Have you ever had a foot massage? If you have – then you know how relaxing they can be. If you haven’t – you don’t know what you’re missing out on! But, you might not have the money to get a foot massage, except every now-and-then and scheduling it can be a pain in the behind.
Luckily, you can get a foot massage at home – and no, I don’t mean from your significant other, though that is nice. You can get it from a foot massager. There are tons of different ones out there that can suit almost everyone, and today I’ll tell you all about the best foot massagers that you can find. Let’s get started.
Foot Massagers – What They are and Why You Need One 
The Most Important Benefits of Foot Massagers 
Finding a Foot Massager Shop Near You
The Best Foot Massagers Available in 2021 – Compared Directly
Top 19 Foot Massagers to Buy in 2020
The Best Way to Find the Right Foot Massager – 4 Things You Need to Think About 
Foot Massagers – The Dos and Don’ts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Foot Massagers – What They are and Why You Need One
You’ve probably seen some massagers in your lifetime, maybe even owned some, probably one for your back or neck. However, foot massagers are a bit different than those due to how your feet are constructed – here’s how they differ.
Unlike most of your other body parts, your feet are jam-packed with tons of small bones and a dense network of muscles that support them and keep them together. But that’s not the only difference. Your feet are under more pressure than almost any other body part – after all, they have to hold up the entire weight of your body.
Because of all this, foot massagers tend to have a lot more massage nodes than most other massagers, and the nodes are smaller. This allows foot massagers to focus on all the important pressure points in your feet without skipping a beat.
Most of them are also made with a separate slot and massage nodes for each foot, and some even allow you to use separate massage programs for each foot, according to what you need.
While most foot massagers are focused on the soles of your feet – the part that is under the most pressure – there are also those that focus on the top of your feet and even your ankles, for a more complete massage.
They can offer other features as well, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves – I’ll talk more about that later. Right now, I want to tell you about all the benefits that you can get from using a foot massager.
The Most Important Benefits of Foot Massagers
The benefits of foot massagers are numerous – but I’ll try to keep it all concise here and list of only the most important ones. They can do a lot for you and not just your feet.
1Pain Relief
Your feet are more important than you might realize – they support your entire body and affect it in numerous ways. And yet, foot pain is not talked about as much as back pain or neck pain is.
Treating your foot pain can make your whole body feel better and can help with a wide variety of painful conditions that you might suffer from. The most obvious type of pain that a foot massager can help you with is foot pain, of course. It could just be foot pain induced by a long day at work, or foot pain induced by a certain condition, like plantar fasciitis, bunions, diabetic neuropathy, restless leg syndrome and so on.
However, the effects of a foot massage are more far-reaching than that, and there are other types of pain that it can be helpful with. Menstrual pain, for example, is one of them and regular foot massages can help reduce or even completely eliminate it by improving your blood flow.
The benefits can reach as far as the other side of your body – the head. Foot massages have long been known to help with headaches, and that’s not an accident.
The improved blood flow and pinpoint stimulation of some of the most sensitive nerves in our body, which are found in our feet, can help ease a headache without the need for medication.
Massaging the feet can even help with things like lower back pain by relaxing the muscles in your feet, helping them support you better, improving your posture and thus placing less pressure on your lower back.
There’s a lot more that a massage can help with, especially since it also promotes the release of ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your body, which have known analgesic properties.
2Helps With Your Blood Circulation
A foot massage improves your blood flow by relaxing the tightened muscles that might be gripping and constricting your blood vessels. Through this, a foot massage can also help with issues like high blood pressure and hypertension.
The blood circulation in your feet will often be poor since they’re extremely far from your heart which is pumping the blood. By improving the blood circulation through a massage, you’re helping your feet recover faster and feel less sore.
If you find that your feet are often cold or numb, this is due to poor blood circulation to them, and a foot massage helps reduce those problems. It can also help prevent the formation of blood clots, help with peripheral artery disease or diabetes and so on.
This is also important if you have an acute condition as well.
You can recover faster from swelling, injuries or infections if you get a regular foot massage and get the blood pumping. Your foot tissues will be able to get more oxygen and important nutrients while any blood trapped by swelling will start moving again, thus reducing it.
This can also help with swelling induced by arthritis or similar chronic conditions that impact your joints and will help you walk easier. It’s a wide-reaching benefit that’s easily overlooked but should be taken seriously.
3It Relaxes You
Like most other types of massage, getting a foot massage can be incredibly relaxing and good for your mood. It reduces stress and fatigue levels and gets all the ‘feel-good’ chemicals flowing in your body – dopamine, endorphin, serotonin and more.
The improved blood flow can also help reduce your blood pressure thus reducing your stress levels. When you’re more relaxed from a foot massage, you’ll find that it will be easier to fall asleep as well. Getting a massage in the comfort of your own home, every day, can make those beneficial effects even greater since you’re regularly getting them.
Turning on the massager just before sleep or after getting from work can become part of your routine and a regular signal to your body that it should be relaxed. It’s much more effective than getting a massage once per week.
Over time, this type of relaxation can even ease symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders and other similar problems that you might be having and it’s less addictive and damaging than using medicine to do it.
4Helps You Recover Faster
As I mentioned, if you’re suffering from an injury or an infection, a foot massager can help you recover faster. It can get the blood flowing which reduces swelling and allows more nutrients to reach your injured tissues.
