Soothe Away Your Most Painful Areas with These Gel Ice Packs
One proven fact is that pain can drain the fun out of any day and the rest out of any night. However, most people would rather not depend on pain medication that can cause you to feel worse. If you are tired of the pain and hoping for a medicine-free alternative, reusable gel ice packs could be very helpful.

Reusable gel ice packs are designed to be kept in the freezer for instant relief of pain. They are most useful for arthritis, joint pain, and numerous other strains and sprains. The ice packs never freeze hard, but they apply instant coldness to painful areas reducing inflammation and swelling. They also numb the pain sensors in that area to ease the pain so you can rest.
There are numerous gel ice packs available and each one promises to be the best. Is there really a difference? Will they last as reusable packs? We have searched high and low to find out and here is our recommendation for 15 best reusable gel ice packs for back and knee pain as well as a few that may work well on other painful areas.
A. List of The Reusable Gel Ice Packs for Back
Last update on 2021-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#1. The Coldest Ice Pack 2 Flexible Gel Ice Pack
This is a nice ice pack that is reusable. It includes two flexible gel ice packs and one wrap to keep them securely in place. Imagine being able to move around throughout the day with constant coolness applied to your most painful areas!
The strap measures 11″ x 5.9″. It is designed for back pain, but can be used on head, chest, thighs, and more. It comes with a lifetime warranty to ensure that you always get the relief you deserve from your ice pack.
Conclusion: Most people agree that this is perhaps the coldest gel ice pack available, but it isn’t perfect. We love that it stays in place with a Velcro strap, but feel it would be better if the “cold” lasted longer. We also have a list of the best waist trainers that you might like to check.
- Two Gel Packs
- Flexibility
- Conforms to Your Body
- Lifetime Warranty
- Strap Holds It In Place
- Very Cold
- Easy to Use
- Cold Lasts About 30 Minutes
#2. Rester’s Choice Cold Therapy Gel Pack
This large 13 x 21.5-in gel ice pack is designed for the back, knees, and legs (check out leg rest cushions). It is large enough to cover your entire back in most cases. Simply relax and place the pack on your sore spot. Then you can enjoy the soothing coolness.
This pack remains flexible, even after sitting in the freezer for hours. This means you can wrap it around yourself or leave it flat against the aching areas. It is covered by a lifetime guarantee. It is recommended that you leave a thin material between your body and the pack.
Conclusion: We have noticed that some people say this ice pack stays cold for hours and others say that it goes away too quickly for them. However, even those who say it got warm too quickly say that it is an awesome gel ice pack as long as you do not mind the size/weight of it.
- Easy to Use
- Durable
- Comfortable to Use
- Heavy for Some
#3. Cureve Natural Therapies Hot and Cold Gel Pack
Cureve Natural Therapies know that pain is not something we want to feel. Therefore, they created an extra-large gel pack that can be used as a hot or cold pack. It measures in at 21 x13-inches and stays cold or hot for a long time.
The pack itself is shielded by a soft pouch-like cover. One side is webbed to allow more heat or coolness intensity. The other is thicker and plush to lessen the intensity. When you purchase, it is covered by a 100% money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty to ensure you are completely satisfied.
Conclusion: Overall, there are very few complaints about this ice pack, but it can get hard when frozen. We like that it can stay cold or hot for longer periods of time than many packs. Large size may also make it awkward to heat and cool. This should be something you consider when buying it.
- Large Size
- Versatile Uses
- Hot or Cold Pack
- Stays Cold or Hot for an Hour Plus
- Heavy
- Stiff When Frozen
#4. The Coldest Water Gel Ice Pack for Cold Therapy
This “Coldest” ice pack is large and flexible. It measures in at 11 x 14-inches and has elastic straps to keep it securely in place no matter where you are experiencing pain.
It is approved of for use by all age groups, even children, according to the FDA. However, you should know that it is recommended you freeze it for two hours and only use it for 20-minutes max to prevent further injury unless your doctor recommends a longer time.
Conclusion: Most people agree that this is perhaps the coldest gel ice pack you can buy. However, there are also those who say that its chill does not last long enough for their acute pain. Considering it is recommended for short time frames of use, this could be a good thing.
- Easy to Use
- Natural Pain Relief
- Stays Cold
- Works On Any Body Part
- Straps Aren’t Adjustable
#5. FlexiKold Gel Cold Pack – Reusable Ice Pack Compress
This very large 13 x 21.5-inch reusable ice pack is great for backs as well as other areas of your body. It promises to stay colder, longer than others by using a professional-grade gel that will always remain pliable.
The pack itself has a double seal to prevent leaks, even after using it repeatedly. This pack has a durable nylon exterior. It is washable and in the event of a leak, it is completely non-toxic. Warranty information is not provided, but customer care states that they will cover you if a problem arises.
