The 6 Best Footrests of 2023

Improve posture and work more comfortably

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When it comes to ergonomics, offices often only consider chairs that offer back support. However, footrests can do wonders for desk dwellers when it comes to posture and comfort. Since they promote circulation to your legs and feet, they prevent fatigue and foot sores throughout the course of your daily grind. They also support your feet if you're of smaller size or if you have a foot condition.

Choose a footrest to accommodate your lifestyle and needs. Will you be using it in your office or when you're traveling? Do you have a stationary desk or a standing desk? Then, look into the specs of the footrest that you want. Many footrests are made from foam, wood, or plastic. Your choice should ultimately depend on whether you prefer a solid or soft material. And often—but not always—footrests are height- and tilt-adjustable to accommodate body size.

From budget-friendly footstools to luxurious executive foot rockers, here are the best footrests out there to give your feet the break that they deserve.

Best Overall: Eureka Ergonomic Tilt Adjustable Footrest

Eureka Ergonomic Tilt Adjustable Footrest
Courtesy of Amazon

Treat your feet with this simple, yet effective Eureka Ergonomic footrest. The footstool improves your posture and maximizes comfort with its modest design. It tilts between 0 and 20 degrees to suit the size of your body. The angle of the unlocked footrest varies depending on pressure from your feet, so you can move your legs and feet to stay active at your workstation. The surface has raised bumps that massage the soles of your feet to promote better circulation and reduce stress.

The footstool is made from metal and eco-friendly rubber, so you're not taking a toll on the actual environment while improving your work environment. The rubber composition at the bottom of the unit also prevents the footrest from slipping, whether your floor is carpet, wood, or tile.

Weight capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 17 x 5 x 13 inches | Height range: Not listed

Best Adjustable: Mind Reader Adjustable Footrest

Mind Reader Adjustable Footrest

Amazon

Most footrests are height-adjustable to a small degree, but Mind Reader's allows you to switch between three notably different positions so that the unit best accommodates your size. You can adjust the height from 1 to 6 inches. The foot rest's multiple tilt angles and height settings allow you to customize it to improve your posture and maximize comfort. When you need to store the footrest, simply flatten it—there is no need to disassemble anything. Besides promoting better foot circulation, the massage rollers prevent your feet from slipping off, though some reviewers have reported that the plastic materials feel slightly hard on bare feet.

Weight capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 13.4 x 17 x 4.4 inches | Height range: Not listed

Best for Standing Desks: Ergodriven Topo Comfort Mat

Ergodriven Topo Comfort Mat

Amazon

Working at a standing desk lets you enjoy a full range of motion, but standing on hardwood or concrete surfaces can be uncomfortable for your feet. The Ergodriven Topo mat offers a dynamically contoured surface that drives the motions that prevent the fatigue and discomfort of standing.

The mat is ergonomic and surprisingly durable. Its polyurethane foam provides a comfortable alternative to the floor, relieving pressure from your back, legs, heels, and shoulders. The cushion feels firm with just enough give for comfortable support. While it encourages movement, it’s less distracting than a desk treadmill or balance board. The skin on the foam is also durable, resisting stains and punctures. Select from sleek, minimal colors like altostratus gray and obsidian black or cheerful hues, including mulberry purple and denim blue.

Weight capacity: 240 pounds | Dimensions: 29 x 26.25 x 2.7 inches | Height range: Not listed

Related: The Best Home Office Desks

Most Comfortable: ErgoFoam Ergonomic Foot Rest

ErgoFoam Ergonomic Foot Rest

Amazon

Deemed the "most comfortable footrest in the world" by the brand, the ErgoFoam ergonomic foot rest is made with its high-density foam to provide firm support for your feet, unlike memory foam footrests that tend to flatten during use. This helps you sit upright, improving circulation and minimizing any back, feet, leg, and knee problems. It's also wider than most memory foam footrests, so you can stretch and sit more comfortably. This footrest even doubles as a foot rocker—just turn the soft, velvet side over to its breathable mesh side. Plus, the ErgoFoam comes with a lifetime warranty, no questions asked.

