HOT water bottles are useful for so many reasons, from calming aches and pains to warming you up on a frozen night.

With a very real cost of living crisis, we're all trying to find ways to keep our heating off for as long as possible and a hot water bottle is an essential part of your arsenal.

Hot water bottles come in all shapes and sizes from long designs that wrap around the body to the more traditional shape which is great for lying down or stomach pain.

They can be microwavable if they're filled with beads or you can fill up rubber ones with boiled water.

Here are some of the best water bottles to consider in this cold weather.

Best water bottle at a glance:

• Best hot water bottle overall: Boots Keep Cosy microwaveable heat wrap
• Best microwaveable water bottle: Hotties Microhottie
• Best budget water bottle: Cassandra water bottle
• Best wearable hot water bottle: Snug Bud wearable hot water bottle
• Best hot water bottle for back pain: YuYu body bottle
• Best luxury water bottle: The White Company faux-fur hot water bottle
• Best hot water bottle for kids: Warmies Unicorn Warm Hugs fully heatable cuddly toy
• Best hot water bottle for period pain: Coopers of Stortford microwave warmer
• Best electric hot water bottle: Mia&Coco electric heating pad
• Best neck warmer: Wilko faux fur neck hot water bottle
• Best personalised hot water bottle: The Alphabet Gift Shop extra long personalised hot water bottle
• Best hand warmer: Casandra boxed hand warmer hot water bottle
• Best foot warmer: Beurer FW20UK cosy foot warmer
• Best for working from home: WUKA Wearable Hot Water Bottle
• Best for gifting: Catherine Colebrook Liberty Initial Hot Water Bottle

Best hot water bottle overall: Boots Keep Cosy microwaveable heat wrap

• Boots Keep Cosy microwaveable heat wrap, £10 (was £14.45) from Boots – buy here

This heat wrap is particularly useful for aching joints and muscles, especially if they are tired.

Simply pop in the microwave to heat up and place over the body for soothing relief.

It can be used to wrap or even warm the bed before you get it and the outer cover is machine washable.

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Best microwaveable water bottle: Hotties Microhottie

• Hotties Microhottie, £14.99 from Amazon – buy here

This fleecey Hotties microwaveable hot water bottle is convenient and easy to use.

All you have to do is pop it in the microwave for a minute or so and it'll be warm for hours.

This means that you're saving on water, electricity and time.

Make sure to check the dimensions of your microwave though as its size means that it's not suitable for all devices.

Best budget water bottle: Cassandra water bottle

• Cassandra hot water bottle, £7.98 from Amazon – buy here

This reliable, budget choice from Cassandra has a ribbed surface designed, and comes with a five-year guarantee.

It's been extensively tested for safety and the stopper is washer-less so it shouldn't leak.

There are three different colours to choose from too.

However, because it's made from natural rubber that can get quite hot, it's worth getting an outer cover for it.

Best wearable hot water bottle: Snug Bud wearable hot water bottle

• Snug Bud wearable hot water bottle, £59.95 from Amazon – buy here

This nifty body warmer allows you to take the warmth and comfort of a hot water bottle with you wherever you go.

It's wind and water-resistant and designed like a sling – it even has a pocket to hold essentials.

We think it's perfect for chilly walks and also a great alternative for those who don't like wearing gloves.

It may be on the pricier side, but it's a bag, hot water bottle and basically gloves all-in-one – what's not to like?

Best hot water bottle for back pain: YuYu body bottle

• YuYu body bottle, £25 from Argos – buy here

YuYu's award-winning water bottle is designed to be wrapped around the body to soothe aches and pains.

This design includes a strap for added convenience to wear around the waist or back, as well as a cosy fleece covering with pocket – just add a sprig of herbs or a tissue doused in essential oils for a bit of aromatherapy.

The jungle print fleece covering is machine washable, and the body bottle is made from biodegradable rubber, which will stay warm for up to eight hours.

Best luxury water bottle: The White Company faux-fur hot water bottle

• The White Company faux-fur hot water bottle, £30 at The White Company – buy here

The White Company has that gift of adding luxury to your house with each towel and bed sheet the brand produces – and this hot water bottle from the retailer won't disappoint, either.

This indulgent faux fur water bottle is designed to be very soft and cosy – ideal for snuggling up to.

It's available in a couple of different colours as well.

Its only downfall? You won't want to leave your bed.

Best hot water bottle for kids: Warmies Unicorn Warm Hugs fully heatable cuddly toy

• Warmies Unicorn Warm Hugs cuddly toy, £14.49 from Amazon – buy here

No water required for this cute hot water bottle featuring unicorns having a cuddle.

Just pop the millet-stuffed unicorns in the microwave and enjoy the sweet scent of lavender as they give you a warm hug.

The unicorns are detachable too – perfect if you have more than one child.

Best hot water bottle for period pain: Coopers of Stortford microwave warmer

• Coopers of Stortford microwave warmer, £11.99 from Coopers of Stortford – buy here

This microwaveable pod heats up in just a couple of minutes and stays warm for hours.

