The Best Weighted Heating Pads

Buying Guide for Weighted Heating Pads

Why should you buy a weighted heating pad?

As a combination of heating pads and weighted blankets, weighted heating pads can bring relief for a variety of physical ailments in addition to emotional stresses. Some people use them to relieve monthly menstrual cramps, while others use them while working at their desks to soothe their sore necks. Others simply appreciate the calming warmth and embrace they provide while relaxing on the couch. The gentle weight allows the heating pad to stay in place while also providing pressure to amplify relief.

What should you consider when purchasing a weighted heating pad?

• Temperature: Different heating pads reach different temperatures and have a variety of heat ranges. While some have as little as two settings, others have nearly 10 heat settings to allow for a wide range of heat therapy for various concerns. On a delicate area like your forehead, a gentler temperature will be better. For relieving deeper muscle pain, a higher temperature will likely provide better relief.
• Shape & Positioning: Most heating pads come in a rectangular shape in a variety of sizes. This is a versatile shape to bring relief to a variety of ailments on the body, especially with pads that are flexible. Other weighted heating pads can be wrapped around the body and secured, making it possible to wear them while doing other activities like working at a desk.

How do you care for a weighted heating pad?

After disconnecting the cord, most weighted heating pads are able to be washed in a washing machine. Some models require them to be hand washed or spot treated. Others have a removable cover that can be washed however you prefer.

Our Picks for the Best Weighted Heating Pads

Pros: This heating pad has three different temperatures, allowing you to get the relief you need. A simple touch control helps you change from low, medium, and high heat settings while you relax. This 32- by 21-inch weighted heating pad comes with a zipper storage pouch for the adapter so that you don’t have to tote around the loose cord. High-quality glass beads provide BPA-, lead-, and phthalate-free pressure to reduce anxiety or physical discomfort while promoting relaxation. This premium quilted micro-mink pad is protected with an automatic 60-minute shut-off feature, so the pad won’t overheat and cause damage.

Cons: Many users feel that the high setting of 131 degrees is not as hot as they wanted it to be. For those looking for even more heat, you might want a different product. The beads are sewn into pockets but still slide around and pool in certain areas.

Bottom Line: This heating pad provides gentle weight that helps it conform to your body and stay put so that you can spend more time relaxing and less time adjusting.

 

Pros: This heating pad is designed to cover your neck, shoulders, and back with warmth to relieve soreness or fatigue. It heats between 100 and 150 degrees, with six different heat settings and three different timer options. The timer works for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 90 minutes. The weighted shoulder pads and snap closures keep the heated wrap in place while you’re sitting, lying down, or standing. As long as you disconnect the plug before washing, you can hand or machine wash your heated wrap to keep it clean.

Cons: This heated wrap is only weighted at the shoulders. The neck area doesn’t get as warm as the rest of the heating wrap.

Bottom Line: This is a great option for those looking for a neck, shoulder, and back heating pad they can wear while doing other things. While the weight is not throughout the entire product, its placement helps the wrap stay in place.

 

Pros: The weighted heating pad is a gentle 2.2 pounds of glass beads with nine different heat settings, so you can find which level is best for your needs. It’s helpful that this pad comes with a memory function that remembers your favorite heat setting so that you don’t have to. This weighted heating pad also has 11 different timer settings, featuring much longer durations (even up to nine hours), so you can keep heat lasting all night long without a second thought. After detaching the cord, you can hand or machine wash this heating pad.

Cons: Even with nine heat settings, some users didn’t feel like it got hot enough. This weighted heating pad is also smaller, meaning that if you have a large area you want to cover with a heating pad, you would have to move it around.

Bottom Line: If you have a smaller area that would benefit from gentle weighted heat relief, this is a good option. The nine heat settings and 11 timer settings make it extremely customizable for quick relief or all-night comfort, depending on your needs.

 

Pros: This weighted heating pad weighs 2.2 pounds thanks to evenly distributed glass beads. It has nine heat settings and five timer settings ranging from 30 minutes to eight hours. Its memory function keeps track of your favorite heat and time settings, so you don’t have to remember or set that detail before every use. You can spritz this heating pad with water for moist heat relief. After detaching the controller, you can hand or machine wash the pad.

Cons: The display for the control is difficult to read.

Bottom Line: The gentle weight of this heating pad and ease of folding into smaller areas of the body make this a wonderful option. The nine different heat levels also accommodate sensitive pain management as well as higher heat settings for those with greater tolerance.

 

Pros: Within 20 seconds, your heating pad can be ready to give you relief where you need it. Choose between three heat settings to find the most comfortable one for you. This heating pad weighs 1.6 pounds for very gentle heated relief. The edges are weighted to keep the pad in place but they still allow for flexibility. There is an automatic shut-off after two hours. You can spritz the heating pad with water for moist heat and deeper relief.

Cons: This is on the lighter side of weighted heating pads as the edges only have weight added. There are only three heat settings.

Bottom Line: This is a straightforward heating pad that allows for customized heating temps without giving you too many options. The automatic shutoff at two hours is a good safety feature, but with a quick click of a button, you can get your heat right back on.

Final Thoughts

Weighted heating pads are helpful for pain relief, reducing anxiety, or just relaxing at the end of a busy day. With different options in weight, size, and heating levels, you’ll be able to find one that works well for your particular needs.