Best Footrests for Office Chairs in the UK

The Fellowes Breyta is the best-value adjustable office footrest for most people, while the Humanscale FR500 is the stronger premium choice for smooth rocking movement. Choose a footrest when your chair must be raised to match a fixed desk and that leaves your feet unsupported.

A footrest should support the whole foot without forcing the knees too high. It may improve comfort and fit, but it cannot treat back pain or circulation problems.

Quick recommendations

• Best overall value: Fellowes Breyta Foot Rest
• Best premium rocker: Humanscale FR500
• Best for easy tilt adjustment: Kensington SmartFit SoleMate Plus
• Best cushioned option: Fellowes Breyta Foot Rest Cushion
• Best compact budget option: IKEA DAGOTTO
• Best improvised option: A stable, non-slip box of the correct height

Prices and availability were checked on 18 July 2026 and can change.

1. Fellowes Breyta Foot Rest — best overall value

Typical UK price: approximately £30–£36.

The Breyta provides three height settings and can be configured to rock. Its platform is approximately 49 by 36 cm, giving both feet room to change position, and Fellowes lists a five-year limited warranty.

Best for

A fixed-height desk, shorter users and shared workstations.

Strengths: Broad platform, useful height choices, rocking option, portable construction and modest price.

Limitations: Height changes require repositioning components rather than a seated control; its hard textured surface will not suit everyone barefoot.

2. Humanscale FR500 — best premium rocker

Typical UK price: commonly above £100; confirm with an authorised UK seller.

The FR500 uses a curved rocking base intended to encourage ankle and lower-leg movement. Its solid platform is better suited to someone who values smooth motion over multiple fixed height settings.

Best for: People who fidget naturally and want a durable rocking platform.

Strengths: Large surface, simple movement and robust construction.

Limitations: Expensive; rocking is not automatically more comfortable, and the fixed geometry may not resolve a large height mismatch.

3. Kensington SmartFit SoleMate Plus — best easy-adjust tilt

Typical UK price: approximately £45–£65 depending on retailer.

The SoleMate Plus combines height adjustment with a tilting platform and a foot-operated control. That makes it easier to vary the angle without crawling under the desk.

Best for: Shared desks and people who want frequent angle changes.

Strengths: Adjustable height and tilt, non-slip surface and accessible control.

Limitations: Bulkier than a simple platform; moving parts can be less stable than a fixed block for users who want no motion.

4. Fellowes Breyta Foot Rest Cushion — best soft option

The cushion version provides a softer contact surface and a rocking orientation. It suits socks or barefoot use better than textured plastic.

Best for: Home offices where softness and portability matter.

Strengths: Comfortable surface, light and easy to move.

Limitations: Compression changes effective height; less stable for people who want a firm platform or use shoes.

5. IKEA DAGOTTO — best compact budget option

DAGOTTO is a simple tilting footrest widely available through IKEA UK. It works when only a modest lift is needed and storage space is limited.

Best for: Basic setups and smaller budgets.

Strengths: Accessible price, uncomplicated tilt and easy availability.

Limitations: Limited height range and a smaller platform than premium alternatives. Confirm current price and availability before publication.

6. A stable box — best test before buying

A strong box or low platform can establish the height you need before you purchase. It must be wide enough for both feet, resist collapse and have a non-slip base.

This is not attractive, but it is a useful fit experiment. Measure the successful height, then buy a purpose-made product only if you need tilt, movement or durability.

When do you need a footrest?

Set chair height for the upper body first: the keyboard should sit just below elbow height, with relaxed shoulders. If your feet then fail to rest comfortably on the floor, add a footrest rather than lowering the chair and reaching up to the desk.

The UK Health and Safety Executive advises checking that feet are supported without excessive pressure from the seat behind the legs. A footrest is therefore a fit tool, not a posture-correction device.

How high should a footrest be?

There is no universal number. The correct height fills the gap between your feet and the floor while keeping the thighs comfortably supported and leaving space under the desk.

Start lower than you think. A platform that raises the knees sharply above the hips may crowd the abdomen or make you slide back. Adjust angle and height independently where possible.

Fixed, rocking or cushioned?

• Choose fixed when stability and precise height matter most.
• Choose rocking when you enjoy ankle movement and the platform stays under control.
• Choose cushioned for soft home-office use, accepting less exact support.

Movement is useful, but a rocking footrest does not replace standing, walking or changing tasks.

What to check before buying

• Measure how much unsupported space exists beneath your feet.
• Check platform width and depth for both shoes.
• Confirm the highest setting still fits beneath the desk.
• Prefer a non-slip base on hard floors.
• Read the return policy; foot position is difficult to judge from specifications.
• If the chair seat presses behind your knees, also review seat depth.

Final verdict

The Fellowes Breyta offers the clearest balance of price, platform size and adjustment. The Humanscale FR500 is a premium movement option, while the Kensington SoleMate Plus is useful when seated tilt adjustment matters.

Buy a footrest to solve a measured workstation mismatch. If both feet already rest comfortably with the keyboard at elbow height, you may not need one.

Frequently asked questions

Are office footrests good for back pain?

They can improve workstation fit when feet would otherwise dangle, but evidence does not show that a footrest alone treats back pain.

Should a footrest rock?

Only if you like the movement and can still keep the feet supported. A stable platform is equally valid.

Can I use a box as a footrest?

Yes, if it is strong, wide, stable and non-slip. It is a sensible way to test height.

Do short people need a footrest?

Often, particularly with a fixed 720–740 mm desk. Set chair height for keyboard access first, then support the feet.

A chair or desk accessory can reduce an aggravating factor, but it cannot identify why pain persists. If symptoms are recurring or limiting work, read what recurring back pain may be missing or learn about back-pain assessment in Chelsea.