Last modified on March 14th, 2022 at 2:10 pm

Top 10 Most Effective Heating Pads for Better Circulation in the Legs

Poor circulation often occurs in the legs, and it can get quite painful. Adequate circulation in your legs is paramount to your overall health. While regular exercise and stretching can do wonders, it’s always nice to find something extra to help with leg circulation. 

Heating pads for legs are an ideal and soothing solution. That said, not all heating pads are equal, and not all are ideal for increasing circulation in the legs. We’ve got the rundown on the best heating pads to help with your leg circulation, and what you need to know about how to improve circulation in your legs.

Product

Summary

Sunbeam Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4.0/5

This is by far one of the most convenient options for relieving leg pain and improving circulation at the same time.

 

Mighty Bliss Large Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4.5/5

This heating pad is dynamic, which makes it easier than ever to comfortably improve the circulation in your legs.


Ambershine XXXL Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4.0/5

Add to that six different heat settings, and we were justifiably impressed. It’s a huge relief, and it’s a pad you can have confidence in.

Tech Love XXL Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4.5/5

First, you have six different heat settings, easily viewed and changed from the LCD controller.


Insider Blue Electric Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4.0/5

For poor circulation sufferers that like to have very, very specific heat, this heating pad is a sure winner.

 

Geniani XL Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4/5

We loved how user-friendly and effective this heating pad was. It’s super soft too and feels like a cozy blanket.


Vive Moist Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4/5

One thing we loved right off the bat was how easy the Vive heating pad was to use wherever we wanted.

 

DONECO XpressHeat Heating Pad

Overall Rating - 4.5/5

We liked the remote a lot; it gives you the easy to read details you need, without getting too complicated.


Sun Bag King Size Dry

Overall Rating - 4.5/5

This heating pad is a great solution, especially for people that shift about while they’re trying to get comfortable.


Thermophore MAXHeat


Overall Rating - 4.5/5

The Thermophore heat pad is one of the most high powered heating pads for legs that you’ll find.




PRODUCT REVIEWS

BEST HEATING PADS FOR BETTER CIRCULATION IN THE LEGS

Pros

Cons

Allows for four different heat modes

Doesn’t shut off too quickly, two hours is perfect

Easy to care for and machine washable

Warranty is only valid through approved sellers

Features

This is by far one of the most convenient options for relieving leg pain and improving circulation at the same time. One thing we liked was the auto-off timer. After two hours the heating pads automatically turn off. It seems like just the right amount of time: some heating pads seem to turn off much sooner than we’d like. This timing gives you relief without the worry of overdoing it. If you’re using it at the end of the day when you might doze off, the unit will turn itself off for you.


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Pros

Cons

Fantastic customer service- they offer lifetime replacement

Includes three heat settings and works moist or dry

Easily cleaned in the washing machine


Fairly large temperature differences between the levels

Features

This heating pad is dynamic, which makes it easier than ever to comfortably improve the circulation in your legs. We also loved that it’s much larger than the standard sized heating pads. This is a plus as it is a nuisance to keep repositioning your heating pad to get the relief you need because the pad is too small. Since this pad is larger (12 by 24 inches), you can cover more leg area. It feels soft and cozy, kind of like slipping into your favorite pajamas. It has three different temperature settings, but the other real standout feature is that you can use it for damp or dry heat.

Pros

Cons

Very large, can cover most (if not all) of your legs

Six different settings allows more controlled comfort

Overheat protection shuts the pad off after two hours


Makes a slight buzzing noise

Features

If you’re looking for a deluxe heating pad to help with your leg circulation, look no further than the Ambershine XXXL heating pad. Just like you might glean from the name, it’s really big. You can easily cover the majority of your legs and depending on your height, all of your legs.

It heats up quickly, so when you need relief there’s virtually no waiting. We’re talking full heat within seconds. Add to that six different heat settings, and we were justifiably impressed. It’s an over-large heating area, and it’s a pad you can have confidence in. It comes with a full year’s warranty.


Pros

Cons

Includes elastic strap and carrying case

Shutoff can be set for two or six hours

LCD controller makes it easy to use


Takes a moment to navigate the remote setup

Features

The Tech Love XXL heating pad is ideal for people that need plenty of options to increase leg circulation. Sometimes you might be having an easy day, and you only need a little heat to soothe your legs. Other days are much tougher. On those days, you’ll be glad for a few things about this heating pad for legs. First, you have six different heat settings, easily viewed and changed from the LCD controller. Next, you can choose between a two-hour shutoff option or a six-hour shutoff. So if you need long-lasting support, you’ve got it.

Pros

Cons

Tons of options: 9 heat settings and 4 shutoff options

Includes 2 machine washable covers

Comes with carrying bag and removable elastic straps


Owner’s manual is a little confusing

Features

For poor circulation sufferers that like to have very, very specific heat, this heating pad is a sure winner. While most heating pads for legs have only a single shutoff option, and maybe two if you’re lucky, this one has four. That’s an advantage over the competition, but it gets even better. You have a huge range of different heat options: you have nine different temperature choices, and you can use either moist or dry heat. At first, we didn’t realize how much we’d love having two different covers. They’re both machine washable, so you can keep using the heating pad even while you’re washing one of the covers.


