The 7 Best Infrared (Shiatsu) Foot Massagers

If you think that using an infrared foot massager is just another way to relax your tired and aching feet at the end of the day – think again.

Infrared foot therapy is a  natural and cost-effective medical treatment  that is a must for people who suffer from poor blood circulation, heel pain (Plantar Fasciitis), Neuropathy, flat feet, arthritic feet, and varicose veins.

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Before we start, here’s a short comparison table to save you time:

	Bottom Line	Highlights	Price
Snailax	Best Value	3 programs Shiatsu, rolling Air compression 3 intensities	$145 down to $109 with coupon code MEIATL35 at Snailax
Human Touch Reflex5s	Best Foot & Calf Massager	Rolling Acupressure 12 intensity settings	Check Price on Amazon
Renpho	Best for Plantar Fasciitis	3 massage modes 3 pressure levels	Check Price on Amazon
Homedics Shiatsu	Best Footbeds	Shiatsu 1 intensity setting	Check Price on Amazon
Nekteck	Best Basic	Foot beds Shiatsu 18 nodes 1 setting	Check Price on Amazon
Miko	Most Pressure Levels	Shiatsu Vibration 5 settings	$149 at Miko
Daiwa Felicity	Best Vibration	Vibration Shiatsu Acupressure nodes	Check Price on Amazon

Infrared Foot Massager Types

In this post you’ll find  3 types of heated foot massagers :

• Footbeds – these massagers  only treat the soles of your feet  – there is no air compression massage on the whole foot. Some of them have only Shiatsu (kneading) and some have vibration as well.

Through our research, below you can see the best heated foot massager with footbeds:

• Foot chambers – these electric massagers  massage the entire foot  and often combine air compression massage, Shiatsu, and vibrating massage. These massagers can cost twice as much as the footbeds massagers, due to the added features and foot coverage.

Below you can see our top-rated heated foot massager with foot chambers:

• Foot, calf and leg massagers – these devices massage the entire foot plus the calves  at the same time, at variable speed.

Below you can see our recommended foot & calf massage machine:

The 7 BEST Infrared (Shiatsu) Foot Massagers

Infrared foot massagers combine soothing infrared heat with a kneading massage motion.

Below you’ll find the best ones, but you’ll also find the best vibrating foot massager (if you prefer it) and the best foot and calf massager – for the money.

1. Snailax Heated Shiatsu Foot Massager Best Value

• Massage types – Shiatsu/Rolling/Air Compression
• Programs – 3
• Intensity – 3 levels

Through our research, the Snailax is the  best-value foot massager of 2021 , and the best return for your money.

(We are familiar with all the Snailax brand products and they are all high-quality, durable, and reasonably-priced, with outstanding customer service).

The Snailax foot massager has 3 auto-programs you can choose from, all of the combine Shiatsu kneading, rolling massage, and air compression massage, with 3 different intensity levels.

The optional infrared heat feature boosts local blood circulation and makes this treatment very relaxing and soothing for tired and aching feet.

Snailax Foot Massager Pros

• 2-year warranty and free shipping on the official site
• Easy to operate with toe-touch controls
• Highly versatile with 3 programs and 3 intensity levels
• Washable feet sleeves, easily detachable
• Reasonable price (use our coupon code MEITAL35 at checkout –  to save 25% – at Snailax!

Cons

• Some people may find the pressure is too much

2. Human Touch Reflex5s Foot and Calf Massager Best Foot & Calf Massager

Best for – muscle strains, ankle injuries, heel pain, Varicose Veins, Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia

• Massage types – 8-figure circular rolling/Vibration
• Intensity – 2 levels
• Programs – 2

With patented 8-figure Shiatsu rolling massage, this foot and calf massager boots blood circulation toward the center of your body in a circular, natural massage motion, or intense vibration massage.

Heat is delivered via warm air circulation while the machine is on, which means that this is not deep penetrating heat.

The on-board console allows for easy access to choosing from 2 massage programs, 2 intensity levels, and 2 massage motions.

The adjustable tilt base makes it easy to find the best massage angle, as seen below:

✅ Price – Check today’s ‘price on Amazon

2. Homedics Foot Massager with Infrared Heat Best for Wide Feet

Best for – Plantar fasciitis, stiff feet, sore feet, neuropathy foot pain, and numbness, flat feet

• Massage Types – Shiatsu (finger, palm, and knuckle motions)
• Programs – 1
• Intensity – no settings

Homedics Triple Action Pros

1. Stimulates blood flow to your heels, arches, soles, and toes – promoting pain relief, healing, and relaxation
2. Easy to use
3. Portable and the device’s size allows to easily hide it between furniture when not in use
4. No foot sweating – the top of the footbeds is covered with a breathable nylon mesh.
5. Fits people with all foot sizes – small to large
6. 2-year warranty
7. Quiet
8. You can choose massage intensity by changing how hard you push down on the massage footbeds.
9. Long Cord (6 foot)
10. Can be used on your hands, calves, and thighs as well
11. Very helpful in relieving and preventing pain from Plantar Fasciitis and Arthritis.

