Heat is a fantastic way to treat pain when you either don’t want to use painkillers or you need to supplement them to get some extra relief. Whether for period pain, arthritis or general back, hip and muscle aches, applying heat can go a long way in taking some of the discomfort away, and one product that can really help with this is a heating pad.
To help you get the relief you need, we’ve pulled our favourite heating pads for cramps as well as the best heating pads for neck and shoulders from online retailers such as Argos and Amazon. So if you need to ease your muscles or even if you simply need help keeping the chills away, read on to find out our recommendations!
Quick List - Top Heating Pads
Hotties
Velcro Fastenings Keep This Wrap Secure and Close to Your Body
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If you feel a bit clueless as to what to look for in a heating pad, you're in the right place. We’ve covered all the key considerations for you in our handy buying guide so that you can be sure you’re buying the right heating pad for you. Let’s get started!
Heating pads can be categorised into two different categories, or rather, the two different ways in which they need to be heated: in the microwave or plugged into the mains. Here are the main points of consideration to think about when choosing between the two.
The first type of heating pad is heated using electric elements embedded inside the fabric, which give out a controllable and continuous amount of heat. They’re really useful if you need relief over longer periods of time as they don’t need to be reheated, and reassuringly, they also include safety features to prevent accidents.
Being powered by electricity, these types of heating pad need to be plugged in which may limit where you can sit or lie when you’re using it. Most electric pads are also not safe to use overnight owing to the risk of overheating.
The other main style of heating pad is one you place in the microwave to heat up, which will usually contain gel or beads to hold the warmth. Some may also be scented using flowers and herbs such as lavender and chamomile, which can help to relax you at night when pain may be worse.
These are really comfortable to use as they can be placed wherever you need them and they can be used pretty much anywhere – whether it's on the sofa or in bed, you won't need to worry about a power supply.
The downside of these heating pads is that, other than adjusting the amount of time they are in the microwave, you can’t control the level of heat they provide. In addition, they do lose their warmth fairly quickly so will need to be heated up again.
Heating pads can either be designed for use on most areas of your body (in the form of a simple rectangular or square pad), or they can be shaped to fit on a particular area such as your back, your neck, or a specific joint.
If you have chronic pain in a particular area, it could be worth buying one designed specifically for use in or on that area so that you get the best heat transfer and comfort. Otherwise, heating pads that are designed for general use would be a good option so you can deal with most ailments.
While they generally only apply to electrically-heated pads, there are some important safety features you should be aware of to make using the heating pad as safe as possible and less likely to result in overheating or skin burns. Below are the two most important.
An auto shut-off feature simply means that after a certain period of time, the heating pad automatically switches off. This is to prevent it from overheating and potentially causing you harm, or even causing an electrical fire.
This is a particularly important feature if you plan on using your heating pad in bed, as it will help keep you and your furnishings safe even if you drift off to sleep while using it.
The amount of heat you need from a pad can vary depending on the level of discomfort you have as well as your personal preferences. Children and the elderly also have different requirements, as they cannot tolerate as high a heat as most adults can.
In order to have total control over the amount you get from your pad, look for one that has an adjustable heat level so that it can be tailored to the user's specific needs. This way, all members of your family can use it without risk of injury and you'll be able to set it to suit the severity of your pain.
As you will be using a heating pad close to your skin, and possibly in areas you've used gel painkillers or ointments associated with managing your pain, you may need to factor cleaning your heating pad into your decision when choosing one.
Heating pads are usually made of soft materials such as fleece or microfibre, which is great for comfort but does mean that they can become dirty after frequent use. So, it'll pay to look for a pad that can be hand washed or popped into the washing machine to make keeping it spick and span super easy.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dreamland Intelliheat Multi Purpose Heat Pad | ![]() | Provides Fantastic Pain Relief Even at Night | |
2 | Magic Gel Back Pain Relief Gel Pack | ![]() | Gel Packs to Offer Either Heat or Ice Therapy | |
3 | Hotties Soothing Microwaveable Backwrap | ![]() | Velcro Fastenings Keep This Wrap Secure and Close to Your Body | |
4 | Cosi Home® Extra Large Luxury Electric Heating Pad | ![]() | Edge-to-Edge Heat With Even Distribution | |
5 | Aroma Home Hot Hugs Microwaveable Plush Rabbit with Lavender | ![]() | A Teddy That Provides Comfort and Relief for Your Child | |
6 | MaxKare Electric Heating Pad for Neck Shoulders and Back | ![]() | Tailored Fit and Heat Settings to Personalise Your Comfort | |
7 | Beurer Comfort Heat Pad with Cosy Fleece Finish | ![]() | Soft and Breathable Microfibres Make This Heating Pad Very Cosy | |
8 | Bromose Heat Pad for Back Pain | ![]() | High-Quality Flannel and a Large Surface Area Delivers Effective Heat Therapy | |
9 | Hangsun Electric Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief | ![]() | Customised Relief for Your Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back | |
10 | Aroma Season Microwave Heated Neck Warmer | ![]() | Aromatherapy Scents That Can Be Used Hot or Cold |
Dreamland have designed this heating pad to provide instant heat from the moment it is switched on, and with a 180-minute auto shut off, you can be pain-free for longer. The temperature settings have a constant output and the built-in 'Total Safety' system with sleep-guardian technology gives you peace of mind as you rest.
