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InStyle / Marcus Millan
Whether you’re a DIY spa day maven or simply someone who spends a lot of time on their feet, there are few better ways to relax and unwind than with a soak in an at-home foot spa. They’re not just for enjoyment, though: According to Texas-based board certified podiatrist Dr. Anne Sharkey, foot spas can be used to treat foot pain and tension, increase blood circulation, and provide a deep clean before an at-home pedicure. And, keeping feet clean and regularly soaking them can greatly reduce health issues caused by harmful bacteria or fungi.
Best of all, many foot spas come with additional features like massaging rollers, pumice stones, adjustable heat settings, bubble functions, and even red light therapy options. To help keep feet healthy and pampered, we rounded up the eight best foot spas on the market that are perfect for soaking achy toes and tense feet. With one of these foot spas on hand, your self-care days will be so much more indulgent.
Best Overall
Best Choice Products Motorized Foot Spa Bath Massager
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Amazon
What We Love: With countless special features and several massage options, this foot spa creates the ultimate at-home spa treatment.
What We Don’t Love: The deep bucket doesn’t always make for the most ergonomically comfortable experience.
Let’s get one thing straight: The Best Choice Foot Bath is an unparalleled, top-notch foot spa that puts some very special features front and center. With motorized shiatsu massage rollers, a built-in pumice stone, removable maize rollers for acupoint pressure, and a gentle fountain shower option, users can get a completely customizable massage while they soak their tired feet. There’s even a red light therapy function to reduce inflammation. But, best of all, users can adjust the 10- to 60-minute timer to their liking and just let the foot bath run its course — no thought required.
It is worth noting that the bath has a maximum foot size of a male 11.5. Also, the deep basin can make for a less-than-comfortable soaking situation depending on user position. That being said, the foot spa is on wheels so it’s easy to move around and find an ideal spot for soaking.
Size: 18 in x 14.5 in x 15 in | Weight: 11.3 lb | Special Features: Motorized shiatsu massage rollers, built-in pumice stone, removable maize rollers for acupoint pressure, red light therapy function, adjustable heat function, optional timer, removable medicine box
Best Budget
Homedics Bubble Mate Foot Spa
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Amazon
What We Love: Toe-touch controls make for a no-mess soak.
What We Don’t Love: The foot spa will maintain heat but can’t heat water on its own.
If you’re looking for an at-home spa experience but not willing to shell out more than, say, 50 bucks, the Homedics Bubble Mate Foot Spa is a great pick. Sure, it’s not the fanciest foot bath on the market, but its gentle massage features and removable pumice stone help exfoliate and soothe feet without all the bells and whistles. Plus, the spa features toe-touch controls, which allow users to sit back and relax for the entirety of their soak — no need to crouch down to turn the machine on or off.
Our one gripe is that the spa cannot heat up water on its own. Rather, it can maintain heat. While it’s not a necessary feature by any means, we would appreciate the option to change water temperature throughout the experience.
Size: 15.4 in x 14 in x 6.9 in | Weight: 3.6 lb | Special Features: Toe-touch controls, removable pumice stone, raised massage nodules, heat maintenance, bubble massage
Best Luxury
Ivation Foot Spa Massager
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Amazon
What We Love: With heating and cooling functions, as well as a suite of additional features, this foot spa makes for a seriously luxe at-home experience.
What We Don’t Love: The oxygenating bubble feature can make the foot spa harder to clean and prone to harboring bacteria.
Sometimes, you want all the benefits of a professional foot spa from the comfort of your home. That’s where the Ivation Multifunction Foot Spa Heated Bath comes in. We’re especially fond of the quick-acting temperature control, which allows users to take a cool dip or a long soak in steamy hot waters up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
With four different massage and exfoliation accessories included, this tub allows you to customize your soak to your liking. To really transport yourself to the spa, though, we recommend incorporating some aromatic epsom salts into the water to make using this a full sensorial experience.
While the bubble feature encourages circulation (and certainly feels nice), it can make the foot spa more prone to bacteria, so be sure to clean extra well between each use.
