PureLift vs Microcurrent-Only Devices, What the Difference Means for You

Medically reviewed by

4 independent reviewers

Andrew Conrad Barile, PT, DPT

Andrew Conrad Barile, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | Licensed Physical Therapist (PT) | CEO and Founder, Xtreem Pulse LLC

Read bio

Dr. Andrew Conrad Barile is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the CEO and Founder of Xtreem Pulse LLC, the engineering company behind PureLift. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Daemen College and is a licensed physical therapist.

He brings over two decades of clinical and entrepreneurial experience across physical therapy, craniosacral therapy and medical device innovation, built on a working knowledge of human anatomy and muscle physiology.

For PureLift LAB he reviews how current is delivered across all ten levels, from sub-sensory nanocurrent and skin-level microcurrent to motor-level EMS, and how the Infuse pass fits into the same ten-minute routine.

Bertica M. Rubio, M.D.

Bertica M. Rubio, M.D.

Board-Certified Physician, Dartmouth Medical School | Medical Director, Antiaging Regenerative Medicine Clinic

Read bio

Dr. Bertica M. Rubio is a board-certified physician and Medical Director of the Antiaging Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Redlands, California. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School and completed her pediatrics residency at UC Irvine Medical Center.

With decades of clinical experience, she specialises in age management medicine, regenerative medicine, wound healing and growth factor therapies, and her practice integrates evidence-based medical science with advanced aesthetic treatment.

For PureLift LAB she reviews articles for medical accuracy across the whole dial, from the gentle nanocurrent and microcurrent settings through to muscle-level EMS and the Infuse pass.

Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS

Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS

Board-Certified Otolaryngologist | Head and Neck Surgeon | Fellow, American College of Surgeons | Mount Sinai

Read bio

Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS is a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at ENT and Allergy Associates in West Nyack, New York. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

He completed his otolaryngology residency at New York University Medical Center, serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

For PureLift LAB he brings a wider clinical lens, connecting at-home facial stimulation from microcurrent to EMS to the anatomy underneath, with the same rigour we apply to every device specification.

Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann

Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann

Chair of Angiology, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg | Clinic Director, University Clinic for Angiology

Read bio

Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann is Chair of Angiology at the Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane and Clinic Director of the University Clinic for Angiology at the Brandenburg University Hospital.

He trained at the University of Hamburg, was a Max Planck Society Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, and held senior consultant posts at the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin before his appointment as Chair in 2016.

One of Europe's leading authorities on arteriogenesis, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and US and EU patents, he reviews for PureLift LAB how the evidence on electrical stimulation is read and where its limits lie.

What's This About:

A microcurrent-only device gives gentle toning at one strength range, while PureLift adds nanocurrent below it and EMS above it on the same dial, so you can choose between the gentlest setting and a visible muscle contraction in one session.

This comparison covers the differences, such as:

- what microcurrent-only devices do

- what PureLift adds

- how each one feels

- who each suits

- costs to run

and many more!

We make PureLift, so we have said where a microcurrent-only device is the better choice.

Key Points:

Microcurrent-only devices work in the microamp range, felt as a light tingle or nothing.

PureLift adds nanocurrent at level 1 and EMS from level 3 to 10.

EMS produces a visible contraction for stronger toning.

PureLift publishes its output at a stated load and works with any water-based serum.

A microcurrent-only device suits people who want only the gentlest routine.

What microcurrent-only devices do

Gentle toning with a few intensity levels. See our microcurrent device explainer.

What PureLift adds

Microcurrent-only PureLift
Technologies Microcurrent Nanocurrent, microcurrent, EMS, Infuse
Strongest setting Microamps Milliamps, up to 7 to 9 mA at 500 ohms
Gel Often branded Any water-based conductive serum

Every PureLift model runs nanocurrent at level 1, microcurrent at level 2 and EMS from level 3 to 10 on one dial, plus an Infuse pass, with a ten minute session and no more than three minutes per side of the face, and works with any water-based conductive serum.

How each one feels

Microcurrent is a light tingle or nothing; EMS is a visible contraction. See our article on what EMS feels like.

Who each suits

Microcurrent-only: the gentlest daily routine. PureLift: anyone who wants both gentle and stronger toning. A randomized controlled trial by Kavanagh and colleagues, published in 2012, measured facial electrical stimulation over twelve weeks.

Brand comparisons

See PureLift vs NuFACE, PureLift vs ZIIP HALO and PureLift vs FOREO BEAR.

Model Price Output FDA 510(k) Best for
PureLift Face $499 Up to 7 mA at 500 ohms K190269 Compact, the simplest way into the range
PureLift Pro $699 Up to 7 mA at 500 ohms K230506 Larger handle for longer home sessions
PureLift Pro Edition $799 Up to 7.7 mA at 500 ohms K230506 More output on the Pro body
PureLift Pro Plus $899 Up to 9 mA at 500 ohms K221443 Our strongest output
PureLift GLOW $999 Up to 9 mA at 500 ohms K243587 Adds red 634 nm and blue 465 nm light

Do not use any facial current device if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device, if you are pregnant or if you have epilepsy, and skip broken or irritated skin. The full list is in our safety article.

Frequently asked questions

Is PureLift a microcurrent device

Yes, and it also has nanocurrent and EMS on the same dial.

Is EMS stronger than microcurrent

Yes. EMS produces a visible muscle contraction.

Which is better, PureLift or a microcurrent-only device

PureLift offers more settings; a microcurrent-only device suits the gentlest routine.

Does PureLift need a special gel

No. Any water-based conductive serum works.

Is PureLift FDA cleared

Yes, every model.

This article sits inside our full map of the category, where we set out all 33 devices we track, what each one carries and what each brand publishes: Nine Technologies on One Dial, What the Rest of the Market Actually Carries.

Back to blog