The 3 Best Under - Pillow Inc.

After a new round of testing footrests, we’ve made the ComfiLife Foot Rest our top pick for its plush comfort, support, and ease of cleaning.

Sitting ergonomically at your desk is challenging. To do it right, you need to raise or lower your chair so that your arms at the keyboard are parallel to the floor, raise or lower your monitor so the top of it is at eye level, and make sure your feet are supported. If everything else is right but your legs are dangling, you need to use a footrest. Beyond ergonomics, a footrest can also encourage healthier, more “active sitting” by engaging your feet to rock back and forth for better leg circulation. The plushy ComfiLife Foot Rest and the sturdy Humanscale FR300 Ergonomic Foot Rocker are both better than a plastic footrest at helping you maintain proper posture and feel more comfortable at your desk.

This footrest has a washable velvet cover that’s easy to remove and feels great if you’re not wearing shoes, and the high-density foam offers firm yet cushy support for your feet. It can be used as a foot rocker, and the 2-inch detachable base lets you adjust the footrest’s height.

In our testing, we found that the ComfiLife Foot Rest offered firm, all-day comfort. Unlike plastic footrests, which tend to be clunky and feel cheap, the ComfiLife has a foam construction that just feels good to use. Its plushy surface and soft give make you want to press your feet into the cushion and stretch your ankles, and for added movement, you can flip it over for rocking. With a detachable base, you can use this footrest at either a 3.9-inch or 5.9-inch height. The ComfiLife stays in place on hard and carpeted floors alike, and the cover is easily removable for tossing in the washing machine (just remember to use the gentle cycle). Plus, unlike our previous pick, the ErgoFoam Adjustable Foot Rest, it has a (nonremovable) cloth cover over the memory-foam insert, which makes the insert easier to remove and adds to the footrest’s overall high-quality feel.

The ErgoFoam is just as supportive and comfortable as the ComfiLife, but its cover isn’t as easy to remove, and the memory-foam insert doesn’t have its own encasement.

We recommend the ErgoFoam Adjustable Foot Rest if you can find it on sale and don’t mind dealing with a little more hassle when you remove the cover. Under our feet, the ErgoFoam and the ComfiLife felt exactly the same. The ErgoFoam’s velvety-soft cover and firm-yet-squishy foam insert make elevating your feet pleasant, especially if you’re not wearing shoes. This footrest, which can be used as a foot rocker, also comes in a few other styles, like a teardrop design for people who prefer to stretch out their feet under their desk, a mesh variant that’s supposed to be less prone to collecting pet hair, and a cheaper version without the detachable base.

With its hardwood platform and steel frame, this solid footrest looks good under a desk and can withstand constant use. It rocks smoothly and can be adjusted in height up to 3 inches.

The Humanscale FR300 Foot Rocker (listed on Amazon as the FM300) is like a rocking chair for your feet. The large, wooden platform glides easily over the metal frame with ball-bearing rollers. Nonskid surface strips on top keep your feet in place, but they also make this footrest better for using with shoes, rather than with socks or bare feet. The FR300’s solid construction feels light-years ahead of cheaper plastic footrests and justifies the higher price. And the gentle rocking that this footrest encourages can help you engage your legs and ankles.

The ErgoFoam is just as supportive and comfortable as the ComfiLife, but its cover isn’t as easy to remove, and the memory-foam insert doesn’t have its own encasement.

With its hardwood platform and steel frame, this solid footrest looks good under a desk and can withstand constant use. It rocks smoothly and can be adjusted in height up to 3 inches.

As a senior staff writer at Wirecutter, I’ve researched and tested all sorts of office furniture and hardware, including lumbar support pillows, desk chairs, and ergonomic keyboards. I’ve also been working out of my home office for more than two decades, writing about technology and productivity for sites such as Lifehacker, PCWorld, and Laptop Mag. At 5 feet 2 inches tall, I’m probably the ideal tester for footrests, since many office chairs—even at their lowest height—leave my feet dangling, and I sometimes sit at my desk for more than eight hours a day.

We consulted two ergonomics experts for this guide. Laura Punnett, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, specializes in job design to optimize workforce musculoskeletal, mental, and cardiovascular health. Kevin Weaver, a clinical assistant professor of physical therapy at New York University, helped us determine what you should look for when you’re purchasing a footrest and why you might want one in the first place.

To sit comfortably at a desk for long stints, many of us are going to need some help. Most fixed-height desks range from 28 to 30 inches tall, which is ideal if you’re between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall. At that height, you could keep your feet firmly flat on the floor, your thighs parallel to the ground, and your wrists at or below elbow level while typing—as recommended by ergonomics experts.

