If you suffer from aches and pains, poor circulation or inflammation, the best heated pad can be a real game-changer for managing your pain. The NHS suggests heat therapy as a way of alleviating pain. Heat can soothe spasms, which often lead to less stiffness. But like your trusty hand warmer, a heated pad can also help keep you nice and toasty while being a cheaper alternative to turning on the central heating.
Heat therapy works by increasing blood flow to the targeted area, which can help promote healing and reduce stiffness and pain. It can be particularly beneficial for muscle strains, arthritis, and menstrual cramps. However, it's essential to use heat therapy with caution and follow guidelines to avoid burns or exacerbating existing conditions. Heat therapy is not suitable for everyone, and we will go into more detail about this at the end of the article.
Best heated pads at a glance:
Heated pads aren't just popular for people who suffer from physical pain. Warmth has also been a popular emotional support. Warming devices like electric blankets can provide physical comfort and warmth, creating calming and soothing effects for individuals experiencing emotional distress or discomfort.
Staying warm in cold weather is crucial for maintaining comfort and avoiding health risks. As tempting as it can be to turn on the heating the moment you feel a little cold, it can quickly become very expensive. Heated pads provide targeted warmth to specific areas of the body, offering relief from cold temperatures without the need to be bundled up with ten layers and a hot water bottle on a cold day.
The best heated pads
Best heated pad overall
Dreamlandwww.currys.co.uk
If you want to treat yourself, it doesn't get better than the Dreamland Intelliheat heat pad. Perfect for easing aches or snuggling into on a cold evening, it has five heat settings so you can adjust it to your preferred level of warmth using the easy-to-use handheld control. And if you fall asleep, don't worry. This heat pad automatically turns off after 180 minutes.
Reviewed by Hannah Carroll for Yours: "As someone who has a chronic autoimmune illness, I am often in pain, and I have found that heat is one of the best ways to alleviate my symptoms. I am also always cold, so when the chance came to test a heated pad, I jumped at it. This heated pad is wonderful but very addictive. Any chance I get, I turn it on. I have found it comforting, warming and great for soothing any niggles. Thankfully, it's so cheap to run that it is also friendly on my purse strings. I would have liked it to be a little bigger but overall, cannot recommend this enough."
Pros
- Auto shut-off 180 minutes (perfect for nighttime use)
- Five heat settings so you can adjust to your perfect level of warmth
Cons
- Our reviewer thought it could be a little larger
Best heated pad for the design
OVIFM/AmazonOne of the biggest issues that pain sufferers face is still having to go about their daily business, but this wireless heated pad is great for those on the move. This discreet OVIFM Heated Pad is perfect for people who are always on the move as you can wear it around your waist, just like a belt, underneath your clothes and nobody would know you're wearing it. Because of where you wear it, it can relieve pain in the lower back, abdomen, and stomach areas.
Users online say that it is easy to use with simple buttons to turn it on and change the heat level. Reviewers also found it comfortable to wear as the belt is made from a soft material. The one niggle customers have with it is the charger cable. Some found it didn't come with a charger and others found it hard to find another compatible charger after they lost it themselves.
Pros
- Wireless design so you can wear it on the go
- Discreetly sits on your waist under clothes
Cons
- Some reviewers had issues with the charger cable
Best single-use heated pad
Cura-Heat/Amazon Cura Heat Back and Shoulder Pain are small, discreet rectangular heat packs that provide targeted, temporary 24-hour warming relief from minor muscular and joint aches and pains. This is great for people who regularly suffer from sore backs as they can be kept in your bag and used when needed.
These patches are easy to use according to reviewers and great for people who don't want to be hooked to a lead or plug. Some reviewers wished they were a bit more sticky to attach to your clothes (not your skin) but appreciated the value for money and pain relief they offered.
Pros
- Small and discreet so don't stand out
- Great for using on-the-go as you can apply when needed
Cons
- Some reviewers wished they were a bit more sticky for application
Best heated pad cushion
Sweet Dreams/Amazon The Sweet Dreams heat pads are designed for comfort and are made with premium micro-flannel fleece material. This heated cushion is an excellent way to target pain in different areas of your body whilst increasing comfort. You can use it to provide relief and comfort to your back, stomach, neck, knees, shoulder, elbows and more. We also like that it has an auto shut off after 90 minutes so you can use it to help you drift off to sleep if your pain is causing you issues with sleep without worrying it'll be left on all night.
Customers online are pleased with the overall support this cushion offers as well as the warmth and pain relief it provides. Some reviewers thought the pillow was a little too firm for their liking but if you like a thick and firm cushion to relax on, this will be a good choice for you.
