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The Best EMS Machines for Muscle Recovery, According To Experts
After review, the Therabody PowerDot 2.0 Uno is the best overall pick.
Expert consulted: Renato Sanchez, PT, DPT, CSCSDoctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning SpecialistIF YOU'RE LOOKING for ways to boost your performance during workouts, you might already be well-versed in protein powder, creatine, and massage guns. But there’s another piece of equipment that could be worth your time: a muscle stimulator.
“Muscle stimulators are worth the investment if you’re looking to take your workouts to the next level, speed up recovery, or if you’re returning from injury,” says Kyle Sanchez, PT, DPT, CSCS, a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist at Bespoke Physical Therapy NYC. “These devices mimic signals from your brain to your muscles causing them to contract and relax the same way they would during normal exercise, without putting increased stress on your joints.”
Best EMS Machines
- Best Overall: Compex Performance 3.0 Muscle Stimulator
- Best New EMS: Chirp Halo Muscle Stimulator
- Most Powerful: Compex Wireless USA 2.0 Muscle Stimulator
- Best Amazon Deal: TENS 7000 Unit
- Best EMS With Heat: Beurer EM59 With Heat
The benefits are vast, but a muscle stimulator typically offers different modes, settings, and available programs to build stronger muscles, increase endurance, accelerate recovery, soothe sore muscles, and improve blood circulation. That said, electrical muscle stimulation should not be used entirely in place of an exercise routine or rehab program, he says.
The best muscle stimulators can help boost strength and accelerate recovery, so here are our top picks and how we came to them.
What to Consider
Adjustability and Modes
A high-quality muscle stimulator should include various modes and programs along with an adjustable current flow and intensity to effectively treat different muscle types and needs. For example, if you’re utilizing the muscle stimulator for rehab and injury purposes, you want a device that has neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) capabilities since these machines will help stimulate motor neurons and muscle fibers, says Andy Fata-Chan, PT, DPT, a physical therapist and founder of Moment Physical Therapy and Performance.
If you’re looking for more pain relief, opt for a device that includes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which stimulates sensory neurons and delivers lower voltages for pain management, he says. It’s also best to shop for a device that offers a variety of programs and modes for strength, recovery, pain relief, and relaxation, so you can cater to a range of needs and get more bang for your buck, says Sanchez.
Accessibility
A muscle stimulator must be user-friendly, so Sanchez recommends shopping for a device with a simple interface and included training manual. This will ensure you can effectively use the device and all its capabilities without issue. Some devices also include a designated app for guided tutorials and programs to eliminate the guesswork.
The device should also be accessible for on-the-go, so choose a muscle stimulator that’s compact, lightweight, portable, and easy to store, says Sanchez.
Battery Life
No one wants their muscle stimulator to die five minutes into treatment, so choose a device that has a reliable battery life, says Sanchez. Ideally, your muscle stimulator should last at least a few hours without requiring a charge. If the device doesn’t explicitly state the battery life, ensure it’s easily chargeable with a USB-C charging port.
Comfort
A muscle stimulator shouldn't burn or irritate your skin, and it should fit comfortably on a variety of bodyparts (including chest, back, shoulders, and thighs, which are all common areas you might stim). If possible, opt for a muscle stimulator with several different available electrode pad sizes, too: Depending on your body type, you'll likely find smaller pads work well for shoulders and arms, while larger pads are ideal for back and thighs.
How We Chose
As the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, it’s my job to review the latest and greatest in recovery gear, including EMS machines. I’ve tested dozens of machines in different settings and scenarios. That being said, I’m far from an expert in the field. I collaborated with my fellow fitness editors, but most importantly, consulted with three high-level physical therapists to determine what machines stand out from the rest.
We researched the bestselling, most popular muscle stimulators and combed through extensive testing notes from trusted experts to narrow down the top picks. Each option on this list was ranked based on key features like accessibility, battery life, and the range of programs.
If you’re ready to expedite recovery and take your workouts to the next level, keep scrolling for the best muscle stimulators based on your specific needs.
Best Deal
Compex Performance 3.0 Muscle Stimulator
Pros
- Includes a water-resistant silicone sleeve
- Simple user interface
- Compact design
Cons
- Covers smaller surface area
Unlike other products in this guide, the Compex Performance 3.0 Muscle Stimulator contains an operational control box from which the electrode sensors are attached. So, users apply the sensors to the affected area and control each one using the hand-held device. In particular, the design and TENS kit is especially beneficial for stimulating sensory neurons and managing pain, adds Fata-Chan.
The unit comes with multiple settings tailored for strength, endurance, recovery, and pain-relief, and Sanchez says the interface is simple to use. It’s compact enough to throw in your gym bag or take to a sporting event, and the 8-hour battery life is reliable before, during, or after a workout. When you’re extra sweaty, the silicone case also prevents water damage and helps improve grip.
