Thanks to the energy crisis, we’ve never been more focused on finding cost-efficient ways to keep us warm over the winter months.
Sky-high prices means many of us will use central heating as a final resort, with plenty of other measures in place along the way to keep us warm and toasty.
First reserves against the chill include fluffy jumpers and woven blankets to curl up with on the sofa, then heaters and draught excluders, and high tog bed duvets and electric blankets to transform your bed into a puddle of warmth when you head to sleep.
A heat pad is another great way to warm up quickly and cheaply, while sparing you the faff of filling up a hot water bottle.
What is a heat pad?
It’s well-named, doing exactly what it says on the tin. An insulated pad that heats up using mains electricity or a portable power pack. Some are a basic rectangular shape that are perfect for warming up seats in chilly cars, while others are shaped to suit areas of the body - think u-shaped for around the neck and shoulders. They’re also a popular, drug-free solution to soothe period pain and cramps.
What are the benefits of a heat pad?
Aside from soothing tired muscles and helping with stomach cramps, heat pads offer a more efficient way to stay warm as they heat you, rather than the air in a whole house - a plus if you happen to live in a larger home with rooms that are often empty. This makes them undeniably cheaper to run than central heating or even a standalone heater as once you’ve had your fill of direct heat you can turn them off.
We’ve rounded up the best heat pads below to help make the cold weather season more comfortable.
See our favourites below
Dreamland Heated Multi Pad, Grey
This flat rectangular heat pad is the ultimate versatile warmer to see to a range of aches and ailments, from workout-sore muscles to period pain. It’s great for cuddling thanks to the soft velvet-like cover and with a five minute heat-up time, you won’t have to wait long to feel the warming benefits. Set it to the right level using five temperature settings and don’t worry about falling asleep with it on, as it has an auto shut-off timer.
Best of all, the company says it’s energy saving (when compared to the cost of running central heating all night) costing just a penny to run for three hours. Washing machine and tumble dryer safe.
Buy now £39.99, John Lewis
Urban Outfitters Huggable Ramen Cooling & Heating Pad
There’s nothing like comfort food to make you feel better when the weather outside is ghastly. While you can’t eat this happy bowl of ramen, you can still reap the healing effects without racking up your gas bills.
Stuffed with buckwheat grains and lavender, it just needs to be microwaved for a short time to load it up with heat, which it will slowly radiate to keep you cosy while you’re in bed or on the sofa. It can also be placed in the freezer to use as a cool pad in case of strains.
Buy now £19.00, UO
Beurer HK44 Soft Cosy Heat Pad
One of the leaders in its field, Beurer offers a range of warming solutions this winter. This pad may be shaped like a hot water bottle, but it’s a warm and cosy fleece-covered heat pad complete with illuminated controls and three temperature settings.
The 100W design features a BSS safety system and a removable controller which should be detached when you want to put it in the wash for a clean. The rapid heat up time means you can stay warm in bed, and never suffer the injustice of waking up to a cold hot water bottle in your bed again.
Buy now £37.99, Boots
Mia & Coco Electric Heating Pad for Back Neck and Shoulders Pain Relief
There’s no chance of Jack Frost nipping at your extremities when you’ve got this wearable heat pad on, which fits over the shoulders and around the neck, a bit like a cape. Plug in and wear to ward off chills and draughts or while you’re WFH in the winter.
It’s perfect for easing knots in tense shoulder, neck and back muscles, and there are three heat levels to use, with a top temperature of 78 degrees - so no chance of feeling cold with it running on top whack. No need to worry about overheating either; an automatic shut-off features triggers at 90 minutes for your safety.
Buy now £27.99, Amazon
Beurer Nordic Faux Fur Heat Pad
Cuddle, drape and sit on this faux fur-covered heat pad to keep the cold at bay. Measuring 60 x 30cm, the rectangular pad from Beurer offers three temperature levels to offer localised heat where you need it most. Remove the controls and you can sling it in the wash when it needs cleaning to keep it fresh. Comes with a three year guarantee from Lakeland.
Buy now £42.99, Lakeland
BEURER HK 55 Easyfix Heat Pad
Cold weather only exacerbates conditions like arthritis and it can be difficult to get comfortable when the mercury refuses to budge from measly single figures. Give yourself a helping hand and invest in this heat pad from Beurer, a versatile design which can be used flat or rolled and turned into a neck or knee heating pad by using the velcro straps. There are three heat settings to enjoy, operated with ease through the controller and it is machine washable too.
Buy now £44.99, Currys
Crystals Rechargeable Electric Hot Water Bottle Bed Hand Warmer Massaging Heat Pad Cozy
Say goodbye to the time and expense of filling up a hot water bottle thanks to this rechargeable design.
It can be used as a hand or lap warmer while you’re relaxing in front of the box, or left in bed to get it nice and warm on a cold winter’s night, taking around 12 min to reach a toasty 75 degrees.
The fact that it charges in as little as eight minutes and retains heat for up to six hours makes it a winter warming workhorse that’s easily transportable and offers heat when and wherever it’s needed.
Buy now £19.97, Amazon
Beurer TENS & Warmth Menstrual Pain Relief, EM50
Many people suffer from menstrual cramping at certain points of the month, and it can be debilitating and painful. This warming pad from Beurer administers very mild electrical impulses to block pain messages sent to the brain. The self-adhesive design is made to be worn against the skin and is discreet enough to wear under clothing. Engage the heat function to help relax cramping.
Buy now £69.99, Holland & Barrett
Urban Outfitters Huggable Uterus Cooling & Heating Pad
If you’re looking for comfort at a certain time of the month, reach for this adorable cooling and heat pad, shaped like a uterus. The plush pink design can be chilled or heated in the microwave to help ease aching and cramps.
Buy now £19.00, Urban Outfitters
Heated Scarf (USB Powered)
Cold breezes on the neck have a horrible tendency to trickle down to the rest of your body. Stop them in the first instance with this cosy heated scarf which is charged through a built-in USB cable to keep you snug on the move. There are three temperature levels: 40, 50 and 60 degrees ready to make your winter commute that much more comfortable.
Buy now £25.00, Boots
Stoov Ploov Wooly White Cushion
Whether in bed, on the sofa or at your desk, Stoov’s Ploov design is destined to become your cold weather BFF. The company’s cordless heated cushion is made with a 12-watt built-in infrared heating element that heats you up to 42 degrees - how’s that for toasty? A rechargeable 2600 mAh Li-ion battery keeps your choice of three temperatures up for up to six continuous hours and the label on the side acts double duty as a controller too. Available in a square shape and a medley of hygge-inducing colours. Machine washable.
Buy now £109.99, Stoov
