Best Hot Water Bottles
Looking for a way to warm up your sleeping space but aren’t keen on electric blankets and cords? A traditional hot water bottle is a great alternative when you either don’t want, or don’t have available, an electronic source.
These rubber or silicone containers can handle the high heat or near boiling water and create a soothing warmth you can use as a direct application to anywhere on your body, or as a safe application under your blankets to warm up your bed. Affordable and easy to use, take a look at our selection of our best hot water bottle picks below and pick out your favorites.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  foricom Hot Water Bottle with CoverCHECK PRICE |
|
| #2 |  Peterpan XXXL Teddy Hot Water Bottle CHECK PRICE |
|
| #3 |  Easycosy Hot Water Bottle CHECK PRICE |
|
| #4 |  Toxin Hot Water Bottle with Water Bag Pouch CHECK PRICE |
|
| #5 |  Samply Hot Water Bottle- 2 Liter Water BagCHECK PRICE |
|
| #6 |  Body Bottle, Eco Long ‘Wearable’ Hot & Cold Water Bottle CHECK PRICE |
|
| #7 |  HomeTop Premium Classic Rubber Hot Water Bottle CHECK PRICE |
|
| #8 |  Redify Microwave Heating Silicone Hot Water Bottle Bag CHECK PRICE |
|
You may want to read: The Best Heating Pads
What is a Hot Water Bottle?
A hot water bottle is usually a rectangular shaped container made from rubber or silicon to provide a flexible vessel for both hot and cold water use. Shaped to place anywhere you need direct heat placement, it offers a soothing warmth that you don’t have to depend on electricity for.
They have been around for many centuries, first utilizing different types of containers (including animal skins and metal), but it was revolutionized in the early 1900s with the use of rubber – introducing the traditional wide mouth funnel and compact casing many of us are familiar with today.
Our Top Hot Water Bottle Picks
The following hot water bottle picks are our favorites. Different designs, detailed covers, and even wearable options all exist. Pick and choose from your favorites!
1. Editor’s Choice: foricom Hot Water Bottle with Cover
Key Specs:
- Size: 11 x 8 x 2 inches
- Cover: Soft Fleece
- Material: PVC
This twist on the timeless classic water bottle provides all the perks with a center filling area to help with a more even fill. Made from a durable rubber, it provides a retractable head to avoid scalding. It also comes with your choice of color fleece cover that encompasses the entire bottle, and even has a pocket to place your hands in! Made from a high quality PVC, it is leak proof for peace of mind. Also use as a cold pack!
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
2. Runner Up: Peterpan XXXL Teddy Hot Water Bottle
Key Specs:
- Size: 9 x 17 x 2 inches
- Cover: Soft faux fur
- Material: 56% rubber, PVC
Made from a grade A natural rubber, the Peterpan XXXL large option is perfect for when you need to warm up! Approximately 9 by 17 inches, it can hold up to 100 fluid ounces of hot or cold water, and holds heat for hours at a time. The soft, teddy bear-like cover is sturdy and incredibly comforting as well, making this an option you will love to curl up with.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
3. Best Long Length: Easycosy Hot Water Bottle
Key Specs:
- Size: 28 x 5 x 2 inches
- Cover: Soft knit
- Material: Rubber
Love water bottles but wish you could have a longer length for bed warming or simply to cuddle up with without the bulk? The Easycosy water bottle is the perfect option for this as it measures 28 inches in length to provide a non-traditional size for you to take advantage of. Made from natural rubber, it is covered with a soft, knitted cover that is decorative and comforting.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
4. Best with Wearable Waist Pack: Toxin Hot Water Bottle
Key Specs:
- Size: 10 x 10 x 4 inches
- Cover: Soft fleece with soft, adjustable belt
- Material: Rubber
When you want heat on specific parts of your body, but it is difficult due to awkwardness, you need a wearable option! Use as a traditional bottle, or set securely against your shoulders, stomach, or lower back for relief when used with the adjustable belt. The soft fleece covers help distribute heat more evenly, and it can even be used as a cold pack.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
5. Best with Knitted Cover: Samply Hot Water Bottle
Key Specs:
- Size: 13 x 7 x 2 inches
- Cover: Soft knit
- Material: PVC
Available in 1 and 2 liter options, this traditional style water bottle is made from a durable PVC and can stay warm up to 9 hours under a blanket. Perfect for travel, it isn’t too large, but still large enough to heat a decent size space or use against a specific body part. The wide mouth top makes it easy to fill and the knitted cover comes in a variety of soft colors for you to choose from.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
6. Best Wearable Long: Body Bottle Eco Long ‘Wearable’ Hot & Cold Water Bottle
Key Specs:
- Size: 17 x 6 x inches
- Cover: Soft fleece
