Tired of cracked heels and dry skin on your feet? A foot file (or foot rasp) is the callus removing beauty tool you shouldn't be without. From Scholl to Margaret Dabbs via the Body Shop and OPI, there are loads of manual and electric foot files to buy in the UK which are just as effective as a pumice stone for exfoliating hard skin before a pedicure.
But since Amazon, Boots and John Lewis are all packed with metal, stone and professional rechargeable files, how are you supposed to decide which is best? Our guide compares the top-selling products for the most affordable prices. We've selected ten standout stars including microplane and 360 foot files too, so you'll be showing off your triumphant tootsies at every chance you get. Best foot forward!
Quick List - Top Foot Files
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Picking the best possible foot file takes more than a few clicks – unless you're reading this article, in which case, the hard work has been done for you. This section is dedicated to explaining the different types of foot file and their benefits in order to make your decision easy and fun.
While the good old classic foot file has been around forever, the electric version came hot on its heels. The main things you'll need to consider when choosing between the two are your budget and how much time and energy you have to dedicate to removing hard and callused skin.
A standard manual foot file is actually one of the cheapest ways to achieve a satisfying beauty treatment at home. Hand-held rasp files only cost an average of £5 to £10 and provide visible results after some heartfelt scrubbing and filing.
There is something truly rewarding about seeing all that (albeit unsightly) dry skin removed from your feet and hurled into the rubbish bin. A manual foot file not only feels pleasing to use, it allows great control so you can easily attack tricky angles in the position that's most comfortable for you.
There's no need to fuss with charging or worry about the batteries running out mid-buff, simply clean and store it carefully for years of effective use both at home and on the go.
If 90% of the reason your feet stay hidden is that you can't bear the energy and effort required for a zealous DIY scrubbing sesh, we recommend an electric file. Like with most beauty tools, you will have the choice of either a battery-powered or a mains rechargeable device.
Whichever you go for, electric files will always win out over manual files in terms of convenience and efficiency. All you need to do is hold them in place and the spinning textured stone cylinder will do the hard work for you. They're as effective as a professional pedi and almost as relaxing.
A possible downside of electric files is the price, which is usually upwards of £20. They are also not very practical for travel or transport, compared to manual files which are light and slim enough to slip into a wash bag.
The exfoliating segment of your foot file will generally be made from either natural pumice stone, stainless steel or other metals with a rugged surface. Occasionally you'll find file blocks made from finely-grained plastic, though these are less common.
If you just want to soften up your feet for sandal season or only have a little dryness, a plastic foot file or one with textured pumice stone will gently and effectively remove peeling heel skin to reveal fresh feet.
On the other end of the spectrum, for excessively thick calluses or to slough away stubborn layers of hardened skin, a slightly more robust metal foot file will be more efficient. Just keep in mind that these are usually too harsh for sensitive feet that simply need sprucing up.
When it comes to the other part of your foot file, we recommend going for one with a long, smooth handle where possible. This provides extra control and grip, allowing you to smooth it around the contours of your heels and the balls of your feet.
Other designs to consider are flatter handles, which will be super easy to store and transport. If you're not set on something travel-friendly, look for a rounded, comfy grip handle that will be more ergonomic to use, or one with a hole or hanging rope to save valuable bathroom space.
A final style is the 360 stone, shaped like a mouse, which you grab with your whole hand. This may not be the most comfortable if you have sensitive palms, but it does afford a certain level of control and purchase so you can use extra elbow grease to remove stubborn hard skin.
One extra perk to look out for when selecting the right file is a double-sided product that lets you first exfoliate the tough surface layer of dry, cracked skin, then gently buff away flakes and peeling, all with the same handy tool.
These two-in-one treats are an excellent choice for saving a little cash while making your home pedicure feel a lot more thorough. Better yet, if any replacement pads come included, you'll be set for months of perfectly presentable tootsies.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Own Harmony Electric Hard Skin Remover | ![]() | The Very Best Electronic File for Fabulous Feet | |
2 | Profoot 360 Foot File | ![]() | Comfort Grip File to Use Wet or Dry | |
3 | O.P.I. Foot File | ![]() | A Rasp and a Buffer in a Sleek Package | |
4 | Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot Care System | ![]() | The Most Efficient Way to Reveal Smooth Skin | |
5 | Soap and Glory The Heel Deal Foot File | ![]() | A Pretty Pink File That Handles the Trickiest Angles | |
6 | Tweezerman Callus Stone Foot File | ![]() | Finely-Grained Stone for Unrivalled Exfoliation | |
7 | The Body Shop File a Foot | ![]() | Double-Sided Natural Wood With a Handy Hook | |
8 | Margaret Dabbs Professional Foot File With 2 Replacement Pads | ![]() | Pedicure Like a Pro | |
9 | Rikans Colossal Foot Rasp and Callus Remover | ![]() | A Best-Selling File That Delivers the Toughest Scrub | |
10 | Peacci Smooth Foot File | ![]() | Give Feet a Treat With Micrograin Technology |
After just one use of the new, improved Hard Skin Remover from Own Harmony, we doubt you'll ever want to wear a shoe again. The easy-grip handle makes it comfortable to use, while the wide file cylinder covers your whole heel in just one roll. It's rechargeable too, with a good battery life and quick charging time.
