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If you typically go through an entire box of HotHands in a year, it's probably time to upgrade to rechargeable hand warmers. These battery-powered options are surprisingly affordable and come in packs of two. To help you find the best bang for your buck, I put five of the best rechargeable hand warmers through a series of tests.
How I tested the best rechargeable hand warmers
I considered five rechargeable hand warmers in this test. I started by charging them all to full power (three blue lights) and testing them to see what temperature they put out. I set one of each pair to the highest setting by pressing the power button until all three red lights were on, and the other to the lowest setting (one red light).
Laura Lancaster
I then left them on a table indoors, where the ambient temperature was 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and waited to see how long it took for the batteries to die. I tested battery life indoors rather than outdoors because your pocket retains heat from an electric hand warmer quickly, so they aren't exposed to the outside cold for as long.
| Rechargeable hand warmers | Price for a pair | Heating on low | Battery life on low | Heat on high | Battery life on high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-handed | $30 | 111 F | 10.7 hours | 140F | 6.1 hours |
| Dnaleao | $15 | 108 F | 7.5 hours | 127 F | 4.8 hours |
| Ocoopa | $30 | 105 F | 8.7 hours | 119 F | 5.4 hours |
| Gutimo | $23 | 109 F | 7.5 hours | 125 F | 4.7 hours |
| Lerat | $20 | 116 F | 3.5 hours | 126 F | 2 hours |
The best rechargeable hand warmers: reviews and recommendations
Best Overall: One-handed
Laura Lancaster
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Plus points
- Lasted 6.1 hours on the highest setting
- Lasted 10.7 hours on low
Disadvantages
- More expensive than other options I looked at
- Somewhat difficult to separate the two hand warmers
Main features
Price:
$30
Temperature range:
111F to 140F
Coupling via a locking mechanism
Comes with a dual USB-C charging cable
Report card
Lasted 6.1 hours on the highest setting
Lasted 10.7 hours on low
The Unihand was the best performing electric hand warmer in my test, lasting over six hours on high and almost 11 hours on low. This was especially impressive because it achieved higher temperature readings than others I looked at. Like all rechargeable hand warmers I tested, the Unihand hand warmers were easy to use. After charging the pair via the dual-head USB-C charging cable, simply press the power button one to three times to choose your desired temperature. They heat up surprisingly quickly, so you only have to turn them on when you're ready to use them.
The downside to the Unihand is that it's a little more expensive, and the locking mechanism that connects the two hand warmers together – either for storage or if you prefer a larger hand warmer that warms on both sides – is a little stickier than I would like find.
Read next: The best hand warmers
Ocoopa
Laura Lancaster
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Plus points
- More expensive than other options I looked at
- The second highest performer in my test
- USB-C port covers
Disadvantages
- The magnetic coupling mechanism is too weak
Main features
Price:
$30
Temperature range:
105F to 119F
Couples via magnets
Comes with a dual USB-C charging cable
Report card
Lasted 5.4 hours on the highest setting
Lasted 8.7 hours on low
The Ocoopa was the second best performing electric hand warmer in my test, with nice aesthetics. Like my top pick, it's a bit on the pricey side. Unfortunately, the magnets that link the pair together are quite weak and they probably won't stay together for long in your junk drawer. I appreciated that these hand warmers had silicone covers for the USB-C ports, although it's worth noting that Ocoopa doesn't rate these as weatherproof.
Best Value: Dnaleao
Laura Lancaster
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Plus points
- Less expensive than other options I looked at
- Easy to use locking mechanism
Disadvantages
- Only one end of the included dual charging cord worked
Main features
Price:
$15
Temperature range:
108F to 127F
Coupling via a locking mechanism
Comes with a dual USB-C charging cable
Report card
Lasted 4.8 hours on the highest setting
Lasted 7.5 hours on low
I was impressed with how well the Dnaleo, which cost half the price of my top overall pick, performed during testing. It lasted 4.8 hours on high and 7.5 hours on low – long enough to get through both kids' soccer matches or a full day of ski slopes, respectively. While the included charging cord for this rechargeable hand warmer looked exactly the same as the other options I looked at – a single USB-A connected to two USB-Cs – it was the only one where one of the two USB-C connectors did not . t work. If this happens to you, you can use another USB-C charger in your arsenal to compensate, or simply charge the hand warmers one at a time.
Gutimo
Laura Lancaster
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Plus points
- Easy to use locking mechanism
Main features
Price
$23
Temperature range
109F to 125F
Coupling via a locking mechanism
Comes with a dual USB-C charging cable
Report card
Lasted 4.7 hours on the highest setting
Lasted 7.5 hours on low
While I liked the Gutimo's locking mechanism more than other electric hand warmers I've tested, the test results were poor enough relative to the price that it's not one of my top picks.
Lerat
Laura Lancaster
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Plus points
- Less expensive than other options we looked at
Disadvantages
- Worst performing battery in my test
- No locking mechanism
Main features
Price
$20
Temperature range
116F to 126F
No locking mechanism
Comes with a dual USB-C charging cable
Report card
Lasted 2 hours on the highest setting
On low it took 3.5 hours
The Lerat was one of the worst performing rechargeable hand warmers in my test. While it cost less than some top performers, it only lasted two hours on high—that's not even long enough for a high school football game. It was also the only hand warmer in my test that didn't have a locking mechanism. That said, the charging cable worked fine, and I appreciated the sleek profile compared to the insect-like or industrial look of some of the other options I considered.
Things to Consider Before Buying Rechargeable Hand Warmers
Battery life of the best rechargeable hand warmers
The most important factor when choosing a rechargeable hand warmer is the size of the battery. Look for the hand warmer that provides the best performance for your needs before making a final decision. All of the hand warmers I tested included dual USB-C charging cables, making this product more versatile than those that use micro-USB or lightning cables.
Cost of the best rechargeable hand warmers
While rechargeable hand warmers are quite affordable in the grand scheme of outdoor gear, some are twice as expensive as others. If you buy in bulk, that can add up quickly.
Connecting mechanisms of the best rechargeable hand warmers
The ability to attach your hand warmers together is convenient for storage and travel. In my testing, the magnetic clutch mechanism tended to fall apart quite easily, while the locking mechanisms were more reliable.
Frequently asked questions
Whether rechargeable hand warmers are better than disposable hand warmers mainly depends on how often you use them. If you only use hand warmers once or twice a year, disposable hand warmers are likely to have less impact on the environment. But if they're going to be a staple for you all fall and winter, then rechargeable will not only result in less waste, but also cost less money in the long run?
In our testing, rechargeable hand warmers typically stayed warm for about five hours on the highest setting, and eight on the lowest setting.
Rechargeable hand warmers typically cost between $15 and $30; however, they are often on sale, so keep an eye out for a good price.
Nearly all of the rechargeable hand warmers I tested had exposed USB-C ports, meaning they were susceptible to exposure to water and dust. If you expect to be in challenging conditions where you can't reliably keep a hand warmer dry, look for an option with a suitable IP rating, such as this option from Ocoopa.
Final thoughts on the best rechargeable hand warmers
If you're someone who spends a lot of time outside in the cold, upgrading to one of the best rechargeable hand warmers makes sense. After testing five of the most popular pairs, I'm convinced that Unihand is the best rechargeable hand warmer, while Dnaleao is a great value.
Laura Lancaster