✅ Homedics Foot Massager Price – check today’s price on Amazon 

Cons

1. Massage can feel too rough for people with sensitive heat. The massage rollers are quite strong.
2. If you have sensitive feet, jump to the best vibrating (gentle) foot massager with heat.

3. Renpho Foot Massager – Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Best for – Plantar fasciitis, stiff feet, sore feet, neuropathy pain and numbness, flat feet.

• Massage Types – Shiatsu/Air Compression
• Programs – 3
• Intensity – 3 levels

With the luxury foot massager you can choose from 3 massage modes and 3 pressure levels, to target any point of your feet, enable or disable heat, tapping, and air compression – for feet up to US men size 12.

The heated airbags massage your feet while boosting blood circulation to relax and heal the muscles, nerves and tissues more effectively.

The shiatsu massage helps clear out toxins and invigorates the lymphatic system, which results in quick pain relief and immediate relaxation.

Renpho Foot Massager pros

1. Highly versatile massage – shiatsu & compression, intensity settings
2. You can choose from an intense massage or a gentler massage with the adjustable air compression intensity
3. Soothing and relaxing – optional infrared light therapy
4. You can choose either the toe-touch panel or a controller
5. Can be cleaned with the replaceable and washable cloth cover
6. Auto shut off after 15/30 minutes (your choice)
7. High user reviews online
8. 1-year warranty and great customer service

✅ Renpho Foot Massager Price – best price is on Amazon

Cons

People with very wide feet may find it difficult to insert their feet in the chambers

4. Nekteck Foot Massager With Adjustable Height

Best for – Neuropathy, heel pain (Plantar fasciitis), poor blood circulation, fallen arches (flat feet)

• Massage Types – Shiatsu
• Programs – 1
• Intensity – 1 level

Like the Homedics foot massager, the Nekteck foot massager is a basic footbeds massager, with no bells and whistles, and its unique feature is the adjustable height – it has 3 height levels you can choose from.

Nekteck Foot Massager Pros

1. Adjustable height (3 levels)
2. Portable and has built-in cord storage and carry handle
3. Quiet operation
4. Highly rated on Amazon
5. Good customer service
6. 1-year warranty

✅ Nekteck Price – best price is on Amazon 

Cons

1. Intense foot massage. For sensitive feet, we recommend using a towel between your feet and the footbeds.
2. If you have high arches – you may need to move your feet to help the massager reach them properly.

5. Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager with Deep-Kneading and IR Heat

Best for – Neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, foot muscle pain, stiff feet, poor blood circulation

• Massage options: Shiatsu/vibration/Air compression
• Programs –  1
• Intensity – 5 pressure settings

The Miko Foot Massager has 5 pressure levels to choose from, which makes it easier for you to find the right intensity for your level of pain and sensitivity. However, users have reported the pressure not consistent.

It is the only infrared massager on this list that comes with 2 wireless remote controls (the extra one is just in case you lose the first one).

Miko Foot Massager Pros

1. More than average pressure levels
2. Easy to use
3. Five intensity settings
4. Removable and washable covers
5. Fits people with feet size up to 14
6. 1-year warranty
7. Excellent customer service
8. Highly rated by Amazon buyers

✅ Miko cost – best price is at Miko

Cons

1. Not the best choice for people with sensitive feet (for example, diabetics), and some users complain about it not treating the heels sufficiently

6. Daiwa Felicity Foot Massager Best Vibration

Best for – foot arthritis, diabetes, poor blood circulation, sensitive feet

• Massage options: Vibration/Acupressure
• Intensity – 12 levels
• Programs – 1

The Daiwa Felicity has no less than 12 intensity settings, more than any foot massager on this list. It is built with raised footbeds for proper foot placement and can be used on other places in your body (hands, calves, ankles, etc.)

The vibration massage can be gentle enough for sensitive feet or high frequency and powerful for muscle relaxation and release. With so many pressure options, it’s easy to find just the right one for you.

✅ Price – best price is on Amazon

Cons

1. No Shiatsu (kneading) massage

Heated Foot Massager Benefits

The proven benefits of infrared foot massagers include long-lasting Long-lasting pain relief (muscle/nerve/bones), Improved blood circulation, Healing of nerve damage (regeneration), and Stress relief.

