Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (2024)

Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (1)

An at-home foot massager is not only a great way to unwind at the end of the day, but it can also relieve some symptoms of common foot problems like arthritis pain and plantar fasciitis. A foot massager can be a simple device you manually roll under your feet or a fully electric spa offering shiatsu massage. Either way, the goal is to improve blood flow to the feet and decrease swelling, says Alyssa Kuhn, DPT, Utah-based doctor of physical therapy.

Based on our research and expert insights, we chose the top foot massagers to test for one month at home. Then, we evaluated each one for effectiveness, comfort, ease of use, and value until we found the best options on the market. Finally, a podiatrist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy, including the potential benefits of foot massagers and what to look for when shopping for one.

Features to Look for in a Foot Massager

  • Massage Type: Some massagers roll, some squeeze, and others use air compression or vibrating pulses. Many perform these movements with adjustable settings. If you have a particular injury or condition, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine which type of movement is best for you.
  • Intensity and Settings: Many massagers have a range of intensity settings, but depending on your symptoms, you may not want—or be able to withstand—even gentle pressure or kneading. If the massager you’re considering buying is described as providing a “tight squeeze,” make sure that’s the type of pressure you’re looking for, or you could end up in more pain than when you started.
  • Heat: Some people love the extra muscle relaxation a heated foot massage can provide, but for safety reasons, make sure any electric model you choose can be used without heat. Eva Lassey, DPT, founder of DrSensory.com says people with diabetes or neuropathy should be extra careful because they might not feel the temperature accurately, which could lead to accidental injury with severe burns. Always start with a lower temperature first and gradually increase if you need it, closely monitor your skin for injury, and never leave the heat on for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, she advises.
  • Size and Portability: Electric massagers are usually bulky and heavy, so they’re far less portable than simple manual massagers. If a travel-friendly option is important to you, stick with a small manual roller. If you’re planning to leave your massager at home and want a wide range of features, you can choose a larger, less portable type.
  • Added Features: Some massagers come with additional features, such as a heat option, a remote control, and auto-shutoff. While these features aren’t necessary, having them can enhance your massage experience or help if you have a specific health condition.

What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know

  • Manual massage is best: Nothing can compare to the healing power of touch, says Lassy, but for most people, a manual foot massage isn’t always available when you really need it (like after a long day of work). In place of a manual massage, a foot massager can be a great tool as long as you listen to your body and use your massager in a way that feels good for you, says Lassey.
  • Choose your massager wisely: Different massage types or settings, like shiatsu, rolling, and kneading, provide different benefits. According to Lassey, people with plantar fasciitis should look for a massager that offers shiatsu massage. Meanwhile, a vibrating massage is good for people with sensitive feet who need general tension relief. A rolling massage is great for people who want to reduce swelling since the rolling motion helps move excess fluid toward your lymph nodes.
  • Set realistic expectations: According to Heather Swain, PT, DPT, CIDN, CPT,founder of Ally Total Physical Therapy, how much improvement you may experience when using a foot massager is highly variable: it depends on your medical history and the condition you’re hoping to treat and the type of massage you utilize, as well as how long and how frequently you use the massager.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Foot pain can be caused by anything from overuse and fatigue to minor problems like plantar fasciitis to more serious conditions like arthritis and diabetic neuropathy. If using a foot massager relieves your symptoms, you can continue managing your foot pain at home for the time being. But if you don’t get much relief from a foot massager or if it’s making your symptoms worse, contact a healthcare provider for a physical exam.

In general, says Swain, you should stop using a foot massager and contact a healthcare provider if you:

  • Can't put weight on your foot
  • Have swelling in one foot or leg and not the other, without any obvious history of injury
  • See an indented form on your skin when you press on it with your finger, an effect known as pitting edema
  • Have a skin rash or open wound with drainage
  • Lose sensation or experience numbness and tingling
  • or develop weakness in your foot

These can all be signs of a more serious health issue, like a fracture or sprain, blood clot, infection, nerve damage, or stroke.

