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Testing note: We haven’t hands-on tested these warmers. Heat times and specs come from Zippo’s and HotHands’ product pages and listings, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Bottom line: When a winter storm knocks out the heat, warm the people, not the house. The CDC’s first line of defense is extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm coats (CDC). A hand warmer adds heat where fingers go numb, with no fuel to burn. Keep a rechargeable and a box of air-activated packs.
Our pick
Zippo HeatBank 6 Pro: a rechargeable warmer that Zippo rates at up to 6 hours of heat per charge, with 3 heat settings, a built-in flashlight and a USB port to top up a phone.
No battery to charge? HotHands air-activated packs give up to 10 hours each.
Rechargeable or air-activated?
- Rechargeable warmers run for hours, then recharge for the next day. Zippo rates the HeatBank 6 Pro at up to 6 hours (Zippo). Recharge it from a power bank or a station’s USB port. See our power bank picks.
- Air-activated packs need no power at all. HotHands says its hand warmers heat for up to 10 hours and are shelf-stable, which makes them easy to keep in a kit (HotHands). Each one works once (HotHands FAQ).
- Mittens beat gloves. The CDC says mittens are warmer, and a warmer tucked inside one stays put (CDC).
Use them safely
- Check for recalls. In July 2026, the CPSC announced a recall of about 1.5 million OCOOPA rechargeable hand warmers. The lithium-ion battery can overheat and ignite, and the CPSC lists 15 fires, 350 burn injuries and one death (CPSC). HotHands also recalled its rechargeable warmer, model H163650, because it uses the same battery. Its air-activated warmers aren’t part of that recall (HotHands).
- Charge it right. The NFPA says to use the charger that came with the device and stop charging once the battery is full (NFPA).
- Stop using it if you notice an odor, too much heat, popping sounds, swelling or a color change. Don’t put lithium-ion batteries in the trash or curbside recycling (NFPA).
- Never while sleeping, and never on bare skin. HotHands’ maker says burns can happen without a burning feeling. It also says not to use a warmer on anyone who can’t take it off alone, such as babies, or alongside another heating device (Kobayashi). Young children, people with diabetes and older adults may not feel heat well (HotHands FAQ).
Burning fuel for heat? Read our indoor-safe propane heater picks first, and never heat your home with a stove (CDC).
Our hand warmer picks
Our pick: Zippo HeatBank 6 Pro
A pocket-size warmer with a 5,200 mAh lithium-ion battery, rated for up to 6 hours. Zippo says it heats on both sides up to 120°F, with 3 settings, and has battery and heat indicator lights (Zippo). The extras matter in an outage: a 24-lumen flashlight and a port that charges USB devices like a phone. It’s rated IP57, and Zippo says its bumpers survive drops of up to 5 ft. Warming and phone charging share one battery.
Full maker specs: Zippo HeatBank 6 Pro
- Battery: 5,200 mAh lithium-ion
- Heat: Up to 6 h; 3 settings; up to 120°F (50°C), both sides
- Light: 24-lumen LED flashlight
- Power out: Charges USB devices
- Durability: IP57; bumpers for drops up to 5 ft
- Size: 4.62 x 2.17 x 1.10 in, 6.43 oz
- Warranty: 1 year
No battery: HotHands Hand Warmers (10 pairs)
The classic air-activated pack. Open it and shake it, and the mix of iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal and vermiculite heats for up to 10 hours (HotHands). There’s nothing to charge, and a box keeps in your kit. Each pack works once, then goes in the household trash (HotHands FAQ). Need more? The 40-pair box is the same warmer.
Full maker specs: HotHands Hand Warmers
- Heat: Up to 10 h per pack
- Activation: Air-activated; no charging
- Ingredients: Iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal, vermiculite
- Storage: Shelf-stable
- Use: Single use
- Travel: TSA-approved
Cold feet: HotHands Toe Warmers (6 pairs)
These stick to the bottom of your sock, over the toes, and the listing rates them at up to 8 hours per pair (HotHands listing). The listing gives an average of 97°F and a max of 115°F. Wear them in closed shoes or boots, not slippers or sandals, and not to bed, per the maker (Kobayashi).
Full maker specs: HotHands Toe Warmers
- Heat: Up to 8 h per pair
- Temperature: Average 97°F, max 115°F
- Fit: Adhesive; sticks to the bottom of the sock
- Wear: Closed shoes or boots
Building out the rest of your winter plan? See our 12 V heated blanket picks, can a power station run a space heater? and our winter storm checklist.
FAQ
How long do rechargeable hand warmers last?
Zippo rates the HeatBank 6 Pro at up to 6 hours per charge. Expect less on the highest setting, and less if you use it to charge your phone too.
Are rechargeable hand warmers safe?
They can be if you charge them with the charger that came with them and stop using one that swells, smells or gets too hot. In 2026, about 1.5 million OCOOPA rechargeable warmers were recalled for fire and burn risk, so check the CPSC’s recall list before you use an older one.
Can you sleep with a hand warmer?
No. HotHands’ maker says not to use its warmers while sleeping, because burns can happen without a burning feeling. For warmth at night, use a sleeping bag and extra blankets.
Rechargeable or disposable hand warmers for a power outage?
Both. Use a rechargeable while you can recharge it from a power bank or power station, and air-activated packs when the batteries run low.
Specs checked Oct 24, 2026, from Zippo’s HeatBank 6 Pro page, HotHands’ product pages and FAQ, and the HotHands Amazon listings. Safety guidance from the CPSC, the NFPA, Kobayashi (HotHands’ maker) and the CDC. We haven’t hands-on tested these warmers.