We tried Pulsetto Lite and Truvaga Plus—here’s our honest insights on which one to choose
Pulsetto and Truvaga are two well-known nerve stimulation devices that might help with stress, sleep, relaxation, and recovery. While both of them are solid choices for vagus nerve stimulation, they differ significantly, especially in design, price, and overall usability.
Pulsetto Lite is a flexible VNS device that you wrap around your neck. It also comes with an app that not only lets you control the sessions but also guides and provides insights into your wellness. Truvaga Plus comes as a handheld gadget that has a much simpler app. The sessions with Truvaga are very short, so it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for something quick and simple.
However, no matter which device you choose, you shouldn’t expect miracles. Vagus nerve stimulators can be a great addition to your wellness routine, though they’re not intended to fix any conditions. However, they may gradually support your relaxation and recovery if you use them consistently over time.
| Product | Pulsetto Lite | Truvaga Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $278 | $499 |
| Subscriptions | None | None |
| Technology | Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation | Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation |
| Placement | Neck (hands-free) | Neck (handheld) |
| Session length | 4 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Best for | Advanced and customizable vagus nerve stimulation with different programs | Intuitive and quick vagus nerve stimulation without much hassle |
| Official website | Visit Pulsetto | Visit Truvaga |
Pricing, subscriptions, and long-term value
Apart from technicalities and usability, Truvaga and Pulsetto also differ significantly in price and value. Although Pulsetto is cheaper, we believe it offers more value than Truvaga.
Pulsetto Lite costs only $278, which makes it a good choice if you’re new to vagus nerve stimulators and want to try it out. With your purchase, you also get a charger, electrode gel, a manual, and access to the Pulsetto app. Using the app lets you control your sessions, access different programs, and view your wellness insights. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty.
Truvaga Plus, on the other hand, costs $499. In the box, you’ll get the device, a charger, an electrode spray, and access to the app. It also has a limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free. Despite the premium price, we found it to be a less premium product, as the app offers fewer features. Overall, we would recommend Truvaga Plus if you’re looking for a simple device, but there are similar options available for less.
- Winner: Pulsetto
Design, comfort, and everyday usability
After testing Pulsetto for over a month, we believe that it’s a comfortable device that you’ll easily integrate into your daily routine. Pulsetto is designed to be worn on your neck, so you won’t need to hold it during sessions. This allows you to fully relax and enjoy the light vibration.
We found Truvaga to be a user-friendly, straightforward device. However, it’s a handheld vagus nerve stimulator. For some, handheld devices might not be ideal for relaxation, but they didn’t bother us during our tests. The brand suggests short 2-minute sessions only, meaning that it shouldn’t be an inconvenience.
Overall, both devices come with very different design approaches. The best fit mostly depends on your preference. They’re both compact, lightweight, and made of high-quality materials. Due to their size, you can take them wherever you go. While both are good and convenient options, Pulsetto is the winner in our eyes for its hands-free approach.
- Winner: Pulsetto
Comparing technology: How they actually differ
Pulsetto and Truvaga are designed to stimulate the vagus nerve, which in the long run may support stress, recovery, and relaxation. Both VNS stimulators are also meant to be used on your neck, where they use electrical stimulation intended to target the vagus nerve. The main differences between the two devices are their usability and overall user experience, rather than the results.
Pulsetto feels like a wellness- and relaxation-focused device. It’s hands-free, so you can completely relax and enjoy those few minutes to yourself without any adjustments (the brand recommends 4-minute sessions). We also liked that the Pulsetto app includes additional features, such as different programs and health tracking. As a result, we believe Pulsetto is a great option if your priority is stress support and unwinding through guided sessions.
Truvaga Plus is a much simpler device, making it a good choice if you want quick, straightforward sessions. You do need to hold it to your neck, but the recommended time for each session is only two minutes. Despite this drawback, we found it to be a perfect fit if you’re always on the run and want to quickly use the vagus nerve stimulator wherever you are.
- Winner: Tie
App experience and habit-building
Truvaga and Pulsetto both come with companion apps that will help you control your sessions. While their purposes are very similar, we found that these two devices and their apps take very different approaches.
