By Chris Taylor, from conversations with Landi Dial and Dan Dial's own writing
Buying a PEMF machine is a big decision. Prices run from a few hundred dollars to many thousands, and every company says theirs is the best. This guide walks through what actually matters when you compare PEMF devices for home use, in plain English.
We're Dan Dial Technologies, a small family company in Shelton, Washington. Dan Dial has been building PEMF devices since the late 1970s, and we make two of them: the Home Enhancer Model (HEM) and the Professional Enhancer Model (PEM). We'll be upfront about where our machines fit, and where they might not be right for you.
Who's behind this guide: Dan Dial, inventor of the Molecular Enhancer
Dan Dial invented the Molecular Enhancer in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and he's been building and refining it ever since.
A lifetime with Tesla's work. Dan studied Nikola Tesla's patent filings at age 11 and built his first Tesla coil that same year.
13 US patents. His first patent was granted in 1997. Three of his patents are based on Tesla's technologies. See Dan's patents.
Builder, not reseller. Dan has run his own machine shop and research lab since 1977, and his skill with glass fusing and neon bending lets him make custom glass parts for his devices.
The multiple wave oscillator, rethought. The Enhancer is Dan's take on the multiple wave oscillator. Later he used the same ideas to design the Dial-Tesla Coil.
Read Dan's full story on our About Dan Dial page.
What is a PEMF machine?
PEMF stands for pulsed electromagnetic field. A PEMF machine sends pulses of energy through a coil, and that creates a magnetic field that changes over and over, many times a second. You sit or lie near the coil, or place it on the area you want to work with.
That's the whole idea. Where machines differ is in how strong that field is, what shape the pulses take, and how the machine is built.
Types of PEMF devices
Most PEMF devices sold for home use fall into a few groups:
Mats and pads. You lie on them. They're easy to use and usually lower in power.
Small handheld or wearable units. Portable and cheap, but they cover a small area.
Loop or paddle applicators. You hold them over one spot. Often higher in power.
Bulb or coil machines. You sit near a coil or hold a glass bulb. Dan's Enhancers are this kind: you hold a borosilicate glass bulb while your bare feet rest on a glass base. Dan's design is based on the multiple wave oscillator, an older idea often linked to Georges Lakhovsky for a machine that puts out many frequencies at once.
What to compare before you buy a PEMF machine
1. Power (field strength)
Power is the first thing most people ask about. More is not always better. Ask the company for the field strength in plain numbers, and ask how they measured it.
2. Waveform: analog or digital
Some machines make a clean digital pulse at a set frequency. Others, like Dan's Enhancers, are analog multi-frequency devices. They put out a wide range of frequencies at once instead of one set frequency. Ask what waveform a machine uses and why the maker chose it.
3. How it's built
You'll use a good PEMF machine for years, so look at the parts:
What is the coil or bulb made of? The bulb on Dan's Enhancers is break-resistant borosilicate glass.
Can you get replacement parts? (We sell parts and add-ons for older Enhancers too, including a conversion kit for machines made before 2006.)
Can you fix it yourself? Our care and maintenance guide shows how.
4. Space and setup
Check how much room the machine needs and what plug it uses. The HEM needs about 36 by 24 inches of floor space, plugs into a normal 3-prong outlet, and no single part weighs more than 26 pounds. See our setup requirements for the details.
5. Warranty and returns
Read the warranty before you buy. Ask what it covers, how long it lasts, and whether you can return the machine. Our machines come with a 1-year limited parts warranty. We don't accept returns, so please call us with any questions before you order. See shipping and warranty for the full details.
6. Who answers the phone
When something goes wrong, can you talk to a person who knows the machine? With us, you're calling the small family business that builds these machines. You can reach us at (360) 427-5703.
7. Safety
Always talk to your doctor before you use any PEMF device. This matters most if you have a pacemaker, an insulin pump, or another implanted electrical device. Read our considerations page before you buy.
How much does a PEMF machine cost?
PEMF machine prices vary a lot:
Small mats and handheld units: usually a few hundred dollars up to a couple thousand.
Full-body home systems and professional machines: often several thousand dollars or more.
Our current prices:
Home Enhancer Model (HEM): $4,750. Made for home use. It ships in three boxes and goes together with simple plugs.
Professional Enhancer Model (PEM): $8,800. Made for heavy daily use and practitioners. It rolls on lockable casters and needs very little upkeep.
When you compare prices, add in shipping, any parts you'll need to replace over time, and what the warranty covers.
Is a PEMF machine for home use worth it?
That depends on how often you'll use it. The people who get the most from a home machine use it regularly. Our considerations page suggests about an hour a day, five days a week. If you'll use it a few times a year, a home machine probably isn't worth the cost.
You can read what our customers say on our user experiences page.
Buying a used PEMF machine
Looking at a used PEMF machine for sale? It can save money, but check three things first:
Can you still get parts for it?
Is it still under warranty? (Most aren't once they're resold.)
Does the seller have the manual?
We build every Enhancer to order, and there is often a waiting list. If you're looking for one, contact us and ask.
Shipping and lead time
We build to order, so the time until your machine ships depends on our current lead time. Once it ships, it usually takes 4 to 5 days west of the Mississippi and 5 to 10 days east of it. We ship outside the US too, but international shipping is expensive. Get in touch for a quote.
Questions to ask any PEMF company
Before you buy any PEMF device, from us or anyone else, ask:
What is the field strength, and how did you measure it?
What waveform does it use?
What does the warranty cover, and can I return it?
Can I get replacement parts, and what do they cost?
Who do I call if something breaks?
How long have you been building these?
If a company can't answer these clearly, keep looking.
PEMF machine FAQ
What does a PEMF machine do?
A PEMF machine, also called a PEMF therapy device, sends pulses of electricity through a coil. That makes a magnetic field that changes many times a second.
Who should not use a PEMF machine?
Talk to your doctor before you use any PEMF device, especially if you have a pacemaker, an insulin pump or another implanted electrical device. Read our considerations page.
Is PEMF the same as red light therapy?
No. Red light devices use light. A PEMF machine uses a pulsed magnetic field made by a coil.
How much does a PEMF machine cost?
Small mats and handheld units often cost a few hundred dollars. Full-size home and professional machines cost several thousand. Our HEM is $4,750 and our PEM is $8,800, plus calculated shipping.
Can I buy a PEMF machine for home use?
Yes. The Home Enhancer Model is made for home use. It plugs into a normal 3-prong outlet and needs about 36 by 24 inches of floor space.
Talk to us
Have a question about the HEM or PEM, or about PEMF in general? Call us at (360) 427-5703 or send us a message. Want to learn more about Dan first? Read about Dan Dial or Dan's own words about the Enhancer.
Also see: PEMF for Horses and Other Animals.
This guide is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Talk to your doctor before using any PEMF device.
About the author. Chris Taylor is a full-time entrepreneur and owner of Taylor Family Software LLC. He wrote this guide from conversations with Landi Dial and from Dan Dial's own writing, patents and manuals.