13 best foot spas to soothe aching feet - plus expert advice from a leading podiatrist & beauty brand CEO

They can leave your feet feeling invigorated, and light as a feather - plus they have health benefits too. We're talking foot spas here. A great way to create a relaxing spa experience at home, and a great present idea for those annoying people who already have everything.

But there are so many foot spas on the market, each with different functions and added extras. It's hard to know what you should choose, plus what should you do to get the most out of your foot-soaking session? We decided to investigate, and for this round-up, we spoke to Margaret Dabbs OBE - The CEO and founder of the premium beauty brand Margaret Dabbs - who has a global network of clinics offering medical pedicures and other food care treatments. If anyone knows about this subject, it's her!

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What are the benefits of using a foot spa as part of an at-home foot care routine? 

"Using a foot spa as part of an at-home foot care routine has many incredible wellness benefits," says Margaret. "After a long day of being on your feet, some difficult exercise, or even an evening of wearing heels, it can help to reduce swelling and soothe tired feet. It also helps to relieve tension and promotes relaxation by stimulating circulation and your senses. Use of an at-home foot spa gives you that time for relaxation and also allows you to focus on the well-being of your feet."

Are foot spas good for your feet? Do they really work?

"Yes, they absolutely work. A foot spa massage system with bubble vibration can help to improve blood flow, which can help to alleviate aching feet and foot pain, help to prevent cramping and stiffness, and reduce swelling. Whilst foot spas are known for their aesthetic benefits, including being effective in smoothing and softening the skin when using a foot soak, they also have great therapeutic benefits. They can help to produce serotonin and produce a feeling of calm and relaxation, all while enhancing your overall foot, and even mental health."

What should we look for when shopping for an at-home foot spa online?

When shopping for an at-home foot spa online, I would recommend looking for features including adjustable heat settings, massage rollers, water pressure to improve circulation and a remote control to use all the functions without having to bend down. Our new Luxury Foot Spa is the first foot spa to offer a water release system from the base of the foot spa, meaning that you no longer have to lift and tip the water out of the foot spa - this is a huge benefit for the user and a unique selling point. The foot spa should be easy to use, offer settings for relaxation and ideally a touch of luxury too.

Any tips on how to best use a foot spa effectively?

"Make sure you always file your feet before you bathe and soak them. When the skin is wet it becomes soft, so the foot file won’t adhere well, and it can’t remove the hard skin as effectively as when the skin is dry. This will also ensure that you file your skin evenly, and that the dead skin is removed beforehand to make sure your foot soaks work more effectively.  For further benefits make sure you use a hydrating foot soak and that will help to boost health benefits and relieve the feeling of tired feet."

How often should you use a foot spa?

"I recommend using a foot spa and a hydrating foot soak 1 to 2 times a week for maintenance and relaxation. You can always increase the frequency if you have specific foot concerns such as fatigue, puffiness or aches or simply just want a little relaxation time!"

Any models/brands that you would recommend? 

"Our newly launching Margaret Dabbs® London Luxury Foot Spa - the first of its kind - which uses LED Red Light Therapy, has a drinks tray and remote control. A beautifully designed, clinic-grade Luxury Foot Spa for relaxation and wellness, with multi-function massage, bubble and hydrotherapy options, an easy water release system and a handy remote control." 

You can sign up to the Margaret Dabbs London newsletter to be the first to hear about the new launch. New subscribers also receive 15% off their first order.

How we chose the best foot spas

• Expert advice: We spoke to Margaret Dabbs OBE (scroll down for more info about Margaret and why you should trust her) to get her expert recommendations on what to look for in a foot spa. We followed her advice when making selections for this article
• Reviews: While we strive to personally test every item we include in a roundup - we weren’t able to test all of the foot spas in this feature. We did, however, conduct extensive research into what to look for in a foot spa and only included models which rated consistently well with shoppers and experts online,
• Ease to clean: Since they’re filled with water, foot spas come with a risk of harbouring mold and bacteria if they’re not cleaned properly. With this in mind, we included models which got the thumbs up for being easy to drain and clean.
• Price: We looked to include models with a competitive price point, and where possible, foot spas that were on sale
• Extra features: Options including adjustable temperature, different massage modes and auto set of timers will enhance your foot spa experience. Where possible we included models that had extra features including these and more.

