CoolTone
The applicator is strapped over the muscle and sets off strong contractions.
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Cooltone vs EmSculpt
These two do the same job. Both use magnetic energy to force strong muscle contractions, on the stomach, buttocks and thighs, and neither one removes fat. EmSculpt is the one to pick if you want more choice. It is used on more body areas, it has more published research behind it, and its NEO version adds heat that also reduces fat. If your clinic only owns a CoolTone, that is not a reason to walk out. For muscle alone, the two are close.
At a glance
| The difference | CoolTone | Emsculpt |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Contracts muscle, nothing else | Contracts muscle the same way |
| What it feels like | Deep, involuntary clenching | The same clenching, plus heat on NEO |
| What you will feel afterwards | Sore, like after a hard workout | Sore, like after a hard workout |
| Cost | Priced per session, sold as a course | Priced per session, usually dearer |
Emsculpt
The applicator is strapped over the muscle. It sets off repeated contractions.
Side by side
The differences that matter
What it does
CoolTone
Contracts muscle, nothing else
Magnetic pulses clench the muscle far harder than you can on purpose.
Emsculpt
Contracts muscle the same way
The NEO version also warms the fat layer above, so it does both in one session.
Where it is used
CoolTone
Stomach, buttocks, thighs
Emsculpt
Those, plus arms and calves
What it feels like
CoolTone
Deep, involuntary clenching
The muscle tightens and lets go, over and over. Strange rather than painful.
Emsculpt
The same clenching, plus heat on NEO
The radiofrequency version feels hot as well, a bit like a warm stone pressed on the skin.
A session
CoolTone
About 30 minutes
Emsculpt
About 30 minutes
How many visits
CoolTone
Four to six, over a few weeks
Emsculpt
Usually four, over two to four weeks
How long it lasts
CoolTone
It fades without upkeep
Emsculpt
It fades without upkeep
The main downside
CoolTone
Fewer areas, less research
It is the newer and less studied of the two, and it is offered on fewer parts of the body.
Emsculpt
Cost, and the NEO confusion
Two machines share the name. Plain EmSculpt does muscle only. Only NEO also reduces fat, and it costs more.
What you will feel afterwards
CoolTone
Sore, like after a hard workout
Emsculpt
Sore, like after a hard workout
Cost
CoolTone
Priced per session, sold as a course
Emsculpt
Priced per session, usually dearer
The at-home or drugstore version
CoolTone
An ab belt is much weaker
Emsculpt
An ab belt is much weaker
Who each suits
CoolTone
- Best for — Stomach, buttocks or thighs, when muscle is the only thing you want.
- The mindset — You are happy with a straightforward course and top-ups.
Emsculpt
- Best for — The same areas, plus arms and calves, or when you also want fat reduced.
- The mindset — You want the version with the longer track record.
The real fork is NEO, not CoolTone
Emsculpt
EmSculpt NEO is the one that behaves differently. It adds radiofrequency heat, so it reduces fat as well as building muscle. That makes it the option for someone with a soft layer over the muscle.
If the answer is plain EmSculpt, you are back to a coin toss. At that point, pick on the clinic, the operator and what the full course costs, because the two devices are doing the same thing to the same muscle.
Before you book
Emsculpt
- Ask which machine they own, and if it is an EmSculpt, whether it is the NEO.
- Ask how many sessions are in the course and what the total costs.
- Ask what top-ups cost over a year.
- Ask to see photos of the same area on someone with a similar build.
Common questions
Questions Patients Ask
Is CoolTone as good as EmSculpt?
For muscle alone they are close. Both use magnetic energy to force strong contractions and both need a course plus top-ups. EmSculpt is used on more body areas and has more research behind it.
Does either one burn fat?
Plain EmSculpt and CoolTone do not. Only EmSculpt NEO adds radiofrequency heat, which reduces the fat layer as well as building muscle.
Which areas can be treated?
CoolTone is used on the stomach, buttocks and thighs. EmSculpt covers those and is also used on the arms and calves.
How long do the results last?
Both fade over months unless you keep the muscle up with top-up sessions or your own training.
Does it hurt?
Neither is painful. The muscle clenches hard on its own, which feels odd, and you are sore the next day like after a heavy workout.
Can this replace exercise?
No. Both build muscle in one area and do nothing for stamina, heart health or weight.