Alternatives to the heat patch
Tear it open, stick it on, eight hours of warmth, then into the bin: that is how a heat patch works. Once you open the packaging, it warms up through oxidation to just under 40 degrees Celsius and is meant to keep you warm for about 8 hours.[1][2]
But there are reusable options too, and you have three alternatives:
- Heat pad: warmth at the touch of a button, constant and with overheating protection.
- Hot water bottle: warmth without electricity, using water that you heat yourself and pour into the bottle.
- Grain pillow: warmth without electricity or water, stored in grains, cherry stones or gel.
This question is nothing new to us. We have been making heat pads since our founding in 1919, back then as an alternative to the hot water bottle and the warming pan. Today we offer you two models for different parts of the body. The Beurer HK 58 Cosy warms the neck, shoulders or back. The Beurer HK 55 Easyfix warms the stomach, back, joints and neck. You can find more choice among our Beurer heat pads.
Which alternative suits you depends on three things: how long it keeps you warm, how it fits against your body and what care it needs. That is exactly what we will look at now.
How long and how evenly heat pads and hot water bottles keep you warm
A heat pad keeps the warmth constant for as long as it is switched on. With a hot water bottle it varies: almost too hot at first, then soon too cold. Who wants to keep refilling it?
On the Beurer HK 58 Cosy, you set the warmth with 6 temperature settings. Its fast heating function warms it up in the first 10 minutes. The Beurer HK 55 Easyfix has 3 settings. Our Beurer safety system monitors both. If there is a fault, it switches the pad off automatically.
After about 90 minutes, the automatic switch-off stops the heat. That is intentional. On the Beurer HK 58 Cosy, you then switch the pad off and on again if you want to keep warming. If you use a heat pad for several hours, choose the lowest temperature setting.
An example: you sit at your desk for two hours in the evening. The Beurer HK 58 Cosy switches off after 90 minutes. After about 5 seconds, you can switch it on again.
With a hot water bottle, it is all about the water. For adults, 50 degrees Celsius is the upper guideline temperature; for children, 40 degrees is enough.[3] Never fill it with boiling water: the heat can damage the material and, in the worst case, the bottle can split.[4]
| Heat patch | Heat pad | Hot water bottle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of warmth | about 8 hours, ; single use[1] | constant, switches off after about 90 minutes; after about 5 seconds you can switch it on again | varies: hot at first, then cooler |
| Temperature | just under 40 degrees Celsius[1] | 6 settings on the Beurer HK 58 Cosy, 3 settings on the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix | water up to 50 degrees, for children up to 40 degrees[3] |
| Reusable | no | yes | yes |
Fastening, skin contact and care
A heat patch should not be used if you have an allergy, a skin condition, wounds or skin injuries. In Germany, some manufacturers do not permit use at night or during sleep from the age of 55.[1]
Never put a hot water bottle directly on your skin. Always use a cover. Replace it two to three years after you first use it; the number in the middle of the flower symbol on the bottle shows the year it was made.[4] After use, empty it completely and store it with the stopper removed.[5] Leaving it filled puts lasting strain on the material.[4]
You adjust the Beurer HK 58 Cosy to your body with the waist belt and the soft hook-and-loop fastener at the neck. The fleece fibre cover is breathable, soft and kind to the skin.
On the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix, the integrated elastic band with hook-and-loop fastener means the pad is in place quickly: one movement is all it takes.
Looking after it is simple, too. On the Beurer HK 58 Cosy, the heat pad and the cover are machine-washable at 30 °C. You can also wash the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix at 30 °C, but only with the hook-and-loop fastener closed.
Before washing, pull out the mains plug and detach the control from the heat pad. Never wring it out, and never use a tumble dryer or an iron.
Who must not use a heat pad
The following people must not use the Beurer HK 58 Cosy or the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix:
- People who are insensitive to heat or unable to react to overheating. This includes, for example, people with diabetes or with skin changes caused by illness and scarred skin in the area of use. The same applies after taking pain-relieving medication or alcohol.
- Children aged 0 to 3 years.
Children between 3 and 8 years of age may only use the heat pads under supervision. The control must then always be set to the lowest temperature.
If you have a pacemaker, always ask your doctor and the pacemaker manufacturer before using a heat pad.
The Beurer HK 58 Cosy is intended for private use. Do not stick needles into it and do not use it folded or rucked. Do not place a hot water bottle on it while it is in use. The Beurer HK 55 Easyfix should not bunch up or form folds in use either.
Please read the instructions for use of your heat pad before you use it for the first time. We recommend this for every device.
Which Beurer heat pad suits which part of your body
What matters most is where you want to feel the warmth. The Beurer HK 58 Cosy suits the neck, shoulders and back, the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix the stomach, back and joints.
| You want warmth on … | The right choice | What speaks for it |
|---|---|---|
| the neck, shoulders or back | Beurer HK 58 Cosy | body-contoured shape, individually adjustable hook-and-loop fastener, 6 temperature settings |
| the stomach, back or joints | Beurer HK 55 Easyfix | elastic band with hook-and-loop fastener, 3 temperature settings, 397 g |
| the neck (with the pad rolled up) | Beurer HK 55 Easyfix | can be rolled up and worn around the neck |
A heat pad suits you if you want to adjust the warmth, keep it constant for longer and fasten it to your body. A hot water bottle suits you if you are happy to deal with water, filling it and its limited lifespan. You'll find more ideas in the soothing warmth section of our magazine.
For the neck, shoulders and back, we recommend the Beurer HK 58 Cosy. Its body-contoured shape and the adjustable hook-and-loop fastener keep it where you need it. With 6 settings, you will find the warmth that feels right for you. So our recommendation for the neck and shoulders is clear.
If you want to warm your stomach, the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix is the better fit. It weighs only 397 g. It also has 3 settings and an elastic band that fastens quickly. The heat pad is OEKO-TEX certified.
For your next evening without a heat patch: take a look at the Beurer HK 58 Cosy.
Frequently asked questions
Why not use heat patches overnight?
Because, in Germany, some manufacturers do not permit use at night or during sleep from the age of 55. Some patches must not be used while sleeping at all because of the risk of overheating. If you are looking for a reusable alternative, you will find the Beurer HK 58 Cosy and the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix in the comparison above.
Are heat patches worth it?
That depends on what you need. A heat patch warms once, for about 8 hours, and is then used up. If you want warmth that you can adjust and use again and again, a heat pad such as the Beurer HK 58 Cosy suits you better.
Which is better, a heat pad or a hot water bottle?
A heat pad such as the Beurer HK 55 Easyfix gives constant warmth with overheating protection. A hot water bottle is often too hot at first and then quickly goes cold. Which Beurer heat pad suits you depends on the part of the body.
How hot should the water in a hot water bottle be?
For adults, 50 degrees Celsius is considered the upper guideline temperature; for children, 40 degrees is enough. Never fill it with boiling water, because in the worst case the bottle can split.
Can a grain pillow go in the microwave?
That depends on the pillow. Many pillows filled with grains, cherry stones or gel are suitable for the microwave. If they are used incorrectly (too high a power setting, too long a time), however, there is a risk of fire or burns. So always follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly. As a reusable source of warmth, the Beurer HK 58 Cosy gives you warmth at the touch of a button.