Conclusion: When looking at this gel pack, no one really says that it isn’t a good product to consider. They may say that it does not work well for them. Therefore, before you buy, you will need to think about what you want from a gel pack for your back.
- Large Enough for Back
- Stays Cold
- Remains Pliable
- Very Durable
- Heavy for Some
- No Straps to Hold It In Place
B. List of The Reusable Gel Ice Packs for Knee
Last update on 2021-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#1. The Pain Soother Reusable Ice Pack for Knee
This reusable ice pack for knees is unique in that it has a specially designed wrap with an air pump. This allows it to press tightly against your knee. It remains cold for much longer than the average 30 minutes and you get both compression and cold pain relief (check out air compression leg massager for blood circulation).
It is large enough to stay in place and is reusable. This wrap is one-size-fits-all, however, if the leg above and below your knee is 24-inches around, it could be snug. They stay in place using high-quality Velcro straps. You simply put it on and move around. It will not slip away.
Conclusion: This wrap is designed to keep the cold pressure on the front of your knee. This feature allows you to move around as you soothe the pain away. A solution for this is to wear it in reverse if you have pain around the back of your knee, but it could be a problem for some people.
- Easy to Use
- Pump Ensures Snug Fit
- Comfortable to Wear
- Soothes Pain
- Does Not Fit All
- May Not Stay Cold the Promised 30+ Minutes
#2. Vive Knee Ice Pack Wrap
Hot or cold, Vive has your knee covered. This wrap covers the front and back of your knee to ease pain, no matter what the cause. Simply pull out the two gel packs and either freeze or heat them. You can then slide them back into one of three sleeves to put it where you ache the most.
This wrap fits any knee with a circumference of up to 21-inches. It fits both men and women, as well on either knee. This is because of its ability to easily adjust using straps. When it gets dirty, simply wash the neoprene blended wrap.
Conclusion: Most people love that this wrap applies coolness or heat to all areas of the knee, including the back. This is helpful for chronic pain and after surgery. The fact that it may not stay cold or hot for very long could be a problem for some people. We have also written a complete guide about the best cold massage balls.
- Washable
- Targets Pain Relief
- 60-Day Guarantee
- Comfortable to Wear
- Durable
- Stays Secure
- Coldness May Not Last Long Enough
#3. WORLD-BIO Knee Ice Gel Pack
World-Bio knows that everyone’s pain relief needs are unique to them. For this reason, this large knee wrap works for various areas of the body. It can even work on the back because of its large size of 14.6 x 10.4-inches. You can also use it as a hot or cold compress.
It promises to maintain flexibility even if frozen to Zero-degrees and stay cold for longer than other ice gel packs. Since it is a wrap, it is made with neoprene straps, which will allow you to make it as loose or as tight as you need. They are 25″ long.
Conclusion: Overall, this ice pack does what it was designed to do. However, it is a large wrap, which can be bothersome for some people. The benefit is that you can use it on elbows and other areas with ease because of its size.
- Cold For Up to 35-Minutes Possibly
- Fits Securely
- Comfortable
- Easy to Use
- Fits Other Jointed Areas
- Little Bulky for Some
#4. ComfiLife Knee Ice Pack with Wrap
When you need pain relief, you need it to be dependable. This hot/cold gel pack promises to relieve pain in your knees no matter what has caused it. It is a brace that wraps securely around knees or elbows while remaining flexible.
It has adjustable straps to fit people of all sizes and promises to remain leak-free and usable for many years to come. This is proven by the exceptional lifetime money-back guarantee or replacement with no questions asked.
Conclusion: It is recommended that you apply this wrap for 15 minutes and leave it off for 20 unless your doctor says otherwise. Therefore, it is not meant to be cold for an extended period of time. If you need “cold” for a longer time, this may not be a great option for you.
- Comfortable
- Wraps Snugly
- Can Be Worn During Physical Activities
- Fits Small Joint Areas
- Stays Cold the Suggested Time
- May Not Fit Larger Knees
- Not Cold Long Enough for Some
#5. The Coldest Water Knee Ice Pack Wrap
One brand that shows up often as providing a quality ice pack is, “The Coldest Water”. Now, they have also come up with a way to help knees be pain-free whether you need hot or cold therapy.
This hot or cold gel ice wrap is flexible, but molds itself to your knee well enough to provide support as well as pain relief. It promises to be very cold by implementing the webbing technology that is found on their other wraps. When fully frozen, it can maintain coldness for up to an hour according to many people.
Conclusion: This gel ice pack is a little small according to some. Not in its ability to wrap around their knee, but in the area that it covers with gel. However, it does stay cold much longer than some, so you have to decide what it is you really need from your knee wrap.
- Stays Where You Want It
- Durable
- Freezes Quickly
- Lasts A Good Amount of Time
- Small for Some
C. List of The Multipurpose, Reusable Gel Ice Packs for Back, Shoulders, and Knee
Last update on 2021-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#1. PhysioNatural Reusable Hot & Cold Compress
This multipurpose hot or cold compress promises instant relief to pain, no matter where you are aching. It works so that you can get back to doing the things you love without pain medications.
