The best microcurrent devices deliver pro-level tightening and brightening results at home – think sculpted cheekbones, lifted brows, and a more defined jawline – much like red-light therapy or the best LED face masks.

Over the past few years, I’ve tested dozens of at-home skincare devices, and microcurrent gadgets are some of my favourite. These devices use low-level electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles, enhance tone, and reduce sagging — quickly and painlessly. “They’re safe, noninvasive, and effective for improving facial contour and firmness,” says Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Personally, I find they help me look instantly more awake — especially helpful on puffy mornings or before an important event.

To help you find the best of the best, we consulted top dermatologists and skin care experts, plus tapped our editorial team for their favourites. During evaluations, we put nearly a dozen devices to the test, rating each for ease of use, portability, features, and overall performance.

Best microcurrent devices, at a glance:

1. Best Overall: NuFace Trinity Starter Kit

Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing NuFace Trinity Starter Kit

Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing NuFace Trinity Starter Kit

Best for: Those who want a tried-and-true dedicated microcurrent device that can provide other beauty benefits with additional attachments (sold separately)

In the nearly 20 years since its launch, the Trinity has become a staple in aestheticians’ in-office arsenals, and many dermatologists, including Dr. Henry and Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group, recommend it for its stellar reputation.

For her NuFace Mini review, GLAMOUR contributor Deanna Pai incorporated the tool into her routine for a few weeks and was floored by both the immediate and gradual results. “After doing half my face, I could see my brow looked more lifted and my cheek less puffy,” she says. “I have more definition along my cheekbones and jawline too. But what really impressed me is that after 10 or so days of consistent use, my nasolabial folds look less noticeable.”

For those who specifically want to improve the look of wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, additional attachments like a smaller head for lips and eyes or a red-light therapy tool can also be purchased for more customised treatments.

2. Best for Puffiness: Foreo Bear 2

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Foreo Bear 2

Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Foreo Bear 2

Best for: Beginners who want a lift plus the benefits of improved lymphatic drainage

Designed to lift, tone, and contour, this device uses five personalised microcurrent intensities to target everything from fine lines to sagging skin. (There are five additional intensities in the Pro mode, which can be unlocked via the compatible smartphone app.) This range — plus the brand’s unique anti-shock technology, which ensures you don’t go over the optimal level for your skin — makes this particular device a great option for beginners. We like that it targets puffiness, too, thanks to built-in T-Sonic massage. The gentle pulsations travel through the outer layers of the skin, targeting facial and neck muscle tension points to improve blood flow. These pulsations also temporarily dilate pores for better serum penetration.

Our editors loved the customisation offered by this nifty little device. “I found that the lower settings were effective yet gentle, and the higher settings matched the experience I’ve received during professional treatments,” says GLAMOUR’s Kilkeary. “The slim design is easy to maneuver around your face, and it didn’t feel uncomfortable at any point. I liked the silicone grip, as well, because I felt that it gave me a ton of control and flexibility as I moved it around my face. I really felt that my skin looked less puffy and more snatched after my treatment.”

3. Best for Sensitive Skin: Ziip Halo

Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Ziip Halo

Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Ziip Halo

Best for: Anyone with sensitive skin — especially beginners to microcurrent devices

The Ziip Halo is a bit different because it works through a combination of technologies: nanocurrent (a very low-level current) and microcurrent. This means the pulses are very gentle — you likely won’t feel anything at all—and ideal for those with sensitive skin.

“I couldn’t feel a single sensation as I swiped it along my face,” says GLAMOUR contributor Mary Honkus. “Yet by the end of the four-minute express treatment — which is already preprogrammed into the tool — my entire face appeared to be lifted and the lines along my eyes softened.” The brand has also curated an extensive collection of thorough in-app tutorials that make it an exemplary pick for newbies with at-home skin care devices.

4. Best Multiuse: Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

Original photo from Ariana Yaptangco testing Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

Original photo from Ariana Yaptangco testing Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

Best for: Someone who wants to be guided through the whole process and a device that does it all

The Medicube Age-R Booster device is an upgrade to the Medicube Booster-H, which started trending after Hailey Bieber used it in a #GRWM vid on TikTok. It’s different from other microcurrent devices because it operates in four different modes: an air-shot mode you brush against dry skin two to three times per week to improve pore elasticity; a booster mode to be used in tandem with serums to help them better penetrate skin; an EMS (electric muscle stimulation) mode for firming; and — yes — the microcurrent mode for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Each mode can be set to different power levels, ranging from one to five (one being the lowest, five the strongest).

“I’ve tried in-office microcurrent treatments and at-home microcurrent devices, and I can vouch that the Age-R Booster Pro is the closest you’ll get to an in-office treatment,” GLAMOUR senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco said in her in-depth Medicube review. “The electric pulses and vibrations are strong—as in, you can feel it in your skull—and give you immediate results.” And even though it sounds complex, a self-timer and a voice guide tell you what mode you’re selecting, the strength level, and how many minutes have passed since you began treatment. Once you’re done, it notifies you before automatically turning off.