Users of this heating pad found it useful for a variety of ailments, and that the range of temperatures was really great for finding the perfect one for their pain level. This provides fantastic pain relief even at night and it's adaptable to nearly every area of your body, so it was a clear choice for our number one spot!
This gel heating pad from Magic Gel can be used hot or cold, and it comes with two gel packs so you always have one to use and another on standby. The neoprene wrap has been hand stitched for a high quality finish, and it provides a level of compression that has been designed specifically for back injuries.
This wrap only provides around 22 minutes of warmth according to the manufacturer, which may not be suitable for some. That being said, this is a really great option that gives you the flexibility of using the wrap as a heating pad or as an ice pack which users really love. A great option if you want the freedom of no wires!
This back wrap features a microwaveable laminated pouch that you heat up and place inside it for comforting heat. The Velcro fastening allows you to adjust the wrap to your body to allow a snug and secure fit, allowing you to go about your daily activities as normal while using it.
This is a really popular heating pad, especially with those suffering from lower back pain, and the band is adjustable to fit anyone up to a waist size of 46 inches. The comfy hand-sewn polycotton quilted cover can be washed in the machine, too.
This easy-to-use heating pad features a handy digital remote and six heat settings for tailored heat therapy at your fingertips. The heating wire is evenly distributed throughout the core of the heating pad to provide edge-to-edge warming and has the same heat output as four hot water bottles!
This heating pad has a lot of great therapeutic and practical features going for it, such as an extra-long 3-metre cable and a machine-washable soft-touch micro-fleece cover. All in all, this is a fantastic buy and is sure to be used regularly by you and your family.
While this isn't strictly a heating pad, this is definitely worth your consideration if you have a child suffering from chronic pain. In addition to the heat, its teddy bear shape also provides a fantastic amount of comfort. Simply heat him in the microwave as per the instructions for gentle warmth through the tourmaline bead core.
Parents love these Hot Hugs teddies, reporting that the comforting heat and lavender scent they have is fantastic at helping to calm your child and aid deep sleep and relaxation. The reason we've marked it down is that it won't suit a lot of users, but this is a great option for children or even the elderly.
The magnetic clasp and weighted edges on this pad mean that you're sure to get a snug fit and maximum benefit from the heat. It features five different temperature settings so you can find the perfect one, and the soft plush flannel distributes the heat evenly. You also have two different timer options on the auto shut-off feature.
There are a lot of fans of this vest-like heating pad, particularly those with chronic back pain, though it's worth being aware that the neck panel doesn't heat up – which you might be looking for if you have pain in that area, too.
The temperature settings that Beurer uses in this pad are regulated, so you can be sure you're receiving a constant level of heat with no cooling or overheating. The pad itself is made from luxury breathable microfibres, which are soft and cosy enough even without the added benefit of the soothing heat.
While the heat is constant, the pad doesn't give out as high a heat as some would prefer, so you may need to bear this in mind if this won't suit you. The pad could also be more pliable for use on different areas of the body, but this is overall a really good quality heating pad that's sure to give you some relief.
This ultra-soft heating pad is made of premium quality flannel and efficiently delivers and preserves heat to relieve muscle soreness and fatigue. It can be used on most parts of the body, and its larger size and surface area offer fantastic warmth. It also has the benefit of a free 2-year post-purchase service should you have any issues to discuss.
This is a really good heating pad with some fantastic features, but the main reason we've marked it down is that the type of plug it is supplied with is unpredictable. In quite a few cases the pad was supplied with a European 2-pin plug rather than a UK 3-pin plug, although this mistake was rectified.
Shoulder and neck pain will be a thing of the past after using this heating pad from Hangsun. The pad has been well designed to apply customised relief, and the cosy fleece is soft and comfortable. Its safety features mean you can use it without any stress or worry and it has a fast heat-up time so it's ready at a moment's notice.
The tailoring of this heating pad means that it would perhaps be more suitable for those who are petite in stature. Some users were also disappointed that the pad doesn't sit as close to their body as they would prefer. Nevertheless, this is a great option if you suffer from pain in this area.
Our first option is filled with clay beads and flaxseeds that will retain heat when microwaved and is scented with lavender, lemongrass, peppermint and camomile to soothe and relax. The soft velour outer is lovely against your skin and the pad can also be placed in the freezer for use as a cooling pack.
There aren't any washing instructions with this heating pad, so if it gets grubby after lots of use it may lose its appeal. There were also reports that when placed on the shoulders, the beads fell down to the bottom of the pad and caused an uneven distribution of heat.
If you regularly suffer from aches and knots in your muscles, why not consider what other products you can use alongside your heating pad? The right bath products and massage oils can really help to ease any discomfort and get you back to fighting fitness, and our recommendations below are here to lend a hand in finding them.
That concludes our listing of recommended heating pads to help with any muscle pains you may have. Whether you decided on microwaveable or electric, we hope you found the perfect heating pad for you and that you're now fully confident in your buying choice.
Author: Catherine Torrance
No. 1: Dreamland|Intelliheat Multi Purpose Heat Pad
No. 2: Magic Gel|Back Pain Relief Gel Pack
No. 3: Hotties|Soothing Microwaveable Backwrap
No. 4: Cosi Home®|Extra Large Luxury Electric Heating Pad
No. 5: Aroma Home|Hot Hugs Microwaveable Plush Rabbit with Lavender
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