Last updated: October 2026. Prices, specs and safety wording below were checked on Vagustim’s official product and support pages on 6 October 2026. Sales change often, so please check the current price on the Vagustim site before you buy.
Vagustim makes ear-based vagus nerve devices, and the range can be confusing at first glance: there is a V2, a V2 Plus, two bundles and a handful of accessories. This guide is a calm, plain-English comparison of the two devices, so you can decide which one (if either) suits your routine. We read through Vagustim’s product pages, science page and support centre, and we only state what those pages actually say.
Check the current Vagustim price →
What is Vagustim?
Vagustim describes its devices as non-invasive auricular vagus nerve stimulation tools made for general wellness. In simple terms: small earsets rest on two areas of your outer ear (the tragus and the concha, which are associated with a branch of the vagus nerve), and the device sends gentle electrical pulses through them. There is no surgery, no implant, and nothing goes deep into the ear canal.
That last point matters if you are comparing it to other tools on this site. Vagustim uses electrical pulses; a device like Sensate uses low-frequency vibration and sound with no electrical current. Neither is “better” in general — they are different approaches, and some people simply feel more comfortable with one than the other. If you want the bigger picture first, our vagus nerve hub explains the basics.
A note on evidence: Vagustim says its technology has been featured in 50+ published studies and shows a grid of percentage results on its site. We have not independently reviewed those studies, and the brand notes that results come from specific study groups and vary between individuals, so we have chosen not to repeat the individual percentages here. Treat them as the brand’s claims rather than a promise of what you will experience.
Vagustim V2 vs V2 Plus: side by side
Everything below is taken from Vagustim’s own pages. Where one page mentions a feature and the other does not, we say so rather than guess.
| Feature | Vagustim V2 | Vagustim V2 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for (per Vagustim) | Individuals who want a personal wellness device | Experts, practitioners and multi-user settings |
| Price on 6 Oct 2026 (USD, collection page) | On sale from $369 (listed saving $160) | On sale from $969 (listed saving $530) |
| Price shown on product pages (EUR, my region) | €333.95 | €875.95 |
| Ear contact points | Tragus and concha | Tragus and concha |
| Two-ear (bilateral) or single-ear use | Both | Both |
| Adjustable settings | Frequency, pulse width and duration | Frequency (listed as 1–1000 Hz), pulse width, total duration and duty cycle; advanced protocol customization |
| Multiple user profiles | Not listed | Yes, with separate settings per user |
| Data export and remote monitoring | Not listed | Yes |
| Control several devices from one app | Not listed | Yes |
| Session history | Session log | Detailed history, kept per user |
| Wearable sync | Listed (Oura, Garmin and others) | Not mentioned on the V2 Plus page |
| EMDR-inspired sessions | Yes | Yes |
| App and Bluetooth | iOS and Android, Bluetooth 4.0 or higher | iOS and Android, Bluetooth 4.0 or higher |
| Built-in buttons for use without the app | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | Rechargeable and swappable | Rechargeable and swappable |
| In the standard box | Device, earset pair (S/M/L adjusters), battery, charging cable, carrying pouch, spray bottle, manual | Device, earset, battery, charging cable, carrying pouch, spray bottle |
| Bundle adds | Extra earset, battery and gel, 1-year Premium app, 30-minute online onboarding | The same extras |
| Subscription required | No | No |
| Warranty and returns | 2-year limited warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee | 2-year limited warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee |
Prices and sale amounts are shown as they appeared on 6 October 2026. Because the product pages I opened displayed euros while the collection page showed dollars, you may see slightly different figures depending on where you are.
Vagustim V2: the personal device
The V2 is the model Vagustim points most buyers towards. You get the device and one earset pair, a rechargeable battery, a charging cable, a carrying pouch and a small spray bottle for moistening the contacts. The earsets are made of soft conductive silicone and come with three adjusters (small, medium, large) so you can tune the fit to your ear.