Compared to Pulsetto, Truvaga’s app is much simpler. It’s easy to navigate, so you shouldn’t have issues starting your session or controlling the intensity. It also sends notifications to remind you to use it daily. We think this is an advantage, especially at the beginning when you’re still getting used to the device.
Pulsetto, on the other hand, comes with a bit more functionality. It offers different wellness programs, so you can customize each session. There are programs for stress, sleep, gut health, burnout, head pain, and anxiety. It also provides a wellness monitoring feature that lets you track data such as your sleep and stress level scores. While all these extra features aren’t needed for everyone, detailed data tracking might help you become more invested in the whole experience, leading to faster habit-building.
If you’re new to vagus nerve stimulation devices and want to keep the experience as simple as possible, Truvaga Plus is the way to go. However, we believe Pulsetto Lite’s app offers many more benefits, which is why it’s a winner in our eyes.
- Winner: Pulsetto
Stress, sleep, and recovery support
While vagus nerve stimulation devices claim to help support stress, anxiety, sleep, and recovery, it’s important to set realistic expectations. They could be a great addition to your unwinding routine, but you will likely need to use these gadgets consistently to see any potential benefits.
In general, Truvaga and Pulsetto are designed to help you relax, but they differ a bit in practice. The best choice for you depends on your goal.
Truvaga is a good option if you’re looking for something simple and quick. It’s a straightforward device that may support relaxation without requiring lengthy sessions. We believe it might come in handy in stressful moments, with minimal hassle.
Pulsetto has an advantage as it offers different programs. This allows you to use the device that best supports your specific purpose, whether it’s supporting stress, head pain, or sleep.
We believe Pulsetto wins over Truvaga because of its customizable programs. However, neither Pulsetto nor Truvaga can guarantee anything. You should view them as additional tools to help you relax rather than one-and-done solutions.
- Winner: Tie
Safety and side effects
Both Pulsetto and Truvaga are generally safe to use at home as they are non-invasive. However, as with any other at-home wellness gadgets, you should be aware of safety and potential side effects.
Using Pulsetto Lite, you can expect a light tingling feeling on your neck, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable. To avoid unnecessary pain, adjust the electrical stimulation intensity in the Pulsetto app.
With Truvaga Plus, the overall tingling feeling is very similar to Pulsetto Lite. However, since Truvaga is a handheld device, you should also consider the placement on your neck to ensure comfort. We suggest moving it around a bit to find the best spot on your neck for comfortable sessions.
Nonetheless, if you’re pregnant, have any implanted electronic devices, or have certain heart or neurological conditions, you should consult with your doctor before using vagus nerve stimulation devices at home.
- Winner: Tie
Verdict: Who should choose Pulsetto vs. Truvaga?
We believe that Pulsetto and Truvaga are both good options if you’re looking for a solid, quality vagus nerve stimulation device. However, they differ in terms of functionality, usability, and price. Which one is better for you depends on your specific needs.
- Choose Pulsetto Lite if:
You want a customizable vagus nerve stimulation device with different programs for sleep, stress, anxiety, and head pain. It’s also hands-free, so you can relax during your sessions. While Pulsetto feels like a premium product, it’s surprisingly very affordable.
- Choose Truvaga Plus if:
You’re new to vagus nerve stimulation devices and are looking for a simple and quick way to potentially help you relax. With the minimalistic app, you’ll quickly get used to using the stimulator daily. However, keep in mind that it’s quite expensive for what it offers.
Other health reviews from Wareable:
- Apollo Neuro review: Does this wearable actually help?
- Apollo Neuro vs. Sensate: Which nervous system device is right for you?
- Hoolest vs. Pulsetto: Which vagus nerve stimulation device is right for you?
- Nuropod vs. Pulsetto: Which vagus nerve stimulation device is right for you?
References
- Clinical Autonomic Research. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): recent advances and future directions
- Neuromodulation: Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria. Transcutaneous vagus and trigeminal nerve stimulation for neuropsychiatric disorders: a systematic review
- Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic & Clinical. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation – A brief introduction and overview
