What exactly is an EMS Tens machine? I’m pretty sure that’s one of the questions you’re asking right now especially since the terms ‘EMS’ or ‘TENS’ machines don’t often pass us by unless a doctor recommended it or we sustained an injury before.
Just to give you an idea, EMS and TENS are two separate machines. The former deals with muscle toning and building while the latter deals with pain therapy. There are also many products in the market that offer a combination of both.
Below is a list of products I think are the best EMS Tens machines available in Australia. Be sure to also click and read the detailed review I did on the EMS.
Top 3 EMS Tens Machines in Australia
Here are the best EMS Tens machines:
| Image | Brand/Model | No. of Modes | Power | My Rating | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 6 | Li-Poly battery & Rechargeable USB | 4.6/5 | ||
 | 10 | Li-Poly battery | 4.5/5 | ||
 | 8 | 2 x AAA Batteries | 4.4/5 |
| Image | |
| Brand/Model | |
| No. of Modes | 6 |
| Power | Li-Poly battery & Rechargeable USB |
| My Rating | 4.6/5 |
| Where to Buy |
| Image | |
| Brand/Model | |
| No. of Modes | 10 |
| Power | Li-Poly battery |
| My Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Where to Buy |
| Image | |
| Brand/Model | |
| No. of Modes | 8 |
| Power | 2 x AAA Batteries |
| My Rating | 4.4/5 |
| Where to Buy |
Buying Guide for EMS Tens Machine
If you’ve ever gotten an injury or felt some pain in your muscles, then you’ve probably heard of an EMS machine or a TENS machine. You may have heard a doctor recommend one to you.
If you’re like me and you experience some serious pain in your muscles, then you might be wondering what these machines are and if they’re just one and the same. Here’s a guide on what these machines are and how you can find the right model for you.
Are an EMS and a TENS Machine the Same Thing?
This is the first question I asked when I was looking for a machine for muscle pain. Unfortunately, they are two different machines and they have very different uses.
It’s not just a branding difference or a more advanced version of one of the machines. They’re two different machines that are similar in concept but different in use. Now let me differentiate them for you.
A TENS machine or a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation machine uses low voltage electric impulses to simulate sense in the nerve endings. These low impulses help prevent the nerves to send signals of pain to the brain.
If you think about it, the movement in your nerves distracts them from telling the body that you’re experiencing pain. Sure, the pain is still there, but at least you won’t be so bothered by it. Hence, a TENS machine is only used in pain therapy.
An EMS machine or an electronic muscle stimulator machine is not used for pain therapy; it’s used for rehabilitating the muscles when they’re coming from an injury. Sometimes, you don’t even have to have an injury because this machine is also used for stimulating muscle growth.
This is why it’s more commonly used by athletes. An EMS machine also uses electrical signals that tell your brain to contract the muscles. That way, they are exercised and built.
Is There a TENS and EMS Machine in One?
For quite some time, the thought of having both a TENS and an EMS machine in one wasn’t possible. Because they are two different things, there wasn’t a machine in the market that combined the two.
However, in my recent scan of the market, I was able to find a few brands that manufactured machines featuring TENS and an EMS in one. Some focus on the TENS function while having a few EMS programs that aid in muscle recovery or vice versa.
Now the real question is, how do you pick the best machine for you? Read on for a buying guide that I recommend everyone to learn before making a huge investment in machines like these.
Things to Consider When Buying
Are you planning on buying a TENS or an EMS machine but don’t know how to start looking for the right model? Here, I’ve compiled all the considerations you need to check before making any purchase.
1. Purpose
Why are you buying an EMS or a TENS machine? Is it a necessity? If you are in a lot of pain and your doctor recommends buying a TENS machine as part of your rehabilitation program, then that’s when you need a TENS machine.
However, if you don’t need anything for pain relief, then you shouldn’t buy one.
The same goes for an EMS machine. If you only need muscle strengthening and conditioning, you should only buy this machine unless your doctor specifically tells you that pain relief from TENS is important to your program.