If you can’t keep your feet firmly flat on the ground at your desk while also typing comfortably with your arms parallel to the floor, you need a footrest.

But most people aren’t 6 feet tall (PDF).

If you can’t keep your feet firmly flat on the ground at your desk while also typing comfortably with your arms parallel to the floor, you need a footrest. Biomedical engineering professor Laura Punnett told us that “when your feet are hanging, pressure builds up quickly on the underside of the thigh, compressing nerves and blood vessels.” NYU physical therapy professor Kevin Weaver said that compression can lead to a host of issues, including trigger points in the hamstring muscles and irritation of the sciatic nerve. And if you’re already experiencing back, leg, or foot pain, a footrest could help alleviate that discomfort by offering needed support.

Anything can be a footrest, of course: a stack of books, a cardboard box, a large dog who likes to sleep near your feet. A great dedicated footrest for use under your desk, however, will be more durable and more comfortable than a makeshift option (and definitely less likely to get up and walk off than your pup). Also, the tilting and rocking features found on most footrests let you change your leg position and add in some movement for more-active sitting, helping offset some of the hazards of prolonged, static sitting.

Based on advice from our ergonomics experts, we placed a priority on footrests that have adjustable heights and tilt and are able to rock. We eliminated those that have lots of owner reviews recounting poor durability, as well as under-desk hammocks and footrests designed for propping up your feet on airplanes. We focused on footrests designed to improve ergonomics while you work at your desk.

Our research and our experts’ advice showed us what to look for in a great footrest:

In early 2020, for our first version of this guide, we researched more than 20 under-desk footrests in the three main categories that we found: foam footrests, plastic models, and wooden ones. I used each footrest for at least half a day of work, with my adjustable-height desk set at 29 inches high. We also recruited four panelists who were shorter and taller than I am—ranging from 4 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall—to join me in a footrest-testing party. Sitting around a 28½-inch-high table, the panelists propped up their feet (in socks, shoes, or slippers, according to their preferences) on each footrest, rocked each one back and forth, complained about or complimented the comfort of each model’s surface, and scribbled notes about each footrest’s looks. (Even though style wasn’t a major factor in our picks, appearance and ease of cleaning were both things we took into account in our review.)

For our 2021 update, we considered six additional footrests and decided to test the ComfiLife Foot Rest against our previous pick, the ErgoFoam Adjustable Foot Rest, because of their similar price and features. We also tested the teardrop version of the ErgoFoam footrest to better understand how the different design affected comfort and ergonomics. I tested the footrests side by side for more than two workweeks.

After working hard to rest our feet, we had clear winners.

The ComfiLife Foot Rest is the pillow your feet didn’t know they needed, especially if you work at your desk without shoes on. The footrest’s high-density foam hits the sweet spot between firm and soft—it has just enough give to let you joyfully squish the cushion with your feet throughout the day, without the cushion caving in or losing its shape. It’s like a stress ball for your feet. We like that it has a 2-inch detachable base, so you can raise the footrest height from 3.9 inches to 5.9 inches. Compared with other foam footrests we tested, the ComfiLife’s cover was the easiest to remove for cleaning, thanks to a better zipper design and a separate cloth cover over the insert. While similar footrests come only in black, the ComfiLife is available in three colors: black, gray, and navy.

In testing, I was hard-pressed to notice any functional difference between the ComfiLife and our previous footrest pick, the adjustable ErgoFoam, when swapping between them—I found all the same benefits in the ComfiLife as in the ErgoFoam. It’s comfortable from any position, whether you rest your feet flat, directly underneath your knees; angle them up on the rounded surface for quick breaks; or use the footrest inverted as a foot rocker. And even if you like to use your footrest with shoes on, the ComfiLife will stand up to the punishment; the cover can be vacuumed, as well as easily hand- or machine-washed (on the delicate cycle) and air-dried.

As previously mentioned, the ComfiLife’s 2-inch detachable base lets you use the footrest at either a 3.9-inch or 5.9-inch height. Our panelists who were 5-foot-6 and under preferred the footrest with the added base; our taller panelists preferred to remove the base for more leg-to-desk clearance. If you’re likely to use the ComfiLife both with and without shoes, the height adjustability is nice to have. At 17.5 inches across, this footrest is about an inch wider than its closest competition—the ErgoFoam measures 17.3 inches across—giving you more room to spread out your feet.

