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Who really has the time these days to head down to a spa and enjoy a good sauna or massage to relieve those tense muscles? Plus, it’s not like everyone is comfortable being in relatively tight spaces with strangers given the ongoing pandemic. So what’s another great way to alleviate stiff or sore muscles? Just get yourself a quality heating pad!
Heating pads have been around for the longest time in some shape or form and innovations in technology have made them infinitely more effective in recent years. From controllers that can help you manage temperature and time to the incorporation of semi-precious stones to bolster heating efficiency, modern models provide you with next-level relaxation.
But if you try looking up heating pads in any online marketplace, you’ll find a sea of different variants all claiming to be the best of the bunch. To help you figure out which ones really are worth your hard-earned cash, we’ve put together a list of the absolute greatest heating pads that can currently be bought in Australia.
The Best Heating Pads Available to Buy Today in Australia
1. UTK Far Infrared Natural Jade and Tourmaline Heating Pad
Why we like it:
- Incorporates jade and tourmaline
- Excellent heating
- Smart controller
What customers say:
“I like the design of the mat and the practical aspect of it. It’s an effective remedy (although not a permanent cure) for back pain and muscle cramp because it boosts circulation on joints and muscles which also relieves inflammation, and improves back stiffness. I purchase it mainly for relieving pain and reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in winter and cold season which is around May to August months..” – Martin T
The first item on our list is the UTK Far Infrared Natural Jade and Tourmaline Heating Pad – a model that utilizes the semi-precious stones jade and tourmaline to provide satisfying, long-lasting heat even after the device is powered down. You can expect a soothing and wonderfully effective experience all throughout.
It also comes with a smart controller that lets you effortlessly fiddle with the temperature setting, as well as set the timer, memory, and automatic shutdown functions. It works on a wide range of body parts as well, including your back, shoulders, abs, arms, legs, and more. Furthermore, if you’re curious about the legitimacy of the product, you can rest easy knowing that it’s FDA certified.
It’s not without its faults, however, as the device’s power cord is overly thick and heavy and the material the pad is made out of isn’t the most comfortable so you’ll want to cover it with a blanket of some sort. But if you can get past the few flaws, the UTK Far Infrared Natural Jade and Tourmaline Heating Pad has so much to offer to people who are dying to get rid of persistent muscle soreness.
2. Comfier Full Body Massage Mat with Heat-Back Massage Chair Pad
Why we like it:
- It’s a vibration massager
- Has an overheat protection system
- Super comfortable
What customers say:
“I suffer from lower back pain having fractured my back and lying on this mat for a minimum of 10 minutes is brilliant at easing any aches and soreness. It is so easy to use and the different massage options are wonderful for targeting specific areas. The heat function is wonderful just to lay on and feel toasty even without the massage feature turned on.” – emma heasman
Our second entry goes beyond just being a heating pad and also features a vibrating massage function that gently kneads those aching muscles for a more relaxing and satisfying experience. The Comfier Full Body Massage Mat with Heat-Back Massage Chair Pad is also more than just a mat, as it’s designed to fold up into a seated shape in case you want to use it on your favourite couch.
It’s made out of ultra-comfy soft plus to boot, so it’ll most likely lull you into a deep sleep while it’s working on your sore back, shoulders, and legs. It comes with various modes and intensities, all of which can be easily controlled from the included remote controller.
Some people might find the vibration feature to be a bit weaker than they’d like and there’s no option to configure the timer, but these are just some minor downsides in what is otherwise an amazing product. If you’re after a chair-style heating/massage pad, the Comfier Full Body Massage Mat with Heat-Back Massage Chair Pad certainly doesn’t disappoint.
3. BEURER Super Cosy Deluxe Heating Pad
Why we like it:
- Compact design
- Feels great
- Decent price
What customers say:
“This super cosy heat pad is a brilliant idea that has allowed me to keep warm and apply heat to my lower back reducing the pain. Applying it to my lower back each evening has certainly reduced my pain. This is a quality product that is soft when applied to the skin and comfortable. The product is easy to use with three simple temperature controls that produce a good amount of heat. It also takes very little time to heat up and is a handy size.” – Sheal00
Our third entry is simpler than the previous two but that definitely adds to its charm. The BEURER Super Cosy Deluxe Heating Pad is a portable offering that’s easy to take along on trips or to the office and it works a lot like a heated blanket that you can just throw across pretty much any body part.
It’s made out of breathable fabric that’s gentle on the skin and is completely washable in case you need to have it cleaned. The pod is exceedingly easy to use and features a handy little remote that you can use to shuffle between the three different temperature settings. It also includes a built-in auto-off feature that kicks in after about an hour and a half.
Bigger folks may not enjoy the compact size and the remote clicks a little louder than some would like. But if those things don’t bother you too much, then the BEURER Super Cosy Deluxe Heating Pad is an excellent pick for a portable heated pad.
4. Medical King Heat Pad
No products found.