Our Top Picks

Best for Plantar Fasciitis:

Tumaz Foot Roller at Amazon ($10)

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In This Article

  • Features to Look for in a Foot Massager

  • What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know

  • When to See a Healthcare Provider

  • Our Picks

  • How We Tested the Foot Massagers

  • Benefits of Using a Foot Massager

  • Our Experts

  • Why Trust Verywell Health

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Portable and lightweight

  • Two different groove options

Cons

  • No heat feature

  • May be hard to use if you have dexterity problems

Key Specs

Massage Type: Rolling (manual) | Added Features: None

Why We Recommend It

People with plantar fasciitis often search for ways to relieve tension in the muscle that extends along the sole of the foot, and the Tumaz Foot Roller is a simple but effective way to stretch and massage this common problem area. Lassey says it has what it needs to directly target the plantar fascia, getting into the tight spots along the arch of your foot to alleviate discomfort and soreness. Plus, she adds, it’s compact—which means it’s portable and easy to use anywhere, anytime.

We liked all of the same things about the Tumaz Foot Roller as Lassey: It could be stored in a drawer at our desk or thrown in a travel bag, ready to provide relief to aching arches whenever we needed it. And it definitely did provide relief; our editor noticed a decrease in foot pain after about two weeks of use, no longer waking up with foot pain the day after going for a run. It was also comfortable to use, and since you can control how much pressure you apply, you can give yourself a gentle massage or a slightly more forceful one if that feels good to you.

Although this is a simple, manual option, it works effectively to relieve plantar fasciitis tension and has a bit of customization to offer—you can choose from the original version, with moderate bumps along the roller section, or the diamond version, with deeper grooves for a more intense, deep tissue massage. If you want a similar product with more stability, the TheraFlow Foot Massager Roller Stick is a wooden, manual roller with a flat bottom to help it stay in place under your feet.

Keep In Mind

This foot massager is as simple as they come, and while its targeted plantar fasciitis relief is effective, people with other foot pain conditions may be unimpressed by what little it has to offer. Plus, you have to manually get the relief you need with this roller rather than relaxing and letting a machine do the hard work of relieving tension for you.

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (3)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (4)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (5)

Pros

  • Combines kneading with compression for sore muscles

  • Feet felt refreshed after use

  • Fits a wide range of foot sizes

Cons

  • Only one heat setting

  • Limited adjustments for kneading and foot angle

Key Specs

Massage Type: Shiatsu | Added Features: Heat, remote control, compression

Why We Recommend It

If your feet are sore after your latest walk, run, or hike, the MOUNTRAX Foot Massager can help you recover, offering multiple levels of massage customization for soothing relief. Lassey says the combination of deep tissue shiatsu massage and compression featured here can assist in flushing out lactic acid buildup post-workout and reduce muscle soreness, making the MOUNTRAX a great choice for athletes or anyone who exercises regularly.

In testing, we were impressed by how well this massager lived up to its claims. It allowed us to mix and match three levels of massage with three levels of compression for a massage that relieved knotty tension in our feet, gradually relaxing and eventually refreshing how our feet felt after exercise. In fact, we noticed symptom improvement beyond the massage period: Our feet felt refreshed for at least 12 hours after use, sometimes longer. The heat was mild but helpful, and while certain levels of massage intensity could certainly be uncomfortable for people with sensitive feet, there was enough variability in the settings to find a gentle massage, too.

We especially liked how the MOUNTRAX accommodated multiple foot sizes and provided full coverage for all of them. Despite its large size, it was also easy to set up and move around, and it doesn't skimp on convenient features like a long cord, auto timer, and wireless remote control.

Keep In Mind

We had a generally positive experience testing the MOUNTRAX, but if we saw any room for improvement, it was in the lack of variety in massage styles and adjustability. There was only one kneading pattern, no variation for heat, and no adjustability for the foot angle, all of which would assist with making this massager even more customizable than it already is.