Best foot spas to shop now

1/13

Hangsun Large Foot Spa Bath Massager with Heat Bubbles Massage

© Hangsun

• Size: 39 x 33 x 19 cm
• Weight: 1.45 kg
• Adjustable heat? Yes
• Massager? Yes

Editor's Note: "This foot spa is flying off the virtual shelves at Amazon, with over 600 sold in the last month alone, and I can totally see why. You can set it at 14 different temperature levels and it has a foot massage roller with 14 different reflex points, as well as a medicine box where you can insert herbs to enhance your experience. Plus the price is very competitive."

2/13

Beinilai Collapsible Foot Spa and Massager

© Beinilai

• Size: 36 x 32 x 22 cm
• Weight: 1.59 kg
• Adjustable heat? No
• Massager? Yes

Editor’s Note: The really great thing about this foot spa is that once you’re done soaking your feet, it collapses down to a 4.1 inch thick size within seconds. It’s a great choice if you’re tight on space at home. It pretty much has everything you could want - heating, bubbles, vibration, massage rollers, nodes and red light functions - plus there’s a herb box if you want to enhance your experience any further.

3/13

RENPHO Motorized Rollers Foot Spa Massager

© RENPHO

• Size: 48.3 x 40.6 x 31.2 cm
• Weight: 4 kg
• Adjustable heat? Yes
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "The temperature is fully adjustable in this great foot spa, which also has a drain pipe for easy emptying once you've had your relax session. The timer is also a great feature, meaning you can set it and nod off if you really want to. And it has wheels, meaning it's easy to move around.

"The temperature has a good range - from slightly warm to a hottish bath (35-48 degrees). Both the Massager and Spa have three settings each."

4/13

HoMedics Foldaway Luxury Foot Spa

© HoMedics

• Size: 28.5 x 48 x 24 cm
• Weight: Not specified
• Adjustable heat? No heating function but add warm water and it will keep it warm
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "This mains-powered model is the best foot spa for anyone who’s concerned about storage. After it’s done its thing, it folds neatly away. It’s not lacking in features – offering a vibration massage with the help of accu-nodes (that’s the small bumps on the bottom of the spa ) which targets acupressure points on the soles of the feet. This one suits feet up to a UK size 12."

5/13

Orbeez Kids Foot Spa

• Size: ‎20 x 10 x 25 cm
• Weight: 0.54 kg
• Adjustable heat? No
• Massager? No

Editor's note: "This is something a little different - a kids foot spa, one of the bestselling of its kind that uses Orbeez beads, rather than water, to massage and soothe feet. Described as a 'sensory experience', it's an ideal gift for a child who wants to feel grown-up with their own spa at home.

"The beads massage the feet by being pulled into a motor and 'cascading' down onto the feet and legs."

6/13

RENPHO Foot Massager Machine with Heat Shiatsu Deep Kneading

• Size: 16.8 x 15.3 x 9.8 cm
• Weight: 3.85 kg
• Adjustable heat? One heat setting
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "This foot massager will have you feeling totally relaxed with plenty of amazing tidbits to offer including a rotation ball, rolling stick and heating - meaning that you can give yourself a Shiatsu foot massage from the comfort of your home - and with remote control, you don’t even have to move to operate it!

"There are three different levels of kneading and squeeze intensities meaning that you can have the settings exactly how you like them. There is also a removable washable cloth to keep things hygienic and to keep your feet healthy! It also works great for men and women alike, and goes up to the men’s size 12 for all of your massaging needs!"

7/13

Rio Steam Foot Bath Spa with Ultrasonic Steam Atomisation

© Rio

• Size: 39 x 38 x 27 cm
• Weight: 3.65 kg
• Adjustable heat? Yes
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "This is a foot spa with a difference. It releases an infusion of steam, making it ideal for people prone to dry skin. A pebble-like base offers a soothing texture, gently massaging your soles. And this one ticks the eco box - using steam atomisation, instead of warm water, allows the foot spa to be eco-friendlier and kinder to the environment. It features three settings with an auto-timer that avoids the risk of energy wastage."

