The best hot water bottle for most people is a 2 litre bottle with a wide mouth and a cover, and the samply 2L is the one with by far the most ratings. This page compares six bottles using each listing's own description and its rating on Amazon Australia.
They differ in cover (knitted, fleece or none), material (PVC or natural rubber), size (2 litres or a small 500 ml) and whether the listing also says it works as a cold pack. None of the six is electric: every one is filled with hot water.
Best overall hot water bottle: samply 2L with Knitted Cover
Best overall hot water bottle: the samply 2L Hot Water Bottle with Knitted Cover, because it has the most ratings of any bottle here and its listing describes a wide mouth, a transparent bottle and a knitted cover.
The listing describes a wide mouth design that makes the bottle easier to fill, a transparent bottle so you can see how much water is inside, and a knitted cover. The title calls it a 2L hot water bag for hot and cold compress and a hand and feet warmer. The box holds one hot water bottle and one knitted cover, and the listing says nine colours are available; the linked option is dark blue. The package measures about 22.6 by 16.5 by 5.9 cm. It holds 4.6 stars from 3,779 ratings, the most of any bottle on this page.
It suits anyone who wants one everyday bottle that is easy to fill and easy to read. The honest catch: the listing says it is not suitable for microwave heating and to fill only to two thirds capacity, and the cover is knitted, so choose the fleece bottle if you want a softer feel.
Best soft fleece cover: samply Grey Bear
Best soft fleece cover: the samply Hot Water Bottle with Fleece Cover in Grey Bear, because its listing describes a wide mouth and a soft removable cover.
The listing describes a soft removable cover with a cute pattern, a wide mouth so it is easier to fill, and a material it calls more durable than traditional rubber bottles. It lists uses for hands, waist, stomach, feet and bed, and for winter travel, camping and hiking. The package measures about 32.3 by 22.3 by 4.7 cm and weighs about 290 g. It holds 4.6 stars from 1,134 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants a soft, cute cover, and the listing says the pattern makes it a thoughtful gift for a mother, father or friends. The honest catch: it is the same brand as the top pick with fewer ratings, and the listing title and bullets give no capacity in litres, so check the size before you buy.
Best PVC bottle that doubles as a cold pack: OliviaLiving Striped 2L
Best PVC bottle that doubles as a cold pack: the OliviaLiving 2L Hot Water Bag in Classic Striped, because its listing says it is made from recyclable PVC with a wide mouth and works as an ice pack too.
The listing says the recyclable PVC holds heat longer than traditional silicone hot water bottles, and that the bottle also works as an ice pack or cold water bottle. The title calls it a 2 litre bag that is heat up and refreezable. The listing describes a wide mouth, an anti spurt lip, a grid texture and an included knitted cover. The listing says it is manufactured to B.S.1970:2012. It measures about 30 by 20 by 2 cm and weighs about 340 g, and the linked option is pea green. It holds 4.5 stars from 382 ratings.
It suits someone who wants one bottle for winter nights and as a cold pack in summer. The honest catch: the listing says to fill only to two thirds capacity, and it has fewer ratings than the two samply bottles.
Best natural rubber 2 pack: Beyoik Natural Rubber
Best natural rubber 2 pack: the Beyoik Natural Rubber Hot Water Bottle, because its listing describes a ribbed outer surface and natural rubber material in a pack of two.
The listing describes a pack of two heavy duty bottles in random colours, made of natural rubber that it calls non toxic and BPA and phthalates free. It says the ribbed outer surface gives safer skin contact and longer heat retaining. The bag measures about 35.6 by 17.8 cm, with a water container of about 25.4 by 17.8 cm. It holds a 5.0 rating from 11 ratings.
It suits someone who wants the classic rubber bottle and a spare to share. The honest catch: only 11 ratings so far, and the colours are random.
Best for a gift: OliviaLiving 2L with Knitted Cover
Best for a gift: the OliviaLiving 2L Hot Water Bottle with Knitted Cover, because it has a 4.8 rating and a 2L size with a knitted cover.
The listing describes a 2L bottle with a knitted cover and a material it calls more durable than traditional rubber bottles, with a comfortable soft cloth cover and longer lasting insulation. It is described for hot and cold use, and the listing says it will stay warm all night long when kept insulated. It also says the bottle passed a 24 hour explosion proof and leak proof test and comes with a one year warranty. It measures about 31.6 by 21.3 by 5.9 cm and weighs about 320 g. It holds 4.8 stars from 12 ratings.
It suits someone giving a ready to use bottle with a knitted cover. The honest catch: only 12 ratings so far and it costs more than the samply bottles.
Best for kids, small size: Disney Winnie The Pooh 500 ml
Best for kids, small size: the Disney Winnie The Pooh Hot Water Bottle, because it is a compact 500 ml character bottle with a secure screw cap per its listing.
The listing describes a touch of Disney magic, durable and heat retaining materials and a secure screw cap to prevent leaks. It also says it is crafted with safety in mind and is cruelty free. The capacity is 500 ml and the bottle measures about 10 by 10 by 20 cm and weighs about 320 g. It holds 4.6 stars from 111 ratings.
