The Best Heated Compression Sleeves & Braces for Athletes 2023

Boost muscle recovery and pain relief with easy to wear options.

If you’ve ever strained or pulled a muscle, felt pain in your back or neck that limited your mobility, there’s a good chance your immediate response was to apply heat to the area.

Using a heating pad on a specific part of the body to relieve muscle pain is one of the most common applications of heat therapy in both athletics and everyday matters.

In the past few years, heat therapy has evolved into a dynamic means of muscle recovery among athletes with the adoption of new methods, devices, and equipment.

One of the easiest to use and noticeably effective heat therapy methods is use of a heated compression sleeve or brace to deliver targeted relief to your muscles.

Athletes that incorporate heat therapy into their recovery routines noticeably reduce muscle pain and feel fresher from one workout or competition to the next.

Here, we’ve put together a list of the best heated compression sleeves and braces for athletes in 2023.

Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.

1. Hyperice Venom Go

The Hyperice Venom Go delivers heat and vibration spot treatment in a versatile and customizable wearable that can be placed anywhere on your body. This heat therapy device offers 9 combinations of heat and vibration and up to an hour of battery life.

Available on Amazon: Hyperice Venom Go

Hyperice’s Venom Go pod connects magnetically to the provided pads, which are reusable up to 20 times each. This heat therapy device has easy to use button controls and Bluetooth connectivity to the Hyperice App.

2. Hyperice Venom 2 Back

The Hyperice Venom 2 Back features HyperHeat technology for a consistent even heat delivered 6x faster than a standard heating pad for extra quick relief. This heated back wrap has a lightweight neoprene body and silicone surface for easy cleaning.

Available on Amazon: Hyperice Venom 2 Back

Hyperice’s Venom 2 Back sports an adjustable compression strap for a customized fit, 3 levels of heat, and up to 3 hours of battery life. This heated back wrap has Bluetooth connectivity to the Hyperice App for remote control and a 1-year warranty.

3. Hyperice X Knee Contrast Therapy

The Hyperice X features advanced contrast therapy treatment that can automatically switch between hot and cold temperatures nearly instantly and without wires. This heat therapy device provides consistent temperature (hot or cold) for as long as you require.

Available on Amazon: Hyperice X

Hyperice’s X provides an adaptive fit that allows you to move freely while receiving treatment and doesn’t require any ice, preparation, or plug-in cords.

4. Therabody RecoveryTherm Cube

The Therabody RecoveryTherm Cube features instant heat, cold, and contrast therapy in a single compact, portable, and wearable device. This heat therapy device features proprietary Cryothermal Technology for scientifically optimized relief and recovery.

Available on Amazon: Therabody RecoveryTherm Cube

Therabody RecoveryTherm Cube offers 3 preset modes with multiple precise temperature settings. This heat therapy device comes with adjustable straps for convenient on-the-go relief and recovery anywhere on your body.

5. Therabody RecoveryTherm Knee

The Therabody RecoveryTherm Knee features proprietary Cryothermal Technology that seamlessly delivers cold, heat, and vibration therapy in a single wearable device for your knee.

Available on Amazon: Therabody RecoveryTherm Knee

Therabody’s RecoveryTherm Knee offers a convenient one size fits all design with thermal alloy for quick on-the-go cooling, heating, and contrast therapy and comes with a 1-year warranty.

6. McDavid Flex Therapy Compression Sleeves

The McDavid Flex Therapy Compression Sleeves features a flexible gel sleeve design that delivers 360-degrees of compression and either hot or cold treatment. These heated compression sleeves are 100% leak proof and available in knee, elbow, and ankle designs.

Shop at McDavid: McDavid Flex Therapy Sleeve (Knee)

Shop at McDavid: McDavid Flex Therapy Sleeve (Elbow)

Shop at McDavid: McDavid Flex Therapy Sleeve (Ankle)

McDavid’s Flex Therapy Compression Sleeves utilize an easy pull-on design that stays-in-place while on-the-go. These heated compression sleeves heat in the microwave in 30 seconds and freeze in 2 hours for cold therapy.

7. Shock Doctor Therapy Compression Wraps

The Shock Doctor Therapy Compression Wraps feature an anatomical design with adjustable straps and multiple gel packs for deep 360-degree coverage. These heated compression wraps have gentle compression and can be used for both hot and cold treatment.

Shop at Shock Doctor: Shock Doctor Ice Therapy Wrap (Shoulder)

Shop at Shock Doctor: Shock Doctor Ice Therapy Wrap (Elbow)

Shop at Shock Doctor: Shock Doctor Ice Therapy Wrap (Knee)

Shop at Shock Doctor: Shock Doctor Ice Therapy Wrap (Ankle)

Shock Doctor Ice Therapy Compression Wraps sport a premium N-Tex neoprene material with comfortable and durable four-way stretch. These heated compression wraps are available in shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle designs.

8. MiHIGH Infrared Back Wrap

The MiHIGH Infrared Back Wrap features a portable back wrap design with infrared heat, lumbar supporting fabrics, and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 3 hours.

