We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Orthopedic & Physical Therapy Products We Found the Best Foot Warmers for People With Arthritis The Serta Foot Warmer can help alleviate arthritis foot pain By Elizabeth Yuko, PhD Updated on April 18, 2022 Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD Fact checked by Christina Oehler, RYT-200 Print Verywell Health / Lecia Landis Heat therapy is a fast and easy way to relieve joint pain caused by arthritis. While a simple heating pad might do the trick, foot warmers surround the affected areas and can provide lasting relief. Frances Lomibao, MD, a rheumatologist and founder of Lomibao Rheumatology & Wellness Care, explains that "keeping the body temperature warmer, wearing thick socks, and warming the body before exercising would be prudent [for those with arthritis]." Whether you’re looking to soothe aching soles after a long day on your feet or to reduce pain and inflammation while on the job, take the size, portability, and power source into consideration, especially if you're frequently on the go. We researched dozens of foot warmers and evaluated their longevity of heat, ease of use, portability, and cost. A rheumatologist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding arthritis and the best way to evaluate foot warmers for people with arthritis. Here are the best foot warmers for people with arthritis on the market today. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Serta Electric Heated Warming Pad at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Budget: Intelex Warmies at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Shoes: ObboMed Far Infrared Carbon Fiber Heated Foot Warmer at Amazon ($70) Jump to Review Best Blanket: Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket at Amazon ($160) Jump to Review Best Massager: Comfier Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat at Amazon ($46) Jump to Review Best Floor Mat: Livtribe Heated Floor Mat at Amazon ($35) Jump to Review Best for Under-Desk Use: Sharper Image Warming Foot Massager at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Serta Electric Heated Warming Pad Amazon View On Amazon Pros Machine washable Level of heat is adjustable Extra cushioning for feet Cons Pad doesn’t hold shape while in use Doesn’t get as hot as some heating pads Our best overall pick is the Serta Foot Warmer because it's like a cozy, heated sleeping bag just for your feet. It’s designed specifically for people with poor circulation and arthritis with four heat settings, an 8.5-foot-long cord, and an auto-off feature for safety. It’s even big enough for two to share. The pouch is made of ultra-plush flannel and covers the 35-inch by 20-inch heating device. Because of this heating pad's design, however, the foot warmer may be hard to keep in place and may require a bit of readjusting to situate the heat in the right spots on your feet. Type: Electric | Portable: Can be used anywhere with electric outlet | Additional Features: Machine washable; 4 heat settings Best Budget Intelex Warmies Amazon View On Amazon $28 View On Warmies.com View On Kohls.com $15 Pros Excellent value Soft and comfortable Cons Only available in one size Heavy, which can make walking difficult A calming lavender scent and plush material make these fuzzy slippers feel like an at-home spa treatment for sore feet. You can heat up the entire slipper in the microwave whenever you need a bit more heat and simply slide feet in for sweet relief. There are five different colorways, including neutral cream and soft gray, or you can go wild with a fun leopard print, encasing the millet grains. Because they're filled with millet grains, they can be a bit heavy and may be difficult to walk around in, especially for people with mobility difficulties. But their price and design are hard to beat, which is why they're our favorite choice for anyone on a budget. Type: Manual (microwavable) | Portable: Yes (as long as there’s a microwave) | Additional Features: Lavender scented The 11 Best Arthritis Creams to Alleviate Aches and Pains Best Shoes ObboMed Far Infrared Carbon Fiber Heated Foot Warmer Amazon View On Amazon $70 Pros Automatic shut-off after 3 hours Allows for indoor mobility Cons Should not be used outdoors Take around 15 minutes to warm up These boots feature two heating levels, gentle and fast warmth, powered by a USB connection with a soft sole designed for comfort and convenience. The company boasts that the booties are easy to move around in because you can quickly detach the plug-in cable to get up and move about your day. The carbon fiber heating technology takes about 15 minutes to heat up to its highest temperature, but there's an auto-off function after three hours for safety. Type: Electric | Portable: Able to use while unplugged indoors | Additional Features: 2 heating levels; LED power indicator Best Blanket Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket Amazon View On Amazon $160 Pros Temperature auto-adjusts throughout the night Machine washable Cons Polyester fabric instead of cotton “Plush” finish makes blanket slide easily The Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket has a lot going for it, including plush material, a whopping 20 heating settings, and auto-adjust features to maintain your preferred temperature. It’s fully machine washable and dryer safe, so you can keep it clean in between warming sessions. It’s big enough for two to snuggle up and stay warm and features dual controls to pinpoint the perfect zone settings. Type: Electric | Portable: No | Additional Features: Preheat function; 5-year limited warranty; 20 heat settings The 8 Best Mattresses for Arthritis, Tested and Reviewed by Our Editors Best Massager Comfier Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat Amazon View On Amazon $46 View On Walmart $48 Pros Can transform into a back massager 3D shiatsu rollers with 8 massage nodes Traps in heat while massaging Cons Shuts off after 15 minutes Short cord on remote control If your cold, arthritic feet could also use a massage, then consider this model from Comfier, which ticks both boxes at a reasonable price point. Not only that, but the top cover is detachable, and when removed, the device turns into a back massager. Multiple options of kneading massage helps keep your feet warm and relaxed. The massager turns off automatically after 15 minutes, which is a great safety feature, but annoying when you want to use it longer. Type: Electric | Portable: Yes | Additional Features: Reversible rotation of massager; washable cover The Best Orthopedic & Physical Therapy Products Best Floor Mat Livtribe Heated Floor Mat Amazon View On Amazon $35 View On Walmart $33 Pros Operated by a foot switch, so no bending required Can be used with any type of shoes Waterproof Cons Cover on foot switch falls off easily Tends to slide on carpet Not everyone has the luxury of living or working somewhere with heated floors, but this floor mat from Livtribe gives you a similar experience—in a much smaller area. It’s compact and easy to store and transport and comes in three different types of flooring to match your decor. With seven settings, there is a temperature that works for everyone. Type: Electric | Portable: Yes, can be used in home, office, etc. | Additional Features: 7 temperature settings; flame retardant What the Experts Say “Keeping the body temperature warmer, wearing thick socks, and warming the body before exercising would be prudent [for those with arthritis].” — Frances Lomibao, MD, a rheumatologist and founder of Lomibao Rheumatology & Wellness Care Best for Under-Desk Use Sharper Image Warming Foot Massager Amazon View On Amazon View On Sharperimage.com View On CVS Pros Covers entire foot Comfortable fleece lining Cons Not portable Needs to be plugged in to operate We love the Sharper Image Warming Foot Massager as our top pick for in-office use because of its lightweight-yet-sturdy structure that keeps both feet warm all day long thanks to its shoe-like design. In addition to all-over heating capabilities, this device also includes a massaging feature that can relieve foot tension during use. While this massager is great to use while sitting at a desk or chair at home, it can't be used while walking around. The massager must be plugged in and held in place during use. Type: Electric | Portable: Yes, can be used in home, office, etc. | Additional Features: 2 vibration settings Final Verdict The Serta Foot Warmer envelopes up to four chilly feet in a plush, cozy cocoon of warmth, so it's a great option for anyone who wants to share the warmth. With four levels of heat and an auto-off safety feature, it’s a great value and effective heater. For a slightly more mobile option, consider the lavender-scented Intelex Fully Microwavable Luxury Cozy Slippers. These are microwaveable and allow you to walk around with warm feet. How We Selected When selecting products for our list, we first spoke with rheumatologists to get their insights on foot warmers for arthritis. These experts included: Frances Lomibao, MD, rheumatologist and founder of Lomibao Rheumatology & Wellness Care Stuart D. Kaplan, MD, chief of rheumatology at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York Then, we spent hours combing the web for the best and most effective products. After taking all of our options into consideration, we determined which to feature based on a few key criteria as recommended by rheumatologists: material, size, heating capabilities, massage capabilities, portability, and