Whether you experience frequent muscle soreness, low backaches, menstrual cramps, or soreness from an injury, a heating pad is a quick and reliable way to help relieve pain and muscle stiffness. The warmth boosts blood flow, which helps loosen tight muscles and can provide relief from soreness or mild pain, says Cara Dobbertin, PT, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy with Practitionr. Many people also find heating pads helpful for muscle strains or general aches, especially when used consistently but not excessively.
Heating pads also serve as a medication-free way to address your discomfort without leaving the privacy of your own home, says Alyssa Raineri, DPT, a California-based doctor of physical therapy. Plus, applying heat to sore muscles increases the muscle’s oxygen and nutrients, promoting tissue healing, she says.
When selecting a heating pad, it is important to consider your specific needs for the product—whether that means it needs to be hands-free, microwaveable, or effective for relieving muscle pain. To simplify shopping, we tested 20 heating pads and evaluated them based on their setup, design, features, heating quality, and value. We also had a family physician from our Medical Expert Board review the contents of this article for medical accuracy, risks associated with using heating pads, and who should avoid using them. From there, we chose the best options.
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
- Select a comfortable temperature: According to Anthony Giuffrida, MD, specialist in interventional spine and pain management at the Cantor Spine Center, it’s a good idea to keep the heat at a comfortable level. Too hot can do more harm than good, he says. And remember, heat works best for relaxing muscles, not for injuries that are swollen or inflamed.
- Limit use to minor injuries: Signs like swelling or redness could indicate something more serious is going on, says Guiffrida. Heating pads are great for short-term relief, but they’re not a solution for deeper issues like injuries or infections.
- Consider the length of use: According to Karena Wu, PT, DPT, physical therapist and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy, using a heating pad for more than 15 to 20 minutes is not recommended due to the risk of burns. If you’re using a heating pad during the nighttime, set your pad to an auto shutoff time to ensure you’re not overusing the pad on sore muscles or joints.
- Consider them for both menstruation and pregnancy: People who are pregnant or experiencing menstrual cramps can use a heating pad to help relieve the symptoms, and a heating pad can offer comfort and relief during labor. The uterus is a muscle, and cramps are muscular contractions, explains Kecia Gaither, MD, double board-certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. She says a heating pad can help relax muscles and improve blood flow.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Heating pads are great for short-term relief, but they’re not a solution for deeper issues like injuries or infections, says Dobbertin. If the pain you’re treating with heat therapy doesn’t improve or gets worse, she suggests checking in with a healthcare provider. Signs like swelling or redness could indicate something more serious is going on.
Also, consider seeing a healthcare provider if the pain is severe, lasts longer than a few days, or comes with other symptoms like numbness or weakness, says Guiffrida. Heating pads are great for quick relief, but they’re not a substitute for addressing the root cause of your pain, he says. A healthcare provider can help you figure out the next steps, whether that’s physical therapy, medication, or a more targeted treatment.
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Large size
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Flexible
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Heats quickly
Key Specs
Charge Type: Electric cord | Areas Targeted: Full body | Number of Heat Settings: Three | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: 10-foot cord, heats up in 30 seconds
Why We Recommend It
If you are looking for a large, flexible heating pad, we love the Geniani King Size Heating Pad. Not only does it offer a cozy blanket feel, but the cords are not noticeable or bothersome like some heating pads. Plus, its large size means we could heat our entire back or both legs at the same time.
We also appreciate that this heating pad warms up to the selected temperature in just 30 seconds. This means we didn’t have to wait long for immediate relief. And with even heat distribution, we also didn’t have to worry about cool or hot spots during our heat therapy. Add to that the three heat settings and an automatic shutoff, and you have a comfy heating pad that is as easy to use as it is comfortable.
Overall, we found this heating pad useful for addressing everything from back pain and muscle tension to pregnancy-related discomforts. In fact, one of our editors used this heating pad to consistently alleviate low back pain that is often present during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Keep In Mind
This is a large heating pad, so it can be a challenge to get it to stay where you want it. Our editors would have appreciated a way to secure it in place, especially when you have a pregnancy bump to contend with.
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Large size
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Flexible
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Four heat settings
Key Specs
Charge Type: Analog LED Controller with IntegratedCord | Areas Targeted: Back | Number of Heat Settings: Four | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: Removable cover, removable sponge
Why We Recommend It
Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the U.S. and affects eight out of 10 people at some point in their lives. For this reason, it is important to have a reliable heating pad on hand to help relieve those nagging aches and pains. For overall back pain, we love the Homedics Heating Pad.
