The Microcurrent Devices That Actually Work, According to Our Testing (2024)

Boasting the second best score for firming skin in GH Beauty Lab tests with a 7.2% improvement, this easy-to-use, beginner-friendly at-home microcurrent device was popular among testers. (It even earned high marks for tester compliance, showing testers wanted to, and enjoyed, using the device five times per week.)

The Foreo device also earned a perfect score for being comfortable to hold, with one tester noting, "I love the ease of use; the different speeds are great and it holds a charge for a long time. It's small and compact, and I just found it really relaxing to do every night."

Another tester added that they felt their skin feels "softer and smoother" after using it for four weeks. Take note that the device also has an app to guide you through using the device, though testers didn't like that the app charges for extra tutorials and pushes other products. They also didn't love the brand's conductive gel, but it's sold separately, so you can use your own conductive gel or serum instead.

Lift your face for less with this pink microcurrent device. Another top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, Skin Gym's budget tool earned a perfect score for being easy to use, as well as a good score for not causing discomfort on skin.

Testers commented that they saw an immediate lifting effect after using it: "I only have to do 2.5 minutes on each side of my face to notice a difference," one said. Another added, "I did notice an instant lift after using the device. If I was particularly swollen or puffy, I did find that the device helped reduce some inflammation in my skin." Just note that this device didn't notably improve skin firmness in our Lab tests.

Want to firm your face? This device will do the trick. Earning top rankings across the board, Ziip's Halo device received the best firming score in GH Beauty Lab testing with an 8.3% improvement, the best score among testers for giving an instant lift and a perfect score for being easy to hold. "It's cordless (and the charge lasts a long time!), compact, quiet and very easy to use," a tester raved.

However, the biggest downside is that two of the five devices we tested broke. With one device, the conductive globe came unglued and fell off. The other device would not recharge, and there was a loose piece inside that could be heard rattling around when the device was shaken gently.

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If you're looking for the most powerful microcurrent device, this may just be it. Though expensive, "This device feels noticeably more powerful than the others I tried," shared GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. "When using it at the highest setting, I can really feel and see my muscles twitching."

She found it simple to use yet still a true powerhouse that stimulates the face muscles: "It caused the muscles below my eye and around my lips to move involuntarily," she added. "I'm impressed with this one." Take note that she described the highest setting of the device as "uncomfortable," but the lower settings were fine.

This app-enabled microcurrent device pairs via Bluetooth to your phone, where treatments are controlled in the companion app. Butler notes that you can enable the "app-free mode" in the app to program a treatment that will work when the device is not connected to the phone. However, the device only has one button on it; everything else is controlled via the app.

Plus, you've got even more options: It can either be used like other devices by massaging it across the face, or you can hook it up to stick-on electrode masks that allow you to use it hands-free. "The device itself is light and easy to hold," Butler said. "I do like the electrode masks as an option for those who don’t want to do the whole-face massaging routine."

Using three different types of treatment at once — microcurrent, radiofrequency, and red and blue LED light — this device is a real multitasker. You can clarify skin with blue light, restore with red light or even activate both at the same time. "The microcurrent feels comfortable on skin, and the radiofrequency creates a gentle warming sensation," Butler said.

There are multiple buttons, one for each treatment mode, and no companion app. She found it simple, light and easy to hold. Good to know: There's no option to do the treatment methods individually (you can't use just microcurrent or just RF), as it always does all three.

When you think of microcurrent devices, there's a good chance you think of this NuFace one. A consumer favorite in GH Beauty Lab testing as well, testers gave it the highest score for firming (though it didn't show an improvement in actual skin firmness in Beauty Lab testing).

Along with earning one of the highest tester satisfaction scores and making skin feel firmer, it also earned good scores among testers for making fine lines and wrinkles less visible. "It was super easy to use and pain-free," a tester reported.

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Bring the spa home to you with Therabody's all-in-one facial device. Inspired by the brand's Theragun, the Theraface is, well, for your face. It features red light, blue light, percussion, heating, cooling, cleansing and microcurrent thanks to a set of included attachments, all tucked into a petite and efficient travel bag.

Users loved this device, though they didn't notice improvement in fine lines and wrinkles over the course of the test. In Lab testing, it earned good scores for leaving skin looking brighter and not causing discomfort on skin. "My skin looks less dull and somewhat fuller around my mouth and cheeks," a tester reported.

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In the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's most recent at-home microcurrent devices test, our scientists recruited 26 testers aged 35 and over.

Skin firmness measurements were taken with a Cutometer before and after four weeks of regular use. Our panel of testers also completed before and after pictures (one tester shown below) with the Visia Complexion Analyzer to see long-term visual improvement in wrinkles and "lifting" effects.

In all, our scientists evaluated, collected and analyzed more than 1,300 data points to determine the top-performing tools, taking into account ease of use, comfort, improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, ability to lift, firm, tone skin and more. This roundup includes winning products from that test alongside additional road-tested picks from our experts.

✔️ FDA-cleared: For the safest experience, Dr. Levine recommends buying only FDA-cleared microcurrent devices.

✔️ Conductive gel: If your at-home microcurrent device doesn't include a conductive gel, make sure to purchase one separately. "The device needs a gel carrier in order to transmit the energy," says Dr. Levine.

✔️ Single or multiple functions: Consider whether you want to focus on using just microcurrent or try other treatment technologies as well. Some devices, like the Therabody Theraface Pro or Althea Skin CARA Multi-Modal Tool in this article, offer other functions such as light therapy or massage in addition to microcurrent.

They can, but commit to using them routinely. "Most of the effects are temporary," says Dr. Levine. "You may notice some immediate lifting and depuffing. There may be some benefit after using them consistently with firming and plumping." The skin-firming effects we saw in our Lab test were very modest.

It's important to use them regularly for at least several months to get peak results. The experts we spoke to advise using five times per week for the first 60 days, then two to three times per week after that to maintain results.

Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims. She also conducted and oversaw this most recent test of at-home microcurrent devices.

Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of skincare products, including professional and at-home devices, including microcurrent and red light therapy.