It can also work to strengthen your muscles, which not only helps you recover sooner; it will also help reduce the risk of further injuries. Massaging your feet regularly, combined with regular exercise can help strengthen muscles that are usually overlooked and stay weak due to a sedentary lifestyle.
You can also use it to recover quicker after a hard day at work. Your feet naturally swell during the day, and it gets harder and harder to walk or stand as the day drags on. If you’ve been working all day, it can be difficult to go for a walk or exercise afterward, but a quick massage can help reduce that natural swelling and get you on your feet again.
Finding a Foot Massager Shop Near You
You probably want to get a foot massager right now. But where do I find a foot massager? – you might wonder.
Well, there’s no reason to wonder anymore. You can just take out your phone and search for ‘foot massagers near me’, ‘buy foot massagers near me’ or even ‘foot massagers in my neighborhood’ and get exactly what you need.
But, since you’re already here, take a look at the map below that will give you just that! You don’t even have to open a separate search to find what you need.
Find a shop on this map that looks good to you, click on it and check what they offer. If it all seems good to you and you see that they have what you want, you can have your feet stuck in one of the best foot massagers by sundown!
It’s that easy.
The Best Foot Massagers Available in 2021 – Compared Directly
If you don’t have the time to read through all the reviews, I understand – that’s why I made a chart comparing all the best foot massagers of 2021 in a few key categories. In case you have the time, however, head on down and read the more detailed reviews to get the full picture.
Top 19 Foot Massagers to Buy in 2021
HoMedics, Triple Action Shiatsu Foot Massager with HeatDurable, Affordable and Reliable
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If you feel a bit of a sting when you think of paying hundreds of dollars for a foot massager, then this is the ideal one for you.
The price is incredibly affordable but what you get isn’t a defective or poor product – you get a full-fledged foot massager. It offers a deep kneading shiatsu massage with a heat option that you can turn off if you don’t want it and it works well.
If you want to adjust the intensity or turn off the heat, you can do it with one of your toes since the controls are made to be used that way.
You can’t adjust the height, sadly, and you might have to press your feet into it a bit in order to get a good massage, especially if your feet won’t quite reach. The cord is also short, and you might have to use an extension cord with it.
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Pros
- Has a heating function that can be turned off
- It has toe-touch controls that can be pressed without bending down
- Comes at a highly affordable price but it’s still durable
Cons
- The cord it has is a bit too short for comfort
- There is not height adjustment available, and it’s rather short
Having the option of height adjustment in a massager is great since it will allow you to sit back and relax instead of constantly trying to force your feet down onto the massager.
NURSAL MD-50230A Foot MassagerEasy to Use and Easy to Wash
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For a foot massager at this price point, this is not too bad of a machine. It delivers a great, intense compression massage which can be controlled to your liking. There are 3 different massage modes as well as 3 different intensity modes to choose from and a heating function.
Unlike some other closed foot massagers, it’s easy to clean as well since the inside cloth covers are removable and can be safely put into your washing machine.
You can also adjust it to turn off automatically at your liking – after 10, 15 or 20 minutes – which is rather convenient. However, you can never set it to run without stopping, which can be an inconvenience.
While I’m on the subject of inconvenience – you have to bend down in order to use the controls. So, if you want the massage to run more than 20 minutes, you have to stop and bend down every 20 minutes – not great, especially if you have back problems.
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Pros
- Has an auto shut-off timer that can be set to 3 different times
- Highly adjustable with a lot of different massage modes
- You can remove and machine-wash the cloth covers
- Comes with an optional heating function
Cons
- Can’t run without stopping
- You need to bend down in order to adjust it
Foot massagers with buttons that can’t be pressed unless you bend down can be a pain in the back. Personally, I’d suggest using some sort of stick to push the buttons instead of bending down.
Belmint Shiatsu Foot Massager MachineGreat Quality for an Affordable Price
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This shiatsu foot massager is definitely among the more affordable offerings available, but it’s also not a bad option overall. In case you don’t like it though, the company has a great refund policy, and you can just contact them to get your money back.
It’s durable, for a start, but it also delivers on a good, intense massage. The massage nodes are oddly shaped and have trouble fitting on the feet of smaller people, but when they fit well, they’re amazing and even do well on feet with high arches.
You can also adjust the height any way you want, and the intensity is also adjustable with your toes, so you don’t need to bend down.
Overall, it’s a great budget foot massager though I do wish the cord was a bit longer so you can use it more freely.
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Pros
- The price is great for what you get
- The company offers a 100% guaranteed refund on the machine
- You can adjust the height of the legs
- Can heat up your feet while massaging them
- The massage nodes can effectively massage feet with high arches
Cons
- The cord length is quite short
- Not good for people with smaller feet due to the design of the nodes
Refund policies that allow you to return the product for a full refund if you’re not satisfied can be deceptive – don’t just take the manufacturer at their word, take a look at user experiences too.
Nekteck Foot Massager with HeatA Strong Massager that Travels With You
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The massage this massager offers is exceptionally strong, and there’s no way to adjust the intensity. The strength can be a good or a bad thing depending on your preference.
What’s definitely good is the price – this is an inexpensive massager, but it does offer quite a lot.
The controls are hands-free – you can use them with your toes. The exception is the height adjustment, which you have to do manually but that’s standard.
It’s also a small and highly portable machine. It even has an in-built carry handle and an automatic cord-retrieval system that stores it within the massager. You can take it with you on trips without needing to trip over a cord to do it!
