If you plan to spend time outdoors this winter, only the best hand warmers should make your gear list. With better run time, heat retention, settings, and reusability, hand warmers have evolved from simple single-use pocket warmers to rechargeable electric warmth machines.

　　Our extremities are the first part of the body to suffer from cold-related discomfort. Cold hands are actually a symptom of the body working to protect itself. In order to protect the vital organs, blood vessels in the extremities constrict in cold environments, which keeps blood where its needed most. Unfortunately, this pro-survival mechanism leads to that all-too-familiar feeling of stiff and numb fingertips.

　　We’ve ordered up the top-selling and most promising hand warmers and compared them with some good old-fashioned hands-on testing. We’ve unpackaged these devices and assessed their efficacy with a stopwatch and a thermometer so we can confidently say which ones will do the trick, where each falls short, and what to recommend for tailgating, sitting in a hunting blind, or just staying toasty while you’re out and about this winter.

　　Whether you need 12 hours of reliable heat from a rechargeable warmer or the classic ease of a disposable heat pouch, our list of the best hand warmers of 2024 has you covered. For more information on different kinds of hand warmers and how to choose between them, check out our Buyers Guide and our Comparison Chart toward the end of this article.

　　Editors Note: We updated this Buyers Guide on March 26, 2024, adding the OCOOPA UT3 PRO Magnetic Rechargeable, our new top pick for the Best Rechargeable Hand Warmers.

　　The Best Handwarmers of 2024 Best Overall Hand Warmers: Ignik Hand Warmers Best Budget Hand Warmers: Hot Hands Hand Warmers Best Rechargeable Hand Warmers: OCOOPA UT3 PRO Magnetic Rechargeable Best Catalytic Hand Warmer: Zippo 12-Hour Hand Warmer Best Low-Tech Reusable Hand Warmers: HotsnapZ Hand Warmers Best Overall Hand Warmers Ignik Hand Warmers Specs Max temperature 140 degrees F Warming time 10+ hours Weight 4.5 oz. per pair

　　Pros Comes in resealable packaging Can extend 10-hour life span by cutting off O2 supply Inner material is compostable Cons Expensive if you don’t take advantage of the resealable packaging Matt Bento Ignik Hand Warmers ($13 per 10-pack) take the convenience of traditional disposable hand warmers and put an eco-friendly spin on the whole package. The result is a product that creates less waste, is more useful, and arguably better priced. 

　　The brand asserts that the warmers can effectively be “turned off” by removing them from oxygen, thus halting the oxidation process to be used again later, for a maximum of ten hours. Our testers put these claims to the test and are pretty stoked to find that they perform as advertised, maybe even a little better.

　　Each pair of warmers is packaged in a tiny ziplock bag. Don’t rip it open and throw the packaging away, as this little bag is your ticket to days — not hours — of intermittent use. To stop the oxidation process and return the warmers to room temperature, simply place them back in their package, squeeze out as much air as you can, and reseal the ziplock. Ignik says the warmers can be re-exposed to air for reuse up to 72 hours after opening, but in reality, our testers were still able to get some warmth out of them six days after first opening the package.

　　Our “in the pocket” temperature tests put this warmer at 127 degrees, with a surface temperature of 140 on the warmer itself. This is hotter than any of the other disposable hand warmers we tested. 

　　With 10 hours of continuous warming time, the Ignik Hand Warmers can compete with any of the other disposable hand warmers on our list, but the resealable packaging significantly ups their value in our opinion. While they aren’t reusable to the extent of a rechargeable battery-powered warmer, they are light, soft, and effective, and can easily do their job stuffed into pockets, a roomy pair of muck boots, or a muff. If disposable warmers are what you need, we don’t see any reason to purchase any disposable hand warmers other than Ignik.

　　$7 at REI$13 at Amazon Best Budget Hand Warmers HotHands Hand Warmers Specs Max Temperature 112 degrees F average; 118 degrees F maximum Heat/Run Time Up to 10 hrs. Weight 1.6 oz. per pair

　　Pros Affordable Lightweight Easy-to-use Cons Single-use Short lifespan Matt Bento Hot Hands ($10 per 10-pack) are what most folks envision with they think of a disposable handwarmer — cheap, miraculously warm, and destined for a garbage can 5-10 hours after you open the package. In our experience, this all still rings true in 2024. However, rechargeable models can compete with or surpass Hot Hands in their heating ability, and the Ignik hand warmers are superior in their runtime thanks to their storage baggie.

