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Consider This Your Ultimate Guide to Microcurrent Devices—From Which One to Buy to How to Use It
We tested all of the popular devices before choosing our top picks.
My biggest issue with at-home skincare devices is consistency. I’m all about instant gratification, and while most beauty gadgets promise speedy results, they ultimately don’t deliver. Cut to me falling off the bandwagon and whatever tool I tested collecting dust in the bottom of a drawer. There is one exception, though, and that's microcurrent devices. Microcurrent is a painless, low-grade electrical current that helps encourage your skin cells to build muscle and produce collagen and elastin, says dermatologist Heather D. Rogers, MD.
With regular use, they can provide a long-term firming and plumping benefit, but after just one session, you'll notice your face looks immediately more lifted and sculpted too. Truly the best of both worlds—and the reason I'm religious about using a microcurrent device in my skincare routine. I've now tested basically every single option on the market and fully believe in all the hype. I compiled my top nine favorites below—plus all the key info to know before adding one to your own routine.
Our top picks for best microcurrent devices:
Keep scrolling for the entire list of best microcurrent facial devices for 2026 and the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for a microcurrent device.
Pros
- Comes with conductive gel and a special lip and eye attachment
- Easiest microcurrent device to use, per my testing
- Often goes on sale (!)
Cons
- Some testers said the battery dies quickly
Why we love it: The NuFace is still the best microcurrent device I've tested. It was the first FDA-cleared microcurrent device for at-home use, but the Trinity+ device that launched in 2023 is easily the best I've ever used. The microcurrent stimulates blood flow and muscle contractions, which is basically a workout for my face, making me look way more snatched and toned than ever before. In 2020, I tested the device five days a week for two months, as suggested by the brand—and by the end of my experiment, I had cheekbones and a jawline that never existed before. (See the before and after below; it's wild!)
P.S.: The Trinity+ Starter Kit is the ideal all-one-setup for anyone who is committed to microcurrent and ready to make it a regular part of their routine. It's pricey, yes, but you'll get a full-size NuFace device that's proven to lift and tone, a special attachment for eyes and lips, a conductive gel and applicator brush, and a face moisturizer.
| Features | Connects to an app for guided treatments; comes with a charging stand, a mini aqua gel and silk creme to use with your treatments, a brush, and eye and lip attachment |
| Settings | Three, plus a "boost" mode with 25 percent more microcurrent |
| Suggested use | Five minutes for five times a week for 60 days, then two to three times a week indefinitely |
One Cosmo editor says: "This was 2020, so excuse the fact that I look like a baby, but the difference after two months is TOO WILD not to share. You'll see that my cheekbones are lifted and have some definition, and there's less roundness to my lower face in general. I even feel like my brows are slightly more lifted, especially in the 11s."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Comes with a massage, cleansing, and LED light attachment
- I *love* pairing microcurrent with massage for a relaxing, depuffing sesh
Cons
- I wish the microcurrent attachment had more power settings
Why we love it: "I'm absolutely hooked on my TheraFace," says beauty director Lauren Balsamo. Why? Well, because it's not just microcurrent, making it the perfect tool to add if you want a lot of bang for your buck. It comes with multiple attachments—including an LED light, a cleansing brush, various facial massagers, a hot and cold ring, and of course, a microcurrent head. When used with the conductive gel, the microcurrent setting (of which there are three) can help tone, lift, and depuff skin. "The lifting and depuffing results are nearly instant, but the device needs to be used daily to maintain results and really see a boost in collagen," Balsamo says.
One Cosmo editor says: "I can really tell by looking at my face when I have or haven’t used my TheraFace PRO for the day. Considering it is a facial device, I’m happy with how it made me look, but more than that, the massage element of it is a game-changer. I enjoy having all the different attachment heads for one device because it feels more useful, economical, and space-saving rather than having an LED gadget, a cleansing brush, a separate microcurrent device, etc." —LISA DESANTIS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITER
| Features | Comes with multiple attachments (LED light, cleansing brush, facial massagers, hot and cold ring, and microcurrent), plus conductive gel |
| Settings | Three for microcurrent (plus multiple other heads with various settings) |
| Suggested use | Five to eight minutes daily |
Pros
- Smallest microcurrent device I've tried
- Treatment time is just five minutes
Cons
- Not as effective as other stronger microcurrent devices (or all-over red light mask, tbh)
Why we love it: My Solawave lives in my travel bag; I refuse to hop on a plane without it. It's incredibly easy to use (just apply a conductive gel or hydrating serum to clean skin and glide the wand up and out—see how I used it on a long flight from Greece last fall) and the entire treatment takes only five minutes. The Solawave wand also combines microcurrent with red light, therapeutic warmth, and gentle facial massage for even more glow-boosting benefits. What I love most of all, though, is the affordability for what you get. It's a multi-use tool for less than $170, and it often goes on sale.
