Our winner was the Miko Foot Massager Machine
Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products. Air Pressure Massager
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A good foot massage is a luxury for most, but really, it should be a regular part of your self-care routine. Think about it: Whether they're stuffed into uncomfortable shoes, holding you up during a long work shift, carrying you through a workout, or simply taking you from point A to point B, your feet put in the work every single day. But if you don't have the energy for a rubdown each evening (or a personal masseuse at your beck and call), your next best bet is to invest in a foot massager.
Dr. Bradley Schaeffer, a Board-Certified Podiatrist, Foot Surgeon, and star of the TLC show My Feet Are Killing Me, chatted with PEOPLE about the benefits of foot massagers. "Foot massagers can be great to alleviate pressure and stress on the foot that we get from our regular workday," he says. "Foot massagers can help with conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, heel pain, and just overall stress."
These handy machines treat your hardworking tootsies to some much-needed R&R by massaging them with pressure and heat. These devices can even help alleviate pain associated with muscle aches and other health conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and neuropathy. But with so many options available, how are you supposed to know which one is right for you? We spent a day PEOPLE Testing 11 foot massagers in our lab for design, effectiveness, and overall value to see if they were convenient enough to use regularly, whether their features were helpful, and if they were actually effective.
These are the best foot massagers PEOPLE Tested.
This foot massager has multiple pressure settings which allows us to customize the massage to our preferences.
It includes a handy remote control so you can change the settings without needing to stand up.
This massager has four different massage modes: rolling, compression, vibration, and shiatsu.
It provided one of the deepest massages of all the machines we tested.
We found the highest kneading setting to be a bit too intense for our preference (but there are plenty of other settings to choose from).
After a busy day of testing in our lab, this electric foot massager was a clear winner. It delivered the best and deepest foot massage out of any of the machines, which is why it scored one of the highest ratings in the "Overall Value" and "Design" categories. We also loved how straightforward it was to use.
Another reason why the Miko Foot Massager ranked so highly in our tests? Whether you're looking to use it solely for relaxation or alleviating pain, the machine can do it all. There are rolling, compression, vibrating, and shiatsu massage modes, which work to soothe aches along the bottom and sides of your feet, along with five adjustable air pressure settings to help stimulate blood flow. We did find the strongest setting to be a little too strong for our preference, but because there are five pressure settings to choose from, we don't see that as a big issue.
Heat also promotes relaxation and loosens tight muscles, making this great for a post-workout routine or an at-home spa night (robe included). We noted that our feet got sweaty during their massage, but the liners are removable and machine-washable for easy maintenance.
It even comes with an automatic timer and a wireless remote that can change the settings while you're sitting down. Plus, the brand provides an extra one in case you end up misplacing it. The Miko Foot Massager feels very well-priced for all of the fancy features that it offers and would make a great gift for someone who's always on their feet.
Dimensions: 16.75 x 16.75 x 9.25 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Heated: Yes
This massager includes three massage motions: pulsing, kneading, and rolling.
It comes with removable covers to make cleaning easier.
The massage felt like it was being done by a human.
It doesn't include a heat function.
It has just one pressure level option.
Looking to relax or ease your foot pain on a budget? Then consider Best Choice Products Therapeutic Foot Massager. Don't be fooled by the affordable price, though. The foot massager comes with many of the same features higher-end electric models have, including a remote control, three settings (automatic, custom, and manual), and removable covers for easy cleaning.
There are also three massage motions, pulsing, kneading, and rolling, that can target different parts of your feet. You can choose to concentrate more on your sole, ankle, or toes using the manual mode or have the motions consistent by using the automatic setting.
At times, we found this machine's massage motions a little too intense, but we appreciated that the power and speed settings can be adjusted (excluding the air pressure) for a deep tissue massage. We wish there was a heat function, but compared to other machines we tested, the Best Choice Products massager felt the most like a real foot massage from a human being, which is a hard thing to achieve and a huge win in our book.
Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 10 inches | Weight: 13.5 pounds | Heated: No
Unlike most machines, which only target the foot, this one also massages the feet, ankles, and legs.
It has a highly adjustable base that works on a wide range of foot sizes.
This massager has five adjustable settings: rolling, compression, sway function, heat, and quiet mode.
It's one of the most expensive foot massagers on our list.
It takes some time to figure out how to use it, but it's easy to navigate once you do.
With an adjustable base that can be rotated to support your legs, calves, ankles, or feet — as well as a variety of foot sizes — the Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager can help you get the relaxation you deserve after a long day. It relieves tension and improves circulation with different intensity levels to accommodate muscle aches and conditions like plantar fasciitis and diabetic neuropathy.
The massager was a top performer in our "Efficiency" category and features five adjustable settings: rolling massage, compression therapy, a sway function, heat therapy, and a quiet mode. We also loved how it was easy to set up. All you need to do is plug it in, adjust the angle to your preferred position, turn it on, and select an intensity level (the brand recommends starting on the lowest one). There was a bit of a learning curve to understand how to use all of the different features, but it is easy to navigate once you do. The brand also suggests wearing socks for the best results.
While this machine is a splurge, we love its versatility and deep massage, and we would recommend it to friends and family members despite the price.
Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 17.7 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Heated: Yes
This foot massager is easy to take with you to use anywhere.
The wooden dowels allowed us to customize massages to our preferences by pressing down more or less.
This was the most affordable foot massager on our list.
The wooden material felt very durable.
It doesn't include any fancy settings like heat or pressure.
This foot massager will roll out all the bumps and aches — no power necessary. This device is comprised of eight durable wooden rolling dowels: six with trigger point-stimulating bumps, and two with larger massaging nubs. The dowels are arranged to match the natural arch of the foot to provide comfort and relax tension from heel to toe.
It may be small, but these wooden dowels provide a mighty massage — and we found it preferable to some of the automatic massagers that we tried. You can use this low-tech, high-reward foot massager to stimulate overall blood circulation or target particularly sore spots by angling your feet and altering the amount of direct pressure you put on the dowels.
Dr. Schaeffer prefers manual foot massagers over massage guns, noting, "Manual massagers are great because you can use your own amount of pressure and customize your massage to your areas of concern."
We love that this budget-friendly buy doesn't need electricity to give a great foot massage, but that does mean that it lacks some of the fancier bells and whistles of other foot massagers that we tried. Regardless, this device provides a wonderful massage for a budget-friendly price.
Dimensions: 11.2 x 2.5 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 1.76 pounds | Heated: No
This massager has three massage intensity settings and three air pressure settings.
It connects to a convenient smartphone app, which allows us to easily change settings without the need to stand up.
It has customizable settings that adjust on a sliding scale for precise adjustments.
The opening of the device is somewhat small, so it's difficult to use while lying down.
Feeling nervous about buying a foot massager? Well, don't have cold feet (ba dum tsss), because this foot-warming device works like a dream. The Etekcity Smart Shiatsu Foot Massager has three massage intensity settings and three air pressure settings, so you can customize your massage to exactly your needs.
This smart device connects to a handy app on your phone, so you can control the intensity, pressure, and heat without lifting more than a finger (to tap the screen, that is). After 20 minutes of using this device, we still wanted to keep going. The heat mixed with the deep massage released so much tension allowing for ultimate relaxation.
If we could change anything about this amazing massager, it would be to make the opening of the device a little wider so that it's easier to insert feet. Otherwise, this electric massager gets perfect scores in our book.
Dimensions: 18.4 x 15.4 x 10.7 inches | Weight: 12.1 pounds | Heated: Yes
The massage and bath settings include jets and vibrations that helped relieve foot tension and made us feel more relaxed.
This foot massager has a red light therapy option that may help reduce muscle and joint pain.
It has a deep tub that can fit different foot sizes.
There is not a huge range of water temperature options to choose from.