Size: 16.5 in x 14.9 in x 9.2 in | Weight: 6.7 lb | Special Features: Adjustable heat, motorized massage rollers, vibration setting, acupuncture pedicure attachments, bubble massage feature, aromatherapy feature, pumice stone attachment
Best Heated
Conair Foot Spa
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Amazon
What We Love: This foot spa heats water and has a nice, soft vibration function.
What We Don’t Love: It can be incredibly loud.
If you know what you want, sometimes simple is best. For example, if you prioritize heat and gentle vibration, the Conair Foot Spa With Vibration and Heat is the one for you. With a single massage attachment, the spa is the perfect no-fuss soak for tired, aching feet. The subtle vibrating nodes on the guard and base offer a soft massage that’s more soothing than shiatsu. Plus, we’re always fans of toe-touch controls for easy use.
That being said, if you’re hoping to watch TV or listen to some music while you soak, this may not be the right foot spa for you. Several users note a very loud buzzing noise when the bath is turned on.
Size: 14.6 in x 7.5 in x 16.6 in | Weight: 4.7 lb | Special Features: Toe-touch controls, massage attachment, vibrating nodes on guard and base, adjustable heater
Best for Large Feet
Zircon 5-in-1 Foot Spa/Bath Massager
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Amazon
What We Love: This foot spa is suitable for feet up to a men’s size 15.
What We Don’t: The plug-in cord is a bit short.
You know what they say about big feet…big foot spa. ZIRCON’s 5-in-1 Foot Spa Bath Massager should fulfill all your big-footed needs, with enough space to fit feet up to size 15. Plus, the 14 removable shiatsu massage rollers and optional vibration means you can customize your massage experience every time.
The bath spa heats up instantly and maintains temperature for as long as you’d like. But, perhaps best of all, it has an overheat protection function for safety — which Dr. Sharkey says is important to avoid, so you don't accidentally burn your feet. Keep in mind that the plug-in cord is a bit short, but it’s nothing an extension cord can’t fix.
Size: 16 in x 13.4 in x 8.1 in | Weight: 4.6 lb | Special Features: 14 removable shiatsu massage rollers, heat control, bubble massage function, optional vibration
Best Features
Niksa Foot Spa
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Amazon
What We Love: The Niksa Foot Bath Spa has virtually every feature you could want in a foot spa including red light therapy and an oxygen bubble function.
What We Don’t Love: The heating function is strong, which can be a bit much for some users.
With a mix of raised nodes and removable, acu-note rollers, the Niksa Foot Spa Bath Massager gives users total control over their massage experience. But that’s not all — there’s heat control, bubble strips, oxygen bubble function, a built-in footstone, red light therapy feature, and even optional vibration.
With all these features at an unbeatable price (under $100!), this spa can address an array of foot issues with its multi-functionality. As a bonus, it heats up super quickly and can reach temperatures of up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit — test the water out before fully submerging your feet at this temperature, though, because it can be too hot for some.
Size: 15.8 in x 13 in x 7.2 in | Weight: 4.7 lb | Special Features: Intelligent temperature control, 4 removable massage rollers with acu-notes, 2 bubble strips, raised massage nodes, oxygen bubble function, built-in foot stone, red light feature, optional vibration
Best on Amazon
Brookstone Hydro Bubble Foot Spa
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Amazon
What We Love: This no-frills foot spa maintains heat and offers an invigorating bubble massage for tired feet.
What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have heating abilities — it can only maintain heat, though some users say the function is weak at best.
If you’re looking for a great value, easy-to-use foot spa that can be delivered to your door ASAP, consider Brookstone’s Hydro Bubble Foot Spa. With its toe-touch control, attached pumice stone, heat maintenance, bubble massage function, and raised massage nodes, it’s certainly not as flashy as other spas, but it gets the basics right — and at the end of the day, that’s all you need for an effective foot bath. There’s also a built-in splash guard, which is especially useful when it’s time to fill or empty the basin.
It is worth pointing out that some users complain the heat maintenance function is weak at best, which could be problematic for those looking for a very warm-to-hot bathing experience.
