Silky smooth feet should not be reserved solely for the summer months.
Each year, at the reappearance of the long-awaited warmer weather, we unsheathe our trotters from the confines of thick, fluffy socks and stomping boots and thrust them into open-toed shoes for all the world to see.
After a prolonged hibernation and a less than hands-on approach to their care, it is unsurprising that dead skin has built up, our heels are cracked, and calluses are causing discomfort. When no one is looking at our precious feet, it can be easy to take an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach. But all that is doing is creating more work when the double-digit temperatures return and leave you with an unavoidable trip to the professionals to restore your tootsies to their former glory.
An electric foot file can change this in a matter of minutes. These handy gadgets will result in buttery soft feet in just a few swipes of their coarse heads, harnessing electric power to slough away rough skin in a process that is easy, quick and convenient. Typically waterproof, often alongside a vacuum, they provide a mess-free and seamless way to give your feet the same love and attention that you apply to the rest of the body.
In that vein, we have put the market’s top electric foot files to the test to put them through their paces in regards to user-friendliness, speed and effectiveness. But first, we have called on the experts to answer your burning electric foot file-related questions.
Should you file your feet?
Dr Jo McCardle, Scholl’s Global Medical Expert explains, “The skin on our feet is around 20 times thicker than the rest of the body and when we go about our daily activities, our feet are put under a lot of pressure. The friction causes the skin to thicken even more, providing a natural protective barrier. However, over time this leads to excessive thickening, resulting in a build-up of hard skin. Using a foot file removes this excess hard skin and leaves our skin softer. Apply a specialised foot moisturiser regularly to give you better results!”
David Barton, podiatrist and co-founder of ZeroSole agrees, “Filing your feet can be a beneficial part of your foot care routine. It helps to remove rough, dry skin, calluses and corns, leaving your feet feeling smoother and softer. Regular filing can also prevent these issues from becoming more severe and painful over time. In addition to filling, if you particularly suffer from foot corns and calluses, we recommend that you use an offloading insole (direct pressure relief for your feet) like the one from ZeroSole”.
Do electric foot files work?
Both experts agree that these are highly effective tools for your foot care arsenal. Dr Jo McCardle says, “Electric foot files work brilliantly and are quick and effective at removing the hard skin from our feet. This can be particularly troublesome around the heel area due to the impact of walking. If left, it can crack and become painful. By using electric foot files, this will keep your skin healthy and perfect for removing unsightly hard and dry skin for soft and smooth feet in minutes”.
However, Barton warns, “It's important to use them with caution and avoid excessive pressure, as this can damage healthy skin. Usually, a simple hand-held file will work with most individuals, but electric files do provide speed and convenience. It is purely down to preference.”
How to use an electric foot file
“Make sure that you follow the instructions of the electric file device carefully”, stresses the podiatrist. “We would recommend that you do not apply too much pressure on the area that you are applying the device to for too long. Begin by using the electric foot file at a low speed and gradually increase the speed as needed. Make sure you are moving the file around and take off the file if you feel it’s getting too hot and causing discomfort. Check regularly your feet to ensure you're not removing too much skin, as this can cause pain and discomfort”.
Dr Jo McCardle advises to “Give your feet a really good wash with warm soapy water, and if you have a few spare minutes give them a short soak. Then ensure you dry them well, especially between your toes; this will also help to prevent fungal infections, and your feet will thank you for it”.
After your filing is complete, Barton recommends “moisturising your feet afterwards and wearing ZeroSole in your shoe or trainer, which is clinically proven to relieve pressure, which in turn relieves pain”. He concludes, “If you experience any issues or want to learn more, we would recommend that you speak to your podiatrist about foot filling and how best to look after your feet.”
Shop the best electric foot files below
Scholl file and smooth 2in1 electronic foot file
Best for: Value electric foot file
You can always rely on Scholl to offer an effective foot care solution, and the latest version of their electric foot file is no exception. It now comes with a clever multi-action head roller that can be used as an ultra-coarse hard skin remover when inserted one way (courtesy of the black stripes), but remove it and flip 180-degrees and it uses the turquoise strips to gently buff. Essentially, what this means is you now get two different roller heads in just one.
You can use it on wet or dry skin and there are two-speed settings to choose from that rotate the head 360° - filing and buffing away hard skin no matter how thick. Cleverly, if you apply too much pressure the roller will stop so you can’t really go wrong. It relies on four AA batteries, but they come in the box, so you have everything you need to get started.
Buy now £39.99, Boots
Essy Electric Foot File Pedicure Feet Hard Skin Remover
This is one of the highest-rated foot files on Amazon with a steady stream of almost 6,000 five-star reviews and counting. The hard skin remover is praised for its easy-to-use design and speed - it takes just a couple of minutes for silky smooth feet.
It couldn’t be more straightforward to use. The screen displays the information clearly and you can use it right away, including in the shower as it’s waterproof. It even stops if you’re applying too much pressure. There are three interchangeable roller heads which are removable, so are easy to clean and the lack of a wire means you don’t need to be a contortionist to reach each part of the foot. The device itself is ergonomic and easy to hold. You can’t sniff at the price tag either.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Silk´n Freshpedi Callus Remover Mint
Calluses be gone. Silk´n Freshpedi Callus Remover is not only an attractive gadget (relatively speaking of course - have you seen that chic mint colourway?), but it is fitted with grinding discs to restore your feet to their baby-soft glory in an instant. There are three discs - fine, medium and coarse - that rotate to shave off the dry skin while a vacuum function scoops up the mess. The device is entirely waterproof and you get just under two hours of use from one charge. An LCD screen informs you when the battery level is low and the setting of your choice.
Buy now £40.00, Amazon
Rio Spa PEDI Foot File
This device has really come to change the foot exfoliation game. It is a hard skin remover that was ergonomically designed for the palm of your hand. It can quickly buff away dead and dry or calloused skin on your feet working for up to 60 minutes before needing to be charged. It has two speed settings and three interchangeable heads; gentle, medium and coarse, so you can cater to your specific needs.
Buy now £20.00, Argos
Magnitone Well Heeled Rechargeable Express Pedicare System Pink - USB Plug
Once your blisters have gone down, it’s time to buff away the dry, hard and rough skin that built up during the 26.2 miles, especially with summer fast approaching. Enter Magnitone’s Pedicare System.
Featuring micro-crystal rollers that can get under your toes and along the curves of your soles, your feet will be back to their salon-soft standard in no time.
Buy now £29.00, Boots
Rio Go Smooth 60 Second PEDI Foot File
Rio created the Go Smooth to bring the salon-level pedicure experience to your home. The professional-like tool makes the foot filing task a breeze - no elbow grease is required. Roll the ergonomically shaped file along your feet to slough away at the rough and dead skin, polishing in the process. There are two interchangeable heads with varying degrees of coarseness and the cordless device is USB-powered. You get around two hours of run time before needing to juice up.
Buy now £20.00, Argos
Finishing Touch Flawless Pedi
Think a lint roller to file your feet and you get Finishing Touch’s Flawless Pedi - only it’s electronic and has two-speed settings so you supercharge the process. Speed is of the essence with this pedicure essential. It works through a gliding motion where there are two roller heads to buff away at the skin and remove calluses respectively. What has earned the Finishing Touch device its stellar reputation is its ease of use, lightweight design and compact construction so you can slip it into your washbag for a touch-up while travelling.
Buy now £24.99, Boots
