SunbeamXL Back Neck and Shoulder Heat Therapy 12 x 24 with Auto Shut Off 6 Settings Machine-Washable Comfortable Microplush Fabric - Burgundy

I've been a heavy heating pad user for probably a decade now, and I've gone through many which either died or failed to meet my needs for one reason or another. I use the pad for my bad back (or now sometimes my hip or knee), for my cramps (sorry! but it is true) and for my ridiculously cold feet (because oftentimes *just* my feet are cold - unbearably cold - and the pad is the most efficient fix). Like I said, I've gone through a ton of these guys, but so far - a month into ownership and usage - I very much like this one. Here are some reasons why:1. This one is fairly large. There are larger, but this combines other desirable features and this one is good enough for my needs. It gets nearly my whole back when needed, or can wrap a decent amount around my back, side and tummy when I need cramps relief. It's also big enough to make a nice tent for my feet when they are cold.2. It's got a lovely, soft cover! Both sides are great, extremely soft to the touch and I like that the fuzzy green side gives less heat and the thinner tan side gives more. When my feet are ice cubes I put them under the tan side and they thaw out. Then I can set my feet on top of the green to keep them warm without being too hot. Likewise with pain and my back (or whatever). To describe the fabric further, the top is but like a soft terry microfiber and the bottom is like a typical blue heating pad cover fabric.3. The cover is integrated INTO the pad. I've had a few like these now. You can't always find them in stores but they are so vastly superior that I've come to prefer them exclusively. The integrated cover doesn't shift about. The integrated pad cover doesn't slip off while in use and ruin the shape of the plastic pad as the cover is being held on by a plastic snap pulled tight to end of the pad as the cover slips off the other side. The integrated pad cover doesn't slip off, exposing the super hot plastic which can burn the skin. Since I sometimes sleep with my pad (I know it's supposed to be bad, but you tell my cramps or slipped disc that!) the integrated cover system is especially important for my comfort. This may mean washing is more of a hassle, and a risk for losing the pad sooner, but for me the softness and worry-free USE of the integrated pad cover greatly out-weighs the con of losing a pad sooner due to machine washing wear and tear.4. This guy heats up FAST and has an array of heating options. It has 6 heat settings and it can be put on a two hour timer, or a no-time-limit heat setting. The latter option is something I have never had in a pad before and I like it as it lets me put the pad on and set it at the end of my bed for keeping my toes warm all night. Or likewise, on and set up in the middle of my back for cramp relief.5. It's got a good, long cord. I haven't measured it but it has to be at least around 8 feet. It is plugged in at the head of my queen bed and it flops up to set across my feet at the very end of the bed, and there is quite a bit of loose cord under the bed to spare. Long cords eliminate hassle, allowing you to easily use this pad almost anywhere in a typical room.Cons or things to consider?1. It's a pricey pad. Though I've paid $25-30 for cruddy pads with the flimsy blue cover held on with a snap from Wal-Mart, so $36 for this awesome pad doesn't seem too shabby a deal.2. When you put the pad on unlimited timer it seems to waver, and not stay super hot, so people that want endless searing heat may not be happy with this. Though a remedy could be to keep it on 2hr and keep turning it back on again. This has not been a problem for me whatsoever, but seemed worth a mention.3. Both washability (in machine) and the no-limit timer on this pad may reduce it's lifespan. Time will have to tell, but I've not had any pad last more than a few years of regular use anyway.Bottom line: This is one of the better pads you can get your hands on with it's lovely integrated cover, good size and long cord. Since cheapest pads aren't a heck of a lot less expensive, if you use your pad on any sort of regular basis I recommend this as a good upgrade. I've added some photos to show general size and how the fabric looks up close. (Here is hoping Amazon posts them as lately it's been hit or miss with photo adds!) (Update 03/25/2016 - Trying to add the photos again since they didn't post when I initially wrote the review.)As usual, if anything goes wrong I will update my review immediately. Otherwise I will probably be back in a year or so just to say she's still kickin. Hope this review is helpful and that you find comfort in your heating pad! Best of luck!UPDATE 01/01/2017: So I have had this pad for about a year and wanted to say it still works GREAT! Best pad I have ever had - hands down. It's soft, comfy, heats really warm or low and slow. I love the "always on" feature as sometimes I use it as my "electric blanket" at night to keep my core warm, or my feet. Or when I am sick, or have an injury I want to warm for longer and not have to lean over to get the dial and heat it up again. Also, I have washed it a number of times. It washes great. I dry it in the dryer, too - on low even though it says to use medium, cause I just want it to stay nice. It still heats evenly and the fuzzy cover is nice looking for an oft-used and washed pad. I look forward to this product lasting a long time and when it goes the way of the other pads in the world - I hope to get another just like it. In fact... maybe I might get one to hold on hand for just in case, so I don't have to worry about them discontinuing or altering the product. I do very much like it, and I have had a ton of pads. I hope this helps and hope the pad helps you, too! Happy New Year!UPDATE 02/04/2017: When another shopper left a comment on my review I saw that the burgundy pad was up for about $10 off the normal price and since I use this pad so much, and prefer it so much over any other that I have used in the past - I snapped it up for a spare. When someone in the household needed a pad we gave the new one a try and they liked it the same as I love mine, as it is just as functional and comfortable as the first pad, with fast hot heat, 2hr/stay on shut-off options and the big soft washable fabric cover. I expect it to last as the other has, but will update if that changes. Very glad to get the second at such a good price, but again, these are absolutely worth it at the normal ~$35-40 range when compared to the other pads you will see at the store for $20-30.UPDATE 11/28/2017: It's been awhile since I updated, but since it's finally getting cold - after a long, hot summer and early/mid autumn - and I've begun to use these pads again to warm my feet and core, instead of just for pain. They are in perfect condition - even my older, well-loved green one that I got about 2 years ago and use constantly. Toasty as ever and looks and feel comfy. Washes well. No cold zones or too hot zones. No smells. No cover slippage. It's just all perfect and I hope they never stop making these cause I assume someday they will have to eventually go bad - but crossing my fingers that is a long, long time from now! Hope yours treat you as well as my two have and provide years of comfort! Happy holidays! :-)UPDATE 02/05/2019: Well, I have had these two pads for what seems practically forever now! Still work great. Have the original green one at the foot of my bed as I write this update. Keep the red one tucked away most of the time for just in case or if someone needs to borrow one, but mostly as a backup. They have washed well and are still at 100% capacity. Super investment. Love them!UPDATE 10/04/2019: Still have them both and use them near daily. Lately I use the oldest one, the green one, under where my pet lizards like to sit and watch out the window. I leave it on for hours at full heat, day after day, for the past year. Still works wonderfully. Now, I see all these posts of melted heating pads. I bought my green one before, and my red one after. They both are used constantly, have been washed repeatedly... and although I am sure some items have manufacturer's defects, with cautious use this should be a reasonably safe purchase despite all the scares you see below my review. Just take precautions: Don't leave heating appliances on unattended. It's just not safe. Don't bend the heating pad, gently roll it. Don't smash it. Inspect it regularly looking for frays, exposed wires, heat on the controller, etc. If you suspect it isn't in perfect shape anymore, discontinue use, for safety's sake. And although it goes without directly saying it... I still highly recommend this heating pad. Though my original two are still in perfect shape, endless non-stop hours of use and years later, I may grab another one this winter. This is the perfect heating pad, and as long-lasting as they have been for me, I think I will be heartbroken if/when they discontinue this model or "upgrade but make worse". Hope this helps and that you get comfort from this heating pad as well. Happy holidays!UPDATE 09/16/2020 I still use the first two pads near daily. I bought two more to keep in reserve and gifted one to my mom, who loves hers as well. About to get a couple more as I've found my bearded dragons love them to warm up as they sit by the window or watch tv with the family, and my mother's dog and cat love them, too. Best heating pads ever, approved by the whole fam now. Use them constantly, wash them often and they are all still working great. I hope they never change this model. It's a winner!UPDATE 09/2021 Still using the original heating pad daily for my many aches and