It suits a small bed and someone who likes the Winnie The Pooh look. The honest catch: at 500 ml it holds far less than the 2L bottles.
How to choose a hot water bottle
Choose the cover first
Four of the six bottles come with a cover, and it changes the feel more than anything else. The samply 2L and OliviaLiving 2L have knitted covers, the samply Grey Bear has a soft removable fleece cover, and the OliviaLiving striped bottle comes with a knitted cover too. The natural rubber 2 pack describes a ribbed outer surface instead, and the Pooh listing describes no cover.
Check the size in the listing
The samply 2L, OliviaLiving striped and OliviaLiving knitted bottles are all listed at 2 litres. The Pooh bottle is 500 ml, the natural rubber bag measures about 35.6 by 17.8 cm, and the samply Grey Bear listing gives no capacity, so look at its size before you order.
Material: PVC, rubber or something else
The OliviaLiving striped bottle says recyclable PVC and the 2 pack says natural rubber. The samply Grey Bear and OliviaLiving knitted listings call their material premium and more durable than traditional rubber bottles. The samply 2L listing names no material, so judge it on its ratings.
A wide mouth and a way to see the water
The samply 2L, samply Grey Bear and OliviaLiving striped listings all describe a wide mouth for filling. Only the samply 2L describes a transparent bottle so you can see how much water is inside, and the OliviaLiving striped adds an anti spurt lip.
Hot only or hot and cold
If you want a cold pack as well, the OliviaLiving striped listing says it works as an ice pack and is refreezable. The samply and OliviaLiving knitted listings use hot and cold compress wording. The natural rubber and Pooh listings make no cold claim.
Weigh how many ratings stand behind the score
A 5.0 from 11 ratings is not the same as 4.6 from 3,779. The samply 2L has 3,779 ratings, the samply Grey Bear 1,134, the OliviaLiving striped 382 and the Pooh 111, while the OliviaLiving knitted has 12 and the natural rubber 2 pack 11. Treat the last two as early signals.
Water filled or plug in
Every bottle here is filled with hot water. If you would rather plug something in, our heating pad guide and electric heated throw guide cover those, and our throw blanket guide has covers for the couch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hot water bottle in Australia?
The samply 2L Hot Water Bottle with Knitted Cover is our top pick: it has a wide mouth, a transparent bottle and 4.6 stars from 3,779 ratings, the most of any bottle on this page. The samply Grey Bear fleece bottle is the softer option, and the OliviaLiving striped 2L is the pick if you also want a cold pack.
Which hot water bottle comes with a cover?
Four picks come with a cover: the samply 2L has a knitted cover, the samply Grey Bear has a soft removable fleece cover, and both OliviaLiving bottles come with a knitted cover. The natural rubber 2 pack listing describes a ribbed outer surface and the Pooh listing describes no cover.
Is there a hot water bottle that stays hot all night?
Only one listing makes that claim: the OliviaLiving 2L with a knitted cover says that as long as you keep it insulated, it will stay warm all night long. It has 4.8 stars from only 12 ratings, so the samply 2L, with 3,779 ratings, is the better proven choice for everyday warmth.
Do you put boiling water in a hot water bottle?
The one listing here that gives a temperature is the OliviaLiving 2L with a knitted cover, which says to fill two thirds with 80 degree water. The samply 2L and OliviaLiving striped listings both say to fill only to two thirds capacity, and the samply 2L adds that it is not suitable for microwave heating.
What is the best electric hot water bottle in Australia?
None of the six picks here is electric: each one, from the samply 2L to the OliviaLiving striped bottle, is filled with hot water. If you want plug in warmth, our heating pad guide and electric heated throw guide compare those options instead, and this page stays with bottles.
Is a PVC or natural rubber hot water bottle better?
The listings describe them differently. The OliviaLiving striped bottle says its recyclable PVC holds heat longer than traditional silicone bottles, while the natural rubber 2 pack lists a ribbed outer surface and BPA and phthalates free rubber. The OliviaLiving has 382 ratings and the 2 pack only 11, so the ratings favour the OliviaLiving.
Can a hot water bottle be used as a cold pack?
Several listings say so. The samply 2L and samply Grey Bear titles both say hot and cold compress, and the OliviaLiving striped 2L says it works as an ice pack and is refreezable. The natural rubber 2 pack and the Pooh bottle listings make no cold claim, so check the listing first.
What is the best hot water bottle for kids?
The Disney Winnie The Pooh bottle is the small character option here: its listing says it has a secure screw cap to prevent leaks, and it holds 4.6 stars from 111 ratings. At 500 ml it holds far less than the samply 2L, so it suits a small bed, not a big one.
What is the best hot water bottle to give as a gift?
The OliviaLiving 2L with a knitted cover is our gift pick, rated 4.8 from 12 ratings. For a gift with more ratings behind it, the samply Grey Bear fleece bottle holds 4.6 from 1,134 ratings, and its listing calls the cute cover a thoughtful choice for a mother, father or friend.
