We gathered our own team of testers and ordered more than a dozen top-performing foot massagers to try at our Lab. We considered factors like design, effectiveness, and overall value, and deemed the Best Choice Therapeutic Shiatsu Foot Massager as our top overall pick because of its various massage settings, washable sleeve, and deep rolling massagers that target the bottom and side of the feet. Here, the best heated and electric foot massagers for a spa-like experience in your own home. You can adjust the settings via its remote control—another separating feature, according to our expert testers. The device is designed to target key pressure points in the foot, and the open-ended foot spaces are high enough to massage tired ankles. It’s worth noting how intense the pressure is: Although our testers generally liked this level of intensity, it could be a drawback for some, especially anyone with chronic pain or sensitivities. It’s also quite large, making it difficult to store (and lug from storage to room), costing some points in the design category. Price at time of publish: $100 Because the massager is manual, our testers noted that it’s easy to determine the level of pressure and comfort depending on how firmly you place your feet down. That said, one tester expressed disappointment that users can’t sink back into the couch during use—you have to be actively working your feet to get results. There are four rows of ridged rollers and one nubbed, all arranged in an arch that mimics your foot’s natural position. The ridges are optimally spaced to press into trigger points on your feet and hit all the right spots for pain relief. Our testers loved the anti-slip strips on the bottom to keep the massager from moving. Price at time of publish: $18 There’s an additional built-in heat function to warm up your toes during the massage, making it the perfect product for people who are always cold, but our testers say it does take quite a while to warm up—10 minutes, to be exact. Also, testers say it is relatively heavy, which limits portability. Price at time of publish: $255 The Miko device features two separate foot chambers with washable cloth covers. Once you slip your feet in, you can operate the massager via the control panel on top of the machine or with the included remote—a great bonus feature, since it allows you to adjust settings, but still stay relaxed, says our tester. Some testers noted that at certain points, they felt like they were getting a professional 15-20-minute massage and appreciated the varied levels of pressure. However, we took some points off overall since testers noticed that while the massager applied a lot of pressure to the front of the foot, the heels and arches weren’t getting the same love. Price at time of publish: $130 The Ivation Foot Spa Massager can heat water up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit for a toasty foot bath. Our tester loved how quickly the water heated up, as well as maintained its temperature. Also, it vibrates to relieve tension in your feet and legs, and there are multiple water jets that circulate bubbles throughout the tub. As you soak, two built-in, motorized massage rollers at the bottom work out kinks in your arches and toes. Our tester found the controls and LED screen interface incredibly easy to use, but the device lost one point since it was on the heavier side compared to other foot spas on the market, weighing at 6.7 pounds before adding water. Price at time of publish: $81 That said, the machine scored nearly perfect marks in design, largely because of how lightweight it is compared to other similar foot massagers. Although this may seem like a small convenience factor, it makes it easy to store the machine, so you can keep it out of sight when you’re not using it, then tote it to your favorite relaxing chair when you are. Price at time of publish: $130 Rather than squeeze and knead the feet, this at-home foot massager gently vibrates at two different speeds while it heats up your feet. Our testers say it’s a great option for anyone who simply wants a small, relaxing treat while they watch TV or read. They also note that it could be a great option for elderly individuals or anyone with chronic pain who just wants a little bit of comfort. The machine is nice and lightweight, so you can easily move it from place to place, which contributed to its high marks in design. Price at time of publish: $60 Since there are no foot pockets, it’s a great option for anyone with particularly large feet or anyone prone to sweating when using heat settings. But because of this, our testers say the machine doesn’t hug your entire foot, which means you need to deliver a bit of counter-pressure to get a more thorough massage. Price at time of publish: $45 Our testers say the device vibrates rather than kneads, but they were impressed by its 11 settings. They couldn’t believe how powerful even the lower settings were—one tester even said she felt like her feet were still vibrating even after she turned off the machine. Also nice: This massager isn’t just for the feet. You can rotate the massage machine between three positions, so you can easily rest your feet and legs at varying angles, delivering a specially targeted massage to the areas you need it the most. Price at time of publish: $239
What to Look for in a Foot Massager
Massage Methods
Foot massagers employ a number of different modes and methods to soothe sore feet, including shiatsu massage, manual massage, air compression, water jets, and electric massage rollers. Some machines use a combination of these techniques, but shiatsu is considered to be most similar to a massage you’d receive from human hands. Most massagers will also offer a variety of patterns and intensities to suit your personal preferences.
Heat
Many foot massagers use heat to increase effectiveness and relaxation. Look for adjustable heat settings to make sure that the experience is comfortable in all seasons and temperatures. Of course, manual massagers skip the heating function, so evaluate whether the convenience of a portable massager is worth losing the power of heat.
Controls
While some foot massagers come with a remote control to adjust settings, many only have a control pad mounted to the machine. This means you’ll need to lean forward to adjust the speed and intensity. For some people, this is a major interruption to their relaxation routine while others don’t mind pausing to adjust settings.
Why Trust The Spruce?
To make this list, we spent hours scouring the market for top foot massagers. We then purchased a panel of 13 top-performing foot massagers to try at our Lab in Industry City, Brooklyn. Using a curated methodology, seven testers considered each massager’s controls, heat, and massage methods. Foot massaging devices offer various heat settings and massage nodes without necessarily having to get your feet wet.
Each tester then ranked each one on a scale of 1 to 5, considering factors like design, effectiveness, and overall value, and we chose our top nine picks based on these scores. Writer Brigitt Earley interviewed a podiatrist and culled together the data to create an entirely revamped list of the best at-home foot massagers for a variety of needs across different budgets.
