Heat is a great way to reduce pain and discomfort, which is why everyone should have a heat pillow in their home. Heat pillows are reusable pain-relief items that are simple to use. All you have to do is throw it in the microwave, and when you pull it out, you have a hot pad to place anywhere you like. Interested? Take a look at the heat pillows below.
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top 3 quick picks for the Best Heat Pillow
- KOYA Naturals Soft Velvet Flaxseed Pillow with Lavender
- Solayman Tech Microwavable Heat Pad & Eye Pillow
- SunnyBay Microwave Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulders
Criteria for Choosing the Best Heat Pillow
Heat pillows are quite simple, but there are a few important factors that determine whether they are an effective tool or a waste of money. Here are the reasons why the heat pillows on this list were chosen above others:
- Durability: Heat pillows have a filling and are often put in the microwave, so they need to be durable enough to endure all of that without quickly falling apart. It is especially important since the filling gets quite hot.
- Heat Retention: It is important that any heat pillow is able to retain heat to a certain degree. After all, if you have to microwave it every five minutes, you will not get much relaxing done.
- Material: All-natural materials are preferred, especially when it comes to fillings. However, any material that is effective can be used. Additionally, pillows that are made out of soft, comfortable material were chosen over other heat pillows.
There are plenty of other considerations that went into choosing heat pillows for this list, such as their scents and size. However, the above are the most important aspects that took precedence over the rest.
The 8 Best Heat Pillows
There are plenty of heat pillows out there, and they can differ greatly, from the material used on the outside to their fillings and scents. Moreover, the different sizes and designs can be more suitable for one area of the body over others, especially when it comes to neck heat pillows. You will find a variety of these pillows on the list below.
KOYA Naturals Soft Velvet Flaxseed Pillow with Lavender
If you want a soft pillow with a great scent, KOYA’s velvet flaxseed pillow with lavender should be one of your first choices. It is made with a soft material that is pleasant to the touch, and it is filled with flax seeds and dried lavender, which gives it a soothing scent that will help you relax just as much as the heat.
This pillow is also great if you want to freeze it, making it great for multiple types of relief. Moreover, because of the high-quality material, you can use it over and over without a problem. The size of this heat pillow is around 15 x 7.5 inches, which allows you to use it on almost any spot on your body for quick relief.
PROS
- It is made out of high-quality, soft material
- The flax seeds and lavender ensure a pleasant scent
- It can be heated or frozen as needed to provide relief
- The size makes it usable almost anywhere
CONS
- Some people find it to be a little heavy for use on the neck
Solayman Tech Microwavable Heat Pad & Eye Pillow
Solayman Tech has great heat pillows, and the set featured here comes with two. One of them is a larger pad, which is a great heat pillow for your neck or other large areas. The other is meant for your eyes. Both of them utilize high-quality flax seeds and real lavender buds, keeping away from processed material and cheap essential oils.
The eye pillow is made out of silk, while the heating pad is made out of soft fleece. Both materials are durable and comfortable against the skin, but the silk is delicate and can compress against your eyes easier. The eye pillow is also a great size for its purpose, coming in at around 8 x 4 inches, with the pad having dimensions of 14 x 5.5 inches.
PROS
- The set has two microwavable heating pillows meant for different purposes
- The material is soft and durable, feeling pleasant against skin
- There are only real lavender buds and flax seeds inside the pillows
- They are both the perfect size for what they are meant for
CONS
- The set is a bit expensive for what it is
- The lavender smell is subtle
SunnyBay Microwave Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulders
When it comes to quality, it is hard to beat SunnyBay. The brand provides a fantastic heat pillow that is made with flax seeds and fleece, so it is durable and soft. However, it is the attention to detail and design that make this heat pillow different, starting with the dimensions, which are around 26 x 5 inches.
The extra length of this heat pillow allows you to wrap it around your neck with ease, giving instant relief. Moreover, it can also be placed elsewhere, and it can utilize both heat and cold to provide comfort. This heat pillow is fantastic, and it comes at a great price. You can even get it in a variety of more than ten colors.
PROS
- The anti-pill fleece is soft and durable
- The length allows you to wrap it around your neck entirely
- It can utilize both heat and cold for satisfying relief
- There are many colors to choose between
CONS
- The design is centered on use on the neck
- The scent of the flax seeds by themselves can be jarring at first
Huggaroo Soothe, Unscented | Microwavable Heating Pad
When it comes to an unscented pillow that has some really unique points, Huggaroo’s microwavable heating pad is a great choice. Like the previous entry, it is extra long, reaching 28 inches in length with a width of around 6 inches. This oversized heating pillow can cover a lot of ground.
The size is not the only thing that stands out. One of the great parts about this heating pillow is the softness of the material, which allows you to use it anywhere without any discomfort. There are even velcro spots to keep it in place if you decide to use the pillow as a head and sinus wrap.
