6 Best Foot Spas to Smooth Cracked Soles (2024)

Consider this the Rolls-Royce of foot spas: it has six zones of Tai Chi massage balls to massage the acupuncture points on feet that aim to relieve foot pressure and improve circulation. It also has three different modes of massage frequency: continuous, intermittent or intelligent. Correa likes these massage setting options along with "the adjustable heat temperatures ranging up to 118º F."

The spa comes with a magnetic remote control and a built-in timer that ranges from 10 to 60 minutes. We love that it also has two displays showing the set temperature as well as the current water temperature. Plus, it can be folded up for easy storage. The downside? The high sticker price.

Size: 17.2" x 13.78" x 6.38" | Weight: 8.09 lbs | Massage: Yes | Heat: Yes

Our experts in the GH Beauty Lab found this foot spa to be a simple option that's a great bang for your buck. While it is a more basic option with fewer bells and whistles than others, it does include vibration for a gentle massage and a "toe touch control" button to activate the massage, making it easy to tap on and off. "It's very affordable and gets the job done," Correa said.

Chiara Butler, Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst, noted that the size of the tub is generous, so most people's feet will likely fit inside comfortably. Even still, Correa said that it's "easy to store and does not have too many holes or crevices that can harbor bacteria." Butler liked that "It has one button with just one setting which is vibrating and heat at the same time," and that the vibration is gentle, "soothing, but not [very] powerful. Watch out for what Butler called a "very pointy and hard" extra massaging nub in the center. The device itself cannot heat water, but does a good job at maintaining the temperature, so be sure to pour hot or warm water into the bath.

Size: 7.5" x 14.63" x 16.63" | Weight: 11.2 lbs | Massage: Yes | Heat: No

This multi-tasking foot bath from Ivation a slew of useful features; in addition to fast-acting adjustable heat up to 122º F, it includes motorized massage rollers, a vibration setting and an easy-to-use LED display to customize your experience, plus additional acupressure pedicure attachments. Amazon reviewers love that "it heats up to your desired temperature quickly," "has a deep tub" and that "the massage rollers work great and feel good."

The spa also includes water jets that create bubbles to help soothe and calm sore feet. While many like this feature, Correa warns the bubble mechanism can make a foot spa hard to clean and easier to harbor bacteria, so be sure to clean this foot spa regularly.

Size: 16.5" x 14.9" x 9.2" | Weight: 6.7 lbs | Massage: Yes | Heat: Yes

The name says it all: Zircon's foot spa is a 5-in-1 machine that works wonders on sore feet. The 14 included massage rollers have adjustable intensity levels, allowing you to customize your experience, along with a vibration setting and jacuzzi-like bubbles. While many love the massage rollers — and you have the option to remove them completely if desired — a few users noted their intensity and found them to be too strong.

Reviewers love that this spa heats up instantly and maintains the temperature while in use. It also has an overheat protection function to help stave off potential issues or burns. The included foot soak salts (a blend of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, camphor oil and Epsom salt) are an added bonus.

Size: 16.38" x 13.66" x 8.03" | Weight: 4.63 lbs | Massage: Yes | Heat: Yes

While most foot spas — even the compact ones — take up a good deal of space, this one from HoMedics collapses and folds flat and is super easy to store in between uses. Once it's all set up, it's on the larger side and can fit bigger feet sizes. Correa is a fan of that key feature, as well as "its vibrational settings for added relaxation." Her only downside for this one: no heat.

In terms of the "spa-like experience," it contains acu-nodes (little bumps on the bottom of the spa) that are designed to work with the vibration massage to stimulate the acupressure points on your feet. While it doesn't have a heat setting, it does have a "keep warm" feature to keep the water at a desirable temperature, as long as you start out with warm H2O.

Size: 18" x 16" x 4" | Weight: 4.85 lbs | Massage: Yes | Heat: No

This foot spa from Best Choice Products has automatic motorized roller-massagers that aim to focus on acu-point pressure and two sets of shiatsu rollers to target different points of the feet. One Walmart reviewer sharef that the "rollers are just perfect — not hard, not soft." Additional features include adjustable heat settings, a pumice stone to help soften soles, medicine box to add bath salts and a waterfall fountain shower to enhance the massage. Plus, it features red light therapy that may promote healing.

"I love this — it finds every spot on your hurting feet and toes and can easily put you to sleep," another user said. The device is easy to transport, with wheels and a handle so that you can bring it from your closet to the floor by any chair in your house. And when you're all done, the detachable base and drain hose makes it easy to empty and clean, though it's a bit bulky to store.

Size: 18" x 14.5" x 15" | Weight: 11.3 lbs | Massage: Yes | Heat: Yes

While best foot spa can be different from person to person, Correa highlighted a few features to look for when picking one to purchase:

✔️ Ease of cleaning. "While there are many soothing and spa-like features offered, detachable pumice stones, massagers, 'bubble' holes or other small compartments can be difficult to clean and potentially harbor bacteria and mold," Correa said. "To avoid possible contamination, always clean and dry your foot spa very well."

✔️ Extra settings. Options like adjustable heat and temperature controls allow you to customize your experience. Plus, an ice cold foot bath does not sound as relaxing as soaking your feet in warm water.

✔️ Size. Big and bulky is not ideal no matter how much living space you have. Look for an option that is foldable, collapsible or tucks away neatly to optimize storage.

Foot spas can be super beneficial for feet, "especially when using in conjunction with other foot tools and products, like Epsom salt, which can help reduce inflammation and ease pain from ingrown toenails or hardened skin around the toes," Correa said. "It can help soften up hardened skin for easier exfoliation and make it easier to cut thick nails."

She suggests using them in conjunction with a metal file to exfoliate, a foot cream to soften skin and heel protectors to treat dry and cracked heels. "Those with added settings like heat also help with pain reduction and blood circulation," she adds.

In general, soaking your feet in warm water can soften skin, which makes it easier and painless to remove calluses. Foot baths with or without essential oils can also improve circulation, according to one study, which can consequently reduce pain and swelling in the feet.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends adding Epsom salts, gentle body soap and tea tree oil for a foot soak, so be sure to check the instructions of your device to see if these additives are compatible.

"Have a routine, of course!" Correa said. This is her step-by-step process to make the most of a foot spa:

1. Brush toenails and soles of the feet to remove dirt or debris.
2. Soak feet for about 15 minutes.
3. When finished, dry your feet very well, paying close attention to in between the toes.
4. Apply a foot cream and use a manual exfoliator to gently remove any skin buildup on the soles and sides of the feet.
5. Add a little more foot cream and put on heel protectors to lock in moisture.
6. Gently clean up around the nails and then cut and/or file to your desired length.

"The most important step is to always follow your soak with a moisturizing cream and heel protectors," Correa said. "While it may feel soothing and relaxing, hot water strips all of the moisture and oils out of your skin and nails, leaving them super dry."

Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing skincare stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including dermatologists, aestheticians and others. She is an expert in all face and body skincare product and device categories, from cleansers to toners, serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, exfoliators, masks, professional treatments and more.

Isabella Cavallo is the Assistant Commerce Editor at the GH Institute where she covers all things shopping. She writes roundups of beauty, fitness and clothing products with a previous experience in health journalism. Cavallo most recently updated this story with recent research and information. She also consulted with Chiara Butler, the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst at the GH Institute, who tested a foot spa in the Beauty Lab.