Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, or tDCS for short, is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has gained popularity in recent years for its potential to improve cognitive function and mood. By delivering a small electrical current to the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp, tDCS has been shown to enhance learning, memory, attention, and creativity. While research is still ongoing, tDCS holds promise as a safe and effective tool for individuals looking to enhance their mental performance and well-being.
Choosing the best tDCS device depends on a few factors, including your needs, budget, and personal preferences. Here are some steps you can follow to help you choose the best device:
Determine your needs: Identify what you want to achieve with the device. For example, if you’re looking for a tDCS device, consider what specific cognitive benefits you’re hoping to achieve, such as improved memory, attention, or mood.
Research the options: Do your research to find out what devices are available on the market and what features they offer. Read reviews, check ratings, and compare prices to get a better sense of which devices are most effective and affordable.
Consider your budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on the device. Keep in mind that more expensive devices may offer more advanced features, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best option for your needs.
Check for safety: Make sure the device you choose is safe to use and has been tested and certified by a reputable regulatory agency. These devices will typically have a CE certificate.
Choose a reputable brand: Select a device from a reputable brand with a track record of producing high-quality products. Look for brands with good customer reviews and a strong reputation in the industry.
By following these steps, you can narrow down your options and choose the best device for your needs and budget.
Finding the best transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device can be overwhelming, given the abundance of devices on the market and unfortunately some of those devices are poorly-made. As a responsible buyer, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research to identify high-quality tDCS devices that are both effective and safe. With so many options available, it can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. To simplify your search, we’ve compiled an updated list of the best and most worthwhile tDCS devices to buy in 2023. This guide will help you make an informed decision and choose a device that meets your needs and budget.
Read on to discover the top tDCS devices on the market.
QUICK SUMMARY
Probably the most cost-effective tDCS device on the market. The Brain Premier is simple, easy to use, and reliable. Designed to be the go-to option of consumer tDCS devices, the Brain Premier features all the necessary tDCS features as well as a rechargeable battery.
Price: 10/10
Though it is the most budget-friendly device on the market, it is on the high end for features. The same features are found on devices that cost twice as much.
Reliability: 10/10
The device is decently reliable and rarely faulty. Now on the market for over a year, we have heard nothing but good things about this device which also includes a 1-year manufacturer warranty. When tested, Brain Premier did show accurate current delivery with rapid adjustment to varying resistances, ensuring the user is provided a constant current delivery over the course of their session.
Build quality: 8/10
The build quality of the Brain Premier is excellent compared to the bulk of tDCS devices that can be found on the market. Yes, the device does look like a first-generation iPod but our testing shows the device is well-designed. The session timer was accurate, the current output precise, and the ramp-up/down comfortable. You are also able to pause a session which is a nice feature that is not commonly found.
Ease of use: 10 /10
We found this to be one of the easiest devices to use. Brain Premier will allow you to set the current from 0.1 mA to 2 mA in .1 mA increments as well as set the timer from 1 min to 40 min in 1 min increments. The timer counts down to let you know the time remaining in a session and has an audible beep to signal the end of a session.
Other noteworthy features:
- One of the only devices available that features a rechargeable battery.
- Unlike BrainDriver, the Brain Premier allows you to set any current intensity and any duration you want.
- The device features ramp-up and ramp-down for maximum user comfort.
- The device has a very useful automatic pause feature when electrodes are not in proper contact with the scalp.
Final Verdict: Brain Premier is a great new addition to the tDCS family and offers every feature you could want in a tDCS device at an incredibly economical price.
tDCS.com Score: 9.5/10
Brain Premier Product Links:
Amazon: Buy Now
Caputron: Buy Now with code “tdcs.com”
A high quality starter kit used for tDCS in both home and research settings! Its precision and flexibility continues to make this device a popular choice amongst consumer tDCS users, professionals and researchers alike. With its high quality build and proven history, the Activadose tDCS Starter Kit remains in first place from last year. The Activadose tDCS along with the top of the line accessories that come conveniently with the starter kit makes this first place decision a no-brainer.