price. Once we narrowed down our options, we compared each massager's benefits to its price tag. While some choices on our list may be more expensive, we wanted to give a wide range of options that would fit all needs and budgets. Based on all of these factors, we compiled this list of the best foot massagers for arthritis. What to Look for in Foot Warmer for People with Arthritis Portability If you need to keep your feet warm on the move, portability is key. Foot warmers like insoles or heated socks are the most versatile. You can wear them with any footwear and easily swap them out if you feel overheated. Cold toes and feet may also be a sign of Raynaud's phenomenon, which is caused by cold-induced vasospasm of the small blood vessels in the toes (and fingers), according to Stuart D. Kaplan, MD, chief of rheumatology at Mount Sinai South Nassau. “Patients are generally advised to keep their whole body warm, even in the summertime because of air conditioning,” he explains. “In some cases, patients find it helpful to use disposable foot or hand warmers that can be found in sporting goods stores or ski shops.” Size Some foot warmers are large enough to share with a companion. Your own warm feet are nice, but an extra pair of toasty tootsies is twice as nice. Blankets and pouches are generally sized for duos to use at once. “Arthritis of the feet can cause pain and swelling as well as deformities,” Kaplan says. “This can make it difficult to wear certain shoes and can put untoward pressure on certain parts of the foot.” Power Source Foot warmers can use electricity, batteries, or chemicals to generate the heat. For example, the disposable insoles use a mix of chemicals that, when exposed to the air, heat up. These require no external power source and are ideal for remote warming needs. On the other hand, blankets and pouches need to be plugged in constantly to provide warmth. In between, there are electric socks and microwaveable slippers that require occasional power. “There are hand and foot warmer packets that can be used but should not be placed directly on the skin,” Lomibao says. “There are also warming blankets and pads that can be safely used (when not on direct skin).” Frequently Asked Questions How does arthritis affect a person’s feet? According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are three types of arthritis that can affect a person’s feet and toes: osteoarthritis (caused by wear-and-tear on the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic autoimmune condition), and posttraumatic arthritis (can develop after an injury to the foot or ankle). Symptoms of arthritis—including cold feet—can make everyday activities like walking, standing, and climbing stairs difficult. “Rheumatoid arthritis, a sub-type of arthritis, can cause inflammation and redness at the joint and can also present with temperature changes in the extremities,” Dahl explains. Is having cold feet a symptom of arthritis? Having feet that are constantly cold does not mean that a person has arthritis, according to Lomibao. “If someone's first complaint was the cold temperature in their feet, arthritis would not be the first diagnosis to come to mind, since this is not how arthritis presents,” she explains. “The first diagnosis I'd provide would most likely be a vascular or blood vessel problem, and in the rheumatology world, we would look at whether the patient had Raynaud's phenomenon.” What is Raynaud's phenomenon? Raynaud’s phenomenon is “when the small blood vessels in fingers or toes excessively constrict in response to cold temperature,” Lomibao explains. This could mean having cold feet and toes year-round, even when it’s warm outside or indoors. “Though found in a variety of conditions, Raynaud's can be associated with various types of arthritis,” Kaplan adds. Why do some people with arthritis frequently have cold feet? If a person already has a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, it is possible for their feet to get cold, especially in the wintertime, according to Lomibao. This can happen whether or not the person also experiences Raynaud’s phenomenon. “Cold temperatures can make degenerative arthritis more symptomatic, leading to more joint pain,” she explains. Why Trust Verywell Health As a seasoned health writer and editor—and someone with rheumatoid arthritis—Elizabeth Yuko understands how much of a difference finding the right product makes for those with arthritis. She’s always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with their health challenges. 1 Source Verywell Health 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. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Arthritis of the foot and ankle. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit