Arctic Flex’s hot and cold pack is our best choice for getting targeted relief. Whether you’re treating muscle aches in your back, ankle, leg or arm, this pack can strap and adjust to fit wherever you need. Plus, it pairs a latex-free gel pack with a soft cover that’s gentle on the skin. However, it’s not the only ice pack out there. Read on to see our full roundup of hot and cold packs.
Best Choice - Ice Pack for Injuries by Arctic Flex
This hot and cold pack by Arctic Flex is our top choice. It’s split and tear-proof and comes with straps for optimal placement.
Buy on AmazonIce packs and heat packs are very effective at treating injuries; so why not get something that covers both sides? The best hot and cold packs can be quickly heated or chilled to match your current needs.
They come in a variety of sizes to better suit the area you’re treating, too. Here are our top picks of the best hot and cold packs available.
Our Top Picks
Best Choice
Arctic Flex
Ice Pack for Injuries
Top Performance
Cureve Natural Therapies
Large Hot and Cold Gel Pack
Can’t Count Out
Roscoe
Reusable Cold and Hot Pack
The 10 Best Hot and Cold Packs
| Product | Brand | Latex-free | Sizing | Men or Women | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Pack for Injuries | Arctic Flex | Yes | One Size | Both |  |
| Large Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Pack | Cureve Natural Therapies | Yes | One Size | Both | |
| Reusable Cold and Hot Pack | Roscoe | Yes | S - L | Both | |
| Large Flexible Hot Cold Wrap | Vive | Not Specified | One Size | Both | |
| Reusable Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Wrap | TrekProof | Yes | One Size | Both | |
| Gel Pack and Wrap | Koo-Care | Yes | One Size | Both | |
| Reusable Gel Pack | IceWraps | Yes | One Size | Both | |
| Gel Pack and Wrap | PhysioCare | Yes | One Size | Both | |
| Hot & Cold Packs | Thrive | Yes | One Size | Both | |
| Hot and Cold Reusable Gel Bead Pack | WellWear | Yes | One Size | Both | |
Best Choice: Gel Pack by Arctic Flex
Buy on AmazonIf you’re looking for something a little bigger, definitely try this pack by Arctic Flex. The generously-sized ice pack is ideal for treating larger areas, such as the thighs and back. Suitable for hot and cold therapy, this ice pack comes with a machine-washable cover with multiple fastener straps and a latex-free vinyl gel pack.
Main Features
- Latex-free gel pack
- Comes with a 60-day Vive guarantee
- Splitproof and tearproof
Pros:
- Fastener straps
- Hot and cold therapy
- Soft and machine-washable cover
Cons:
- Can take a while to freeze
- Too large for some areas
Top Performance: Large Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Pack by Cureve Natural Therapies
If you prefer something that can strap onto your body, definitely take a look at Cureve Natural Therapies’ entry. The hot and cold pack comes with two straps which you can use to attach securely to the injury spot. This also lets you walk around while wearing the strap, so you’re not stuck in a chair holding a pack to your body!
Main Features
- Comes in one 12’’x15’’ size
- Pack and wrap are separate
- Comes with a two-year warranty
Pros:
- Wrap is durable and comfortable
- Easy to put on
- Holds temperature very well
Cons:
- Takes a while to chill or heat
- Heavy
Can’t Count Out: Reusable Cold and Hot Pack by Roscoe
For the best hot and cold pack available, this one by Roscoe ticks all the boxes. For one, it comes in a range of sizes to fit every need.
When it’s cold, it maintains its flexibility, which makes it easier to wrap around your knees and shoulders. When you want to use it hot, you can microwave it or dip in hot water for only 50 seconds.
Main Features
- Comes in three sizes
- Suitable for many parts of the body
- Have sewn edges for improved durability
Pros:
- Holds temperature well
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable to wear, even right out of the freezer
Cons:
- No straps to hold it in place
- Quite thin on gel
The Other Hot and Cold Packs We Reviewed
Large Flexible Hot Cold Wrap by Vive
A large hot and cold pack can be indispensable for injuries, aches, and pains. This large gel pack can contour to almost any spot on the body. It is lightweight and has a long Velcro strap. The pack is boasted as being leakproof and filled with a non-toxic silica gel. The only concern we have about this item is its large size, which may not be ideal for small areas of the body.
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Reusable Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Wrap by TrekProof
If you’re looking for something that straps on easily, be sure to try this hot and cold pack by TrekProof. There’s no difficulty putting this one on. Just wrap the strap around where you need the treatment most.
This product comes with two individual packs, so you can have one preparing while you treat your ailments with the other. Unfortunately, wider people may find it difficult to get a comfy fit with the wrap.
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Gel Pack and Wrap by Koo-Care
If you’re after the most heavy-duty hot and cold pack, look no further than this one by Koo-Care. Its large size and long straps mean you can attach it to any part of the body, including the torso and upper leg.
The wrap itself is comfortable to wear, which makes it great for wearing for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, if you want to get this pack around one shoulder, you may need someone else to help you get it around.
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Reusable Gel Pack by IceWraps
If you prefer a selection of smaller packs rather than one giant one, definitely consider the IceWraps hold and cold packs. You get a set of six-packs for the price of one large one, and each pack is durable and easy to clean.
This is perfect for people who want to target very specific areas while also keeping additional packs on standby. If you want them for areas of the body larger than your hands or feet, however, you’ll find these packs lacking.
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Gel Pack and Wrap by PhysioCare
These large hot and cold packs by PhysioCare fit very well on the legs, arms, and back. The straps help keep them in position and allow for movement during the treatment process. It comes with a six-month warranty just in case something goes wrong. Be careful when using it, however, it’s quite heavy when frozen!
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Hot & Cold Packs by Thrive
These cute hot and cold packs by Thrive are fantastic for focused treatment. You won’t be treating an aching back with these, but for problems such as aching gums, a broken bone, or tendonitis, these little packs can give effective and concentrated treatment. They don’t hold their temperature for long, however, so be sure to keep a few as a backup to swap out.
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Hot and Cold Reusable Gel Bead Pack by WellWear
This highly affordable pack by WellWear is a great way to get hot and cold therapy on a budget. It uses beads instead of gel, which allows it to fit the contours of your body better.
It freezes in one hour and can be microwaved for 25 seconds to get hot. It’s not great at holding a chill for long, however.
Buy on AmazonWhen to Use Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is very useful for recovering from ailments, but it’s important to know which one to use, and when. Not using the correct temperature could slow things down, or even make things worse! Here are some tips on when to use each one.
When to Use Heat
Heat is best when you’re experiencing aches and pains, either a few days after an injury or due to chronic pain such as arthritis. This is because heat promotes blood flow to the area you apply it to, which helps get rid of the lactic acid that causes your muscles to ache.
When to Use Ice
In contrast, ice restricts the amount of blood flowing into an area. You can usually tell if there’s excessive blood flow when the injury is inflamed, red, and hot to the touch. Here, ice therapy can reduce the swelling and help calm the injury down. Once everything has calmed down, you can then begin using heat therapy until the injury fully heals.
How to Stay Safe While Using Hot and Cold Packs
Never Go Above The Recommended Temperature
When freezing or heating the pack, never go beyond what the recommended methods say you should do. Failure to do so may do damage to the body when you apply the pack, or even cause the pack itself to split!
Never Apply a Pack For Over 20 Minutes
While heat and cold therapy may feel great, your skin needs time to recover from the temperature shift. As such, only keep a pack on your body for 20 minutes at most. Don’t go to sleep with a pack on your body, else you may wake up with more problems than you went to bed with!
Never Put a Cold Pack on Bare Skin
If you want to use your pack for cold therapy, make sure you wrap it up before you put it on your body. You can use the wrap that came with the packs, or you can use a towel instead. Putting a cold pack directly on bare skin can cause the pack to stick to it — which is very painful!
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Weighing All the Factors
If you want the absolute best in hot and cold packs, the Arctic Flex pack is large, and easy to heat up or chill. Cureve Natural Therapies’ entry is great if you need the pack to be strapped to your body as you move, and Roscoe’s cold and hot pack comes in three different sizes.
Best Choice - Ice Pack for Injuries by Arctic Flex
This hot and cold pack by Arctic Flex is our top choice. It’s split and tear-proof and comes with straps for optimal placement.
Buy on Amazon