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Innovations in winter weather gear like heated vests and other battery-powered clothing are designed to bring amazing warmth without cumbersome extra layers. These pieces give you an extra boost of warmth and comfort and even allow you to customize the temperature and locations where you feel the heat. And they will fit well, promote overall well-being by harnessing heat to improve circulation, and relieve back and shoulder tension with their comforting warmth. Designed using low voltage, they are safe and cannot cause any serious injury to the wearer. They use lightweight wiring and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to discreetly warm your core while appearing like a typical, stylish outdoor vest. The thin heating elements are fully concealed within the garment and are protected by a waterproof membrane, so you don’t need to worry about rain. Keep reading for the best heated vests that are warm, safe, lightweight, and will work for hours, allowing you to work and play outdoors this winter in style.

How we chose the best heated vests

While some people use the cold as an excuse to spend months mostly inside, this is not the case for all. Grumble less this winter by investing in the right gear to keep you warm and comfortable. To find the best heated vests, we tested them personally, looked at reviews, recommendations, gathered impressions, and conducted thorough research. The last thing we want is to leave you out in the cold with a heated vest that gives a wimpy, tepid hug instead of a warm, cozy embrace.

The best heated vests: Reviews & Recommendations

The best heated vests have strategically placed heat zones to bring warmth to your core, helping you to stay comfortable outdoors longer, no matter how cold it gets. We’ve whittled our choices to a select few who bring the heat in the winter. One of these should leave you as snug as a bug in a rug.

Best overall: Foxelli Heated Vest

The Foxelli Heated Vest is the best heated vest overall

Foxelli

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Why it made the cut: This vest has lots of heating zones, a detachable hood, and is wind-resistant—best of all, it’s machine washable.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 4
  • Battery life: 8 hours
  • Material: Polyester
  • Temperature settings: Low (95°F), Medium (110°F), High (130°F)

Pros

  • Detachable hood
  • Machine washable
  • Water and wind resistant

Cons

  • Some reviews note problems with the power bank

This rechargeable heated vest is a good option when you need more hours of warmth. The vest can adjust between three heat settings (low/medium/high) to customize comfort level and save on battery life. The vest offers four heating zones at the collar, back, and core, which are a nice addition for cold walks outdoors.

Best for men: ORORO Men’s Lightweight Heated Vest

ORORO Men’s Lightweight Heated Vest is the best heated vest for men

Ororo

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Why it made the cut: It’s tailored to fit the body, and can even charge your phone. Plus, it heats up fast and can last for 10 hours.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 3
  • Battery life: 10 hours
  • Material: Nylon
  • Temperature settings: Low (100°F), Medium (120°F), High (130°F)

Pros

  • Quick heating
  • Machine washable
  • Zippered pockets

Cons

  • Might be too tight for bulkier jackets
  • Only a 10-degree difference between medium and high settings)

This heated vest for men is tailored neatly to the body and is machine washable. In seconds, the heating elements warm up the vest, which can be adjusted according to your comfort. It even includes a USB charging port within the vest battery that you can use for your cell phone. The company also sells vests for women, including the quilted heated vest shown below.

A woman wears a black heated vest and stands against a brick wall

Amanda Reed

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Best for women: Venustas Women’s Heated Vest

venustas heated down vest is the best for women

Venustas

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Why it made the cut: A combination of nylon and duck down ensures you won’t face any chills this season.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 5
  • Battery life: 8 hours
  • Material: Nylon
  • Temperature settings: Low (86°F) Medium (113°F), High (131°F)

Pros

  • Lots of heat zones
  • Water-resistant
  • Down adds extra warmth

Cons

  • Heat can be hard to feel through heavier sweaters on lower temperatures

This women’s heated vest is tailored to fit snugly and uses a combination of nylon and duck down with multiple heating elements to provide long-lasting warmth. There are five heating zones, so more areas of your body will remain warm, and you can pick from three heat settings. This vest includes a USB port to charge your smartphone, and you’ll get about 8 hours of battery at the low heat setting and 3 hours at the high heat setting. We’re also fans of the GOBI Heated Vest for Women, pictured below. It’s lightweight, and the wind- and water-resistant material really keeps you warm in the elements.

