Caroline Stewart
Want more warmth than mere gloves alone can provide? Fight the winter chill with these awesome hand warmers.
Whether you’re watching a game, camping or hiking, spending time outdoors, or just have cold fingers, a hand warmer might be what you need to keep your digits nice and warm. With hand warmers that last for hours, charge your phone, be reused (or tossed away), we’ve got a hand warmer for everyone.
Longest Lasting Hand Warmer: Zippo Hand Warmer ($21)
Zippo lighters are known for their quality and durability, so why not get a hand warmer that can be trusted just the same? The Zippo Hand Warmer is filled with lighter fluid and can be lit with a lighter or match when you need it to warm your hands—and can last for up to 12 hours. It not only warms you longer than most hand warmers, but it’s 2.5 times warmer than disposable brands.
If you’re worried about having to light this hand warmer, don’t fret. Yes, you need an open flame to start it; but once it’s lit, the hand warmer smolders to produce a warm, safe heat. Just note that it comes with lighter fluid, but you’ll need to purchase more after the 12 ounces that are included run out.
And even though you need to fill it up, the warmth that is produced is noticeably different and stronger than electric or disposable warmers. Plus, the sleek design of the Zippo can easily fit in your pocket or stay fixed in your glove.
Best Rechargeable Hand Warmer: EnergyFlux Ellipse ($35)
If you don’t want to mess with an actual flame or have to worry about refilling your hand warmer with lighter fluid, but you still want durability, then you might like a rechargeable hand warmer. Just charge this EnergyFlux Ellipse Hand Warmer like you’d charge your phone or a portable battery pack and you’re set for up to 6.5 hours (or less in colder temperatures). With two heat settings (107 degrees Fahrenheit and 118 degrees Fahrenheit), your hands will be nice and toasty since this easy-to-grip warmer heats up along its surface.
The top of the EnergyFlux Ellipse has a USB port so you can charge electronics while also warming your hands. Even though you can’t charge and warm your hands at the same time, this backup power supply can still juice up any number of your electronic devices! So if you need a quick charge or warm-up, just press the on button and it will start up within seconds—no need to carry around 2 separate devices. If you’re looking for maximum value, this is probably it: unlike the other hand warmers here, you can still use this one as a plain old portable battery for your phone.
Best Hand Warmers Without Heat Source: HotSnapZ Hand Warmers ($22)
Want a hand warmer that’s simple and reusable? These HotSnapZ Hand Warmers, which come with 4 circles and 4 rectangles, generate instant heat up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit by just snapping the metal disk in the center of the warmer. Along with water and sodium acetate (which is safe, non-toxic salt), the reaction that’s caused releases energy and can be repeated indefinitely.
Once activated, the solution begins to crystallize and spread warmth throughout the hand warmer. And even though the heat lasts for up to an hour, you can reactivate the HotSnapZ and it will heat up again in a minute. These hand warmers stay in their liquid state, even in the cold, but they can start to harden after they’ve been activated and not used in a long time. Just boil them if they ever get too hard to activate.
Best Disposable Hand Warmers: HotHands ($6)
When you’re cold, you probably don’t want to keep track of unnecessary items. This is why the HotHands Hand Warmers are perfect for those who want warm hands but don’t need to worry about where their reusable hand warmer is stored. Just get this pack of 5 pairs of HotHands (which isn’t bad for the price), and you’re set for that football game, campout, or whatever your freezing outdoor experience may be.
These hand warmers are not only reliable (lasting up to 10 hours), they’re air activated and can fit in the palm of your hand, inside your glove, or in your pocket. And since they’re squishy and more flexible than the Zippo or EnergyFlux Ellipse, you can fit them in smaller places (maybe even your shoes!). Just throw them away at the end of your long day in the cold.
