The Best 8 Microcurrent Devices, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall Microcurrent Facial Device

NuFace Trinity+ Starter Kit

View On Amazon $395 View On Nordstrom $495 View On Ulta $495

If you're new to microcurrent devices, no sweat: We found the NuFace Trinity+ to be so self-explanatory that you could probably use it without reading the directions (although we still did). After a quick charge in the dock — which, we should add, was small enough to fit on our limited bathroom-counter space — we used the device for about five to 10 minutes, allowing the built-in timer beeps to guide the treatment.

We didn't feel any discomfort even on the strongest setting — unless the conductive gel dried up, which is why the directions say to apply as you go (oops). It gave our skin a slightly lifted look and tighter feel right after the treatment, and while the effect lasted through dinner, it didn't last for days. We'd use it again for a night out. And it was so comfortable that we actually enjoyed it as a moment to zone out. We also liked that it came with attachments to treat the lip and eye areas.

But again, the results are incredibly subtle. So as long as you set your expectations accordingly and see it for what it is — a self-care moment with a temporary payoff — then you might love it, too.

FDA Cleared: Yes | Usage: Apply the activator gel to clean, dry skin. Then, working in sections, move the NuFace device across skin, following the contours of the face. | Microcurrent Levels: 3 | Additional Features: Two attachments, built-in timer, app pairing, pre-set treatments

Best Microcurrent Device for Wrinkles

Ziip Halo

View On Amazon $399 View On Ziipbeauty.com

While most microcurrent devices deploy microcurrents — no surprise there — what sets the Ziip Halo apart is its use of nanocurrents, which are even smaller wavelengths designed to work on a deeper level in skin, delivering longer-lasting results. Intrigued? We were. 

We were hoping to reduce our forehead and smile lines, so we used it across our entire face. We loved the included conductive gel, which wasn't sticky, didn't evaporate, and allowed for a smooth glide. We also found the shape of the device ideal for getting into all the nooks and crannies of our face, like under the brow bone and beneath the eyes, without any extra attachments. After downloading the Ziip app, we set out to do the 30-day challenge, for which the treatments lasted anywhere between four to 10 minutes. Not only did our skin look smooth and lifted right after one use (think "snatched") but the effect actually lasted a few days, and we noticed that our jawline looked significantly more sculpted.

The only hiccup we encountered was that the usage info was confusing and overwhelming; it came with multiple inserts and a huge user guide, and we found that the instructions in the manual were different than those on an insert card. And we didn't even realize until midway through our first treatment that we were only supposed to treat one side of our face at a time. But the fact that it actually gave us long-lasting results made it a winner in our books.

FDA Cleared: Yes | Usage: Apply the activator gel to clean, dry skin. Then, working in sections, move the Ziip device across skin, following the contours of the face. | Microcurrent Levels: 1 | Additional Features: Built-in timer, app pairing, pre-set treatments, auto shut-off

Best Face Lifting Device

Therabody TheraFace Pro

View On Amazon $399 View On Nordstrom $399 View On Therabody.com

Microcurrent devices might not be miracle workers, but for the price, we wanted to ask a lot of them — and were hoping to tone our skin, tighten our jawline, and even clear breakouts with the TheraFace Pro. It comes with several attachments, a microcurrent cream, and an app that walked us through the different areas to target and how to treat them.

We liked that it's similar to the Theragun (the brand's best-selling massage tool) in that it fits nicely in the hand and comes with a storage case. And we really, really loved its versatility: We used the microcurrent setting as well as the cleansing attachment to cleanse at night and the LED lights to target our acne spots. By the time we finished testing, our skin looked tighter, toned, and all-around more sculpted, and we saw a big improvement in our acne.

Each session takes about five minutes (although it can vary slightly) so depending on how many things you want to do with it, the time can add up fast — leading to a longer-than-usual morning skincare routine. But we found it worthwhile for the results.

FDA Cleared: Yes | Usage: Working in sections, move the tool across skin, following the contours of the face. | Microcurrent Levels: 1 | Additional Features: Multiple attachments, including LED lights, a cleansing ring, and percussive therapy

Best Affordable Microcurrent Device

Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy

View On Amazon $56 View On Nordstrom $189 View On Ulta $189

Rather than using microcurrent, this little wand uses LED light therapy, which can is known to help even out skin tone, smooth fine lines, and even tackle blemishes. On top of that, the Solawave also has a galvanic current, which is a low form of energy that helps skin better absorb skincare products. Since we were dealing with blemishes, dullness, and wrinkles, we could hoping this could tackle all of the above. 

