Best hand warmers for keeping warm in a cold snap

The Ocoopa UT2s add a bit of versatility to your setup, as this duo not only works as hand warmers, but they can also be used as a power bank to charge your devices. That’s all powered by a 5,000mAh rechargeable battery in each unit.

You can use these as two separate hand warmers or make the most of the magnetic connection and unite them as one. This means you can keep both hands warm while they’re in pockets or share your hand warmers with a friend.

That being said, the magnetic connection isn’t that strong, so I’m never particularly confident that I’ll find them both together when pulling them out of my daypack.

Ocoopa says battery life is up to eight hours for each hand warmer, though that number falls pretty quickly depending on which heat setting you use and whether or not you use the units as a power bank, too.

In testing, on one day I got five hours out of the units, using them on a mix of the highest setting and the second mode out of four.

The units have a max temperature of 58°C, which is pretty impressive, though you’ll need to use them on their max setting to benefit most on truly freezing days, which of course then cuts battery life.

Thankfully, the units are reasonably comfortable to hold for long periods, with the ergonomic shape meaning they fit nicely into the palm of your hand.

The brand also says that each unit is able to charge a phone by up to one and a half times, which feels about right (as long as you’re not draining it as a hand warmer, too).

There’s both a USB C and USB B connectivity to enable recharging or powering other devices.

Here’s a classic option that’s been around for years. These Lifesystems Reusable Hand Warmers are easy to operate and deliver a very good level of warmth considering their low price tag (£5.99).

To operate them, you simply have to click the disk inside each hand warmer. The liquid inside then activates, solidifies and provides warmth for up to around 45 minutes. That’s fine for a short walk or an emergency situation, but it’s not all that handy for longer walks.

That liquid inside is a mixture of sodium acetate and water. Lifesystems says: “This is a completely non-toxic substance, making it safe for both the user and the environment.”

Once solidified, the hand warmers can be returned to their original state, ready to use again, by adding them into boiling water for eight minutes. This means that, in theory, if you’re backpacking with a stove, you can use them over and over again, whereas electric or combustion options may be more difficult to keep using when they run out.

As for the lifespan, we’re told that, while individual experiences may vary, the hand warmers “are typically effective for around 300 uses”.

Looking like some sort of giant alien pill, these nifty gadgets promise to keep your hands toasty, and they certainly deliver when it’s freezing out.

The design is pretty neat. Each unit comprises two magnetically connected hand warmers that can be used together or separately, allowing for versatile heating options.

This split magnetic feature is particularly handy when you want to slip one into each pocket, ensuring both hands stay warm without the need to huddle them together.

Operating the hand warmers is straightforward. With three adjustable heat settings, you can tailor the warmth to your preference.

I found the low setting ample for mild chills, while the higher settings are perfect for more frigid conditions, or when the warmth needs to work its way through layers of thick clothing.

The rapid start feature is impressive; within approximately 10 seconds, a comforting heat begins to emanate, providing immediate relief for your fingers.

Battery life is commendable, offering between six and nine hours of continuous heat, depending on the chosen setting – sufficient for most day-long outdoor activities, especially in winter.

Recharging is convenient via the included USB-C cable, and an added bonus is the power bank function, allowing you to charge your mobile devices on the go – a thoughtful touch.

However, it's worth noting that while the hand warmers heat up quickly, they only emit heat from one side. This isn't a deal-breaker but does mean you'll need to position them accordingly for optimal warmth.

Additionally, at 113g each, they're not what you’d call lightweight in comparison to their disposable equivalents, and end up being slightly too bulky for smaller gloves, so they're best used in coat pockets or larger mittens.

The Zippo 12-hour Hand Warmer is unique in this test, as it needs to be filled with lighter fluid to work.

The lighter fluid is sold separately and will cost you around £5 per bottle. You then need to pour it into the little carton that Zippo provides with its hand warmer, and pour this into the hand warmer itself. It’s a little fiddly, but easy enough.

To start generating heat, you need to take a naked flame to the burner at the top of the product. This won’t create a flame, but it will start burning the fuel inside, generating heat. It gets pretty hot, so the brand recommends popping the hand warmer into the included fabric pouch to avoid burning yourself.

This method comes with a few cons. One is that there’s no way to switch it off. Once you’ve lit the catalytic burner, the handwarmer will continue heating until there’s no fuel left. This is anywhere between a few hours and 12 hours, depending on how much fuel you’ve used (fill the carton halfway for six hours, of to the top for 12).

Of course, that means you need to refill it every time you want to use it, which inevitably will incur ongoing costs when you run out of lighter fluid. The burner itself also has a limited lifespan, so there’s an added cost there, too.

One of the other issues is that this is quite a smelly product, thanks to the lighter fluid.

On the flip side, positives include the low weight (79g when empty), which is considerably below some of the other options in this list.

The long burn time is also impressive and is up there with the best here.