Cassandra Hot Water Bottle, Ribbed Surface Both Sides, 1.8 Litre, 5 Year Cassandra Guarantee, Colour Received Varies

A good quality hot water bottle that reassuringly exceeds required British standard BS1970/2012. Kept under a duvet or plenty of blankets the bottle retains a reasonable measure of heat until the morning, which saves the unwelcome chore of having to refill it midway through the night. Its first use is obviously the bed, but there's no reason why it can't be used alongside a blanket, or even by itself, while sitting watching TV or whatever as a cheaper alternative to having heating on. It also saves on the expense of an electric blanket in bed and avoids lying in an electrical field so close to the body. Ribbing on one side allows a choice of temperature variants, which if initially favouring the ribbed side can then be flipped for the warmer underside when desired. It'll take most of a standard-sized kettle, heated to a reasonable degree, but not boiling point as the safety instructions advise. Filling the bottle is safe and relatively quick too. There's a nice solid piece to grip around the neck, and the hole where the stopper goes is sufficiently recessed and large enough to allow sensible pouring without splashback. How well it'll last over time remains to be seen, but with careful use and storage, and a five-year guarantee, it should last for a fair time. I see from the advertisement that there may be some confusion as to what colour one receives as it initially appears that either a blue, red or pink one can be ordered. However, it clearly states that the colour received varies. I'm sure the colours used are for illustrative purposes only to show not only what colours may be received but also to mark the differentiations in product type as there's three variants available: smooth surface on both sides, ribbed surface on both sides, and ribbed on one and smooth on the other (as I ordered and of which this review pertains to). Clicking on the different colours brings up the product types and not necessarily the colour one will receive. Personally, I'm not bothered what colour I receive as a hot water bottle is hardly a fashion statement and is just something to use to keep me warm at night. As long as I receive the correct product type then that's all I'm bothered about (which I did). An all-round excellent buy as far as I'm concerned. UPDATE I've now been using this hot water bottle on a daily basis throughout the winter and can say it continues to perform exceptionally well. Unless the weather is particularly cold and into the minuses, I find I'm getting about eight hours of heat from it (strictly via the bottle, without a cover). Obviously, by the time I get up in the morning the bottle is lukewarm, but with the heat it's maintained in the bed overnight and my own body temperature I'm always adequately warm. There's only been one night that I felt inclined to get up to refill it, and I probably didn't need to. Also, the bottle has shown not the slightest sign of leakage from the stopper or perishing of the rubber. I expect that it will last for the guarantee period but I've decided I'm going to replace it every year or two anyway just to be on the safe side as I tend to use water as hot as I can get away with without it being boiling. It's such a good price and so conveniently available from Amazon that I won't miss spending that amount every once in a while. I'll definitely be ordering another Cassandra hot water bottle though providing they're still available. What I have found is a renewed joy in having a hot water bottle. I seem to sleep better than I did when using an electric blanket, and there's a certain pleasure curling up in a bed warmed this way. Even if current high energy prices were to fall I'll still stick with a hot water bottle. I'm immensely pleased with my purchase.

I have poor blood circulation and my feet are almost always cold. I ordered this particular bottle because it was cheap. I admit I started having second thoughts before it arrived and even expected it to have a design or functional flaw. It didn't. I've been using it every single day for almost a month now. It is amazing. I've been abusing it as well, as I fill it several times a day and I sometimes pour in almost boiling water. It is still in perfect shape and doesn't show any signs of wear. When I work from home, I put it under my desk with aluminum foil underneath, so the floor doesn't absorb its heat too fast, and I keep my feet on it. It not only warms up my feet, but my entire body. When I go to sleep, I place it under the covers, some distance away from me, so I don't end up squashing it by mistake. Needless to say, it warms the whole bed, and sometimes it is still a bit warm in the morning. I now believe it is so cheap only because it doesn't have a fancy fleece cover like most similar bottles. It is durable and looks like it's going to last a good while. I give it 5 stars for Comfort and Value for Money. I don't know how to rate Pain Relief, as I haven't been in pain, but I assume it can be used to alleviate muscle cramps or lower back pain, etc.

Great bottle, good size, works well. But this is my third purchase and looking back through my order dates mine have started leaking after 1, or 1.5 years. So I'm not convinced on the 5 year claim. But £5 is fine to pay 1-2 years of use.

Great product to replace an existing cover. Good quality and good value

Came very quickly. Very good and sturdy.

Robust and toast on the feet and back

Mine arrived pink. which was fine by me, the same shade as my childhood hot water bottles. I use a hot water bottle on all but the warmest nights. I like that this one is rubber, I've seen some which are more rigid plastic and they just don't feel right to me. No pungent rubbery smell, though, the smell is pretty subtle. The stopper works very well; not worth deducting a star for, but I tend to hurt my thumb and forefinger slightly when undoing the stopper to empty; it seals very tight and needs a bit of strength to undo. Perhaps I'm over-tightening it. That's a minor niggle, though, I'd rather that than it leaked or didn't seal well. I use this in a cover, in bed, and sleep with it. It's quite possible I may roll onto it at times in my sleep and, so far, after over a month of almost nightly use, no leaks whatsoever. Good value. UPDATE: Still using the same bottle, it went through the whole winter, into May, still no issues, stopper still works perfectly, no leaks in bed. So my partner bought one, too, after a series of other leaky bottles, and he's been happy with his too. Going to buy a couple more of these now for winter, just in case, as I imagine there won't be a person in the UK who doesn't have a hot water bottle tied to them this winter :( FURTHER UPDATE JULY 2023: Still using the original, every night during autumn, winter and well into spring, for two years now, so really good quality bottle and stopper. I've recommended to others and will definitely look for this brand if I need to replace (although I have a spare in waiting).

These hot water bottles are the best if you want real heat. Both sides of the bottle are smooth, without any texture. Texture in a hot water bottle does not allow the heat of the water to come through at the temperature you fill with. Yes, you have to be careful with this bottle, because it does give out excellent heat.

Great quality. I like the smooth surface.

Works like I expected. I hope it lasts as long as the old one - over 10 years!

Good quality rubber, nice and thick with conformity to BS. Well made item, would recommend.

Heat last only 2 hours. I put a cover on but doesn't help.