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When it comes to sitting at a desk all day, it’s all about ergonomics—and those can begin from the literal ground up with a great foot rest. There’s nothing worse than trying to focus on your tasks or pay attention during a long meeting and then being hit with severe low back pain or shoulder aches. Finding a comfortable, soft, and luxurious under-desk foot rest can help you maintain proper posture and alignment while seated, easing the pressure off your joints. An ergonomic foot rest reminds you to maintain an upright posture, bend at an appropriate angle, and uncross your legs. This can lead to a whole slew of benefits, like blood flow and better circulation, so you can avoid a stiff body and pain. Keeping all of this in mind, we’ve selected five of the best under-desk foot rests of 2023 to make working hard feel easier.
- Best overall: ComfiLife Foot Rest for Under Desk
- Best for pregnancy: Everlasting Comfort Office Foot Rest for Under Desk
- Best wooden: Humanscale FM 300 Foot Machine Footrest
- Best ergonomic: Cushion Lab Ergonomic Foot Rest
- Best budget: Basic Concepts Under Desk Foot Rest
How we chose the products
Combining peer recommendations, personal experiences, user impressions, and critical reviews, we chose the best under-desk foot rests for you based on a few key factors. We researched options that were machine-washable to prevent stinky foot odors from ruining your new favorite office gadget. We looked at different materials, like wooden or memory foam, as well as footrests that come in several color selections to give you multiple aesthetic options. We also looked at adjustable foot rest for under desks that might be higher up or to account for different body heights.
The benefits we look for in under-desk foot rests
The benefits of foot rests vary depending on the person using them, but they certainly have some universal advantages that we kept in mind while selecting our best under-desk foot rests:
- They provide comfort. Foot rests are soft, comfortable, and cloud-like thrones for your feet. They can definitely provide comfort and relaxation in place of hardwood floors.
- They can improve posture. Studies show that proper posture and alignment are important for overall body health and that sitting with your legs crossed can have negative effects on the body. Using under-desk foot rests can help maintain proper posture and alignment while sitting.
- They may help with circulation. Because under-desk foot rests encourage foot movement, you won’t be sitting in a static position for as long. This encourages blood flow and better circulation.
The best under-desk foot rests: Reviews & Recommendations
Our picks ensure a range of costs to suit your budget, keeping in mind you can absolutely get high-quality, durable under-desk foot rests that won’t break the bank.
Best overall: ComfiLife Foot Rest for Under Desk
Best Overall
Pros
- Great for tall/heavy people
- Super comfortable
- Made from high-quality memory foam
- Washable, removable cover
Cons
- Not ideal for super short people
- Pricier option
Why it made the cut: This under-desk foot rest is a little bit of everything, all rolled into one seriously comfortable experience! It’s machine-washable, lightweight, made of quality memory foam, and works well for tall and heavy customers!
Specs
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 6 inches
- Material: Memory foam
With over 7,000 positive Amazon reviews, this high-quality memory-foam foot rest is essential for anyone that’s stuck at a desk all day. These ergonomically designed footrests offer a higher quality than crappy plastic options, but are still at a decent price point. The squishy and plush material is comfortable for bare feet, but it’s not so soft that it caves in beneath you. Memory foam offers a bit of resistance to maintain a solid posture and frame. Plus, the outer layer is machine-washable! You can also flip it over to use it as a foot rocker to stimulate circulation and blood flow. Note that the height is not adjustable, which can be annoying for some shorter customers.
Best for pregnancy: Everlasting Comfort Office Foot Rest for Under Desk
Best for Pregnancy
Pros
- Super-soft memory foam
- Machine washable
- Budget-friendly
- Certified non-toxic and safe materials
- 2-in-1 stationary foot rest and rocking foot rest
Cons
- Metal zipper can scratch hardwood floors
- Very very soft; some people prefer more firm support
Why it made the cut: Swollen, achy pregnant feet will love this memory-foam under-desk foot rest that provides soft and squishy comfort. It’s also machine-washable so, when the baby comes, spills and spit-up won’t be a problem!
Specs
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 9.5 x 4.75 inches
- Material: Memory Foam
This non-slip, 100% memory foam under-desk foot rest for swollen feet is perfect for achy joints and pregnant mothers who need a little TLC. Memory foam is also great because it utilizes your own body heat to soften and conform to your unique foot shape, bouncing back after each use. Tested by OEKO-TEX to earn their coveted Standard 100 label, this footrest is also safe for you and your baby! It’s machine-washable—just unzip and toss it in the washing machine in case of any spills or stains (which is a huge plus when the baby comes). You can also flip it over for a rocking foot rest to get that circulation flowing.
