It depends on the hand warmer. Disposable hand warmers may stay warm for up to 10 hours, whereas battery-powered options can last up to 18 hours on a full charge and low heat. Ease of Use: Upon unboxing, we take note of how easy it is to understand the manufacturer's instructions and set up the hand warmers for the initial use. We also pay attention to how intuitive it is to turn the warmers on, adjust any heat settings, and use any additional features. Hand warmers receive high scores if there’s no confusion upon each use. That said, these gloves run a bit big and may not be suitable for small hands, especially if you intend to use them for sports like cross-country or downhill skiing. They also have a large power button that is located on the front of the glove that could get pushed by accident during vigorous outdoor activities. They’re also pricey, which might be worth it if you use them frequently, but for occasional use, it’s probably not worth it. Design: Each hand warmer has a unique design, so we assess each one independently. We look at the warmer’s functions related to design including the number of heat settings, how the unit felt and fit in our hands, and any additional features like display screens, flashlights, carrying cases, and more.

These hand warmers also heat up in under 10 seconds and maintain consistent heat throughout their use. They even offer three temperature settings and have a convenient carrying case and lanyard, which make them easy to use. That said, they do get extremely hot. NavYash Gupta, MD, FACS,associate professor of surgery and clinical chief of vascular surgery at Cedars Sinai For those who love exercising outdoors year-round, hand warmers can help keep you focused and comfortable when dressing for cold-weather exercise. Your hands and fingers are more susceptible to the cold since they have little fat and lots of blood vessels at the skin's surface, so investing in one the best hand warmers is essential, says Kevin Huffman, DO. Hand warmers come in a variety of forms, including disposable, battery-powered handheld units and heated gloves and mittens. When shopping, heat time, battery life, maximum temperature, and size and weight are key criteria to consider. Rennier Alejandro Martinez, MD, a board-certified surgeon who specializes in vascular surgery at Baptist Health The warmers have a long charge time: We started charging them in the afternoon, and it wasn’t until the next morning that they reached a full charge.

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Zippo Heatbank 9S Plus Hand Warmer: We really liked the noticeable, consistent warmth given off by this hand warmer. It was let down by the fact we couldn’t get it to hold a charge for more than 30 minutes reliably. Some folks are just looking for added comfort, but for people dealing with Raynaud’s syndrome or poor circulation, keeping your hands warm is critical in daily life during colder months. Maintaining dexterity is key for many outdoor activities, from tying on a fishing lure to general vehicle maintenance. So consider this when you’re looking at what you need and how much you’re looking to spend. Electric Heat Source: Lighter fluid | Weight: 2.6 ounces | Heat Duration: Up to 12 hours | Temperature Range: Not listed

We tested different rechargeable hand warmers through at-home testing, but only eight performed well enough to be included in our list of favorites. Our testers did have some positive comments about the following models but noted that they fell just short in a few key areas. The battery life will also be impacted by the settings you use and any extra features your hand warmer might have. If you want to extend the life of your rechargeable hand warmers, you may want to opt for a lower heat setting. This can help conserve the life of the battery and help it last longer, especially if you will be using your hand warmers for an extended period of time.

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And as an added bonus, they have a flashlight that comes in handy if you want to use your hand warmers while outside, such as while camping or walking the dog. You can even use the device’s USB port to charge your phone. We found the instructions could have been better; however, we worked out how to use the single button to switch the warmer on, change heat settings, turn on the flashlight, and reveal the remaining battery life without difficulty. The warmer also has a digital display and indicator light. It claims up to eight hours of battery life, and we were impressed with this aspect during our tests. We used it for three hours on the highest setting during the first and only used one of four battery bars. It also recharges in just three hours, eliminating long waits between sessions. Hand warmers are designed to work in very low temperatures, but their effectiveness may decrease in extreme cold, says Jeffries. Other factors such as wind and moisture can affect their performance. Jeffries recommends using hand warmers in combination with appropriate layers and insulated clothing to ensure you retain warmth throughout your whole body. Our first step was to unbox the hand warmer, noting the usefulness of the instructions, whether the product came fully charged, what accessories were included with it, and the advertised battery life. Those that weren’t already charged were charged, with the time taken to reach full battery documented. Next, we turned the hand warmers on in a cold environment (either outside or inside, with the air-conditioning turned up if natural temperatures weren’t cold enough). We recorded the temperature for each three-hour trial session and set a timer to see how long the battery lasted.

For Strategist senior editor Chelsea Peng, these hand warmers were essential in her days of competitive piano. “I’d use HotHands after warming up to keep the blood in my fingers (a recommendation from my teacher),” she says. “Around this time, I also developed trigger finger so severely that I’d wake up with my hands rigor mortis–ed into claws, and these were the only thing that helped loosen them.” How long a hand warmer will last depends on what heat setting you’re using it at (if it’s a battery-powered option). In our test, we found that FVSA's Rechargeable Hand Warmers and Survival Frog’s Rechargeable Hand Warmers have the best battery life. For a disposable option, HotHands Hand Warmers typically last quite long, says wilderness first responder Alexandra Roberts. Do hand warmers work in extreme cold? Sarah Jeffries, paramedic and emergency care specialist and managing director of First Aid Course Leicester For an affordable, durable, and easy-to-use option, it’s hard to beat the Go Warmer Cordless Rechargeable Hand Heater with Flashlight. Not only does it contain two hand warmers—one for each hand—but it also offers three different temperature settings, making it easily adaptable to your needs.

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We found the manufacturer's instructions to be somewhat unclear, but after playing around with the buttons ourselves, the device was simple to use.