There’s also a heating function available, but it’s more warm than hot. It’s not useless by any means, but if you’re expecting to warm up your feet a lot, you’ll be disappointed.
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Pros
- You can adjust the height to make yourself more comfortable
- Easy to transport due to the in-built carry handle and cable storage
- It boasts a highly affordable price point for the quality
- Can deliver an incredibly intense massage
Cons
- The cord length is quite short
- Not good for people with smaller feet due to the design of the nodes
With open foot massagers that don’t have intensity adjustment, you can adjust the intensity yourself a little bit, by pressing on it harder with your feet if you need it to be stronger.
MedMassager MMF06Unique Design With Lots of Adjustability
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Here we have an incredibly powerful and versatile massager that can be used in a wide variety of ways due to its design.
It consists of one continuous surface that has a lot of massage nodes spread all over it, made to target specific pressure points. You can place the soles of your feet on it when you turn it to face you, or you can turn it the other way and place your calves on it.
It’s also well-suited for any type of feet, even those with high arches and any foot size. If you have large feet, you don’t need to worry.
It’s highly adjustable with 11 different speed options that range from 1000 to 3700 rpm. However, you do have to bend down and turn the dial in order to set it to what you want.
There are no heat options however, and it is quite expensive, more so than most massagers. The noise is also quite noticeable, and it is louder than the average massager.
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Pros
- Highly adjustable with 11 different speeds
- Unique design that lends itself well to various forms of use
- The small nodes easily target pressure points
- Has a large surface suitable for any foot size
- Durable construction that holds up to long-term use
Cons
- The price is higher than most other foot massagers
- You have to bend down to change the settings
- Makes more noise than most massagers do
Noise can be a serious issue with some massagers and can disrupt your attempts to relax – and disrupt the people living with you. There are no particularly good DIY solutions to a loud massager.
QUINEAR Foot Massager with Soothing Heat As Adjustable as It is Intense
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This is a great massager for the price that can offer a lot of different types of massage. The compression massage it offers is quite intense, and the deep kneading nodes are also quite strong.
Luckily, you have a lot of control over the intensity, with 6 intensity levels available for the air-based compression massage mode. There are lots of different modes available, including a heating function. Sadly, it doesn’t heat up too much, and you’ll barely feel it.
Besides the price, which is fairly affordable, you also get a 2-year warranty with it, and the manufacturer claims you can return it at any time for a full refund. They seem to have good customer service, and the experiences are largely positive.
That’s good since you might need it – this massager is flimsy and easy to break if you’re not careful. It’s also quite bulky overall, so you might have trouble finding a good spot for it.
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Pros
- Comes with a good 2-year warranty plan
- 6 different intensity levels to choose from
- Highly adjustable with a lot of different modes
- Can deliver an intense massage
Cons
- The construction is a bit flimsy, and it’s easy to break
- Both levels of heat are not intense enough, and you barely feel it
- Rather bulky and heavy
While a good warranty and return policy usually shows confidence in the product, it might also mean that the product is so poor that the company has to offer it to sate their customers. Be careful.
Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager with Deep-KneadingThe Perfect Massage for Large Feet
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This is a decent offering from Miko with an incredibly strong massage action – so much that they had to tone it down in recent issues of the model. Luckily, you can cycle through 5 intensity settings and find the one you like the most.
Changing the settings should be rather easy – it comes with two remote controls that you can use to change the settings.
While it’s nice that it has a remote, it’s not especially convenient since its range is quite short, especially if there’s an obstruction between it and the massager. For example, if you place the massager under the table and the remote on the table, it won’t work.
Luckily, you can also use the controls on it easily with your toes, if you want to do that
The massage chambers on it can easily fit even large feet, though the shape is a bit awkward so your heels won’t get quite the same experience as the rest of your foot.
Overall, this is a good massager, and it’s cordless, but I just wish the remote was a bit better – that would make it completely worth the price.
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Pros
- You can also use the controls easily with your toes
- It has enough space, even for larger feet
- Comes with a good heating function that you can feel
Cons
- The remote has an incredibly short range
- Due to the shape, it doesn’t massage the heels as well as other parts of the foot
Just because a massager has a remote control it doesn’t mean it will be convenient – always check what other users have to say and don’t assume a feature works well just because it’s there.
uComfy Shiatsu Foot Massager 2.0 Extremely Intense Massage for Your Sore Feet
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This massager can massage your feet in two different ways – with a deep kneading shiatsu style massage or with a lighter, vibrating massage. Both of those can be used in conjunction with the heat functionality. You can also use an air pressure massage function.
You can also set the intensity of the massage to one of five different levels, giving you lots of control. The massage can be rather intense at the highest setting. Sadly, the controls can’t be used hands-free.
It’s made to be sturdy and reliable and for the price, it ought to be. However, it’s also large and bulky so it’s not exactly something you would take on a trip with you and it has a rather awkwardly placed cord.
Overall, it’s a rather good massager, well-suited for a wide variety of possible users.
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Pros
- Offers three different types of massage along with a heating function
- Has 5 different intensity levels to choose from
- The massage it delivers is particularly intense
- The construction is quite sturdy and reliable
Cons
- It’s a bit bulky and heavy
- You can’t change the settings without using your hands
Be careful with massagers that offer multiple massage types in one – they might be underpowered compared to dedicated massagers, though I admit that’s not always the case.