| Features | Combines microcurrent with red light; can be used horizontal or vertical |
| Settings | One |
| Suggested use | Five minutes daily |
One Cosmo editor says: "After two weeks of using the Solawave wand, my skin looked good, but the real difference was how it felt. While I can’t say that I looked a decade younger or that my skin suddenly had a newfound glow, it did feel noticeably firmer. My skin appeared much less puffy and had a bounciness that I hadn’t seen since my teenage years."—GABBY SHACKNAI, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITER
Medicube Age-R Booster Pro 6-in-1 Total Care LED Therapy Device
Pros
- Combines so many therapies in one single tool (aka fab for travel)
- Has a five-minute timer that only tracks while the device is pressed against your skin
- Loved even by testers with v-sensitive skin
Cons
- Doesn't offer as much sculpting as other microcurrent devices on this list
Why we love it: If you're an avid Hailey Bieber follower, you've seen the O.G. Age-R Booster H device in her TikToks. It helps your products absorb into your skin better using "electroporation" technology, all while giving your skin a lovely massage. But what if you combined that with microcurrent and LED? Then you'd have this next-gen device from Medicube that team Cosmo is legit obsessed with. It's got four different modes—from product absorption to microcurrent to "air shot," which mimics microneedling?!—all the while offering five different LED light therapy options.
| Features | Four different modes (including microcurrent, product absorption, EMS, and air shot), plus five types of LED |
| Settings | Five |
| Suggested use | Five minutes daily (only two to three times a week for air-shot mode) |
One Cosmo editor says: "I’m so impressed by the striking results I experienced (literally from the first use, mind you) and feel like continued consistency will give me glass—scratch that—diamond skin. I also opted to complete the microcurrent mode on level three (again, because my skin was already accustomed to the sensation). This setting might be my favorite because of the lifted results. I spend extra time slowly swiping the tool along my jawline and cheekbones for a chiseled effect. I may not have the most naturally defined facial features, but after completing a microcurrent session my face was Bella Hadid-level snatched." —MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Used by aestheticians in spas
- Has the option to be totally hands free
- Battery lasts for up to three months without charging
Cons
- Device its a bit bulkier than other options on the list
Why we love it: Pro aestheticians and DIY skincare fans alike are obsessed with this microcurrent device from MyoLift. It's more of a mini machine than a hand-held device or tool, but it's got a ton of power and is relatively simple to use once you get the hang of maneuvering both handpieces at once. The device can be used at different intensities depending on the results you're trying to achieve, and it comes with a rechargeable battery park and conductive gel.
Heads up: You can also grab a bundle that includes conductive facial masks. These essentially do the work for you—just stick 'em on and feel your skin pulse a bit. It makes this device hands-free, so feel free to pop it on while you watch your fave show, read a book, or swipe on Bumble while you're getting snatched.
One shopper says: "I have been using very expensive anti-aging cosmetics but I did not get any result, however, I got a visible firming and lifting result when I used Myolift from the first time," reads one tester's review. "This is amazing machine—I definitely recommend it."
| Features | Has two hand pieces to work on both sides of your face at once; has an extremely long battery life (up to three months) |
| Settings | One (but can up intensity by using for up to five minutes) |
| Suggested use | Up to 15 minutes daily |
Pros
- A favorite among celebs and aestheticians
- Comes with full size bottle of anti-aging conductive gel
Cons
- One of the most expensive option on the list
Why we love it: What sets the Ziip device apart? It uses both microcurrent and nanocurrent, which is a lower electrical current but works over time to help encourage collagen and elastin production. In the Ziip app, there are dozens of pre-programmed treatments that combine both types of current to give you immediate and compounded results. And of course, following them during your DIY treatment basically makes the entire experience foolproof.
One shopper says: "It's early days (had it about two weeks), but I'm really loving it. I enjoy the different modalities in the app and the easy pre-set four-minute lift when I haven't got much time. I feel I see an improvement in my skin from using it, whether that's in my imagination or not! I'm definitely keen to see how things improve with further use."
| Features | Uses microcurrent and nanocurrent, comes with conductive gel |
| Settings | 26 combinations created within the app |
| Suggested use | Three to five times per week for four minutes |
Pros
- Most budget-friendly option on the list
Cons
- Takes batteries, which aren't included
Why we love it: If you're curious about microcurrent but aren't quite ready to spend a ton of money on a device, this affordable option from Skin Gym is a great choice. It's cute, compact, and at $119 it's by far the least expensive on the list. It also has five different intensity settings so you can start out low and slow and work your way up to level five once you're more comfortable using the device.
One shopper says: "This is the most effective, yet affordable, microcurrent wand I've tried. I love using it to give my skin a quick lift—it's really great for depuffing around my eye area too."
| Features | Small globes are easy to get into crevices, like your eyes or lips |
| Settings | Five |
| Suggested use | Three to five times per week for up to five minutes |
Pros
- Combines microcurrent with vibrations to help firm, lift, and depuff skin
- I love the three-minute auto shut-off feature
Cons
- Might be a lil too strong for some newbie microcurrent users
Why we love it: Fr, the Foreo Bear 2 is the strongest microcurrent device I've ever used. This small device uses a combo of microcurrent and T-sonic pulsations to majorly sculpt my facial features and encourage lymphatic drainage. I usually follow one of the tutorials on the app, which allows me to pair my device so I don't have to fiddle with the settings myself, and I can seriously feel it pulsing my muscles. If the other microcurrent devices on this list are a pilates class, this one is CrossFit, especially on the higher levels. My entire face looks lifted and toned afterward, especially my eyebrows and cheeks.