It comes in a stylish velour drawstring pouch that looks stylish and makes the pod feel super cosy.

The lightweight and compact design means it's perfect for soothing those period cramps.

Best electric hot water bottle: Mia&Coco electric heating pad

• Mia&Coco electric heating pad, £27.74 from Amazon – buy here

For instant warmth all over, try this electric heating pad.

The one-size pad wraps around the whole of your back and shoulders to warm you up instantly or to soothe away aches and pains.

It ties around the front so you don’t have to worry about keeping it in place while you do other stuff.

There are three different temperatures to choose from and it switches off on its own after 1.5 hours of use for safety.

Best neck warmer: Wilko faux fur neck hot water bottle

• Wilko faux fur neck hot water bottle, £10 from Wilko – buy here

This budget-friendly hot water bottle is ideal for those who tend to get cold around the neck and shoulders.

You fill it up like a regular hot water bottle and its moulded shape will ensure a more snug fit.

The outer cover can be removed for cleaning and it comes in a few different colours.

Best personalised hot water bottle: The Alphabet Gift Shop extra long personalised hot water bottle

• The Alphabet Gift Shop hot water bottle, £29.99 from Not On The High Street – buy here

Looking to give someone a gift this winter? Try this personalised hot water bottle.

It’s extra long and comes with a knitted cover that’s super snuggly.

You can get the cover embroidered with the initials of your choice – perfect for a gift or even to treat yourself.

Best hand warmer: Casandra boxed hand warmer hot water bottle

• Casandra hand warmer hot water bottle, £16.50 from Argos – buy here

If you always struggle with the cold weather, try these hand warmers.

The snug-fit box design is perfect for tucking your hand into while the hot water bottle in a separate pocket warms them up.

Or you can use it just like a normal hot water bottle – the fleece material means it’s super soft and lovely to cuddle up to.

Best foot warmer: Beurer FW20UK cosy foot warmer

• Beurer FW20UK cosy foot warmer, £46.79 from Amazon – buy here

Whether you’re sitting at the desk all day or in front of the telly, these foot warmers will keep your tootsies toasty warm.

It heats up very quickly via mains electricity and you can choose from three different temperatures depending on how cosy you want to feel.

The size will fit up to size 12 feet so if you have smaller feet you’ll want to wear socks to keep it snug.

There’s a fleece lining that can be removed for cleaning as well.

Best for working from home: WUKA Wearable Hot Water Bottle

• WUKA Wearable Hot Water Bottle, £24.99 from Unfabled – buy here

Have you ever been so cold your fingers don't work and you literally can't type? So have we. Not ideal for working from home.

Just lay this wearable hot water people over your hands and work away, no problem.

And when your laptop's closed, this also works for keeping your torso warm which is especially good for period cramps or tummy pain.

Best for gifting: Catherine Colebrook Liberty Initial Hot Water Bottle

• Catherine Colebrook Liberty Initial Hot Water Bottle, £32 from Catherine Colbebrook – buy here

Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're brainstorming prezzies, a hot water bottle is actually a super thoughtful and useful gift.

This one from Catherine Colebrook is made from cotton with a hot water bottle wrapped inside. The design is floral and pretty and you can get it personalised with an initial for good measure.

Are hot water bottles safe?

Yes, as long as they’re used safely and responsibly. 

There’s the obvious risk of scalding but if you don’t overfill or overheat your hot water bottle, this shouldn’t be an issue.

It’s also worth getting a cosy cover for it just in case.

Make sure you regularly check your hot water bottle for any signs of wear and damage so it can be replaced before it can cause any burns.

Can you use a hot water bottle when pregnant?

The short answer is yes, you can use a hot water bottle when pregnant.

But there are a few rules to follow, which really applies to everyone who uses hot water bottles.

It's advisable to only fill to three-quarters full to avoid overfilling. 

Check the bottle for any damage or tears before use, making sure the seal is on correctly and letting the water cool a little.

And don't fall asleep with the water bottle or sit or sleep on it.

How to fill a hot water bottle

To fill a standard hot water bottle, you first need to boil a kettle.

Once the water has boiled, wait for it to cool down a little before attempting to fill your water bottle.

Then unscrew the top on your hot water bottle and fill it with the water.

If you are worried about spillages, wear Marigold gloves and pour over the sink.

Do not fill all the way to the top, as this can also cause spills.

Then squeeze out the excess air before gently screwing the cap back on.

You can turn the hot water bottle upside down over the sink to make sure there is no leakage. If there is, the cap may need to screwed tighter.

After every use make sure all of the water is discarded.

Can you freeze a hot water bottle?

Do not freeze hot water bottles – doing so can damage the rubber, which in turn can make the hot water bottle leak next time you use. This is dangerous and could cause scalding.

Some people freeze a hot water bottle to keep cool and refreshed.

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If you want to try this, it's best not to use the bottle for hot water ever again and keep it as a cold compression only.

How long do hot water bottles last?

Different makes and styles of hot water bottles differ slightly on how long they last but the average lifespan of a hot water bottle is two to three years.

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