Sharper Image Heated Foot Massager

Product Information

We tested 12 foot massagers in our Lab to determine the best ones for regular, therapeutic use at home. We also spoke to two experts in podiatry and orthopedics to discuss what to look for in foot massagers. Our testers set up each device and tried them out according to the manufacturer's instructions. The testers all used each foot massager for 20 minutes so they could get a good feel for how an individual massager worked and compare its function to the other massagers being tested. We then evaluated them across five insights: That said, the machine scored nearly perfect marks in design, largely because of how lightweight it is compared to other similar foot massagers. Although this may seem like a small convenience factor, it makes it easy to store the machine, so you can keep it out of sight when you’re not using it and then tote it to your favorite relaxing chair when you are.

calm the nerves. Massage therapy is effective in managing pain associated with conditions like sciatica and arthritis. With 3 variable speeds – low, medium and high to choose from, it comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 90 minutes when fully charge. With the above understanding of massage therapy, types of massage and their benefits, now let’s turn on to the Sharper Image Massagers.

Outro

While most foot massagers focus solely on your feet, the Best Choice Products Shiatsu Foot Massager can be used up to your ankles, too. We love the flexibility the long cord provides, plus the ability to customize your massage with pulsing, kneading, and rolling motions. The different massagers can target different reflex points on your feet, and the changing directions feel great against your skin. However, as said earlier, selecting the correct Sharper Image massager is not always an easy task. To explain things better, let’s cover a bit more about massaging and types of massage. For a soothing and all-around effective, well-designed foot massager you can use at home, we recommend the Best Choice Products Therapeutic Shiatsu Foot Massager. It treats a variety of pressure points on your foot and ankle, has a built-in heat function, and even comes with a remote for convenience. If you’re on a budget or looking for something a bit more portable, you’ll love the TheraFlow Foot Massager Roller. Though it is manual and requires constant attention, it delivered the most effective foot massage of the bunch—plus it weighs less than 2 pounds and has a very small overall footprint. How We Tested the Foot Massagers The TheraFlow Foot Massager Roller is not at all fancy, but it does a great job relieving foot pain and tension. In fact, it received perfect scores in both efficacy and overall value. We were surprised at its effectiveness even though it wasn't big or fancy and didn't heat up. Nonetheless, we found that this little wooden device delivered a great targeted massage.

But Dr. Feldman says that he does occasionally recommend foot massagers to his patients, because they can offer several different benefits: helping with blood flow, relieving muscle tension and relaxing soft tissue, decreasing chronic pain, decreasing emotional stress, and assisting with anxiety. Do foot massagers actually work?Sharper Image Warming Foot Massager: This massager gave us a toasty, cozy experience, but it was mostly superficial; it doesn’t massage enough to work out knots and wouldn’t be a good fit for people wanting deep tissue relief. The Heated Physiotherapy Massager combines vibration massage, infrared heat and powerful magnets to ease and heal knee, elbow or shoulder pain and stiffness.

The vibration option worked well but was less appealing to us than the traditional rolling massage feature. On the foot spa side of things, this massager offers a nice, deep tub that can accommodate all foot sizes, but it doesn’t take up much space. We also noted that this massager was a breeze to set up and use, with intuitive controls and smart storage. We felt relaxed and pampered by the time we were done with this massager, and we liked how it combines a traditional foot massage with a soaking spa element. Foot massagers employ a number of different modes and methods to soothe sore feet, including shiatsu massage, manual massage, air compression, water jets (as seen on the Ivation Foot Spa), and electric massage rollers. Some machines use a combination of these techniques, but shiatsu, like that found on our best overall option, the Best Choice Products Shiatsu Foot Massager is considered to be most similar to a massage you’d receive from human hands. Most massagers will also offer a variety of patterns and intensities to suit your personal preferences. Sometimes you might want a little soaking action along with your foot massage, and on those days, the Ivation Foot Spa Massager has you covered. This foot spa has built-in massage rollers in the bottom of the tub, allowing you to work your feet while they soak in warm water.To operate, plug in your mat using the included USB and affix the controller to the mat. You can toggle between the modes with your feet for a completely hands-free experience. This option is also a lot easier to clean than traditional models—just wipe it down with a damp cloth. But, it's definitely not as durable or sturdy as other options on this list, so you'll have to be a bit more gentle.

Rolling, kneading, vibrating, shiatsu—there are all different kinds of massage movements offered by popular products, and it can be hard to know what’s right for you. The massage rollers knead your feet to deliver an effective massage. While the infra-red heat soothes, it relaxes your feet. Comfort: We looked at the variety of pressure and heat settings, noting if a product felt too intense even on its lower settings (making it less likely to be comfortable for many users). We also considered pressure and heat settings for effectiveness, paying attention to the areas of the foot targeted by the massager and how well it performed when it came to releasing muscle tension and providing relief from soreness. This Heated Foot Massager plugs into the mains to deliver a soothing vibration massage plus the option of gentle warmth. It��s perfect for a chilly night! In testing, we did find this massager’s interface a little confusing at first, but since it comes with a remote, it’s still relatively easy to operate. There’s no heating element on this massager, and it’s fairly large.

Whether you love an intense boot that massages everything from your heel to your knee or prefer a manual massager to target your feet's pressure points, there's something out there for you.