The app is free and includes guided programs for stress, sleep and focus. Sessions can adapt to the goal you choose and to a daily score the app calculates, and you can sync wearables such as Oura or Garmin if you like tracking your own data. There is also an EMDR-inspired mode that alternates left and right sessions. None of this is essential: the device also works from its built-in intensity buttons.
Pros
- Designed for individuals, with a free app and preset programs
- No subscription needed to use it
- Swappable battery and a 2-year warranty
- Wearable sync and a session log if you like data
- Much lower price than the V2 Plus
Cons
- Uses electrical pulses, which not everyone wants
- Not suitable for several groups of people (see the safety section)
- Premium app features cost extra, and we could not find a price
- Fit can take tweaking; Vagustim even has a support article for earsets that will not stay in on small ears
Check the current V2 price →
Vagustim V2 Plus: the practitioner version
The V2 Plus uses the same core idea but is aimed at professionals. According to Vagustim, it adds sub-user profiles, different settings for each user, a wider range of adjustable parameters (including a frequency range listed as 1 to 1000 Hz), detailed per-user session history, data export, remote monitoring, and the ability to run several devices from one app.
If you are a therapist, coach or clinic offering sessions to several people, those features make sense. If you are one person looking for a calmer evening routine, most of them will simply sit unused. Vagustim’s own support article says the V2 already gives individuals “full parameter control”, which is worth keeping in mind before paying the extra.
Pros
- Everything in the V2 plus multi-user tools
- Data export and remote monitoring for professionals
- Wider parameter range and advanced protocol customization
- Same swappable battery, 2-year warranty and no-subscription option
Cons
- Roughly 2.6 times the price of the V2
- Built for experts, so much of it is unnecessary for personal use
- Wearable sync is not mentioned on its product page
- Same safety restrictions and electrical stimulation as the V2
Check the current V2 Plus price →
The accessories: Earsets, Conductive Gel and Battery
All three accessories were on sale on 6 October 2026. Below we give the sale price Vagustim listed on its collection page, with the higher regular price in brackets.
- 🎧Earsets — $50 (regular $100). A replacement or second pair. The earsets are conductive silicone, one size with three adjusters, and Vagustim says they can be used on one ear if you prefer. Worth it if: you need a spare, want to share the device with someone, or your first pair wears out. Otherwise skip it, because one pair comes in the box. Note that opened earsets bought separately cannot be returned, for hygiene reasons.
- 💧Conductive Gel — $25 (regular $35). A 100 ml water-based gel that helps the contacts connect to your skin. Vagustim’s product page says the earsets work without gel, yet its support pages recommend lightly moistening the contacts with water, spray or gel, and warn that too much gel can make the sensation weaker or uneven. Worth it if: you feel patchy or fading stimulation after trying the included spray bottle first.
- 🔋Battery — $25 (regular $50). A rechargeable lithium-ion cell (3.7 V, 3.8 Wh) that fits both the V2 and V2 Plus. Worth it if: you are a frequent user or travel and want to swap in a fresh battery mid-day. We could not find a stated battery runtime, so you may prefer to see how long the first battery lasts before buying a spare.
The bundles combine an extra earset, battery and gel with a year of the Premium app and a 30-minute online onboarding session. At the sale prices above, those three accessories add up to about $100. We could not find the Premium subscription’s price, so we cannot say how good the bundle’s value is — worth checking before you decide.
What to expect in a session
Based on Vagustim’s setup and support guides, a typical session goes like this:
- 🧼Prepare. Make sure your ears and the earsets are clean, remove earrings or other metal, and lightly moisten the contact points.
- 👂Place the earsets first. One contact rests in the concha and the other on the tragus. Put them in before you start, because beginning a session before contact can feel sudden. Swap the adjuster if they feel loose or tight.
- 📈Raise the intensity slowly. You are aiming for a mild tingling, light pulsing or gentle tapping that is noticeable but never painful. Each ear can be set separately, and more intensity does not mean a better session.
- 📖Relax or carry on gently. Vagustim says you can read, listen to music, meditate or rest during a session. Sit or lie down, and do not use it while driving, cycling or doing anything that needs your full attention.