It is a one size fits all flexible gel pack that can be frozen or heated depending on your needs. A convenient strap holds it in place. If you are not completely satisfied, you can return it for up to a year for a full refund.
Conclusion: We like that this gel pack can be used on multiple body parts. However, it may be bulky to use around some areas with the wrap. For this, it simply depends on where you have pain and what you are willing to do to get relief.
- Fits Anywhere
- Relief for All Types of Pain
- Non-Toxic
- Uses Neoprene Fabric
- Fits Practically All Body Types
- May Not Retain Heat Well
#2. TheraPAQ Hot/Cold Reusable Gel Ice Pack
When pain happens, we all want relief quickly. You shouldn’t have to worry about which ice pack to pull out of the freezer. That is where this XL 14″ x 11″ pack comes in. It has two straps to ensure that it stays where you need the most relief. Even if you are trying to help your hip feel better. Simply wrap one strap around your waist and the other around your leg. It will stay in place.
This wrap comes with a full money-back guarantee if you are not completely happy with it. The material it is made with is nylon, which means you can wash it easily.
Conclusion: We like that this super-sized wrap has two straps holding it securely in place. However, we do feel that microwaving it could be an issue if it heats unevenly. Putting it in hot water may be more ideal.
- Large Coverage Area
- Stays In Place
- Non-Toxic
- Works Anywhere
- Easy to Use
- May Be Stiff When Frozen
- May Not Heat Evenly
#3. Koo-Care Large Flexible Gel Ice Pack & Wrap
This 11 x 14-inch wrap has elastic straps to keep it firmly against your body no matter what you are doing. It weighs 2.2 pounds and promises to remain flexible even if you freeze it to 0-F. The elastic bands will extend from 29.5 inches to 43.3 inches. This makes it usable for many people.
It has a large ice pack that allows it to stay colder longer than others. It also doesn’t clump like some in the freezer. If you are not happy with your purchase, you can return it for a no-hassle replacement for up to one year.
Conclusion: This Ice pack/wrap from Koo-Care is designed to work wherever you have pain. However, its large size means that it could be uncomfortable for some. Is it worth it to have a longer amount of coolness or heat? Only you know the answer to that.
- Stays Cold or Hot
- Large Enough for Most People
- Covers Well
- May Be Hard to Secure in Some Areas
#4. MR.ICE Hot and Cold Wrap
Another option you have is the Mr. Ice pack. It is large enough to cover most areas of the body at 14 x 11-inches. It is designed to cover shoulders, knees, hips, back, and more. Some people even use it for migraine pain relief.
This wrap weighs just over two pounds and comes with everything you need to ensure you are pain-free soon. It has one wrap, the gel pack, two straps, and a bag to store it in. It has a lifetime maintenance service card and color box included as well.
Conclusion: It seems that this wrap is loved by most people, but others are simply not happy with it. Overall, it is easy to use, but may not be right for everyone who is in pain. Check out our complete guide about the posture corrector.
- Versatile Coverage Area
- Securely Wraps Around Most People
- Multiple Uses
- Can Be Used Hot or Cold
- May Not Stay Cold Long Enough
- May Not Fit Everyone Comfortably
#5. ColePak Comfort Hot/Cold Gel Packs
ColePak Comfort is a brand that many people choose to consider. It claims to be the best whether you need heat or coolness applied to the painful areas. As a bonus, you can get two for one, which means that you get a knee pack and a bag ice pack so you can relieve both aches at one time if the need arises.
Each pack comes with a reusable gel pack and straps to hold it firmly in place. They freeze quickly and last for longer than some ice packs. If you are not completely satisfied, you can return it for a full refund.
Conclusion: This product is favored by many because of how well it works to relieve pain quickly. However, it is not perfect for everyone. Some say that the Velcro around the knee is too uncomfortable. Therefore, we have to say it is right for most, but maybe not all.
- Easy to Use
- Two Gel Packs Included
- Good Pain Relief for Knees
- Works Very Well
- May Be Uncomfortable for Some
Final Conclusion
Each day, our back, knees, and other joints take a beating. Whether we stumble over something and twist wrong, deal with arthritis pain, or had to have surgery to repair damage, relief is always good. No one should have to suffer from pain.
When you are dealing with pain, it is important that you use cold to soothe it away. This is vital during the first few days when inflammation and swelling are most likely. After that, having the option to apply heat is a bonus, since it will further your body’s natural ability to heal.
We like the idea of using gel ice packs and those that can be heated. They allow most people to get through the pain of surgery or injury without pain medications. We like knowing that a gel pack can make it easier for you to get through the night or that day’s activities without grogginess.
Therefore, even if you do not choose one of our top 15 reusable gel ice packs for 2020, we still hope that you will find an alternative that can work well for your pain.
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