We loved how easy the Solawave was to use — just turn it on and glide it along your skin. The head is also on a swivel, which makes it easy to reach smaller areas. Immediately after using it, our skin looked plumper and smoother. We saw the biggest difference in our under-eye area; our under-eye bags were less pronounced, and it seemed to tone down the puffiness. It also helped reduce the discoloration and redness around our nose, and the warmth from the wand felt amazing when our skin was inflamed from allergies.

However, it didn't do much for our acne, and we got bored during the 12 minute-long sessions. The results also never lasted longer than a few hours, and we were most vexed by the fact that there's no indicator light to show whether the device is fully charged or not. It seems like a small gripe, but we could never tell whether we were working with a fully-charged wand or not.

FDA Cleared: No | Usage: Working in sections, move the tool across skin, following the contours of the face. | Microcurrent Levels: 0 | Additional Features: None

Best Microcurrent Device for Double Chin

Foreo Bear

View On Amazon $329 View On Ulta View On Foreo.com

We started using the Foreo Bear with prevention in mind — we were looking for more definition around our jawline and depuffing...our entire face, ideally. We started by using the device on most of our face three times a week, and were immediately impressed by how easy the set-up was once paired with the Foreo app. (That said, the device wasn't charged, so we had to charge it up overnight to use it the following day.)

The app allowed us to choose between pre-set treatments that lasted between two and three minutes, which we loved for the convenience. We did have to dial down the intensity, though; it comes with strength and intensity levels between 1 and 10, and found that the level 4 gave us a strong, not painful but not comfortable, zap that made us tear up. But the morning after using it, our face looked so much more defined and sculpted, especially in our cheeks. We also think that this is the best microcurrent device for puffiness, because we can see a reduction in how much swelling we have in the morning after using this.

That said, we do wish that the device had some charged, and we weren't big fans of the serum, which felt watery. We also found that the device didn't always power down when we tried it, and it took a long time for it to charge. 

FDA Cleared: Yes | Usage: Apply the activator gel to clean, dry skin. Then, working in sections, move the NuFace device across skin, following the contours of the face. | Microcurrent Levels: 10 | Additional Features: Auto shut-off, pre-set treatments, app pairing

Best Microcurrent Device for Eyes

NuFace Mini+ Starter Kit

View On Amazon $250 View On Nordstrom $250 View On Dermstore $250

For those of us born without Jennifer Lopez-level bone structure, there are microcurrent devices like the NuFace Mini+. We were hoping to get a similar chiseled effect from this — while, of course, being realistic about the limitations of at-home devices. Off the bat, the device is pretty foolproof; set-up was easy and quick, and we were able to use this on our cheeks, jawline, and neck in about five to 10 minutes every day. We used it on the highest setting, on which we'd occasionally feel a slight shock (think a rubber band snap), but found it otherwise pretty comfortable.

We saw an immediate difference in our skin, which looked more lifted and less puffy. With continued use, there was some improvement in our nasolabial folds, although it didn't deliver the J.Lo definition that we'd hoped for.

Although we saw some results, they were both subtle and temporary — meaning you might notice a huge difference even after a few days of use. And consistency is important, so in order to maintain results, you have to keep using it.

FDA Cleared: Yes | Usage: Apply the activator gel to clean, dry skin. Then, working in sections, move the NuFace device across skin, following the contours of the face. | Microcurrent Levels: 3 | Additional Features: App pairing, built-in skin sensor

Best Microcurrent Device for Hooded Eyes

Joey Healy Face Renovation Device

View On Amazon $299 View On Joeyhealy.com

Don't let looks fool you: Although this device is small and lightweight, it packs a powerful punch. It was our first time using a microcurrent device, so it took us awhile to get used to the sensations, which felt strong even on the lowest setting. (That said, it was more discomfort than pain.)

After using it with the included gel on our cheeks, forehead, and jawline, our face was visibly brighter and less puffy — every single time we used it. Although our skin did look a little bit red after each treatment, it calmed down within a few minutes. Overall, our complexion was noticeably tighter and more radiant with each use.

What might be a dealbreaker is that the brand recommends using it for 10 to 15 minutes (at which point it automatically turns off). We started to get antsy around the 10-minute mark. On top of that, we were surprised that it wasn't rechargeable, but required AAA batteries, which weren't included (and which we didn't have on hand). Even so, we plan to keep it in our rotation to use in the days leading up to a big event.

FDA Cleared: No | Usage: Apply the activator serum to clean, dry skin. Then, working in sections, move the device across skin, following the contours of the face. | Microcurrent Levels: 5 | Additional Features: Automatic shut-off