ZENY Shiatsu Kneading Rolling Foot MassagerMultiple Massage Types of the Ultimate Delight
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This is a strong and extremely versatile open massager that can massage your ankles and calves as well as your feet. It has multiple massage modes, including a rolling massage, a kneading massage, and a shiatsu massage.
The calf massage can be activated separately from the foot and ankle massage, or you can use them at the same time. The controls are easy to use, but you do have to bend down to use them.
The massage can be quite intense, even on the lowest possible setting. Besides all the massage setting you also have an infrared heat setting available to you.
The sizing is quite precise, though. It’s made for US mal size 9.5, at the largest, but anything below an 8 will also not work well since the massage won’t even reach your feet.
It’s quite a bulky machine though, and you might have trouble storing it and finding a spot to use it in.
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Pros
- Multifunctional with kneading, rolling and shiatsu massage actions
- Massages your feet, ankles and calves at the same time or separately
- The massage can be extremely intense
- Made out of durable materials and doesn’t break easily
- Has infrared heating functionality included
Cons
- Extremely heavy and bulky
- Can’t fit slightly larger feet or longer calves or smaller feet
- The power cord is poor and loosens easily
While massaging both your calves and your feet at the same time can feel great, sometimes it’s a better idea to massage them separately to get a more focused massage.
Best Choice Products Therapeutic Shiatsu Foot MassagerEnough Options for a Perfect Massage
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With this shiatsu massager, you get a lot of different options to choose from. There are multiple massage modes, lots of intensity settings; you can change the direction, the massage type and so on.
You can change the options with the buttons on the machine, or you can use the included remote. While it does need to pointed directly at the machine, it works even from a distance and through objects.
The best thing about the design of this massager is that it offers a similar feel to a closed massager but it allows you to stretch your toes and your skin can breathe. It can be a bit difficult to store due to how wide it is, but that doesn’t matter too much.
A curious omission is the lack of a heat setting, which is strange for a shiatsu massage. It also desperately needs a cord that’s longer – this one is simply too short.
Besides that though, it’s a great deal for the price, and it’s among the cheaper massagers that come with a remote.
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Pros
- Comes with a wireless remote that functions well
- Has a lot of different massage modes and intensity settings
- Holds up as durable and reliable over time
- The price is more than fair for the quality you get with this massager
Cons
- It definitely needs to have a longer cord
- There’s no heat functionality included in it
You don’t always need heating in a massager, but if you need it, you can stimulate it by wrapping your feet in hot towels straight out of the washing machine. It’s not the perfect solution but it works for me and others I know.
Beurer Shiatsu Foot MassagerAffordable and Highly Reliable
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With this massager, you get a heating function that can seriously heat up your feet on a cold day instead of just feeling lukewarm and it’s a refreshing thing. The issue is that it can’t be turned off on the higher intensity setting,
However, that’s not all you get. You also get a rather durable massager at a decent price with some neat options. The height is adjustable, for example, and it offers a great and strong shiatsu massage action
The entire unit is relatively easy to transport and store due to its small size and low weight.
The only other major issue that you might have with it is that the surface is slipperier than with most other massagers and your feet might slide off it often, especially if you sweat a lot.
It’s a decent unit for the price with a great heater, and it works well.
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Pros
- The height of the machine is easily adjustable by unscrewing the legs
- The heating function is quite hot and feels great
- If you want something that’s affordable and durable, this is a decent choice
- Lightweight and easy to store due to the relatively small size
Cons
- Its heating function can’t be turned off on certain intensity settings
- The surface is a bit too slippery, and it’s easy for your feet to slide off it
Some massagers have an option that allows you to use just the heat function without massaging. It can be quite useful for keeping your feet warm during winter.
TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager RollerSelf-massage Delight
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For a change, here’s a manual foot massage that consists of multiple wooden rollers that you can use by stepping on them and moving your feet.
Using it is rather easy, and you can place it on almost any surface and just roll it around with your feet. This allows you to easily control the pressure of the massage and you can use it with both feet since it is large enough.
The massage nodes on it are quite small, which does allow you to target the exact pressure points you want but it does mean that you can’t get a true deep tissue massage with it.
It’s made out of hard and durable wood though, so it might be a bit harsh on your feet if you’re not careful. The coating of the wood smells a bit off when you first get it, and it might rub off on your feet too. It takes a while for it to go away.
Overall, it’s a good, durable massage roller that doesn’t cost a lot and that you can take anywhere with you. Quite a good deal I’d say.
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Pros
- Made out of hard and highly durable wood
- Comes with a lifelong guarantee that allows you to return it if it has defects
- You can easily take it anywhere since it’s light and small
- It’s easy to target specific points on your feet with it
Cons
- It smells bad at the start, and it can rub off on your feet too
- The nodes are small and can’t give you a deep tissue massage
Massage rollers can be used on more than just your feet – if you place them well it’s easy to use them on your calves, your arms or even your back.
Sunpentown Infrared Blood Circulation MassagerSmall Adjustable Powerhouse
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This is a rather adjustable massager with infrared-based heating and 12 levels of intensity for its vibrating massage. It’s also got 8 different modes for its infrared massage, so it’s rather adjustable.
The modes it offers are great for increasing your circulation, and you can use it daily – you won’t risk breaking it since it’s well-made and won’t break easily, despite how it looks. It’s small, and you can easily take it with you, which does give it a deceptively flimsy look.
It also looks like it couldn’t deliver a strong massage but on the higher levels of intensity it can be painful if you have sensitive feet, so watch out.
