Which hand warmers are best?
Theres nothing worse than cold fingers when you arent near home. If you experience cold winters, youre probably already familiar with the value of good hand warmers. Depending on how long youre out and how cold your hands get, picking the correct type of hand warmers for your needs can be tricky. For an excellent overall pick, go with the well-known brand HotHands and their HotHands drless ir Activated nd Wrmers.
What to know before you buy hand warmers
Heating options
The classic hand warmer is a single-use packet you shake and throw away when youre done. While this is effective and still quite popular, there now are many reusable versions. The three main ones are rechargeable, refillable and ones for boiling water. The rechargeable is plugged in via USB, while the refillable uses lighter fluid. The last option simply needs to be boiled for a few minutes before use.
Size
Some are larger than others. You may want a bulkier hand warmer depending on your hand size and heating needs. If you have a thin hand warmer, you can toss it in your boots on a cold day, though foot warmers are a better alternative.
Features
Heavy tech users will appreciate electronic options that allow you also to charge your devices via your hand warmer. Besides rechargeable USB options, all hand warmers are effectively the same when it comes to features.
What to look for in quality hand warmers
Duration of heat
If youre just out for an hour, some hand warmers may be wasted if theyre long-lasting ones. If you plan to be out all day, a long-lasting hand warmer, especially single-use or catalytic, which uses lighter fluid, is likely going to be most convenient for you. Once you start a nonelectronic hand warmer, you cant stop it until it runs out of heat, so choose your duration wisely.
Convenience
Single-use hand warmers are the most convenient, by far. They arent as environmentally friendly, though, and their costs can add up if you use them daily. Rechargeable ones are less convenient, but if you use them routinely, its easy to add them to your nighttime charging routine. If you have a catalytic option, adding fluid is simple, and the only inconvenience is guessing how much heat you need, since you cant stop the heat once its started.
Most hand warmers heat up quickly, but rechargeable ones tend to have a slight edge.
Ergonomics
Thinner hand warmers tend to be more convenient. While rechargeable options are nice, they tend to be the bulkiest and least ergonomically friendly. If you want to keep hand warmers in your gloves, thicker options wont be effective. If you like to put your hand warmers on the back of your hands so you can use your palms, only boiled and single-use are likely to allow it.
How much you can expect to spend on hand warmers
Expect to spend in the $15-30 range. Of course, since single-use hand warmers come in bulk, the bang for your buck will depend on how many you get and which kind they are.
Hand warmers FAQ
Which types of hand warmers get the hottest?
A. While each model is different, battery-powered ones get the hottest on average.
How long should a hand warmer last?
A. If you want something for a walk around the neighborhood, 30 minutes is good. A good all-day hand warmer will last 5-8 hours, though some can climb into double-digit territory.
What are the best hand warmers to buy?
Top hand warmers
HotHands drless ir Activated nd Wrmers
What you need to know: HotHands is the best-known brand of hand warmers, and these win in duration and convenience.
What youll love: With up to 10 hours of heat, you dont have to worry about how long youll be out of the house. These thin hand warmers fit easily in gloves or jacket pockets, and with 40 in a box, theyre easy to get in bulk.
What you should consider: If you just want something for short stints outside, 10 hours of heat may be far more than you need. It takes 15-30 minutes to heat up.
Top hand warmers for the money
OCOOPA Magnetic Hand Warmers Rechargeable
What you need to know: This heavy-duty, high-quality, rechargeable hand warmer can keep your hands comfortable in frigid temperatures.
What youll love: With three temperature settings and near-instant heat, you can get convenient warmth when you want it. It also heats up immediately and has battery backup.
What you should consider: Electronic options are convenient but the least reliable. While its unlikely to fail, it isnt as guaranteed to last as long as any other type. Its also the least ergonomic.
Worth checking out
Yaktrax 8-Hour Hand Warmers
What you need to know: This is a 10-pack of disposable hand warmers that provides warmth for up to eight hours.
What youll love: They begin working within minutes of being opened and exposed to the air.
What you should consider: Youll have to keep replacing them, as they are not reusable.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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