Small electric blanket for on the go
Battery-operated heat patches from Calopad are designed to relieve acute muscle pain and help with cramps. They are not noticeable when worn under clothing.
Calopads in use
(Image: Calopad)
People suffering from muscle pain or cramps can use the battery-operated Calopad heat plaster to apply deep heat or cold to tense areas for hours. The heat puck from the Swiss company, which is recommended for pain therapy and muscle regeneration, adheres to the skin with a plaster. Contrary to expectations, it hardly twirls when you remove this adhesive strip; we tried it out.
The controller itself adheres to the flexible, heat-conducting heating foil with a strong magnet, under which a very thin layer of adhesive ensures that it stays in place on the skin. The wafer-thin adhesive layer can be disposed of after wearing it several times. It has been medically tested, as has the entire system.
Quite warm
The first version of the Calopad could only be adjusted a little. The successor Calopad Pro presented at the CES now integrates a small screen that displays the current temperature range of the heat patch on request. The distribution foil can be heated up to 42 degrees Celsius. According to the Swiss manufacturer, studies have shown that this is the most tolerable and effective temperature for relieving tension.
The controller varies the temperature of the plaster at intervals and can alternatively cool it down to 8 degrees. As a cooling pad, it then alternates between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius. The temperature range can be adjusted to personal requirements via a smartphone app or directly on the device. The app also provides videos with exercise suggestions and creates individual training plans to improve physical mobility.
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One for everything
While you previously needed a separate controller for each of the heating and cooling functions, the new Calopad Pro covers both temperature ranges. The battery is charged via USB-C. Although it is sweat-resistant, it cannot withstand showers or baths. As the heat patch is flexible, lightweight and only a few millimetres thick, Calopad reports that users sometimes forget it is on their body. There is then a risk that the small heating pad will end up in the shower, which can cause costly total damage to the controller.
A USB connection that is at least splash-proof would therefore be desirable for the next Calopad version –, especially as the manufacturer advertises its product as particularly sustainable compared to conventional heat patches. Only the wafer-thin adhesive layer has to be disposed of after a few applications, as otherwise a secure hold is not guaranteed. Each heating foil, on the other hand, is said to be suitable for at least 50 applications. A Calopad without a screen costs 230 euros, starter sets are currently available for less than 200 euros. The manufacturer plans to offer the Pro version with a built-in screen and app support for 300 euros in the near future. The Calopad business model is therefore based more on the replaceable heating tapes (approx. six euros each) and adhesive foils (approx. 2.50 euros each).
Heise Medien is the official media partner of CES 2025. (uk)
