Battle of the three foot massagers

Baths are meant to be relaxing. Not for me. They send my stress levels through the roof. First, there’s the seemingly endless running of water. Next, I slide around in the tub until I’m forced to face the fact that my 1.50-metre self will never find a comfortable position without drowning. If I wish to throw watching a series into the mix, I’ll also have to juggle a mobile or laptop. The return on effort is just abysmal. So, I’ve thrown in the towel.

A warming foot massage, on the other hand, does sound like a dream. I picture a state of total relaxation while vegging out on the sofa. Add to that a cup of tea, a bowl of popcorn and an episode of «The Witcher». To find the right device for future evenings spent watching series, my boyfriend (shoe size 41) and I (shoe size 36) tested three models with different price tags.

Foot spa by Beurer

Massagers

EUR53,96

Beurer FB 20

36

Massagers

EUR53,96

Beurer FB 20

36

Putting it through its paces

Beurer’s foot spa is the most affordable model in this comparison test. While I like the look of it, other aspects leave a lot be desired. The setting options, for example. Setting 1 (vibration + infrared) is unspectacular but relatively quiet. Step it up a notch to the next level (heat + bubble massage), and there’s a sound nothing short of a plane taking off. There goes my relaxing or watching a series. The same can be said for level 3 (heat + bubble and vibration massage + infrared light).

Also, the water container is (too) small. Fill it up to the maximum mark, which gives you about four to five centimetres of depth, and the water already spills over the sides at the slightest movement. Not filling it up to the max isn’t an option for me, as I want the water to come up to my ankles. At least the device’s lack of depth means it’s easy to stow away.

To enjoy the so-called massage effect, I have to work hard (relaxation, eh?) by gliding my feet over the rollers. Nothing automatic here. Manuel hardly has room to manoeuvre his size feet back and forth. The contraption for the three pedicure attachments is also a disappointment. It doesn’t rotate and is located at the back of the basin above water level, i.e. in the dry. When I rub my feet against the attachments, the water spills over the edge of the basin onto the floor. Again. Manuel isn’t impressed either. Frankly, Beurer shouldn’t have bothered with the attachments. At least the contraption is good for storage. You can attach it to the device.

Beurer is vague about maximum temperatures and simply tells me I should fill the foot spa with warm water. However, I want to know what the «water tempering» feature does to the water temperature. I use a pool thermometer to find out. I fill the foot spa with water and run the spa for 20 minutes. The result: The water temperature rises from 29 to 32.5 °C. So, I’m assuming the tempering feature’s main job is to maintain the water temperature you pour in to start with. I only find out what the infrared light is good for when I ask a representative at Beurer: «The soothing infrared light promotes blood circulation and stimulates the reflex zones.» Whether this is true or not is impossible for me to judge. To me, it sounds a lot like marketing blah blah.

To clean the foot spa, I need to run it in bubble mode for one minute after tipping the water out. This dries the air ducts.

First impressions: Beurer’s foot spa is like a puppy that needs a lot of attention, robs us of energy and prevents us from relaxing.

Foot Bath Spa by Rio

Foot care devices

Rio Foot Bath Spa & Massager

Foot bath

6

Foot care devices

Rio Foot Bath Spa & Massager

Foot bath

6

Put to the test

Compared to Beurer’s massager, Rio’s feels like my feet have been upgraded to first class. My favourite features are the electric rollers, a deep basin that holds double the water level, noise levels that are compatible with binge-watching a series and precise temperature control.

Visually, the Foot Bath Spa is bulky and in-your-face. However, the details make up for that. There’s a foldout handle that makes carrying the massager from the tap to the sofa really easy. An indentation at the back prevents spilling when pouring out the water.

Rio’s attachment holder is in a better spot than Beurer’s. It’s located in the middle and is immersed in water when the basin is filled to the max. In spite of this, I still have my doubts about the use of these inflexible attachments. They’re just too small and rigid. Manually using a pumice stone or foot scrub is likely to achieve way better results.

Unlike Beurer, Rio explains the function of the red LED lights as follows when I contact them: «The red lights have no function and are there for design/decoration purposes.» So why bother with them and, instead, sell the device at a lower price? I also deduct points for the German plug I had to work around as well as for the massage rollers that react sensitively to pressure. To be fair, Manuel really put them to the test. There was a brief moment when they emitted a loud, unpleasant squeak. Fortunately, this didn’t happen again. The see-through minimum and maximum water level marks are really hard to read, which is quite annoying. A white mark would’ve been a better choice.

First impressions: compared to Beurer’s model, the Rio Foot Spa feels like a comforting hug that caters for my needs after a stressful day.

oFlexiSpa steam foot spa by Naipo

Massagers

EUR149,–

Naipo oFlexiSpa foot whirlpool

30

Massagers

EUR149,–

Naipo oFlexiSpa foot whirlpool

30

Put to the test

Design enthusiasts will probably prefer Naipo’s model to the other two. Personally, I think the priciest model we tested is trying a bit too hard to look fancy. Granted, it will blend into any interior design style and features a contraption at the base for stroging the cable. In addition to its looks, the device is quite different to the others in another aspect: it uses steam instead of water. To experience this, I need to fill a small plastic container with water before use and insert it into the partition between the left and right foot.

You can choose between three steam levels, a massage function and three timing options. The massage soles can be removed for cleaning and are each equipped with two rotating elements that spin alternately in one direction and then the other. This makes Naipo’s device stand out in terms of massages. They’re stronger and obviously the device’s focal point. The spa lets me choose between two massage levels; however, they’re quite similar. This model is also the quietest of the three.

Manuel and I both find the steam emission unpleasant. It feels too hot on our toes, even on the lowest setting. To escape the steam jet, I need to reposition my tiny feet over and over again. Manuel doesn’t have this wiggle room and has to lift his feet to cope with the heat. Although well-intentioned, the steam cover doesn’t do the trick. It’s meant to stop steam from escaping. Unfortunately, the cover doesn’t lock into place and falls off at the slightest movement.
The display on the control panel tells me if I need to refill the water. When I’m done, there’s a button I can push to drain the water from the small tank into a pull-out compartment. From there, I can tip the water out. This makes the Naipo foot massager the easiest one to clean – also thanks to the removable massage soles.

First impressions: if Rio is a comforting hugger, Naipo is an uncompromising, hot masseur who’ll give it to your tense feet. Whether you want it or not.

Verdict

My favourite is the Foot Spa Bath by Rio. Not only is it relatively quiet, its precise temperature control and generous size comes closest to taking a real bath – a luxury I’m not granted. In addition, the gentle massage rollers are motorised. The convenient details including the handle and pouring indentation complete the «spa experience». However, I could do without the LED lights and attachments. All in all, the massager provides me with a pleasant experience that I would spend money on.

Manuel, on the other hand, thinks Rio’s model is excessive and would happily replace it with a bucket of warm water. He enjoys strong massages. That’s why his personal winner is the silent steam foot spa by Naipo. He particularly enjoyed the rotating massage pedals. Naipo’s foot spa also makes tedious water shlepping a thing of the past. And yet, he still wouldn’t buy the device, because the experience doesn’t justify the price. I agree with his assessment and give Naipo silver. This is because the steam really was just too hot for me at times. I also prefer a foot bath to a steam foot bath.

Hands down loser – and here we both agree – is Beurer’s foot massager. It's noisy and leaves almost no space for large feet, which is ironic, as moving your feet is the only way you get to experience any kind of massage. What’s more, the water spills over at the slightest movement, and the attachments are pointless. In a nutshell: useless! With all these annoyances, I might as well have a bath.