Weight capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.5 x 3.9 inches | Height range: Not listed

Related: The Best Lumbar Support Pillows

Best for Executives: Humanscale FR300 Foot Machine Footrest

Humanscale FR300 Foot Machine Footrest

Amazon

Executives who are sticklers for design and quality will appreciate this luxurious foot rocker from Humanscale. It is built to last and comes with a 15-year warranty, which explains its heftier price tag.

The construction is sturdy and ergonomic. The footrest sports a sturdy steel frame and hardwood platform. The ball-bearing rollers gently rock the unit back and forth to prevent cramps and soreness from long sitting periods, encouraging circulation by exercising your lower leg muscles. The footrest elevates your feet between 3.75 and 6.75 inches, reducing pressure from your back when you're sitting. It also provides ample elevation if you need the extra height due to your size or the chair’s seat height. To keep your feet in place, this foot rocker flaunts a non-skid surface.

Weight capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 11.875 x 16 x 3.75-6.75 inches | Height range: 3.75 to 6.75 inches

Best Foot Hammock: 5Fold Products Foot Hammock

5Fold Products Foot Hammock

Amazon

This foldable contraption brings relief to aching and swollen feet. The lightweight hammock is an alternative for those who prefer a more soft footrest to a solid footstool. Best of all, it's relatively easy to set up. 5Fold Products developed its universal fastening system with clamps that mount the cloth hammock on any desk, whether it has open or closed sides. The high-tension ropes allow you to swing your feet or legs back and forth without causing the unit to fall apart after you set it up. The hammock supports a maximum of 100 pounds, consisting of durable, double-stitched cotton fabric.

Weight capacity: 100 pounds | Dimensions: 24 x 6.7 inches (hammock), 15 inches to 27 inches (clamps) | Height range: Not listed

Related: The Best Seat Cushions

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Eureka Ergonomic Tilt Adjustable Footrest (view at Amazon) for its ability to improve posture and maximize comfort. It offers a wide tilting range to help you find a placement that suits your body size, it massages your feet to promote circulation and reduce stress, and finally, it's made of eco-friendly materials.

What to Look for in a Footrest

Material

Foam, wood, or plastic are the most common materials used to make footrests. Deciding between the three is up to personal preference: do you want to rest your feet on something hard or soft? If you use a standing desk, you may want to go with a foam option. This will provide some extra cushion, so you don't have to stand on a hard surface all day.

Adjustability

Adjustability is a great feature to look for when shopping for a footrest since it allows you to find the perfect position. Both of your feet should be able to sit flat on the footrest, and your hips should be in a neutral position. In general, footrests can usually adjust between 1 or 6 inches from the ground but higher ranges are available.

Appearance

Footrests can look like hammocks, a large arched foam pillow, and much more. The design of your footrest largely depends on your personal preference and your office decor. For example, if you are an executive, you may prefer to find something that matches your desk and is sturdy and sleek, so it lasts a long time and looks regal.

Meet the Expert

Stacey Nguyen is an experienced writer whose topics include office supplies, fashion, entertainment, and more. Her work has appeared in major publications such as PopSugar, StyleCaster, HelloGiggles, and The Bold Italic.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Eureka Ergonomic. "Ergonomic Foot Rest."

  2. Mind Reader. "3 Position Adjustable Height Ergonomic Foot Rest."

  3. Ergodriven. "Topo."

  4. ErgoFoam. "Foot Rest Under Desk (Velvet)."

  5. Humanscale. "Foot Rockers," Page 4.

  6. Amazon. "Foot Hammock Under Desk | Adjustable Desk Foot Rest Hammock Office | Under The Desk Hammock for Feet Suitable for All Desk Types & Bonus Included by 5fold Products (Black)."

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