8/13

Beurer FB35 Foot Spa with Aromatherapy

© Beurer

• Size: 41 x 38 x 17 cm
• Weight: 2.4 kg
• Adjustable heat? One temp only
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "Shoppers give this foot spa a big thumbs up for its massage - it has bubble and vibration massage functions with a noduled footbed to help stimulate circulation and fancy magnetic field therapy and an optional infrared light function to help promote relaxation. 

"It also has a filter for essential oil-infused bath salts or crystals to add aromatherapy to the experience. It's also a good unit for at-home pedicure fans since it includes three pedicure attachments."

9/13

SENSIOHOME Foot Spa Massager Pedicure

© SENSIOHOME

• Size: 41 x 35 x 18.5 cm
• Weight: 2.1 kg
• Adjustable heat? One heat setting
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "Not only does this foot spa soothe and relax, it also comes equipped with everything you need to do your own luxury pedicure at home – including multiple attachments and built-in storage. You also get a nail file, nail brush, scissors, tweezers, cleansing brush and toe separators. 

"Aside from that, it delivers everything you’d expect from a home foot spa – adjustable settings and removable rollers that deliver the perfect foot massage as you unwind. And there’s a 60-day money-back guarantee for extra peace of mind."

10/13

RENPHO Foot Spa Bath Massager with Heater

© RENPHO

£99 at QVC

• Size: 41 x 35 x 18.5 cm
• Weight: 2.1 kg
• Adjustable heat? One heat setting
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "With an impressive 22 massage rollers designed to stimulate acupuncture points – this is our top pick for anyone looking for a foot spa with a massager. It also has heat therapy and oxygen bubbles to soothe your tootsies. Other nice touches are the deep tub and the fact that it’s battery-powered – meaning you can use it anywhere in the home. Oh, and it’s suitable for anyone with size feet up to 10 and a half and it comes with a pedicure kit."

11/13

Beurer Wellness Foot Spa

• Size: 46.5 x 40.5 x 19.5 cm
• Weight: 4.54kg
• Adjustable heat? Yes
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "If you have a little more to invest and you’re looking for something a bit special, this is a great foot spa to consider. It features powerful hydrotherapy jacuzzi water jets and reflexology foot rollers designed to apply pressure to your key points. It also has eight different heat settings and the Scandi design makes it look super chic. It comes with a carry case and a set of pedicure attachments too"

12/13

Revlon Pediprep foot spa

© Revlon

• Size: ‎50 x 35.4 x 17.8 cm
• Weight: 0.86 kg
• Adjustable heat? No
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "If you’re really not looking for anything fancy in terms of your best foot spa, this Revlon model is the one. It costs less than some professional pedicures and delivers a relaxing bubble massage and mechanical rolling massage for your feet. It also comes with a nine-piece pedicure set to help you keep your feet in top condition.

13/13

HoMedics Shiatsu Bliss Footbath with Heat Boost

$139.99 at Homedics

• Size: 15 x 9.8 x 19.29 inches
• Weight: 4 kg
• Adjustable heat? Yes
• Massager? Yes

Editor's note: "You may have enjoyed a Shiatsu massage - the Japanese massage technique which uses kneading and direct pressure to help relax muscles, release stress and stimulate circulation - for your body, and there's nothing better than getting a simular effect for your feet at home. The acupressure massage nodes at the bottom of this foot spa take it next level to deeply knead your aching feet. And you can even use the Shiatsu function without water."

Meet the Expert -  Margaret Dabbs OBE, CEO & Founder of Margaret Dabbs London

© Margaret Dabbs

"I have always had a great passion for Podiatry, and whilst working in my own Podiatry clinic in 2008, I discovered the need for medically credible foot treatments which were also beautifying. It made perfect sense for me to combine the two together to create new, innovative treatment protocols and products everyone could benefit from and enjoy.   

"I have been fortunate to watch my company grow from my first clinic in Harley Street to having 14 clinics worldwide and having my products featured in some of the most iconic department stores globally, across 38 countries. 

"In 2023 I was also extremely honoured to receive my OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for my services in business and Podiatry. To receive recognition for my vision, entrepreneurship and hard work by His Majesty the King, is an honour I will never forget."