Wireless TENS machines do away with leads completely. On most of our cordless TENS machines (wireless tens), small rechargeable modules sit right on the pads, so there's nothing trailing from your body and nothing to get tangled. Wear one under your clothes at your desk, around the house or out on a walk, and adjust it as you go.

How a Wireless TENS machine works

A wired machine keeps everything in one handheld box and runs leads to the pads. A cordless TENS machine splits that box into small pieces.

The module holds the battery and creates the pulses. It clips, studs or snaps straight onto a pad.
The pad sticks to your skin and carries the pulses, just as on a wired machine.
The remote is how you switch on, pick a programme and set the strength on most of our wireless models.
The charging lead tops up the modules between sessions. There are no batteries to buy.

Each module is one channel. So a machine with two modules can treat two areas at once, and a machine with four can treat four. On most of our models you can set each module separately.

Wearing a wireless TENS machine through your day

The reason most people choose wireless TENS machines is simple: you don't have to stop what you're doing.

At a desk. The modules are small enough to wear under a shirt or jumper, so you can keep working without anyone noticing.

Around the house. Cooking, tidying or gardening, there are no leads to catch on handles or worktops.

On a walk. Many people with knee or back pain like to keep a session running while they're moving. For pad positions, read TENS for knee pain or TENS for lower back pain.

In the evening. Sit back on the sofa and change programmes from the remote without reaching for a box on your belt.

Two places you shouldn't use it: behind the wheel and in bed. Switch off before you drive or use machinery, and don't use TENS while you sleep.

Painless or Combo: our two types of wireless TENS machine

Most of our wireless TENS machines belong to one of two families. They work in a similar way but differ in programmes, pads and extras.

Painless family: Painless, Wireless 2 Channel and Wireless 4 Channel

These machines have nine programmes: six for TENS and three for EMS (electrical muscle stimulation, which works the muscles rather than the nerves). The modules attach to the pads with studs and are controlled by remote. They come with a mix of pad shapes, including large lumbar pads for the lower back on the two and four channel models. Each is also sold with sensitive skin pads.

Combo family: Combo 1, Combo 2 and Combo 4

The Combo machines have 18 programmes covering TENS, EMS and massage. The pads connect to the modules with a magnet and everything charges by USB-C. On the Combo 2 you can set the timer anywhere from 10 minutes to continuous. Choose a Combo if you'd like massage settings as well as TENS. Our EMS vs TENS guide explains the difference between the programme types.

Fem-Ova

The Fem-Ova sits on its own. It's a single wireless unit designed for period pain, with three TENS modes, low or high heat and a 30 or 60 minute timer.

Choosing between our wireless TENS machines

There's one area that bothers you, like a knee or a shoulder.
The Painless TENS and EMS Machine is our simplest cordless TENS machine, with one module, a remote and a butterfly pad plus four round pads. If you'd like massage programmes too, the Combo 1 is the one-module Combo. Or browse all our single channel wireless TENS machines.

You have period pain.
The Fem-Ova Period Pain Relief combines TENS with heat and is slim enough to wear under your clothes. There's more in our guide to TENS machines for period pain.

Your lower back hurts, and so does somewhere else.
Two modules let you cover both at once. The Med-Fit Wireless 2 Channel TENS and EMS Machine comes with a large lumbar pad, two butterfly pads and four round pads, and both modules charge on one lead. The Combo 2 lets you run a different programme on each module, so your back can have TENS while your thigh has EMS. Compare them with our other dual channel wireless TENS machines.

Your pain spreads across your back, hips or legs.
Four modules give you the widest coverage. The Med-Fit Wireless 4 Channel TENS and EMS Machine comes with two large lumbar pads, two butterfly pads, eight round pads, a manual and a pad placement guide, plus one lead to charge all four modules. The Combo 4 offers the same with Combo programmes and pads. Both are with our four channel wireless TENS machines.

Standard pads irritate your skin.
Choose a sensitive skin version: the Painless, Wireless 2 Channel or Wireless 4 Channel, each supplied with gentler pads.

Charging and pads for wireless TENS machines

Charge the modules fully before your first session, and put them back on charge after each use so they're ready next time. On a cordless TENS machine (wireless tens) the pad and module work as a pair, so clip or snap the module on before you stick the pad to your skin.

Wireless pads only fit their own family of machines. They won't swap with wired pads, and third-party pads won't fit, so order replacements to match:

Painless, Wireless 2 Channel and Wireless 4 Channel: Painless wireless electrodes, wireless two channel electrodes and wireless four channel electrodes
Combo 1, Combo 2 and Combo 4: Combo electrodes and Combo sensitive skin electrodes

Looked after properly, our wireless pads usually last 15 to 30 uses, depending on the pad.

Guides for wireless TENS machine users

These guides on our blog cover wireless TENS machines in more detail:

How to use a TENS machine: includes a step-by-step section just for wireless machines, from fitting the module to adjusting the intensity.
Pros and cons of a TENS machine : an honest look at TENS, including why a wireless machine is easier to live with if you like to keep moving.
TENS for neck pain : why many people prefer wireless for the neck, with no leads trailing over the shoulder.
TENS machines for endometriosis: how TENS is used for endometriosis pain, and why many people find a wireless machine more convenient.
Can TENS help after a spinal cord injury?: includes a comparison of wired and wireless machines for people whose movement is limited.

Before you use a cordless TENS machine

Don't use one if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, have epilepsy, are being treated for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or are pregnant or in labour. None of these machines are for anyone under 16. If you have a heart condition, check with your GP or pharmacist first.

Keep pads off your neck, head and chest, and off broken, irritated or numb skin. Remove the modules and pads before you get in the bath or shower. Any redness or itching under a pad means it's time to switch off and let your skin recover. Your manual and the NHS TENS page have the full safety advice.

Not sure wireless is for you?

A cordless TENS machine (wireless tens) costs a little more than a wired one and needs charging. If you'll mostly use TENS sitting down at home, a wired machine may suit you better. Our guide to wired vs wireless TENS machines weighs up both.

Still deciding? Get in touch and our UK team will help you choose. If you're buying for a long-term condition or disability, you could be eligible to pay no VAT: check the VAT relief eligibility.