A woman stands against a brick wall wearing a sage green heated vest

Amanda Reed

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Best for winter sports: ORORO Men’s Fleece Heated Vest

ORORO Men’s Fleece Heated Vest is the best heated vest for winter sports

ORORO

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Why it made the cut: This heated fleece vest adds an extra layer of coziness while you’re in the great outdoors.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 3
  • Battery life: 10 hours
  • Material: 50% polyester, 50% cotton
  • Temperature settings: Low, Medium, High

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • Phone charging capabilities
  • Heats up fast

Cons

  • Battery is on the heavy side

This ORORO heated vest is a great choice for winter sports enthusiasts as the fleece provides warmth and breathability. Carbon fiber heating elements heat up three body areas quickly, and temperature levels can be adjusted for your comfort, especially when you start sweating. Added perks: It’s machine washable and includes a USB charger for your phone.

Best for outdoor work: ARRIS Heated Vest

A black Arris outdoor vest on a blue and white background

Arris

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Why it made the cut: The heating material is made from carbon fiber, giving you peace of mind when it comes to safety.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 7
  • Battery life: 3-12 hours, depending on temperature
  • Material: Polyester
  • Temperature settings: 5 heat settings: pre-heat (104°F), low (122°F), medium (140°F), high (158°F), very high (176°F)

Pros

  • Size-adjustable
  • Lots of temperature settings with a wide range of temperatures
  • Controllable heat zones

Cons

  • Charger sold separately

This Arris heated vest is a great choice for outdoor work as it offers a wide range of adjustable heat zones and temperature settings. Each of the seven heating zones can be controlled and turned off or on as you move from indoors to outdoors and back again. Additional safety features include powering down if the vest gets too hot. It’s also size adjustable, so you can wear it by itself or over a hoodie by adding or subtracting included panels.

Best for motorcyclists: Gerbing Men’s 7V Battery Heated Vest Liner

A Gerbing heated vest for motorcyclists on a blue and white background

Gerbing

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Why it made the cut: This thin vest liner is slim enough to wear under a jacket for hours of comfort while riding around town.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 3
  • Battery life: 2-8 hours, depending on heat setting
  • Material: Nylon exterior, polyester interior
  • Temperature settings: Max heat: 135°F

Pros

  • Thin and lightweight
  • Can be worn by itself or with a jacket
  • Drop tail for better coverage when riding

Cons

  • Battery short compared to other vests on this list

Don’t let the cold stop you from hitting the road on your motorcycle. This thin, lightweight vest from Gerbing—the OGs of heated motorcycle wear—keeps you warm without the bulk. Three heat zones keep you toasty on the road, and a 2-8 hour battery life means you’ll stay toasty. The company also sells heated jackets in case you’re looking for even more warmth. Passersby in cars will surely go, “That’s a nice motorcycle,” when seeing you wear this heated vest while riding your bike.

Best hooded: NORWELL Men’s Heated Vest

A black Norwell hooded heated vest on a blue and white background

Norwell

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Why it made the cut: The detachable hood lets you decide how you’d like to keep your ears warm—add a winter hat for extra toastiness.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 4
  • Battery life: 6-8 hours depending on heat setting
  • Material: Polyester, nylon
  • Temperature settings: Low (77°F), Medium (95°F), High (122°F)

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • Mylar thermal lining
  • Water-resistant

Cons

  • Runs small

Finding a vest with a hood is hard; finding a heated vest with a hood is even harder. This one from Norwell is an easy inclusion on this list thanks to its long battery life, water resistance, and machine-washing capabilities. Plus, the Mylar thermal lining keep you extra, extra warm—perfect when you run out of the house with a half-charged battery and need to make every bit of heat last.

Best budget: Anbero Heated Vest

PKSTONE Heated Vest for Men & Women

Anbero

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Why it made the cut: At around $50, this unisex pick rivals some of its more expensive counterparts when it comes to the number of heat zones and temperature ranges.

Specs

  • Heat zones: 5
  • Battery life: 6-12 hours, depending on heat setting
  • Material: Cotton, polyester
  • Temperature settings: Low (104-113°F), Medium (113-131°F), High (131°F-149°F)

Pros

  • Inner fleece lining
  • Lots of heating zones
  • Heats up fast

Cons

  • Heating elements on the small side

A great choice for keeping warm outdoors, this Anbero vest offers five heating zones and three temperature settings all with a simple zip-up unisex design. It is machine washable and lightweight, making it a good option for layering.

