The Top 5 Neck and Shoulder Heating Pads/Wraps (2020)
A high-quality neck & shoulder heating pad is undoubtedly one of the best drug-free ways to quickly relieve your neck and shoulder pain at home.
And:
When you relieve your neck stiffness and pain, you also prevent those neck-related headaches.
In a hurry?
If you are looking for the best neck heating pad – we recommend choosing an electric heating pad, to keep the thermotherapy effect long enough to work.
Through our research, we’ve narrowed all neck heating pads down to the three best ones in 2020, to save you a lot of time exploring all of them yourself.
The 3 heating pads for cervical and shoulder pain you’ll find below are all:
1. Designed especially for the neck and shoulder area, high-quality materials.
2. Long enough to wrap around your shoulders
3. Heat up fast
4. Easy to use
We’ve included special features for each neck warmer pad, pros and cons, and our fluff-free reviews to help you decide which one is the best for you.
Overview
✅ The 5 Best Neck & Shoulder Heating Pads
What’s the best electric heating cushion/wrap for your neck?
If you’re in a hurry, here’s our summary first (we recommend reading on to see the pros and cons of each heating pad):
| Our Rating | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunbeam 885-911 Neck & Shoulder Wrap with heat   | 4.5 | Electric Moist+Dry |
| Theratherm Moist Heating Pad   | 4.3 | Electric Moist+Dry |
| UTK Neck & Shoulder FIR Heating Pad   | 4.8 | Electric Infrared Heat |
| Huggaroo Microwavable Neck Wrap   | 4.6 | Microwave + Aromatherapy |
| Brookstone Herbal Hot & Cold Neck Wrap   | 4.5 | Microwave + Aromatherapy |
Best Electric Neck & Shoulder Heat Pads
Let’s start with electric ones, and below you’ll find the 2 best microwaveable neck wraps in 2020.
1. 🥇 Sunbeam Renue Neck Wrap
Sunbeam Neck and Shoulder Wrap – see color choices and check today’s price
The Sunbeam neck heating pad is designed as a perfect fit for your neck and shoulders because once you put it on, it stays put.
(It has slightly weighted edges and a magnetic clasp for a secure fit)
It warms up fast and is very comfortable to use.
Size: Size: 14″ x 22
Weight: 1.7lbs
Power: standard 110v
Sunbeam Neck Heating Wrap Pros
1. You can choose from 4 heat settings to find the exact fit for you (through a digital controller)
2. The cover is made from soft micro-plush which feels nice around your neck
3. 2-hour shut off – plenty of time to relieve your neck pain
4. You can choose either dry or moist heat
5. Long electric cord
6. 1-year warranty
7. Fully machine washable
8. Reasonable price
Cons
1. It contains magnets, so people with a pacemaker, ICD or an internal insulin pump can’t use it. However, you can remove the magnets from the side flaps and resolve this problem.
2. It’s not the most lightweight neck heating pad (due to the magnets)
Alternatives from the same brand:
Sunbeam has a few more neck heating pads which you can consider:
The XL model is bigger and covers most of your back too (size 25 x 25 inches).
The XL Massaging model has 4 massage options to supercharge your neck pain relief.
Sunbeam XL neck heating wrap – check today’s price
Bottom Line
2. Theratherm Moist Heating Pad – Hottest Neck Heat Pad
TheraTherm neck heating pad – see today’s price
The Chattanooga Theratherm neck heating pad uses flannel covering which draws moisture from the air and delivers intense heat (88-166 degrees Fahrenheit) to your neck and shoulder area.
Size: 16 x 9.5 x 3 inches
Weight: 2.6 pounds
Power: Standard 110v
Theratherm neck heating pad Pros
1. Lightweight, easy to move around with
2. Flannel covering feels nice on bare skin
3. A digital controller allows you to control temperature and treatment time (up to one hour before is shuts off)
4. UL and cUL classified.
5. Doesn’t get very wet, you won’t need a towel under it
6. The cover is removable and washable
Cons
1. The timer can be set to 1-hour maximum, after that you’ll have to turn it on again. However, you can restart the timer immediately.
2. Not designed to wrap the neck
Bottom Line
The Theratherm neck heating pad is a very effective neck pain reliever. The deep moist heat seems to penetrate deep into the aches and pains of the muscles.
We give it 4.3 stars
Pro Tip
Consider combining heat therapy with massage therapy in one device. See the 5 best neck massager pillows HERE.