Price: 8/10
At a price of $399, the Activadose tDCS Starter Kit is fairly priced considering the tDCS device itself is of a clinical standard and comes with arguably the highest quality accessories in the consumer tDCS market. It is no wonder this device is used in universities and clinics around the world.
Reliability: 10/10
As a clinical grade device, the Activadose tDCS provides characteristically consistent stimulation sessions and has proven to be one of the most reliable tDCS devices on the market. To retain its high quality build the device is subject to strict quality control during manufacturing in an ISO certified facility.
Build quality: 10/10
The Activadose tDCS has an excellent build quality; components feel solid and durable, yet it is among the lightest devices currently on the market, the device also comes with a custom carrying case—making this system ideal in terms of portability/travel.
Ease of use: 9/10
The Activadose tDCS is remarkably easy to use, with only 2 control knobs, one for current and the other for the timer (labeled as dosage on this device), any first time user would find using this device to be a breeze. The Caputron Universal Strap that comes with the starter kit is also very intuitive to use—with markings on the strap to aid in reproducibility. We also found while using this set-up that the electrodes never slipped because of the grip between the silicone on silicone contact of the electrodes and strap.
Other noteworthy features:
The device displays dosage, timer, and current.
Every stimulation session has a ramp up and a ramp down feature to ensure comfort for the user.
This device is frequently used in research labs and clinics for tDCS.
In addition to the Activadose tDCS stimulator, the starter kit also comes with a “Caputron Universal Strap”, a twin lead 4 mm banana lead cable, 2 electrodes of your choice in size (2” or 3”), and 10 sponge insert replacements for the electrodes.
tDCS.com Score: 9.25/10
Final Verdict: An excellent and overall very well rounded stimulator for tDCS where no expense was spared for quality. Would highly recommend this device for tDCS in almost any application– home, clinical or laboratory use.
Activadose tDCS Starter Kit Product Links:
Amazon: Buy Now
Caputron: Buy Now with code “tdcs.com”
Featured on shark tank, this device is designed specfically for improving Focus, Attention and Productivity. LIFTiD is incredibly easy to use and even easier to set up.
Price: 6.5/10
LIFTiD is very well priced at $149. However, this tDCS device is limited to one montage and one setting (1.2 mA for 20 min).
Reliability: 8.5/10
From our testing of this device, LIFTiD has shown to be very reliable in terms of current delivery and battery charge. We put the device’s non-removable rechargeable battery through many charge cycles and each time it held a long charge and the device lasted for many hours.
Build quality: 8/10
LIFTiD is well designed and well built. We would have liked to see a little bit of horizontal flexibility in terms of the electrode placement to accommodate some wider/larger headers. Nonetheless, our staff was still able to feel the effects of stimulation and enjoyed using the device.
Ease of use: 10/10
Probably the easiest tDCS device to use on the market. Designed for stimulation over one specific area, the DLPFC – F3 (Anode) and F4 (Cathode), the device allows you to simply place it over your forehead and start a session. LIFTiD conveniently comes with a small mirror to aid in placement. Simply wet the sponges and push start. The device will ramp up to 1.2 mA, run for 20 minutes, and ramp down then shut off.
Other noteworthy features:
Great for gaming and studying for exams
Final Verdict: LIFTiD is a great device for those interested in tDCS for improving focus, attention, and productivity. Simple, reliable, and easy to use, this device does exactly what it is supposed to do without all the unnecessary bells and whistles.
tDCS.com Score: 8.25/10
LIFTiD Product Links:
Amazon: Buy Now
Caputron: Buy Now with code “tdcs.com”
Price: 9/10
At $499.99, the Foc.us V3 sits on the higher end of the price range for consumer tDCS devices on the market. However, with the device boasting an impressive 5 different stimulation waveforms, its price is justifiable. The efficacy of the other 4 waveforms is questionable though, with most research being done with direct current and only some with alternating current– and fewer still with pulsed current, rippled current or random noise.
Reliability: 7.5/10
After a year of use, the V3 is still going strong! Current and waveform outputs are as featured and operation is markedly better on the V3 than its predecessor, the V2, where instances of dead batteries and dead screens were abundant. Reliability here is more of a mark on the company. Foc.us does not have a history of being the most reliable company and this device has not been available for nearly 6 months.
