, which can be quite limiting. It’s still quite a good unit, but don’t get it if you need it for your back or something equally large.

This product from Easy@Home is both a TENS and an EMS unit – but not just that, it’s also a massager to boot. And all that for a highly affordable price!

It comes with 8 different massage modes built into it, as well as 16 TENS/EMS modes that you can use.

They are all fairly easy to use with a few simple controls and an illustrated menu on a backlit LCD screen which takes up most of the face of the unit.

The controls might be a bit difficult to press if you have larger hands and the unit is fairly small overall, which is a good thing since it’s easy to carry with you.

You can use it on two channels separately, and it can work with 4 electrodes at the most. The power it outputs is decent at best, and the stimulation is not as strong as I wanted it to be.

That’s a bit strange, considering how quickly it burns through the battery when it’s fully charged. You’ll probably need to charge it every day, even if you only use it a little.

Overall, it’s good, and the compact feel is great, but it’s annoying to recharge it all the time. Consider if that’s worth it to you.

It comes with 8 different massage modes built into it, as well as 16 TENS/EMS modes that you can use.

The unit is rechargeable, and it can work for up to 10 hours before needing to be recharged – which is more than enough to last you for at least a few days. It’s strong as well, though it might look fairly small.

It comes at an affordable price and, as a result, it does have some issues. The pads, in particular, are a problem since they lose their stickiness after only a few weeks and you’ll have to replace them.

The unit also has only 1 channel and can use no more than 4 pads at once, which can be quite limiting. It’s still quite a good unit, but don’t get it if you need it for your back or something equally large.

This unit from NURSAL is not as affordable as some other units on the list but does it justify the slightly higher prices? Well, that remains to be seen.

It does have a lot of strong points – it comes with some good extras, like a carrying bag and extra pads of different sizes. You can use these for different types of therapy, and there are three different sizes in total.

However, I’d have to take down a point due to the fact that the pads are not good. They will wear out after only a few uses. You can revitalize them if you use a few tricks, but even that won’t last for long.

Another plus – it has a lot of different modes to choose from, and it has TENS, EMS and massager functionality included. The timer can also be set from 10 minutes up to 60 minutes.

Another plus – it has a lot of different modes to choose from, and it has TENS, EMS and massager functionality included. The timer can also be set from 10 minutes up to 60 minutes.

On the other hand, all of the different modes are not well-explained, and the instructions are poor in general. You’ll have trouble figuring out what is what.

It is incredibly strong no matter what mode you choose though, which will definitely appeal to most people. It’s almost as strong as professional units, which is no joke. All of that, while being small enough to carry in your pocket.

Overall, it is a bit of a mixed bag, but I’d lean on positive when it comes to this unit, simply due to the sheer strength. And, once you’ve been using it for a while, you’ll figure out what all the modes do, even without instructions.

This is quite a slick, modern-looking EMS unit from Abody – it looks just like a smartphone and operates similar to one with touchscreen controls.

The controls are fairly intuitive and easy to use and simple to figure out – even if the instructions are incredibly poor.

You can easily change the options and switch through the modes with a press on the touchscreen. There’s always a chance to press it by accident, but luckily a lock button was included.

There’s a physical button for switching the intensity levels so you can do it without looking at the unit. The modes are a bit more difficult to switch through, and there’s an impressive number of them – 24 in total.

You also get 10 different pads with this unit in 3 different sizes, allowing you to easily get the type of therapy you want. They’re good too, better than most I’ve seen.

However, the durability of the unit suffers in other areas. The vaunted touchscreen is more fragile than most and you have to be extra careful with it or it will break. Overall, it’s a good and sleek unit that has some problems.

Overall, it’s a good and sleek unit that has some problems.

This unit from ROOVJOY has a more professional look than most but is it just a good looker? Let’s find that out. It has a lot of functionality, that’s for sure – 36 different modes including EMS, TENS and massage functionality, all in one.

The intensity is highly adjustable, and you can set it anywhere between 0 and 60mA, for a total of 60 different intensity levels. That’s some precise adjustment right there.

It’s about to output on two separate channels, and it can use 4 electrodes at once – not the most but still decent overall.

