When it comes to caring for and relaxing your sore feet, nothing beats a long, warm soak in a foot spa. In fact, the best foot spas out there are more or less all-in-one solutions for all your pedicure needs, surpassing (dare I say it) treatments from even the most expensive of health and beauty spas in this regard.
Think about it; foot spas are able to give you a very relaxing spa-like treatment, without making you pay the horrendously expensive fees the professional enterprises charge, and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home! So without further ado, let’s see the list of the best foot spas.
- Quick Comparison of the Best Foot Spas 2020
- 1. ACEVIVI Foot Spa Bath Massager
- 2. Ivation Foot Spa Massager
- 3. Kendal FB09 All-in-one Foot Spa
- 4. ArtNaturals Foot Spa Massager
- 5. Kendal Wave Best Deep Foot Spa
- 6. Dr. Scholl’s Pedicure Foot Spa
- 7. MaxKare Foot Spa Massager
- 8. Conair Foot/Pedicure Spa
- 9. HoMedics Collapsible Foot Spa
- 10. HoMedics FB-55 toe-touch foot spa
- Why Should You Use a Foot Spa in the First Place?
- How to Choose the Best Foot Spa
- Some Extra Features You May Want to Know About
- Are Bath Salts Overrated?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Quick Comparison of the Best Foot Spas 2020
Here are our top five picks for the best foot spas on the market right now, with a quick comparison table listing all their key features.
Still not sure about what to purchase? Read our full reviews on the 10 best foot spas on the market right now
1. ACEVIVI Foot Spa Bath Massager
Best Foot Spa Overall
No matter what the category, a premium product is one that not only has all the features a user would need from it, but does each of them extremely well too. And while it does face some severe competition from the rest of the entries on this list, we believe the ACEVIVI foot spa more than deserves its top spot on our list, beating out even very well-known companies like Kendal, Conair, and HoMedics in this regard.
This product has everything you could want from a foot spa, from the extremely basic features like adjustable heating and massaging rollers to the more sophisticated ones like a rotating pumice stone for pedicuring your feet and infrared light for sterilization.
Pros
- Large size, most people can use it
- Two sets of massage rollers
- Built-in heat programs
- Infrared light sterilization
- Easy to transport even when full of water
Cons
- Some people with small feet may have trouble using it
- No remote control
2. Ivation Foot Spa Massager
Our Runner Up
While the ACEVIVI is undoubtedly our top pick for a foot spa to use at home, we believe the Ivation foot spa massager gives the ACEVIVI a solid run for its money, what with having almost all the features the latter provides AND being available for a substantially lower price.
Pros
- Provides intense vibrating massage
- Bubble action
- Adjustable heat functions
- Lower price than the ACEVIVI
- Pedicure attachments
Cons
- Only one set of massaging rollers
- Pumice stone not as a proper attachment
3. Kendal FB09 All-in-one Foot Spa
Best Value for Money
Much like the ACEVIVI, the Kendal FB09 features two sets of massagers, one set of circular vibrating massagers and another set of corncob massagers in the middle, though it doesn’t have as many rollers as the former.
Pros
- High-frequency vibrating massagers
- Easy to move around and drain
- Simple dial interface
- Heating therapy and oxygen bubbles
- Massages top end of feet as well as middle
Cons
- No massagers under the heels
- No pedicure attachments
4. ArtNaturals Foot Spa Massager
Best for Athletes and Athlete’s Foot
For extreme cases like worn-out heel and even fungal infections of the feet, you need something that is equipped to take care of them thoroughly, and the ArtNaturals foot spa is just right for the job.
Stretching your tight and stressed feet in the warm, bubbling bath provided by the ArtNaturals is just pure ecstasy, and no matter how sore your feet are, it’s nothing a short session in the ArtNaturals foot spa can’t fix.
Pros
- Can be used with essential oils and bath salts
- Roller massagers at the center of feet
- Adjustable heat controls
- One-button bubbles on and off
- Large size accommodates most feet
Cons
- Rollers aren’t motorized, you have to move your feet yourself
5. Kendal Wave Best Deep Foot Spa
Best Deep Foot Spa
Sometimes a foot soak that only extends to your ankles just doesn’t cut it, and you find yourself in search of a much deeper experience. Well, in that case, something like Kendal Wave is your best bet for a foot spa experience that extends far beyond just your ankles.