- Material: Biodegradable rubber
Love the long style hot water bottles, but wish you could securely wrap it around you? Now you can with the Body Bottle, an economically friendly, wearable hot and cold water bottle so you can get comfort specifically to the areas you need it in. Especially nice for abdomen and back use, and can be used untied when the full length is desired. It secures with a simple loop and tie for adjustability.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
7. Best Cover: HomeTop Premium Classic Rubber Hot Water Bottle with Cute Unicorn Cover
Key Specs:
- Size: 16 x 9 x 2.5 inches
- Cover: Fleece animal character
- Material: Rubber
When children don’t feel good or need comfort, plushies always seem to help make things a little bit better. This water bottle comes with a choice of adorable covers in a variety of cute stuffed animal characters. Easy to fill, it comes with a metal stopper for long lasting durability and up to 8 hours of heat under a blanket.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
8. Best Microwavable: Redify Microwave Heating Silicone Hot Water Bottle Bag
Key Specs:
- Size: 7 x 5.5 x 2 inches
- Cover: Knit
- Material: Silicone
If you hate having to heat water and then pour it into your hot water bottle, this product solves that problem. Made from a food grade silicone, it is soft, durable, and easy to heat in the microwave over and over. It also has a soft knit cover (remove before microwaving), that helps distribute heat evenly. Use with cold water as well when you need a cooling compress.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
You may be interested in: The Best Heated Mattress Pad in King Size
Hot Water Bottle Benefits
Just because a hot water bottle is an older style way of providing direct heat doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its uses in the modern world. There are many advantages of having an “unplugged” heat source. Take a look at some of our favorite:
- Compact and flexible to place directly over sore areas to help alleviate pain and muscle soreness.
- Helps provide a soothing warmth to a cold bed in the winter.
- Loosens muscles to help alleviate stress and tension.
- Warmth on the abdomen can aid in digestion and soothe an upset stomach.
- Portable for travel, especially for camping.
- Can be used with chilled water for a cooling sensation.
- Safely warm an animal’s bed, especially newborns or ill pets.
- No electricity is required, so it can be used anywhere.
- Safe for use anywhere without fear of overheating or fire.
Types of Hot Water Bottles
Although a hot water bottle is just that, they do have some variation in design. Take a look at what details you might want to know in advance.
— Size
First, they come in different sizes. Although many are compact and are a little smaller than a piece of writing paper, smaller or even much larger options exist for you to take advantage of for your needs.
— Shape
They also have some shape variation, with the rectangular shaped and elongated tube style being the most popular. These can be used in various ways, and even be worn in a manner when needed.
— Microwavable
Depending on the materials used, they may also be microwavable, providing you the opportunity to avoid having to heat water first.
— Cover Type
And for many, how they are covered is an important deciding factor. Water bottles should always be used with a layer of cloth between you and the bottle to help dissipate heat and also keep from it being too hot against your skin. Faux fur, knit designs, soft cotton, and specialized designs all exist.
Hot Water Bottle Care
If you want to keep your hot water bottle lasting for years to come, it is important you take good care of it. First, always follow directions concerning the use of water temperature, both hot and cold, suggested by the manufacturer.
- Never microwave your bottle unless it is designed to be used in such a manner. There are different materials deemed microwavable safe, while others are not.
- After emptying your bottle, you want to set it in an open manner to allow it to dry out completely. If water is left inside for too long, or it is not allowed to dry, it can begin to harbor bacteria.
- Check the bottle periodically for cracks or leaks. Although not dangerous, it can make a mess!
- Clean the inside of your bottle every so often with white vinegar and water to help ensure it stays fresh or remove any lingering bacteria that could have begun to grow.
- Never place anything but water in your hot water bottle!
Which Would You Pick?
We’ve highlighted some pretty awesome hot water bottle choices that definitely hold the heat when you want it. Whether you like a more traditional option, or something you can wear, these provide you what you need. Remember, hot water bottles can also be used for cold application, and are durable enough for packing and travel – a great option if electricity will be limited!
Photo credit: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock;
Svetliy/Shutterstock