The unit is relatively easy to use – the instructions are clear, the buttons and the screen are large, and it’s easy to use it with just one hand.

So far, so good – but what are the negatives?

Well, it burns through batteries at an alarmingly fast rate, which can be quite a large money sink. Replacing electrodes and leads if they fail is also costly since they’re not in standard sizes.

Overall, I’d say it’s a good unit, and the price is not too bad, but it might cost you a lot in the long run.

The unit is relatively easy to use – the instructions are clear, the buttons and the screen are large, and it’s easy to use it with just one hand.

This device from Compex is primarily a muscle stimulator – it’s made with athletes in mind, and it shows.

The first sign of this is the intensity – it’s far stronger than most therapeutic units, and it’s meant to snap your muscles into shape. The 3 programs available are targeted at muscle recovery and strengthening – but there are no other modes available.

It can also use up to 8 electrodes at once, with 4 different channels, giving you incredible control over the stimulation you get. The electrode pads you get with it are strong, and they last much longer than those you get with other units.

However, all that strength comes at a steep price – this unit is much more expensive than others. You’ll also incur additional cost if you need to replace the cables – you can only get them from the manufacturer, and they’re extremely expensive.

Overall, it’s a good muscle stimulator if you’re an athlete, but it does cost a lot – consider if it’s worth the price for you.

However, all that strength comes at a steep price – this unit is much more expensive than others.

The first thing you might notice about this Pure Enrichment device is its size – it’s incredibly small, much more so than most EMS units. However, don’t let that fool you – there is a lot of in that small package.

It has both EMS and TENS functionality with 6 modes for the former and 8 modes for the latter, making 14 in total. You can adjust the timer as well – from 5 to 60 minutes – and it can operate on two separate channels.

The LCD screen might be small, but it’s efficient, and it shows you all the relevant info you need to know.

The power is also surprising – it’s no slouch at all even though it only uses 2 AAA batteries overall. It does burn through them quite quickly, but that’s to be expected. You can choose from 25 different levels of intensity.

I’d say, if you want a compact unit, get this one, despite the high price – I think it’s worth it.

I’d say, if you want a compact unit, get this one, despite the high price – I think it’s worth it.

Here’s another offering from Compex, also made for the more athletic among you – and it’s even better than their last one.

Like that one, it also offers incredibly intense stimulation that is certain to get your muscles in shape. It also can have up to 8 electrodes plugged in at once and operates on 4 different channels which can be separately controlled.

So, what’s different?

Well, besides some neat additions, like the fact that it comes with extra electrode pads, it also has a lot more variety when it comes to the programs you can choose from. Instead of the previous 3, this unit has a total of 12 modes.

That includes a TENS mode as well, making it more useful than ever. You can also change the intensity now, and there are 5 different levels.

However, some things are a bit worse – the electrode pads, for a start. They’re worse than before, which might explain why you get those extras. The price has also gone up, though not by much and that’s almost to be expected.

Overall, this is one of the best EMS units out there for athletes, and I’d highly recommend it if you want to use EMS for that purpose.

Overall, this is one of the best EMS units out there for athletes, and I’d highly recommend it if you want to use EMS for that purpose.

One of the main aces up the sleeve of this Santamedical machine is its versatility.

While it only has 8 pre-programmed modes built into it – less than most other EMS units – it allows you to program your own. That potentially gives it an unlimited amount of modes, and you can choose exactly the one you like.

It has two different channels and, though it can use only 4 electrodes, that’s more than enough. The stimulation it offers is strong and might be even too intense for some.

The price is incredibly affordable and considering what you get it’s more than worth that price. It even comes with fairly large and good-quality pads, which is not something I expected.

So, what’s the catch?

Well, it is cheaply made, and even if you take good care of it, there’s a chance that it will break or start to malfunction fairly quickly. Even when it’s new, you might get some strange intensity spikes on higher intensity levels, so watch out.

This is still the best budget EMS unit in my opinion, but you have to be aware that you probably won’t have it for a long time.

This is still the best budget EMS unit in my opinion, but you have to be aware that you probably won’t have it for a long time.