8 Effective and Reliable Foot Massagers, After Testing 20 (2024)

Our Top Picks

The Renpho foot massager’s gentle start and customizable settings earned it the top spot in our roundup. The first thing I loved while testing this option was that it automatically starts on the lowest setting. From there, you can personalize your experience with three knead intensities, three air compression settings, and a heat option.

Unlike other foot massagers I’ve tested, none of the settings hurt my feet. While the highest compression option is definitely close, I can see how it can be soothing to serious athletes or workout enthusiasts who need the extra strength. Compression squeezes your foot (which I quite enjoyed) while the massage settings periodically knead different parts of your foot. The heat just has one setting (which automatically starts when you press on) and is a nice touch but not overly warm.

Aside from the customizable settings, this massager’s features were also very impressive. First, it has suction cups on the bottom, so it won’t slip around, which I hadn’t seen before. I found that this can definitely make it harder to lift off hardwood floors, but it’s worth it for the stability.

Another plus is that the fabric foot hole coverings unzip completely to throw in the washing machine. After they’re fully unzipped, you have to remove two strips of Velcro, which can be tricky at first. But we love this for cleanliness, especially when the massager is being used by multiple people.

You can control all of the settings with an included remote, which comes loaded with batteries, so you can enjoy it right away. You don’t have to bend down and interrupt your relaxation to adjust the pressure. It has a 15 and 30-minute timer as well, which is what most manufacturers recommend as a maximum time to enjoy a foot massager.

While none of the settings were particularly intense, I felt my feet tingly for a few moments afterward, which I didn’t mind. My only gripe with this option is the single heat setting. While you can feel it when it’s on, I wish you could tailor it more to your preference. Still, this is an amazing and lightweight option for almost any user.

_{Size: 13.2 x 7.5 x 15.6 inches | Weight: 6.4 pounds | Heated: Yes}

Manual massagers like the Beskar Foot Massager Roller aren't fancy, but this one does a great job relaxing tired feet. In fact, we were surprised at its effectiveness despite the lack of settings or heat. Nonetheless, we found that this little plastic device delivered a great targeted massage.

To use this foot massager, you apply pressure while rolling the arch of your foot over the roller's “spikes.” Since it’s all manual, you can target exactly where you want your massage and how much force you need. We recommend using this option while standing because it’s easier to apply pressure. However, it does require a bit of balancing, so be careful.

The cylinder shape mimics the arch of your foot, so it’s not too rough. But, the small bumps on the massager definitely pack a punch. We wouldn’t call this a gentle option for sure. While I enjoyed the extra pressure as someone with constant sore feet, another team member with flatter feet found it too painful. This proves again that massages are a personal experience and you should honor that when buying a foot massager for your home.

One of the best things about manual foot massagers is that they’re portable. This one is smaller than a water bottle, so it easily fits in your purse, backpack, or suitcase for taking on the go. It could also be a great secondary foot massager for those with a constant need for relief and who don’t want to lug around a heavy corded option from place to place.

_{Size: 5.9 x 2.6 inches | Weight: 0.3 pounds | Heated: No}

Boot massagers like this one from Homedics are ideal for foot and calf massages. The foot massager can be used alone or in conjunction with the boot massager, which has three compression settings. While testing, my team and I preferred the medium intensity. The heat, though subtle, was also a nice touch.

You can also choose three foot massager settings by pressing the same button on the control panel 1 to 3 times. However, the calf compression was the real star here. Using both made for a relaxing experience beyond just your feet, which is always a great option.

We were initially slightly worried about fitting our feet into this massager. It zips around your calves, but we found that even with wide calves, we had room to spare. This is important for accessibility—when buying a foot massager for a household, you want to ensure that everyone can enjoy it.

One downside of this massager is that it’s bulky. However, it’s not as unattractive as the typical black and industrial-looking foot massagers we’ve tested before. It resembles a pair of sherpa boots with wooden accents on the bottom. But, you should consider your space for using and storing your massager before choosing this one.

Also, the cord is relatively short, so we recommend storing it near an outlet for easy access when you want it. Keep in mind that this product doesn’t come with a remote, so you’ll want to find your perfect heat, knead, and compression combo before sitting back and relaxing.

_{Size: 16.7 x 15.9 x 11.8 inches | Weight: Not Listed | Heated: Yes}

The Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager is extremely versatile, providing a foot massage and one for your ankles and calves. It uses Shiatsu therapy-style massage (a Japanese massage that targets pressure points) and mimics human hands combined with heat to fully pamper you after a tough day.

We really loved the wide range of settings and the powerful nature of the massage it delivers to three different areas on your legs. What’s more, the massage is twofold—inflatable pads apply pressure, while the machine kneads and vibrates your muscles in one of five different modes.

There’s an additional built-in heat function to warm your toes during the massage, making it the perfect product for people who are always cold. However, it does take quite a while to warm up—10 minutes, to be exact. For reference, our best overall pick took about two minutes to heat up.