What do you get when you combine a foot massager and a foot bath? You get the Costway Foot Spa Bath Massager (and the ultimate relaxation experience). The foot bath-massager hybrid uses six motorized massage rollers to knead out knots and increase blood circulation, plus a flexible showerhead streams water over your feet for a cleansing and relaxing experience. The tub is also nice and deep to accommodate different foot sizes.
Another handy feature of this foot bath massager is a red light therapy mode that increases blood flow and circulation. We enjoyed all of the fancy functions this device had to offer, providing a luxurious spa feel that aids in relaxing and soaking tired muscles at the end of the day. The different pinpoints allow you to get different kinds of massages where you need them.
While we wish that the heat settings did more to change the water temperature, we still felt that the Costway Foot Spa Bath Massager was a good value considering that you're getting a foot bath and red light massager all in one device.
Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 21.6 inches | Weight: 11.45 pounds | Heated: Yes
Storage space is an important factor to keep in mind. Foot massagers can be bulky, not to mention heavy — our top picks weigh between two and 14 pounds. Make sure you have proper space to keep it (that's also easy to access) when you're not massaging your feet. Our best overall, the Miko Foot Massager Machine, takes up a bit of space but provides a strong foot massage with multiple pressure settings, massage modes, and heat. If you're low on space, manual massagers like the TheraFlow Foot Massager are a great option.
How frequently will you be using a foot massager? If you live with chronic foot pain, it might be worth spending more money on a unit that you will use regularly, bringing down its cost per use significantly. But if you aren't on your feet for long periods of time, a more affordable option, like the Best Choice Products Therapeutic Foot Massager, offers a relaxing experience (without targeting pain points).
If you have inflammation or stand on your feet for long periods, you should consider a model that offers a deep tissue massage through different pressure levels and vibration settings, and heat therapy. Dr. Schaeffer personally enjoys heated massagers, saying, "I like to use a foot massager with a little bit of heat modality added, especially after a long workday on my feet." But if you plan to use your foot massager intermittently, or just for pampering, you'll likely be more interested in a multipurpose model, like the Costway Foot Bath Massager, which can be used for soaking and massaging, or with something that doesn't have as many features, like a massage gun.
Foot massagers generally go on sale during shopping holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day. Big-box retailers like Amazon and Walmart also discount them throughout the year, but sales might not include popular brands.
Foot massage machines can provide several benefits, including easing pain, increasing circulation, reducing stress and muscular tension, and promoting recovery. Dr. Schaeffer adds that they can be helpful for a myriad of health conditions. "Foot massagers can help with conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, heel pain, and just overall stress," Dr. Schaeffer says. "I like to use a foot massager with a little bit of heat modality added, especially after a long workday on my feet."
A foot massager should be used for 15-20 minutes at a time. Many of these machines have automatic shutoff timers to help make sure you don't overdo it. Always keep in mind that while the massage might feel deep on certain parts of the foot, it should never feel painful. If you're worried about overdoing it, using a manual massager like the TheraFlow Foot Massager can be a good way to control your massage without worrying about overdoing it.
Foot massagers are safe to use every day as long as they are used properly. Dr. Schaeffer touts the relaxing effects of using a foot massager after a long day. "Foot massagers are also a great way to de-stress from a long day because the effect also relaxes and radiates throughout the whole body," Dr. Schaffer says. But, if you experience any pain while using a machine, it's time to stop.
Cai Cramer is a staff writer on the PEOPLE Commerce Team, covering the best and buzziest products across the beauty, fashion, health, and lifestyle spaces. To inform this story, Cai spoke with Dr. Bradley Schaeffer, a Board-Certified Podiatrist, Foot Surgeon, and star of the TLC show My Feet Are Killing Me, about how foot massagers can benefit people with foot pain stemming from a variety of conditions.
Dr. Bradley Schaeffer, a Board-Certified Podiatrist, Foot Surgeon, and star of the TLC show My Feet Are Killing Me,
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