Build quality: 8/10
The device seems solid and of good quality. The device is lightweight and very conveniently sized. The rippled quality of the casing design makes the device feel unique and alludes to one of the main features and selling points of the device—the new rippled current waveform (again, the usefulness of this waveform is questionable due to the lack of literature).
Ease of use: 7.5/10
The user interface is sleek and minimalist, with only one control point (the blue joystick); however, the product does not seem to arrive with an instruction manual—this may be inconvenient for new users that have not tried the previous V2 device. The device can also be paired with an app, however full functionality is available with just the device itself; in fact, we found the device easier to operate directly from the device itself rather than pairing it with the app due to how straightforward the on-screen menu is.
Other noteworthy features:
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The V3 has a built-in safety feature/timer that limits each session to a recommended length of 40 minutes, the device will even warn you if you start a new stimulation session too soon after your last one. You can, however, choose to override this function if you wish in order to start another session or if you are using the device for research and are running multiple subjects per day.
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The V3 includes an impressive collection of 5 different waveforms: tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation), tRNS (transcranial random noise stimulation), tPCS (transcranial pulsed current stimulation), tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation), and the new tRCS (transcranial rippled current stimulation). Again, it’s important to note that the usefulness of these additional waveforms is debatable, but simply having this extra waveform to work with is a plus compared to other brain stimulation devices on the market.
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The device also features a sham setting, which can be used in a research setting to provide information on placebo effects.
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The V3 is CE certified to Medical Standard 60601:2
Final Verdict: The most feature-packed tDCS device on the market– with multiple waveforms and stimulation programs to choose from. Highly recommended for those looking for a multi-functional stimulator, that is if you can find it. The device has reportedly been sold out for nearly 6 months!
tDCS.com Score: 8/10
Focus V3 tES Device Product Links
Caputron: Buy Now with code “tdcs.com“
A great device for first time users who don’t want to spend a fortune on tDCS! Controls are very simple and stimulation parameters are straightforward and easy to set. While this device does lack a certain level of flexibility due to there only being 4 fixed current settings–most users would find these options more than enough to suit their tDCS needs.
Price: 7/10
The original price of the Brain Driver v2.1 is $199 (although it seems to always be on sale for around $140 to $150)—this device has even been found to be sold at some shops for as low as $130! Either way, this device is definitely on the very low end of the market tDCS price range.
Reliability: 7/10
The device is decently reliable and rarely faulty; however, there have been on rare occasions reports of uncomfortable current spikes in response to sudden changes in resistance. We also noticed upon testing that the ramp-up and ramp-down feature didn’t seem to work when stimulation is paused in the middle of a session, which may result in a “zapping” sensation.
Build quality: 7/10
The build quality of the Brain Driver v2.1 is relatively good compared to the bulk of tDCS devices that can be found on the market, although the plastic may feel a bit cheap. We also found that the battery is also occasionally hard to remove (at least on the device we tried), however, we doubt this would compromise the overall structural integrity of the casing in any meaningful way.
Ease of use: 9 /10
In general, this device is very easy to use, with just 5 intuitive push-buttons that control session duration and current output. A few users have reportedly struggled to follow the electrode montage/placement instructions found online on their website; however, there are many tDCS montage guides online—as well as aftermarket tDCS straps and accessories online that easily transfer over to using the Braindriver.
Other noteworthy features:
The device comes with 2 options of session durations of 20 minutes and 30 minutes.
There are 4 output currents options: 0.5 mA, 1 mA, 1.5 mA and 2mA.
The device features ramp-up and ramp-down for maximum user comfort.
The device has a very useful automatic shut-off feature when electrodes are not in proper contact with the scalp.
Final Verdict: TheBrainDriver v2.1 is easy to use and has a reasonable build quality. Would recommend it for beginners due to its lower learning curve, or for those on a budget.
tDCS.com Score: 7.5/10
BrainDriver Product Links:
Amazon: Buy Now
BrainDriver: $124.99 –> $118.74 with code “tdcsdevice” Buy Now
Caputron: Buy Now with code “tdcs.com“
