This is the BEST heating pad I have ever owned!! It is very soft fabric. Not that crappy plastic stuff like the other ones I have and this one is very large. Reaches from my waist down past my knee!! Only $8. more than the small crappy plastic one I had. Get you one of these,!! Highly recommend!! The scale is 2-5 I say it's definitely a 10!!!! I have sciatica and it's affecting my back, hip, thigh and knee and this covers it all. 6 heat settings,!! That's great! My other ones only have 3!! FANTASTIC PRODUCT! May get another one for spare.