The 5 best heating pads in 2024
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James Bricknell Chief editor
James has been writing about technology for years, but has been a tech enthusiast since the early 90s. While his main areas of expertise are maker tools — 3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters — he also enjoys playing board games and tabletop RPGs.
- 6 years professionally working in the 3D printing industry / 4 years testing consumer electronics for major websites.
Don’t be afraid of sleep
Sunbeam heating cushion for neck and shoulders
A good heating pad can make a world of difference for your sore muscles. Whether you’re getting older, have a demanding job, or spend hours sitting at a desk, some part of your body probably hurts when you’re done for the day. Lower back and hip pain are common complaints for those of us who sit all day — especially if we’re not using the best office chair we can. For some affordable and easy-to-use options to help alleviate that pain, we recommend opting for one of the best heating pads you can get.
Most heating pads relieve joint pain, neck pain, and back pain — or even help with arthritis and cramps. To be clear, if you have back pain and don’t know why, you should see your doctor. Trust me, you don’t want to leave random pain untreated for long.
Let’s take a look at what we can use to relieve the pressure.
This is a large heating pad that you can wrap around problem areas. I switched to this brand because of the more even heating (avoiding the hot and cold spots that plague electric heaters). The control panel lets you choose between automatic shut-off or continuous heat until you’re ready for a break. Plus, you can unplug the cord and throw the soft microfiber pad in the wash to freshen it up.
–Jessica Dolcourt
I suffer from an injury to my sciatic nerve that tends to flare up when I sit too much. When I work from home, I often find myself immersed in a project and not standing as much as I should, which leads to pain. When that happens, I know I need to pull out my handy Sunbeam heating pad that I’ve had for a few years.
It is super reliable and has multiple temperature settings to control how much heat it puts out. It comes in a few different sizes, but I chose one of the middle sizes to cover more of my back at once to help with my back pain. It has a fabric cover, which has stayed clean over the years that I have used it.
— Jared DiPane
During lockdown I bought one for myself to make working from bed more comfortable. Then I bought two more to give to people who didn’t know they needed them. Now I can’t live without this soft, wearable support.
–Jessica Dolcourt
I bought a Sunbeam heating pad because the most important feature for me in a heating pad is that it automatically turns off. I am good at taking a painkiller, putting a heating pad on and falling asleep. Not the safest way to live. So it is nice to know that my heating pad automatically turns off after two hours of use. This model fits well everywhere, spreads heat well and I don’t have to worry about it being unsafe because I fell asleep.
–Russell Holly
I really should spend some extra money and get a corded heated pad, but I don’t feel like I use it often enough to make it worth it. When I have back pain, I use my microwave pad to soothe it. Just pop it in the microwave and let it cool naturally on your body. The rice and flaxseed in it held the heat for about 10 minutes, which seemed to be long enough for my back to stop hurting. Your results may vary.
–James Bricknell
I’ve always suffered from periods of back pain, largely due to poor posture and sitting at computer desks. Since doing full-body strength and pilates workouts at home with Apple Fitness Plus, I’ve not only gotten fitter and healthier without the hassle of going to the gym, but my back pain is rarely an issue. A subscription will set you back $10 a month or $80 a year for up to five family members.
Read more: My Year with Apple Fitness Plus: Major Weight Loss at Home
–Andrew Lanxon
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.
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