19 best hot water bottles for warming up this winter – or soothing pesky period pains and workout-induced aches

Not to go all Game of Thrones on you, but winter coming. And the best hot water bottles are already in high demand. In fact, last week (that was: just the second week of October), I spent my first day of the season working from home with my hot water bottle on my lap (setting the precedent for every day from now ’til March).

Are hot water bottles worth it?

Absolutely. Hot water bottles are going to be an absolute godsend this winter, keeping us toasty in bed like a great warm cuddle when it’s a tad too expensive to put the heating on. Alongside one of the best electric blankets and a wearable blanket, of course. But hot water bottles have uses that span far beyond the obvious of warming us up.

Hot water bottles are an actual GOD SEND when you’re suffering from period pains, endometriosis, back pain, arthritis or other chronic conditions. When heat is applied to the skin, our heat receptors get switched on and block the effect of the chemical messengers causing the pain, which means cramps are reduced. Heat therapy is also fantastic at aiding in muscle recovery after HIIT sessions or other workouts. Your hot water bottle can help relieve muscle tension in a similar way to what your massage gun would.

With the above in mind, if you’re not a proud owner of a hot water bottle that’s as stylish as the rest of your bedding just yet, it may be time to invest.

The best hot water bottles at a glance:

1. Most stylish hot water bottle: Elizabeth Scarlett Hot Water Bottle, £32, Anthropologie
2. Best cashmere hot water bottle: Cashmere Hot Water Bottle, £95, Liberty
3. Best faux fur hot water bottle: Super Soft Faux-Fur Hot-Water Bottle, £35, The White Company
4. Best wearable hot water bottle: Fur Hot Water Bottle Belt, £15, Dunelm
5. Best personalised hot water bottle: Floral Liberty Cute Personalised Hot Water Bottle, £19.75, Not On The High Street
6. Best long hot water bottle: Teddy Taupe Long Hot Water Bottle, £14, Dunelm
7. Best hot water bottle for period cramps: Wearable Hot Water Bottle, £24.99, WUKA

Elizabeth Scarlett Hot Water Bottle

Super Soft Faux-Fur Hot-Water Bottle

Teddy Taupe Long Hot Water Bottle

Are hot water bottles safe?

While hot water bottles are great for pain relief, they can obviously be dangerous. They’re full of boiling water, after all. Ensure you always keep the soft cover on your bottle to avoid the rubber bottle coming into contact with your skin. When filling it up from your kettle, hold the hot water bottle over the sink in case of any spillage. And if you’ve got a latex allergy, be careful with hot water bottles made from rubber.

How to fill your hot water bottle

1. Boil the water (although freshly boiled water straight out the kettle is too hot so let it cool for a few minutes) – if you’re not sure, check your bottle’s label for optimum temperature.
2. Holding the neck of the water bottle, fill the bottle to approximately two-thirds or three-quarters before tightly screwing the stopper shut.

How long do hot water bottles stay hot?

A hot water bottle filled with boiling water and wrapped in a good hot water bottle cover can generally stay hot for one-two hours and warm for most of the night. Uncovered, it will stay warm for approximately one-two hours before going cold.

For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett**, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx**.

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