To find the best foot baths, we asked podiatrists to tell us what to look for and avoid when choosing an at-home foot spa product. Our experts include: The space-saving, collapsible design means you won’t need to re-organise your house to make room for a full spa treatment. Instead, it pops up when you need it and folds flat when you’re finished. Obviously, if you want even more coverage, you’ll have to keep the height of your foot bath in mind, too. Some are designed to be taller than others, allowing you to fill them more (and soak more of your leg) than shallow baths. The most important step is to always follow your soak with a moisturizing cream and heel protectors," Correa says. "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." I recommend Epsom salt soaks [after] ingrown toenail procedures or simply for tired feet,” says Dr. Sidney Weiser, president of Quality Podiatry Group. “Soaking [also] helps with softening [hard fungal] nails and makes them easier to cut, and soften corns and calluses prior to debridement.”

The easy pour spout makes this a simple task and tidying away even more so thanks to the collapsible design. Make sure the foot spa is unplugged while you fill it to the MAX line with warm (not boiling) water. You can add some of your favourite bath salts to create a calming aroma to relax in. Essential oils. Certain scents, like peppermint, can be soothing and add to the relaxation benefits of the bath. Some people add tea tree oil to their foot baths [and] while there's no harm in doing this, studies have shown that tea tree oil isn't enough to cure fungus, so don't rely on that for any medical treatments,” Dr. McEneaney says.

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Lastly, don’t forget to have a good moisturizer on hand after the bath. Dr. McEneaney says people think soaking their feet also moisturizes them, but in reality, it dries them out because you're essentially washing away the natural oils that your body produces to keep them hydrated. Follow up with a nourishing cream or lotion after your feet have been soaked and towel-dried. For any and all foot bath needs, be they therapeutic or just for fun, the Niksa Foot Spa Massager with Heat has something for everyone. Vibration and rollers massage tired feet while temperature-controlled heat and bubbles soothe away stress. It heats up fast and is easy to use, making it our top choice for everyday use.

Both doctors note that their recommendations only apply to people with healthy feet. You should not use a foot bath if you have open sores on your feet or if the source of your foot pain is undiagnosed. Enter the foot spa. If you are unfamiliar, "a foot spa is an at-home foot care device that holds water and utilizes many mechanisms like temperature adjustments, massage options and more," explains Marcela Correa, owner and medical nail technician at MediPedi NYC Inc."They are typically used to soak and soothe feet, relieve pain or discomfort in toenails and soles of the feet and to prep feet for a deep cleansing or treatment." off after taking a dip: As fun as it is to soak your feet, it’s also important to properly dry your feet afterward. Have a towel at-the-ready to dry off your tootsies to help prevent bacteria and fungi from growing. Foot spas are widely available so the good news is, whatever your budget you'll be able to find something suitable for your needs.If you want a slightly more deluxe, spa-like experience, we recommend the HoMedics Shiatsu Bliss Footbath with Heat Boost. With deep, acupressure kneading and a heat boost feature, you can get a luxurious foot bath in your own home. How We Selected the Best Foot Baths If you have healthy feet and are just looking to use [a foot bath] to relax, it comes down to what you prefer and how much you want to spend,” says Dr. McEneaney. “There are really basic foot baths on the market that could do the job you need it to do, and then there are really sophisticated, expensive ones.” Epsom salt. Both Drs. McEneaney and Weiser say that Epsom salt is helpful, especially if you have sore, achy feet. They suggested a combination of features to consider, told us what types of things can be added to foot baths to maximize your experience, and made some important safety notes. Find a foot bath that allows you to regulate the water temperature—some let you control the water temperature, and some don't,” says Dr. McEneaney. “If you have muscle pain that's not acute, a warm bath will be good, [but] cold water will be better for joints.”