Overall, it’s great with just a few smaller problems. The feet are slippery, for example, so it can slide around the floor. You also can’t use it for more than 15 minutes at a time due to the in-built timer, but it’s easy to turn it on again with your feet.
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Pros
- Highly adjustable with lots of different modes and intensity levels
- The infrared heating option it offers works well and isn’t too warm
- Relatively small and easy to take with you on a trip
- It’s durable overall and holds up well to long-term use
- The massages it delivers can be more intense than you might think
Cons
- The feet of the massager are slippery, and it might slide around the floor
- Can’t work continuously for more than 15 minutes
Don’t just a foot massager just based on how it looks – looks can be deceptive, and the best lookers might be horrible massagers and vice-versa.
Kendal Shiatsu Foot Massager 8862BKA Professional-style Massager With Unique Features
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If you want a professional style of foot massage for a relatively low cost, this machine is not a bad option to try. It offers decent rolling and kneading action along with a good heating option to use alongside them.
By default, it turns off after 15 minutes of use though you can change that and set it to work for up to 30 minutes at a time. You can also change between two levels of intensity and two massage modes, all with a good remote control.
Washing it is easy thanks to one of the best option it has – the UV and ozone function. It can be used to effectively sterilize the machine without you having to do anything, and it can even be used as an air freshener. It’s not a common function, but it’s great nonetheless.
However, it’s not all sunshine and roses – if you don’t have relatively average-sized male feet, you won’t be able to use this machine comfortably. It’s not made with smaller and large sizes in mind.
The massage is also not too intense, so if you want something that will affect deep tissue, this is not it. Still, it’s quite a good and unique machine that comes at a decent price.
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Pros
- It has a remote control which functions properly
- Washing it is easy due to the detachable fabric and the sterilizing Ozon function
- The price is simply great for what you get
- Comes with an in-built shut-off timer that you can adjust to your liking
Cons
- Not well-suited for larger or smaller feet, only for the average person
- The massage is not intense enough at points
Sometimes, a unique feature is more than enough to make a massager worth the price of admission, if it’s a feature that’s perfect for your needs.
Acupressure Massage Slippers with Natural StoneSandals That Hurt So Good
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Here’s another unique foot massager in the form of sandals made to massage your feet while you wear them. They may hurt at first, but over time you’ll get used to them, and they’ll start to feel good. If they’re too uncomfortable to walk in, don’t worry, just place them under the desk and use as massage pads until you get used to them.
They’re made in most sizes, and they can easily fit larger or smaller fit with the adjustable Velcro straps, though the stones at the bottom might be misaligned.
Well, I call them ‘stones’ but that’s not true. They’re not real stones, despite being advertised as such. They’re made out of some sort of wood or plastic, I can’t tell, but they’re not stones.
Still, that’s not too much of a knock on these sandals, and they’re still durable despite the stones not being stones. They’re also relatively easy to clean, and they already have an anti-microbial compound included in them that also eliminates odors.
Overall, they’re good, just watch out when you get them since the stones can be quite different on the left and the right sandal and one might be painful while the other is fine.
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Pros
- They come in many different sizes with adjustable Velcro straps
- Non-slip and easy to wear anywhere
- They’re surprisingly durable even though they’re not perfect
- Equipped with an anti-microbial and anti-odor compound
- You can also use them as massage pads
Cons
- The stones in them are fake despite being advertised as real
- The size and shape of the stone varies too much
Sandals like these are often seen as purely a novelty item, but they can be incredibly useful and help keep your feet in good shape, especially if you use them a lot.
PUREWAVE™ CM-07 Dual Motor Percussion + Vibration Therapy MassagerThe Versatile and Portable Massage Buddy
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For a change let’s look at handheld massager that can be used on almost any part of your body, but also has great attachments for use on your feet.
There are 6 different attachments available, and at least 3 of them are well-suited for use on your feet. On the other end of it, there’s also a small massage head which can deliver a more pin-point massage and can be used on your feet too.
It doesn’t have a cord and uses an in-built rechargeable battery for power which means you can use it almost anywhere you like without worrying about tangling a cord. However, the battery doesn’t last for too long especially if you crank up the intensity.
Since the intensity adjustment is variable, you can adjust it exactly to your liking, and it goes from extremely light to incredibly strong.
Overall, using this massager is quite easy, and it offers a lot of variety. It might not be able to massage both of your feet at once but it gives you a better pin-point massage, and it’s highly portable. You can also use it for a lot more than just your feet.
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Pros
- Comes with a lot of different attachments and has tons of great uses
- Draws power from a rechargeable battery and doesn’t use a cord
- Has two massage heads and motors, one on each end
- There are a lot of different intensity options available
- Durable and stands up well to long-term use
Cons
- The battery life is a bit short, especially on the higher settings
- The price is a bit too steep for what’s on offer here
The benefit of a handheld massager is that you have more control over how you massage your body parts and the amount of pressure you apply while still getting an experience similar to a real massage.
Kendal foot spa bath massager w/heat FB09 The Ultimate Spa Experience for Your Feet
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Finally, here’s a nice hybrid of a foot massager and a foot spa for the ultimate relaxation.
It can offer you three different modes of massage – one is a regular vibration massage, the other is a heating massage, and the final one is a bubble massage.
Each of the modes works great, and the fact that you can use it without water gives it an edge over similar foot spas massagers. You can use the modes separately or at the same time. Using them all at once is great for exfoliation and keeping your feet soft.