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (7)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (8)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (9)

Pros

  • Full, rolling foot coverage

  • Mid-massage adjustability

  • Soothing combination of heat, kneading, and compression

Cons

Key Specs

Massage Type: Shiatsu | Added Features: Heat, auto-shutoff, compression

Why We Recommend It

Swelling is a major concern for many women during pregnancy—not just in the bellybut also in the feet, where excess fluid can pool at the end of a long day. While it isn't as good as a manual massage provided by a doting spouse or partner, theRenpho Shiatsu Foot Massager Premiumgives much-needed relief to swollen and achy feet. It warms them to get the blood circulating andalternates between kneading and compression to relieve muscle tension.

Our editor for the Renpho massager was pregnant during the testing period, so we were able to get an accurate description of its benefits during pregnancy. She reported that it was extremely comfortable, offering three levels of intensity for the kneading shiatsu massage and the compression feature and that the lowest settings were actually a bit too mild for her. While comfort is highly individual between users, it’s good that the Renpho falls on the gentler side, making it safer for most people to use.

Other standout features of the Renpho were its easy setup, mid-massage adjustability (in case you want something more or less intense after getting started), and its progressive approach to massage, systematically rolling back and forth through various parts of your foot, addressing everything from the balls of the feet and arches to the heels. We would have liked to see some flexibility with the angle of the massager since it was hard to get into the right position while also supporting our back, but overall, it was a satisfying alternative to an in-person massage.

Keep In Mind

The gentlest setting on this massager was, per our editor, too mild to be effective. If you’re looking for a serious deep-tissue massage, there’s probably not enough adjustability here. And to any pregnant users: the Renpho doesn’t come with a remote control, which our editor found to be a major hindrance in choosing and changing settings at a certain point in her pregnancy (when it was physically challenging to bend over).

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (11)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (12)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (13)

Pros

  • Can be used seated or lying down

  • Targets the feet and calves

  • Comes with a remote to adjust intensity and mode

Cons

  • Compression therapy only, no massage

  • Compression may be too intense for some

Key Specs

Massage Type: Compression | Added Features: None

Why We Recommend It

Many traditional foot massagers can be adapted to provide relief for your calves, but it’s not always easy to get the right angle and fit for your legs with a product designed for your feet. The FIT KING Leg and Foot Compression Massager solves that problem, fitting over your feet and lower legs like a sleeve or soft boot. It uses a combination of kneading and air compression to provide much-needed relief to your sore muscles, and our editor appreciated how the design allowed them to address both problem areas at once rather than having to choose between their feet or their calves.

With two modes and three massage intensities, you can adjust the settings to get the amount of kneading and compression you need. The remote allows you to make changes right at hand rather than reaching down. The FIT KING massager's mobility is another bonus: Unlike most other foot massagers, you can be in any sitting or reclined position while using the sleeves.

That said, sometimes, these sleeves are a bit too intense. Our editor noted they were occasionally uncomfortable, even on the lowest settings, and that the high-intensity squeezing wasn’t always the pleasant massage experience they expected. Still, it was more like a large blood pressure cuff applied to their legs. That compression level could benefit people with certain minor chronic conditions, like lymphedema, but it won’t work for people looking for a simple foot massage.

Keep In Mind

This product aims for intense air compression, so if you’re sensitive to pressure or want a more soothing, relaxing massage, the FIT KING massager may not be the best choice.

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (15)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (16)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (17)

Pros

  • Convertible design plus footrest

  • Comfortable massage for most users

  • Easy to move around

Cons

  • Only one heat setting

  • Limited foot coverage

Key Specs

Massage Type: Shiatsu | Added Features: Heat, targets multiple areas

Why We Recommend It

Most convertible foot massagers can be applied to different parts of your leg, like your foot or calf, but the Homedics 3-in-1 Shiatsu Foot Massager is unique because it can be propped against a chair or sofa and used as a back massager. This feature, combined with its potential use as a small footrest thanks to its cushioned topper, makes the Homedics 3-in-1 one of the more versatile options on our list.