Pros
- Made from a luxurious flannel fleece for your comfort
- Auto shut off after 90 minutes for peace of mind if using it to help you sleep
Cons
- Some reviewers found it was a little too firm for their liking
Best faux fur heated pad
Beurerwww.argos.co.uk
Beurer’s Nordic Faux Fur Heat Pad is ideal for staying warm and cosy without burying yourself in blankets or turning the (very expensive) central heating on. It's long in length so you can either wrap it around your body or have it underneath you while you lie down. The fur-like material is soft on your skin and helps to keep you warm, all whilst being suitable for vegans as it's faux. It has three temperature settings and an auto switch-off function after 90 minutes, plus it's machine washable at 30 degrees.
92 per cent of customers recommend this product, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Many found it easy to use and comfortable and they love how large it is too. Opinions are mixed on how quickly it takes to heat up though as some reviewers say it takes a while while others found it heated up speedily.
Pros
- Long length so you can wrap it around you or lay on it
- Super soft faux fur covering for your comfort
Cons
- Opinions are mixed on how quickly it heats up, with some finding it takes a while
Best heated pad that heats up quickly
Beurer/AmazonOne of the downsides of using a hot water bottle is waiting for it to warm your body. It can also be tough to get the temperature just right. With the Beurer HK44 Soft Cosy Heat Pad, this isn't an issue. It has a rapid heat-up, reaching the maximum temperature in as little as 30 minutes. It also has three settings, making it much easier to find the perfect temperature. The super-soft, micro-fleece covering is cosy and soft against your skin but also breathable.
Reviewers say this cosy heat pad is so much better than a hot water bottle in terms of both functionality and comfort. Some reviewers don't like that this heat pad has an auto shut-off timer of 90 minutes, as they want it to be on for longer before switching off but others find this feature gives them peace of mind in case they fall asleep with it on.
Pros
- Reaches the maximum temperature in as little as 30 minutes
- Three heat settings so you can control the temperature to how you like it
Cons
- Some customers wished the 90 minute auto shut-off timer was longer
FAQs
What are heating pads good for?
Heating pads are highly beneficial for relieving various types of pain and discomfort. They can be particularly helpful for individuals suffering from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, where joint stiffness and inflammation are common. By applying heat directly to the affected joints, heating pads help to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and alleviate pain.
Not to mention, heating pads can provide relief for menstrual cramps, a prevalent issue among women, by easing muscle tension in the abdomen and lower back. This targeted warmth can significantly reduce discomfort and improve overall well-being during menstruation.
Heating pads are also helpful for individuals experiencing muscle strains or tension headaches. In cases of muscle strain, the application of heat can help to relax tense muscles and promote faster recovery. Likewise, for tension headaches, which often result from tight muscles in the neck and shoulders, heating pads can offer soothing relief by loosening these muscles and reducing pain.
Overall, heating pads are versatile tools that provide effective relief for a range of common ailments, making them indispensable for managing pain and discomfort in everyday life.
When should you not be using a heating pad?
While heating pads can be beneficial for relieving various types of pain and discomfort, as previously mentioned earlier in the article, there are certain situations where they should be avoided or used with caution:
• If you have blood/circulation problems
• If you have a heart condition and you are applying the heat to the upper part of your body
• If you have broken/thin skin or an unhealed wound in the area where you are applying the heat
• If you have reduced skin sensation
• If you use a patch which delivers drugs into your system in the area where you are applying heat
• If you have an unstable medical condition, e.g. diabetes, epilepsy
Caution: If you have diabetes, take extra care when applying heat or ice, especially to your legs,
and monitor your skin during treatment on a frequent basis.
Generally, you must use heating pads as directed and avoid prolonged or excessive heat exposure to prevent burns or other adverse effects. If you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional before using heat therapy.
Is a heat pad better than a cold pad?
The use of a heating pad or cold pad depends on the specific condition being treated and your preferences.
Heat therapy, provided by a heated pad or hot water bottle, is often preferred for chronic conditions like arthritis or muscle stiffness, as it helps to relax muscles, increase blood flow, and alleviate pain.
Cold therapy, typically delivered by a cold compress or ice pack, is more suitable for acute injuries, inflammation, or swelling, as it constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, and numbs the affected area, providing pain relief.
Both heat and cold therapy have their advantages, and the choice between them should be based on the nature of the injury or condition, as well as personal comfort and response to treatment.
Hannah Carroll is a Senior Home, Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer for Yours, specialising in product testing and reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah loves finding clothes that make her feel fabulous and products that are great for large families.