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Ease your aches and pains with targeted heat therapy.

Whether you’re suffering from tight muscles, an aching back, or you just need to relax after a tough day at work, there’s a lot to be said for the muscle-relaxing and stress-relieving benefits of heat therapy. And the good news is, heating pads are an inexpensive and effective way to deliver the benefits you’re craving. Plus, the best heating pads on the market today have come a long way from your mom’s old pink-flowered number you used back in the ’80s. Today’s heating pads have features like auto-shutoff, extra-long cords, multiple heat settings, remote controls, and even battery packs for cordless heating.

“Heat applied to the body causes vasodilation, meaning the blood vessels widen, allowing more blood to enter the area,” says Dr. Theresa Marko, D.P.T. and owner of Marko Physical Therapy in New York City. “This also relaxes the muscles and it feels soothing to people.” That said, there are instances where heating pads can be helpful, and instances where they may not be the best tool for pain relief. “In general, heat is recommended for areas where the muscles are tight or aggravated. If someone has a strained muscle after performing an activity, like the back or the calf, heat is a great tool to use,” Marko advises. That said, she adds that sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a muscle strain and a more serious problem, particularly when the pain is in the back. So if pain persists for three days, it’s best to consult a doctor or physical therapist.

To that end, Dr. Megan Daley, P.T., D.P.T., and founder and clinician at Move On The Daley also points out that if you are experiencing a “major acute muscle injury or fracture, like a torn muscle,” that’s not the time to use heat. Increasing blood flow to an area in instances like this can cause the injury to swell and inflame more, which isn’t what you want in the immediate aftermath of an injury. “Also, heat isn”t advised for an open wound or someone with a bleeding disorder. Or if you have impaired sensation in the area, so you can't really feel heat, then we shouldn't put something hot on the area since you wouldn't be able to get the feedback from your body if it’s burning you.”

So, aches, pains, muscle soreness, muscle cramps, or a pulled or tight muscle are when it’s best to pull out the heating pad. And if it’s been a few days after an injury? It’s your call. “I often get asked whether to use heat or ice after the first 48-hours post-injury, and my answer is this: If you want to do one, then whatever you feel like is really going to help is the one to do. Is it going to be the thing that makes a difference? No. But as a general rule, if someone really believes something is going to help them get better, then it will help them get better. It may be a placebo, but that’s okay as long as it’s not doing harm,” Daley says.

We consulted Dr. Theresa Marko, D.P.T,. and Dr. Megan Daley, D.P.T. to determine the best features to look for when choosing a heating bad. We also analyzed ratings and reviews from third-party vendor sites like Amazon to assess product feedback from real users.

With more than 60,000 customer reviews on Amazon, the PureRelief XL Heating Pad from Pure Enrichment maintains an impressive 4.5 star average with customers raving about the product's fast-heating element and good customer service. The large, 12x24-inch heating pad heats up within seconds, has a 2-hour automatic shut-off for safety, and has a 9-foot cord to make it easy to use, even if you're not right next to a power outlet. It also offers six different heat settings, the option to use dry or moist heat, and a soft, machine-washable cover for ultimate comfort. And, if your product happens to stop working, it comes with an industry-leading 5-year, so you should have no problem getting it replaced.

Another highly rated and reviewed heating pad, this popular model from Sunbeam averages a 4.5 star rating with more than 35,000 Amazon reviews. At 12x15-inches, it's not as large as some heating pads, but it’s also sufficient for targeting the abdomen, low back, thighs, or shoulders. It also comes with a 9-foot cord, three heat settings, the option for moist or dry heat, and a washable cover. It may not come with every feature available on more expensive models, but for its quality, reputation, and price? It's hard to beat the value.

Bigger may not always mean better, but when you take one of the most popular heating pads available on the market, and offer it in a bigger size? You end up with a product that's worth adding to your shopping list. The PureRelief XXL Electric Heating Pad takes all of the features found in the XL version (our Best Overall option), and includes them in a pad that's an impressive 20x24-inches in size. So if you want to target your entire back, both thighs at the same time, or you feel like wrapping a heating pad around your shoulders, this oversized number can do the trick.

As nice as it would be to just lie in bed all day when you’re suffering from menstrual cramps, that's rarely life's reality. Fortunately, with ThermaCare’s adhesive pain relief patches, you get to enjoy a personal, portable heating “pad” while on-the-go. Each of these single-use patches offers eight hours of cramp-soothing heat and they adhere to your underwear to stay secure and in place all day long.

