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When it comes to the winner in a wired vs wireless TENS machine battle, my choice is a wired machine. I like the familiarity of it and that I don’t have to use an electrode pad with a plastic control button attached to it. But, saying that, wireless machines are good for portable pain relief and have some other good features too.
I’ve previously told you about the benefits of using a TENS machine for hypermobility pain. But did you know that you can choose between wired and wireless tens units?
Read on to find the ultimate wired vs wireless TENS machine lowdown to help you choose the one that’s best for you.
What is a wired TENS machine?
A wired TENS machine is a device that uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to give pain relief. The unit has wires that have sticky pads on the end. These pads stick on to the skin and are used in places where pain is particularly bad. In the case of hypermobility, this is most likely to be the legs and back.
What is a wireless TENS machine?
A wireless TENS machine does the same thing as a wired TENS unit but without the wires!
They’re a little different to look at and use though. A plastic component holds the electrode pads and you attach the whole thing to your body. You then choose your setting and strength from the portable handheld unit.
Are wireless TENS machines as good as wired ones?
Yes, wireless TENS machines are just as good as wired ones. In fact, some people say they’re better as they’re easily transportable and there’s no wires to get tangled up in!
Advantages of a wired TENS machine
There are lots of advantages in choosing a wired TENS machine, including:
- Provides fast and effective pain relief.
- Can be more affordable than a wireless TENS unit.
- End pads are often universal so there’s no need to buy specific branded ones which can be pricey.
- No plastic unit attached to your body unlike with a wireless TENS unit.
- Easy and simple to use.
Disadvantages of a wired TENS machine
The biggest disadvantage of a wired TENS machine is the wires. I use my TENS unit most often on my legs and I find that when I go to the bathroom, I get in a right tangle.
Another problem with the wires on a TENS machine is that it’s easy to pull them out of either the main unit or the end pads. Now, let me warn you, if this happens, turn the machine off before reattaching the wires to the end pads. I’ve had a couple of electric shocks from failing to do this!
Advantages of wireless TENS machine
Before I started researching this article, I had no idea that wireless TENS machines existed. Now I’m considering replacing my wired TENS unit for a wireless one.
It goes without saying that the biggest advantage of a wireless TENS machine is that there are no wires to try to navigate your way around. If you want to sleep with your TENS machine on, it’s so easy to do so without the wires.
Other benefits of a wireless TENS machine include:
- Easy to use.
- Convenient.
- Provides fast pain relief when you need it the most.
- Less risk of an electric shock.
Disadvantages of a wireless TENS machine
Like with all products, there are some things that I consider to be a disadvantage of a wireless TEN unit. These are:
- Can feel more intrusive on the body due to the plastic component that holds the pads.
- The battery life doesn’t seem to last as long compared to wired TENS machines. I’ve seen reports of the battery lasting just a few hours on wireless units, whereas, the battery on my wired unit lasts for days.
What’s the best wired TENS unit?
In my opinion, the best wired TENS machine is from Auvon. The AUVON Rechargeable TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator is the TENS machine I’ve used for hypermobility and fibromyalgia pain for the past 3 years.
It has more than 28,000 reviews on Amazon. 77% of which are 5 stars and a further 14% are 4 star reviews.
I really like the AUVON Rechargeable TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator as it’s compact, easy to use, has a great battery life, and the pads last for ages. There are 24 different pain relief settings in total. My favorite is the second one on the left-hand side.
If you want a diverse wired TENS machine, the AUVON 3-in-1 TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator is a good choice. It’s a TENS machine, massager, and electrical muscle stimulator (EMS) rolled into one. Plus, the battery lasts for up to 40 hours.
AUVON 3-in-1 TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator. Check price & buy now.
What’s the best wireless TENS unit?
There are lots of wireless TENS units to choose from. But one of the best ones is the Easy@Home Rechargeable Compact Wireless TENS Unit. It has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon and is praised for the pain relief that it provides.
Wired Vs Wireless TENS Machine – Which One Is The Best?
As you can see there are both pros and cons when choosing either a wired or wireless TENS machine. The best one, however, is the one that works best for you. It also depends on your preferences.
If you don’t fancy having a lump of plastic attached to the pads on your back, then a wired TENS machine is a better option for you. But if you want the benefit of not worrying about wires wrapping themselves around your limbs, a wireless TENS machine is more likely to suit you.