　　If you do want to save some money and order a big package of these warmers, we recommend purchasing the hand or toe warmers only. We went with a variety pack that included hand and toe warmers, along with an additional warmer that has an adhesive backing. While the package includes a warning advising against applying the adhesives directly to your body, we failed to see the danger, as the adhesive-backed warmers failed to get hotter than 90 degrees F.

　　The hand and toe warmers in the package did the trick nicely, performing identically to the Grabber Hand Warmers, but at a lower price. The specs listed above apply only to the hand warmer version of Hot Hands.

　　Long story short, there’s nothing special to see here, but there are deals to be had with the Hot Hands Hand Warmers. Avoid the adhesive-backed warmers, and you’ll get what youre looking for, along with a lot of packaging.

　　$7 at Amazon Best Rechargeable Hand Warmers OCOOPA UT3 PRO Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers Specs Max temperature 136 deg. F Heat/Run time up to 15 hrs. total Charge time 3.5 hrs. Weight 8.3 oz. per pair

　　Pros Rechargeable Includes two units Heats up quickly Gets very hot Cons Wont fit in gloves or boots like disposable warmers Somewhat pricey Matt Bento Unlike most rechargeable electric hand warmers, the OCOOPA UT3 PRO Rechargeable includes two units that both heat up and recharge independently, yet can be magnetically attached when needed. These units have four different heating levels, heat up very quickly, and can reach an impressive 136 degrees F. The UT3 PRO also includes thoughtful extras like dual USB-C charging cords, dual wrist straps, and a soft carrying case.

　　Like all rechargeable electric hand warmers, the UT3 PROs battery life can be impacted by severely cold or damp conditions. And like any electronic device, extra care must be taken to prevent drops or damage. But these two units are the perfect size and shape to keep stashed in your jacket pockets where they will be protected and most effective.

　　When comparing the OCCOPA UT3 PRO to other rechargeable electric hand warmers, it is notably missing an output port to charge other electronic devices like your phone. This limits its utility a bit, but we still prefer its price, performance, and simple effectiveness compared to other rechargeable models. Each unit includes a single operation button, a heat-level indicator light, and a charging port with a protective rubber cover.

　　When used independently, each unit heats up on all sides, but when magnetically attached to each other, only the outside panels heat up, a unique energy-saving feature. While this magnetic attachment is a nice bonus feature, we found it primarily useful for storage, as we preferred to use each unit independently in our hands or in separate jacket pockets.

　　$43 at Amazon Best Catalytic Hand Warmer Zippo 12-Hour Hand Warmer Specs Max temperature 105 deg. F average; 110 deg. F maximum Heat/Run time 11-21 hrs. Weight 2.6 oz. empty; 3.5 oz. full

　　Pros Reusable Long-lasting heat Durable Affordable Cons Messy to fill Takes extra work to maintain Can’t turn off Matt Bento While it may seem a bit strange to keep a lit canister of lighter fluid in your pocket, in this case, you won’t regret it. The Zippo 12-Hour ($22) lives up to its name. And in some cases, it will even run beyond 12 hours.

　　To begin the catalytic heating process, you have to fill the fuel funnel, remove the catalytic burner, fill the tank, replace the burner, and use a lighter. So, it does take a bit of extra time to get started, but the burn time, heat retention, and price point are unbeatable.

　　Its also worth noting that once you light the Zippo hand warmer, the flameless combustion cannot be stopped or turned off. So, you need to gauge how much fluid you put into the canister according to how long you need the heat to last.

　　Unlike electric, battery-powered, or disposable hand warmers, the Zippo 12-Hour works continuously even in the coldest conditions, and is one of the longest-lasting designs.

　　$23 at REI$16 at Amazon Best Low-Tech Reusable Hand Warmers HotSnapZ Hand Warmers Specs Max Temperature 130 degrees F maximum Warming Time 0.5-2 hrs. Weight 4.0-7.0 oz.

　　Pros Reusable Rapid heating Watching the chemical reaction is admittedly fun Cons Short heating time Plastic casing could be punctured and make a mess in your bag Matt Bento HotSnapZ Hand Warmers ($23 per 8-pack) use a chemical reaction to create rapid heating up to 130 degrees F. Using your thumbs, you bend an activation device until it clicks within the warmer pouch to start the reaction. Our testers (and their kids) really enjoyed watching this process. The goo inside the clear plastic pouch quickly becomes cloudy after clicking the activator, followed by sweet, relieving heat. Fun! 

