Is it worth buying a foot spa?
If, like many of us, you struggle with sore, agitated and tired feet then having a foot spa at home could be a perfect investment for you. Not only does it save you money in the long run, but it also saves you fortnightly trips to the salon when you can treat your feet from the comfort of your sofa. A foot spa does not have to cost you an arm and a leg either, you can purchase one for as little as £29.99 - which is same sort of price as one single pedicure and foot spa appointment.
Are foot spas good for your feet?
There are several benefits of using a foot spa. Soaking and relaxing your feet regularly can reduce certain foot conditions such as athletes’ foot and plantar fasciitis as well as soothe general aches and pains, improve your blood circulation and much more. It has also been linked to improving your sleep.
How often should you use a foot spa?
It is entirely down to you how often you use your foot spa. However, it is recommended that you use one no more than once a day. Some more intense massagers, such as the Medcursor Electric Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine, may have a pre-set time for safety too. You should always check the instructions to see how long is recommended for each product.
Are foot spas and foot massagers the same thing?
Foot spas typically require water with the main function being to soak your feet, whilst a foot massager does not need water and uses electrical stimulation to massage the muscles in your feet. However, some foot spas have the combination of both with activated foot rollers at the bottom of the foot spa allowing your feet to be emerged in the water and massaged at the same time.
Can you put Epsom salt in a foot spa?
In short - yes you can put Epsom salt in your foot spa, however you must read the instructions on your packet on how much magnesium your salt contains. This is down to the fact that too much quantity can dry your foot out and not allow the water to completely soak your foot, causing irritation and even pain. The wrong volume of magnesium in your salt can also be damaging to your foot spa in-between draining.
How to buy the best foot spa for you:
Purpose
Firstly, ask yourself why you are buying a foot spa. If the answer is because your feet are sore, or perhaps you want to improve your blood circulation, then ensuring you find a foot spa that specifically has functions to soothe and massage your feet a certain way is key. For example, you may opt for a foot spa with warm heat settings, foot rollers, vibration control and so forth. If your main goal with your foot spa is to just relax, you may not require a spa appliance with more advanced settings and functions.
Settings
With such a wide variation of foot spas available and each designed with its functions and settings, choosing the foot spa you will find easiest to use is key. Whereas some foot spas come with a portable and easy-to-use handheld remote, others are activated and adjusted by simply pressing the buttons by your feet.
Size
Foot spas can come in many size variations and where one may comfortably fit one person’s feet, it may not fit another. Check what size foot the foot spa is designed for. You should also sure the spa is deep enough and wide enough for your feet to fully emerge without an overflow.
Another size aspect to consider is for storage purposes. Where will you store your spa when it's not in use? Would a foldable foot spa be more ideal and when moving the spa around, is there an accessible handle to do so with?
Warranty
Like most home appliances, there is always a risk of breakage, so it is important to check out how long the warranty is on your foot spa. The average is around two years.
Massage Technique
Not only do foot spas provide rollers or automatic kneading techniques to massage your feet, but at the bottom of most foot spas are accu-nodes designed to apply pressure to certain parts of your soles and heels for reflexology treatment. Considering what your feet require will help you pick the best foot spa for you. Do you need an intense massage with rollers, big accu-nodes and so forth? Or do you simply need a pressurised water massage?
What is the best foot spa to buy?
The foot spa we at Mumsnet feel is the best to buy is the Beurer Foot Bath. It’s simple to operate, has clear settings control and can be cleaned easily after being used. With an additional option of light therapy, your feet will be thanking you for years to come.
As it also comes with extra pedicure attachments and a filter to allow the use of bath salts, the Beurer is an all-around fantastic foot spa that would work brilliantly in your home.
How we chose our recommendations
We know that only real and honest recommendations from real people who have used these products matter the most, so that is why we have searched high and low through endless reviews, forums and discussions to find the best foot spas for you. We looked at the most recommended, the best for budget and of course the most effective foot spas to give you a truthful and helpful review.
Expert opinions
A foot spa is not only just about the luxury of a pamper at home, but is also proven to have several health benefits for your body. Many health professionals suggest that soaking your feet in a foot spa, not only eases the pain and tension in your foot, but can also improve the blood circulation. So, we read through online medical journals and reports to research the facts and the real science behind a foot spa.
Authentic customer reviews
Lastly, we analysed and considered every aspect of each product's customer review and took into account the pros and cons each one had. We looked at comfort, functions, durability, how easy it is to clean or store away, and even which foot size you need to have to fit in it. We discovered the foot spas that were worth the money and would improve your feet the most to compile this list of the best quality foot spas to buy in 2026.
Why you should trust us
We search through endless forums and product reviews to provide you with unbiased, independent and honest advice you can trust. We consider the points from our Mumsnetter’s experiences and reviews, both good and bad. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
Main credit image: Rio Beauty