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 to look 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.
Best overall: Foxelli Heated VestBest for men: ORORO Men’s Lightweight Heated VestBest for women: Venustas Women’s Heated VestBest for winter sports: ORORO Men’s Fleece Heated VestBest for outdoor work: ARRIS Heated VestBest for motorcyclists: Gerbing Men’s 7V Battery Heated Vest LinerBest hooded: NORWELL Men’s Heated VestBest budget: Anbero Heated Vest
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 to do is 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
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: 4Battery life: 8 hoursMaterial: PolyesterTemperature settings: Low (95°F), Medium (110°F), High (130°F)
Pros
Detachable hoodMachine washableWater 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
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: 3Battery life: 10 hoursMaterial: NylonTemperature settings: Low (100°F), Medium (120°F), High (130°F)
Pros
Quick heatingMachine washableZippered pockets
Cons
Might be too tight for bulkier jacketsOnly 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 this quilted heated vest.
Best for women: Venustas Women’s Heated Vest
Why it made the cut: A combination of nylon and duck down ensures you won’t face any chills this season. Specs
Heat zones: 5Battery life: 8 hoursMaterial: NylonTemperature settings: Low (86°F) Medium (113°F), High (131°F)
Pros
Lots of heat zonesWater-resistantDown adds extra warmth
Cons
Heat can be hard to feel through heavier sweaters on lower tempertures
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 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.
Best for winter sports: ORORO Men’s Fleece Heated Vest
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: 3Battery life: 10 hoursMaterial: 50% polyester, 50% cottonTemperature settings: Low, Medium, High
Pros
Machine washablePhone charging capabilitiesHeats 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 areas of the body 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 Vest
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: 7Battery life: 3-12 hours depending on temperatureMaterial: PolyesterTemperature settings: 5 heat settings: pre-heat (104°F), low (122°F), medium (140°F), high (158°F), very high (176°F)
Pros
Size-adjustableLots of temperature settings with a wide range of temperaturesControllable 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 7 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.
Best for motorcyclists: Gerbing Men’s 7V Battery Heated Vest Liner
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: 3Battery life: 2-8 hours depending on heat settingMaterial: Nylon exterior, polyester interiorTemperature settings: Max heat: 135°F
Pros
Thin and lightweightCan be worn by itself or with a jacketDrop 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
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: 4Battery life: 6-8 hours depending on heat settingMaterial: Polyester, nylonTemperature settings: Low (77°F), Medium (95°F), High (122°F)
Pros
Machine washableMylar thermal liningWater-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
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: 5Battery life: 6-12 hours depending on heat settingMaterial: Cotton, polyesterTemperature settings: Low (104-113°F), Medium (113-131°F), High (131°F-149°F)
Pros
Inner fleece liningLots of heating zonesHeats 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. In the cold winter months, this can inevitably take longer, and you’ll pay the price in comfort when you shortcut this process. With the addition of heated clothing, like heated insoles, you’ll find yourself needing 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. 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 and adjustable temperature, as well as the ability to turn certain areas off and on. Adjustable sizing is a nice bonus as well, so it can fit under other layers or loosen to wear on top, depending on the day and the nature of your work.
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.
