A quality electric heating pad is safety-certified, quickly reaches and maintains desired temperatures, and is equipped with an auto-shutoff function as well as a machine-washable cover. The PureRelief ticks every box plus offers added comfort and conveniences such as a plush—but not excessively sweat-inducing—cover, six heat settings, a grip-friendly controller with a backlit display, and a storage bag. It’s also covered by a five-year warranty.
Runner-up
It has the same feel and features as our pick but is a bit pricier.
If the PureRelief is unavailable or jumps significantly in price, Sunbeam’s King Size XpressHeat is essentially the same heating pad (and appears to be made by the same manufacturer). Like our pick, this pad offers six levels of heat, a comfortable cover that can be machine-washed, and a backlit controller. The cover texture, plug, and controller shape are not as nice on the XpressHeat, though, and it sounds more “crinkly” when bent or adjusted, according to some testers. It’s a top-rated, best-selling product from Sunbeam, the most prominent heating pad brand in the US and, like our pick, is also warrantied for five years.
Also great
This flexible, microwaveable hot/cold pack has a unique hands-free wrap.
If you’d prefer a microwaveable heating pad that can also be used as an ice pack, we recommend the Ohuhu XL Reusable Gel Pack for Hot & Cold Therapy. It’s flexible enough when hot or frozen to conform to various body parts, fits easily in compact microwaves, and comes with a unique wrap that has Velcro straps attached, enabling hands-free use.
