Nothing puts a damper on a fall or winter outing more than cold and frozen fingertips — that’s where hand warmers can come in handy. They’re great for outdoor activities like skiing, camping and hiking, as well as everyday ones like running, taking a walk or doing errands.
Read ahead for everything you need to know about choosing the best hand warmers, including recommendations and shopping advice from Ashleigh McClary, an avid outdoor enthusiast and Backcountry Gearhead product expert and Ken Bernard, an outdoor enthusiast and owner of Outlandish, an outdoor gear and apparel store in Brooklyn, NY.
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The best top-rated hand warmers
Below, you'll find a roundup of expert picks, along with personal recommendations from NBC Selected staff.
Best overall
Bernard says these hand warmers from Hot Hands are ideal for single-use. Open the package to expose the warmers to the air, and from there they take 15-30 minutes to heat up fully, although you’ll feel the warming effects much sooner. They’re small enough to fit into pockets or bags, making them portable, and McCClary adds that since they’re widely available, they can be found “almost anywhere.” NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin and NBC Selected editorial director Lauren Swanson, who are both avid runners, use these on their cold weather runs — Malin “buys them by the thousand” at Costco. She likes to hold them in her hands while running, or keeps them in her pockets during her warm up and cool down walks. She also says that the warmers are long-lasting and can warm her hands for at least ten hours.
Best catalytic hand warmer
This refillable hand warmer has a sleek, compact design and gives you flameless warmth for up to 12 hours, according to the brand. Bernard says they’re perfect for serious outdoor adventurers. The hand warmer uses lighter fluid, which is kept inside of an interior fill cup to help reduce spills, according to the brand. However, lighter fluid isn’t included and must be purchased separately.
Editor’s pick
Former NBC Selected page Ella Morrissey is an avid skier, and says she likes to stick these hand warmers into her gloves when she’s on the slopes. They’re disposable, odorless and begin working as soon as they’re exposed to air, according to the brand. “While they can take a little while to heat up, they last me all day long when I’m on the mountain or doing anything else outside,” she says.
Best air-activated hand warmers
McClary also likes these Ignik Hand Warmers, which are biodegradable and can be composted after using, according to the brand. They’re easily activated via exposure to air, making them great for everyday outdoors activities like running, walking, dog walking and more. They’re also reusable for multiple days — by resealing the warmers in their pouch, you can use the 10 hours of heat over the course of up to three days, says Ignik.
Best heated gloves
These are McClary’s favorite electric hand warmers, which she says produces the most heat and lasts the longest of any heated glove or mitten that she’s tried. The gloves have three heat settings, along with a waterproof zipper pocket and a rechargeable battery, according to the brand. She also likes that they have finger slots inside that give you a true glove, rather than fingerless mitten, feel.
How I picked the best hand warmers
Following expert advice, I kept the following in mind while rounding up our list:
- Types: According to Bernard, there are several types of hand warmers, each of which I’ve included in the list below.
- Air-activated hand warmers generate heat once they’re exposed to air, and are usually single-use and disposable. They use iron powder, salt and activated charcoal to create an exothermic reaction inside the hand warmer — which means that they react together to release heat for several hours, according to Bernard.
- Reusable hand warmers are usually filled with a sodium acetate gel solution that crystallizes and releases heat at the push of a button. “You can boil them to reset them for future use,” says Bernard.
- Catalytic hand warmers are fueled by lighter fluid to produce “steady, long-lasting heat,” says Bernard. After filling the warmer with fluid and sealing the fuel cap, you apply a flame to the burner, which activates heat without any flames from the warmer itself. They’re also refillable, but Bernard warns that they need ventilation (plenty of space and air) to operate safely.
- Electric and USB hand warmers are rechargeable and powered by a battery, according to Bernard. They provide adjustable heat “at the touch of a button,” and often have USB ports that allow them to double as phone chargers.
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How to shop for hand warmers
When shopping for hand warmers, experts recommend keeping a few things in mind, including the duration of use and the type of hand warmer, and the warmers’ safety considerations.
- Duration and type: According to the experts, the type of hand warmer you choose should depend on how long you need warmth and how many times you plan to use them. For example, McClary says that if you’re just going on a ski trip for a few days, you may only need a few packs of disposable hand warmers. However, if you’re someone with a skiing season pass, she says you may want to upgrade to a rechargeable type, like heated gloves. If you’re looking for adjustable, long-lasting heat, Bernard says a USB model would be ideal.
- Safety: When choosing a hand warmer, it’s important to consider the risks of each kind. The most common safety concerns with hand warmers include burns and risk of fire, however both experts say that following each warmers’ included safety instructions will help you to get the best and safest use out of your hand warmers.
Frequently asked questions
According to the experts, USB hand warmers are generally safe when used properly. However, you should be monitoring the heat of the hand warmers as you use them, says McClary. “Look for ones with overheat protection and quality battery cells,” says Bernard. McClary also advises starting your hand warmers on a low setting, and increasing the heat gradually as needed.
McClary says the biggest danger of using hand warmers is potential skin burn from higher temperatures. She adds that disposable hand warmers are also flammable, which is why she recommends disposing of them when they’ve cooled, and avoiding open flames while using them. Bernard also says that because catalytic warmers involve a flammable fluid, they should be stored properly.
For best use practices, both McClary and Bernard recommend checking the manufacturer’s instructions.
Bernard says that disposable, air-activated hand warmers usually have a shelf life of two to three years. Expiration dates are also usually printed on the box and should always be checked, since expired hand warmers may not heat as well, he says.
Meet our outdoor experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Ken Bernard is an outdoor enthusiast and expert, and owner of Outlandish, an outdoor gear and apparel store in Brooklyn, NY.
- Ashleigh McClary is an avid outdoor enthusiast and Backcountry Gearhead expert.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am an associate SEO reporter for NBC Selected who regularly consults experts about how to prepare for cold weather. In addition to this story, for example, I've also written about thermal underwear and wool socks. To compile a list of the best hand warmers, I talked to outdoor experts and researched products with their guidance in mind. I also included personal favorites of NBC Select staff.
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