In fact, the Wave is so deep, it can easily submerge your legs up to the top of your shins, which is saying a lot.
And for those who stretch their calves almost as much as their feet, being able to relax them in a warm bubbling bath can mean the difference between relaxed, rejuvenated legs and extremely sore shins, possibly leading to injury if not destressed.
Pros
- Kendal product, durable and long-lasting
- Very deep foot spa, lots of room
- Motorized roller massagers
- Great temperature control, can maintain high temperatures with relative ease and consistency
- Pumice stone pedicure attachment
- Remote control
Cons
- Waterfall feature feels tacked on and unnecessary
6. Dr. Scholl’s Pedicure Foot Spa
Best Basic
Having a great bunch of features on your foot spa may seem like a great idea, but to a certain section of the user base, all these extra features come across more as gimmicks than something actually worthwhile.
This is why if you want a foot spa that doesn’t have too much going on over the surface, Dr. Scholl’s pedicure foot spa might spa just be the right product for you. Because this product is literally the limit of how basic you can get without sacrificing the most important features a foot spa has to offer.
Pros
- Just the basic features, easy to use
- Single massage roller, massage your feet when you want to
- Removable pumice stone and other pedicure attachments
- Safe to use with bath salts and essential oils
- Bubbles for soothing foot soak
Cons
- Need to add hot water to the foot spa yourself
7. MaxKare Foot Spa Massager
Best Waterfall Massager
Contrasting to the grinding noise massagers make when they run, waterfall sprouts on foot spas make a very tranquil flowing sound, one that’s akin to music when you’re trying to relax with a nice hot foot soak.
And while there have been a couple of foot spas on this list that do feature waterfall jets, no other product does as good a job at this feature than the MaxKare foot spa massager.
Pros
- Soothing waterfall feature
- Large size allows for most large feet
- Adjustable temperature and vibration controls
- Simple to use control panel
- Safe to use with bath salts even comes with a removable case to hold salts
Cons
- Not deep enough, water sloshes outsides
8. Conair Foot/Pedicure Spa
Most Convenient to Use
No matter how simple a control panel on a foot spa may be, the need to bend down and push a bunch of buttons every time you want to adjust the temperature and variables automatically makes them hard to use.
Because let’s be honest, would you really want to have to constantly move around while you’re trying to relax? This is exactly what was going through the minds of the people over at Conair when they were designing their foot spa, and the solution they came up for this is pretty innovative.
Pros
- Toe-touch controls make for very easy use
- Massager fitted in the middle
- Can easily maintain high water temperatures
- Removable rollers for controlling massage intensity
- Deep basin and splash guards protect from water sloshing out
Cons
- Does not heat up water from low temperatures, have to pour in hot water at the start
- Does not let you adjust temperature and vibration exactly as you like it
9. HoMedics Collapsible Foot Spa
Best Collapsible
When designing a foot spa, most companies don’t cater to the problem of storage, opting instead to focus their energies on more significant features of the product.
And while storage isn’t a huge concern when buying a foot spa, for those who really don’t have space around the house, storing a foot spa when it’s not in use can be a huge pain.
Pros
- Collapsible foot spa for easy storage
- Large roomy tub when expanded
- AcuNodes surface vibrates at high speeds
- Keeps water hot for long periods of time
- Safe to use with bath salts
Cons
- No air bubble massage
- Does not heat the water itself, you have to pour in hot water
10. HoMedics FB-55 toe-touch foot spa
Best Entry Level
While the ACEVIVI foot spa is by far the best foot spa on this list, it is also one of the most expensive foot spas on the market right now, which isn’t surprising considering the features it packs in a single package.
