Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing. While we’ve covered the best standing desks, laptop stations, under-desk ellipticals and cycles, and mats for standing desks, here we’re zeroing on the best foot rest cushions on Amazon. (Note that reviews have been edited for length and clarity.)
Best foot rest cushions
“I’m short (5’2”) and was stuck with an office chair that wouldn’t go low enough to the ground for my feet to reach the floor properly. I had been using a large footstool from my living room, but it was just too large to be practical or comfortable. My knees were starting to suffer from the extreme discomfort of it all, not to mention being in need of some fidgety stretching. Being able to flip this footrest over and roll it back and forth provides that extra help to relieve some tension in the joints. I’m used to hard plastic footrests, so I was leery about this one. I was happy to find the density of the foam to be spot-on with what I needed. I have since acquired an office chair that lets my feet go flat on the floor, but that has only added to the effectiveness of the Smart N Comfy. I am quite pleased with this product.”
“This is such a comfortable foot rest! Where I work, the keyboard sits slightly higher than the typical computer desk height, so I have to sit in my chair at the highest setting to type comfortably. This footrest has been just perfect for my needs. The rounded top is super soft, unlike so many options that are hard plastic and make crossing your ankles or even just resting your foot on its side super uncomfortable. Yet it holds its shape so that you don’t feel like your feet are propped on a pillow — I tried that and hated it because the pillow constantly changed shape/height. The little rubber nubs on the flat base have just the right amount of grip, so that when the weight of your foot/feet is applied, the footrest holds its position, but when you want it to move, it slides easily.”
“I am very short, and this is EXACTLY what I needed to sit in my TV chair without my feet dangling! The half-round shape is similar to a foam exercise piece I got from my physical therapist (just larger and upholstered), so I flipped it over and voila: a rocking footrest. Now while I watch TV I can rock it forward and back, flexing and extending my ankles. This is good for increasing range of motion, and also for combating edema. I liked it so much I bought a second one to use outside on my deck.”
“I love this so much I bought a second one (home office and work office). I have short legs and a crazy long torso. This was just the right height to give me a comfortable place to put my legs, preventing me from crossing them or sitting on my feet. I can raise my chair up so my wrists and back are better aligned. My knees are much happier. I flip between the stationary and rocking sides. Very useful for fidgeters.”
“These are the best inventions for bad backs. They are light, foam, and sit nicely on the floor with a gripper so they don’t go flying on wood floors. If you are under 5’6” like me, you’ll find that today’s chairs are at least an inch higher off the ground than last century’s. And sofas, too, and table. If you work at a desk, and it’s high, and your chair is high, and you are 5’3” tall, you are in for some bad lower back pain eventually. These are great for under you dining table, your desk, your sofa, your outdoor chairs … and I’ve even taken mine to the movies when I’ve had a lot of back pain. Another simple, easy and affordable solution for a big problem.”
“This is PRECISELY what I needed! I just received it today, and I loved it so much, I just purchased another one for home use. I am tall, so dangling feet is not the issue here, but I was hoping that resting my feet on this while anchored to my desk for hours at a time would relieve pressure on my lumbar spine, and sure enough, it works beautifully! I choose to turn it over, curved side down, so that I can rock gently when I want to. For as long as I am in an office job, I do not ever want to be without this. Now I can concentrate on my work, not my aching lower back. Bravo, InteVision.”
Best adjustable foot rests
“From the first day I could tell that it was helping give my feet some relief. I have plantar fascitis and toes-up and heels-down helps keep my arch support and Achilles heel stretched and relieves some pain. I spend a lot of time at my desk and most of that time my toes have been pointed downward. I like that this support is heavy, moderately adjustable, and stays firmly where I want it to be. I’m comfortable using it with shoes on as well as barefoot.”
“Love this thing, For the price and what you get in terms of quality, it’s the best out there. [It’s] not some cheap flimsy looking one like the rest at that price range or higher, its actually sturdy metal and well built. Now on to what these actually do, if you sit at a desk all day, I would suggest getting this. It helps you sit upright at all times as opposed to slouching like I used to do (my scoliosis would act up cause of this) and it even doubles as a foot and calf stretcher since it works like a seesaw and you can point your feet downward to stretch them out.”
“The memory foam is awesome. Previously at work, I had one of those plastic foot rests with little bumps that are supposed to ‘massage your feet’ and it was OK, but to put my shoe-less feet on this memory foam is like heaven. It’s easy to adjust with my feet so I don’t have to bend over or reach under the desk. I was hesitant about spending so much money on a foot rest, but the people in my life keep telling me that when you invest in yourself it’s always worth it, and I’m finally starting to believe them!!”
Best foot rests for travel
“This was a godsend! After breaking my leg, I still had to travel for business. Still had to elevate my leg to avoid swelling. Once the luggage got checked, it was challenging to find ‘something’ to perch my leg up and on. I tucked it away in my carry-on and I could pop it out, inflate it and voila! Elevated! Made all the difference! Worth the price. Excellent for more pedestrian moments as well … I used it constantly, everywhere … at home, in my travels … all the time. Rugged.”
“I brought this for a 16-hour flight to Hong Kong. It felt strange to blow it up and it’s kind of cumbersome in a short space. But, it really helps with comfort. I had my feet up while sleeping and I actually got some decent sleep. It won’t turn your coach seat into first class but it does help.”
“Most of my flights are ten to 12 hours long, and staying comfortable is constant a struggle. Generally, I rest my feet on the bag under the seat in front of me. I recently tried out my Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest on a couple shorter flights and was pleasantly surprised by how much more comfortable I felt. On one of the flights, I was seated in the middle seat. The footrest was completely unobtrusive to my surrounding passengers. The adjustable straps easily fit around the arms of the tray table of the seat in front of me. I kept the tray table up most of the time, and rested my feet flat with my knees bent. For the return flight, I adjusted the length as one would adjust the strap on a backpack, and slid the footrest behind my calves, elevating my legs. It felt as if I were sitting in a recliner with my feet raised. I highly recommend trying this product, as it makes a ride in coach feel like first class.”
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