Best wooden: Humanscale FM 300 Foot Machine Footrest
Best Wooden
Pros
- Lots of positive reviews
- Customizable; three-inch height adjustments
- Great for short people
- High quality
- Easy to vacuum compared to foam
Cons
- Anti-slip texture on foot rest is scratchy
- Rolling could be smoother
- Pricey
Why it made the cut: This wooden under-desk foot rest features a chic slab of wood connected to a steel frame—it’s lightweight, durable, and great for short people with several height adjustments for a customizable feel.
Specs
- Weight: 10.63 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 8.75 x 16 x 6 inches
- Material: Wood
The FR300 Foot Rocker features ball bearing rollers allowing users to rock their feet as they type away at their desk. This encourages healthy circulation while also acting as a more ergonomic option compared to placing feet on the floor. It offers a 3-inch height adjustment for custom positioning, which can help relieve lower back pain depending on where you position it. Reviewers rave about how durable and lightweight the design is, and how much chicer it looks than a foam pad. Do note that the anti-slip texture on the footrest can feel a bit scratchy on bare feet, and it’s a bit on the pricier side since it’s made from natural wood.
Best ergonomic: Cushion Lab Ergonomic Foot Rest
Best Ergonomic
Pros
- Machine washable removable cover
- Ergonomic, patented design
- Charcoal-infused core prevents odor
- Good resistance while staying soft
- Comes in lots of colors
Cons
- Pricier than other models
Why it made the cut: With a patented WaveMassage design that feels like literal waves of massage down your feet, this ergonomic memory-foam foot rest is soft, luxurious, and stimulates blood flow and circulation for optimal support.
Specs
- Machine Washable: Yes (removable cover)
- Product Dimensions: 17 W x 10.5 L x 5 H inches
- Material: Memory foam
This under-desk foot rest massager features memory foam with a wavy twist! With a patented WaveMassage design that feels like waves against your feet, this under-desk foot rest is super soft while providing resistance. The “wavy” design is also pleasant to rub against your feet to stimulate circulation, many reviewers note. It has a removable, washable slipcover as well as a charcoal-infused core to prevent odor from accumulating. We love that it comes in lots of colors to choose from to suit your style, and is much more attractive than other models that can feel a bit cold or boring. Reviewers love how it feels like clouds on your feet, but note that it’s on the pricier side.
Best budget: Basic Concepts Under Desk Foot Rest
Best Budget
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Made from premium foam
- Machine washable
- Breathable
- Most reviewers love the firmness-to-softness ratio
Cons
- Slides a bit on hardwood floors
- Doesn’t hold shape as well as more premium models
Why it made the cut: For just about $25, you can get a high-quality under-desk foot rest that is soft yet firm with a non-slip, machine-washable cover!
Specs
- Weight: 1.19 lbs
- Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 11.5 x 3.8 inches
- Material: Foam
Made from high-quality foam, this machine washable, non-slip under-desk foot rest is breathable and ultra-comfy! Reviewers rave that they’ve really nailed the art of firmness to softness ratio. It’s not so soft that it’s basically melting into the floor, defeating the purpose. But it’s also not so firm it feels like an under-desk brick! Note that some reviewers had an issue with it sinking in after a while of use and that it generally doesn’t hold its shape as well as some more expensive models. But, not everyone had that experience. It can also tend to slide a bit on hardwood floors, so it might be good to get a little pad for the bottom! But for about $25, this product is a total steal.
FAQs
Under-desk foot rest costs can vary depending on materials and quality. For example, a premium memory-foam foot rest will be more expensive than a plastic one. You should be able to find a good foot rest for under $50.
Under-desk foot rests can definitely help with posture by angling your legs and feet at a healthier placement, as well as encouraging movement of the feet and legs to maintain good posture, blood flow, and circulation. They also discourage you from sitting with your legs crossed, which has been shown to contribute to poor posture.
You should be able to make a 90-degree angle with your legs when your feet are on an under-desk foot rest.
Final thoughts on the best under-desk foot rests
Stop dealing with back and joint pain while sitting at your desk all day. With your feet on the cold hardwood floor and at a weird angle, you’re bound to feel the long-term effects! By opting for one of these luxurious and ergonomic under-desk foot rests (or rather, foot thrones), you’ll not only get relief from aches and pains, but you’ll also feel like a king or queen!
Related: Best ergonomic desks