3. 🥇 UTK Neck & Shoulder Far Infrared Heating Pad
UTK infrared heat pad for neck and shoulders – see on Amazon
Though it’s the most expensive one in our list, the UTK far infrared heating pad is our #1 choice for a neck heating pad, and here’s why:
1. Far Infrared heat penetrates much deeper than conventional heating pads, and won’t burn your skin.
2. The FIR heat is generated through natural jade stones (healing stones), which emit infrared waves when heated.
3. Zero EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation – a shielding layer around the heating wire reduced EMF to none.
4. The UTK FIR pad generates negative ions. Numerous studies show negative ions produce biochemical reactions that relieve stress, relieve depression, boost energy and boost the immune system.
5. This heating pad has the most solid construction
6. A digital timer with temperature control
7. Fit for travel – both 110-120v and 220-240v and comes with a travel bag.
8. Stays in place – has a Velcro strap on the pad itself
9. We love the material: soft PU leather (both sides) and non-toxic PP cotton
10. Heat: 103℉-159℉ range
11. The timer can be set to 4 hours (!) continuous use and shuts off automatically.
Size: 27.6 x 24.6 x 0.5 inches. Heating area is 10 x 14 inches
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Cons
The only thing we don’t like is the price, which is due to the special infrared heat feature, delivered through dozens of semi-precious Jade and Tourmaline stones.
We give it 4.8 stars
Pro Tip
When we watch this page on Amazon, we often come across good sale prices for the UTK heat wrap. If you find it for less than $130 – grab it!
Bottom Line
The construction is solid, the infrared heat is highly effective (relieves pain for at least 6 hours, compared to 2-3 hours with the conventional ones) and we love the effect of the negative ions on our mood.
If you think your health deserves the best then the UTK FIR heating pad is the right choice for you.
👉 See reviews and comparison for all UTK infrared heating pads!
Best Microwavable Neck Wraps
Microwave neck and shoulder heating pads deliver deep, moist heat, and are usually made with soft fabric and filled with heat-keeping natural materials, such as corn, wheat, and flaxseed.
We prefer the ones that come with a soothing scent, created by herbal aromatherapy inserted inside and released when you heat the wrap, which immediately helps you relax and relieve stress as well.
1. Huggaroo Microwavable Neck Wrap with Herbal Aromatherapy
Huggaroo microwave neck wrap – check price on Amazon
This high-quality microwave neck heat pad covers both your neck and your shoulders, which makes it a bit heavier than average (most users prefer a heavier neck heat pad).
Why?
Because the extra weight helps keep it in place and allows you to move around with it – without dropping it or constantly adjusting it.
This 3.5 lbs neck wrap can also be used as a cool pad by freezing it for a while.
👉 Filling: clay beads, flax seeds, wheat, lavender, chamomile, peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, rosemary, cinnamon, yarrow, white willow, valerian root, yellow dock.
The fragrance is gentle and not overbearing, and the heat lasts for about 30 minutes.
👉 It can also be used for lower back pain, stomach pain and cramps, joint pain and arthritis.
✅ Price – the average price for this type of heat pad – check for sale prices on Amazon.
2. Brookstone Herbal Hot & Cold Neck Wrap
Hot & cold microwaveable neck wrap – check today’s price
This soft and comfortable heat pad covers your upper back, neck and shoulders perfectly, and has a higher than average collar for all neck sizes.
Like the first one, this one can also be used for cold therapy, which we usually recommend for an acute injury. It stays hot for about half an hour.
👉 Filling: Lavender, White Willow, Valerian Root, Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint, Spearmint, Hops, Yellow Dock, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, and Yarrow.
👉 Can also be used for: abdominal pain, PMS cramps, joint pain, lower and upper back pain
✅ Price – Check this page on Amazon, and if you find it for less than $30 – it’s a great price.
Conclusion
Thermotherapy is scientifically proven effective for mechanical neck pain, and using an electric neck wrap is one of the best ways to use this simple and proven pain relief method – at home.
You’ve just found the top 5 neck and shoulder pads in the market, to help you choose the right one for you. our personal choice is the UTK Infrared Heating Pad, which seems to be the highest quality and includes the amazing infrared heat therapy.
👉 If you want to learn more about why infrared heat is superior to conventional heat, see this post now.
To heal your neck pain for good, we highly recommend incorporating a neck traction pillow (to prevent and heal neck pain at night) and trying neck traction at home.
We truly hope you found these neck heating pads reviews useful and time-saving. If you have any questions or comments, please share them with us in the comments below.
To your health and happiness,
The Back Pain Relief Products Team
References
Cramer, Holger & Baumgarten, Christian & Choi, Eun & Lauche, Romy & Saha, Felix & Musial, Frauke & Dobos, Gustav. (2012). Thermotherapy self-treatment for neck pain relief – A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 4. e371-e378. 10.1016/j.eujim.2012.04.001.
