Review (3/5): Fine for sanding light calluses. Poor for removing heavy calluses
If you have calluses that are a few millimeters in thickness that just need to be made smooth, the Emjoi may be the perfect solution for you. However, if you have serious calluses that actually need removal, rather than just minor shaping, you will find the Emjoi to be very, very slow, about 10 times slower than the product I eventually replaced it with, the Microplane foot rasp.
The Emjoi works by literally sanding the skin, something that requires the skin be dry at the time, and therein lies the problem. The Microplanes, which work by slicing away a tiny layer at a time, work on skin damp from bath or shower, and that skin is much easier to remove than hard, dry skin. Removing my thickest callus on my male feet took close to 20 minutes with the Emjoi. The Microplane eliminates it in fewer than two minutes. The Microplanes are also a lot cheaper: The one I use, the Microplane Colossal Pedicure Rasp, is currently listed for $9.50 on amazon. The more feminine versions start at $8.95.
No, I have no connection with the Microplane company. I just found it shocking when, after spending a whole bunch of money on the Emjoi, I discovered an alternate technology that was so much better. I just wish I'd found out sooner. Do make sure you have dampened your feet before using the Microplane. Otherwise, much of the advantage disappears. (Don't dampen your feet before using the Emjoi: it has no way to clear any dampened removed skin, so it just fills the nooks and crannies in the sandpaper until the cylinder is perfectly slick.) If you search amazon for "microplane" and "foot," you'll find the full line.