A pretty nippy winter has officially arrived – but don't let an absence of heating leave you too cold. Long hot water bottles are here to keep us toasty. Of course, regular hot water bottles are a comforting chilly-weather essential which have been around since the 1900s (most commonly made of rubber or PVC and covered in anything from faux fur to fleece). But they're small. Mighty, sure – and great for tummy cramps when you're on your period – but they don't cover a particularly large portion of your body, meaning you have to constantly move them to redistribute warmth. Not ideal.
Enter: extra long hot water bottles – the classic water bottle's bigger and more versatile counterpart which will help keep you cosier than ever. Needed, amidst the cost-of-living crisis.
Cast your minds back to 2010. Heat therapy brand YuYu had just dropped long hot water bottles for the first time: an innovation designed to give you a full body hug. Long hot water bottles can lie across the length of your body, warm a much larger portion of your bed when popped under the duvet pre-shut-eye, or be wrapped around you when you're cuddled up on the sofa. They can even be used as foot warmers, placed along the bottom of your mattress at night. Divine.
Fast-forward to today, and luxe homeware brands like The White Company – through to high street interior heroes like Dunelm – are adding long hot water bottles with faux fur covers to their cosy essentials roster. And the entirety of the GLAMOUR office have popped one on their Christmas wishlist.
Of course, there are countless benefits of the long hot water bottle past its ability to keep you toasty. Yep: their flexibility and elongated shape means they're great for pain relief, too. Listen up, anyone suffering from chronic pain, conditions like endometriosis or a WFH-induced sore back. Heat therapy can improve circulation and blood flow, reducing muscle spasm and relaxing painful joints. Essentially, you need in.
We've been busy (ahem) trying the self-proclaimed best long hot water bottles on the market in the name of a more comfortable winter. Here are the designs worth knowing.
Ahead, the best long hot water bottles to add to your checkout.
1. Best YuYu hot water bottleLong Faux-Fur Hot-Water BottleWhy we love it: Crafted in collaboration with the leaders of the long hot water bottle pack, YuYu, this silky-soft hot water bottle is designed to lie across the length of your body or bed. The inner has been made by YuYu, while the cover has been crafted by The White Company in the dreamiest faux fur to inject a little luxury. It takes less than a kettle of water to be filled up, and has an elasticated neck at the top for a snug fit.
Dimensions: W11cm x L80cm.
Cover fabric: 100% polyester faux fur.
Why we love it: In-keeping with Dunelm's bestselling line of teddy bear bedding, this charcoal grey long hot water bottle is guaranteed to keep you toasty all winter. A great gift for teenage girls, is super soft against the skin and machine washable.
Dimensions: W 77cm x L 14cm x H 4cm.
Cover fabric: 100% polyester.
Save when you shop for the best long hot water bottles with these Dunelm promo codes.
3. Best full length hot water bottleTeddy Bear Cream Long Hot Water BottleWhy we love it: If you're a lover of the bouclé chairs trend (influencer-adored, soft, snuggly and an instant interior elevation), you'll love this long hot water bottle to match. The cover is machine washable and crafted from polyester cream fleece. Stylish and warming.
Dimensions: W 77cm x L 14cm x H 4cm.
Cover fabric: 100% polyester.
Save when you shop for the best long hot water bottles with these Dunelm promo codes.
4. Best long hot water bottle for kidsKoko The Koala Long Hot Water BottleWhy we love it: The best extra long hot water bottle for kids – or even a fun gift for sisters, best friend gift or Christmas gift for mums – this adorable soft toy koala bear hot water bottle is playful and fun. The cover is super soft, and the inner uses no more than one kettle-full of water when being filled up. Dunelm has also launched heaters in the form of Lola the Snow Leopard and Reggie the Cockapoo iterations to boot.
Dimensions: W 90cm x L 15cm x H 13cm.
Cover fabric: 100% polyester.
Save when you shop for the best long hot water bottles with these Dunelm promo codes.
5. Personalised long hot water bottleExtra Long Personalised Hot Water BottleWhy we love it: If you're looking for a gift, how about The Alphabet Gift Shop's design? You can choose from a taupe and charcoal cover and have up to five initials embroidered beneath the fastening. Such a cute Christmas gift idea.
Dimensions: Width: 11.5cm Depth: 72cm Height: 3cm
Cover fabric: 100% polyester.
Save when you shop for the best long hot water bottles with these Dunelm promo codes.
6. Best long hot water bottle AmazonRevitale Extra Long Hot Water BottleWhy we love it: Available in grey fur and a really cute blush pink faux fur, this Amazon long hot water bottle holds two litres of hot water and has a thin, flexible shape to help reach all of your sore areas. The rubber bottle can be filled with less than one full kettle of water, has a large mouth for easy pouring and there is no risks of water leaks, with the secure lock system.
Dimensions: Undisclosed.
Cover fabric: Undisclosed.
Save when you shop for the best long hot water bottles with these Amazon promo codes.
7. Best long hot water bottle for menNavy Faux Fur Extra Long Hot Water BottleWhy we love it: A great gift for boyfriend or Christmas gift for dads, this navy long water bottle is just what they need if they struggle to get a normal hot water bottle in the correct spot. It can be moulded around your back and tummy, or placed at the bottom of your mattress to keep your feet toasty. It's super soft and easy to refill.
Dimensions: 75 x 14.5cm.
Cover fabric: Undisclosed.
Save when you shop for the best long hot water bottles with these Lakeland promo codes.
8. Leopard print long hot water bottleHabigail Extra Long Hot Water BottleWhy we love it: Holding two litres of water, this rubber hot water is ideal for sore muscles, arthritis or cramps. It's flexible and easy to refill, with a tight safety cap to prevent burns and a super-soft cover.
Dimensions: Undisclosed.
Cover fabric: Undisclosed.
Save when you shop for the best long hot water bottles with these Amazon promo codes.
9. Long body hot water bottleFaux Fur Pom Pom Extra Long Hot Water BottleWhy we love it: Not only is this the most affordable long hot water bottle in this edit, but it's available in nine (!) different colours to match your duvet cover and electric blanket, and has a super soft fleece cover. Finished with plush pom poms and with a volume and two litres, it's a fail-safe buy.
Dimensions: 74 x 13 cm (29 x 5 inches).
Cover fabric: Faux fur.
After more sleep content to keep you cosy this winter? Shop the best electric blankets, best weighted blankets, best duvets and women's pyjama sets.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
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