The Best Heated Vests, According to Experts
You won't put off walking the dog in the winter months with these vests.
Expert consulted: Alec SchermaTest Engineer
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When walking the dog or running errands on particularly cold days, extra-warm gear like heated gloves and vests can make all the difference. Even the warmest winter coats can perform better when paired with a battery-powered vest that offers a gentle feeling of heat to help you feel cozy in frigid or even sub-degree weather.
“Heated clothing is great for comfort and warmth, but you’ll want to have some level of insulation or source of warmth that isn’t dependent on batteries when you expect to be outside for long periods of time,” explains Grace Wu, the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab product analyst for the Good Housekeeping Insitute. She recommends pairing a heated vest with a puffer or base layers. We narrowed down the best heated vests below based on categorical experience and feedback from online shoppers.
ORORO Lightweight Heated Vest
Pros
- Heated collar
- Battery can be used to charge phone
- Lightweight
Cons
- Fabric can be a bit noisy
ORORO is a pioneer within heated apparel in general — we also liked their heated gloves — and it was no different with their heated vest. Wu previously tried out this vest, which has a water-resistant nylon material, three heat settings and two pockets to tuck your hands into. She found that it is lightweight and fitted, and it’s good for everyday use if you’re looking for a little extra warmth. “I particularly like the heated collar; it feels so comfortable on chilly mornings,” she says.
The main gripe was that the fabric is a bit noisy and stiff compared to other puffers, but otherwise, it’s easy to set up and care for: You just attach the battery pack and turn it on, and you can toss it in the washing machine when it needs cleaning. Plus, the battery lasts up to 10 working hours on a single charge and has a USB port to charge your phone if needed.
Style: Puffer | Battery life: 10 hours | Number of heating levels: 3 | Heating mechanism: Carbon fiber | Care: Machine washable
RELATED: The Best Heated Gloves
Pros
- Long battery life
- Camo option available
- Battery pack is easily accessible
Cons
- Air-dry recommended
At under $100, this is one of the best heated vests you can get for the money. The lightweight polyester material offers a water-resistant shell and down-alternative fill with four heating zones throughout. The battery pack can last up to 10 hours, depending on which of the three heat settings you choose. An interior pocket holds the battery pack for easy access when you need to juice it up or use it to charge another device like your phone.
It’s machine washable, but you'll still want to air-dry it to avoid damaging the wires. There’s also a camo pattern option if you want to use it for hunting. The vest has more than 1,300 five-star Amazon reviews, including satisfied shoppers who found the vest kept them warm while hunting.
Style: Puffer | Battery life: 10 hours | Number of heating levels: 3 | Heating mechanism: Carbon fiber | Care: Machine washable, air-dry
RELATED: The Best Puffer Vests for Women
Gobi Heat Dune Heated Vest for Women
Pros
- Two heating zones in the chest and one in the back
- High quality
- Almost perfect online rating
Cons
- Not as comfortable to wear, according to an online review
This popular vest features three-zone heating: two heating zones in the chest area and a larger one in the back. It's made from lightweight nylon designed to be wind- and water-resistant. When set on low, the battery can last up to 10 hours (and up to 8 hours on medium and 6 hours on high). We appreciate the one-touch LED controller that makes it easy to switch between the three heat settings.
The vest has an impressive 4.8-star rating on the brand's site with more than 500 online reviews. Satisfied shoppers reported it fit well and felt high quality. The vest was able to keep one customer warmer while cycling in New England winter weather, while another called it a "lifesaver" when tending to her horses in the colder months. One reviewer noted, "The vest works perfectly. [My] only complaint is the location of the battery. Very uncomfortable!"
Style: Puffer | Battery life: 10 hours | Number of heating levels: 3 | Heating mechanism: Conductive thread | Care: Machine washable
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Milwaukee Women's M12 12V Lithium-Ion Cordless AXIS Heated Vest
Pros
- Heats up quickly
- Zippered pocket for battery
- Drawcord waist keeps heat inside the vest
Cons
- Shoppers reported the vest is on the heavier side
Milwaukee is known for its power tools, but it also sells heated gear including vests. The M12 heated vest features the brand's HEXON Heat Technology, which is designed to provide faster heat-up time and better heating coverage. It can also sense the environment you are in and work harder in cold conditions to keep you warm.
The vest has a wind- and water-resistant finish and is made from ripstop polyester fabric to help prevent the spread of tears. It also features low-bulk insulation, making it easy to pack in your work bag if you are heading off to a job site. An adjustable drawcord along the waist helps keep the heat trapped inside your vest. Customer reviewers reported the vest heats up quickly and performs well, but noted it can feel heavy at first.
