Heating pad – test & expert guide

Testing heating pads for the back, neck and shoulders. Read my experiences and what you should consider before buying in this comprehensive buying guide.

With an electric heating pad, for example, you can warm up your bed or seat quickly and easily.

The warmth helps to relieve many painful symptoms of illness and to create a pleasantly warm atmosphere for the body.

  • There are different types of heating pads, for example for the neck or back.
  • The pillows have different settings and the range of functions varied.
  • Please note some safety aspects so that you can use the pillow without risk.

So there are many very different heating pads on the market.

I once dealt with the topic in detail and put together this overview of the best heating pads for you. Here you are guaranteed to find the heating pad that is right for you.

Among other things, this post deals with the following topics:

As you can see, the subject is quite complex. I sincerely hope this post is of some help in finding the best heating pad.

If you’re just looking for a quick recommendation for a versatile heating pad, I recommend this model:

 

What is a heating pad?

Most heating pads available today are electric and contain a heat source that continuously radiates constant heat.

The heating pads also have a temperature selector with different heat levels and an automatic switch-off that automatically switches off the heating pad after a certain time.

Whether you need a heating pad with many temperatures and other functions, or whether a simple electric heating pad is sufficient, depends entirely on your individual situation and the planned application.

History of heating pads

Heating pads have been around for many decades and technology has steadily improved over the years. At first there were bed pans that were filled with hot coal from the oven and then put into bed.

The classic hot water bottles made of rubber, which were filled with warm water, were added later.

Unfortunately, both variants cooled down significantly after a short time. In addition, there was a risk of burns with the coal bedpans.

Thanks to the electrical control, modern heating pads can maintain constant heat for an indefinite period of time. So it’s no wonder that the electric heating pads have quickly replaced the classic hot water bottles.

Difference between heating pads and heating pads

In addition to the heating pads, which usually work electrically, there are also so-called heating pads.

Heat cushions are cushions that you have to warm up in the oven or microwave, for example.

 

Typical heat pillows contain cherry stones or gel fillings. The stored heat is radiated from the heat cushion, over time it cools down and loses its warming function.

What can you use heating pads for?

There are two main areas of application for heating pads:

  • As a pure heat source.
  • For pain relief.

I will explain the differences to you below.

Heating pad as a heat source

People who are sensitive to the cold often use a heating pad, for example to warm up the bed before going to bed or to create a warmer environment on the sofa while watching TV.

Electric heat sources are particularly widespread in households without heating.

Since not many technical requirements are required for this application, the selection of simple heating pads is correspondingly large.

In my recommendations below, you will also find simple heating pads at low prices that are perfect as a pure heat source.

Heating pad for pain relief

If you are looking for a heating pad that will help you relieve pain in certain areas of the body, you should make sure to buy a heating pad with more extensive functions.

 

There are special neck heating pads, heating pads for the vertebral area, shoulder heating pads or large heating pads for the whole body that you can sleep on at night.

Depending on which symptoms you suffer from, it is important to choose the right heating pad for you.

Important properties of heating pads

Modern heating pads can have different functions depending on the model and area of ​​application.

 

Here I introduce you to the most useful and widely used functions of heating pads:

Temperature switch

You can use the temperature switch to set the most comfortable temperature for you. There are heating pads with two temperatures and those with up to ten setting options.

Automatic switch-off

The automatic switch-off is a practical function if you only want heat for a certain period of time.

On some models with an automatic switch-off, you can set when the heating pad should switch off. Some heating pads also always switch off automatically after a fixed period of time.

Overheating protection

Most modern heating pads have a fuse that switches off the device in the event of overheating.

This function is very important and prevents accidents with your heating pad. I would strongly advise you to only buy devices with overheating protection.

lighting

Since many people use your heating pad at night, it is important to be able to recognize the setting options available at night as well.

Heating pad with battery or cable

In addition to heating pads with cables that you plug directly into a socket, there are also battery heating pads. With this variant, the heating pad battery must be charged for the pad to work.

A great advantage is that you can use a heating pad with a rechargeable battery anywhere without having to rely on a nearby socket or a sufficient length of cable.

Depending on which variant you choose, you should consider the following when purchasing:

  • Cable length: If the power cable is too short, you are not flexible.
  • Battery: Pay attention to how long the battery lasts in operation.

Personally, I therefore find heating pads with a battery very practical, provided the battery lasts a long time.

Durability and care

The cover of your heating pad should always be removable and washable. This means you can use it for a long time and it remains hygienic.

Security aspects

Since you are using a heating pad close to your body, it is extremely important that it complies with all necessary safety regulations.

 

Especially during sleep can lead to perspiration come or in the elderly also to unwanted urine leakage. A heating pad must be processed in such a way that liquids in the electronics do not cause short circuits.

In addition, the heating wires must be protected against breakage and corrosion and at the same time be very flexible in order to adapt to your body as best as possible.

