11 best hot water bottles 2025 for warming up & soothing cramps
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There’s nothing quite like the simple luxury of a hot water bottle on a chilly evening. In the winter months, the best hot water bottles will provide extra warmth where it's seriously needed – and if you don’t have one yet, this is undoubtedly the season to invest. There's no better time to prepare for the frosty night's of the winter season with buttery soft blankets, chunky knits, warm baths and yes, a trusty hot water bottle.
In a bid to reduce central heating costs, you'll find us working with a hot water bottle propped up on our lap from every day between now and March next year. If you're not already the proud owner of one (where have you been?!), add to your collection of winter warmers (think: the best electric blankets, weighted blankets, thermals et. al.) and make a swift investment.
We’ve put a select few hot water bottles to the test, judging them on warmth, comfort, style, and durability. From luxe velvet covers to quirky printed designs, only the cosiest, comfiest, and most reliable bottles made it into our whittled down edit.
How we test
When it comes to hot water bottles, we don’t just pick the first cosy-looking option we see. A selection of hot water bottles in this edit have been put through a proper hands-on test to make sure they tick all our boxes. We check how quickly the hot water bottle warms up and how long it keeps us toasty, because warmth is obviously key. Comfort is next – whether it’s velvet, quilted cotton, or something in between, it has to feel as good as it looks. Practicality is also essential, from easy filling and secure sealing to machine-washable covers. And finally, we test durability, because the last thing anyone wants is a leak mid-snuggle.
For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
Ahead, our full edit of the best hot water bottles for 2025.
Hot water bottle FAQs:
Are hot water bottles worth it?
Absolutely. Luxury hot water bottles, electric hot water bottles, heat pads and mini hand warmers are an absolute godsend on cold winter nights, keeping us toasty like a great warm cuddle when it's too expensive to put the heating on. But hot water bottles have uses that span far beyond the obvious of warming us up.
Hot water bottles are great if you're suffering from period pains, endometriosis, back pain, arthritis or other chronic conditions. When heat is applied to the skin, our heat receptors get switched on and block the effect of the chemical messengers causing the pain, which means cramps are reduced. Heat therapy is also fantastic at aiding in muscle recovery after HIIT sessions or other workouts. Your hot water bottle can help relieve muscle tension in a similar way to what your massage gun would. It’s time to snuggle up.
Are hot water bottles safe?
While hot water bottles are great for pain relief, they can obviously be dangerous. They're full of boiling water, after all. Ensure you always keep the soft cover on your bottle to avoid the rubber bottle coming into contact with your skin. When filling it up from your kettle, hold the hot water bottle over the sink in case of any spillage. And if you've got a latex allergy, be careful with hot water bottles made from rubber.
What hot water bottle stays hot the longest?
A hot water bottle filled with boiling water and wrapped in a good hot water bottle cover can generally stay hot for one-two hours and warm for most of the night. Uncovered, it will stay warm for approximately one-two hours before going cold.
That's where the secret lies: the hot water bottle cover. Generally speaking, wool tends to offer the most insulation with the least amount of weight, hence why knitted hot water bottle covers (like this striped one and this crocheted one - both from Etsy) score highly.
How to fill your hot water bottle
- Boil the water (although freshly boiled water straight out the kettle is too hot so let it cool for a few minutes) - if you're not sure, check your bottle's label for optimum temperature.
- Holding the neck of the water bottle, fill the bottle to approximately two-thirds or three-quarters before tightly screwing the stopper shut.













