 Marcec said "No shade to the original version of "Hot Like Fire," but the "Timbaland's Groove Mix" was 10 times better".Marcec also praised both the song's production and Aaliyah's vocals saying, "Timbaland presents another entrancing track, beatboxing Susanne Vega's "Tom's Diner," while Aaliyah brings her melodic voice and habitually sexy style".Bianca Gracie from Fuse praised the song she felt that remix version which was used as the single was better than the album version.