Ab stimulators will strengthen and tone your core muscles by activating your abdominal zones through electrical impulses. They work well in conjunction with a fitness routine, but they can also be used when you’re relaxing or going about your daily tasks. While ab stimulators won’t directly help you get rid of belly fat or lose weight, the added strength they provide and activity they encourage can be a supplemental piece to a complete workout plan.
After reviewing dozens of different ab stimulators, we have identified the best available on the market today. Considering factors such as the variety of programmable modes, intensity levels, and overall skin comfort, we have chosen our top picks and broken down many other great models to provide you with a list of the best ab stimulators around.
After reviewing a long list of ab stimulators we’ve chosen the DOMAS Ab Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner as our overall top pick. Not only is this ab stimulator comfortable to wear and stylish, it’s designed for maximum impact thanks to the power of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).
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The 5 Top-Rated Ab Stimulators
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Ab Stimulator Overall | DOMAS Ab Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner | 4.5 |
| Best Ab Stimulator with Gel Pads | Gubana Abs Stimulator | 4.8 |
| Best Budget Ab Stimulator | Qimeisi Abdominal Muscle Trainer | 4.3 |
| Best USB-Rechargeable Ab Stimulator | TINGREAT Abs Stimulator | 5.0 |
| Best Portable Ab Stimulator | Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt | 4.1 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Ab Stimulator Overall: DOMAS Ab Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner
DOMAS Ab Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner is our top pick for numerous reasons. It harnesses the power of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to safely provide your abs with a solid workout. It’s safe enough to use everyday, so you can make progress in a relatively short amount of time. What’s more, it’s very comfortable to wear and is unlikely to slip or slide even during the most intense workouts.
We think comfort is one of the most important qualities to consider when comparing ab stimulators. After all, the unit will be attached to your skin for extended periods of time, so one that is irritating will be the last thing you’ll want to wear when working out. This device’s programmable remote control is also worth highlighting. It can be used to easily change modes and intensities based upon the type of workout you are engaging in, and the massage setting is fantastic for your post-workout cool down.
Adding to this, the DOMAS Ab Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner features eight programmable modes and 10 different intensity levels that enable you to hone in on the exact amount of stimulation you desire. If you’re still unsure if this is the right ab stimulator for you, you may be interested to discover that this option comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee as well as a 12-month warranty.
DOMAS Ab Belt Abdominal Muscle Toner Key Features:
- 8 programs and 10 intensity levels
- Remote control
- Massage settings
- 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee
Best Ab Stimulator with Gel Pads: Gubana Abs Stimulator
The Gubana Abs Stimulator is a powerhouse of muscle-activating electrical stimulation. It has just as many workout customization options as your local gym, yet you can carry it around in a purse or gym bag. The large abdominal pad ensures total core activation, and the two wing-shaped secondary pads can be placed on the back, arms, legs, or elsewhere for a full-body experience.
These three devices each have large, easy-to-read LCD screens, which are essential to navigating the array of settings available. 6 programmable exercise modes adapt the EMS devices to different muscle groups throughout the body, and each has nine intensity levels to choose from.
What makes this product particularly eye-catching is the fact that it uses gel pads to stick to your body. And not just any gel pads, either, but 1.5 millimeter high-quality hydrogel. The beauty of gel pads is that they easily stick to your body, and won’t be painful to remove—or rip off any body hair when you do! Just keep in mind that they’ll need to be replaced when they become unsticky (after approximately 15 to 20 times of use).
Gubana Abs Stimulator Key Features:
- 1.5 millimeter high-quality hydrogel
- Automatically switches off after period of inactivity
- Easy-to-read LCD screens
- 6 modes and 9 intensity levels
Best Budget Ab Stimulator: Qimeisi Abdominal Muscle Trainer
With versatility and muscle-activating capability that rivals our other top picks, the Qimeisi Abdominal Muscle Trainer is a great ab stimulator that just so happens to be priced well below most of its competition. It comes complete with three different parts: an ab stimulator, as well as two arm/leg stimulator bands. You’ll find 6 modes and 10 intensity levels, which is less than more expensive offerings, but should still do the job.
With a price tag under $25, you may not expect a lot from this offering. However, it’s clearly doing something right, given that over 250 customers have given it an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars! If you need some reassurance it’s worth buying, just check out the glowing customer feedback on Amazon.
Many customers admit that while they were skeptical at first, they quickly changed their minds after giving it a go. They note that the Qimeisi Abdominal Muscle Trainer has helped them to achieve more definition and that “you can feel it working”.
