truMedic PL-009 Review

Overview:

In 2014, truMedic PL-O09 was no. 1 on the best seller list on Amazon. I took a second look before writing a review on truMedic PL-009 tens unit. As of 2016, truMedic PL-O09 currently ranks as the No. 3 bestseller in muscle stimulators & accessories category.

This rank shows us that truMedic PL-009 is still one of the most sold and popular tens unit machines.

Keep in mind that amazon bestseller rank is based on sales, not ratings or reviews.

I operated my first TENS machine a few years ago. Back then, truMedic TENS units were much complicated and not as easy to use as they are now. The truMedic PL-009 tens unit is basically an electronic massager which is used for wellness and pain management.

This electronic massager claims to help many different internal as well as external body pains. It is aimed towards affecting muscle soreness and treating stiff muscles, by relaxing them through electrical pulsing. It may also seem to work with chronic pain. On top of that, the truMedic PL-009 is supposed to stop stress. The truMedic PL-009 is a product which looks exactly like the PL-009 by Prospera.

truMedic

truMedic PL-0009


Dual Channel

5 Auto-Stimulation Programs

3 Massage Settings

10 Intensity Levels

Use with 2 Pads or 4 Pads

However, unlike the Omron PM3030, it does have an LCD display. It might be perfect for people looking for a fast and accurate way to stop stress and relieve themselves of internal and external body pain. Although the outlook of the device is almost the same as many of its competitors, there are some different pros and cons attached to the truMedic PL-009.

Pros:

  • Allows consumers to treat two areas at the same time.
  • Independent intensity control for each channel.
  • Numerous massage techniques.
  • LCD Display.
  • It is easy to use compared to its competitors.
  • Extra pads and batteries.

Cons:

  • Limited time of treatment.
  • Sensitive intensity controls.
  • Larger in size compared to its competitors.
  • Non-Rechargeable.

Features and Benefits:

Programs and Modes:

The device contains 5 different auto stimulation programs. These programs are aimed towards different parts of your body and you can choose from these 5 programs according to your needs and requirements.

  • Shoulder.
  • Waist.
  • Joint.
  • Sole.
  • Hand and Foot.

All of these 5 choices have been pre-programmed by the manufacturer. The sole reason for this was to ensure the best treatment possible for all the specified parts of the body. The Auto Stimulation System of this electronic massager is the reason most beginners consider the truMedic PL-009. This user-friendly system makes the device easy to use.

5 Program & 3 Modes

However, when it comes to pros who have been using tens unit for home use for a few years now, the truMedic PL-009 might not be such a good option as these people prefer setting their own wavelengths and pulse-widths. With contrast to the programs, there are 3 different modes provided for each of the program.

  • Massage.
  • Kneading.
  • Beating.

Furthermore, it is left to you to decide which mode you prefer according to your requirements and the specified body area you would want to target.

Channels:

The truMedic PL-009 is an electronic pulse massager which offers you dual channels, with independent intensity controls for each of the channels. You can either use all the four pads offered with this device, which is the maximum number of pads which can be used, or, you can use two of these pads (the minimum number of pads used).

If you use all the four pads of this device, you will be able to massage two different parts of your body, i.e. two parts of your back. Similarly, if you decide to use only 2 pads at a time, you will be able to massage only a single region of the body parts specified in the truMedic PL-009 manual.

Dual Channel & Use 2 Pads or 4 Pads

truMedic claims that you can also share the treatment with another person if you use two pads each for both people. However, I have never tried this with my device and haven't even read a review about this function so let us not go into detail about this.

People who have prior experience in using a Tens unit machine know how easy it is for the pad wires to tangle. Adding another person to the process will just add to the problem itself.

There are two pads for each channel. One pad is the negative one and the other one is positive. For the machine to work properly, you need to add both of these to your body, i.e. you cannot add two negatives or two positives at the same time, unless you are using all four pads.

Lower the Ongoing Cost of TENS Unit Pads

Using a third party brand for TENS Unit pads might help to reduce the cost of replacement pads. We have a detailed review of top rated electrode pads here. We highly recommend to check out that review before purchasing your next replacement pads.

Intensity Levels:

By providing 10 different intensity levels, the device provides a good and better control over the power and strength of the treatment. This helps you in controlling the treatment according to your needs and requirements.

As I mentioned above, you can control the intensity independently for each channel. This means you have a control over which part you need to stress more and which part you need to stress less. If you ask me, I would not consider buying a Tens unit without this feature in it.

10 Levels of Output Intensity

You can easily control the intensity of the channels through the dials which are present on each side of the machine. These are specified for each channel in order to reduce any confusion you might have as a novice.

