Quick Answer
The Kensington Solemate ($44) is the best office footrest for most users — adjustable height (6–15 cm), rocking motion that reduces leg fatigue, and a non-slip surface. For a budget option, the Everlasting Comfort Foot Rest ($25) is a solid memory foam platform that eliminates the foot-floor gap for most shorter office workers. A footrest is necessary if your feet don't rest flat on the floor when your chair is at its correct ergonomic height. Per Mayo Clinic ergonomics guidelines, feet should rest flat to maintain proper lower back posture.
Footrests are the most overlooked ergonomic accessory — and one of the most necessary for shorter desk workers. The problem: ergonomic chairs are designed so that when the lumbar support is correctly positioned, many people's feet don't reach the floor. The "solution" of raising the chair until feet touch introduces a different problem (keyboard too high, shoulder strain). The correct solution is a footrest.
Who Needs a Footrest?
You need a footrest if, when your chair is correctly adjusted for your lumbar support and knee angle (knees at 90°, hips at knee level or slightly above), your feet don't rest flat on the floor. This is most common for:
- Anyone under 5'4" (163 cm) using a standard 75 cm desk
- Anyone using a sit-stand desk set to a height optimized for someone taller
- Pregnant individuals as posture and leg length change
- Anyone who finds their legs aching or feet going numb during long work sessions
Even if your feet technically touch the floor, a footrest may be beneficial if you're not fully bearing your leg weight on the floor — if your legs are at full extension to reach the floor, you're likely compressing under your thighs on the seat edge, which restricts circulation.
Best Footrests for Office Use 2026
1. Kensington Solemate Comfort Footrest — Best Overall
The Kensington Solemate adjusts between 6 and 15 cm, has a gently rocking platform that provides passive movement through the day, and the non-slip surface keeps feet in place without constraint. The rocking motion is subtle — it's more like a slight weight shift available to your feet rather than an active rocker, which some users prefer over a fixed platform. Widely used in corporate office environments. At $44, it's the definitive choice for professional use.
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2. Everlasting Comfort Foot Rest — Best Budget Pick ($25)
The Everlasting Comfort Foot Rest is a memory foam wedge with a tilt angle of approximately 18°. No adjustment, no rocking — just a comfortable, stable platform for feet to rest on. At $25, it's the correct solution for users who want the basics without complexity. The memory foam surface is comfortable for bare feet. Not suitable if you need height adjustment; good if a fixed 10 cm of lift works for your setup.
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3. Mind Reader Adjustable Footrest — Best Adjustable Budget
At $30–35, the Mind Reader adjustable footrest offers 3 height positions (5, 10, and 15 cm) and a massage surface option. The plastic construction is less premium than the Kensington, but the height adjustment range is comparable and the price is lower. Good choice for home offices where you want adjustability without spending $44.
4. Humanscale FM300 — Best Premium Option
The Humanscale FM300 ($100) is the premium choice for high-use professional environments. Continuous height adjustment (no fixed positions), large platform area, and robust construction rated for years of continuous use. The quality difference between this and the Kensington is minimal for home office use — the Humanscale makes more sense in multi-user office environments where precise adjustment for different users is needed throughout the day.
What to Look For in a Footrest
- Height range: Should cover the gap between your feet and floor. For most shorter adults, 10–15 cm covers the gap at correct chair height.
- Surface texture: Non-slip surface keeps feet stable. Massage-surface footrests add texture but aren't specifically more ergonomic.
- Platform size: Should be wide enough for both feet side by side — most are 40+ cm wide, which is adequate.
- Stability: The footrest should not slide on carpet or hard floor during normal use — check rubber feet quality.
The OSHA computer workstation guidelines on footrests recommend that footrests allow sufficient room to change foot posture and accommodate different task postures — which is why rocker-style footrests are generally preferred over fixed platforms for 8+ hour use.
For a complete workstation setup guide that includes chair, monitor, keyboard, and mouse positioning, see our ergonomic workstation setup guide. If you're in the market for a new chair that may negate the need for a footrest (height-adjustable chairs with wider range), see our best ergonomic chairs under $500 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a footrest for my office chair?
You need a footrest if your feet don't rest flat on the floor when your chair is at the correct ergonomic height (for knee angle and lumbar support). This is most common for shorter individuals using standard-height desks. Dangling feet increase pressure under the thighs, reducing circulation, and cause lower back strain. A footrest resolves this without compromising the chair's correct ergonomic height.
What height should a footrest be?
Footrest height should be whatever brings your feet to a flat resting position when your chair is set at the correct ergonomic height (knees at 90°, lumbar support positioned correctly). For most shorter adults using a standard 75cm desk, a 10–15cm footrest resolves the foot-floor gap. Adjustable footrests are preferred because they accommodate different users and can be tuned precisely.
What is the difference between a rocker footrest and a platform footrest?
A platform footrest is a stationary angled surface — your feet rest at a fixed position. A rocker footrest (like the Kensington Solemate) allows the foot platform to rock forward and back, providing passive movement that stimulates circulation. Rocker footrests are generally preferred for all-day use as the movement reduces leg fatigue. Platform footrests are more stable and slightly less expensive.
Can a footrest help with lower back pain?
Yes, indirectly. When feet don't rest on the floor, the thighs carry the unsupported weight, which pulls the lower back out of neutral lumbar position over time. A footrest allows the feet to support leg weight properly, which reduces thigh pressure and helps maintain the lumbar curve. For people whose feet don't reach the floor, a footrest is a meaningful contributor to lower back pain reduction.