pains. All other pads (I’ve bought a few backups) are used daily to near daily for other family member’s backs or cold feet, etc. as well as warm spots for much loved pets. (Side note: I did get a sunbeam branded heated wrap for shoulders, and use it for that purpose as the shape just makes it work better for neck/shoulder pain, but other than that we still reach for this original set of pads we’ve now been using heavily and daily for years.) As before, recommend this specific pad so highly and hope they never stop making these. I don’t expect them to last forever but flimsy products designed to be constantly replaced are bad for the planet and our pocketbooks. These pads are a winner I’ve bought repeatedly and for gifts I know will last for years of comfort. Hope this helps and good luck all!UPDATE: 05/2024: Well it’s been ages since I updated. Still have all the pads mentioned previously and still use them constantly for myself, my Chihuahua, my bearded dragon or for guests. They all are in good condition and all heat up same as they always have. I still use them on stay on cycle for long periods of time on a constant basis. One I put under my Chihuahua’s bed to gently radiate heat up through the padding to her little body, and when it’s cold I may leave it on during the day, too. She LOVES this and sometimes pouts when we don’t go to bed “on time”. Context: She has other beds, same style and everything all throughout the house but only the bed in bed has a heating pad unless it’s truly cold-cold. (Yes, she’s a spoiled princess cupcake rescue doggo and she deserves it.) Given some as gifts and they are similarly well-loved and also still in heavy use years later. I keep one at my mom’s for when I visit so I don’t have to tote one along. Coming back to get another “in case” and to replace the one I left at mom’s house! Love these things. Best heating pad. If they ever stop making them it will be a sad day, though clearly these babies are built to last and I’m really only getting more so I don’t have to bring them with me or move them around the house. A well made and durable product. Such a rarity these days. Good job, Sunbeam, bravo!

I've only just received this item so I can't speak to its longevity yet so I will lead with that caveat. But as far as how well this heating pad has performed for me I must say it is by far the best heating pad I have ever owned. I say this for a few reasons the first of which is the amount of heat that it puts out is definitely top notch in my experience.This pad has 6 heat settings and I find myself using level 5 for my situation and it is almost unbearably hot but in a good way until you settle in to the temperature. I use it directly against my skin as well. I think level 5 for most people especially if placing directly on your skin would probably be overkill so I can only imagine what level 6 is like. I probably will never try to find out either. LolThe next reason I really like this pad is probably the pliabilty of the pad which makes it very easy to form to your body. On top of that the outer material that comes in contact with your skin is very soft to the touch. This pad delivers heat very fast as well which is another added bonus. You will notice the heat it outputs in seconds not minutes.It appears to be well made with a good control unit easy to read and understand without looking at the manual which is a plus. The control for the unit has back-lit buttons so it's easy to operate in the dark. The screen itself isn't really back-lit but that is unnecessary in my opinion and would only add an additional cost for an unnecessary feature seeing how easy it is to use anyway. The cord is a good length as well which helps with positioning and it's a thick durable cord that looks like it will last.The only thing I would change about this pad to try and make it better would be to make it a little bigger. It's reasonably large enough as is in my opinion so its size is far from a negative by any means but if i could change anything i would make it just a little bigger. But i definitely believe the pad is big enough as is for most uses and that no reasonable person would seriously complain about its size and that's coming from a bigger guys perspective. However if I could change anything I would make it maybe 3 inches longer and 2 or 3 inches wider.Overall it's a great pad that I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a quality pad that can put out a lot of heat (or a little if you wish) and you don't mind paying a little more for it than some of the competitors. It has definitely been a situation of getting what you pay for in a good way so far in my short period of ownership. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this specific pad again as long as it proves itself to be reasonably durable as I expect that it will. For these reasons I give it 5 stars!