The 10 Best TENS Units

The AccuMed AP109 (appx. $21) takes the guesswork out of healing, as it has five modes specifically designed for problem areas, such as your feet or back. You'll be hard-pressed to find a machine that's easier to use, but there's not much difference between the power settings.

The iReliev Combination Unit (appx. $70) has an electrical muscle stimulator in addition to its TENS device, which can purportedly help strengthen your muscles and prevent further injury. Whether that's true or not, we can't say, but it will definitely force strong contractions.

The manufacturer of the Pure Enrichment PurePulse Pro (about $60) includes a pain management video series that shows you exactly where to place the pads for maximum effect, as well as suggesting various exercises to try to further boost your relief.

This unit from Massage Therapy Concepts (about $65) has a lock that prevents it from turning on accidentally, which is useful since it slides into your pocket as easily as a cell phone. After all, the last thing you want to do in an important meeting is butt-dial your TENS machine.

Capable of giving some of the strongest zaps of any device you'll find, the Omron Max Power PM3032 (around $43) can still be gentle when it needs to be. The buttons are large and clearly legible as well, making this machine easy to use even when you're in a lot of pain.

The Ulaif Pulse Massager (around $48) attempts to replicate a number of other therapies, such as acupuncture, shiatsu, and vibration, giving you quite a few options when it comes to managing your pain relief. It keeps records of your last 30 sessions as well.

You can choose between 20 different intensity levels with the CNXUS Mini (appx. $36), so regardless of whether you're in slight discomfort or agonizing pain, you'll be able to find relief. The machine doesn't halve the intensity when you split the channels, either.

The Magnetic Therapy Products Nursal (around $30) is small enough to fit discreetly in your pocket, giving you the ability to enjoy a stimulation session while at work, with no one being the wiser. The rechargeable lithium battery can provide up to 10 hours of use.

It's certainly not cheap, but the Compex Wireless (about $531) can give you professional-grade relief. The high price point means that it's probably not suitable for those with occasional aches and pains, but serious athletes and anyone with chronic conditions should consider it.

The Roscoe Medical TENS 7000 (appx. $27) has both single- and dual-channel options, so you can intensely target one specific problem spot or spread the sensation out over a larger area. You can even set the two channels to different strength levels, if you so desire.