In testing, we liked how comfortable this massager was for our feet, giving them a nice, soft spot to slip into and how the massage was always reasonably pleasant. With two massage modes, it was never too intense or painful, and the optional heating feature was mild and soothing rather than blazing hot. However, it didn't provide full coverage of our feet, so we had to move them around to reach different spots, like our toes and the backs of our heels.

We appreciated how simplistic this massager was to operate, especially since it’s convertible; we had no difficulty transitioning it from one type of use to another, even though you have to unzip part of the massager to use it for your back. The cord was plenty long enough for us to use the massager in different locations, and there was virtually no setup or assembly—we plugged it in and got instant relief. Between its versatility and middle-of-the-road intensity that’s appropriate for most users, the Homedics 3-in-1 is a great choice for your first at-home foot massager.

Keep In Mind

This is a basic model without added features like auto shutoff or temperature adjustment, and we thought the foot coverage could have been better. If you’re looking for a deep-tissue massage, you likely won’t get the coverage, massage, or heat intensity you need.

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (19)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (20)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (21)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (22)

Pros

  • Massages feet, ankles, and legs

  • 5 massage modes for addressing multiple foot pain conditions

  • Quiet mode

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Bulky and hard to transport

Key Specs

Massage Type: Shiatsu | Added Features: Heat, remote control, compression

Why We Recommend It

As the name implies, the Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager massager offers a soft place for your feet to land at the end of the day, providing multiple levels and styles of massage along with heat and compression. It’s extremely versatile, with plenty of customization, and in testing, we appreciated the variety of massage styles targeting different benefits: vibrating and compression to soothe, kneading to stimulate blood flow, and rolling and swaying movements to reduce inflammation. It also has a quiet setting and can be adjusted to several angles, allowing it to be used higher up on your calves or lower down on your ankles.

Dr. Lassey points out that this massager is a good choice for anyone looking for a deep, kneading sensation that can relieve knotty tension in your feet, people with chronic foot pain, or those who spend a lot of time on their feet each day. Because it’s a comprehensive massage that cycles through multiple settings over the course of 15 minutes, it can deliver intense relief for a variety of aches and pains.

It should be noted that the Cloud massager is large, heavy, and somewhat hard to move around. (It has to be to accommodate all of its features, but this isn’t the type of massager you can take on the go.) It’s also much more expensive than the other options on this list—and while our editor thought it was worth its higher price tag—consumers looking for a similar massager at a lower cost might consider the Best Choice Products Foot Massager.

Keep In Mind

Although the Cloud is highly customizable, there are a few things you can’t change: it’s bulky, more expensive than other options, and is designed to satisfy people looking for a deep and versatile massage, not a gentle spa experience.

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (24)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (25)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (26)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (27)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (28)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (29)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (30)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (31)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (32)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (33)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (34)

  • Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (35)

Pros

  • Massages feet, ankles, legs, and calves

  • Evenly distributed heat

  • Cozy foot liners

Cons

  • Settings are not fully customizable

  • Footholds may be small for some users

Key Specs

Massage Type: Shiatsu | Added Features: Heat, remote control, compression

Why We Recommend It

Using heat therapy, air compression, and kneading, the Miko Shiatsu Home Foot Massager

soothes aching feet, relaxes muscles, and improves blood flow. In testing, we were impressed by how effective this massager was at delivering a truly satisfying foot massage; it actually felt like the machine was giving our feet a warm hug, quickly and evenly distributing the heat and other massage features to the entire foot, not just the sole.

Dr. Lassey says this combination of heat and shiatsu massage makes the Miko a powerful option for people needing extra relief. The heat helps to relax muscles further during the massage and makes the experience more effective, especially for people with stiff or sore feet. (Just remember, she notes, that heat needs to be used with caution on some people’s feet, like those with diabetes, neuropathy, or other conditions causing loss of sensation.)

