No matter how much we wrap up in thick coats and jumpers, our hands and fingers are often left exposed to the chilly conditions at this time of year, which is why the best hand warmers can come in handy. Most are designed to be discreet to fit right into the palm of your hand to keep the cold away.
The best hand warmers are nifty little gadgets that can be popped into your pocket or stuffed inside your gloves to ensure your hands stay super cosy. You can get single-use and rechargeable hand warmers that can be reused when you're out and about, but you can also get ones that are made for use around the house, too.
Best hand warmers at a glance:
• Best overall: OCOOPA Hand Warmer – View on Amazon UK
• Best single-use hand warmers: HOTHANDS 372-3970 Hand Warmers – View on Amazon UK
• Best microwaveable hand warmer: Supersoft Faux Fur Pocket Hottie - View on M&S
You may simply think that a pair of gloves will be sufficient enough to keep your hands warm, but if you're someone who really feels the cold you'll benefit from a hand warmer. It's just like if you're someone who always has cold feet, you'd invest in a good pair of thermal socks to keep your toes warm, so hand warmers are just the same for your fingers. It's like having a tiny little hand heater with you at all times. Discover the best hand warmers for you by taking a look below.
How we tested the best hand warmers
From air and gel-activated warmers that you can use on the go to more eco-friendly battery-powered ones that last for hours, there are many different types on our list of the best. When testing we considered the speed at which the product heated up, how long it stayed hot, and if it was rechargeable, how long it took to recharge. We also looked at design, how natural the product felt in your palm, whether it could be used for other areas of the body.
Our favourite rechargeable options were the OCOOPA and orastone hand warmers, with the orastone being a bit more portable (and the only hand warmer on our list featuring a torch) but the OCOOPA boasting three settings and more heat. For good value instant but more short-term heat Amazing Heath and GelHeat are great options, one microwavable and the other which can be reset by putting in hot water, so still reusable.
Best hand warmers to help you keep warm this winter
Best overall
With over 5,000 reviews on Amazon, this OCOOPA Hand Warmer is a popular choice. With its three heat settings, up to fifteen hours of running time and sleek design, it's easy to see why! After it's run out, you simply pop it on charge again and you can reuse it again and again.
Our tester said, "While it is on the larger size it does feel quite natural to hold in your hand and you can easily cup two hands around it. It can still fit in a coat pocket quite easily. As it doubles up as a phone charger it's handy to have when out for a walk or on a camping trip."
It doesn't take too long to charge, about an hour and it's ready to go, and its run time is impressive. One con is its size, "it's on the heavier side and might not be as easy to hold as some other options for those who suffer with arthritis."
Pros
- Doubles as a portable phone charger
- Reusable and charges up in about an hour
Cons
- Some people thought it was a little on the heavy side
2.
orastone Hand Warmer
Best hand warmer with light
If you're looking for a pocket-friendly design with a torch feature, you can't go far wrong with this orastone hand warmer. At only 5cm x 5cm it's not huge in size, but can comfortably be held in your palms to warm them up.
Our tester said, "The included torch makes it perfect for nighttime dog walks, or for having in your coat pocket for evening strolls. It comes with a wrist attachment that you could also attach to a zip or clip inside a coat pocket."
The torch is quite bright and handy to use in a pinch - you could even attach this to your keys as it's so lightweight. There's only one button and you simply short press for the torch on/off, and long press for the hand warmer on/off. The hand warmer heats up immediately, and takes 2 mins to get to full heat, and a charging cable is included.
Pros
- Heats up immediately and takes 2 mins to heat fully
- Rechargeable with charging cable included
- Lightweight and pocket-friendly with torch and wrist strap
Cons
- Some may find it too small, but we think this adds to its portable appeal
Best microwaveable hand warmer
All you have to do with these hand warmers is pop them in the microwave and you'll feel the warmth back in your hands in no time at all. These Amazing Health Unscented Microwave Hand Warmers are made from a soft fleece material that will feel great against your skin and can be used to provide warmth for pain such as toothache and earache. They also soothe stiffness in fingers associated with arthritis.
Our tester Stephanie said, "Being unscented, you can add your own favourite essential oils to these wheat filled hand warmers, if you're not a fan of the usual lavender scent of microwavable hand warmers. They're a good size and the large label clearly shows heating time so you don't forget."
One con is that they don't come with a bag of any kind to store them together, which would be handy.
Pros
- Cosy soft fleece material
- Easy to heat up in the microwave, takes only seconds
Cons
- No bag to store and keep them together
Best gel hand warmer
For a portable quick fix of heat when you're not sure you'll have access to a microwave or plugs, these GelHeat hand warmers offer instant heat. They're really pocket friendly and heat up instantly once you click the metal disk inside - they're ideal for skiing or hiking outdoors, or even a camping trip.
Our tester found them easier to use than some reusable hand warmer options, "They're squishy and a bit more malleable than some of the other more solid rechargeable hand warmers, so great to fit around a particular joint that might need some warming for example. I could also easily put them into my gloves."
To reset the hand warmer, you just have to pop it in boiling water for 15 minutes, so they're reusable too. We think these are a great value hand warmer option - the only con is that they don't come with a bag to keep them all together and protect them.
Pros
- Right size for your pocket
- Instant heat without need to plug in or microwave
- Reusable by resetting in boiling water
Cons
- Could do with a bag to protect them when not in use
Best handmade hand warmers
www.etsy.com
A great gift for you or a friend, these Reusable Hand Warmers from Etsy seller MyFriendHarry are lovingly handmade to order. They come in a choice of styles, with prints including dogs and flowers. They're filled with wheat so all you need to do is put them in the microwave for 20-second intervals until they're nice and toasty.
