Aching feet? Finding time to take care of them is pretty important. Using a foot massager can provide much-needed relief and health benefits. For example, foot massages can boost circulation, which helps with healing and keeping our muscles and tissues healthy. Of course, it might be that you simply find yourself completely enveloped in the relaxation — and the health benefits are really just a bonus. Whatever the case may be, if you’re looking for the consensus best foot massager on the market, we’ve done the research for you by scanning expert reviews.
A new study also suggests that a foot massage can help postmenopausal women reduce sleep disruption, anxiety and insomnia. As many people are aware, menopause can cause numerous physical and mental health issues, including fatigue, hot flashes and sleep deprivation. But there’s possible hope on the horizon. Recent research from the Cleveland-based North American Menopause Society found that a foot massage during menopause can increase a woman’s average daily sleep duration by as much as one hour each day!
You don’t have to be in menopause to benefit from a foot massage though. Researchers from the University of Konstanz say a group of stressed-out participants displayed notable improvements in both psychological and physiological relaxation after just a 10-minute massage. This is because it activates the body’s regenerative, stress-fighting system.
But professional massages aren’t cheap, and they’re not a practical solution for everyday life. If you’re looking for the best foot massager you can have at home, look no further. Here’s our list of the five best foot massagers, according to 12 experts. Our list is based on the most recommended products across their reviews. Find the one your feet will thank you for below, so you can put your best foot forward.
The List: Top 5 Foot Massagers, According To Experts
1. Best Choice Products Shiatsu Foot Massager
The Spruce says you’ll get a massage up to your 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.
“This remote controlled foot massager is great for every part of your feet, including your ankles. You can choose from an array of massaging actions, like pulsing, rotating, kneading and rolling, or select the amount of time you want the machine to run and dictate which parts of your feet you want it to cover. For a well-rounded massage without any thought, there’s also an ‘auto’ button that gets the massager going on a pre-set series that covers all of its features before it automatically shuts off when finished,” Forbes writes.
Health.com says it feels like human hands: “Why We Like It: You can get a totally customized massage by choosing between an automatic massage for your whole foot or a manual massage targeted to specific areas. As far as comfort, our testers reported that this massager felt the most like human hands were doing the work, which increased our appreciation of the overall experience.”
2. Renpho Foot Massager Machine with Heat
The Strategist loves the features of this foot massager: “It uses air compression, optional heat, round nodes, and a textured rolling spool to deliver a deep Shiatsu-style massage. You can set a timer, after which the machine shuts off automatically. The control-panel buttons can easily be pushed with your toes so you can be truly hands-free. The foot chambers are lined with removable and washable fabric and they can accommodate most foot sizes, up to men’s size 12.”
Reviewed has a favorable review, too: “If you’re looking for an all-around pleasant, relaxing foot massage, this Renpho is the way to go. It has a sturdy plastic build with two crevices containing cloth-covered massagers that you stick your feet into, giving the full foot a massage. It also allows a nice amount of customization.”
Glamour raves, “This foot massager is the mother of all foot massagers. It features three shiatsu kneading-massage intensities and three controllable squeeze intensities, so you can completely customize the experience to mirror what you might ask for during an IRL massage. Coupled with a heating system that stays warm for 30 minutes and touch buttons designed for toes, you’ll slip right into recovery mode with this device.”
3. Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager
Relieve stress with this massager, per People: After a busy day of testing in our lab, this electric foot massager was a clear winner. It scored one of the highest ratings in the ‘Overall Value’ and ‘Design’ categories, and our testers loved how straightforward it was to use. Whether you’re looking to use it solely for relaxation or to alleviate pain, the machine can do it all.
“The Miko Shiatsu Home Massager is an electrical option that offers deep-kneading, air compression, rolling, vibrating and scraping to deliver a shiatsu massage to the bottom and sides of the feet. The air compression applies 360 degrees of pressure. You can customize your massage by toggling through five levels of pressure and turning the kneading function on or off. There’s also an optional heating function,” according to SI.com.
4. Etekcity Foot Massager Machine
GearLab says, “The Etekcity is our favorite overall foot massager with the most comfortable overall massage. With three different modes and three different intensity levels — plus heat — one can certainly find a massage that suits your tastes. You can just lean back and enjoy.”
“The Etekcity provides gradual heat that makes the feet melt into the massage. Speaking of the massage, this model also offers three massage speeds and three air pressure levels to fully customize each session. There’s a touch panel on the massage unit. However, this massager connects to an app for remote control using a smartphone or tablet. Last but not least, you can remove the foot sleeve for washing,” Popular Science writes.
5. NekTeck Foot Massager
Runner’s World thinks this is a great choice for runners: “One of the most common ailments among runners is the dreaded plantar fasciitis. While for some people, it is mostly a nagging discomfort, it can become quite debilitating if not properly treated, and may take you out of training for quite a while. This massager will not only help loosen up those tight tendons and muscles but it’s also able to give you a deeper massage by adding heat to the mix. If you still aren’t sold, check out the over 23,000 customer reviews that give it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.”
And Insider says this is perfect if you want a budget massager: “If you’re looking for a Shiatsu-style massage machine but don’t want to spend too much money, the NekTeck Foot Massager offers heat therapy and an intense kneading massage for about half the price of the Renpho and similar machines. At around $60, the NekTeck offers a heat function with a deep, thorough kneading massage for stiff feet.”
No matter what your budget is, this expert-recommended list has something for everyone. Any other suggestions for foot massagers? Let us know in the comments below!
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Sources:
- The Spruce
- Forbes
- Health.com
- The Strategist
- Reviewed
- Glamour
- People
- SI.com
- GearLab
- Popular Science
- Runner’s World
- Insider
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. Study Finds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.