Pros

Cons

The perfect temperature difference between settings

Easy to use and move around

Feels soft and flexible


High setting automatically reduces heat after 10 minutes

Features

We loved how user-friendly and effective this heating pad was. It’s super soft too, and feels like a cozy blanket. When you switch between the heat levels (low, medium, and high), it’s a noticeable difference. However, it doesn’t leap from tepid to scorching like some heating pads do (which can be startling, and make it difficult to find a ‘goldilocks’ setting). It has a good size, at about 1x2 feet. It’s enough to get circulation back into the areas where your legs need it, but not so big that it’s cumbersome.


Pros

Cons

Super user-friendly and straightforward

The longer cord makes it easy to use almost anywhere

Moist heat provides extra effective comfort


Doesn’t get as hot as some pads

Features

One thing we loved right off the bat was how easy the Vive heating pad was to use wherever we wanted. The cord is much longer than most heating pads, so if you don’t have an outlet right near the bed or couch, the extra long cord is a bonus. The remote is easy to use and understand, so you won’t waste valuable relaxation hassling with the instructions. It has four different settings, and you can use moist heat as well as dry. It’s ideal for getting deep heat to the places where your legs need it.


Pros

Cons

Covers a good amount of space (12” by 24”)

The controller is easy to read and use

Has a great plushy feel


Flap prevents some heat from coming through

Features

When you’ve reached the end of a long day, sometimes you just want quick relief that works and gets the blood flowing again. We liked the remote a lot; it gives you the easy to read details you need, without getting too complicated. Plus, we also just plain loved the feel of it. It’s soft but still durable, so you’ll get plenty of use out of it. Pair that with machine wash safe convenience, and you can see why we were so taken with this heating pad.


Pros

Cons

Ideal for increasing circulation in legs

We loved the flannel covering

Elastic straps keep heat where you need it


Heats up to the max, then lowers to your chosen setting

Features

This heating pad is a great solution, especially for people that shift about while they’re trying to get comfortable. Why do we say that? Because the velcro strap helps keep it in place. While most people would use the strap for their back, we thought it was a huge convenience when trying to keep the pad right where you want it, even if you’re laying down. It automatically shuts off after two hours, which is a nice length of time, and also prevents accidental burns or irritation on your skin.


Pros

Cons

Larger than most heating pads (14” x 27”)

No water needed to use moist heat

Gives professional quality heat


Somewhat pricier than others (although it’s pro-level, so that could be expected)

Features

Sometimes you need an extra boost to the circulation in your legs. The Thermophore heat pad is one of the most high powered heating pads for legs that you’ll find. It’s also bigger than the majority of heating pads we were able to find, so you’re getting more relief from a single heat pad. It can heat from 150 to 165 degrees, and the heat just gets better when you use moist heat. It’s a professional grade heat pad, and an overall great way to increase your circulation.


BENEFITS OF HEATING PADS

Helps with Healing

Not only do heating pads help soothe pain from injuries, but they can also help your body heal faster too. The heat helps increase circulation, which in turn helps injuries heal more quickly.

Relieves Stiff Muscles and Joints

People with joint issues, such as arthritis, often use heating pads. That’s because they ease the discomfort and help sore joints relax and loosen up. The same can be said for sore, stiff muscles. The heat allows you to stretch and soothe achy areas.

It’s a Benefit to Your Overall Health

One of the best results that come with using a heating pad is increased circulation. While many of us struggle with poor leg circulation (and a heating pad does wonders for that), the increased circulation benefits more than just your legs.

Because heat allows blood vessels to expand, increased circulation allows your body to reap the full benefits of the vital nutrients and oxygen within your blood. That means your immune system gets a healthy boost and better circulation can improve your natural sleep cycle and reduce your overall stress levels.

Buying Guide: Factors to Consider

Ease of Use

A good heating pad should be easy to use and take care of. That means you should look for a user-friendly remote or controller (you don’t want to deal with complicated instructions on your way to relief), and settings that are easily accessed. Another thing to look for is how to wash it. Some pads can be wiped down, while others are machine washable. In our opinion, machine washable is the clear, and most convenient, option.

Timers

Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. That applies to heat pads. Constant heat can irritate your skin or even cause burns. Look for heating pads with automatic shut off timers. If it allows you to choose different shutoff times, that’s a huge bonus. It is also a great safety factor in case you fall asleep while the heating pad is on.

Heat Settings

Ideally, a good heating pad should have at least three different heat settings to choose from. Many will include at least three, although (as seen on our list) some may have as many as nine.

Size

When you need a heating pad for leg circulation, sizing is key. If it’s too small, you’ll find yourself repositioning the pad often, to cover more leg area. On the other hand, if you get a larger pad you can increase circulation to a larger area.

Types of Heating Pads

Chemical

Chemical heating pads are placed directly on the skin. While they do provide relief, they’re also almost always disposable, which can be a disadvantage as you have to replace it. They also have a limited time that the product produces heat.

Microwaveable

These heating pads have to be heated with a microwave. They have a filling that absorbs heat and holds it. These pads are usually on the smaller side, and again, while they work, they have a limited time that the pad will be warm.

Electric

Electric heating pads are the most convenient for many people. They can be used for a long time, and heat by plugging into an outlet.

CONCLUSION

There are a lot of different types of heating pads, and while you may have struggled to find the right one before, we’ve given you the tools you need. Now all that’s left to do is pick the one that will be right for your needs!

Share Your Thoughts!


What do you look for in a heating pad? Think we missed something?


Let us know in the comments section below!