We love that it heats quickly in just under 30 seconds, provides consistent heat, and has multiple settings. Plus, the long cord and auto shut-off added to its convenience and made it ideal for extended use while working. In fact, one of our editors particularly appreciated the large size, which covered her entire back and fit perfectly in her office chair. We also found that once the heating pad shuts off, it is a nice reminder to get up from the office chair and stretch.
This heating pad’s removable cover and sponge means that taking care of the heating pad and keeping it clean and sanitized is simple.
Keep In Mind
The cover of this heating pad is somewhat thin, so if you are sensitive to heat, you may want to put something else between the heating pad and your skin.
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Push button controller
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Moist heat option
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Comfortable
Key Specs
Charge Type: Electric cord | Areas Targeted: Neck and shoulders | Number of Heat Settings: Four | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: Push button controller
Why We Recommend It
Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability and has an annual prevalence rate of over 30%. If you count yourself among those with neck issues, you may be looking for an effective way to relieve your pain that doesn’t require medications. And we think the Sunbeam Neck Renue Heat Wrap answers that call.
Not only did we love how comfortable this heating pad is, but we also appreciated the hands-free design. It also does a great job of staying in place on the neck and shoulders, providing targeted relief. And, the heat was consistent and evenly distributed—meaning we did not have to move it around to make sure we were getting every pain spot in the neck and shoulders.
We also found that all four settings were effective for different pain levels, especially arthritis pain. In fact, the pad reduced our tester’s pain by 80% and improved sleep quality by minimizing the need for pain medications. Plus, the heating pad is incredibly soft and the upper part of it is flexible and molded easily to our shoulders and neck. It is comfortable to use while sitting up and lying down—and requires no adjustment.
Keep In Mind
This heating pad comes in a 19-inch version and a 14-inch version, but people with narrow shoulders or those with broad shoulders may not find that it fits like they want.
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Key Specs
Charge Type: Removable batter; USB-C charging cable| Areas Targeted: Lower back| Number of Heat Settings: Three | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: Three vibration levels, hands-free design
Why We Recommend It
When you have lower back pain, you need a heating pad that will stay put and provide concentrated heat where you need it most. And we think the Therabody RecoveryTherm Back heating pad is up to the task. Not only does this heating pad provide even heat distribution, but it also contains extremely soft material and easy-to-use controls.
When testing this heating pad, we loved that it provided instant relief for lower back tension, especially after workouts. Even when it was on the lowest setting, it provided immediate relief and effective heat distribution. Plus, it heats up quickly, and the battery life holds up well.
We also love the comfort level of this heating pad. It provides relief without causing discomfort in pressure-sensitive areas of the lower back. We also appreciate that you wrap the pad snugly around your stomach. Consequently, it stayed in place while in use and never needed readjustment.
Keep In Mind
Because this heating pad comes with a prominent battery pack on the front, it is uncomfortable to use while lying on your stomach.
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Key Specs
Charge Type: Electric cord | Areas Targeted: Knee, shoulder, back | Number of Heat Settings: Three | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: 10-foot cord
Why We Recommend It
This Thermophore MaxHEAT Moist Heat Pack has the weight and feel of a professional heating pad, similar to those used in physical therapy. Plus, we were pleased with the even heat distribution and three heat settings, which worked well for relieving pain and tension.
We also appreciated that the heating pad offered immediate relief on both low and high settings. And the weight of the pad keeps it in place during use, making it effective for knee, shoulder, and back pain relief. Plus, the moist heat feature lived up to its promise, providing a therapeutic experience.
Keep In Mind
This heating pad comes with a prominent warning label on the heating pad that can be irritating.
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Infrared heat
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Soft fabric
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Flexible design
Key Specs
Charge Type: Electric cord, infrared pad | Areas Targeted: Stomach, back, legs, shoulders | Number of Heat Settings: Not listed | Auto Shutoff: Not listed | Added Features: Weight therapy
Why We Recommend It
Researchers have found that infrared heat can penetrate deeper than traditional heat sources—and it may be just as effective at reducing pain. One study found that those who used an infrared wrap for back pain had 50% less back pain after six weeks. If you’re looking for a way to address low back pain or abdominal pain that comes with menstruation, you will appreciate the MiHigh Weighted Infrared Heat Pad.
