In my never-ending quest to stay warm, I bought this rechargeable hand warmer by Ocoopa. I own the Ocoopa Hot Pal 5200 mAh rechargeable hand warmer.
In this Ocoopa hand warmer review, I’ll explain:
- How to use the Ocoopa hand warmer
- How long it lasts with each use
- If rechargeable hand warmers are worth it
- Best and worst situations for these USB hand warmers
- How to use it to charge other USB devices
The tl;dr: My family thinks it’s too hot on its lowest setting against bare skin, but feels nice through a thin glove or if we hold it for a short time. It’s warmer than disposable hand warmers and is useful to us when we need quick, reliable warmth.
Here’s what you get out of the box:
- One hand warmer
- Charging cable (USB-A to USB-C)
- Dongle converter (USB-C to USB-A)
- Carrying pouch
- Instructions
How to use the Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmer
After charging the device for about 2 hours, I clicked the power button to turn it on. Nothing happened. I held it down, double-clicked it, and fiddled some more. Finally, it turned on and displayed a single red light to show it was on the lowest heat setting. Hold the button for 5 seconds to turn it on.
Once on, activate the heat levels by tapping the button.
Within seconds, I could feel it start to warm. By a minute, it felt toasty.
Click the power button to cycle through the temperature settings:
- 1 red light = temperature 97-107 degrees Fahrenheit or 36 to 42 Celcius
- 2 red lights = 104-118 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 to 48 Celcius
- 3 red lights = 118 to 131 degrees 48 to 55 degrees Celcius
Hold the power button for a few seconds to turn it off.
Against bare skin, the Ocoopa device can feel too hot. Human skin can feel pain at 111 degrees and receive first-degree burns at 118 degrees, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
So, I don’t recommend you give this to a young child or elderly person, as they are more vulnerable to burn injury.
How long do rechargeable hand warmers last?
After charging the hand warmer for 2 hours, I found that it stayed warm on the lowest setting for about 4 hours. I didn’t test the middle or highest settings because even the lowest setting can feel too hot against my bare skin.
The instructions state that a 2-3 hour charging time can yield 4-8 hours of power. You’ll have longer operating time at the lowest heat setting.
Check your device’s battery status by double-clicking the power button. You should see blue lights.
- 3 blue lights = 100% power
- 2 blue lights = 70% power
- 1 blue light = 35% power
The product comes with a 1-year warranty, and I’ll update here when it finally conks out.
Are rechargeable hand warmers worth it?
Unlike disposable hand warmers, you can get a lot of uses out of a rechargeable hand warmer. They get hotter than disposable hand warmers and can be a good value. Plus, you can reduce the amount of trash you produce and save money over a pack of disposable hand warmers.
But these aren’t good in all situations. Against the skin, they can feel too warm, even on the lowest setting. And if you’re holding them in the palm of a thick mitten, you may not feel much warmth out of it at all.
See my complete guide to hand warmers for more info about different types. There might be a better option for you.
Best and worst situations to use a rechargeable hand warmer
I like using mine for quick outings. Think 15-30 minutes or so. That way, I can turn it off when I no longer need it. I turn it on, put it in my pocket, and hold onto it (usually wearing thin gloves) while I go for a quick walk in my neighborhood.
Or, I use it at home while I’m working and need something to take the chill out of my hands.
Rechargeable hand warmers are useful for someone in a cold office, as you can charge them at your desk and toggle them on and off as needed.
People with Raynaud’s disease might like having a rechargeable hand warmer for quick heat.
Take one along if you’ll be at an outdoor event for a few hours.
If you’re at a high elevation with lower oxygen levels, these will be more reliable than disposable hand warmers, which rely on oxygen as fuel.
Keeping a charged hand warmer in your car or home for emergencies.
Worst situations for rechargeable hand warmers
It doesn’t work well inside mittens. It’s too bulky and rigid to be comfortable. Instead, disposable hand warmers would work best inside gloves.
Again, the high temperatures mean these aren’t good for young children or elderly people. Use your discretion.
See my complete guide to hand warmers if you’d like to compare other types of hand warmers that might be better for your situation.
How to prolong the life of your hand warmer device
Here are the Ocoopa hand warmer user manuals for all of their products.
The manufacturer recommends that you keep the Ocoopa charged. Don’t drain the battery completely.
During the summer, you may want to recharge it every month so that it works for you once the temperatures drop in winter.
How to use the Ocoopa hand warmer to charge your phone or other USB devices
You can charge USB-C devices from a charged Ocoopa hand warmer. My device has a 5,200 mAh battery, and some Ocoopa models have more powerful batteries.
Plug the included converter dongle into your Ocoopa. Connect the included power cable from the device to your phone. It should start charging your phone automatically.
You can’t use it as a charger while in heat mode.
My Ocoopa hand warmer review final thoughts
This budget-friendly rechargeable hand warmer is useful in emergencies. It’s efficient since you can turn it on and off as needed.
While it’s not good in all situations or for all people, it’s handy when you need some extra warmth in a small package. Take care to avoid burns, especially at higher settings.
Where to buy
Ocoopa hand warmers are available on Amazon or directly from Ocoopa. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