The device’s default session length is 10 minutes, with 20 and 30-minute options on the buttons. For beginners, Vagustim suggests starting with a preset program and 15 to 20 minutes, and building up over a few weeks. A single session should never go past 30 minutes. Vagustim notes that many of its users add sessions to their wind-down time before sleep, and says you can combine a session with relaxing activities such as breathwork. If you like a hands-on practice alongside a device, our vagus nerve exercises at home are a gentle companion.
Safety: who should not use Vagustim
Vagustim is a general wellness product. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition, and it does not replace medical care. Vagustim’s own guidance says not to use it if you are under 18 (unless supervised by a healthcare professional), are pregnant, have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac stimulator or cochlear implant, have an open wound, infection or significant irritation around the ear, or are under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs or sedating medication. Do not use it in water or with wet ears, or near strong electromagnetic equipment such as an MRI scanner.
Please talk to your doctor first if you have a heart condition, epilepsy or seizure history, unusually low blood pressure, or any other health concern, or if you are unsure whether it is right for you.
Which one should you choose?
Our verdict
If you are a beginner: choose the V2. Vagustim describes it as beginner-friendly, with preset programs, a free app and no subscription requirement. Start with short sessions and a comfortable intensity.
If you are on a budget: the standalone V2 is the clear choice. Skip the bundle and the extras at first; the box already contains a spray bottle, battery and earsets, and you can add a spare later if you find you need one.
If you plan to use it often: still start with the V2, then consider a spare battery for swapping, or the bundle if you would buy those extras anyway and want the Premium app. Check the Premium price first.
If you are a practitioner, coach or run a clinic: the V2 Plus is the one built for you, with multiple profiles, data export and remote monitoring. For a single person, those features are unlikely to justify the extra cost.
See Vagustim’s current prices →
Frequently asked questions
Is Vagustim safe?
Vagustim states that its devices are FCC and CE certified and made for general wellness use, with no surgery or implants involved. It also lists groups who should not use it, including pregnant people and anyone with a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device. If you have a heart condition, epilepsy, low blood pressure or any doubt, speak to your doctor before using it.
How often and how long should I use it?
Vagustim suggests building up gradually: about 15 minutes a day in week one, up to 30 minutes in week two, then splitting longer daily use into two or three separate sessions in later weeks. A single session should never go beyond 30 minutes. The brand says some people need 6 to 8 weeks of regular use to judge how they respond, and that you do not need to increase your time if you already feel comfortable.
Do I need the app, a subscription or internet?
You do not need a Premium subscription. The app is free and covers the standard programs, with paid Premium adding extras like more programs and enhanced tracking. According to Vagustim’s support centre, the app currently needs an internet connection to log in and start a session, while the buttons on the device let you run basic sessions without the app.
Is the V2 Plus worth the extra money?
For most individuals, probably not. The V2 Plus adds tools designed for professionals, such as multiple user profiles, data export and remote monitoring, and costs roughly 2.6 times as much. If you are not managing other people’s sessions, the V2 covers the essentials.
How does Vagustim compare with other vagus nerve devices?
The main difference is the method. Vagustim uses gentle electrical pulses at the ear, while Sensate uses low-frequency vibration on the chest paired with sound, and uses no electrical current. Which suits you depends on your comfort with electrical stimulation, your health situation and what fits your routine. Our vagus nerve guide explains the options.
Can I return it, and is it HSA or FSA eligible?
Vagustim offers a 30-day money-back guarantee; products go back in their original packaging and you pay return shipping unless the item is faulty. It also says the devices are HSA/FSA eligible in the United States through a partner called Truemed, though your HSA or FSA administrator makes the final reimbursement decision.
Where to go next
If you are still working out whether a device is the right step, start with our guide to the signs your nervous system is dysregulated, and explore the vagus nerve hub. If you would rather avoid electrical stimulation, read our Sensate review. And if you are building an evening wind-down routine, our guide to red light therapy and the nervous system explains what the research does and does not support.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak to your doctor before using any stimulation device, especially if you are pregnant, have an implant, a heart condition or epilepsy.