The is another fairly small product that’s about the size of your average bathroom mat. It comes in a catchy bright red colourway and it’s easy to put on any part of your body to work on whatever is sore. It heats up really quickly so you won’t have to wait long for that soothing feeling and it’s small enough that it’s easy to bring along wherever you go.
The material it’s made out of is soft and comfy so you shouldn’t have any trouble sleeping with it on you and it automatically switches off after two hours in case you knock out while it’s still on. The remote control is simple enough to use as well, allowing you to switch between six different temperature modes and four timer settings.
Despite having six different temperature settings, it doesn’t get as hot as some people would prefer and the plug at the pillow end isn’t too secure. However, these are just some minor downsides that do little to take away from how great the really is.
5. Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder Pain
Why we like it:
- Cool colourway
- Weighted edges help keep it in place
- Washable and easy to care for
What customers say:
“I have arthritis in my neck and shoulder and also get leg cramps at night. This heating pad is very comfortable and really helps my neck and shoulder. It also works better than stiffer rectangular heating pads when I apply heat to get rid of the pain from the nighttime leg cramps. I own 2 of them and keep one by my bed and one in my TV room.” – Gemini
The final offering on our list is a more specialized product that goes to work on your shoulders, neck, and higher back. The Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder Pain has a fairly unique colourway, with its dark teal hue, and it kind of feels like a heavy sweater that you drape across your back and shoulders. The micromink material made out of is delightfully soft and pleasant on the skin and it’s fine to just throw it in the washer whenever it’s time to give it a clean.
One unique feature about it is that it features both moist and dry heating, in case you’d like to soak it a bit for a deeper warming experience. Just like the other entries on this list, this pad includes a remote that lets you flip between four heat settings and this one comes with an auto-shutdown mechanism that goes to work after two hours have passed.
Despite the magnets that are supposed to help effectively weigh the pad down on your shoulders, back, neck, it doesn’t feel quite that secure. It also might not get as hot as some people would prefer. Missteps aside, the Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder Pain is still an excellent option and one of the best specialized pads on the market.
How We Researched The Heating Pads
Our journey towards figuring out which heating pad models are indeed the best was pretty arduous. We started out by checking the most obvious places – e-commerce websites like eBay and Amazon. There we investigated the most popular products through their features and the feedback left by satisfied and disgruntled customers.
Next, we looked up insights from professional reviewers and specialized tech blogs to see what the experts had to say about the gizmos as well. From there, we started cutting items from the list one by one until we were left with the five finest heating pads anyone can buy.
We chose models to suit a variety of tastes and budgets, but rest assured that no matter which one you end up picking, they’re all quality products that are certain to meet and likely exceed your expectations.
Heating Pad: Buying Guide
Heating pads come in varying shapes and sizes, some of which are more specialized than others. You can see that some of the items on this list are meant for general purposes and can be used on a host of different body areas, while others were designed to target a specific region like your back and shoulders. It’s worth figuring out what you need the heating pad for so you can know the characteristics that you’d like to see in it.
Furthermore, it’s important that you become familiar with the different features commonly found in heating pads in general so you know that the model you selected is a quality one. To help you out with that, we’ve put together a quick buying guide to assist you in getting familiarized with the different aspects you should look for in a heating pad.
Intended use
The intended use of the model usually dictates its overall shape and size. For example, heating pads meant for just the shoulders and back are developed in such a way that they drape across your shoulders, neck and higher back like a jacket. The chair-type pads are designed for you to sit or lie down on. Multipurpose models look like mini blankets that you can use on a variety of body parts. That being said, you should know which body part you intend to use the heating pad on so that you can get the right design.
Portability
The size of a heating pad directly affects your ability to bring it around with you on trips or on your way to the office. So if you intend to purchase one for carrying around, then you’ll want to get one that’s on the smaller side and can easily be folded and placed in a bag.
Cleaning
These are heating pads, so you can expect to sweat on them quite a bit. That being said, you’ll probably be cleaning them fairly often to avoid any bad odours, so it’s important that you know if the fabric that the model you’re eyeing is easy to wash or clean. Some heating pads even allow you to simply chuck them into a washing machine and let it do most of the work.
Maximum heating
Some people enjoy high temperatures when it comes to heating pads and not all models are capable of living up to that. If you are one of these people, it’s crucial that you research how hot a model can go before committing to a purchase. That way, you won’t be disappointed once you get one and try it out for yourself.
Extra Features
While heating pads with super innovative features are few and far between, some of them come with extra characteristics that might tickle your fancy. For example, certain models include a vibration function so you can have a light massage to go along with your heating experience. It may not be as effective as a full-blown massager, but these kinds of extra features can be enough to sway you in the direction of a specific model.
You may also be interested in:
- The Best Leg Massagers for Better Blood Flow & Recovery
- The Best Foot Massagers For Relaxation & Recovery
- The Best Neck & Shoulder Massagers for Alleviating Stress & Strains
- The Best Foot Spas For Immediate Relief & Relaxation
- The Best Heated Blankets for Toasty Winter Nights
Last update on 2024-09-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
