This dangerous practice was eventually replaced with a hot water bottle. A worthy successor I would say. Definitely beats waking up in flames. In addition to providing warmth, another benefit of hot water bottles was that the heat could be applied to specific parts of the body for therapeutic purposes.

Before the invention of the heating pads, people often used a bed warmer to keep themselves warm at night. This method consists of filling a metal pan with coal and tucking it between the sheets. That does not sound very safe, now does it?

Taking that feature into today, we have modern heating pads that are good for both pain relief and warmth while also being much safer. Whether you are looking for a bed companion (even if you have a partner) or alleviation from discomfort, these are the top ones on the market!

Top 3 Heating Pads

​Buying Guide

What you look for depends on your needs. For instance, are you looking for the perfect heating pad for fibromyalgia or just the best electric heating pad?

Types of Heating Pads

While the term is often used to encompass all the types that we will discuss, it is important to know and understand the differences between them. They all have strengths and weaknesses that one should know about before making an investment.

Chemical Heating Pads

Chemical variations are often in the form of disposable packets. These types of heating pads can be categorized even further based on the chemicals they are composed of. However, the general idea is that the user will start a chemical reaction that will generate heat for a couple of hours and then dissipate, meaning you'll have to keep buying them.

Chemical pads are convenient for occasional use but other forms (non-disposable) of heating pads would be more well suited for frequent treatment since they can be used multiple times.

Microwaveable

Microwaveable heating pads are made of flannel fabrics and are filled with grains such as rice, buckwheat, or beans. As their name suggests, these can be heated using a microwave. The grains inside the pad acts as an insulator and keeps the pad warm.

Microwaveable options have an added benefit over chemical heating pads in that they can be reused. Furthermore, these heating pads can be constructed as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project from materials found around the house.

Electric Heating Pads

Electric heating pads are mostly made out of electric coils wrapped inside a flexible pad. These types of pads are plugged into an outlet and the temperature can often be controlled via a remote or dial. Furthermore, electric pads are able to distribute the heat more evenly over its surface area when compared to the other types of heating pads.

Another benefit of electric is that they usually have an automatic shut-off timer feature. This can prevent burns from prolonged use, especially if you use it when sleeping. Moreover, some electric heating pads come with washable covers.

Moist vs. Dry

Within each of the aforementioned types, there is the option of moist heat or dry heat (sometimes both). This choice is mostly a preferential decision for most consumers.

Most users say that dry heat feels more comfortable and is easier to set up. On the other hand, others state that moist heat is better at easing pain and soreness. However, moist heating pads requires the user to damp a sponge and insert it into the pad before operation.

The Benefits of Heating Pads for Pain

Most people think that the heat help alleviate pain. This is certainly correct but then the question is: why does heat act as a pain reliever?

In h﻿﻿is article, Vert Mooney focuses on how heat therapy helps with lower back pain but the explanations can be translated to cover other bodily aches as well. Vert Mooney states that “[h]eat therapy dilates the blood vessels of the muscles” and “[t]his process increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the damaged tissue”.

The Live Science Staff over at Live Science discovered that heat deactivates pain at a molecular level. They debunked the myth that heat just provides comfort and seemingly alleviates pain through a placebo effect. According to the staff, a heat receptor called TRPV1 can block P2X3 pain receptors.

For even more information on the positive benefits of heating pads, check out the the article Treating Pain with Heat, The Complete Guide by Paul Ingraham of Pain Science!

Best Heating Pads

Do not worry if this all sounds confusing, continue to our reviews to see our picks for top rated heating pads!