Disposable electrodes are designed to record electrical signals They are used in medical applications and are typically made of a plastic cup coated with a silver/silver chloride. Disposable electrodes are designed to eliminate sterilization planning and associated costs, minimize downtime, and are sterile-packed for one-time-use. They are comprised of a lead, a metal electrode, and electrode-conducting paste or gel for surface electrodes.

The advantage of wet electrodes is that they have a better signal to noise ratio than dry electrodes, and therefore require simpler layers in the amplifier devices . It is easy to design and less expensive.