2. Doctor’s Recommendation
I can’t emphasise this enough. While it’s tempting to buy a 2-in-1 model, there are cases when you really don’t need it. For example, you only need an EMS machine.
That means that the TENS capabilities of the machine will be useless to you. Plus, the usage of a TENS machine should always be consulted with a doctor.
If you’re not sure if you need one, ask your doctor first because there are cases where you don’t have to use a TENS machine when dealing with pain. You might just need medicine. And it would be such a waste to buy a machine you don’t need.
3. Budget
A standalone TENS machine often costs at least $130 to a several hundred Australian dollars. More sophisticated models with apps and smart features may cost more than that. As for the EMS machine, it can cost a minimum of $200.
As I said earlier, there are some models today that have both TENS and EMS capabilities. So far, they range from $200 or more depending on how in-depth the features are for both capabilities. Some affordable 2-in-1 machines only focus on one feature and just have either the TENS or EMS feature as a basic add-on.
However, if a 2-in-1 machine costs just as much as a one-feature machine, then I would personally prefer to buy the former as I have more flexibility in use.
4. Intensity Levels
There isn’t a standard on how many intensity levels there should be for each kind of machine; however, I always make it a point to look for one with at least 5 different speed/intensity levels.
This is because more levels will allow you to find just the right intensity your muscles need in order to feel less pain or to get conditioned properly.
5. Battery Life
So far, most of the machines I’ve used have at least 6 hours of battery life. For obvious reasons, the longer the battery life is, the better because you don’t have to keep charging. However, I recommend looking at how long the charging time is, too.
Some machines do have long battery life but they come with a very long charging time which is not that ideal, too. It would also help to know if the battery is rechargeable or if you have to buy a new set of batteries every time.
6. Ease of Use
Finally, you have to consider the ease of use. Because these machines are used on your body, they should be easy to operate the same way that you expect some medical devices to be easily understandable.
Modern EMS and TENS machines have more features so it can be confusing if the layout of their controls was not designed well. Moreover, it should be clear how you can adjust and troubleshoot these machines, too.
I prefer machines that have mobile apps with them because that way, it’s better to track and use overall. Not all of the machines will have this feature, but that doesn’t mean they work any worse. For some, simplicity in use is always better.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you overuse a TENS unit?
If you’re asking about how long you should use a TENS unit, it should only be up to three times a day or at most, 45 minutes. The ideal session is 15 minutes long but you can always extend it to 30 minutes. However, you should never go beyond 30 minutes in one session. Longer than that or more than 3 sessions a day will make the area sore.
When it comes to the machine’s durability and longevity, a TENS unit won’t usually break especially when you don’t overuse it, and if you follow the guide properly. Unless your unit is defective, you shouldn’t be worried about overusing it.
2. Does EMS burn calories?
Yes, the EMS can burn calories and you can burn as much as 500 calories on a single 20-minute session. This is an efficient way to exercise your muscles even without working out. The caveat to this is that it’s not effective as a weight loss program if that’s all you’re going to do.
If your goal is to burn calories, there is still no substitute to exercise as its “burning of calories” last longer throughout the day as compared to an EMS machine. For more calories burned, try to complement an EMS machine with exercise.
3. Can you use an EMS Tens machine every day?
In general, you can use an EMS-TENS machine every day especially when you constantly have pains or if you want to strengthen your muscles. As long as you don’t go over the recommended number of minutes per day, you don’t have to worry about overusing it.
If you don’t feel much pain, you don’t necessarily have to use the TENS machine every day, too.
4. Can an EMS Tens machine build muscles?
An EMS machine can help build and strengthen muscles. Because of the electric stimulation made by the machine, the muscles are able to contract continuously for a period of time.
When supplemented with exercise, you are able to build more muscle than when you just do one without the other.
As for a TENS machine, you can’t build muscle with it because the machine is meant for pain relief. It doesn’t reinforce your muscles to contract or burn any calories. It’s purely for pain therapy which is why you won’t build any muscles by using a TENS machine every day.