PROS
- The large size makes it a great choice if you want to heat a large area
- The material is soft and comfortable against skin
- There is no strong scent to worry about
- The velcro allows you to keep it in place if you use it as a head wrap
CONS
- The velcro can snag on other materials if you are not careful
Lalatextures Large Heating Pad
Lalatextures is a brand that allows for a good deal of customization, allowing you to choose the specifics of your microwavable heat pillow. It all starts with the scent, where you can choose one of four scents, such as lavender buds or peppermint, or go with an unscented pillow. There are then quite a few color choices available.
After choosing color and scent, you can go on to select a size. The heat pillows from Lalatextures start at 18 x 8 inches, but you can also choose a 21 x 11-inch pillow or a 20 x 16-inch pillow. Additionally, all of the heat pillows are filled with 100% flax seeds inside a muslin insert, which is placed in a soft, washable cover.
PROS
- There are multiple scents to choose from, including unscented
- The large sizes are great if you want to heat a large area
- It is filled with 100% flax seeds
- There is a soft, washable cover that is reusable
CONS
- It is a little expensive for what it is, especially the larger sizes
Huggaroo Weighted Cordless Heated Neck and Shoulder Wrap
Huggaroo makes more than one great heat pillow, with this design aimed at those who have neck and shoulder pain. The unique design is 18 x 14 inches, and it has a 3.5-inch collar, allowing it to send heat to all of the important areas all at once. Moreover, along with the weight, the design ensures it stays in place to deliver powerful relief.
This heat pillow also offers lavender aromatherapy. It is filled with clay beads, flaxseed, lavender, peppermint, chamomile, and lemongrass, so you will feel calm and relaxed while wearing it. If you prefer unscented, that is an option as well. Either way, you get a fantastic heat wrap made out of soft polyester that you will absolutely love.
PROS
- The design makes it a great choice for neck and shoulder pain
- The weight and design allow you to move around without it falling off
- The pleasant aromatherapy helps you relax
- It is made out of soft, durable material
CONS
- The scent can be quite strong
SacksyThyme Microwave Heating Pad
If you are looking for a heat pillow with a fantastic smell, SacksyThyme has exactly the one you want. This 13 x 7.5-inch heat pillow is full of a special herbal blend that smells great and helps you calm down and relax. It is also double stitched for durability and includes a sewn-in chamber that makes sure that everything inside stays in place.
This pillow also stands out for its solid heat retention, which is due to the all-natural filler that includes flax seeds and cherry pits. All you have to do is heat it up for around 90 seconds, and you are good to go. It can even be used for cold therapy. So if you want a heat pillow that retains heat and smells great, check out the one featured here.
PROS
- It has a great smell that helps you calm down and relax
- The size is great for multiple spots on the body
- The filler is all-natural cherry pits and flax seeds
- It works for both hot and cold therapy
- There are multiple colors available
CONS
- The size does not lend itself to the neck area as well as some others
GAMAGO Sloth Heating Pad Huggable
The final heat pillow on this list comes from GAMAGO, and it is a unique take on a heat pillow in the sense that it looks more like a stuffed animal than something that might bring you relief. However, adorable design aside, this heat pillow can do everything the others can.
This pillow is soft and cuddly, but it also has a fantastic lavender scent to soothe exhaustion or anxiety. Moreover, the buckwheat filling heats up nicely, making it a great companion if you have cramps or aches. The sloth featured here is 11 x 8.5 inches, though there are a lot of different huggable to love.
PROS
- The look of this heat pillow is adorable
- The material is soft and pleasant against skin
- There is a nice lavender scent
- It can be heated up in the microwave or cooled in the freezer
CONS
- The buckwheat filler does not retain heat as well as some other options
How to Shop for the Best Heat Pillow
There are a lot of heat pillows out there, but you can narrow things down considerably if you keep a few key things in mind. Of course, a great place to start is where you plan on using it since that will impact what size and design work for you. Some other things to consider are:
- Scent: The smell of a heat pillow can be a big deal, especially if you plan to use it on your neck or somewhere close to your face. Therefore, if you are sensitive to strong scents, you will want to find something mild or go with an unscented pillow.
- Filling: Some fillings retain heat better than others, so you should keep an eye out for what is inside the heat pillow. A popular choice is flax seeds, but cherry pits, rice, buckwheat, and other fillings are often seen.
- Material: If you plan on putting the heat pillow against your bare skin, you will want something soft and pleasant to the touch. However, for certain areas, such as the eyes, you might want something like silk over fleece or polyester.
Additionally, you should make sure the size fits your needs and size. Someone with a bigger neck might need a longer heat pillow, especially if you want to wrap it comfortably and not have it fall off.
In Conclusion
Heat pillows are incredibly soothing, and they can help relieve pain and soreness as well. Moreover, they are reusable and often come with a pleasant scent that helps you relax further. Just make sure that you get one that is suitable for the area you are looking to relieve.
Other Products You May Need
We hope you enjoy these products! But keep in mind, Grit Daily might take a small commission on the items recommended here—but that doesn’t mean we don’t believe in them. We only recommend products that we would buy or use ourselves, so don’t be wary of our suggestions.