The ComfiLife’s plushy comfiness encourages you to press your feet into it, but for added movement, you can flip it over to rock your feet back and forth, as ergonomics experts recommend. Like with other foam footrests, the rocking is less noisy with this model than with plastic or wood footrests, but it does require a bit more force due to friction from the fabric. If your primary goal is to encourage smooth rocking while you sit at your desk, Humanscale’s wooden footrests rock more smoothly than both the ComfiLife and other foam footrests. But if you want the comfiest stationary footrest that you can also use as a foot rocker on occasion, this is the one we recommend.

Unlike some of the other footrests we tested, the ComfiLife footrest actually stayed put on hard floors. The grippy rubber texture on the bottom keeps the footrest in place, even as you pound it with your feet. By comparison, some of the plastic footrests we tested slid on hard floors with every foot movement.

Although the ComfiLife footrest looks identical to the ErgoFoam (and some other foam footrests, for that matter), if you look closer there are small but not insignificant differences, mainly having to do with the construction of the covers for the main cushion and the base. First, the base attaches with a zipper on one side and two pieces of Velcro on the other. (The ErgoFoam footrest, by comparison, attaches with Velcro only.) During use, we didn’t notice any difference in how sturdy this footrest’s base felt compared with the ErgoFoam’s, but in theory, the zipper attachment would make the two parts hold together more securely.

Second, the foam inserts in both the main and base components of the ComfiLife are covered by nonremovable cloth encasements. These make the inserts easier and more pleasant to remove than grabbing spongy yellow foam; plus, they also help protect the foam from hair, dust, and other detritus while the velvet covers are getting washed and dried.

Finally, the zipper on the ComfiLife’s base attachment goes around two sides, versus the ErgoFoam’s single-sided zipper. It’s a tiny detail, but it makes removing and reinserting the insert easier.

The ComfiLife footrest is more comfortable than plastic or wood options, but it also requires dealing with cloth covers that are more likely to collect lint, hair, and other debris. The covers for both the main cushion and the base attachment unzip easily around two sides, and you can wash them as you would a pillow cover. Still, the fabric is a bit more of a pain to clean than a hard surface, so ideally you’d use this footrest without shoes so it wouldn’t get too dirty. Also, we haven’t tested the ComfiLife footrest for more than a couple of weeks, so there’s a chance the foam or fabric cover could wear out over time; we’ll report back after long-term testing. But the ComfiLife comes with a lifetime warranty, which should give you some peace of mind regardless.

The ErgoFoam is just as supportive and comfortable as the ComfiLife, but its cover isn’t as easy to remove, and the memory-foam insert doesn’t have its own encasement.

The ErgoFoam Adjustable Foot Rest, our previous top pick, costs about the same as the ComfiLife footrest and performs just as well. They look like twins—except for the fact that the ComfiLife has a better zipper attachment for the base and comes with cloth covers over the foam inserts. If you find the ErgoFoam footrest on sale and don’t mind your cushions going naked, we recommend picking it up.

The ErgoFoam footrest comes in more styles than the ComfiLife, all with different price points. We like the version with the 2-inch detachable base, which is more versatile if you like to switch between wearing shoes and going barefoot while using the footrest. The model without the added base is only a few dollars less. We also tested a teardrop design, which we found is best if you prefer to keep your feet stretched out under your desk rather than beneath your knees; this version of the cushion naturally puts your feet at an angle for stretching out your legs. We didn’t test the mesh-covered ErgoFoam footrest, which the company says has the ability to wick away moisture from your feet and is easier to clean than other fabric footrests. We doubt it feels as nice under bare feet as the plush variant we recommend, but for pet owners—and, um, people concerned about foot moisture—it might be worth considering.

After using the ErgoFoam footrest for over a year, it’s still cushy and (mostly) firm. “It’s like wearing slippers without actually wearing slippers,” says Wirecutter senior staff writer Rachel Cericola. The test unit that I’ve used all day, every day for work since January 2021 has sunken in a bit in the middle, however. (This might be because I tend to pound vigorously with my feet when I’m thinking or feeling excited or nervous, which is often the case.) But the footrest remains comfortable and keeps my feet ergonomically supported, and ErgoFoam offers a lifetime warranty.

Like the ComfiLife, the ErgoFoam footrest is easy to brush off and vacuum. The cover is a bit harder to remove for machine-washing (on the gentle cycle), but not enough for us to dismiss this as an otherwise great footrest option.

With its hardwood platform and steel frame, this solid footrest looks good under a desk and can withstand constant use. It rocks smoothly and can be adjusted in height up to 3 inches.

If you want a footrest that looks more sophisticated than our other picks and that you can adjust perfectly for your height, the Humanscale FR300 Foot Rocker is your rock-solid option. The wooden platform sits atop a metal stand and glides smoothly back and forth. The FR300 is the sturdiest and most durable footrest we found (aside from its sibling, the Humanscale FR500, which isn’t height-adjustable). Most foam and plastic footrests offer only a short, one-year warranty, but the FR300—like the ComfiLife footrest—offers a lifetime warranty.

