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Sep 13, 2023

6 Best Heated Vests of 2023, Evaluated by Experts

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. For when an insulated vest

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

For when an insulated vest just isn't enough.

When the temperature drops, we still need to spend a good deal of time outside. Whether you’re partaking in a cold weather activity, like skiing or ice fishing, or doing the less favorable snow shoveling or outdoor handiwork, it can feel like a winter coat alone doesn’t keep you warm enough. Like heated gloves, a heated vest might be that additional layer you need to keep out the chill.

These battery-powered vests provide a gentle feeling of heat that can make you feel cozy and comfortable even in sub-degree weather. According to Grace Wu, the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst for the Good Housekeeping Insitute, these innovative pieces of apparel are good for daily activities like running errands or yard work, but you should still layer them with puffers or base layers for prolonged outdoor activities. “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,” she says

After spending hours researching the best heated vests, we narrowed down the best options based on the approval of our categorial experience from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. Below, you’ll find our recommendations as well as things to consider before purchasing this outdoor gear

ORORO tends to be 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 a clean. Plus, the battery lasts up to 10 working hours on a single charge and has a USB port to charge your phone if needed.

SHOP WOMEN'S

SHOP MEN'S

At just under $100, this is one of the best heated vests you can get for your buck. The lightweight polyester material offers a water-resistant shell and down-alternative fill with four heating zones that appear 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.

SHOP WOMEN'S

SHOP MEN'S

This fleece vest is warm enough on its own, but with Milwaukee’s patented M12 heating technology, you’ll be extra toasty. Surrounding the interior of the vest are carbon fiber heating elements that quickly generate and trap heat. You have the option to store the battery pack (which is sold separately) in the front or back pocket of the vest to suit your comfort best when you’re moving about hunting outside or doing yard work. The LED controller offers three heat settings and can last up to eight hours, depending on the setting and battery pack you choose.

The vest can be used on its own without the heating element as it’s both wind- and water-resistant with DWR coating, has polyester insulation to keep heat in and an adjustable waist for the best possible fit. Best of all, it’s washer and dryer safe as well.

SHOP WOMEN'S

SHOP MEN'S

Adjusting the temperature on the ARRIS is easier than most heated vests, as you can choose what 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 think 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 hand washing it to ensure no parts are damaged.

SHOP WOMEN'S

SHOP MEN'S

If you take staying warm very seriously, it might be worth it to invest in this smart option from Venture. It has a compatible Bluetooth app that allows you to turn on and off the heat and choose from 10 different heat settings. You can also toggle the amount of heat through a button on the jacket, but you can only swap through three options there. The brand claims to have wider heat coverage compared to other brands, so you can feel more even heat throughout. The battery lasts up to eight hours on low, but you can double that time by adding a second pack into the equation (something useful if you also plan on charging your phone with it). It’s both washer and dryer safe, making maintenance super easy.

Sometimes you can use some extra coverage with your heated vest — like a hood. While the hood itself isn’t heated on the Foxelli vest, it provides some bonus warmth to your head and can be removed if it doesn’t match the vibe that day. You still get to enjoy the heated functionality around the collar, chest and back with the option of three different heating levels. It only takes about three minutes to warm up, and the battery lasts up to eight hours if you use the low setting. Style-wise, the women’s hood comes in gray with gray detailing on the zippers, and the men’s is black throughout, but they both function the same.

SHOP WOMEN'S

SHOP MEN'S

When researching the best heated vests, we consulted the experts at the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab and relied on their experience in testing other heated products, like gloves and 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.

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: Heated vests use carbon fibers that are warmed through the power in the included battery pack, which can be removed from the vest to recharge and wash the device. 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 last 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.

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.

This roundup 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.

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!).

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