The pumice stone surface boasts diamond micro-mineral crystals that penetrate hardened skin and slough it away painlessly in a matter of moments. This product works superbly either wet or dry, so can be used in the bedroom or shower to equal effect. At once reliable, effective and gentle on feet, for what you get, the price is incredible.
Many of us find the idea of a foot file we can grip extra appealing, as we know how much extra control we'll have while using it. This Profoot file is at once squeezy and textured with rough grains that hard, thick skin on heels will be unable to fight against.
Apart from the ergonomic design and affordable price, the other benefits of this pocket-sized file have to be the fact it can be used wet or dry, how gentle it is on hands despite being rough on calluses and how much use it lasts through without getting worn smooth. A proper bargain you'll recommend to friends.
The best bit about this foot file has to be that it has two different surfaces which allow serious sloughing followed up by gentle buffing, giving you options whatever state your feet are in. Plus, it comes from expert nail brand OPI, who now offer a whole range of fabulous pedicure tools just as professional as their polishes.
The ultra-fine, gravelly texture of the pumice stone surface feels delightful and you can really see the difference, though feet don't feel they've been put through the mill. The smooth handle is just right for accessing hard-to-reach heels. Reviewers call this 'the best rasp foot file ever!' Don't take their word for it, give it a try!
Now we come to the first electronic foot file on our list, a battery-powered option from trusty Scholl. No one can deny the satisfying effect this handheld pedicure tool has on callused heels, and the sheer lack of effort on the part of the user has to be a winning selling point!
Another reason we love this handy file from Scholl's pedi-care experts is its thick long handle, which you can grab a little like a 360 foot file for better control. The only reason this isn't our top-rated electric file is that the pumice stone cylinder is rather small, though the texture is ultra-fine and effective on tired feet.
This file's main appeal is that it has two sides; one for vigorous exfoliation, the other for more refined touch-ups and buffing. This means it is appropriate for semi-soft soles that need peeling layers filed as well as serious calluses. The long, elegant handle means minimal awkward contortion as you treat your feet.
This flirty pink file could also serve as a lovely gift – who doesn't like to receive a treat that's as easy on the eye as it is useful and practical? Soap & Glory have made a name for themselves in the cosmetics world for their sassy puns and quality products, and this foot file certainly does what it promises for hard, horrible heels.
For a really thorough scrub, pick this pumice file from beauty powerhouse Tweezerman. The textured surface of the ceramic stone is super fine and practically sparkles. Your feet will thank you after just a few enthusiastic rubs – no need to shell out on costly pedicures and soaks with this baby in the bathroom cupboard.
The long, rounded handle, too, is comfortable to grip and has a convenient hole for bathroom hooks or an attractive length of waterproof rope or ribbon. Though there is only one texture here, we feel pumice stone is friendlier to thickly callused and more delicate feet.
The Body Shop always come through with excellent beauty products, which must be why this file is so frequently searched for by shoppers. Their products are always ethically sourced, made from organic, natural products wherever possible and never tested on animals. This slim foot file is lightweight with a handy hanging rope.
The long slim handle is flat rather than round, making it slightly less comfy to grip than other options on our list, but the twinkling, textured surface is made from natural pumice stone that works against the thickest skin build-up to reveal red-carpet ready heels in less than a minute. We love the fact it's double-sided too!
Margaret Dabbs really is the last word in fanciable feet. The UK's number one brand for feet, legs and hands has been thriving since its namesake's one-of-a-kind foot lotion began to fly off shelves in the late nineties. You can trust these foot fans to have developed the most effective file possible for calluses and thickened skin.
This long, elegant foot file may cost a little more than other manual options, but it certainly does the job well. It has plenty of high ratings and passionate reviews, and the two replacement pads make the price far more acceptable. The sand-like texture goes hard on unsightly heels, while the soft handle is comfortable to hold.
What can we say about this wildly popular metal foot file other than customers simply go mad for it? With close to 2,000 four- and five-star ratings on Amazon, the consumer love for this stainless steel callus-killer speaks for itself! It has a large surface area with a finely textured design and a long handle for a comfortable grip.
This hard-wearing foot file should be reserved for truly excessive skin build-up, as the heavy-duty textured surface would be harsh on mild dryness. For the pocket-friendly price and with so many satisfied shoppers, however, we think it's absolutely grate.
The top reason to select this foot file instead of our other suggestions is the fact that it's the only plastic option on our list, meaning it's the gentlest of all ten picks. Grab it in one hand and rub the fine micrograined surface against troublesome areas.
Generally, plastic has a smooth surface, so even with clever textured technology, this foot file doesn't offer the rigorous, refining scrub that a stone or metal version might. If you have thickly callused trotters, we don't think this product will provide the transformation you crave.
For many of us, our neglected feet are a source of shame. But worry no more! We've got links to carefully collated countdowns of products that will turn them from sad to spectacular, without putting too much strain on your purse strings. Click through for top-rated pedicure tools that will mean you never have to wear socks to the swimming pool again.
Thus concludes our article on the best foot files of the whole year. We know you'll have found a trusty new tool for your pedicure kit that will banish hard dry skin and have you kicking your shoes off at every opportunity. We hope you've enjoyed reading this article as much as we loved compiling it!
Author: Annie Hopkins
No. 1: Own Harmony|Electric Hard Skin Remover
No. 2: Profoot|360 Foot File
No. 3: O.P.I.|Foot File
No. 4: Scholl|Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot Care System
No. 5: Soap and Glory|The Heel Deal Foot File
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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