The Humanscale FR300 feels notably solid. It’s made of metal and wood, compared with most other footrests’ foam or plastic construction. Our panelists found the footrest to have a nice, soothing rocking action, which prevents your legs and feet from being stuck in one position all day. And the footrest stays in place with rubber feet, so it won’t damage hardwood floors.

Unlike many of the other footrests we looked at, the FR300 is height-adjustable, so you can use the knobs on the side to raise it up to 3 inches higher—from 3¾ inches to 6¾ inches. (It took us a little while to figure that out because the footrest doesn’t come with instructions.) That versatility puts this footrest ahead of competitors that aren’t height-adjustable—the FR300 is just easier to use, both at different table heights and if you’re sharing a desk with other people.

If you’re working without shoes, the FR300 won’t be as comfortable as a foam footrest due to its hard surface and tough, textured grips. Although you can’t lock it into one angle, the footrest is plenty stable if you do want to keep your feet still. However, it’s mostly ideal for encouraging constant rocking while you sit at your desk.

We don’t have data on how many footrests are manufactured and disposed of each year, but you might have the same sustainability concerns with foam footrests as you do throw pillows or bed pillows. After all, foam footrests are basically pillows for your feet.

Wooden footrests, such as the Humanscale FR300, and plastic footrests may have a longer lifespan than foam footrests, which can sag or flatten over time. Additionally, foam pillows (including memory-foam pillows) often contain chemicals that may impact the environment. According to Earth911, “Polyurethane is the primary ingredient in most memory foams. However, many manufacturers use proprietary memory foam formulas that contain an unknown quantity of unidentified chemicals, making [memory-foam pillows] an even more questionable choice” than pillows made from natural, biodegradable materials.

The good news is that it might be possible to donate, reuse, or recycle a foam footrest that is no longer supportive. As with bed pillows, a footrest’s foam inserts can be repurposed in a DIY project. You can also look for a recycling facility or drop-off donation bin that accepts pillows and other textiles, such as those operated by the American Textile Recycling Service; contact them to find a location near you.

If you need a height-adjustable footrest that you can lock into place: The Kensington Comfort Memory Foam Adjustable Footrest is one of the few footrests we found that has several height settings, from 3½ to 5 inches, and you can lock the angle in place or use it as a rocker. The Kensington, which combines a plastic base with a thin, memory-foam top, is more comfortable than the other plastic footrests we tried. But it’s not as comfortable as the foam footrests, and it was difficult to adjust the height via the screws. It’s also a little noisy and stiff when you rock it. A few of our panelists remarked that it felt cheap, and several owner reviews complain that the footrest broke after a few months.

Although its top is plastic, we considered the IKEA Dagotto as a potential budget pick because it has a metal base that looks sturdier compared with the all-plastic ones we previously tested. But we weren’t able to find any in stock in the New York area, and we couldn’t purchase it online. If it’s available at an IKEA near you, the Dagotto might be worth trying out.

The wooden, rocking P&BEXC Foot Rest costs less than the Humanscale FR300, but we decided against testing it after reading user reviews that say it doesn’t stay in place or that the rubber on the bottom peels off.

The HOKEKI Foot Rest is comparable to the ComfiLife footrest, with a similarly soft cover. We found the cushion to be firmer than we preferred, and we recommend the ComfiLife instead, with its removable base for adjustable height.

The Mind Reader Adjustable Height Ergonomic Foot Rest has large, plastic bumps that are designed to massage your feet, but none of our panelists found it comfortable. This model also slides around too much on hard floors.

The Fellowes Standard Foot Rest has a plastic, textured surface similar to that of the Mind Reader. It’s the worst footrest we tried: It’s noisy, feels plasticky and cheap, and slides all over the place. One panelist, whose employer had provided him with this exact footrest model, said he tried the Fellowes for five minutes and promptly returned it.

Like the Humanscale FR300, the Humanscale FR500 boasts an attractive, solid-wood and metal design, as well as a lifetime warranty. It has smooth rocking action in a one-piece design, and the little grips on the surface keep your feet from sliding off. It’s a sturdy foot rocker, but we recommend the FR300 for its height adjustability.

Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola previously covered all things home office as a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. She has contributed to print and online publications such as The New York Times, Lifehacker, and PCWorld, specializing in tech, productivity, and lifestyle/family topics. She’s thrilled when those topics intersect—and when she gets to write about them in her PJs.

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