The Relaxzen was our second-highest-rated massager in the aesthetics category; it looks like a pair of soft slippers and all our testers agreed they would feel comfortable leaving it out in a living room or bedroom. If you’re looking for a foot massager on a budget, this would be our recommendation. When researching products, we found that some had needlessly complicated controls and functionality. While customizability and flexibility are valuable, overdoing it on something relatively simple like an electric foot massager adds more difficulty than benefit. Ranked highest by our focus group, the varying selections in terms of kneading intensity, air compression and heat give the user a customizable massage experience.
This foot spa features infrared heat and three adjustable intensities for deep tissue and shiatsu massages. You can choose between kneading or rolling massages, and then adjust the direction with the press of a button. There’s even an extra mode that allows you to use only air compression. The individual feet pockets are also washable, making cleaning a breeze.
If you’ve ever considered investing in a foot massager but wondered if it was truly worth your money and the storage space in your bathroom or closet, it turns out the answer is, actually, a resounding yes. The lacrosse-style ball really gets in there — it’s meant to mimic the pressure of a massage therapist’s elbow. If you suffer from sore arches or pain with your plantar fascia tendon, put this ball under your foot and let your bodyweight work with the targeted pressure to provide relief.
This massager also has an oscillating airbag feature that moves one foot and then the other laterally across the rollers. This unique massaging method is great for addressing overstimulation when the user’s feet are being kneaded. Conversely, the Snailax 2-in-1 only addresses the soles of the feet. Additionally, the balls that perform the kneading action only cover a portion of the foot, requiring one to move their feet around to work the entire sole. On the upside, the direction of rotation is adjustable, and the overall compact size of the unit means that it’s easy to store.
Each product was thoroughly tested by several users of different ages, sizes, foot types, and massage preferences, and no detail went unscrutinized. Despite the somewhat subjective nature of evaluating a massage, this team labored to be objective in their descriptions of the type — and range — of massages that each unit delivers to the user. While there is plenty to praise the Nekteck Foot Massager for, it isn’t without some downsides. For one, the unit is pretty aggressive, particularly on the heel portion of the foot. This is largely due to the downward pressure that the airbags put on the foot to keep it in contact with the rollers below. We did discover, though, that if you sit further back and do not lean forward on your feet, it is far more comfortable and produces that ahhhhhh feeling.
I love a hard foot massage and was worried that a machine wouldn’t have enough ‘umph’ to give a satisfactory experience. I really like how the air squishes your foot from the top, while massaging from underneath. Below are the best deals we’ve found on some of our favorite foot massagers. Manual devices, like rollers and massage balls, can help release tension in the tissue surrounding the muscles. The very common myofascial pain, caused by repetitive activities or lack of activity at all, usually centers on a trigger point — a “knot” that you can feel under the surface.
So, give your feet some much-needed TLC; slide off your shoes, kick back, and relax with a foot rub because we’ve done all the research and testing for you. Many foot massagers use heat to increase effectiveness and relaxation. Look for adjustable
heat settings to make sure that the experience is comfortable in all seasons and temperatures. Of course, manual massagers skip the heating function, so evaluate whether the convenience of a portable massager is worth losing the power of heat.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. Get the best value on product protection including fast repairs or replacements.
As a result, you can be treated to a relaxing massage experience that reduces foot tiredness, promotes better sleep quality, and relieves body tension and stress. That said, a highly trained massage therapist will always be better than a mechanical massager. It’s also worth considering the weight and portability of the foot massager as well — particularly for the elderly or people with health conditions. While these features did have an impact on our selection of finalists as well as our top picks, they were secondary to the actual operation and benefits of each electric foot massager.
The next time you’re looking to bliss out at home, don’t leave your feet out of the pampering plans. Massaging your feet, calfs, legs, or whatever else is aching improves circulation, reduces tension, and often eases pain, according to Harvard Medical School. People with flat feet do not have a normal foot arch due to ligament laxity, which causes the arch to collapse. It can have no major effect on a person, but some people experience foot pain after even mild physical activity due to flat feet.