Best For Work From Home: Electric Heated Foot Warmers for Men and Women

Let’s talk foot warmers for under a desk!

Here in Colorado, we know cold—and it can be chilly on our feet in an office environment, especially when the heat is blowing in from the ceiling. Having a foot warmer can make all the difference on chilly days.

There are several styles of foot warmers that we researched for this article. Some are pockets that you slip your feet into (without shoes). Other styles are built like footrests that can be angled up to reach your feet. Still other foot warmers are simple pads that go under a desk.

Complicating this factor is the prohibition some offices have on space heaters, for safety reasons. That’s why we will also look at foot warmers that have a stealth design: they look like footstools and run silent (no noisy fans). These foot warmers sometimes will pass muster when it comes to office prohibitions on heating devices.

One of the more affordable solutions are pocket style foot warmers—and we liked this model from Gintao for its overall warmth and features (note the two hour auto shut-off and three heating levels). 

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Soft and warm.

• Also can be used on a bed to warm feet up.

• Easy to use.

• Shuts off when heat reaches desired temp.

• Quickly heats up.

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• Sides don’t get as warm, as heating element is in the center.

• Can’t easily use with shoes, so may not be best for some office environments.

• Cord has an awkward attachment point.

• Not machine washable.

Best For Carpet: Cozy Products TT Toasty Toes Ergonomic Heated Foot Warmer

If you have a carpeted office floor, this would be our pick as the best foot warmer: Cozy Products TT. We liked the design that can be used sitting or standing (it has a three-position angle). Also nice: it has a built-in thermostat, although there is no auto shut-off (which is a plus and minus). Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Best for use without shoes.

• Just right amount of heat to keep feet warm.

• Heating element is energy efficient.

• Quiet.

• Stealth design is great for offices that prohibit space heaters at desks.

What Needs Work

• Doesn’t work well with shoes, in our opinion.

• Best for carpet as it slides around on wood or tile floors.

• No auto shut-off means you might have buy a separate timer to turn it off at end of day.

Best For Concrete Floor: OLYDON Electric Heated Floor Mats Under Desk

One of the challenges for foot warmers used under a desk is the slipperiness of floors—if your office has concrete or hardwood floors, too many foot warmers won’t stay put. 

That’s why we liked this model by OLYDON—it has a non-slip backing that keeps it in place. And it does an excellent job at warming feet, with an impressive seven temperature options. 

What We Liked

• Even heat.

• Stays put on concrete floors.

• Affordable.

• Works well with shoes on.

• Three hour auto shut-off.

• Lies flat for use.

• Foot switch enables you to turn it on and off without bending over.

• Rolls up for storage.

What Needs Work

• Rubber on foot switch can get kicked off if not careful.

• Foot area is smaller than some users would prefer.

Best With Massage: Snailax Foot Massager with Heat

We tried out several foot warmers that also feature a massage mode before picking this model by Snailax as the best of the bunch. It did the best at warmth AND massage, with three modes that were more than enough to find the right setting.

What We Liked

• Easy to use.

• Can use with just heat or massage . . . or both.

• Three button controller is easy to use.

• Portable and lightweight.

• Affordable gift idea.

What Needs Work

• 15 minute auto shut-off is too short—you have to turn it on repeatedly to keep foot warmer function.

• Heats the bottom of feet. . . . not so much the tops!

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

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