Because of the multiple intensity levels, we think this massager is great for a family home where multiple people can use it and customize the experience to their liking. While it is more expensive, you're paying for the multiple settings, whereas someone buying for themselves can afford less expensive options with fewer options that work just for them.

_{Size: 22 x 11 x 17.7 inches | Weight: 22 pounds | Heated: Yes}

Shiatsu massagers are meant to relieve tension in the body and often target different pressure points. For a foot massager that does these things, we love the Miko Shiatsu Home Foot Massager Machine. It left our feet feeling relaxed and pampered. Plus, we love that it has various features to give you a customized massage. The ease of setup and intensity levels make it worth the price.

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 while still staying relaxed.

At certain points, we felt we were getting a professional 15-20-minute massage and appreciated the varied pressure levels. However, we 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 as they would, with an option that fully envelops your foot like our best boot.

_{Size: 17 x 17 x 9 inches | Weight: 12.85 pounds | Heated: Yes}

Believe it or not, some percussive massagers work perfectly as foot massagers. The Theragun Sense blew me away during testing because of its smart capabilities, especially when using the Therabody app. It became clear quickly that this option was impressive, but even more so when I realized I could also use it on my feet.

The beauty of the massager is that you can utilize guided massagers on the Therabody app. Depending on the part of your body you want to target, the time you have to massage, and the type of exercises you enjoy, you can find a guided routine perfect for you. There are over 60 routines for calves and feet; you can also save ones you love to easily come back to them.

You can also adjust the intensity of the massage on the app itself, which I prefer to the LED screen on the actual massager. While there are five-speed settings, I find myself choosing the lowest one or two. All percussive massagers can feel harsh at first, so I recommend going slow to start.

I enjoyed it mostly on the arch of my foot or my calves. As with all handheld massagers, you can target exactly where you feel tension. However, you can’t sit back and relax and let the massager do the work like you would with ourbest overall pick. This ensures you receive the massage exactly where you need it. Plus, the guided routines are great for learning more about your body and what it needs.

Another perk of this device is that it encourages mental health with guided breathing routines performed while holding two nodes on the device that vibrate as you breathe in and out. I think this is a nice touch for a product that aids your physical well-being so you can pay attention to your body and mind using one product.

That said, I wouldn’t recommend buying this product solely for your feet. It’s an awesome full-body massager that can be used in several ways with the four included attachments, so don’t be closed off from all of its uses. Still, it’s an amazing option for someone looking for a percussive massager to use at home who also wants something suitable for their feet.

_{Size: 8.3 x 6.3 x 2.6 inches | Weight: 0.3 pounds | Heated: No}

Those with larger feet might have difficulty finding an appropriate foot massager, especially when browsing full-enclosed options. This option, however, operates more like a mat, so all foot sizes are welcome. It delivers a perfectly adequate massage, though you will sacrifice the number of settings. It simply turns on and off and offers (optional) heat.

Rather than placing your feet inside a device like other classic foot massager designs on this list, this option allows you to move your feet manually over the rotating nodes to target different areas that may be sore or fatigued, so anyone can use it, no matter their foot size.

We found the gentle massage relaxing and liked that you could apply more pressure to change up the massage. It’s definitely one of the most gentle options on our list, so it’s best for those with flat or painful feet that can’t handle something more intense, like ourbest percussive massager.

Since there are no foot pockets, it’s a great option for anyone who gets particularly sweaty with an intense heat setting. Because of this, the machine doesn’t hug your entire foot, which means you need to deliver a bit of counter-pressure for a more thorough massage. It also won't target the sides or tops of your feet like other models.

_{Size: 15.75 x 14.17 x 3.15 inches | Weight: 7.63 pounds | Heated: Yes}

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.

During testing, we found the controls and LED screen interface incredibly easy to use, which is always a plus. It can heat water to 122 degrees Fahrenheit for a toasty foot bath. We loved how quickly the water heated up and maintained its temperature. The tub vibrates to relieve tension in your feet and legs, and multiple water jets circulate bubbles throughout.

As you soak, two built-in, motorized massage rollers at the bottom work out kinks in your arches and toes. However, similar to our favorite manual option, you'll have to move your feet over the massagers yourself.

The foot spa comes with three different attachments for the center divider between your feet, which you can move your feet across for three different massage experiences. In addition to the water and heat functions, the foot spa offers four varied massages. The kit also includes a pumice stone to remove calluses for a pedicure-like experience at home.

The device was heavier than other foot spas on the market, weighing 6.7 pounds before adding water. However, for an experience at home that rivals a professional pedicure, we think it's worth the extra weight.

_{Size: 16.5 x 14.9 x 9.2 inches | Weight: 6.7 pounds | Heated: Yes}

Final Verdict

The Renpho Heated Foot Massager is our top pick for the best foot massager. It has multiple compression and intensity levels, a built-in heat function, and even a remote for convenience. If you’re on a budget or looking for something a bit more portable, you’ll love the Beskar Foot Massager Roller, our best manual pick. It weighs less than five ounces and delivers an intense and targeted massage depending on the pressure you apply.