These Foot Massagers Will Make You Say, 'Ahhh' (2024)

Women's Health fitness editor Jennifer Nied loves keeping this Homedics foot massager under her desk at home. This tool includes both deep tissue and compression massaging capabilities. Plus, it has a washable liner.

"It has multiple settings and levels, so it's possible to customize the exact massage my feet need that day, whether it's recovering from a tough workout or targeting tough knots," Nied says. "The timed session also helps me stay productive and works as a reminder to switch tasks during my work day."

Rave Review: "It works, and I do look forward to using it. My feet feel less fatigued when I use it after a longer run in the morning. Plus, I have a job, so it really helps recharge my feet to keep moving later in the day. All in all, a good investment."

No, seriously. Physical therapist Alyssa Kuhn, among many other PT's, love this cost effective option as a foot massager. "It is harder than a tennis ball, but does have a degree of flex that can feel great on the feet," Kuhn says. All you have to do is set the ball on the floor and roll your foot over it in a circular motion. "This will help to bring blood flow to the muscles and small joints in the feet that can become stiff and sore," Kuhn explains.

Rave Review: "I use these balls to roll my back and shoulder muscles out against a wall and they work perfectly for that. They may be too hard for some, but for an average adult they work amazingly. After 10 minutes of rolling, my shoulder and upper back muscles feel instant relief."

Looking for something to pinpoint tension? Women's Health health editor Caitlin Carlson loves this Hypervolt gun while she's marathon-training. "I use my Hypervolt most often as part of my workout warm-ups on bigger muscles like my glutes and quads," she says. "I also love to use it on the bottoms of my feet as a foot massager." Carlson was clued in to using this massage gun on her feet by an acupuncturist, and it has come in handy during plantar fasciitis flair ups.

Rave Review: "Unlike the previous (much cheaper) version, this has a lot power, even on my larger muscle groups like legs. Battery life is great. Exactly what I was hoping for in a handheld percussion massager."

Dr. Rimawi recommends this pick for its ability to target the ankles and calves on top of giving you a high quality foot massage. It has heat capabilities and three distinct levels of intensity to meet your feet wherever they may be. It's great for plantar fasciitis or just a post-workout cool down. Plus, it has over 10,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Many reviewers say that even its lowest level gets them a super satisfying massage.

Rave Review: "This massager really does the job. My partner and I both have planters fasciitis and after only a few uses our feet are already better. The massage feels so good and very relaxing. I haven't used the high power yet since the low power really does the job. Totally impressed, satisfied, and love this machine."

Kiss, er, kick your discomfort goodbye as soon as you try this stylish massager that is sure to melt stress away throughout your entire body. Using reflexology, the Renpho foot massager targets specific areas on your feet that signal your body to relax, perfect for those who struggle with chronic foot pain.

Designed for maximum comfort, this massager gradually intensifies the heat, squeezing, and kneading so you can ease yourself into just the right level of relaxation. Dr. Rimawi also loves this option for neuropathy (a condition that can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet) patients, as its heat capabilities are optional. Your feet will thank you, trust.

Rave Review: "Because of my job, I am on my feet eight hours a day. At night I was exhausted and the pain in my feet was annoying. When I bought this foot massager, I was rescued!! The massager uses heat, vibration, air pressure, and Shiatsu-balls to gently relax tired feet. In 15 minutes, no more pain and tiredness!!"

Using air bags to achieve different compression sequences, this heated massager can provide instant comfort to tired feet and legs. It purports to help release tight muscles, eliminate muscle spasms, and decrease swelling and pain in the lower body. The massager also features two heat levels, which combined with the compression massage can improve circulation and increase relaxation. (Not to mention, doesn't it just kinda look cool?)

Rave Review: "These are great. I like the number of options and they have helped me from getting lower leg and foot muscle pain. I have plantar fasciitis and this helped it as well. I asked my physical therapist about it and she said 'yes, get it,' since it can help with circulation for healing. So happy with this product. It folds up nicely in the provided bag, which is a great advantage."

Read more: Best Compression Boots

This may be the most convenient foot massager on Amazon. Not only does it offer high-end massage features for less than half the price of other options, but the Nektek Foot Massager steps it up a notch by offering an adjustable height feature. Easily lift or lower the massager up to three levels, depending on what’s comfortable for you. Plus, you can take the relaxation anywhere with its built-in cord storage and carry handle. The massager also provides six massage heads, 18 rotating massager nodes, and adjustable heat settings.

Rave Review: "I bought this mainly for the warming foot massage, but after using it once I was delighted to see the pain in my back had subsided. I was able to get up without cringing. What a relief and what a wonderful surprise. I highly recommend this device. It feels wonderful on my feet."