Qimeisi Abdominal Muscle Trainer Key Features:
- 6 modes and 10 intensity levels
- Includes 2 arm/leg stimulator bands
- Lightweight
- Requires 6 AAA batteries
Best USB-Rechargeable Ab Stimulator: TINGREAT Abs Stimulator
Give your entire core a complete muscle toning workout with the TINGREAT Abs Stimulator. Offering a total of 11 exercise modes and 25 intensity levels and advance EMS technology, you’ll find it addresses all your needs in one. Whether you want to warm-up your muscles, engage them in high-intensity exercise, or relax them, all of these modes are accounted for.
One of the standout features this option offers is that its USB rechargeable. In fact, each purchase comes with a free 3-in-1 USB charging cable! The ability to charge the device in this way gives you the ability to power the pads all at once from a single USB port. This convenience may just be enough to motivate you to use the device even on days you can’t be bothered to. Needless to say, this can make all the difference when you’re trying to achieve results as efficiently as possible.
TINGREAT highlights that using this ab stimulator for just 20 minutes is equivalent to 60-minutes of sit-ups. That’s no doubt a brilliant performance, especially considering you don’t need to lift a finger!
TINGREAT Abs Stimulator Key Features
- 11 exercise modes and 25 intensity levels
- USB rechargeable
- Compact
- Easy to apply
Best Portable Ab Stimulator: Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt
The Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt‘s slim, lightweight design is a reflection of its intended purpose—to help you tone your core. This ab stimulator has shredded its own bulk and weight by doing away with excess fabric and unecessary electronics. The result is a trim piece of hardware that’s comfortable to wear, travels well, and is virtually undetectable under clothes. You can wear it everywhere and at anytime, such as when doing chores around home, exercising outdoors, or relaxing.
So how does it stack up in terms of performance? It is designed to tone all four abdominal muscles by offering a total of 10 toning programs and 100 adjustable intensity levels. With that many options, you’ll find it easy to customize your ab workout to your unique needs.
It’s worth noting that instead of an LED display, the Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt boasts an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) display. OLED displays are considered by many tech experts to be a step-up from LED displays as they tend to be brighter and more power-efficient. And speaking of power efficiency, this innovative ab toning belt conveniently requires a single lithium polymer battery, rather than multiple batteries, to operate.
Slendertone CoreFit Abdominal Toning Belt Key Features:
- 10 toning programs and 100 adjustable intensity levels
- OLED display
- Compact design
- Only needs 1x lithium polymer battery
Who Should Buy an Ab Stimulator
Ab stimulators can be a great benefit to many people. Physically active people can develop better core strength by using an ab stimulator during their workout to ensure that their abdominal muscles are engaged during their fitness routines. This will help tone the muscles and train athletes to keep their core engaged for more efficient workouts.
Injured or otherwise inactive people can use an ab stimulator to activate core muscles that do not often get used. Doctors have used similar electric stimulators in physical therapy to help deteriorated muscles regain their strength and vitality. You too can utilize these devices to strengthen your core muscles so that you can eventually move on to light exercises and improve your mobility.
Those who want to lose weight should not buy an ab stimulator for that sole purpose, as it is an ineffective tool for weight loss or for decreasing fatty tissue deposits. We do have a handful of articles that can guide you in the proper direction toward weight loss if that is your goal. Read our advice on weaning sugar out of your diet and how to reset your metabolism. Once your diet has improved you can take the next steps toward weight loss which are featured in our guides on learning how to run and flattening your stomach. Good luck!
Important Features to Consider
There are a few important considerations to think through before purchasing an ab stimulator.
- Reusable and disposable components. Most ab stimulators use disposable gel pads that stick to your skin and transmit the electrical energy to your muscles. These pads typically last about 20 uses before they need to be replaced, but there are some ab belts that don’t require the use of disposable gel pads. Similarly, there are some ab stimulators that require disposable batteries for continuous operation, but most now use USB rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. You can cut out waste and recurring costs by choosing an ab stimulator that doesn’t require disposable products.
- Programmable modes. Keep an eye out for how many and what types of programmable modes and intensity levels are available on the ab stimulators you are considering purchasing. While most will have a basic selection of modes to choose from that will satisfy most people’s needs, there are a few select devices that will have unique modes for their secondary stimulators that work best for body parts such as your back or arms.
- More than abs. Speaking of other body parts, many ab stimulators are packaged with secondary stimulators that are smaller in design and more versatile in where they can be placed. Grab one of these if you want to stimulate other muscles besides your abdominals.
- Skin sensitivity. While this won’t be an issue for everybody, it would be wise for those with skin sensitivities to know how the different ab stimulators come into contact with your body. Most use hypoallergenic gel pads that many people appear to use without issue, but there are also stimulators that do away with disposable pads altogether in favor of cloth or metallic-covered electric node
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ab stimulator and how does it work?
Ab stimulators utilize electromyostimulation, otherwise known as EMS technology, to send small electrical impulses to your muscles, which causes them to contract and then relax in a repetitive cycle. The contraction activates the targeted muscles, and can aid in toning and strengthening those muscles over time.