The heating function can also be used to heat up the water, so you don’t have to pour it hot from the tap. In fact, putting hot water into it might be dangerous and give you burns.
While it might seem like a dangerous device, it is well-made, and there’s no chance of you getting electrocuted or water leaking out of the spa. It’s also equipped with overheating protection.
However, the only way to safely empty is through its own drainage system which can take quite a long time, and it’s tedious to do. The vibration mode also makes a ton of noise, especially when it’s filled with water.
While it is not perfect, the price is great, and it has a lot of functionality which makes it more than worth buying.
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Pros
- Can be used as a massager without water and can heat up your feet
- The heating function can be used to heat up water
- Quality build ensures that no water leaks out and no electricity leaks into the water
- It has wheels for easy movement, and they can be locked-in during use
- The price is quite affordable for a machine with this many uses
Cons
- The only way to safely drain it is through the hose on the back which takes a long time
- The vibration massage makes a ton of noise
Always make sure to put cold water in spas like this – if you put hot water, it might heat up to quickly and give you burns. This is especially important if you have neuropathy since you might get burned without even feeling it.
AREALER Kneading Shiatsu Therapy Feet Massage MachineSnug and Comfortable
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One of the best things about this massager is that it can envelop your entire feet and works on your heels as well which a lot of closed massagers miss out on.
However, this does mean that it’s a bit tight and it can only fit men’s foot sizes of 5 to 11 and nothing above that. However, it already feels quite snug if you’re a size 9.
The strength of the massage is enviable, and you get 5 different modes of operation, including kneading, compression and more. You also have a heating function available, though it does take quite a while to get the full heat
To control it you get a remote control that can be used from a fairly long distance, compared to other massagers but there are also controls on it.
Overall, it’s a fairly durable massager that will stand the test of time, though it does have a few issues and it’s definitely not for everyone.
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Pros
- Has a remote control that can be used from a large distance
- It has 5 different modes that you can choose from along with 5 intensity settings
- 12-month satisfaction guarantee that allows you to return it and get a refund
- Good for people with smaller feet and envelops them entirely, working on your heels too
- It holds up fairly well to long-term use, and it’s definitely durable
Cons
- Not good for people with large feet since it can be too tight
- The heat function takes a while to heat up properly
Always make sure to check not just the official foot sizes for foot massagers, but also what the users say – the reality might be different from the marketing.
Farnsworth & Lloyd Vibrating Foot Massager An Affordable Massager for Large Feet
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This is a highly affordable massager that’s well-suited for most people since it’s easily able to fit most foot sizes due to how large the massaging surface is. However, it’s still got a relatively low profile, and it’s easy to store under furniture when you’re not using it.
Despite how it might look, the massage is quite intense, and you’ll definitely feel it. There are only two intensity levels though, but you can adjust them easily with your foot, without bending down.
When it’s working, it’s noisy, more so than other massagers and especially on the ‘boost’ mode.
It has an infrared heating function as well, but it’s not the best, and you won’t feel it too much even in cold weather.
Overall, it’s a decent product for the price and good for people with larger feet, but it is lacking in some areas.
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Pros
- The price point is great no matter how you look at it
- Large enough to accommodate even huge feet with ease
- It’s small and easy to store under a bed or in a similar place
- You can get quite an intense massage from it despite how it looks
Cons
- The heat it offers is rather weak and doesn’t feel that great
- It’s a little noisy when it’s on, more so than other massagers
If your feet are too large for an open massager you can still use it, but the points it hits might be all wrong, and it won’t feel great. Always try to find a massager that fits your size as close as possible.
The Best Way to Find the Right Foot Massager – 4 Things You Need to Think About
Even if you’ve bought a massager before you might be in a bit of a bind when it comes to finding the right foot massager. After all, they’re quite unique and have their own quirks. I’ll help you by pointing out the 4 most important things to watch out for.
1The Type
Foot massagers have existed for longer than you might think and they’ve gone a long way from simple wooden rollers to large and expensive machines with loads of different functions. Choosing the right one for you can be a bit difficult.
I’ll tell you all I know about some of the most prominent types of foot massagers since there are simply too many to count. Hopefully, that will give you a bit of a heads up.
Manual Foot Massagers
These are the most basic foot massagers there are, though they can also get a bit more complex than you might think. They’re usually just wooden, foam, rubber or plastic rollers that you place on the floor and roll under your feet. They can also take the form of massage balls or even massage pads.
They are usually cheap and simplistic, but they’re highly portable and can be used virtually everywhere. The massage they offer might not be as good or as complete as other types of massagers, but they’re still better than nothing and are useful in a pinch.
They also give you more control and can offer much deeper stimulation which can trigger myofascial release.
Electric Foot Massagers
This is quite a broad category which covers most standalone foot massagers. These massagers are mostly the ones you place on the ground and put your feet onto and which use electric motors to massage you.
However, they have a lot of subtypes. Some are completely open and only massage the soles of your feet, while others have a closed design and massage both the top and bottom of your feet as well as your ankles.
Some of the closed types can stretch all the way up to your knees and are able to massage your calves too. However, they’re not quite accommodating if you happen to sweat a lot or you have large feet.
They can also be differentiated by whether they have one unbroken massage surface or two separate ones – one for each foot. There are also wired and wireless foot massagers, manually controlled or remote controlled foot massagers and so on. The subtypes are wide and varied.