Features at a Glance
| Modes | 6 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours |
Chirp Halo Muscle Stimulator
Chirp Halo Muscle Stimulator
Pros
- Completely wireless
- Well-designed case makes very portable
- 6 presets for easy use
Cons
- Battery doesn't last as long as wired models
Chirp is the newest on the scene of EMS machines, and the brand has made a serious statement. Its devices, starting with the Chirp Halo, are easy to operate, simple to set-up, and also look great. For these reasons and more, they were featured the Men’s Health Fitness Awards this year as the “Best New EMS” machine in the Recovery section.
I keep my set at my standing desk in my garage gym, and will utilize them after a particularly intense training session for a little mobile recovery. Senior Fitness Editor Brett Williams, NASM, also appreciates the ability to experience the stim without being tethered to a bunch of wires.
The Chirp Halo’s battery life is six hours, which is very solid considering its wireless pads and remote control. It also offers both TENS and EMS, giving you a variety of uses. Depending on which muscles you are interested in targeting, there are several bundles that offer pads designed specifically for each area.
Features at a Glance
| Modes | 6 |
| Battery life | 6 hours |
Pros
- More powerful than other units
- Offers a variety of programs for training, warmup, and recovery
- No wires to connect to control unit
Cons
- More expensive than other options
This is as high-end and premium as it gets for an EMS device. This was developed as an athlete-focused product but has been opened up to everyone now. Unlike the more basic units on this list, it combines the electrical muscle stimulation with expert-produced programs aimed at improving strength, endurance, as well as recovery. The programs feature various levels of progression, and offer specific options to use as a warmup before training as well.
On opening, I was impressed by everything provided in the bag, which makes the larger system simple to organize and travel with. The control device and nodes are designed extremely well, making them easy to apply and use.
This is more powerful than the other devices as well. Renato Sanchez, PT, DPT, CSCS is a physical therapist who works in-house with the Seattle Sounders FC, uses Compex exclusively. “To be fair,, I haven’t tried many other machines,” says Sanchez. “But that’s because I haven’t had any reason to move away from Compex.” He especially likes how lightweight and portable their units are.
Features at a Glance
| Modes | 10 |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
Beurer EM59 Digital TENS/EMS Device with Heat
Beurer EM59 Digital TENS/EMS Device with Heat
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Adjustable intensity within each mode
- Provides another mode of treatment with heat
Cons
- Some users might not be interested in heat therapy
The Beurer Digital TENS +EMS Device is a great budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on quality or accessibility. The electrodes can be easily put onto your abdomen, arm, leg, or calf, and offers direct electrical stimulation to the targeted area. The simple interface also allows you to select one of the 44 treatment programs or program your own customized routine.
Not only that, but it can also provide heat to the treatment area, which makes it a standout amongst the crowd. The combination of the EMS with the heat makes for a powerful pairing for those looking for recovery. The four modules come with gels that allow you to easily apply them to your targeted muscles.
The battery life is great and the machine is charge via USB-C in a few hours. The battery lasts for more than a dozen 30-minute treatments, which is pretty impressive when you consider the additional functionality.
Features at a Glance
| Modes | 44 |
| Battery life | 15 hours |
TENS
7000 Unit
TENS
7000 UnitPros
- Four electrodes to treat multiple areas
- Handy carrying case
- FDA-approved
Cons
- There's a lot of tech that not everybody is interested in
TENS 7000 has received FDA approval for over-the-counter relief, which gives you the peace of mind that other devices might not provide. The devices have two channels that allow you to provide relief to four different areas using four different electrodes.
There have been 2 million units of this device sold, and praised by physical therapists for its clinical-grade effect. The commenters on Amazon have plenty of great things to say about this model. It does all of this with a 9-volt battery, which gives plenty of juice for quite a few treatments.
Bonus points: The handy carrying case that comes with the whole setup makes it easy to bring your recovery on the road.
Features at a Glance
| Modes | 5 |
| Battery Life | 9V (8-10 hours), not rechargeable |
Therabody PowerDot Uno 2.0
Therabody PowerDot Uno 2.0
Pros
- Uses both TENS and NMES technology
- Offers data and routines from the Therabody app
- No wires to connect to control unit
Cons
- Only comes with two nodes, for more look into the PowerDot Duo
There is no EMS machine that our team has had more hands-on experience with than the PowerDot system. The fact that you get a product from a trusted recovery brand like Therabody gives good peace of mind for a piece of high-tech gear like this. This also means you get support through the well-made Thearbody app, as well as tested recovery routines.
The PowerDot 2.0 utilizes both TENS and NMES technology to contract and relax muscles quickly, which helps swollen tissue and promotes blood flow to sore muscles. It's used regularly in the recovery routines from top-level athletes like ATP tennis pro Francis Tiafoe, who calls it one of his must-have items in a recent Six Pack.
If you want more coverage, you may want to opt for the PowerDot Duo, but if you expect to only treat one area at a time, the Uno is a budget saver.
Features at a Glance
| Modes | 10 |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
Meet the Experts
- Andy Fata-Chan, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist and founder of Moment Physical Therapy and Performance.
- Kyle Sanchez, PT, DPT, CSCS, is a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist at Bespoke Physical Therapy NYC.
- Renato Sanchez, PT, DPT, CSCS, is a physical therapist and works in-house with the Seattle Sounders FC.
Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world. Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.
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