Pain and discomfort aren’t always limited to the abdomen or low back. When your knees or elbows are feeling achey, a standard, rectangular heating pad doesn't always do the trick. The Sunbeam Heating Pad Wrap is designed to be secured around the knees or elbows to deliver heat directly to these larger, bendable joints. This means you can enjoy the heat without having to hold the pad in place. This heating pad features three heat settings, a 2-hour auto-shutoff, and a long, 9-foot power cord. Plus, the wrap comes with a removable cold pack which you can use to provide cold therapy, too.

Most heating pads can be used on the abdomen or low back if you’re just lounging around, but if you need to sit at a desk, or if you need to move around, it can be a pain to hold a heating pad in place. The PureRelief Lumbar & Abdominal Heating Pad functions like a belt with two adjustable straps so you can secure it in place. It features four heat settings and comes with a detachable LED controller with a 2-hour auto-shutoff for safety. The cover is a soft, machine-washable fabric, and the product includes a removable gel cold pack for those days when you’d prefer cold therapy to hot.

When you wake up with neck pain, what you need is a heating pad that you can wear while taking care of all your morning needs. The Hot Cherry Neck Wrap is a lightweight, microwaveable pillow filled with clean, dried cherry pits. The cherry pits heat up and retain their heat after been warmed in the microwave, so you can simply wrap the pillow around your neck and wear it as you make breakfast, run errands, or sit at your desk. The pillow is also machine washable and the cover is made of unbleached, pre-washed natural denim. You can also pop the wrap in the freezer and use it as a cold pack, instead.

Sometimes you want your heating pad to nicely conform to your body without requiring you to hold the edges down. The benefit of a weighted pad, like this GOQO TOMO Weighted Heating Pad is that the edges are filled with weighted beads so that it naturally drapes over your body and stays in place. Aside from the weighted edges, it can also be used for moist or dry heat therapy, can heat up in just 20 seconds, has three different heat settings, an extra-long 11-foot power cord, and a 2-hour auto-shutoff for safety. This pad also has more than 3,000 reviews and holds a 4.4 star rating on Amazon.

Setting microwaveable heating pads aside (which can be great, but don’t allow for sustained heat), almost all of the best heating pads on the market require you be connected to an electrical outlet. Even with the advent of extra-long cords, this can hamper your ability to move around, limiting when and how you use your heating pad. Fortunately, the Sunbeam GoHeat Cordless Heating Pad offers a great solution...a battery-powered heated waist belt. The rechargeable battery can be used for up to four hours when on the low-heat setting, providing long-term relief, even when driving, at the office, or attending your kids’ extra-curriculars. Plus, with over 2,000 reviews and a 4.3 star rating on Amazon, it's clear that it measures up to other heating pads on the market.

Another great option when you don’t want to be attached to a cord while enjoying a heating pad, are microwaveable pads. These are especially handy when you want to lie down to fall asleep with a heating pad, as you don’t have to worry about potential burns or safety concerns. The UNCN Wide Microwave Heating Pad is a good-sized 15x9-inches and is filled with a combination of dried seeds and clay beads, offering a slightly-weighted pad that conforms to your body while providing a deep-penetrating moist heat. The pad only stays hot for about 10-12 minutes after being heated in the microwave, so it’s not ideal for longer heat-therapy sessions, but is a good option when you’re looking for short-term relief.

When your body just feels sore and tired all over, the standard-sized heating pad (or even an oversized one) may not do the trick. For those days when you need to give your whole body some TLC, consider the Snailax Memory Foam Massage Mat with Heat. This nearly 6-foot long mat features all-over heat and massage capabilities built into a memory foam-based pad for added comfort. The mat is flexible, easily conforming to a couch or chair, and the heating and massage functions can be used together or separately.

For the most part, heating pads used on a low setting can be safe for kids if they’re feeling a little achy, but how much better to pull out a kid-friendly heating pad to help put a smile on your sweet child’s face? This adorable Thermal-Aid Mini Baxter Bunny is a microwaveable and freezable stuffed bunny that can be used for hot or cold therapy. The stuffed animal is filled with patented mold-resistant corn that retains heat for up to 45 minutes and can be hand washed after use. And because this product was developed by doctors with medical-grade materials, it's also eligible for most FSAs.

If your kid isn't a big fan of bunnies, the brand has a whole “zoo” and “mini zoo” of animals to choose from in two different sizes, including bears, koalas, and pigs.