Handheld Foot Massagers
For the most part, these machines are similar to all the handheld back massagers you’ve probably already seen. However, they usually come with a range of attachments tailor-made to fit the shape of your feet.
They are definitely more portable than most other foot massagers, and you can easily use them on the go, especially if they run on batteries. The issue might be that they lack the power that other foot massagers might have.
You can only focus on one part of your feet with them, and it’s usually a relatively small area too, so you can’t get a complete massage by using them.
Massage Footwear
Massage slippers, massage sandals, whatever you want to call them the principle is the same; it’s a piece of footwear with a massage function built into the sole.
They can be both electric and manual, or a combination of both. Some are made for walking outside though most are intended for use at home.
Foot Spa Massagers
These are massagers which also double as foot spas and usually use hot water that circulates quickly to massage your feet. Sometimes they also use massage nodes in combination with that – some can even be used as regular foot massagers, without water.
They are useful and extremely relaxing but they can be expensive and difficult to use since you can’t use them as often as regular massagers nor can you use them outside of the bathroom.
Massage Chairs
While these are not dedicated foot massagers, massage chairs often have foot massagers incorporated into them. They can be just as good as separate foot massagers and can be combined with the other massagers in the chair to give you the complete experience of a relaxing massage.
However, they’re definitely more expensive than dedicated foot massagers and take up a lot more space so they might not be the best choice if you’re just after a good foot massage.
2The Functions it Offers
Foot massagers have evolved over the years, and now they’re not just massagers anymore. A lot of them offer tons of surprising and useful functions – but which ones are right for you?
Well, take a look at some of the most common ones and decide for yourself.
- Heat – One of the most common extra features in foot massagers and for a good reason. Heating makes every type of massage feel better and closer to the real things while additionally relaxing your muscles and your mind.
- Programmable Timer – Some massagers can be programmed to turn on or off at certain intervals or change the type of massage or intensity as well. This can be extremely helpful if you want to be hands-free and still get the type of massage you want.
- Remote Controls – For some, this is a luxury, but for others, it’s a necessity. Constantly bending down to change the massage type, intensity or other settings can be tedious, especially for the elderly and if you’ve got an injury. With a remote controller in your hand, you can easily avoid doing that, but it might be costly.
- Foot-activated Controls – If your massager doesn’t have a remote control, this is the next best things. These controls are made so you can easily reach them and press them with your feet without needing to bend down. They might also have different shapes so you can easily tell what each button does without even looking at the machine.
There’s more to it, but those are some essentials that you should keep in mind.
3The Massage Type
Foot massagers can offer many different massage types that have varying benefits and can fit different types of people. It’s important to find one that is well-suited for your needs. Here are some of the most popular massage types that foot massagers offer – take a look and see what you like the most.
Shiatsu Massage
This is probably one of the most popular types of massage these days, especially when it comes to massagers. It comes from Japan, and it focuses on using pin-point pressure and round motions for kneading the muscles.
A lot of shiatsu massagers also use heating to stimulate the feeling of getting a real massage.
Due to being a rather non-aggressive form of massage, shiatsu massage is best-suited for people who don’t have a lot of feeling in their feet, especially those suffering from neuropathy. It’s also useful in the early stages of recovery from an injury.
Tapping Massage
Also known as percussion massage, this type of massage involves rapid tapping movements of varying strength. It’s usually used in sequence with other types of massage therapy. It’s best when used on smaller parts of the body – like the feet. It’s also often seen during Indian head massage.
This type of massage is great at targeting specific pressure points and nerves, as well as stimulating your muscle reflexes. However, it’s only effective in short bursts and isn’t as relaxing as other massage techniques can be.
Compression Massage
This is a type of massage that involves putting heavy pressure on a large area of your body. This is usually done by the masseuse using both hands and pressing on you with their body weight, sometimes incorporating slight rocking motions.
Since most closed models of foot massagers achieve this effect by inflating and deflating air bags that are placed around your feet, you’ll often see this type of massage referred to as ‘air pressure massage’ or something similar.
This is a type of massage especially useful for improving circulation and is great for people with circulation issues, but is not great at targeting specific pressure points on your feet.
Deep Tissue Massage
This type of massage is done by applying a lot of pressure on the tissues while making slow strokes in order to reach the deeper tissue layers, hence the name.
It can also trigger myofascial release – the loosening of deep, connective tissues that might be strained or too tight. This can help a lot with chronic pain caused by tension in those tissues.
It’s great for chronic conditions and for making muscles looser and improving your mobility. You can also use it in later stages of injury recovery to stimulate deeper muscle fibers that might have atrophied. However, it can be too intense for some or even painful and definitely shouldn’t be applied to sensitive or tender feet.
Hydrotherapy
This is a type of massage based around using water pressure to massage your tissues and relax your muscles. It is usually used with hot water, though cold variants exist.
Massagers that offer this type of massage are usually a combination of a massager and a foot bath, looking somewhat like small Jacuzzis. They use water jets and vibrations to massage your feet and sometimes also have traditional massage nodes.
This can be quite relaxing and combines cleaning your feet with a massage but doesn’t offer quite the same amount of pressure or deep tissue stimulation as other massage techniques do.
4The Size and Weight
Finally, the logistical issues rear their ugly head. Foot massagers can be quite large and bulky, and you might not have enough space for them. However, the right size all depends on how you want to use your massager.
If you want something portable, perhaps something that you can take with you on a trip, you’ll need something smaller and lighter. The same is true if you live in a small apartment and don’t have a lot of space to spare.
