We bought a dozen foot massagers to test and see which ones really work, then narrowed down our top-rated picks for heated and electric foot massagers.
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Here, the best heated and electric foot massagers for a spa-like experience in your own home.
We gathered our own team of testers and ordered more than a dozen top-performing foot massagers to try at our Lab in Industry City, Brooklyn. 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.
Sometimes a little kneading and massaging are what our feet need after a long day, and a good foot massager will be well equipped to relax overworked feet .
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.
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.
For people who need a massager that’s a bit more intense, the MedMassager Foot Massager Machine will surely provide relief. Unlike other foot massagers, this device focuses on reflexology, improving circulation, and reducing chronic pain. As such, it’s meant to be used over time to improve any condition plaguing you.
“This is a great affordable option for targeting the bottoms of your feet, and the heat settings are nice.”— Julia Fields , Product Tester
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.
At a fraction of the price of other machines, our testers say this one delivers a perfectly adequate massage, though you will sacrifice on the amount of settings—it simply turns on and off and delivers (optional) heat.
“This massager is very warm and relaxing and feels great on the feet, but don't expect it to dig into your arches or get out any knots.”— Julia Fields , Product Tester
The machine is nice and lightweight, so you can easily move it from place to place, which contributed to its high marks in design.
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.
Our testers loved the cozy pockets on this massager—they said it felt really luxurious to slip your feet into at the end of a long day—but were quick to note that the machine doesn’t deliver a full-on massage.
“It's easy to use and gets better and better as the massage goes on. Intensity builds, foot squeezing lasts longer, and heat develops.”— Autumn Rauchwerk , Product Tester
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.
The Etekcity Foot Massager Machine uses pressure and kneading to pamper your tired feet. It has two cozy pockets that fit up to a men's size 12 shoe. When you turn the device on, rolling nodes begin to massage your soles and arches, while rhythmic air compression gently squeezes your feet for ultimate relaxation. What’s more, the foot massager uses gentle heat to warm up your muscles and help relieve tension. You can choose between three air intensity levels and three massage speeds, so you get just the right amount of pressure every time, but our testers did crave even more pressure.
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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.
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.
Sometimes you might want a little soaking action along with your foot massage, and on those days, the Ivation Foot Spa Massager has you covered. This foot spa has built-in massage rollers in the bottom of the tub, allowing you to work your feet while they soak in warm water.
“This gave a really impressive foot massage, and I was able to relax while it did its work.”—Christine Colby, Product Tester
Some testers noted that at certain points, they felt like they were getting a professional 15- to 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.
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.
If you’re willing to spend a little more on a foot massager, the Miko Shiatsu Home Foot Massager Machine With Switchable Heat will leave your feet feeling relaxed and pampered. It has a variety of features to give you a customized massage, and one tester—who loved the ease of set up and intensity levels—says it’s worth the price.
"The Cloud does it all while allowing the user to turn off features at command, leaving you to control the entire experience."— Sam Aronson , Product Tester
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.
While the Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager is undoubtedly pricier than other picks, it’s extremely versatile, providing not only a foot massage, but also one for your ankles and calves, too. It uses Shiatsu therapy-style massage, combined with heat, to more fully pamper after a tough day. Our testers gave the machine near-perfect scores in both design and efficacy, largely due to the wide range of settings and the powerful nature of the massage it delivers to three different areas on your legs. What’s more, testers say the massage is two-fold—inflatable pads apply pressure, while the machine kneads and vibrates your muscles in one of five different modes.
"This one surprised me, as it wasn't big or fancy and didn't heat up. But this little wooden device delivered the best massage out of all the massagers I tested.”—Christine Colby, Product Tester
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.
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.
The TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager Roller is not at all fancy, but it does a great job relieving foot pain and tension. In fact, it received perfect scores in both efficacy and overall value.
"I love the different massage options for this massager. It can target different reflex points on your feet, and the changing directions feel great. I just wish I could control the pressure, because it is a bit intense.”— Julia Fields , Product Tester
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.
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.
While most foot massagers focus solely on your feet, the Best Choice Products Shiatsu Foot Massager can be used up to your ankles, too. Our testers loved the flexibility the long cord provides, plus the ability to customize your massage with pulsing, kneading, and rolling motions.
What do buyers say? 83% of 13,400+ Amazon reviewers rated this 4 stars or above.
Who else recommends it? Shape and Glamour both picked the Best Choice Products Therapeutic Shiatsu Foot Massager.
Final Verdict
For a soothing and all-around effective, well-designed foot massager you can use at home, we recommend the Best Choice Products Therapeutic Shiatsu Foot Massager (view at Amazon). It treats a variety of pressure points on your foot and ankle, has a built-in heat function, and even comes with a remote for convenience. If you’re on a budget or looking for something a bit more portable, you’ll love the TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager Roller (view at Amazon). Though it is manual and requires constant attention, our tester said it delivered the most effective foot massage of the bunch—plus it weighs less than 2 pounds and has a very small overall footprint.
How We Tested the Foot Massagers
Editors at The Spruce consulted pedicurists and podiatrists and spent hours researching top-rated foot massagers from notable brands. We then ordered more than a dozen foot massagers to test in 20 minutes sessions in our Lab in New York City. During each test, our expert testers considered factors like ease of setup, design, size, effectiveness, and value. After adding up each score and assessing the overall value of each product, we chose our top nine picks.
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.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
FAQ
How do you clean a foot massager?
Most foot massagers can be wiped down or even spot cleaned. Some massagers even come with removable, washable linings. This is great if you plan to use the machine often and want the convenience and ease of keeping it clean.
How often can you use a foot massager?
For those who simply want a bit of relaxation, once a week is great. However, for anyone who's on their feet a lot, more frequent use can provide some relief. Just be careful: "An overuse of the foot massager can overstimulate the muscles, causing pain and cramping," says Marcela Correa, owner of Medi Pedi NYC. She suggests up to 30-minute sessions two to three times a week.
What's the difference between a foot spa and foot massager?
While both devices aim to help soothe tired feet, foot spas include a water element that helps users accomplish more cosmetic goals, like smoother skin.
Foot massaging devices offer various heat settings and massage nodes without necessarily having to get your feet wet.
Do foot massagers help neuropathy?
Yes, foot massagers can help with neuropathy. A 2020 study found that 20-minute foot massages three times a week did help reduce peripheral neuropathic pain.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
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.
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.