The 9 Best Heating Pads for Every Body Part, According to Customer Reviews

Brittany Loggins
·10 min read
best heating pads fb
best heating pads fb

Sisoje/Getty

​​If you've been experiencing body aches, soreness, or even pain from menstrual cramps, you might have decided to invest in a heating pad. The natural pain-relief option offers an alternative way to tackle discomfort without taking over-the-counter meds, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. And it's not just Google boasting their benefit — heating pads are also an expert-approved way to quickly treat pain.

While medicines can help, "very often, a heating pad used the right way can accomplish the same pain-relieving purpose," says Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., a New York-based spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Why? Heat therapy has numerous benefits. "It boosts circulation, which enables oxygen and nutrients to reach muscles and joints. The increased circulation serves to repair damaged muscles, improve stiffness, and relieve inflammation," he adds.

The Best Heating Pads, According to Reviews:

This best-selling pick keeps it simple with a rectangular design that can be used on various body parts at four heat settings.

Pain relief for your neck and shoulders arrives in just two minute with this quick-heating pad shaped like a vest.

Elastic straps hold this $35 pad around your waist, so it can deliver targeted heat therapy to your lower back.

This wearable wrap secures around your head to keep a heated (or frozen) gel pack pressed against your cheek, head, or jaw.

A kangaroo pouch in this fuzzy, oversized heating pad envelops feet for a quick warm-up following a winter walk.

Get targeted treatments close to the joints with this flexible design that wraps around your elbows, wrist, or ankle for continuous treatment.

Worn like a fanny pack, this wireless device delivers soothing heat at three temperatures directly to your abdomen.

Heat combines with aromatherapy in this microwavable wrap that's less than $15.

How to Use Heating Pads

Turn your bed into a heated safe haven with this queen-sized mattress pad that delivers heat at 10 intensities for relief all night long — or when the auto shut-off kicks in.

While heating pads can be effective, Dr. Okubadejo cautions that you want to make sure you are using them correctly — and pay close attention to how fast they heat up so you don't burn yourself. "If you're using a high setting, don't leave the heating pad on for more than 30 minutes, and don't allow yourself to fall asleep while using one," warns Dr. Okubadejo. "On lower settings, they can be used for a longer time period with a max of one hour," he points out. (Related: Should You Try CBD or Cannabis Creams for Pain Relief?)

With so many heating pads out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth your money. Ahead, a guide to the best heating pad options for every body part, according to customers.

Best Full-Body: Sunbeam Heating Pad

Perfect Ratings: 41,100+

One of Amazon's best-selling heating pads, this extra large option is big enough to cover any area or wrap around an arm or leg. Use the LED controller to choose between four heat settings, as well as an auto shut-off, which turns the device off after two hours to conserve energy and prevent overheating. Plus, a 9-foot power cord makes it easier to use the pad in a convenient location, like a bed or couch. (Related: 8 Unconventional Ways to Treat Sore Muscles)

One reviewer wrote: "Fantastic, soft warmth (I use it on the lowest setting, which feels more natural to me and not so 'fried'). I highly recommend this for anyone experiencing chronic morning stiffness in their neck and shoulders, or during any time of the day!"

best heating pad sunbeam
best heating pad sunbeam

Best for Neck and Shoulders: Snailax Heating Pad

Perfect Ratings: 3,300+

This vest-shaped pick drapes perfectly around shoulders with a magnetic clasp keeping it secured around your neck. The result is a wearable solution for reducing neck, shoulder, and upper-back pain while on the move. It only features two heat settings, but quickly warms up in just two minutes. Bonus: It also has built-in massage nodes for an extra boost of relaxation. (Or you can check out the Best Neck Massagers.)

"I have severe pain issues due to a disability, [so] finding anything that relieves my pain is a plus. I wasn't prepared for how well this works. The first night it relaxed me enough to sleep without my stronger pain meds. On recommendation from my Neurologist, I am using it twice daily. My neck pain has lowered considerably," a customer wrote.

Snailax Heating Pads for Neck and Shoulders
Snailax Heating Pads for Neck and Shoulders

Best for Back Pain: Sunbeam Heating Pad Back Wrap

Perfect Ratings: 4,300+

Great for anyone experiencing middle or lower back pain, this heating pad contours to your back to relieve aches and soreness. It has four heat settings you can easily control with a remote, including a moist heat option, and a nine-foot cord so you're not held captive in one area by a power outlet. (Related: The Best Personal Back Massagers to Relieve Tension and Sore Muscles)

"Bought it for my mom, who suffered a back injury in Feb," said a shopper. "She was using an older heating pad. She LOVES how this one 'gives her a hug' and really does help improve her pain (T12 injury site). Good for mid-to-low back areas."

best heating pads sunbeam back
best heating pads sunbeam back

Best for Face: LotFancy Gel Pack with Wrap

Perfect Ratings: 3,700+

If you're dealing with TMJ, post-dental surgery pain, or jaw, tooth, or implant aches (any teeth grinders in the house?), you need this adjustable facial heating pad that wraps snuggly around your head. It contains four gel packs that you can heat or freeze depending on whether you want hot or cold treatment. Better yet, the customizable design allows you to relieve pain and discomfort on either side of your face or simultaneously.

