The best hand warmers for toasty mitts, tried and tested

Tested by Mumsnet writer Lucy Cotterill: Read our full Ocoopa Hand Warmer review

If you’re outside all day, you’ll need a hand warmer that’ll last the distance. A clear choice for our top spot, the Ocoopa wowed me during testing with its fast heat up time of five seconds and battery life of up to 8 hours. I found its one-button controls simple to use, and thanks to the variable heat settings, I could easily find the perfect temperature for my hands (my favourite was the medium setting). From time to time, the heat did fluctuate a little, but it didn't bother me too much.

The hand warmer was a little bulky for popping into my gloves, but I liked the soft-to-touch silicone outer layer, and its ergonomic pebble shape made it easy for me to hold. The included wrist lanyard and velvet carry pouch were a nice touch too and added to this fantastic hand warmer's portability.

It's hard to find many faults with the Ocoopa Hand Warmer, but the main downside is the cost - at £27 RRP, it's the most expensive one I tested. However, the longevity of the heat, ease of use and the fact it can be used time and time again make this our best rechargeable hand warmer, hands down (pun intended). What's more, I love that the Ocoopa doubles up as a phone charger too, adding to its excellent value overall.

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Tested by Mumsnet writer Lucy Cotterill: Read our full Hot Hands Instant Hand Warmers review

They may not be the most environmentally-friendly choice, but if you need something that will work instantly and stay hot for ages, these Hot Hands Instant Hand Warmers are an excellent choice.

I found them super easy to use - as they're air activated, they started to heat up as soon as I removed them from the packet. And, while the ten hours stated on the packaging might be a slight stretch, they stayed at a comfortable and consistent level of heat for around nine hours, which is pretty impressive.

Thanks to the ultra-thin, lightweight design, they were ideal for slipping easily and discreetly into my gloves, unlike some of the bulkier rechargeable versions. However, the drawback with Hot Hands is their single-use nature so, while they come very cheap initially, using them on a day-to-day basis may add up over time. With that in mind, I think they're a great buy for occasional use when a chilly day takes you by surprise.

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Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full VQ Rechargeable Power Bank Hand Warmer review

Designed in collaboration with Cath Kidston, this hand warmer from VQ made a great first impression. It looks like a tiny old-fashioned radio, and is decorated with a pretty floral design. Also available in plain black, cream or in a floral teal, it's loads better looking than other hand warmers I've tried.

What's more, it doubles as a power bank, and this meant it quickly became something I popped in my bag whenever I was venturing out. It holds charge very reliably, and will keep heating for up to 8 hours. It gave my phone a steady charge and is compact enough to hold in my hands at the same time as I'm holding my phone.

As a hand warmer, I really liked the rounded edges, which made it comfortable to hold. It's quite heavy at 300g, but compact enough to have in my pocket or held against my skin to warm my hands or soothe period pain. I found the shiny plastic a bit chilly against my skin when it's first heating up, but it does get toasty pretty quickly.

Tested by Mumsnet writer Lucy Cotterill: Read our full HotRox Electronic Hand Warmer review

Ergonomically designed and originally made for people who suffer from Raynaud’s syndrome, the HotRox Electronic Hand Warmer is another great rechargeable option. And like the Ocoopa, it also does double duty, allowing you to charge your mobile if your battery runs low when out and about.

I loved the two heat settings (45 and 50 degrees) and the double-sided warmth, which kept me comfortable and cosy for up to five-and-a-half hours per charge.

It was also really useful to be able to turn the device off once my hands were warm, preserving the battery life for when I next needed it. It did take around four hours to recharge, however, but small lights on the device let me know when it was time to plug it back in.

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Tested by Mumsnet writer Lucy Cotterill: Read our full Lifesystems Reusable Hand Warmers review

For little more than a fiver, you can heat your hands again and again on frosty days with these Lifesystems pouches. When I tried them out, I loved how easy it was to activate the heat by simply clicking the metal disc in the gel packs. The effect was almost instantaneous - they quickly crystallised and the warmth kicked in straight away.

They stayed warm for 45 minutes - enough to get you through the second chilly half when spectating your child’s football club match before you get home and replace them with a hot water bottle and blanket hoodie! However, of all the hand warmers I tried out, they generated heat for the least time, so they're definitely better suited to when you need a quick boost of warmth, rather than for all-day use.

I was impressed that they could be reused, especially at this price point, although the 'recharging' process was a bit of a faff. To reset them, I had to simmer them in boiling water until the crystals dissolved again. It only took around 10 minutes, but seemed much more onerous than plugging them in like other rechargeable hand warmers.

Tested by Mumsnet writer Lucy Cotterill: Read our full Zippo 12-Hour Refillable Hand Warmer review

Made by lighter brand Zippo in the same iconic shape as their lighters, this hand warmer is not only small and lightweight, but it looks pretty cool too.

Admittedly, I was a little daunted at first, as it's not the easiest of hand warmers to use. Fuelled by lighter fluid (sold separately), while it's fairly straightforward to refill, it did feel like a burden for everyday use. Luckily, the included cup and its easy-pour spout helped the process, but it was still a faff, especially when compared to the Ocoopa and HotRox warmers. That said, the beauty of the Zippo is that it can be refuelled without the need for electricity, so it's ideal if you love 'off-grid' camping and long hikes.

The heat generated was impressive, and it stayed warm for a whopping 12 hours. In fact, it felt too hot to hold in my bare hands, but the protective pouch helped it feel much more comfortable. It's worth noting that there's no off button, however, so the duration of heat lasts as long as it takes for the fuel to naturally expel.