Aches and pains got you down? We researched the best heating pads on the market before purchasing 10 top models to test side-by-side. We used them to soothe our muscles after working out, to help us get through flu season, and to ease stiffness from day-to-day activity. We timed how quickly each pad heated up, measured their maximum temperature, and used an infrared thermometer to measure the average surface temperature. We also noted which are easiest to use, and which ergonomically designed options are best to soothe particular sore spots. Whether you need a new heating pad for pain relief, to speed recovery from an injury, or just to help you warm up on cold nights, our in-depth review will help you find the perfect one for your needs and budget.
With so many wellness products on the market, finding the right ones can be overwhelming. It is our priority to meticulously test only the best of the best. So whether you’re looking for a top-notch foot massager to help you relax, an electric blanket for staying toasty in a cold bedroom, or a top-rated electric kettle to help you make it through flu season, our homecare experts will help you find the best gear to keep you healthy.
Editor’s Note: We updated our heating pad review on August 2, 2024, to include more specs for our award winners.
Quick Look
The Best Heating Pads
Full results from testing 10 top products are in our Product Comparison Table and Analysis & Test Results sections.
Best Overall Heating Pad
Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL King Size
| Number of Heat Settings | 6 |
|---|---|
| Measured Dimensions | 30.5cm x 61cm | 12″ x 24″ |
| Measured Maximum Temperature (°F) | 121.3 |
| Measured Time to 100°F | 1:04 |
| Measured Average Surface Temperature (°F) | 120.3 |
Our favorite overall heating pad is the Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL King Size. It was consistently the hottest of any plug-in model we tested, with a measured maximum temperature of 121.3°F. It also heated up extremely evenly, showing only a few degrees of variation between the center and corners — this, surprisingly, is a unique quality compared to other pads. It has a wide range of heat settings, and you can toggle the two-hour auto-shutoff on and off, so it’s possible to keep the unit running for as long as you’d like. While it has become standard among plug-in pads, this one is also machine washable.
Despite all of our praise, this heating pad isn’t perfect. It is a general-use pad and not designed for one specific body part. Our tester noted, “It doesn’t conform particularly well to the neck or shoulders”. It can slide off the shoulders and neck easily since it is not weighted and lacks a tie-down. Even though we love all the heat settings, they’re simply numbered 1-6, instead of corresponding to an actual temperature. Despite these shortcomings, this pad delivers what we need the most: a hot, consistent heat source with user-friendly features. If you are shopping for a heating pad specifically for the neck and shoulders, check out the SuzziPad Microwave 7×18″.
Best Bang for Your Buck
SuzziPad Microwave 7×18″
| Number of Heat Settings | N/A |
|---|---|
| Measured Dimensions | 17.1cm x 45.7cm | 6.75″ x 18″ |
| Measured Maximum Temperature (°F) | 121.8 |
| Measured Time to 100°F | 1:00 |
| Measured Average Surface Temperature (°F) | 114.9 |
The SuzziPad Microwave 7×18″ is an excellent option if you need warm relief on a tighter budget. It is also our favorite microwavable model — if you don’t want to manage a cord or have your relaxation routine tethered to an outlet, this is a worthwhile option. This pad gets nice and hot in the microwave and does so quickly. It reached 100°F in only one minute and had the highest maximum temperature of any pad we tested, 121.8°F. It has a nice weight to it, which is a soothing feature in its own right, even without heat. It is just the right dimensions for shoulders and legs, and feels nice across the neck and face. The exterior fabric is also super soft, so it feels great even placed directly against the skin.
We should note this is one of the few models in our lineup that isn’t machine washable. As a microwavable pad, it also doesn’t generate its own heat, so it starts to cool down the moment you remove it from the microwave. Its length is an asset for simultaneously covering larger areas like a shoulder and part of your back, but it also means that it must be folded in half to fit on the carousel of most microwaves. Minimal gripes aside, this is our favorite microwavable option for folks who desire simplicity or have hesitations about keeping a heating element plugged in for hours. If you prefer a machine washable heating pad that you can plug in, we like the Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL King Size.
Best Heating Pad for Neck
Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL Back & Neck
| Number of Heat Settings | 4 |
|---|---|
| Measured Dimensions | 50.8cm x 71.1cm | 20″ x 28″ |
| Measured Maximum Temperature (°F) | 115.3 |
| Measured Time to 100°F | 3:14 |
| Measured Average Surface Temperature (°F) | 110.5 |
The Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL Back & Neck is a specially contoured heating pad that simultaneously targets the neck, back, and shoulders. Its large dimensions hug the major muscles of your upper half, and it has a soft, micro mink exterior that feels nice against the skin. We love the included elastic belt that makes it easy to secure around the waist, and we appreciate the weights sewn into the perimeter of the shoulder flaps to help hold it in place up top. It has an admirable maximum temperature of 115.3°F, and its single-button control panel is super easy to use with high, medium, low, and warm settings. Its two-hour auto shutoff ensures that it doesn’t stay on all night if you fall asleep with it on.