📢 A one-time investment in a high-quality infrared foot therapy machine will be one of the most effective and money-saving things you’ll ever do for your health – especially if you:

• Suffer from a chronic illness (nerve pain/diabetes/heel pain etc.)
• Required to stand on your feet all day for work (teachers/tour guides/nurses etc.)
• Suffer from conditions related to poor blood circulation (peripheral vascular disease)
• Practice a lot of sports that apply pressure on the feet (running/basketball etc.)
• Experience a lot of daily stress

And here’s why:

1. Long-lasting pain relief

A Shiatsu foot massage, combined with infrared heat (thermal massage) – quickly boosts blood circulation in your feet and is scientifically proven to relieve pain (both immediately and long-term) from Plantar Fasciitis and Neuropathy.

And:

Shiatsu (kneading) infrared electric foot massagers target the foot reflexology pressure points used by traditional Chinese medicine while emitting deep-penetrating infrared rays, which results with:

• Increased blood circulation (which plays a huge role in tissue healing!)
• Pain relief
• Tissue (and nerve) repair

How?

IR therapy causes the release of nitric oxide, a short-lived gas that is crucial to the health of your arteries.

This powerful signaling molecule relaxes them (makes them wider) – which allows for more oxygen and pain-relieving components, and prevents blood clotting.

2. Improved Blood Circulation (for Diabetes, Neuropathy, and More)

Improving blood circulation issues is crucial for anyone suffering from Diabetes, Peripheral Neuropathy, Edema (swelling), Varicose veins, Obesity, and more.

Both massage and infrared heating are proven to quickly boost your blood circulation, which immediately relieves symptoms and helps with long-term healing (or prevention).

📢 See how to use light therapy for neuropathy

Look:

If you suffer from Neuropathy, know that IR therapy is one of the best natural treatments you can do for yourself at home – anytime you want to.

(That’s is why we’ve dedicated a separate post for Peripheral Neuropathy- click the link above to see it)

Note: some heated foot massager machines may include a warning for diabetics to not use it. The reason is that diabetics may be sensitive to heat.  We recommend that you consult with your doctor before using this device.

(When you do, ask him/her about this study – showing that 4 weeks of FIR radiation administered to the feet of type 2 DM patients significantly reduced cortisol levels and blood glucose levels.)

3. Swelling Reduction

Swelling feet is the most common symptom of extremities lymphedema.

More than a few studies have shown that infrared therapy has a positive effect on the major components of the lymphatic tissue.

Also:

Infrared light therapy can reduce the pain associated with the condition and also help to open pathways that allow the excess fluid to dissipate naturally.

Also, the reduction in swelling (in feet and ankles) means more nutrients for the damaged tissues and more cell rejuvenation.

4. Stress Relief and Energy Replenishing 

You won’t need scientific proof for this one, trust me. Just put your feet once in a high-quality heated foot massager, sit back, close your eyes – and you’ll know what true stress relief is.

To conclude:

Heated Foot Massagers FAQ

Conclusion

Foot massager machines with infrared heat make an amazingly effective pain-relieving solution for people who do a lot of sports, stand on their feet all day, and mostly – for people suffering from stiff feet, heel pain, arthritis, diabetes, neuropathy, varicose veins, and poor blood circulation.

Through our research, here’s the best foot massager for the following conditions:

• Diabetes and Arthritis – Daiwa Felicity vibrating foot massager with acupressure
• Neuropathy & Plantar Fasciitis – the Renpho Shiatsu foot massager or the Homedics
• Varicose Veins – the Giantex foot and calf massager

👉 See more ways to use infrared therapy for Arthritis

👉 See the best infrared (handheld) BODY massagers

And now over to you: have you ever tried an infrared foot massager to relieve foot pain? what was your experience? Share with us in the comments below.

If you have any questions use the comments or message us directly (for a quick reply) on our Facebook page.

To your health and happiness,

Meital

Sources

Young-Hee Lee, Bit Na Ri Park, and Sung Hoon Kim, The Effects of Heat and Massage Application on Autonomic Nervous System,  doi: 10.3349/ymj.2011.52.6.982

Hamblin, Michael. (2008). The role of nitric oxide in low level light therapy. 10.1117/12.764918.

The University of Illinois at Chicago. “Massage therapy improves circulation, alleviates muscle soreness.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 April 2014.

Li, K., Zhang, Z., Liu, N.F. et al. Efficacy and safety of far infrared radiation in lymphedema treatment Lasers Med Sci (2017) 32: 485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-2135-0

Ryotokuji, Kenji et al. “Preliminary results of pinpoint plantar long-wavelength infrared light irradiation on blood glucose, insulin and stress hormones in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Laser therapy vol. 22,3 (2013): 209-14. doi:10.3136/islsm.22.209