Ivation Foot Spa Massager Review

We purchased the Ivation Foot Spa Massager so our reviewer could put it to the test in her home. Keep reading for our full product review.

Foot spas are considered a bathroom must-have by many. Sore feet after a long day at work? Trying to save money on an at-home pedicure instead of one in a salon? Gift yourself an at-home spa experience. If you’re looking for a way to relieve tension and pain that’s less expensive than going to the spa, the Ivation Foot Spa Massager could be right for you. Read on for our assessment of the spa’s performance, price, and competition.

Setup Process: Easy as can be

We had absolutely no trouble setting up the Ivation Foot Spa Massager. All we had to do was fill it with water (to the line marked inside), plug it in, and turn it on. We chose to let the Intelligent Start Setting run its course as it heats the water to 95°F and then automatically turns on the bubbles before transitioning to the massaging rollers at 108°F. That said, you can also adjust the controls yourself and set a timer if you want. It’s simple: you press the “Bubbles” button for bubbles, the “Massage” button to turn on the rollers, the up and down arrows to set the temperature to your liking, and the “Time” button to adjust how long it runs.

Performance: Like a dream

The Ivation Foot Spa Massager comes with a handful of features and pedicure attachments—including an acupressure node, roller balls, and brush— that help feet recover from long days. We’re happy to report that that spa heated up quickly (it goes up to 122°F) and maintained its temperature.

The bubble and vibration massage features were soothing without being too intense, and the motorized foot rollers also did their part, gently working through soreness in the balls and arches of our feet. It’s also worth noting that the bottom of the spa’s basin is lined with acupressure nodes, so you can press any part of your foot on them and with whatever pressure feels best. To complete the experience, Ivation also throws in a pumice stone. We loved using it to exfoliate and get rid of dead skin after we were done soaking.

The Ivation Foot Spa Massager is essential oil- and bath salt-compatible, so we built on the spa’s relaxation abilities by adding a few drops of our own. Just keep in mind these oils are highly concentrated and fragrant—so a few drops will go a long way.

Design: Great usability, minor flaws

Ivation’s controls are easy to use and the LED screen clearly tells you what temperature the water is at—so no complaints there. However, unlike a few other foot spas on the market, this one is on the heavier side, weighing 6.7 pounds. That might not sound like much, but when filled with water, it adds up. Thankfully, the spa is equipped with a built-in handle so you can easily transport it between rooms.

In terms of size, the spa isn’t too large in build, so we had no issue storing it in our linen closet. It’s not necessarily pretty, so you’ll probably want to store it out of sight. Before you do, just make sure it’s wiped dry.

The only other design issue we encountered was that the basin doesn’t have enough room to avoid using the acupressure nodes. If you want to adjust the position of your feet without putting pressure on the nodes, you’re probably going to have a problem.

Extra Features: Intelligent start function

The Ivation Foot Spa comes with an especially neat feature—an Intelligent Start function. Basically, as soon as you hit the power button, the water will start to heat up; no fiddling with the temperature buttons necessary. Then, once the temperature reaches 95° F, the bubbles will start, and at 108° F, the massager kicks in. The water will continue heating until it reaches its max at a comfortable 122° F. This setting was our favorite part of the spa as we were able to turn it on and immediately use it—no fidgeting with the controls, just pure relaxation.

Price: Worth the one-time investment

The Ivation Foot Spa Massager retails around $80, so it’s neither the cheapest nor the most expensive foot spa on the market. You could save money and buy a less expensive foot massager, but sub-$50 models likely won’t come with as many features or any motorized accessories.

Competition: Budget vs. features

The ArtNaturals Foot Spa Massager is quite similar to Ivation’s, but there are some differences that could make or break your decision. The first factor is price; Ivation’s foot spa retails for around $80, while ArtNaturals’ Foot Spa Massager is $60 MSRP. If $20 won’t break the bank, though, Ivation’s foot spa is really the better investment as it offers more features, a better bubble experience, motorized rollers (ArtNaturals’ are manual), a quicker heating element, extra attachments, a timer, and an Intelligent Start function.