Ab stimulators primarily target the abdominal muscles, though other muscles can be activated as well. Through the use of wrap-around belts or sticky gel pads, these EMS devices are fixed in place against your skin at the location of the muscle groups you intend to target.
How long should you use an ab stimulator?
Generally, ab stimulators should be used in 20 to 30-minute sessions once or twice per day. These are general guidelines that may differ depending on the intensity and program settings you choose to use. The ab stimulator you purchase will provide specific usage guidelines and you should read all included safety materials before using the device.
Do ab stimulators burn fat?
Yes, ab stimulators can work. The electrical impulses do actually stimulate and activate your muscles, but they work best when complimented by traditional exercise and a balanced diet. If you’re looking to decrease fat or lose inches from your waist, then an ab stimulator won’t aid in reaching your goals – that’s where a nutrient dense diet and proper physical activity come into play!
Do ab stimulators really work?
Yes, ab stimulators can work. The electrical impulses do actually stimulate and activate your muscles, but they work best when complimented by traditional exercise and a balanced diet. If you’re looking to decrease fat or lose inches from your waist, then an ab stimulator won’t aid in reaching your goals – that’s where a nutrient dense diet and proper physical activity come into play!
Other Ab Stimulators We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other ab stimulators. Even though they didn’t make our five best ab stimulator list, they’re the “best of the rest” and each is still a great option for activating your abdominal muscles. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Ab Stimulator Belts
The Ben Belle Abdominal Toner features six programmable workout modes with 18 different intensity levels. The interactive LCD screen displays your current program of choice which can be adjusted on the fly or left on an automatic program for a complete workout and relaxation cycle.
Key Features:
- Six programmable modes with 18 intensity levels
- LCD Display
- One-year warranty
Cost: $47
This Ben Belle Toning Belt was designed for flexibility so that you can wear it while on the move. There are ten different pure silver conductive circuits with replaceable gel pads that wrap around your entire core for a 360-degree ab stimulating experience.
Key Features:
- 60-use battery life
- USB rechargeable
- Pure silver conductive circuits
Cost: $40
Beurer Abdominal Muscle EMS Belt
Utilizing four water-contact electrodes that don’t require replacement gels like those used in most other ab stimulators, the Beurer Abdominal Muscle EMS Belt is an ab-focused belt that cuts down on recurring costs. This belt has five training modes and 40 adjustable intensity levels to choose from.
Key Features:
- Four water-contact electrodes
- No replacement gels are necessary
- Five training modes with 40 adjustable intensities
Cost: $50
BLUE LOVE Abdominal Toning Belt
Work your entire core with the BLUE LOVE Abdominal Toning Belt. This abdominal toner has ten different electronic nodes situated across the entire belt to stimulate your abs and back, and it also features 10 workout modes, including an automatic workout that will provide a complete ab workout from warmup to cooldown.
Key Features:
- Ten electrodes positioned around the entire core
- LED intensity level indicator lights
- Ten modes to choose from
Cost: $40
Slim-fitting to reduce the likelihood of it obstructing your workout, the Famidoc Waist Trimmer is a comfortable ab stimulating belt that can be worn during your workout routine for maximum effectiveness. The LCD screen is positioned with an upward-facing display so that you can easily see your current workout information.
Key Features:
- Upward-facing LCD information screen
- Requires AAA batteries
- No replacement gels are necessary
Cost: $40
ToneAMatic Electric Stimulator
If you already have an EMT or TENS device but find it to be uncomfortable, the ToneAMatic Electric Stimulator may be the solution you’re looking for. This comfortable belt utilizes two soft cloth wet-sensitive pads that cover up the gel pads and electric nodes of common EMT and TENS devices. Those with sensitive skin or those who are allergic to gel pads should consider this belt.
Key Features:
- Provides enhanced skin protection for those sensitive to gel pads
- Requires the purchase of a separate EMS or TENS device
- Utilizes two extra-large electric node pads
Cost: $59
The UMATE Ultimate Waist Trimmer is a full-body stimulation system. The device features six programmable modes with 18 different intensity levels, and it comes packaged with two extra pads that can be used on your arms or legs.
Key Features:
- Packaged with additional arm/leg pads
- Six programmable modes with 18 intensity levels
- 12-month warranty
Ab Stimulators
Ameiqa Portable Muscle Trainer
The Ameiqa Portable Muscle Trainer is a lightweight, flexible stimulator system with abdominal and arm training pads. The three remote controllers can be charged via USB, the LED indicator lights allow you to see your intensity levels at a glance, and the hypoallergenic materials are safe for sensitive skin.
Key Features:
- Arm and abdominal system
- LED intensity indicator lights
- Hypoallergenic materials
Cost: $33
The large LCD displays of the Ben Belle ABS Stimulator are easy to see at a glance and the versatile wing-shaped secondary stimulation pads can be used all across your body from your arms to your legs and even your back. The primary abdominal stimulator is large enough to cover your entire abdominal area.
Key Features:
- Large LCD displays
- Versatile wing-shaped stimulation pads
- Three-month warranty
Cost: $34
Each remote controller of the Ben Belle ABS Trainer can be programmed to specifically target different areas of the body. It has training modes for the abdomen, back, waist, shoulder, forearm, and upper arm.
Key Features:
- Six body-focused program modes
- Three-in-one USB charger
- Three-month warranty
Cost: $40
Mokoya Rechargeable Muscle Toner
The Mokoya Rechargeable Muscle Toner has slim stimulation pads that could be of better use for smaller people, but that doesn’t mean it’s slouching in the electronic department. This device may be more compact, but its power output is the same as the bigger models and it has 10 different intensity levels to choose from.
Key Features:
- Compact design
- Ten replaceable gel inserts included
- Six exercise modes and 10 intensity levels
Cost: $33
With ten different workout modes featuring 25 different intensity levels, the compact OSITO Muscle Toner can zap your muscles with powerful shocks or a relaxing current. The small secondary stimulation pads can be placed just about anywhere on the body for well-targeted stimulation wherever you need it most.
Key Features:
- Ten modes with 25 intensity levels
- Versatile wing-shaped secondary pads
- Three-month warranty
Cost: $50
SHENGMI Portable Ab Stimulator
The SHENGMI Portable Ab Stimulator features a large eight-pack focused abdominal stimulation pad that can give your entire gut a workout in a single session. Included is a three-in-one USB charger that’ll enable you to charge all three remote devices via a single USB port.
Key Features:
- Six programmable modes and 10 intensity levels
- Eight-pack targeted abdominal design
- Three-in-one USB charger
Cost: $33
This UMATE ABS Stimulator separated itself from the rest by including a wireless remote controller that interacts with all three workout modules at once for a unified experience. This model also features vibrations along with the electronic stimulation for massage and enhanced blood flow.
Key Features:
- Wireless remote controller
- Electricity is paired with vibrations for enhanced blood flow
- Unified workout design
Cost: $36
OSITO Abdominal Muscle Trainer
Its supreme comfort is one of the reasons we think this OSITO ab stimulator is so great. We also appreciate its stellar adaptability. The compact design of the three stimulating pads allows for precise placement along the abdominal zones or any other muscle group of the body.
Key Features:
- Ten programmable exercise modes with 25 different intensity levels
- Three-in-one USB charging cable included
- Three-month warranty
Budget Ab Stimulators
A wallet-friendly belt stimulator with added benefits over much of the competition, the MBODY Workout Belt is an incredible value. Not only does this device feature the same capabilities as many of the more expensive belts, but it also includes secondary fixed belts that secure the stimulation devices in place for intense workouts. Your stimulation pads will never slip with this setup!
Key Features:
- Six programmable modes with 10 different intensity levels
- Ten abdominal stimulation points for a 360-degree workout
- Secondary loop belts for better fit and style
Cost: $38
The MOORAY SPORT Ab Stimulator has a central eight-pack focused ab stimulator and two secondary wing-shaped stimulators that can be placed anywhere on the body. They each come with an individually operated controller and all have six programmable modes and 10 different intensity levels. You can customize each zone to a different workout if you wish.
Key Features:
- Six programmable modes with 10 different intensity levels
- Eight-pack focused abdominal pad
- One-month warranty
Cost: $25
A simple and no-nonsense muscle stimulation solution, the OQWM Muscle Trainer does as well of a job as most other stimulators on our list while being the least expensive of the bunch. It’s a scaled-down version of our Best Programmable Ab Stimulator pick, and it’s got six programs and 10 intensity levels of its own to play around with.
Key Features:
- Six programmable modes with 10 different intensity levels
- Versatile winged design for secondary pads
- USB rechargeable controllers
Cost: $18
Another budget offering from OQWM, this one features a total of twelve stimulating gel pads, including two in each secondary stimulator and eight in the primary abdominal stimulator. If you’re after an easy-to-use option that can be used daily, consider this solid option.
Key Features:
- Large LCD screens
- Individual settings for different muscle groups
- Six programmable exercise modes with ten different intensity levels
Cost: $34
SPORTCDIA Recharge Muscle Toner
There’s not much of a difference between the SPRTCDIA Recharge Muscle Toner and the previously mentioned budget ab stimulator, because they’re the same product sold by two different companies. This version costs a couple of dollars more, but it comes with a three-month warranty which is a nice bit of added security in case any issues arise.
Key Features:
- Six programmable modes with 10 different intensity levels
- Manual individually operated stimulation controllers
- Three-month warranty
Cost: $20