One reviewer wrote: "Wow! This is such an awesome product. I have had TMJ issues for most of my life, but a few months ago I started experiencing popping and extreme pain in my jaw from grinding my teeth. I grind my teeth when I'm awake and stressed, but the dentist insisted I should get a night guard that cost $500! He also recommended doing warm compresses and I discovered this wonderful wrap. There has been such a difference for my jaw since using this that I'm extremely grateful for it."

best heating pads lot fancy face
best heating pads lot fancy face

Best for Feet: Doneco King Size Heating Pad

Perfect Ratings: 1,300+

Whether you're looking to relieve aching feet or just wanting to keep your tootsies warm, this heating pad acts as basically a giant foot warmer thanks to a built-in pocket— but it's still large enough to cover other body parts, like your back. Choose between four temperature settings and curl up with it on the couch on a cold winter night. You can also take it to bed, where the automated shut-off stops the pad from heating up after two hours. (Related: The Best Foot Massagers, According to Customer Reviews)

"This is the BEST heating pad EVER. This Doneco is soft and warm and works so well, let me tell you why! I get horrible cramps every month during my cycle so heating pads have been a staple in my life for a while. This heating pad caught my eye because it's foot pocket! (I get cold feet too!) The first time I used the pad, it was for some muscle pain and it felt like I was using a warm soft cloud and my muscle pain melted away. I would recommend this Doneco heating pad to anyone!" raved a buyer.

best heating pad doneco feet
best heating pad doneco feet

Best for Joint Pain: Sunbeam Flexfit Heating Pad Wrap

Perfect Ratings: 2,000+

This heating pad is perfect for joint pain since it's designed to directly wrap around problem areas. The flexible shape easily contours around ankles, elbows, wrists, and other hard-to-reach spots — and secures in place with elastic ends. It comes with three heat settings and a two-hour auto shut-off, as well as an optional steam heat setting (aka where you spray the fabric with water for even deeper heat penetration.)

"I suffer from severe arthritis as well as very bad joints," wrote a customer. "Right now I am dealing with tennis elbow for the second time in two years and a strained rotator cuff both on the right side. This makes it hard to sleep. Basic heating pads weren't cutting it… So far I'm loving it and super happy with my purchase. Heats up really well and wraps nice and tight."

best heating pad sunbeam joint pain
best heating pad sunbeam joint pain

Best for Cramps: Yeamon Cordless Heating Pad

Perfect Ratings: 1,500+

When it's ~that time of the month~, strap this heating pad around your waist to help manage and relieve menstrual cramps. It has adjustable straps for a comfy fit, as well as three heat settings for a personalized treatment. Plus, it's wireless (read: portable) and discreet enough to wear underneath clothing, so you can even use the heating pad at the office.

"This product has saved my life. I have endometriosis and my cramps can be so bad that I just lay curled around my body pillow and cry. The pulsating from it is amazing and so much more than I expected," said a shopper.

Yeamon Cordless Heating Pad in pink
Yeamon Cordless Heating Pad in pink

Best Microwavable: Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap

Perfect Ratings: 7,100+

This heating pad has convenient straps on the ends so that it can be held, stretched, or really contoured to whatever part of your body needs pain relief. As an added bonus, it's filled with natural grains and flowers, which provides aromatherapy when it's heated up in the microwave. Finally, the design also works with an ice pack, just in case you want to repurpose it in the hot summer months.

"Honestly, I thought it was pretty stupid and worthless but I needed something for my aching neck so I thought I would give it a try. Holy!! Did that stupid thing help! I came home from my trip and jumped on Amazon to find this awesome-ness. I don't know why it works better on my neck pain than a heating pad... Maybe it's because the heat is also on the side vs. just the back? It just works. No wires. I pop this in the microwave for 1.5 mins and BAM. Instant relief," commented a shopper..

best heating pad carex
best heating pad carex

Best Mattress Pad: Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad

Perfect Ratings: 11,000+

Made to fit a queen mattress (read: mattresses up to 18-inches deep), this heating bed pad has a 10-hour auto shut-off and features 10 different heat settings, so that you can truly tailor it to your tastes. One reviewer, who suffers from chronic nerve pain (specifically leg pain), noted how much they loved the dual controls, which allow them to reap the benefits of the warming pad without overheating their husband. (FYI, these are the best mattresses for back pain, according to chiropractors.)

"This mattress pad is fantastic," wrote another shopper. "It keeps me warm at night, which makes me more comfortable. It also lets us save on heating costs by making our bed a nice little nest. There are several heat settings, allowing me to get the temperature just right. Best of all, there are dual controls, so I can get toasty without overheating my husband."

best heating pad bed
best heating pad bed