The Top Five Best Portable Tens Units

The use of TENS units to deal with chronic pain is becoming more and more popular as people look for non-drug ways to address their pain. A tens unit can also be used to stimulate muscles and restore tone, for instance after injury. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and works by applying a small, painless current to the skin which blocks pain signals from reaching the brain. When used to stimulate the muscles a different EMS (Electronic Muscle Stimulation) is used. Some units can be used for both TENS and EMS and some for one or the other. We've looked at some of the bestselling TENS units and the reviews of actual users to find the best value, most effective units on the market today.

No 1 LGMedSupply LG-7000 Digital TENS Unit is a professional unit that is easy to use and safe. It is dual channel so you can use either four or two electrodes. The pulse rate, pulse width, and intensity is controlled by the base unit and the whole thing is battery operated to be used anywhere. Recommended to be used for twenty minutes a day for shoulder, neck, back, foot pain etc.There are five different modes including bursts, pulsing and graduated and intensity setting from 1 to 8.

Sixty customers rated the LGMedSupply LG-7000 Digital TENS Unit on Amazon with nearly 40 giving it five stars. Customers were pleased with the variety of modes and intensioty settings and the sturdiness of the unit which survives being dropped.

Quotes: 'About strength I can say it does pack a punch and can compete with professional grade equipment. I would recommend this product.' and 'This is probably the best TENS unit out there for the price at the time of this review' and 'This little gadgit works just like it stated on the website. It delivers several different patterns of stimulation which you can control. Is easy to use. The timer is nice. Great deal for the price. '

Overall this TENS unit is well liked by users and a good price at the time of writing.

No 2 LG-TEC Dual Combo TENS Unit and Muscle Stimulator System is a TENS and EMS unit in one for both pain relief and muscle stimulation. The unit comes complete with carrying case. battery, electrodes and instructions. You can use up to 4 electrodes at the sam etime for maximum coverage.

Almost sixty customers reviewed the LG-TEC Dual Combo TENS Unit and Muscle Stimulator Systemon Amazon giving it an avergae rating of four and a half stars. 45 people at the time of writing gave it the top rating of five stars. The majority of customers found the unit to be effective and good value for money. Some people compared it favorably with profesional units.

Quote: 'I purchased this for my husband who is having sciatic nerve problems. It works great. He is not experiencing the severe pain he was having. The best part is that he can use it on a daily basis - no more expensive therapy treatments that only give relief for a day. It has a wide range of adjustments, so you can have a very soft and gentle treatment or a stronger treatment.' and 'This is a great product at an exceptional value. It has significantly help decrease back pain for my husband.'

Overall good value for money and effective for both pain relief and muscle stimulation.

No 3 "TENS 7000" Digital TENS Unit Pain Relief Unit is a unit for pain relief only (no EMS) and easy to use with dual channels so can be used with four or two electrodes. The pulse rate, pulse width and intensity are easily controlled for superior pain relief. It comes complete with carrying case, 4 electrodes and battery.

Customers at Amazon gave the "TENS 7000" Digital TENS Unit Pain Relief Unit an average rating of four and a half stars. This unit is well liked and felt it be good value for money. The electrodes last well and the unit itself is sturdy. They liked how easy it is to change modes and other settings to get the exact intensity and conditions for maximum pain relief. It is also thought to be powerful enough and comparable to professional units.

Quote: 'As I type this review my hips are buzzing with the power of this little dynamo. The ability to change modes, timer, and intensities is easier than I imagined it would be. The case is padded and sturdy. There is more power than I'd ever be able to tolerate.' and 'I have a recurring lower back injury and this therapy sure does help. When I go to the chiropractor, he uses a TENS machine as part of the treatment so having a similar machine at home has been a big benefit.'

Overall an effective TENS unit that is good value for money if you don't need an EMS unit.

No 4 Sonic Technology TENS Battery-Operated Portable Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator is a pocket sized, portable TENS unit that is easy to use. It has both dual and single channels with modulation or burst modes and is fully adjustable for pulse duration, frequency, mode and time.Four electrodes are included and a battery.

Although this unit has only a few reviews on Amazon customers gave it an overall rating of five stars. The good service provided by Sonic Technology was an important point for one customer who said 'Great product, great price. I am feeling much better and I take my Sonic TENS with me everywhere. ' Also 'Borrowed one from a friend and found it was very useful in easing chronic back pain. Use it when intermittent back pain flares up and has reduced the need to take pain meds, which makes the product a great buy for that alone.'

Overall an effective TENS unit at a good price.

No 5 Dual Channel Tens Unit Pro-Tens With Timer by Electrotherapy is a dual channel unit with burst, normal or modulation modes and a timer. It comes with ten reusable electrodes and a carrying case.

Customers at Amazon were pleased with this TENS unit and found it effective. Quote from one customer 'Awsome Product! Great for when the back is acting up, tight and sore. This tens unit hits the spot right on, I Love It!!!'

Overall good value at around $30.