We appreciate that the vest also has a pass-thru pocket for the battery since one complaint we see from shoppers is that the battery's location is uncomfortable. Instead, the zippered pocket lets you position the battery in the front or back pocket, improving comfort. Still, shoppers found the battery can be on the bulkier side.
Style: Puffer | Battery life: 12 hours | Number of heating levels: 3 | Heating mechanism: Carbon nanotube | Care: Machine washable
Pros
- More heat settings than most
- Can choose what parts are heated
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Battery can take a while to charge
Adjusting the temperature on the ARRIS is easier than most heated vests, as you can choose which section you want to heat (neck and back, abdomen and chest) with a press of a button on the front of the vest. There are also five heat settings to choose from to give you the Goldilocks of warmth for whatever activity you’re doing.
The 7500mAh large-capacity battery delivers up to 16 hours of functionality, depending on the level of heat and sections you’re heating, and like others, you can use the pack to charge other devices as well. However, it can take up to seven hours to charge it fully, so you might want to do so overnight.
Best of all, the fleece look is quite stylish and is lightweight enough that no one would suspect there’s a heating pack in there. You can also adjust the size of the waist by zipping in different fabric lengths to create the best fit. It can be cleaned in the washing machine, but the brand also recommends handwashing it to ensure no parts are damaged.
Style: Fleece | Battery life: 16 hours | Number of heating levels: 5 | Heating mechanism: Carbon fiber | Care: Hand wash recommended
RELATED: The Best Thermal Underwear
How we choose the best heated vests
When researching the best heated vests, we consulted the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and relied on their experience in testing other heated products, such as electric blankets, to understand key features to look for. We focused on vests that weren’t overly bulky but still contained enough of the heating mechanism to keep you warm.
Both the number of heating levels and battery life were considered, as well as having a variety of sizes and styles to pick from. We also looked at heated vests that had any special features like smart functionality or hoods.
What to look for when shopping for the best heated vests
Aside from look and fit, here are some key things to consider before buying a heated vest:
✔️ Number of heating levels: Most heated vests we looked at had at least three levels of heat (low, medium and high). However, some offered a wider spectrum, allowing you to tailor your perfect heat preference. Note that the higher the heat setting, the sooner the vest will run out of battery.
✔️ Heating mechanism: Test Engineer Alec Scherma and Group Product Manager at Milwaukee Tool Wesley Thomas explain the differences between three popular heating mechanisms featured in our guide:
- Carbon fibers are the most popular heating mechanism. These durable fibers are woven together and are warmed through the power in the included battery pack. They are not the most effective way to warm areas of the garment.
- Carbon nanotubes are a newer technology in apparel that better conducts heat and electricity. They are more effective than carbon fibers because the carbon is pressed onto thin yet durable sheets that can cover a larger surface area.
- Conductive thread tends to be more flexible than carbon fibers, allowing a heated vest to fit more comfortably. However, this mechanism is also less durable, adds Scherma.
Note: Some manufacturers recommend not throwing heated vests in the dryer so as not to damage the mechanism.
✔️ Battery life: Typically, these heated vests are powered with rechargeable lithium batteries that can provide anywhere from two to 16 hours of heat, depending on the heat level or if you are using the battery pack to charge your phone as well. You can also buy an extra battery for longer heating times.
✔️ Vest style: There are two main types of styles we found with heated vests: puffer and fleece. The choice is ultimately what style you prefer. Both materials offer great insulation, but if fleece gets wet, it might not do as good of a job keeping you warm. So in snowier conditions, polyester puffers could be better.
Are heated vests safe?
Yes, so long as you are using them properly! Most vests will shut off after a few hours, but if you smell burning or feel overheated by the vest, turn it off, take off the garment and allow it to cool down. If you notice any brown spots, you should stop using the vest and replace it.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This round-up was written by contributing writer Courtney Campbell, a longtime product reviewer, who selected products based on hours of research and her personal experience with keeping warm to combat the poor circulation in her hands and feet. Her work has appeared in Apartment Therapy, Domino and SELF.
Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the GH Institute and most recently updated this shopping guide. She has reported on outdoor gear including the best men's rain jackets as well as small tech gadgets for travel and the office.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
Courtney (she/hers) has spent the past 5 years testing everything from reusable straws to standing desks to homemade kombucha kits. A longtime reviewer, deals hunter, and lifestyle writer, she currently heads up the American Kennel Club's product review site Retrievest and previously worked as the Shopping Editor for USA Today’s Reviewed. Additionally, she has covered design and lifestyle trends for Apartment Therapy, Domino, SELF, and more. A graduate of Elon University, she loves telling everyone about what race she’s planning on running next while raving about her favorite running headphones (they’re bone conducting!).
Alec Scherma (he/him) is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s test engineer, where he helps to create and implement new product testing methodology across home, cooking and cleaning appliances, wellness, tech products and more. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a B.A. in mechanical engineering.
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