We purchased the Sunbeam Moist and Dry Heat Heating Pad so our reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.
Whether you’re recovering from a long run or need to warm up on a cold day, heating pads can be great for providing relief from pain and muscle stiffness. To see if the popular Sunbeam Moist and Dry King Size Heating Pad was up to this challenge, I took it home and tested it myself, evaluating everything from its design to its effectiveness. Read on for my thoughts.Verywell Fit / Hannah Huber
Material + Design: Nice design but cheap materials At first glance, this Sunbeam heating pad looks just like any other: blue, rectangular, and wired to the wall. But when I took the pad out of its plastic zippered casing, it unfolded to a massive size—12 x 24 inches. (It also comes in a smaller 12 x 15-inch size.) As someone who is plagued with sore hamstrings , a heating pad this large is a game-changer, especially because it also offers a moist heating option. The temperature controller has three settings—low, medium, and high—and Sunbeam’s proprietary UltraHeat technology helped it get very hot very quickly.
This heating pad comes in two colors: a lighter blue and a darker blue, which I tested. However, after first using the pad, I noticed some white, chalky streaking where the cover was wrinkled into the vinyl interior. It’s very faint, but it looks like the heat fades the color of the exterior fabric. Also, this fabric, which is a polyester blend, felt cheaply made and wasn’t very soft (though I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was uncomfortable).
There is no auto-off feature, so be sure to unplug this heating pad when you’re done using it.
In terms of power, the Sunbeam comes with a 9-foot cord to plug into an electrical outlet. The length of this cord makes it relatively easy to reposition the pad to different body parts. However, there isn’t a way to strap it into place, so it will take some finagling if you want it affixed to one general area. Also, as a warning to the avid heating pad user, it doesn’t have an auto-off feature, so be sure to unplug it you’re done using it.
Cleaning: Held up in the wash According to the manufacturer, the polyester exterior fabric of this heating pad is machine-washable. However, when I did this, I was slightly disappointed that the material didn’t get much softer. All in all, though, I thought it held up well enough and was easy to clean.Verywell Fit / Hannah Huber
Performance: Quick to heat up and effective The first time I used this heating pad, it heated up really quickly. I started on the lowest setting, working my way up. The two lower heat options were faint compared to the highest, which is what felt the best on my back and sore quadriceps . For my second use, I tried out the moist heat feature. The removable sponge made it clean and easy to activate without getting my clothing wet. Just remove the sponge from inside the cloth cover, give it a light spritz with water, return it to inside the cover, and turn to your desired temp. The moist heat penetrated my muscles much faster than the dry heat.
As someone who is plagued with sore hamstrings, a heating pad this large is a game-changer.
I also used the extra-large pad as a wrap around my upper thigh, which was far more convenient than using a standard-size pad to heat the top of my leg and then heat it again underneath. It made me wish I had two so I could do both legs at once! The heating pad is also fantastic for prolonged heating on your back. Because of its 24-inch length, I was able to have it cover my shoulders all the way down to my lower back. Verywell Fit / Hannah Huber
Price: Inexpensive enough to buy two The Sunbeam Moist and Dry Heat Heating Pad is relatively inexpensive in the realm of heating pads. Its giant size and UltraHeat technology make it an amazing value for anyone who uses heat therapy occasionally. Even if you aren’t using it for medicinal purposes, it’s a great item to have around the house when those winter temperatures start rolling in. On a frosty day, it might become as indispensable as a pair of shoes for walking on ice .
This heating pad is a bare-bones product that’s fantastic for targeting large muscle groups.
Sunbeam Moist and Dry Heat Heating Pad vs. Pure Enrichment PureRelief Deluxe Heating Pad These two heating pads are essentially the same. Both are 12 x 24 inches, have moist and dry heat capabilities, and are machine-washable. The Pure Enrichment PureRelief Deluxe Heating Pad , however, is the beauty queen of the two. It has a silky micro-plush fabric, an auto-off feature, and four heat settings (compared to the Sunbeam’s three). That being said, the Pure Enrichment heating pad is nearly twice the price of the Sunbeam. If the little extras aren’t essential to your heating pad experience, the Sunbeam Heating Pad is the scaled-down, money-saving option that’s tried and true.
Need some help finding what you’re looking for? Read our list of the best heating pads .
Final Verdict It gets the job done.
The Sunbeam Moist and Dry Heat Heating Pad is a standard, dependable heating pad that gets the job done. For the very inexpensive price, the pad is a bare-bones product that’s fantastic for targeting large muscle groups.