Ease of Use:

truMedic PL-0009 Front Panel

As I have mentioned before, the Tens unit a few years back were not so easy to use as the Tens units of today. You have to go through a long manual in order to understand the settings of the device. The instructions given to you were not as clear as today. As for the truMedic PL-009, you can easily operate this device with the help of a series of buttons on the on the front and two dials on each side of the device.

The Auto Stimulation Programs have independent buttons, as well as , the modes and the styles of the massage. On top of that, there is a plus (+) and minus (-) button available, so you can easily control the strength and intensity of the massage. The buttons are clearly labeled with all the text in capitals, to make it easy for you to identify each button.

However, the intensity dials are a bit sensitive, which increases the risk of these dials falling out or being knocked out. If the dials fall out the intensity might go to the highest level and stay there until the device is fixed, which is highly unlikely.

The device is a basic instrument and is very straightforward to use. You can easily turn the device on, set your specific Auto Stimulation Program, choose your massage style and finally set the intensity of the massage.

A person with basic mobile knowledge can easily use the device without any confusion. On top of that, the LCD display shows everything you select in bold and clear letters so you do not select the wrong option.

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truMedic PL-009 Manual

When we talk about the instruction manual, it is not very detailed but provides you the basics you need to operate the machine. Instruction manual covers all the different areas of the device and helps you in getting started without making any major mistakes. I have gone through their website but unfortunately, official truMedic website does not have an online version for PL-009 manual.

Size and Portability:

Talking about the size, the PL-009 electronic pulse massager is approximately 7.8 inches x 2.2 inches x 0.9 inches. If we quote truMedic's words, 'It is no bigger than a remote control'. However, due to the rectangular appearance of this Tens unit, it resembles a home phone. It weighs about 5.29 oz, a little more than an Iphone 6 which shows that the device is also light to carry.

It would be very hard to argument truMedic's claim that it is 'small and lightweight' and hence a portable device which you can take anywhere with you. However, it isn't the smallest option available in the market. Although, if you are looking for a tens device for home use, size does not even matter.

truMedic PL-0009 - Size Comparison

Battery:

The truMedic PL-009 is basically powered by four AAA batteries, for example, those in your television remote (another proof that it resembles a remote control) or your wall clock. Once you look inside the manual, you will see that they have suggested their consumers to use high-quality batteries as the effectiveness of the device depends on the power. This goes without saying, as the results of any device will deplete if you use low-quality batteries in them.

Talking about high-quality batteries, I was looking for a set of high-quality AAA batteries over the internet. I decided to surf through Amazon.com and see if they had something for me. I found two different sets of highly rated batteries on Amazon.com.

The Duracell Procell AAA pack of 24 is one of them. These batteries have a lot of 5 star reviews on Amazon.com. On top of that, it offers 24 AAA batteries in a price you might not get anywhere else (you pay $0.37 per battery). So, if you are looking for high-quality batteries for your device, the Duracell Procell are an option worth considering.

The Second is the AmazonBasics AAA Performance Alkaline batteries. At just $0.29 per battery and thousands of 5 star rating, these batteries are also worth checking out.

Remember, the truMedic PL-009 is not a rechargeable tens unit. This means that you will have you change your batteries frequently if you wish to get the best results possible. Hence, choose the batteries wisely and never cut ends on them.

Included Accessories:

The truMedic PL-009 comes with almost everything you need to get stated with the device and more. You are provided with an extra set of electrodes for tens unit and an extra set of batteries. This means you won't have to find a replacement for a few months before the replacement batteries dry out as well. You get 8 electrodes in total, and 8 AAA batteries as well, which is quite a good deal considering many companies do not provide this option.

Furthermore, you get a tens unit, 2 sets of truMedic PL-009 replacement pads which are 8 pads in total, electrode cords, a free video series and an instruction manual to speed you up to the process of using this user-friendly device.

Tip For Frequent Travellers

The truMedic PL009 model doesn't come with a carrying case. If you travel frequently, you will probably want to carry your tens unit around with you. Here is a cheap deal if you want to keep your device safe and protected while traveling.

truMedic PL-0009 - Accessories

Price:

The original price of the product was just under $100. A better option for you is to check at online stores which will be selling this product for half the price given on the actual website.