Size: 15.5 in x 14 in x 6.9 in | Weight: 3.6 lb | Special Features: Toe-touch controls, pumice stone attachment, raised massage nodes, bubble massage function, heat maintenance
Best Portable
Medical King Foot Spa
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Amazon
What We Love: The foldable design makes this foot spa easily transportable.
What We Don’t Love: The bubble function doesn’t have the best longevity, with some reports saying it malfunctions after a few uses.
Sometimes you just need a good foot bath on the go. Luckily, the Medical King Foot Spa features a foldable design — making it easily portable and storable. And even with its simple storage capabilities, it still packs on the special features with two bubble jets, adjustable heat settings, oxygen bubble function, optional vibration, a pumice stone, 14 removable massage rollers, and a removable control remote.
We’re especially fond of the control panel function that allows you to adjust the heat, vibrations, and other settings without having to bend down to reach the foot spa itself. It’s worth noting that some users have complained about the bubble function malfunctioning after a few uses, but it appears to only be a select few.
Size: 16 in x 13 in x 7 in | Weight: 4.3 lb | Special Features: 2 bubble jets, adjustable heating, oxygen bubble function, optional vibration, pumice stone, 14 removable massage rollers, removable control panel/remote, foldable design
What to Keep in Mind
Size
Foot spa size requirements completely depend on the people using it. You’ll want to make sure your feet can fit comfortably within the spa with plenty of wiggle room. For those with larger feet, we recommend using the ZIRCON 5-in-1 Foot Spa Bath Massager, which fits feet up to a men’s size 15.
Added Features
In terms of added features, you’ll want to consider your own personal preferences. Dr. Brad Schaeffer, a New York City-based board certified podiatrist, and Dr. Sharkey both agree the best foot spas are easy to clean — and Dr. Sharkey also suggests looking for one that’s easy to use and has temperature controls.
If you’re looking for a spa-like lavish experience from the comfort of your home, though, you’ll want to look for a foot spa with some added features. Those with built in oxygen bubble functions help the water heat more evenly for an even more comfortable experience. Some foot spas offer red light therapy to help with inflammation and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. We also appreciate options that come with multiple massage rollers for a customized soak. Of the options on our list Niksa Foot Spa Bath Massager and Best Choice Products Portable Heated Shiatsu Foot Bath Massage Spa have some of the most impressive features, including all of the ones mentioned above.
Your Questions, Answered
Are foot spas good for your feet?
Yes! Per Dr. Sharkey, keeping feet clean in general is important for overall foot health. Beyond that, foot spas can be a great source of relaxation for tired and aching feet. They can also ease pain and tension, as well as soften and moisturize toenail cuticles, dry and flaky skin, corns, and calluses (which make foot spas particularly beneficial before an at-home pedicure). For people with arthritis or tendon injuries, strains, or pains, Dr. Schaeffer says foot spas can increase blood circulation for further healing and repair.
Can I put epsom salts in my foot spa?
We suggest checking the manufacturer’s instructions on your foot spa for recommended or prohibited additives. That being said, as long as it won’t disrupt the spa, epsom salt — which is known to decrease swelling, wick moisture from problematic areas, ease aches and pains, and soften dry, itchy skin — is a great addition to a foot spa.
How often can I use a foot spa?
Both doctors agree you can pretty much use a foot spa as often as you’d like — even daily or twice a day. “As long as it is cleaned thoroughly between uses, the water isn’t left standing for too long after each use, and no harsh chemicals are being used on the feet or added to the water,” Dr. Schaeffer says.
Why Shop With Us
Danielle Cohen is a freelance beauty writer and editor with more than five years of experience reporting on the beauty industry and testing products. As a member of InStyle’s commerce team, she swatches, sprays, and samples countless beauty products. For this story, she researched dozens of foot spas, read countless reviews, and consulted Dr. Brad Schaeffer, board-certified podiatrist, foot surgeon at Central Park SOLE, and star of TLC’s My Feet Are Killing Me; as well as Dr. Anne Sharkey, a board-certified podiatrist on behalf of Pedestrian Project.
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