　　In the practical sense, HotSnapZ are not our favorite hand warmers because the largest size only provides heat for 2 hours, with the smaller pocket-sized warmers giving off heat for only 30 minutes. Not a strong showing considering that most of the hand warmers we tested last at least 8 hours. 

　　We’re also concerned about the durability of the plastic casing, as we were able to puncture it with a car key without too much effort. It would create quite a mess if one of these warmers were ripped open inside your backpack.

　　We do appreciate that the HotSnapZ are reusable. Boiling them for 10 minutes reverses the reaction and after they’ve cooled off they are ready to be clicked on again, though the “recharged” warmer diminishes in efficacy with each boil. We noticed that the chemical reaction was slower and less complete than the first go-round. Our HotSnapZ arrived in a pack of eight with two different sizes, with the larger size still easily fitting in a big jacket pocket.

　　$20 at Amazon Best of the Rest OCOOPA Rechargeable Hand Warmer Specs Max temperature 110 deg. F average; 131 deg. F maximum Heat/Run time 4-8 hrs. Charge time 2-3 hrs. Weight 4.6 oz.

　　Pros Rechargeable Can charge other devices Easy to use Cons Doesn’t hold a charge as long in extremely cold temperatures Matt Bento This multifunctional hand warmer ($27) has a surprising amount of heat in a small package. Not only does it help keep your hands warm for up to eight hours, but it can also charge small devices like a cellphone. It offers up three levels of heating, ranging from 95 to 131 degrees. And the light indicator makes it easy to tell which level you are on.

　　The only downside to any battery-powered hand warmer is heat consistency varies as temperatures drop. As with any lithium-ion battery, the cold tends to take its toll on the lifespan. So, even if you’ve left the house with a full charge, you may not get the full eight hours of warmth if it’s too cold outside.

　　The curvy design is comfortable in the hand and easily fits in a pocket. Whether youre battling Raynauds disease or trying to stay warm in the hunting blind, the OCOOPA Hand Warmer is a solid option.

　　$27 at Amazon Zippo Heat Bank 9 Specs Max temperature 120 degrees F Warming time 9 hrs. Weight 5.5 oz.

　　Pros Rechargeable No plastic packaging waste Doubles as small device charger Rapid heat delivery Cons One heating unit; you’ll need to get two if you want heat in two pockets Bulky Rigid Expensive Matt Bento If you’re on the lookout for a hand-warming strategy that doesn’t involve a lot of plastic packaging, warms up fast, and delivers a little more heat than the average disposable warmer, then the Zippo Heat Bank 9 ($50) is a great alternative. 

　　Testers found that the Heat Bank achieved its max temperature of 120 degrees in about a minute, quite a bit faster than the average disposable warmer since it doesn’t require waiting for oxidation to start. It feels hotter than any disposable hand warmer we tested thanks to the direct conduction from the aluminum housing straight to your hands.

　　This warmer does double duty as a small device charger as well, with a 5,200 mAh lithium-ion battery bank, and about enough juice to charge your phone one and a half times. Just know that the charging capabilities will decrease if you’re also using it as a warmer. This adds some “off-season” value to the Heat Bank since you could keep it in your pack, purse, or glove box year-round in case you need to charge your phone without a power source.

　　$30 at REI$37 at Amazon Grabber Hand Warmers Specs Max temperature 120 degrees F Heat/Run time 7 hrs. Weight 2.0 oz. per pair

　　Pros Easy to use Lightweight Cons Heat intensity doesn’t last the entire time Matt Bento The Grabber Hand Warmers employ a similar color scheme to Hot Hands, and at the checkout counter, or in your online shopping cart, they may seem like exactly the same product. While it’s true that they are very similar, our hands-on experience highlights some nuances.

　　These warmers maxed out in our pocket testing at 120 degrees F, after 30 minutes of air exposure. How? We’d guess it has something to do with their particular chemical ratio that causes a faster oxidation rate than the Hot Hands, but we’re speculating here. 

　　Like the Hot Hands, the Grabber Warmers create a fair amount of trash, with each individual warmer wrapped individually (Ignik doubles up, with two warmers per baggie). Also like Hot Hands, you can often find them on sale in bulk, so if you burn through a lot of warmers through the winter season let the price help you with your decision between the two.