I've checked a couple online stores before publishing this review (29 March, 2015). It is being sold at the official site of truMedic for just under $40. The lowest price on ebay was around $37. The fispond.com was selling it at $55. You can get a good deal from Amazon.com with all the accessories as well. At the time of this review, Amazon looks to be the best deal. (check the alternatives section below for even a better price)

Warranty:

truMedic PL-0009 - 90 Day Warranty

truMedic provides a 90 days warranty for this PL-009 model which includes both the parts as well as the labor. If there is a problem related to this device within this time span, the chances are that they will not repair it, instead exchange it with a new one.

There are brands such as AccuRelief or iReliev which offers a year warranty with some of their devices. However, the cheaper the product, the lesser the warranty. Do remember to check the warranty for each product you purchase.

Consumer Reviews:

Although the device is not perfect for everyone, however, I came across a lot of reviews which said that the device was an extremely positive instrument for their body pain. Apart from that, as I found out that this electronic massager is still one of the BestSellers on Amazon.com, and most of the people who bought it over Amazon.com, are satisfied with the product.

On top of that, the customer reviews on the official website of truMedic show that the product is extremely popular amongst people, even though it might contain some huge drawbacks such as a limited treatment time. However, among all the tens unit reviews, the truMedic PL-009 holds the honor of most positive customer reviews.

This product was not available on any of the other online stores like walmart.com, walgreens.com overstock.com at the time this article written.

Alternatives:

Below, we compare truMedic PL-009 with 3 different TENS unit models. If you want to explore more on how to choose the best TENS unit for different price ranges, I'll recommend to check out this article.

Prospera Electronic Pulse Massager:

The Prospera Electronic pulse massager is a better option if we look at the pricing criteria. The Prospera Electronic Pulse Massager is an electronic massaging device which has the same set of features as the truMedic PL-009, however, it is from Prospera, a competitor brand of truMedic. There is no difference in fact except for the fact that both devices belong to different brands. The pricing was around $10 cheaper at Amazon,including shipping.

It looks like that Prospera developed their product before truMedic. If you want to save another $10, PL-009 by Prospera is a great option.

Tens 7000:

The Tens 7000 can be considered a better alternative if you prefer a tens unit in a smaller size, with a carrying case and higher output power. Another feature of this tens unit is that you can use it in a continious mode. It offers all the same features but the price is higher. (around $47).

The Tens 7000 has a dual channel system, 100mA output power and uses a 1x9v battery which makes it a longer lasting tens unit than the truMedic PL-009. However, it offers only 8 intensity levels which are fewer in number as compared to the truMedic PL-009. Overall, this device can be considered better alternative for the truMedic PL-009 for its size, output power, continious mode and carrying case.

AccuRelief Dual Channel:

The AccuRelief Dual Channel is another good option you might check out.It offers the most intensity levels out of these 4 devices and is the newest tens unit model. It is not a rechargeable tens unit, however, it provides you with 3 different AAA batteries which offer a long-lasting and durable experience to all its consumers.

On top of that, it offers 6 different modes to fulfill your requirements and is the highest rated tens unit amongst all four of the above mentioned devices. However, if may be a little more expensive than the truMedic PL-009, but if you are looking for a long-lasting alternative to your truMedic PL-009, the AccuRelief Dual Channel is worth trying.


truMedic PL-009

TENS 7000

AccuRelief Dual Channel TENS

HealthmateForever Pro-12AB
Modes 5 5 6 12
Channels Dual Dual Dual Dual
Pads 4 4 4 4
Intensity 10 8 25 20
Touch Screen No No No No
EMS No No No Yes
Battery 4 x AAA 1 x 9V 3 x AAA Rechargeable lithium
Size (inches) (H x W x D) 7.8 x 2 x 0.8 3.98 x 2.4 x 0.96 4.6 x 2.4 x 1.3 3.5 x 1.75 x 0.25
Weight (oz) 6.4 5.29 2.7 1.8
Warranty 90 Day Warranty 1 Year Warranty 1 Year Warranty Lifetime Warranty in US and Canada
Price $ $ $ $$$
Rating 7.1 8.2 7.5 8.4

Summary:

Overall, the above written truMedic tens unit electronic pulse massager review suggests that the truMedic PL-009 is a decision worth considering, especially for people who are beginners at using Tens units. Although, it may provide a limited treatment time, but this may hold you back from overusing the device itself.

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truMedic PL-009

The Bottom Line

People who are looking for a fast and accurate way to remove stress and relieve body pain, may consider the truMedic PL-009. The electronic pulse, 5 different programs and the 3 different modes in each program can cater the problems people face in this busy lifestyle. Hence, if you are looking to buy tens unit, the truMedic PL-009 is an option worth considering.
7.1
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Side By Side TENS Units Comparison

Pick the TENS Units you want to evaluate and compare specs, ratings, prices