This Nekteck foot massager features an added twist (fun!). Using air compression technology and intense kneading functions, it will hug your feet in all the right places, claiming to reduce muscle stiffness, improve muscle tissue, and promote blood circulation in the foot and calf areas. Its special heating and rolling ball features can also help alleviate the pressure from a long day’s work. After using this massager, you won’t even know the difference between a professional masseuse and your Nekteck.

Rave Review: "Received my massager today and it is FANTASTIC! I love the way the shiatsu balls massage the soles, and the air compresses my feet and heels. I started on low pressure and then switched to high. I thought about going to a foot masseuse, but decided to check Amazon. I'm glad I did. Now I can get a great massage at home whenever I want."

Does your body need all the help it can get? You may have met your multi-functional match. This two-in-one massager treats your feet, back, and neck, relieving tension, pain, and aches with all of its amazing features. Use it as a foot massager, a back heating pad, or a seat cushion while getting your daily tasks done. With eight rotating shiatsu rollers and soothing heat, all you have to do is choose which part of your body gets to relax first. Any muscle aches, knots, and general fatigue will melt away thanks to the soft plush material from this massager.

Rave Review: "Wow, this massager is amazing! It gets my heels so perfectly and I also like to put it on my legs! The heat setting is just right and you can switch the direction of the massager. The cover easily removes and I can place it on my neck or my back! It's for your feet, but I find its multi-purpose function to be the best part! The cord is super long as well!"

• Mohammad Rimawi, MD, is a podiatrist at Manhattan Foot Specialists. He specializes in general podiatric medicine, podiatric dermatology, and minimally invasive reconstructive surgery including bunions and hammertoes.

• Alyssa Kuhn, DPT, is a physical therapist and osteoarthritis specialist. She also is founder of the blog Keep The Adventure Alive.

Beskar Shower Foot Scrubber— While this option is highly rated and affordable, there weren't enough standout factors to keep it included in WH's top picks.

RightMell Foot Spa Bath Massager—This foot bath exfoliates and warms your feet. It's a luxurious item to have in your home, but it didn't have quite enough massaging features to make the list.

TheraFlow Foot Massager—WH loved this pick for its price and how well it targets plantar fasciitis. However, with the expert-approved lacrosse balls, and the Hypervolt massage gun making the list, this one became a runner-up.

Emer Foot Massager Machine—This option is lightweight and includes 10 separate levels for massaging. While it's a great pick, nothing made it stand out among other options included in the list.

Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager—This pick has excellent features, and is a slightly less expensive version of the expert-recommended Cloud Massage. However, its similarities lost it a spot among WH's top picks.

Overall, it is important to make sure you know what your feet can handle when considering a new foot massager, Kuhn says. "If you have decreased sensation in your feet or neuropathy, you may not be able to tell if the pressure is too much, if the temperature is too high, and/or if an injury or cut happens," she explains.

Here are some of the main things to consider when shopping for a quality foot massager:

Massage methods

Depending on what you're looking to get out of your massager, you might look for different modes. Air compression is a common mode in foot massagers, and it's great for circulation, Dr. Rimawi says.

However, if you're looking for something to reduce specific tension in your feet, you should look for something more targeted, such as a massage gun.

Heat

Dr. Rimawi recommends staying away from heat entirely if you have neuropathy to reduce risk of injury. "If you can't sense if the heat is too much, you run the risk of burning your skin," he says. "This is something we see often as podiatrists."

Of course, a little heat won't harm your feet, but Dr. Rimawi recommends exercising with caution and avoiding massagers with heat altogether if you can.

Controls

Whether you have controls on your foot massager is really up to your personal preference. Certain buttons can make it easier to control heat and vibrations, which can be beneficial if you have neuropathy. You may also prefer that your foot massager come with a remote control, so that you don't have to bend down to switch to a different function—all up to you.

Somewhat! According to Kuhn, foot massagers may be able to increase blood flow in the feet, which can alleviate symptoms of neuropathy. However, you should exercise caution when using a massager with neuropathy, especially if you're using heat.

Dr. Rimawi says that there's some evidence of foot massagers repairing nerves, but he mostly recommends using one in a case-by-case basis. "As long as it does no harm, I don't see why people [with neuropathy] shouldn't use one," he says.

When using a foot massager, especially if you have neuropathy, you should be weary of any accidental injury caused by the pressure of a foot massager, say both Kuhn and Rimawi.

Dr. Rimawi also recommends seeing a doctor before using a massager, especially if you are trying to target a specific problem. "Foot massagers should never be replacement for medical opinion," he says.

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