Unfortunately, the size detracted from its performance as a neck and back pad. It isn’t quite long enough to reach down to the lower back of folks six feet or taller (or those with long abdomens). The magnet on the collar is weak, and we struggled a bit more than we needed to keep it in place. The auto-shutoff is also a permanent feature and can’t be turned off — this may be a plus for some but could be a deal-breaker for others who want their pad to run longer than two hours. Still, if you’re searching for a heating pad designed to cover the neck, shoulders, and back all at once, this one is the best. Folks who specifically want to target their lower back should check out the Pure Enrichment PureRelief Lumbar and Abdominal.
Best Heating Pad for Lower Back
Pure Enrichment PureRelief Lumbar and Abdominal
| Number of Heat Settings | 4 |
|---|---|
| Measured Dimensions | 50cm x 24.1cm | 19.7″ x 9.5″ |
| Measured Maximum Temperature (°F) | 113.7 |
| Measured Time to 100°F | 2:28 |
| Measured Average Surface Temperature (°F) | 111.20 |
For those struggling with a lower back or abdominal strain or who tend to have painful cramps, the Pure Enrichment PureRelief Lumbar and Abdominal is one of the most effective and relieving models we’ve found for this specific purpose. Its tapered shape and built-in straps allow you to securely affix it to your lower back or abdominal area, providing targeted heat regardless of your position. The pad comes with a cold pack that can be put in the freezer and then placed in a slot on the pad, allowing for convenient hot and cold therapy. This model offers fast and intense heat when you need it, with a quick heat-up time of under two minutes and a maximum temperature of 114°F.
Like all specialized heating pads, its shape and size make it a little difficult to use in areas outside of your midsection. The more symmetrical shape and added straps made it a bit easier to wrap and secure this pad on a knee or hamstring than the neck and shoulder models we reviewed. That said, it was still less amenable to these situations than the simple rectangular pads. But if your lower back and core usually give you grief, the Pure Enrichment PureRelief Lumbar and Abdominal is the most convenient pad we tested for this specific purpose. If you want to target a broader area, the Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL Back & Neck is great for the neck, shoulders, and back.
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Product Comparison Table
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How We Tested
For this heating pad review, we researched over two dozen models and selected the 10 most promising to buy at full retail price. We tested each model using an infrared thermometer to determine the maximum temperature of each pad, and to measure how long it took each pad to heat up from room temperature to 100° Fahrenheit. We used the same thermometer to measure multiple spots across each model’s face to better understand the average surface temperature and evenness of heat distribution. We also assessed the ease of use of each model by looking at the control layout, and the number and type of settings.
Scores for heating pads are divided across four rating metrics:
- Maximum temperature (30% of overall score weighting)
- Heat evenness (30% weighting)
- Heat up speed (25% weighing)
- Ease of Use (15% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Heading up our review is Ben Applebaum-Bauch. He has reviewed home goods and electronics with GearLab for six years. As an avid long-distance hiker — including thru-hikes of the PCT and Colorado Trail — he is no stranger to sore muscles and the relief a heating pad can bring.
Another tester, Max Mutter, has been testing and writing about consumer technology products for more than five years. In that time, he’s reviewed more than 50 health and wellness products like air purifiers and humidifiers. He is also a lifelong athlete who has endured multiple surgeries, so he knows the value of a good dose of heat therapy.
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Analysis and Test Results
Most of our testing and grading of these heating pads focused on three aspects of heating performance: maximum heat, heat-up time, and evenness of heat distributed. We also considered how easy each pad is to use, analyzing key characteristics like the control panel, the number of heat settings offered, and whether any accessories make affixing the pad to specific body parts easier and more secure. For our heat tests, we used an infrared thermometer to take readings.
What’s the Best Value?
Value is a critical factor in many purchasing decisions. But we don’t include a ‘value’ variable when scoring each product because our performance considerations are ranked prior to considering the price tag. Instead, we want to acknowledge the significance of what you get when you spend your money. So when we talk about value, we compare each product’s overall performance to its cost, which helps us understand which models provide the most ‘bang for the buck’ (i.e., points per dollar). While paying top dollar can buy you things like more features or greater durability, pricier products are not always more valuable. We’re always looking out for diamonds in the rough — models that overperform relative to what we would expect at a given price point. For this review, options like the Pure Enrichment XL King Size for an electric pad and the SuzziPad for a microwaveable pad offer excellent overall value.
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