| Features | Combines microcurrent with T-sonic pulsations; connects to the Foreo app for guided tutorials; aut0-shuts off after three minutes |
| Settings | 10 levels (1-5 are beginner, 6-10 are "pro mode") |
| Suggested use | Three minutes daily |
One Cosmo editor says: "After using the Foreo Bear five times a week for three weeks, I've noticed such a massive difference in how contoured my cheekbones and jawline look, which was exactly my goal. My cheeks look a bit more toned and less round, but my skin actually feels a bit more plump and elastic too."—BG
Pros
- Super compact and easy for travel
- Can see results in only three minutes
Cons
- Not going to sculpt your entire face (or else, it would take a very long time)
Why we love it: Not that any of the other devices on this list are especially bulky, but this one slips right into a tiny makeup bag for travel. It's fully meant to be used on-the-go (or for someone who wants a teensy sculpting in the morning). The settings are broken down by the area of your face you're targeting (eyes, lips, and fine lines), making it probably the easiest device we've used. It won't snatch you like a full-size NuFACE, but this lil wand is a lot more powerful than we were expecting.
Features at a Glance
| Features | Comes with NuFACE Fix Line Smoothing Serum to use with device; charges via USB-C |
| Settings | Three (Eyes, lips, and fine lines) |
| Suggested use | Up to once a day for three minutes |
One Cosmo editor says: "If you’re looking to target fine lines and are ready to commit to a daily device, I’m obsessed with the results from NuFACE’s Microwand. It completely depuffed and smoothed my eyes, and other Cosmo editors noticed the diminishing of fine lines after literally one session. I even saw it sharpen my jawline—despite that “snatching” effect not even being what I was going for." —JH
Pros
- One of the strongest devices we've used
- Genuinely feels like you're giving your face a workout
Cons
- A bit complicated to figure out at first
Why we love it: This microcurrent device looks a lil wild, but that's because it's futuristic. Using a proprietary probe system that automatically adjusts the tension based on your skin's needs, it offers energy through four channels, which is the same as many devices professionals use in in-office treatments. This method seriously sculpts—you can even feel your face twitching and moving underneath.
One Cosmo editor says: "This is the closest I've gotten at home to a microcurrent facial by an aesthetician. It actually feels similar on my skin. It's intense and has pretty spectacular results. It's definitely for a more advanced microcurrent user, but one that I love when I really want to take things to the next level."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Features | Four probes that contact your skin better than other devices; comes with a stand, charger, and silicone case for travel |
| Settings | Two ("lift" for toning and "skin" for increasing product absorption) |
| Suggested use | 3 times a week |
What does a microcurrent device do?
Microcurrent devices emit a low-grade electrical current that promotes the production adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is basically food or energy for skin cells, explains Dr. Rogers. That ATP is used by your cells to build muscle, collagen, and elastin—all necessary things for plump, firm, and more lifted-looking skin. Microcurrent can also improve lymphatic drainage and circulation to help depuff your skin and give it a nice glow, says Dr. Rogers.
Do microcurrent devices really work?
Yes, at-home microcurrent devices really do work and can visibly lift, firm, depuff, and smooth the skin. That said, they're not as powerful as professional microcurrent devices used in medspas and skincare clinics, says licensed medical aesthetician Innessa Mandelbaum, so you shouldn't expect the same results. I recommend my clients come in for professional microcurrent every few weeks (she uses the Tama device during treatments) and then maintain the results at home with own device, says Mandelbaum.
How long do microcurrent results last?
The contouring and depuffing results of a microcurrent can be seen immediately after a treatment, but the benefits are also cumulative so to really lift and tone your facial muscles you'll need to be consistent with your treatments, says Mandelbaum. "Think of it like going to the gym," says Mandelbaum. "To keep your facial muscles in shape, you'll need to exercise them with microcurrent frequently."
Is microcurrent safe?
The current that's released from at-home microcurrent is very weak and only travels between the two electrodes on the device so it's generally very safe and can be used everyday, says Dr. Rogers. "However, most manufacturers say microcurrent should be avoided in people with pacemakers, electronic implanted devices, metal plates, or pins in the area being treated—and if you are pregnant or have epilepsy, they advise you to be cautious and talk to a medical professional before starting any treatment."
How to choose the best microcurrent device:
Look for a device that comes with conductive gel.
Most microcurrent devices require you to apply a conductive gel or serum to your skin before use—so it's to your advantage to buy a device that comes with one so you don't have to make a separate purchase. The conductive gel is often necessary help the current pass through your skin—plus the slip it provides will allow your device to better glide across your skin.
Choose a device with some extra bells and whistles.
Skincare tool technology is super advanced these days, so it's totally possible to invest in a device that offers multiple features. If you're someone who is looking for an all-in-one tool or likes to test out different treatments, I highly recommend investing in a device like the TheraFace or Solawave, which combines microcurrent with other features like LED, facial massage, and heat therapy.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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