In addition to loving how easy it was to find the right settings and receive a genuinely relaxing massage, we appreciated some of the Miko's added features, like the wireless remote, five pressure settings, and rotation bar that allows you to lay the massager flat or at an angle to target your feet, ankles, legs, or calves.

Keep In Mind

Although the Miko distributes 115 degrees of heat quickly and evenly, we were still disappointed that none of the massagers we tested had any heat adjustability (for example, we couldn’t customize the amount of heat to our liking).

How We Tested the Foot Massagers

Our team used foot massagers at home for one month, following the manufacturers' directions for use whenever relief from foot pain was needed. For electric foot massagers, our editors tried out all the features and intensity levels included, one at a time. We evaluated each massager based on the following attributes:

  • Effectiveness: How effective a foot massager is depends on the symptoms you’re treating and your goal in relieving them, but we made note of both how the massager made our feet feel while we were using it as well as how we felt after use—including how long the massager relieved our symptoms and if we noticed an overall improvement in tension or discomfort.
  • Comfort: Comfort is a subjective measure for a product like a foot massager (some people will find even the gentlest settings too intense based on their tolerance), but we still assessed how comfortable we were while using the massager, if we experienced any pain or irritation, and how well the massager conformed to our feet.
  • Ease of use: Electric massagers often come with many bells and whistles, but that can make them difficult to use. We evaluated the clarity of the instructions and how easy it was to set up each massager, then noted how intuitive it was to adjust the settings, use the remote control (if applicable), and transport or plug in the massager.
  • Value: Foot massagers range in price from under $25 to over $200, so it’s important to think about what features you need and how much you’re willing to spend. After testing, we checked the retail price of each foot massager and judged whether it was priced appropriately based on how well it worked and how effective it was.

Benefits of Using a Foot Massager

  • Improve Circulation: Between the massaging features and, in many models, the heating features, foot massagers are designed to increase blood flow in your lower extremities, but they can help your heart, too, says Kuhn: “Gravity is pulling on our bodies all day, whether we are standing or sitting, and fluid can be pulled down into our feet and legs, making our heart work harder to pull that fluid out.”
  • Relieve Discomfort: If you've been on your feet all day or have chronic foot pain conditions like plantar fasciitis, using a foot massager can help alleviate soreness and reduce swelling, says Lassey, especially if you spend some time elevating your feet to get the blood flowing first.
  • Distraction: The physical stimulation of the massager can distract you from your symptoms and help you feel better for a short period of time, says Swain, noting that this is especially true for massagers that apply heat or vibration, both of which can inhibit the sensation of pain in the nerves of your feet.

Our Experts

We begin consulting with experts before we choose our products to be tested—as well as before,during, and after the testing process—to find out what to look for or avoid when choosing a product like a foot massager, learn the best practices for using one, and what you can expect if you are trying to treat certain foot conditions. Some of the people we spoke to about foot massagers include:

  • Heather Swain, PT, DPT, CIDN, CPT,founder of Ally Total Physical Therapy
  • Eva Lassey, DPT, founder of DrSensory.com
  • Jordan Beall, PT, DPT
  • Alyssa Kuhn, DPT, Utah-based doctor of physical therapy

Why Trust Verywell Health

Sarah Bradley has been a freelance writer since 2017, tackling health commerce articles, product reviews, and shopping guides on everything from dry skin moisturizers and wart removers to menstrual cups and toothbrushes for braces. Homeschooling three boys keeps her on her feet all day, and if she doesn’t wear good, supportive shoes when running errands, her plantar fasciitis flares up. She tested the Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager for Verywell Health in 2022, and it’s still a fixture in her home office (used by every member of the family!).

Experiencing Aching Feet? We Tested These 7 Best Foot Massagers to Relieve Soreness and Swelling (2024)
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