B&M sells £10 heated waist wrap to cut heating costs

As temperatures have dropped in recent weeks and household budgets remain stretched, a low-cost heated waist wrap is being promoted as a way to stay warm without switching on central heating. A parenting editor who tested the product said the £10 wrap, sold at B&M, heated her core effectively while she worked from home and helped relieve back and period discomfort.

The wrap is powered by a USB lead that can be plugged into a nearby socket or connected to a power bank placed in a front pocket. It fastens with Velcro, is adjustable for fit and heat distribution, and offers three heat settings, with a light on the power button indicating the selected level. The tester reported not needing to turn on central heating during use and described the device as effective at maintaining body temperature during sedentary indoor activities.

The purchase was prompted by a popular energy-saving recommendation to focus warmth on the body rather than the whole house. Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has summed up that approach with the advice to "heat the human, not the home," a phrase cited by those exploring wearable or localised heating options as a way to reduce energy use and costs.