We especially like the soft fabric, flexible design, and effective temperature range for both menstrual cramps and back pain. The timer feature also was a standout for its convenience. We loved that the pad distributed heat evenly, and we found the various temperature settings effective for relieving pain in different areas. This heating pad provided relief within 30 minutes and was easy to use with intuitive controls.
As an added bonus, this MiHigh heating pad is well made and did not show any signs of wear and tear during our testing, which included multiple uses. Plus, it worked just as effectively at the end of the testing period as it did at the beginning.
Keep In Mind
While this heating pad is advertised as providing weighted therapy, it was not as weighted as we would have liked.
How We Tested
We spent 225 hours testing 20 heating pads to find the best ones. We compared the pads based on the following criteria:
- Setup: We examined how easy it was to use and set up the product from the box.
- Design: We paid attention to how easy it was to use the device along with any additional features that the heating pads came with, such as the length of the chord, whether it was portable, and how intuitive and user-friendly it was overall.
- Features: We turned the pad on, timed its heating time, and tested the additional features.
- Heating quality: We used an infrared thermometer gun to see each heating pad’s heat distribution and repeated the process for each pad.
What to Look for in a Heating Pad
The best heating pads offer adjustable heat levels, so you can find what feels comfortable, says Dobbertin. Here are some other things Dobbertin says to look for:
- Automatic shutoff: According to Dobbertin, this is an important feature because it helps prevent overheating.
- Flexible pads: She also recommends looking for heating pads that are flexible or come in various sizes. This allows you to customize the use of the heating pad based on the area you’re treating.
- Easy to clean: Dobbertin recommends looking for a heating pad that is durable and has a removable cover that’s easy to throw in the wash.
- Size: When it comes to heating pads, make sure the size of the pad will adequately cover the area of your body in need, says Alexandra Rios, PT, DPT, a licensed physical therapist and provider at Airrosti
- Cover material: The material of your pad cover matters too, according to Wu, who recommends washable cotton or fleece so they stay clean (and feel better, too).
How to Safely Use a Heating Pad
Heating pads are a simple yet effective way to manage pain, especially when dealing with muscle tension, stiffness, or spasms, says Guiffrida. The heat helps improve blood flow to the area, which can relax tight muscles and ease discomfort. He says it’s not going to fix the root cause of your pain, but it’s a great tool for temporary relief and can work well alongside other treatments for things like back pain, neck, leg pain or hip pain. Here’s how to use a heating pad safely.
- Use a barrier: Place a thin cloth or towel between the heating pad and your skin to prevent burns, says Dobbertin. And avoid using a heating pad while sleeping, as this increases the risk of overheating or injury.
- Take precautions: Burns are the biggest concern if the pad is too hot or used for too long, says Dobbertin. People who have reduced sensitivity to heat should exercise caution when using a heating pad. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider first, she says. Meanwhile, Raineri recommends removing all jewelry and stopping use and contacting your doctor if you see any severe redness, rashes, blistering, pain, or swelling.
- Use it responsibly: While the majority of heating pads are safe to use, they do wear out. Inspect the pad regularly for wear and tear, especially if it’s electric, says Giuffrida. Damaged wires or cords are a fire hazard. Plus, remember that water and electricity don’t mix so avoid using your heating pad near liquids and make an effort to keep it dry.
- Start low: According to Rios, try using a heating pad with three or more heat levels. They allow you to work up to a safe and sufficient heat setting for pain relief.
- Decide between dry heat or moist heat: Electric heating pads produce dry heat and can be convenient because they offer a wide range of temperatures, says Rios. Meanwhile, moist heat packs don’t offer varying temperatures but are more effective because they penetrate deeper into the tissue, which is great for treating muscle aches and stiffness.
Our Experts
In addition to testing the heating pads, we contacted medical professionals for their insights on their benefits and proper use. These experts included:
- Cara Dobbertin, PT, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy with Practitionr
- Kecia Gaither, MD, double board-certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
- Anthony Giuffrida, MD, specialist in interventional spine and pain management at the Cantor Spine Center
- Alyssa Raineri, DPT, physical therapist at Advanced Therapy Concepts
- Alexandra Rios, PT, DPT, a licensed physical therapist and provider at Airrosti
- Karena Wu, PT, DPT, owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy
Why Trust Verywell Health
Sherri Gordon, CLC, has been covering health and social issues for over a decade and has written countless articles with a health focus. She is well-versed and knowledgeable about a number of health conditions that can impact our everyday lives. When making product recommendations, Sherri adds a layer of detail that ensures readers can choose what is right for them and still understand the medical significance behind it.
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