HotHands (40 pairs) review

What they are

HotHands sells packs of two individually sealed warmers, so a 40-pair box means 40 packs. The maker describes them as compact air-activated heat that lasts for hours, ready to use with no charging, and says they are shelf-stable in a car or toolbox. They are made by Kobayashi Consumer Products, which says they are made in the USA using domestic and imported materials.

What is inside and how long they last

The maker lists iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal and vermiculite, and says the warmers generate heat when exposed to air. Its page gives up to 10 hours of heat for the standard hand warmer; the maker's larger warmers claim up to 18 hours, and its adhesive body warmers up to 12. Hours are a ceiling in good conditions, not a promise, and the heat is gentle rather than hot.

HotHands also says they are TSA-approved, safe for use and storage during flight, so they can ride in a go-bag that travels.

Strengths and limits

They need no power, they store for a long time sealed, and they weigh almost nothing, which is why they belong in a winter car kit or a stay-warm-at-home plan. See our winter car emergency kit guide and how to stay warm without power.

The limits are plain. Each pack is used once, then thrown away, so a long outage uses up a box fast. A warmer heats a pocket or a glove, not a room. And it cannot replace clothing: the maker's page gives no temperature figure, so do not count on a specific warmth.

What the agencies say about cold

The National Weather Service says people exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes, and that the areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and extremities such as hands and feet. The Red Cross says to keep your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes covered in warm, dry clothing, and to wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, hat, mittens and water-resistant boots.

Warmers are a supplement to that advice. For frostbite the Red Cross says to move to a warm place, warm the area gently in warm water, not hot, and seek emergency medical care; for hypothermia, seek emergency care right away. See our winter storm preparedness guide.

How it compares

On our hand warmer comparison the Grabber 40-pair box is the same idea with the same up to 10 hours claim. HotHands' adhesive body warmers claim up to 12 hours and stick to clothing. The OCOOPA and Zippo rechargeables run on batteries, with maker claims up to 137°F and up to 120°F respectively, and can double as small power banks, but they are no use once flat with no way to recharge.

Compare prices on the day; with this much overlap, a bulk box is mostly a question of price and what is in stock.

Verdict

A cheap, dependable, no-power backup for the car and the go-bag, from a long-established brand. Skip them if you want a warmer you can reuse, if you need heat for hours at a time in a long outage, or if you expect them to do the job of proper cold-weather clothing.

How long do HotHands hand warmers last?

HotHands says up to 10 hours of natural heat for its standard hand warmer. Actual time varies with conditions, and the maker's page gives no temperature figure.

What is inside a HotHands warmer?

The maker lists iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal and vermiculite, and says the heat comes from the mixture's reaction when exposed to air. There is no battery.

Can I take them on a plane?

HotHands describes its warmers as TSA-approved and safe for use and storage during flight. Rules can change, so check TSA's current guidance before you travel.

Do hand warmers replace warm clothing?

No. The Red Cross says to keep fingers, toes, ears and nose covered in warm, dry clothing and to wear layers. Warmers help but are not a substitute for dressing properly.