And as an inexperienced customer, you might be skeptical about the benefits a foot spa provides and whether or not you might actually enjoy using one. That’s why it’s better to start off with a simpler and less expensive model, much like the HoMedics FB55 foot spa.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Bubble massage
- Can heat up water to comfortable temperatures
- Removable pumice stone
- Toe-touch controls
Cons
- No vibrating massages
- No drainage holes
One Question Remains
Now that we are done with our glorified top ten picks let’s go into the details, but buying a foot spa is still a hefty investment, and chances are you’re still not convinced you to need one.
So, before I go ahead and show you all the features you need to look for in the foot spa, how about I first go about actually clearing those doubts in your mind about whether or not a foot spa is really a good investment. Spoiler alert: It most definitely is.
Why Should You Use a Foot Spa in the First Place?
Massaging and soaking your feet in hot water is honestly one of the best ways to relax yourself. Be it because of the increased blood circulation, the excitement of nerves at the end of your toes, or just relieving muscle soreness, a foot massage is one of the most therapeutic experiences you can ever have.
But for all the wonderful feelings associated with a foot massage or a warm foot bath, there is a fundamental problem we all face: we need someone to massage our feet.
Well, that’s where a foot spa comes in; with the convenience of getting a foot massage whenever you want one, it’s hard to write a foot spa off as just another unnecessary healthcare product.
Not to mention the fact that massaging and soaking your feet in hot water is good for your feet too, and boy do they deserve some love for the tough job they perform every day.
Want to avoid painful, sore feet as you grow older? I suggest you get into the habit of relaxing your feet more often, and what better way to do that than with a good, long soak + massage in a foot spa.
But why should I buy a foot spa when I can just scrub my feet myself instead?
The only sphere in which it makes any logical sense to not buy a foot spa and opt for scrubbing your feet by hand instead is one where you are desperately trying to save money without losing the benefits of good foot scrub.
But if I may be so bold as to assume you were not in such a desperate need for cash, I can only laugh at the thought of a foot scrub being compared to the experience delivered by using a foot spa. It’s just that irrational.
Contrast this with the ease of use a foot spa provides you, which literally just boils down to you simply inserting your feet inside the foot spa and letting the spa handle the rest, and there’s a very clear winner.
And if that wasn’t enough, try as you might, you just can’t clean your feet the way you could have with the best foot spa by your side, or in this case, at your feet.
So, do yourself a favor and steer clear of trying to scrub your feet by hand. You’ll be way better off, trust me.
How to Choose the Best Foot Spa
But as you saw from reading each individual review, no two products are the same, and one functionality developed well in one product may not be as catered to as well as in the next. And when it comes to experience as subjective in nature as a massage, everything has the ability to influence the quality of your experience.
Here are five of the most important features of a foot spa that can make or break your experience, and that you absolutely must consider before buying a foot spa.
Heating
While you certainly don’t need something that can bring water up to boil (nasty burns, hello?!), you still want your foot spa to get comfortably hot, and stay that way for the entirety of the spa session.
Dipping your feet in hot water is relaxing for a number of reasons, and improved blood circulation and relaxed muscles are chief among these, which is why the best foot spas for arthritis make sure to get the heating part down pat.
And though I’m not saying men have barely any use for foot spas, women can highly benefit from using one, what with their feet being immensely sore after wearing fashionable yet frightfully uncomfortable shoes.
So, how do I go about selecting a foot spa with decent heating? Simple really, all you have to do is look for something that has the correct heat setting and the capacity to heat your foot bath to the right temperatures.
Now, how hot you want your foot spa to be is up to you and the way you like to soak your feet, but anything over 120 Fahrenheit and you’re going to find yourself in some pretty hot waters (pun intended). Luckily for you, most foot spas on the market today are able to reach this temperature and maintain it for the entirety of your foot bath quite easily.
Safe
Size
This one goes without saying: if your foot spa is too small for your feet, you’re going to have a jolly hard time trying to clean and soak your feet inside it. Not to mention how uncomfortable squeezing your feet in a small tank is going to be.
Thankfully, most foot spas come with a tank that caters to most adult foot sizes (up to 17”), so you only have to look for something bigger if your feet are on the larger side. Although opting for a larger foot spa is a good idea, since you’d be giving your feet more room to relax in.