What to consider when buying the best heated vests

When it comes to finding the best heated vest for cold weather and your next outdoor adventure, you’ll want to learn about the different styles, brands, and features available. We’ve selected some of the best options on the market to keep you warm, dry, and enjoying being outside.

Focus on heated vests that recharge fast

When it comes to getting dressed and out the door, we all want to do it fast and without fuss. This can inevitably take longer in the cold winter months, and you’ll pay the price in comfort when you shortcut this process. With the addition of heated clothing, like heated insoles, you’ll need fewer layers, which saves time—but you want to be sure your vest’s batteries are charged and ready to go. The best heated vests will have batteries that are easy and quick to recharge, heat the vest quickly upon wearing, and offer many hours of warmth and comfort between charges.

In order to get more hours of warmth out of your vest, compare vests based on the type of battery and method of charging, as well as the length of time it takes to heat up. Most models will offer adjustable temperature or zone settings, which will save on battery life and allow you to move the heat around the vest at just the right temperature for your comfort. A nice feature to look for is carbon fibers used as heat elements, as they allow for vests to heat up quickly.

Stay warm while engaging in winter sports

As winter sports enthusiasts know—it’s never too cold out, you just don’t have the right cold-weather gear. The best cold-weather clothing can mean hours more of outdoor time, which is essential for winter sports enthusiasts. They can be a critical extra layer that keep your core warm, and your muscles relaxed throughout your sweat session. Getting extra warmth without extra bulk—like throwing on a pair of heated socks under your snow boots—will provide a full range of motion and keep you in the game.

The best options for winter sports will be lightweight and breathable with adjustable heat settings. The lighter the materials used, the less fatigue you will feel. After some time spent doing vigorous outdoor activities, you may feel both cold and sweaty, so breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics will be an important feature to keep you warm and dry. The best vests for winter sports will have multiple heating zones and customizable heat so you can warm up or cool down as you see fit. Finally, a securely fastened battery pack is essential when engaging in sports.

Look for extra warmth while you work

If your work takes you outside or in non-heated areas, you need to protect yourself from the elements with the best cold-weather gear. These vests will protect your core to keep you safe and warm and can easily coordinate with other work clothes or uniforms or even other heated clothing like gloves or a jacket.

The best vest for outdoor work will be versatile and lightweight. It should be simple and classic in design, with hidden heat elements to make the garment look more work-appropriate. Because the weather can change dramatically when working outdoors, you want to select a vest that features multiple heat zones, adjustable temperature, and the ability to turn certain areas off and on. Adjustable sizing is also a nice bonus, so it can fit under other layers or loosen to wear on top, depending on the day and the nature of your work.

FAQs

Q: How much do the best heated vests cost?

Depending on the number of heat zones and other materials used, the best heated vests can cost between $50-$250.

Q: Are heated vests safe?

They are definitely safe to wear. Although there are thin electrical wires running through the vest, the voltage is so low that there is no risk of electrocution. The vest is heated with a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is discreetly sewn into the garment in an accessible location, and they all include a waterproof membrane to keep the wires and battery safe from water. Still, care should be taken to ensure the battery stays in good working order, discarding and replacing if it becomes damaged.

Q: How do I use a heated vest?

Using a heated vest is simple and harnesses battery power to keep you warm. They have thin, lightweight wires placed within the garment and use a low charge to warm up. Some have Bluetooth connectivity so you can power up (or down) the heat by using an app on your smartphone.

Q: Can I wash heated vests?

They can be washed safely when following the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, the first step will be to disconnect and remove the rechargeable battery, and zip away or seal any connector cables. Be sure to wash your vest with cool water with the machine’s gentle setting. Line drying the garment is usually recommended, with care not to squeeze or wring out the vest so as to keep the delicate wiring inside safe for your next use.

Q: Do I need to wear a jacket with my heated vest?

You don’t! You can keep your arms free when it’s not as chilly and throw on a sweatshirt or jacket once the weather starts to drop. How you’d like to wear your heated vest is up to you.

Final thoughts on the best heated vests

While long underwear has often been the first line of defense for an outdoor adventure, the best heated vests will take things up a notch and provide hours of warmth for your core, fit comfortably, and look stylish without all the bulky layers. With lightweight wiring and multiple heating zones, you can keep warm no matter how long you find yourself in winter weather.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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