After a long day of working at a desk (often not in the best office chairs), a hard workout or spending a busy day on your feet, muscle aches and back pain can make it difficult to relax and unwind -- or even sleep at night. A heating pad can act as a simple, effective solution for easing tension and soothing sore muscles.
Our Picks
Many CNET staff members are avid fans of heating pads and have shared their go-to recommendations below. We’ve rounded up a mix of options, from budget-friendly microwavable pads to electric heating pads with features like multiple heat settings, even heat distribution, automatic shutoff timers and machine-washable covers.
Heating pads can provide welcome relief for various types of discomfort, from joint and neck pain to arthritis and menstrual cramps. However, if you're experiencing unexplained back pain, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. It's never a good idea to ignore ongoing pain that doesn't improve.
That being said, let's have a look at the best heating pads to relieve pain and muscle soreness.
This is a large heating pad you can wrap around problem spots. I switched to this brand for its more even heating (avoiding hot and cold spots that trouble electric heaters). The control pad lets you choose auto-shutoff or sustained heat until you're ready for a break. Plus, you can disconnect the cord and toss the soft microfiber pad into the wash to freshen it up.
-- Jessica Dolcourt
I suffer from an injury to my sciatic nerve that just loves to flare up when I sit down too much. Working from home, I tend to find myself getting deeply involved in a project and not standing as often as I should, which leads to some pain. When this happens, I know I need to break out my handy Sunbeam heating pad that I've had for a few years now.
It's super reliable and has multiple temperature settings to control how much heat it lets off. It's available in a few different sizes, but I picked one of the middle sizes to cover more of my back at once to help relieve my back pain. It has a fabric pad cover, which has stayed clean for the years I've used it.
-- Jared DiPane
During lockdown, I bought one of these for myself to more comfortably work from bed. Then, I got two more to give as gifts to people who didn't know they needed them. Now I can't live without this cushy, portable support.
-- Jessica Dolcourt
I grabbed a Sunbeam heating pad because the most important feature of a heating pad, for me, is the ability to shut off automatically. I'm good at taking a painkiller, putting a heating pad on and falling asleep. Not the safest way to live. So it's nice to know my heating pad will turn off automatically after two hours of use. This model fits well everywhere, spreads heat out nicely and I don't have to worry about it being unsafe just because I've dozed off.
-- Russell Holly
I really should spend the extra money and get a corded heated pad, but I don't feel like I use it enough to be worthwhile. Whenever I get back pain, I use my microwavable pad to help soothe it. Just pop it into the microwave and let it naturally cool on your body. The rice and flaxseed inside it managed to hold the heat for around 10 minutes, which seemed to be long enough for my back to stop hurting. Your results may vary.
-- James Bricknell
