The best foot massagers
For feet that have done a full shift: kneading, squeezing and gentle warmth on the sofa, no appointment needed.
Most shiatsu foot massagers are a box you slide your feet into: rotating nodes knead the soles, and on some, air bags squeeze the sides while gentle heat builds up. Shiatsu is Japanese for 'finger pressure', which is what the nodes are there to imitate. It's a lovely present for anyone on their feet all day, from nurses and shop staff to a parent who never sits down.
Check the fit first: the table gives the largest foot each takes, as the maker lists it. Where a maker says, it's a US size, and US men's sizes run about one bigger than UK ones, so a US 12 is roughly a UK 11. Some work mainly the arch and heel rather than the toes, and a remote saves bending down to change the settings, which matters more the older the feet.
What matters
- Kneading nodes work the soles; air compression squeezes the sides.
- Heat takes a few minutes to build, so switch it on first.
- Check the largest shoe size it takes.
- A remote saves bending down.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Medcursor Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat (MDFM400)
£50–£75 Price range
Deep kneading that works the soles, heels and toes, with heat you can switch on or off and two intensities. The zip-off foot cover comes out for washing, which matters if the whole family's going to use it.
What owners say: Owners find it relaxing and a real help for sore feet, say it feels like a therapist's hands, and like the heat.
A closer look: Medcursor says the heat takes about five minutes to come through, and suggests thick socks if the kneading feels too firm at first. It switches itself off after 15 minutes, so dozing off in front of the TV isn't a problem.
- Deep kneading for soles, heels and toes
- Heat on or off
- 2 intensity levels
- Zip-off washable cover
- 15-minute auto-off
Best for: Sharing, with a washable cover
- Massage
- Deep kneading
- Heat
- On/off
- Controls
- Buttons on top
- Weight
- 2.25kg
- Fits feet up to
- US men's 11
- Good to know
- Zip-off washable cover
#2 of 5
Best premium
Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager with Air Compression and Heat
£100–£150 Price range
The fullest massage here: a chamber for each foot, with rolling shiatsu nodes underneath, air pressure squeezing the whole foot, gentle vibration and heat, plus five pressure settings and a wireless remote.
What owners say: Owners say it comes close to a professional foot massage, gives real relief after a long day, and like the choice of pressure levels.
Heads up: It's the heaviest here at about 5kg, so give it a spot by the sofa rather than carrying it about.
A closer look: The foot liners unzip and go in the wash, and a built-in timer switches it off if you nod off. The remote sticks to anything metal, so it's less likely to vanish down the side of the sofa.
- Kneading, rolling and air compression
- Heat on or off
- 5 pressure settings
- Magnetic wireless remote
- Washable foot liners
Best for: The fullest massage
- Massage
- Kneading, rolling, air compression, vibration
- Heat
- On/off
- Controls
- Wireless remote
- Weight
- 5kg
- Fits feet up to
- Men's 12
- Good to know
- Washable foot liners
#3 of 5
RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat (R-D003R)
£75–£100 Price range
Kneading, rolling and air-bag compression that wraps round the feet, with three heat levels up to 55°C and three compression levels, all set from a remote.
What owners say: Owners find it relaxing on tired muscles, like the warmth once it gets going, and say it saves paying for massages.
A closer look: Each function works on its own or together, so on a cold evening it can be just warmth. RENPHO says it mainly works the arch and heel rather than the toes, and suggests socks for a gentler first go.
- Kneading, rolling and compression
- 3 heat levels, up to 55°C
- 3 compression levels
- Remote control
- Air bags adjust to foot size
Best for: Warmth and a firm squeeze
- Massage
- Kneading, rolling, compression
- Heat
- 3 levels, up to 55°C
- Controls
- Remote
- Weight
- 3kg
- Fits feet up to
- Men's 12
- Good to know
- Works mainly the arch and heel
#4 of 5
Easiest to use
CooCoCo Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat and Remote (CO-5503RC)
£75–£100 Price range
A compact machine with kneading, compression and heat, run from a remote so there's no bending down, which makes it a kind choice for grandparents.
What owners say: Owners say it's great for tired, achy feet, love the compression and kneading, and find it simple to use with just a few buttons.
Heads up: The maker says very wide or thick feet may not fit comfortably, so it suits slimmer feet best.
A closer look: The maker's tip: switch the heat on, set to High, 10 to 15 minutes before sitting down, so it's warm from the start. If the kneading feels too strong, thick socks soften it.
- Kneading, rolling and compression
- 3 heat levels, up to 55°C
- Remote control, no bending
- 5 compression levels
- Auto-off after 15, 20 or 30 minutes
Best for: Grandparents: no bending down
- Massage
- Kneading, rolling, compression
- Heat
- 3 levels, up to 55°C
- Controls
- Remote
- Weight
- 2.9kg
- Fits feet up to
- Sizes 6–13
- Good to know
- Compact, fits under a desk
#5 of 5
Best budget
LINGTENG Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat and Remote
£30–£50 Price range
A light, simple massager at about 1.2kg, with rollers that turn both ways, heat, and a separate remote for power, intensity, heat and direction. It's open on top, so foot size doesn't matter.
What owners say: Owners say it eases tired feet after a long day or a workout, like the warmth and the adjustable intensity, and think it's worth the money.
A closer look: It's light enough to lift onto a footstool or tuck under the sofa, and the maker says even people who aren't keen on gadgets manage it easily. Its faux-leather and gauze finish is easy to keep clean.
- Rolling and kneading
- Rollers turn both ways
- Heat on or off
- Remote control
- 15-minute auto-off
Best for: A light, simple budget pick
- Massage
- Rolling, kneading
- Heat
- On/off
- Controls
- Remote
- Weight
- 1.2kg
- Fits feet up to
- Most sizes (open top)
- Good to know
- 15-minute auto-off
How they compare
| Feature | #1Medcursor MDFM400 | #2Miko | #3RENPHO R-D003R | #4CooCoCo | #5LINGTENG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Easiest to use | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.4 |
| Price | £50–£75 Price range | £100–£150 Price range | £75–£100 Price range | £75–£100 Price range | £30–£50 Price range |
| Massage | Deep kneading | Kneading, rolling, air compression, vibration | Kneading, rolling, compression | Kneading, rolling, compression | Rolling, kneading |
| Heat | On/off | On/off | 3 levels, up to 55°C | 3 levels, up to 55°C | On/off |
| Controls | Buttons on top | Wireless remote | Remote | Remote | Remote |
| Weight | 2.25kg | 5kg | 3kg | 2.9kg | 1.2kg |
| Fits feet up to | US men's 11 | Men's 12 | Men's 12 | Sizes 6–13 | Most sizes (open top) |
| Good to know | Zip-off washable cover | Washable foot liners | Works mainly the arch and heel | Compact, fits under a desk | 15-minute auto-off |
| Best for | Sharing, with a washable cover | The fullest massage | Warmth and a firm squeeze | Grandparents: no bending down | A light, simple budget pick |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Swipe sideways to see all 5.
Photos are illustrative. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.