　　$37 at Amazon Hand Warmers Comparison Chart

　　We got our hands on a variety of hand warmers, measured their activated heat temperature with a meat thermometer, and used each in chilly winter weather; (photo/Matt Bento) How We Tested Hand Warmers Our editors and gear testers are no strangers to long winters, and we eagerly anticipate ski season every fall. However, we’re about as adverse to numbed-out, cold fingers as anybody out there, so we’ve spent considerable time finding and testing out the best winter gloves and the best winter mittens in addition to the best hand warmers.

　　Hand warmers have a simple job to do, and while they can’t replace your own body (Eat! Hydrate!) as a heat source, they can provide a little relief when you need to be out in the cold and stationary.

　　To find the best hand warmers we ordered a variety of disposable and electronic warmers, along with one catalytic model, and put them to the test with a stopwatch and a thermometer. We placed each warmer in the pocket of a highly insulated down jacket and then measured the ambient temperature in the pocket after a half hour.

　　While this gave us a little numerical data, we also considered the overall user experience. The HotSnapZ Hand Warmers, for example, delivered heat on command but didn’t last for more than two hours. The electronic heaters don’t perform as well in super cold environments, so we can’t recommend them for long days in the backcountry.

　　Editor Matt Bento is the lead hand warmer tester for this Buyers Guide. He brought each model hiking and climbing in the High Sierra, even leaving an Ignik Warmer in his chalk bag for some on-demand heat while sport climbing. He also enlisted friends to use them while watching the local football games and working on their vehicles in the cold. In the latest 2024 update, we added the OCOOPA UT3 PRO Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers, our new top pick for the best rechargeable hand warmers.

　　The Zippo Heat Bank 9 is a great alternative to traditional disposable hand warmers; (photo/Matt Bento) Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Hand Warmers Types of Hand Warmers We’re no longer limited to just disposable warmers, as there are now several alternatives to the old standbys, including the very effective rechargeable electric hand warmers. It is never a bad idea to have a few disposable hand warmers in your glove box for emergencies, but if you’re someone who uses them on a regular basis during the winter, a rechargeable electric model like the Zippo Heat Bank 9 or the OCOOPA UT3 PRO Magnetic Rechargeable is a worthwhile investment, as they both provide more heat for longer durations than the disposable types, and you’ll create less waste.

　　Some folks are just looking for added comfort, but for people dealing with Raynauds 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.

　　Rechargeable Electric Rechargeable electric hand warmers are usually powered by a lithium-ion battery. These models heat up quickly, typically have multiple heating levels, can get very hot, and can last a long time in the right conditions. Some electric warmers also double as a handy battery pack you can use to charge your phone on the go. Downsides include susceptibility to moisture or impact damage, potential reduced battery life in the cold, and longer recharging periods. Rechargeable electric hand warmers are also usually a bit more expensive than than traditional disposable models.

　　The OCOOPA UT3 PRO Magnetic Rechargeable is our favorite rechargeable electric hand warmer. It includes a set of two units, so you can keep one in each pocket or hold one in each hand. The units heat up very quickly and have four different heating levels, with the top level reaching up to 136 degrees F. The two units also magnetically stick together to create one larger unit, which can come in handy in certain situations. This model has an input port to recharge but does not include an output prot to charge other devices like your phone.

　　The OCOOPA UT3 PRO includes two rechargeable units, each with four heat level settings; (photo/Nick Bruckbauer) Other rechargeble electric models like the Zippo Heat Bank 9 and the OCOOPA Rechargeable Hand Warmer both include output ports, allowing these devices to double as a battery pack for your phone or other small electronic devices, ensuring they will be able to be used year-round.

　　We love utilitarian, multi-use devices like electric hand warmers since they are effective and let us cut down on our waste stream. However, there are a few advantages to disposable, chemical-powered hand warmers. They are generally smaller and softer, allowing them to be shoved into a glove or a sock. They come in pairs so you can have one for each pocket, and depending on how many hand warmers you go through in a year, they can be a much less expensive option.

　　Catalytic Catalytic hand warmers run on liquid fuel and require a flame to start flameless combustion. Because these warmers generate heat via combustion, they never need to be charged and work well even in very cold temps. Though catalytic warmers provide a consistent heat source for longer periods of time, they can be messy and somewhat complicated to fill.This really only applies to the Zippo 12-hour Hand Warmer.