But what about depth? Well, here it’s down to personal preference once again since not everyone prefers to soak their feet beyond their ankles. And you don’t even find too many great products on the market that actually let you dip your feet higher than your ankles, so the deeper you want your foot soak to be, the harder it’ll be to find a decent product that does the job.
Massaging Rollers and Jets
Second to only heating, this is the most important feature you have to look for in a foot spa. After all, what good is a foot spa if it can’t give you the relaxing foot massage it promised you on the box.
So, when buying a foot spa, always look for something that offers both of them, rather than going for something that only features one of these.
There are also a couple of variations when it comes to how these massagers are fitted inside the foot spas, though the majority of designs on the market feature a set of rollers on the base of the tank, where the feet are supposed to be placed, with a few more positioned on the sides.
More rollers and jets aren’t necessarily better though, since they do end up taking quite a bit of space on the inside of the tank, which means there’s less space to relax your feet in. So, look out for massaging rollers, but don’t be overjoyed when you see a foot spa packed to the brim with one.
Noise
Although they’re absolutely essential to the foot spa experience, hardly anyone is a fan of the grating noise massaging rollers make as they work, and the noise is more than distracting if you want to just close your eyes and relax.
Wearing a pair of headphones or earplugs is somewhat of a necessity when using a foot spa, and it does help filter out a great deal of noise, but what if you just wanted to enjoy your favorite show on Netflix, and the distant grinding noise was just too much to bear? Or even if you weren’t all too bothered by the noise, God bless the poor soul who has to share the same room as you when you’re using the foot spa.
That’s just an obligatory fee you have to pay for well-massaged feet. And if you can’t eliminate noise completely, then at least you do have the comfort of reduced noise to tide you over.
Bubbles
Everyone is bound to have their own opinion on this matter, and there’s really no right choice here. Which would be fine, except for the fact that you probably don’t even know whether or not bubbles are something you’d like in your foot spa, and not having the luxury to test out the product over the internet doesn’t exactly help matters.
So, how do you get about this problem? I’d say it’s better not to risk it if you can’t afford to since you might end up liking bubbles, but you might end up hating them too, and you don’t have an exit in the latter scenario.
Just buy a regular non-bubble-dispersing foot spa; the regular foot spa treatment is pretty sweet even without bubbles. Or you could buy a foot spa that has the option of turning bubbles on or off, letting you try out the feature and shutting it off if you do end up hating it. Either way, it’s entirely your call.
Some Extra Features You May Want to Know About
Now that we’ve got some of the important features out of the way, it’s time to discuss some extra features you can get with your foot spa, and how they can contribute towards making your foot spa experience even better.
These features Built-in across all models on the market, and you’d actually be hard-pressed to find a product that does all of these justice at the same time, but having even one in your foot spa automatically increases the value of the experience you get.
The most prominent of these extra features are as follows:
Remote control on a foot spa basically lets you change heat, vibration, and massage settings without having to reach down and do them yourself.
Which doesn’t sound like a lot, but consider this:
would you really want to bend double in the middle of a foot massage session to fiddle around with some controls
or would you rather not having to move from your extremely relaxed position and just make whatever adjustments you need with the push of a few buttons with a remote on your hand?
A remote isn’t looking so pointless now, is it?
Although I’m usually all for companies giving their customers full control over their products and letting them set parameters whichever way they like, in the case of foot spas, I’d have to disagree.
Because while being able to set the massage speeds and temperatures exactly how you want them is pretty nice, it’s not as fun the first time around since there’s a lot of trial and error involved before you’re able to hit that one sweet spot that fits you perfectly. And which is why many people are never fully satisfied with the settings they end up picking.
Contrast this with a foot spa that offers built-in programs, and you’ve got a pretty convenient foot spa experience. Because who would know better about what settings you’re bound to get great results in than the people who actually built the product?
Built-in programs let you automatically set the temperature and massage levels according to the kind of treatment you’re looking for with just the push of a single button. And if that’s not convenient, I don’t know what is.
Ah yes, attachments, small gadgets, and machinery that you can attach to products to further enhance the features you can get from it. And in the case of foot spas, a pedicure attachment can mean the difference between good-looking feet and absolutely gorgeous feet.