The 6 Best Heated Vests to Keep Your Core Toasty and Warm
Updated: Aug. 03, 2023
Bone-chilling cold keeping you indoors this winter? Try one of these best heated vests to keep your core (and the rest of you!) toasty and warm.
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If you’re someone who spends long hours outdoors in the winter—perhaps working outside, shoveling lots of snow, enjoying winter sports, or attending outdoor events—you know your hands and feet are likely the first places to get cold. That’s because your torso (or core) reacts to cold temperatures by concentrating blood flow around your vital organs in order to protect them.
This means that in addition to a good pair of gloves, warm socks and shoes, and a warm hat, you need other warming outdoor gear to keep your torso warm so that it keeps circulation going in the rest of your body. One sure way to wrap your torso in a warm hug? A heated vest, which we daresay rivals heated toilet seats, heated blankets, and heated flooring as one of the Best Ideas Ever.
The best heated vests keep your core warm for hours, allowing you freedom of movement without being too bulky, and are durable enough to last from winter to winter. Heated vests are typically powered by rechargeable batteries and have several zones that keep the front and back of your torso warm and cozy, even when outdoor conditions are frigid.
We rounded up a list of the best heated vests, based on features and options, prices and user reviews.
Still feeling the chill? Check out these products to help you stay warm this winter.
Best Overall
Arris Adjustable Heated Vest
For an all-around combination of features and performance, we tap Arris’ adjustable heated vest as the best overall. With eight heating elements and five heat settings, this vest heats from 104 degrees to an ultra-toasty 176 degrees. Users say its adjustable fit means it’s not too snug, so even at the highest heat setting it doesn’t feel like you’re inside a sauna.
The vest is powered by a 7.4V lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 15 hours, and it’s recharged with a USB type-C cable. Note that this fleece vest is not waterproof, so you’ll need a water-resistant layer on top when there’s rain or snow.
Pros:
- Adjustable size fits many different body types
- Lightweight and adaptable to many different activities
Cons:
- One-size-fits-all may not be suitable for petite or big-and-tall users
- Charging cable/adapter not included
Best Men’s
TideWe Men’s Heated Vest
We appreciate the simple good looks and functionality of this men’s vest from TideWe. It heats up in less than a minute, with three heating levels and four heating zones that reach up to 131 degrees. The vest is power by a lithium-ion battery (connected to a Type-C charger), with a battery life of up to 10 hours on the lowest setting.
Available in black or camo (the black version is attractive enough to wear by itself as outerwear), this heated vest is made from water-resistant polyester, making it perfect for wearing outside on rainy days.
Pros:
- Available in six sizes
- Fleece-lined for extra comfort
Cons:
- No chest or lower back heating zones
- Only heats for three hours on highest setting
Best Unisex
ProSmart Heated Vest
The streamlined look of ProSmart’s unisex vest might just fool you—its smart styling and slim fit make it look like a traditional winter vest! But inside, two heating zones and three warmth levels keep you snugly warm.
Available in sizes S to 2XL, a lithium-ion battery warms this vest up to 140 degrees, and keeps it warm for 10 hours before it needs recharging. This fleece vest is not waterproof, so you’ll need an outer layer in wet weather.
Pros:
- Three color choices
- Slim styling suitable for men or women
- Easy USB charging
Cons:
- No front heating panels
- Some users say the vest runs small—consider ordering up a size
For another excellent option, check out this heated vest on Amazon customers can’t get enough of.
Best Budget
Nunewares Heated Vest
If you’ve never worn a heated vest before and aren’t sure if one is right for you, this wallet-friendly Nunewares vest is a good place to start. The lithium-ion powered vest is made from water-resistant polyester, and comes in five sizes, from S to 2XL—each with adjustable side panels to allow for larger chest or midsection. It heats from 113 degrees to 149 degrees, and when its fully charged, it will stay warm for up to eight hours on the lowest setting.
Pros:
- Entry-level vest with attractive price
- Many of the same features as more expensive heated vests
Cons:
- No chest or neck heating elements
- Some users say it runs small — considering ordering up a size
Best Women’s
Ororo Women’s Classic Heated Vest
This women’s vest from Ororo is loaded with features, starting with its high-quality construction and sturdy zippers. An inside pocket holds the fast-charging, mini lithium-ion battery, meaning its two outside pockets are free to keep your hands warm. Neck, back and front midsection heating zones allow for even heat distribution, and the nylon shell is water-resistant.
This slim fit vest comes in six sizes and seven colors, so you can stay stylish while staying warm. This vest heats to 130 degrees., and stays warm for up to 10 hours on the lowest setting.
Pros:
- Slim fit and lightweight design
- Two free pockets for warming hands
Cons:
- Several reviewers say the vests run small, especially in the hips
Best Heavy-Duty
DeWalt Heated Reversible Fleece Vest
If your job calls for you to be working outdoors for long hours in cold conditions, this hard-working DeWalt vest gets our vote. Made from reversible micro fleece and Sherpa fleece, it’s powered by a DeWalt 20V battery—the same one that powers many of the brand’s power tools.
This heavy-duty heated vest is cut extra long in the back for coverage when bending over, and packed with eight pockets for storing tools. There are three heating zones, and an extendable collar to protect your neck from winter winds. Note that this vest is wind resistant but not water-resistant, so you’ll need an extra layer in wet weather.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction and many pockets
- Compatible with DeWalt battery chargers
Cons: Available in L and XL sizes only
What to Consider When Buying a Heated Vest
The first question to ask yourself when considering a heated vest: “How much will I really use it?” If you spend most of your winter indoors or live in an area that gets really cold only a few times each winter, your heated vest might spend a lot of time in the closet. On the other hand, if work or winter pursuits keep you outdoors a lot, a heated vest might be your best purchase ever.
The best heated vests have fast-charging, long-lasting batteries. Because most use lithium-ion batteries, most are far lighter than you might imagine!. As you shop, be sure to read user reviews that discuss battery charging time and, importantly, how long the vest heats on a fully charged battery.
Another important thing to consider is sizing. Heated vests are designed to warm the torso, so they typically have a closer fit than other types of outerwear. If you’re worried about feeling constricted, order up a size. Here, it’s also important to read reviews to discern if the vests run true to size.
FAQs
Are Heated Vests Safe?
In a word: yes. Because of their low-voltage batteries, there is no risk of electrocution, and are also safe for pacemaker wearers. And while there’s potentially a risk of overheating, you can always just turn off the vest or take it off altogether.
How to Charge a Heated Vest
Most heated vests use a USB-C cable for charging, which may come with the vest, or may be sold separately. Charging times can vary from about 3 to 8 hours, depending on the brand. The USB-C plug is a big plus when you’re on the go, as it can be attached to your vehicle’s USB port; if your vest only works with a wall socket, you won’t be able to charge it while you’re outside your home or office.
How to Wash a Heated Vest
Most heated vests are machine washable once you’ve removed the battery pack. Washing guidelines will vary by manufacturer, but most brands recommend their heated vests be line dried.
How We Found the Best Heated Vests
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
Originally Published: November 29, 2022