Customer review: "Bought for a friend who works in a cold art studio - they look lovely and I'm sure they'll do the trick very nicely! Thank you for sending them so quickly and for a great product!"
Pros
- Handmade to order
- Microwavable so reusable
Cons
- Delivery time may be longer compared to others on the list but only by a couple of days
Best lighter fluid hand warmer
The Zippo 12 Hour Refillable Hand Warmer is a bit more of a traditional option. It uses lighter fluid to keep your hands and fingers nice and warm whether you're heading out for a day of wandering around the shops or going on a frosty countryside walk. We love the funky orange colour of this hand warmer.
**
Customer review:** "There are dozens of electrical hand warmers available to buy which are no doubt easier to use, but there’s something old school and Bear Grylls about this one. Heat output is great with the controllable temperature dependent on how much oxygen you allow to get to the burner. This is achieved by exposing more of ventilation holes to air as opposed to being inside the cover. There is a faint characteristic Zippo odour caused by the fuel burning but is unnoticeable when outdoors. I’m really happy with mine, so much so that after the first use, I bought another for my father-in-law for Christmas!"
Pros
- Keeps warm for up to 12 hours without needing to relight
- Can be topped up and instantly relit again once it's empty
Cons
- You'll need to purchase lighter fluid for it to work
Best single-use hand warmers
These HOTHANDS 372-3970 Hand Warmers are super discreet. They're small enough to fit in your pocket or subtly sit inside your gloves, but give off enough heat to keep your hands at a comfortable temperature for up to 10 hours. Great for dog walking, commuting, days out and more.
Customer review: "Pleasantly surprised by how good these are! I've previously used a different brand with absolutely no success but these ones have been consistently excellent. They take a little while to get going - maybe 10-20 mins to get to the maximum heat output but they really do get extremely toasty and last for hours. We used these on an outdoor shift on the coldest night of the year. In icy conditions we put them inside gloves and intermittently decided that our hands had become too warm and took them out! I once put a pair inside some thin-soled shoes and watched the ice melting where I was stood. They can genuinely last an entire 10 hour shift, weigh barely anything, and are incredibly convenient. I went back and ordered 40 more packets!"
Pros
- You get five pairs or 10 individuals for the price
- Warms quickly
Cons
- Single-use only
Best 2-in-1 hand warmer
You can use this INNOPAW Hand Warmer as one big one or pull it apart in the middle to use it as two separate ones, just plug it into a USB outlet to charge. Handily, it can be used as a portable phone charger too so it's ideal for using while you're out and about in the cold.
Customer review: "I highly recommend this hand warmer. It is an excellent multi-functional electronic that warms my hands and is comfortable to hold. Good product and well packaged."
Pros
- Two ways to use it
- Three heat settings
Cons
- Some people found they take a while to heat up
Our verdict: Which is the best hand warmer?
In our opinion, the best hand warmer is the OCOOPA Hand Warmer. We like it because you can control the heat to your preference. If you're feeling freezing, you can crack the heat up all the way but if you're just wanting to take the chill off your fingers, you can choose the gentle warmth setting. The heat lasts for up to 15 hours so you'll be covered for the majority of the day and when it does run out of charge, you can just boost it back up again by charging it with a USB cable.
If that wasn't enough, you can also use it to charge your phone and it comes in a choice of colours.
Best hand warmers FAQs
Why do I need a hand warmer?
There are a number of reasons why you need a hand warmer. If you're someone who needs to have an electric blanketon most of the time because you feel the cold more easily, the best hand warmers will make sure your fingers and palms are as toasty as the rest of your body.
You could also have a medical condition such as Raynud's or arthritis, which can cause coldness in the hands or the cold makes symptoms worse. A hand warmer will help to keep your joints nice and warm and take the coldness out of your fingertips.
You may also be someone who enjoys being in the great outdoors and doesn't want the cold weather to put a stop to their adventures. The best hand warmers will ensure you can carry on your outdoor pursuits when it's chilly outside.
What are the different types of hand warmers?
The four main types of hand warmers are as follows:
Air-activated hand warmers: These are the most common type of hand warmers. They work by using a metal disk that, when exposed to air, starts a chemical reaction. Most are single-use.
Gel hand warmers: These work in a similar way to air-activated ones but they use a gel-like substance as the heat source and they're generally slower to heat up but stay warmer for longer. These can often be reused by 'resetting' them in boiling water.
Battery-powered hand warmers: The most convenient way to keep your hands warm on the go. They usually use batteries or can be rechargeable and feature changeable heat settings and timers.
Disposable hand warmers: These are typically small and designed for single use but can fit nicely in your pocket.
You can also get ones that use lighter fluid to stay warm and wheat-bag style ones, but these are less common.
How do hand warmers work?
How each individual hand warmer works all depends on the type of hand warmer you have. Rechargeable ones have a battery inside to keep them warm but the gel or air-activated ones work a little differently. BBC Science Focus helps us explain how they get warm.
A hand warmer contains sodium acetate, dissolved in water. The solution is ‘super-saturated’, which means it has been heated to dissolve more sodium acetate. The solution crystallises readily. When the internal metal strip is bent, tiny bits of metal are released, which offer ‘nucleation sites’ for crystals to form. As the crystals spread, the stored heat energy of the solution is released, heating the hand warmer up to 54°C – an exothermic reaction. When it comes to reusing your hand warmer again, it can be reset by boiling it in a pan of water to liquefy the crystals.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.