Purchased now two of these Sunny Bay Wheat filled pads. We have had a bed buddy type of microwave heating pad with rings for a long time. Sorry, I really can't stand its smell! My nose does have trouble with a lot of things! To each his/her own!I took a chance on this one just after Christmas. And it was love at first sniff. (Well almost:) I didn't do much research, I just bought the purple. I was very happy. Then the wife started to covet it too much, so I bought another one, the colorful Canyon color. It will be far easier to find in dark rooms and beds.Outside the box/neck suggestion: If you have cold feet when you first go to bed, this is a fantastic bed warmer!! Suggestion: First warm this up and put under the covers in your feet area. Only then prepare for bed, brush teeth, yada. Last, retrieve the pad, and "top off" the pad, and get in bed. Then, your feet will be happy, and you still have a heating pad for your designated recipient. (Spot du soir? :)And your feet will say: "OMG! The chill is gone!"Overall, it must be their special wheat filling, coupled with the very soft cover that makes these so exceptional. With this long 26" length, we don't need any rings. (No Stinking rings? :)) So this is a 10 toes up review! (Actually 9 3/4, but that's for a lawn equipment review! :)Talking about safety, of course it is optimum to have a turntable in your microwave. Of course you take it slow to initially find your optimum heat time and process for EACH microwave. Of course you can't lay any heating pad on anything but a clean surface, so look before you heat! If you don't do this, any pad can be overheated like popcorn, right? Come on people! You can read the included directions about this. Stay safe out there!