Perifit vs Elvie Trainer: price, sensors, games and which fits you

Perifit and Elvie are the two best-known smart kegel trainers. Both are small devices you insert into the vagina. Both measure your squeeze and show it on your phone in real time — that’s biofeedback. They differ in shape, sensors, how the app motivates you, and price.

Perifit vs Elvie at a glance

Prices checked September 2026. Both brands run frequent sales — check current price before you buy.

	Perifit Care / Care+	Elvie Trainer
Shape	Longer, wand-shaped	Small, egg-shaped
Sensors	Two: one for the pelvic floor, one to spot belly pressure (pushing down)	Force and motion sensors; flags pushing down instead of lifting
App style	Games controlled by your squeeze; structured programs	Clean visual feedback; short guided workouts
Typical session	Program-based (retailer comparisons describe 3 sessions a week for 12 weeks)	About 5 minutes
App price	Free with the device	Free; Elvie says no subscription fees
Device price	$149 Care, $179 Care+ (regular price; often on sale)	Commonly listed at $199 (check current price)
Regulatory	Perifit says its devices are FDA-cleared	Check manufacturer documentation
Our test	Coming soon	Coming soon

How they’re similar

• Both use biofeedback. You see your squeeze rise and fall on screen, which helps if you can’t tell whether you’re using the right muscle.
• Both check technique. Each device is designed to flag pushing down (bearing down) when you should be lifting — the most common kegel mistake.
• Both have free apps and are sold as a one-time device purchase.
• Both are insertable, so neither suits you if insertion hurts, if you’re in the early weeks after birth without clearance, or if you have signs of infection.

Where Perifit stands out

Perifit’s app turns training into games: your squeezes steer a character through obstacles. Retailers note Care+ ships with more than 50 games. The top sensor tracks abdominal pressure, so the app can warn you when you’re pushing down instead of lifting.

• Pros: motivation from games; dual-sensor technique check; two price points.
• Cons: longer device; games aren’t for everyone.
• Best for: women who get bored with plain exercises and want feedback on pushing down.
• Shop: Perifit Care app and devices

Where Elvie stands out

Elvie’s small egg shape and short, guided workouts suit women who want training to take five minutes. The app focuses on showing your strength and control, rather than games.

• Pros: compact; quick sessions; no subscription.
• Cons: single price point; fewer game-style features; Elvie entered administration in 2025 and its assets were bought by Willow — Willow says Elvie products continue to be supported, but check current warranty and app support before you buy.
• Best for: women who want a simple, quick routine and a smaller device.
• Shop: Elvie Trainer

What biofeedback can and can’t do

Biofeedback turns an invisible muscle into a line or a game on your screen. That’s useful in three situations: you’re not sure you’re squeezing the right muscle, you tend to push down instead of lifting, or you need something to keep you practising. What it can’t do is make the muscle stronger for you, tell you why you’re leaking, or check for prolapse or pain. A pelvic health physio can do all three with an internal exam — and some use biofeedback devices in clinic.

Questions to ask before you buy either one

1. Can I already feel a squeeze? If yes, a free program may be all you need. If you’re not sure, biofeedback can help — so can one physio visit.
2. Is insertion comfortable for me? If tampons or exams hurt, start with relaxation, not a trainer.
3. What’s the return policy? Intimate devices often can’t be returned once opened. Check before you buy.
4. How will I clean and store it? Follow the maker’s cleaning instructions after every use, and don’t share devices.
5. Will I still use it in month three? Most results come from months, not days. Pick the format you’ll actually stick with — games, short sessions, or just a timer.

How to use a kegel trainer safely

• Wait until your clinician clears you after birth or pelvic surgery.
• Use only the lubricant the maker recommends, and wash the device after every session.
• Don’t use it with an infection, unexplained bleeding or pain — stop and get checked.
• Relax fully between squeezes. If the graph never drops back to baseline, you may be holding tension all the time.
• If your symptoms get worse after a few weeks, stop and see a pelvic health physio.

The no-device alternative

A trainer doesn’t make the muscle stronger — your training does. Reviews of pelvic floor training show it can improve leaking for many women without any device, and NICE recommends at least 3 months of supervised training before judging results. For most women, the cheapest good start is:

1. Learn the squeeze with clear instructions — our kegels for women guide.
2. Train daily with a timer — our free kegel timer or a free kegel app.
3. Check in after a few weeks. If you can’t feel anything, or you still leak when you run or jump, see a pelvic health physio. They can check your technique and tell you whether biofeedback would add anything.

Who should skip both (for now)

• Pain with sex or tampons, or a tight feeling. Your pelvic floor may need to relax before it’s strengthened. Take the Tight or weak? check.
• Early postpartum. Wait for clearance from your clinician.
• A bulge or heaviness. Get examined first; a physio can tailor your plan.

Our verdict

If you’ve tried a free program and still can’t tell what your pelvic floor is doing, a biofeedback trainer is a reasonable next step. Choose Perifit if games and a second technique sensor will keep you going. Choose Elvie if you want a smaller device and quick sessions. If you haven’t tried a free program yet, start there — it costs nothing.

Disclosure

This page may contain affiliate links: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That never changes our verdict. Dr. Kegel makes a pelvic floor training app. Last updated September 23, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is Perifit or Elvie better?

Neither is better for everyone. Perifit suits women who stay motivated with games and want a second sensor that flags pushing down. Elvie suits women who want a smaller device and quick sessions. Both use biofeedback and have free apps with no subscription. Hands-on testing is coming soon.

Do Perifit and Elvie need a subscription?

The core apps are free to download for both. Elvie says its app has no subscription fees. Perifit's app is free with its devices; check the app for any optional paid extras. Prices and offers change, so check before you buy.

Can I use Perifit or Elvie after having a baby?

Usually only once your midwife, doctor or pelvic health physio has cleared you for insertable devices — often after your postnatal check. You can start gentle app-guided or timer-guided squeezes earlier if your clinician agrees. Stop if anything hurts.

Do I need a kegel trainer at all?

Most women don't. Supervised pelvic floor training works without a device for many people, and NICE recommends at least 3 months before judging results. A trainer can help if you can't feel your squeeze. Try a free program first.

Are Perifit and Elvie FDA cleared?

Perifit describes its devices as FDA-cleared on its website. For Elvie, check the current regulatory information in the manufacturer's documentation. FDA clearance means a device can be marketed; it isn't a guarantee of results for you.

Sources

1. Kegel exercises app video game — Perifit
2. FDA-cleared pelvic floor devices — Perifit
3. Elvie Trainer Smart Kegel Exerciser — Elvie
4. Breast pump startup Willow acquires assets of Elvie as UK women's health pioneer moves into administration — TechCrunch, 2025
5. Elvie vs. Perifit Kegel Trainer Comparison — Vagercise
6. Quality statement 4: Supervised pelvic floor muscle training — NICE
7. Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in women — Cochrane

This page is general education about exercise, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk to a clinician about symptoms that are new, severe or getting worse.