Tip: When buying heating pads, look out for the European Union safety symbols. Be careful with untested devices from the Far East. If you save money here at the wrong end, you are taking unnecessary risks.

Test reports on heating pads such as the Stiftung Warentest Heizkissen Test are good sources of information to check which are the safest devices on the market.

Security seal of approval at a glance

When buying a heating pad, always pay attention to the following seals of approval.

 

  • CE: Approved for the European market.
  • TÜV: Tested by the Technical Monitoring Association.
  • VDE: Tested by the Association of Electrical, Electronics and Information Technology.
  • GS: European seal of approval for “tested safety” in accordance with current EU standards.

This ensures that you can use your heating pad without any risk.

Overview of heating pads – models and recommendations

Below I will introduce you to some of the most popular models and most widely used heating pads.

  • Large heating pads
  • Heating pads for the neck and shoulders
  • Heating pad for the back

These serve both to relieve pain and create a warm environment for your body.

Large heating pads

The large heating pads are characterized by the fact that they can be used for many different areas of the body. They are flat and flexible and have different functions.

Here are some very recommendable models:

Beurer heating pads

This Beurer heating pad offers three temperature levels and an automatic switch-off. In addition, the selector switch is illuminated and the cover is washable.

The size of 30 × 40 cm allows the pillow to be positioned on many parts of the body.

 

Medisana Wärmeunterbett

With the considerable size of 150 × 80 cm, this heating pad is the perfect underlay for your bed. The heating pad has two temperature settings and is ideal for anyone who wants to get into a warm bed.

XL Heizkissen

The size of 60 × 30 cm makes this heating pad a real all-rounder. You can also choose from six different degrees of warmth. The entire pillow is machine washable.

Neck and shoulder heating pads

The special heating pads for the shoulder and neck are characterized by the fact that they are perfectly shaped to provide the neck and shoulder area with warmth.

Many models can be put on like a short jacket and then stay in place without slipping.

Medisana neck and shoulder heating pads

A heating pad in an ergonomic shape that perfectly warms the neck and shoulder area of ​​your body. Six temperature settings always help to find the right warmth your body needs.

 

Beurer heating pad HK 54

This heating pad is also specially designed for the neck and shoulder region. A magnetic closure ensures a perfect fit and the soft material makes it easy to wear.

 

Back heating pad

In addition to the normal rectangular heating pads and those specially designed for the neck and shoulders, there are also large heating pads for the entire back.

Here I present the most recommendable models:

Omcor heating pads

This heating pad warms your back, shoulders and neck at the same time.

The size and the special design make this heating pad very versatile, either as a blanket that you can think of or as a conveniently portable heat source for the entire back area.

 

Promed Heizgürtel

The Promed heating belt is perfect for anyone looking for a heating pad for the lower back.

You can put the pillow on like a belt and warm the kidney area in a targeted manner.

 

Manufacturer

There is a very large selection of manufacturers of heating pads in online shops and specialist retailers.

You will find heating pads from brands such as Beurer, Bosch, Medisana, Silvercrest or Snugglesafe and even special heating pads that have been produced for supermarket or department store chains.

Among other things, I found an Aldi heating pad and a Tchibo heating pad during my research.

 

In principle, all heating pads that meet European safety standards can be classified as risk-free in daily use.

However, since there are always terrible news about house fires that were triggered by a no-name heating pad or a defective model, many prefer to use a well-known brand.

It is very important that you use a heating pad that has defects with extreme caution. Most accidents occur due to defective old equipment.

Check reviews for heating pads

If you want to get an impression of which manufacturers produce the most successful heating pads, I recommend reading the testimonials and reviews of other customers before buying.

In the relevant internet portals you will find a lot of helpful information from people who have already bought a similar product.

Since personal preferences also play a decisive role for most products, you should also read the reviews of the heating pads that I recommend.

You can find them by following the links to the individual pillows. The reviews will help you to find the best possible product for you.

Conclusion: Clarify in advance how you want to use your heating pad

If you’ve read the entire post, you’ll know how extensive and varied the selection of heating pads is.

 

The better you clarify in advance how you want to use your new heating pad and which functions are important to you, the easier it is to find the right heating pad.

Since even the highest quality heating pads are usually available for less than 50 euros, it is worth investing in quality.

  • Your heating pad should meet all technical safety requirements.
  • At the same time, it should be as convenient and practical as possible.

Since a good 80 percent of the heating pads sold serve to relieve pain and thus have a direct effect on your health, it is worthwhile to do your research in order to buy the best possible device.

In my heating pad recommendations you will find tips for every area of ​​application.

My personal favorite and heating pad all-rounder that is suitable for many:

 

More exciting articles on the topic:

If you enjoyed this article, please also take a look at the following posts which show you how to relieve pain after sleep:

I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.

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