However, even if you have plenty of space to spare in your house and don’t want to take the massager anywhere, it’s still pertinent to consider its size. For example, if you want to put it under your table and use it while you’re on the computer, you should check the size carefully to see if it will fit under there.
You also need to store it somewhere when you’re not using, and you also need to consider if you’ll be able to fit it into your closet or wherever you want to keep it.
Most foot massagers also only come in one size, so you better be damn sure that your feet fit nicely on it. Otherwise, you won’t get a full massage with your toes or heels hanging off it, or the massage nodes will hit all the wrong spots since the massager is too large.
While these products are marketed as ‘one size fits all’ that’s just blatantly untrue, and you need the perfect size for you, or it’s going to be useless.
Foot Massagers – The Dos and Don’ts
If you’re using a foot massager, there are some things you need to know in order to get the most of them – here are the most important dos and don’ts for foot massagers.
Do
Consult with your doctor before buying a massager if you’re buying it to treat a certain condition.
Don’t
Start using a massager while you’re still in the early stages of recovery without consulting with anyone.
Do
Read the manual carefully, cover-to-cover, before ever attempting to use your massager.
Don’t
Do something that’s not listed as safe in the manual, simply because it’s not mentioned as unsafe.
Do
Unplug your massager when you’re not using it.
Don’t
Plug it out of the socket before turning it off or while your feet are still in it.
Do
Start out the massage on lower power and increase it as needed, step by step.
Don’t
Start experimenting before determining what you’re comfortable with since you might hurt your feet.
Do
Clean out the massager carefully after every use, preferably with a damp cloth, while it’s unplugged.
Don’t
Let multiple people use it without cleaning it since that will make the massager a hotbed of infection.
Foot Massager FAQ
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading about foot massagers as much as I enjoyed writing this article and I’m glad if I managed to help if just a little. Now there’s just one thing left to do.
You might be wondering which of these massagers is the best. Well, I can only give my opinion on the matter, but I do believe that the MedMassager MMF06 is the best foot massager on the market right now.
Its unique design is what sets it apart, and it’s got a lot of useful functionality. It is also able to fit almost any foot size and type with ease which is what makes it the best in my eyes.
What do you think? Tell me in the comments and ask me any questions you might have – I’ll be happy to answer them for you.
References
- Ariane Park, Ohio State University (2015) A Study on the Use of the MMF07 Foot Massager and Heat Therapy Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome [Online] Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02526277 (Accessed February 18, 2021)
- Ali R, Mahdi N, Mohammad MS, Batool N (2016) Comparing the Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage, Foot Bath and Their Combination on Quality of Sleep in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5187550/ (Accessed February 20, 2021)
- Valizadeh L, Seyyedrasooli A, Zamanazadeh V, Nasiri K (2015) Comparing the Effects of Reflexology and Footbath on Sleep Quality in the Elderly: A Controlled Clinical Trial [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26734475 (Accessed February 23, 2021)
- Unal KS, Balci Akpinar R (2016) The effect of foot reflexology and back massage on hemodialysis patients’ fatigue and sleep quality [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27502815 (Accessed February 25, 2021)
- Lee J, Han M, Chung Y, Kim J, Choi J (2011) Effects of foot reflexology on fatigue, sleep and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22310867 (Accessed February 26, 2021)
- Hohl R, Deslandes AC, Mármora CHC (2020) The Effect of Single-Dose Massage Session on Autonomic Activity, Mood, and Affective Responses in Major Depressive Disorder [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30810079 (Accessed February 26, 2021)
- Uraiwan C, Wichai E, Piyawan P, Junichiro Y (2015) Effects of Thai Foot Massage on Balance Performance in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized Parallel-Controlled Trial [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4416467/ (Accessed March 10, 2021)
- Chitra J, Smriti A, Eke IT (2014) A Study to assess the effectiveness of Foot Massage on Pain among Patients after Abdominal Surgery in a Selected Hospital of Delhi [Online] Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269885920_A_Study_to_assess_the_effectiveness_of_Foot_Massage_on_Pain_among_Patients_after_Abdominal_Surgery_in_a_Selected_Hospital_of_Delhi (Accessed March 11, 2021)
- Nurul HE, Yee CS, Long CM, Tin WW (2015) Revisiting reflexology: Concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4624523/ (Accessed March 13, 2021)
- Ucuzal M, Kanan N (2014) Foot massage: effectiveness on postoperative pain in breast surgery patients [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24882025 (Accessed March 15, 2021)
- Nina C. Franklin, Mohamed M. Ali, Austin T. Robinson, Edita Norkeviciute, Shane A. Phillips (2014) Massage Therapy Restores Peripheral Vascular Function After Exertion [Online] Available from: https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(14)00130-0/fulltext (Accessed March 16, 2021)
- Albert FM, Lea S, Nathan B, Jason PK, Sarah JS, J. Douglas Mann (2016) Myofascial trigger point-focused head and neck massage for recurrent tension-type headache: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4286457/ (Accessed March 21, 2021)
- Giampietro LV, Sayers JM, Nicole MM, William EB (2009) Systematic Review of Efficacy for Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation: An Evidence-Based Practice Approach [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2755111/ (Accessed March 21, 2021)
- Shin MS, Sung YH (2015) Effects of Massage on Muscular Strength and Proprioception After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage [Online] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25226328 (Accessed March 21, 2021)
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