Shop at MiHIGH: MiHIGH Infrared Back Wrap

Available on Amazon: MiHIGH Infrared Back Wrap

MiHIGH’s Infrared Back Wrap utilizes beneficial far infrared wavelengths and a non-toxic Polyurethane leather exterior with a waterproof inside. This heated wrap comes with a carrying bag, a universal charger, and a 30-day risk-free trial.

9. MiHIGH Infrared Knee Wrap

The MiHIGH Infrared Knee Wrap features effective infrared heating technology for deep penetrating relief in a comfortable, secure, and adjustable wrap designed to fit all sizes.

Shop at MiHIGH: MiHIGH Infrared Knee Wrap

MiHIGH’s Infrared Knee Wrap utilizes a durable polyamide and spandex shell, a comfortable mesh lining, and a portable design with a built-in 1-hour rechargeable battery.

10. MiHIGH Heating Pad

The MiHIGH Heating Pad features a premium weighted design with far infrared heat that’s evenly distributed for full-body multipurpose use and targeting.

Shop at MiHIGH: MiHIGH Heating Pad

Available on Amazon: MiHIGH Heating Pad

MiHIGH’s Heating Pad has a soft crystal velvet fabric with tourmaline weighted beads and a handheld controller. This heating pad measures 12x24” and comes with a 1-year warranty.

11. Sunbeam FlexTemp Joint Wrap

The Sunbeam FlexTemp Joint Wrap features an integrated stretch sleeve design with secure-fasten elastic straps on each end for on-the-go elbow and knee treatment. This joint wrap can deliver both heat and cold therapy with a removable ice pack (included). c

Available on Amazon: Sunbeam FlexTemp Joint Wrap

Sunbeam’s FlexTemp Joint Wrap comes with 3 heat settings, a 2-hour auto-shutoff, an easy-to-use push-button controller, and a long 9-foot cord. This joint wrap utilizes an easy care design that’s machine washable and dryer safe.

12. Sunbeam FlexFit Heated Wrap

The Sunbeam FlexFit Heated Wrap features a versatile heated wrap design that easily fits around multiple areas of the body, such as the arm, elbow, wrist, leg, ankle, and more. This heated wrap is 42" long and stays in place with elastic ends that securely fasten to the pad.

Available on Amazon: Sunbeam FlexFit Heated Wrap

Sunbeam’s FlexFit Heated Wrap utilizes an entirely flexible design with Micromink fabric that’s machine washable and dryer safe. This heated wrap comes with 3 heat settings, a 2-hour auto-shutoff, an easy-to-use push-button controller, and a long 9-foot cord.

How Does Heat Therapy Work for Athletes?

After physical activity, whether training or competition, expose the designated area of your body to warm temperatures by means of heating pad or heat sleeve that’s localized to a specific spot or by immersing your full body in warm water or a sauna.

Once the warmth is applied to your body, you’ll notice immediate relief to any tightness, cramping, or pain in your muscles.

Many athletes like utilizing a hot tub or sauna as it allows you to hit every muscle group at the same time, providing a quick and effective recovery treatment.

Once finished, the vasodilation (expanding) of your blood vessels will be noticeable.

Your limbs and muscles will feel looser and more flexible (i.e. not constricted like if cold had been applied).

This vasodilation of your blood vessels allows nutrient-rich blood to flow into your tissue, flush out muscle soreness by removing lactic acid buildup, and improve muscle recovery conditions.

In other words, that dreaded muscle pain and stiffness that sets in a day or two after pushing your body won’t be as bad and won’t stick around for as long.

Not only does heat therapy help alleviate the muscle soreness from your workout but it can also warm-up your muscles better prior to workouts, allowing you to perform at a higher level.

What Are the Benefits of Heat Therapy for Athletes?

Simple to use and easy to customize, heat therapy is a great muscle recovery tool that any athlete can incorporate into their routine.

One aspect that’s so great about heat therapy is that users can feel immediate relief while enjoying longer-term benefits, as well.

By increasing blow flow and oxygen-rich blood to the applied area, heat therapy relaxes and soothes muscles that are tight, stiff, cramping, or sore.

The key aspect from which all heat therapy benefits derive is the way in which your blood vessels expand (vasodilate) when exposed to warm temperatures.

This improves circulation and allows for more nutrient-rich blood to be delivered to your muscles, which in turn improves the conditions under which your muscles are healed and restored.

The boost in nutrient-rich blood flowing back into your muscle tissue also helps to flush out lactic acid and metabolic waste.

And if you’re currently experiencing tight or sore muscles, heat therapy is also a great way to prepare for activity, as warm muscles are more flexible and allow a greater range of motion.

Additionally, total body immersion sessions, such as with a bath or sauna, has been shown to reduce stress levels, promote relaxation, and enhance your quality of sleep.

Learn everything you need to know about heat therapy in our complete guide.

And if you want to kick your heat therapy up a notch, check out the best cold/hot plunges for athletes and the best home saunas for athletes.