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Where to Purchase
I picked up this product from QVC at this link. As of this writing, I haven’t seen this model on Amazon. I’ll update this space if/when it appears there. I did spot this model on Amazon, which looks nearly identical, although I have not actually tried it.
Product Details
- Product: Halo Rechargeable Hand Warmer Pouch (Heated Hand Muff)
- Price I Paid: $44 on QVC
- Included: Heated pouch and 10,000 mAh power bank
- Heat Settings: 3 levels (High, Medium, Low)
- Claimed Run Time: 3 to 6 hours depending on heat setting
- Fit: Adjustable strap up to about a 50 inch waist (the website states 54″ while the instructions state 50″)
- Extras: Zip pouch for essentials, can also charge a phone from the power bank
Design and Setup
The pouch has a soft faux fur lining that feels like a plush blanket when you slide your hands inside. On each end there are cuff-like openings that wrap around your wrists. They feel a bit like jacket cuffs and are there to help seal out cold air. Inside the center is a small button that controls the heat level, along with the wiring that connects to the included power bank.
To set it up, I unzipped the back compartment, plugged the barrel-style connector into the power bank, slid the battery into its pocket, and zipped everything up. There is also a front pouch where you can stash small items like a phone, although the charging connection runs from the rear compartment.
Heat Levels and Temperature
According to the Halo instructions, the temperature ranges are:
- High: 140°F
- Medium: 131°F
- Low: 113°F
The website had slightly different numbers, but I tend to believe the printed instructions. Using a thermal imager, I saw the outside of the pouch get into the upper 80s Fahrenheit, while the inside near the opening measured around 117°F. The heating panels are positioned where your fingertips rest, which is exactly where I want the warmth. A lot of hand warmers focus on the palm, which is not as helpful when your fingertips are the part that always freeze.
Comfort and First Impressions
Even before I turned it on, the faux fur lining and enclosed design made it feel cozy. Once I powered it up on low, I felt warmth within about 15 seconds, and it reached what felt like full temperature around the 90 second mark. The cuffs do a surprisingly good job of blocking outside air so the interior stays consistently warm.
As soon as it warmed up, my first thought was that this might actually be a huge benefit to me, as I suffer from cold hands due to Raynaud’s. I’ve tested a lot of hand warmer tests over the years, on and off camera, and this instantly felt more effective than most of them. You get 360-degree warmth around your hands, and you can pull your hands out, do what you need to do, and slide them right back in.
Outdoor Test in Real Conditions
I tested the Halo heated muff outside on a chilly Las Vegas morning. It was around 45°F, which is about as cold as we get here. Most people would still consider that jacket weather. For someone with Raynaud’s syndrome, 45°F can feel much colder to the hands, so I am actually a good candidate to put this to the test even if it is not subzero.
With the muff strapped around my waist and worn over my black coat, it almost looked like I had my hands in my coat pockets. The power button is perfectly placed for my right thumb to find it by feel. The indicator light is faint in daylight, but easy to see at night. After a couple of minutes of walking around, my hands were easily the warmest part of my body, which is the exact opposite of how things usually go for me.
Phone Charging and Everyday Use
The power bank can be removed and used to charge a phone via USB. In practice, that works, but there are a few quirks:
- The back compartment that holds the battery is not easy to access while wearing the muff, so I had to take it off to plug my phone in.
- My phone did not fit in the rear compartment with the power bank, so I ran the charging cable from the back to the front pocket and kept the phone there.
- With a phone in the front pouch, there is a bit less room for my hands, although it is still usable.
- The heating element is close to the battery and the area where the cable runs, so it may warm the phone a bit. I do not think it is a huge problem, but it is something to be aware of.
Battery Life and Long Term Concerns
I ran a full battery test on low and got 6 hours and 6 minutes of continuous heat. The company claims up to 6 hours, so that result is right on target. I did not notice a dramatic difference in perceived heat between low and high, so I tended to leave it on low to maximize run time.
The battery itself is a pretty standard size for heated clothing, which means you should be able to find compatible backups or replacements even if Halo does not sell them separately. One small concern is how close the battery sits to the heating area. I have had products in the past where a battery was exposed to a lot of heat and did not hold up well over time, so I will be keeping an eye on that.
Little Details
- The faux fur lining feels very comfortable and traps the heat nicely.
- The cuff design does a great job of blocking cold air from seeping in.
- The indicator light is hard to see in bright daylight but quite bright at night. That could either be helpful or a little attention grabbing depending on where you are.
- Visually, it looks a lot like a fanny pack. If that bothers you, this might not be your favorite look, but I am firmly in the “comfort over fashion” camp when my hands are freezing.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very effective at warming the entire hand, especially the fingertips
- Soft, comfortable lining that feels nice on the skin
- Cuff design keeps cold air out and warmth in
- Battery life on low matched the claimed 6 hours
- Power bank can double as a phone charger
- Strap is adjustable and easy to clip on
Cons
- Looks like a fanny pack, which not everyone will like
- Battery is close to the heating element, which may affect long term durability
- Phone charging setup is a little awkward with limited space inside
- Indicator light is faint outdoors and very bright at night
Final Thoughts
As far as hand warming products go, the Halo Rechargeable Heated Hand Warmer Pouch is one of the fastest things I have ever become a fan of. It keeps my hands warm and functional in conditions where they usually become painful and useless. The fact that it also provides some phone charging capability is a bonus, even if it is not the most elegant setup.
There are other heated hand muffs on the market, and I may try more of them in the future, but as my first experience with this style of product, Halo has set the bar pretty high. If you struggle with cold hands the way I do, this is a product worth considering.
Video Review