　　We think the majority of folks wont want the hassle of needing to keep lighter fluid on hand and the potential mess of refilling the unit, so they should go with the rechargeable electric model. But the Zippo could be useful for folks at hunting camps or in other scenarios without access to electricity, where the reliability of using lighter fluid outweighs the potential downsides.

　　The Zippo 12-hour hand warmer runs on lighter fluid and isnt hindered by extreme cold. Tester Paul Mandell considers it the perfect dad gift (photo/Matt Bento) Disposable Disposable hand warmers are the cheapest, easiest to use, and usually the most reliable. They take a while to heat up but have a pretty consistent temperature for their run time. They can only be used once, so if you need hand warmers often, either purchase them by the pack or consider another type of warmer.

　　Our favorite disposable hand warmers by far are the Ignik Hand Warmers. Not only did they get hotter than the other disposable warmers we tested, they also come in a resealable baggie, so If you use them for five hours of their 10-hour runtime, you can put them back in their package. This cuts off the oxygen, stopping the oxidation process and effectively “turning them off” until you need to use them again. The insides are compostable, and we’re generally psyched about the brand’s commitment to making a disposable product as environmentally friendly as they can.

　　HotSnapZ heat up quickly thanks to a chemical reaction, but they only maintained heat for 2 hours; (photo/Matt Bento) Heat Output When shopping for effective hand warmers, heat output is most peoples top priority. If a hand warmer isnt warm enough, its rendered useless. However, its important to understand the relationship between heat output and other factors including run time, reliability, and price.

　　As a general rule, lithium-ion-powered warmers tend to offer the highest maximum temperatures.

　　While battery-powered warmers are great, they tend to be less effective in cold conditions. Its important to note maximum temperatures are generally only achievable for most hand warmers in relatively moderate conditions.

　　Other types of hand warmers, including catalytic and most disposable warmers, are usually able to perform at their maximum temperature no matter the surrounding air temperature. While these types of warmers may not boast the same maximum temperatures as battery-powered warmers, theyre less condition-dependent and perhaps more reliable.

　　The Zippo Heat Bank 9 gives you a little more bang for your buck since it can provide some extra power to your devices as well as warm your hands; (photo/Matt Bento) Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Hand Warmers While all the hand warmers on our list are pretty easy to operate, we’ve found a few tricks that will make them go farther.

　　Disposable warmers take a few minutes to heat up as they rely on oxidation to catalyze the chemical reaction that generates heat. So, if youre looking to get them cooking more quickly, keep them outside of your pockets initially, and give them a good shake to get the process going.

　　Electronic devices like cellphones and cameras can suffer from extreme cold, as their batteries can struggle to hold a charge. You can take a disposable hand warmer like the Ignick Hand Warmer and tape it to the back of your device or chuck a few in an insulated pouch with your camera batteries to get better performance in the wintertime.

　　FAQ Are hand warmers safe to use? Most hand warmers are safe if used properly. Some people, usually children, have very sensitive skin and should not let hand warmers come into direct contact with their skin.

　　Some hand warmer varieties, like catalytic burner warmers, prove to be more dangerous than others. To safely use these, you must ensure the correct fuel is used and theres no excess fluid on the outside before you light it.

　　If not sealed properly, there is also a risk of carbon monoxide leaking, which poses a danger if used in a confined space. An insulated sleeve can also be a useful safety measure when using catalytic warmers.

　　Which hand warmer is best for me? To decide which hand warmer is best for you, ask yourself one question: What is my intended use?

　　If you are a climber, maybe Grabber Hand Warmers will be the best choice. These warmers are quick to warm and very compact. Also, they can fit easily into a chalk bag and allow you to warm up your fingers mid-route.

　　If you’re a hunter with cold hands, a longer-lasting reusable hand warmer is likely to be the best choice. Or if you want to keep your hands warm as you watch your kids play outside, opt for the HotSnapZ.

　　All types of warmers have their pros and cons. It just depends on the application.

　　Which hand warmer lasts the longest? On this list, the Zippo 12-Hour Hand Warmer earns the top prize for total runtime. Because this warmer runs on lighter fluid, its runtime is determined by how much fluid is used. In some tests, a unit filled with maximum fluid stayed warmed for upward of 20 hours.

　　In the disposable category, HotHands Hand Warmers are known to stay warm for up to 10 hours — an impressive stat for such a small and affordable warmer.

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