Now that winter is in full swing, you may be looking for a way to keep your hands warm without spending too much money or exerting too much energy. That’s where hand warmers come in.
“They [hand warmers] help maintain the circulation to the fingers and help prevent frostbite,” explains Debra Jaliman, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. “They [hand warmers] are very beneficial for people with medical problems like Raynaud’s disease or others with poor circulation.”
Shop TODAY tapped several board-certified physicians, including dermatologists and internists, to learn more about hand warmers with regard to the different types, their benefits and how (and how often) they should be used.
Once your hands start absorbing the warmth emitted by one of our expert-recommended hand warmers, you'll wonder how you've made it through harsh winters without them.
Expert-approved hand warmers
These hand warmers from HotHands will leave your hands feeling warmer for up to 10 hours without a single charge, notes the brand. They’re easy to activate with exposure to air and a couple of shakes, and they're made with a built-in barrier to keep their contents from imposing direct contact on your skin. “Since these are dermatologically tested, they’re less likely to cause contact reactions,” explains Kunal Malik, a New York City-based board-certified cosmetic dermatologist.
If you’re someone who frequently travels, you won’t have to worry about getting stopped by airport security, as they are TSA-approved and made with environmentally sound ingredients, including iron, water and salt (to name a few).
When it comes to fillable hand warmers, Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology, and Amanda Kahn, a board-certified internist and longevity specialist, recommend this one from Zippo. “Zippo, the lighter company, makes a catalytic hand warmer that is sleek, durable and refillable with lighter fluid,” says Kahn.
After following Zippo’s filling instructions, you’ll receive up to 12 hours of heat (without a flame). Plus, you won’t have to worry about your new hand warmer getting scratched or dropped, as it’s made with a durable metal exterior. Yadav also adds that its metal exterior provides it with a stylish look.
Jaliman recommends these rechargeable hand warmers from Aolin, especially if you plan on participating in outdoor activities, such as camping, where you know you’ll be enduring cold conditions for prolonged periods.
Jaliman says this option “has quite a range of settings” (including three temperature choices) and lasts up to 20 hours. Plus, they are made to look like pandas, which makes them stand out from many other hand warmers on the market.
If you’ve been looking for some versatile rechargeable hand warmers, consider these magnetic options from Ocoopa, which can also be used as portable batteries to charge your phone. “This rechargeable device has four heat settings (ranging between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 136 degrees Fahrenheit), says Yadav.
Since these hand warmers can be used together as one larger piece or two smaller ones, they allow users to use them most comfortably. Just make sure to note that some users say these hand warmers can feel bulky, so you may want to ensure any gloves worn are spacious enough.
Editor-tested hand warmers
Francesca Zabloudil, a senior partnerships editor at Shop TODAY, recommends these handwarmers from Ocoopa (which have a different design than the hand warmers above).
She says, "My husband bought these after seeing friends use them while we were out for dinner on a freezing day in Chicago — and I’ve been stealing them every chance I get. They’re so comforting to hold, like a warm mug of coffee. I may be behind the times, but I’ve only ever used those basic hand warmers that you crinkle to activate. These are a major upgrade and so great for tucking into pockets in this frigid weather."
More hand warmers to shop
According to the brand, this portable and rechargeable hand warmer takes less than two minutes to reach its full heat potential. Although reviews are mixed, the battery life should last you up to four hours on a full charge, so you can keep your hands warm for long periods of time. The hand warmer is also small and compact, so it's great to throw in your tote or purse for whenever you need it.
Many reviewers complimented the size of these lightweight hand warmers, raving that they're just the right fit for storing in your pocket. Plus, the brand says the hand warmers offer precise heat control for a comfortable heating experience.
The benefits of hand warmers
Hand warmers can provide a plethora of benefits to users that are important to note. “Hand warmers provide several health benefits such as preventing cold-induced skin damage, maintaining proper circulation, reducing the risk of frostbite [and] helping prevent skin cracking and chapping,” explains Kunal Malik, a New York City-based board-certified cosmetic dermatologist.
Yadav adds that hand warmers can help support dexterity, which can become negatively impacted by cold weather.
Although this may seem obvious, one of the biggest benefits of hand warmers is that they can help individuals stay outside in colder temperatures longer than they would be able to otherwise.
Types of hand warmers
- Disposable: If you’re looking for convenient hand warmers, disposable hand warmers can be a solid pick. Since disposable hand warmers are usually air-activated, they typically involve chemicals (the most common being charcoal and/or iron powder). “When you ‘break’ it, it causes an interaction with iron and oxygen that creates warmth,” explains Yadav. As long as you’re okay with the possibility of having to rebuy them as needed, disposable hand warmers can be especially great for short-term or periodic uses.
- Electric: For a more eco-friendly hand-warming option, consider electric hand warmers. Kahn notes that one of the benefits of electric hand warmers is that they can be reused (which can save you time and money over time since you won’t have to constantly re-purchase them). That said, these types of hand warmers do require batteries or charging time, which can be time-consuming and require some forethought.
- Catalytic: Malik notes that this type of hand warmer is fuel-based. “Catalytic warmers are similar to lighters and require lighter fluid to work,” explains Kahn. These types of hand warmers may be best suited if you’re looking for those you can wear when outside for longer periods or know you’ll be completing an activity outside during which you won’t have the time to recharge them (if needed), adds Yadav.
How to use hand warmers
Although hand warmers can be used when inside rooms with cooler environments, most are designed to be used outside in cooler temperatures. That said, Malik notes that a fabric barrier is essential regardless of how long you plan on using them (according to the manufacturer’s instructions, of course) so they’re not directly touching your skin.
Even though it may be tempting to sleep with hand warmers, especially during the winter or if your hands run cold, he adds that you should not do so. If you find yourself needing to continuously use them, it is advised that you reach out to your doctor as hand warmers generally shouldn’t be used regularly (unless directed by a professional).
Are hand warmers safe?
Yes, hand warmers can generally be safe tools to warm your hands when used according to the manufacturer's directions.
“The greatest risk is first or second-degree burns from prolonged direct skin contact beyond what is recommended for the type of warmer,” explains Kahn. That said, most people can safely use hand warmers as long as they are mindful of the temperature and remember not to place them on damaged skin (especially without a barrier).
Frequently asked questions
How often hand warmers should be used can vary by person, the type used, specific instructions and physician recommendations.
That said, Kahn notes that even if you’re following recommended instructions, you should always monitor your skin for pain, redness, blistering, burns and any other signs of skin irritation so you know to stop using them and/or contact your physician to discuss potential causes and remedies.
Although hand warmers can be beneficial, you should not rely on them. “Hand warmers can be used as needed in cold conditions, but should not be relied upon as a sole treatment for circulation issues,” adds Malik.
Although many people (and their hands) can benefit from hand warmers, Malik notes that some groups of people should steer away from using them such as those who have diabetes and/or experience neuropathy (in addition to other conditions affecting the nerves), those who have sensitive skin and those unable to monitor temperature and/or communicate pain (such as young children).
How we chose
To assemble our list of the best hand warmers, we considered the recommendations provided by the board-certified physicians we interviewed. We also included an editor pick as well as shopper-favorite hand warmers.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Debra Jaliman, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and author of “Skin Rules” (St. Martin’s Press).
- Amanda Kahn, MD, is a board-certified internist and longevity specialist in New York City.
- Kunal Malik, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and assistant professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
- Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology.
