4 Best Heated Vests For Staying Warm This Winter
You won't put off walking the dog in the winter months with these vests.
Expert consulted: Alec SchermaTest Engineer
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Having tested all sorts of heated gear—from cozy heated blankets to high-performance heated gloves and heated socks—I’d recommend heated vests above all else (the heated collars are my favorite feature). These innovative products use thin, undetectable wires made of carbon fiber with portable batteries, and they can make all the difference in chilly weather, whether you’re camping, hiking, hunting, or simply walking the dog. Still, not all are made equal.
To find the best heated vests, our team of scientists and engineers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tested popular styles from top-performing brands in the Lab, and with the help of consumer testers. We logged over 350,000 data points using temperature sensors and our thermal camera, assessed construction, and collected user feedback from consumer testers who wore them all winter long. Our picks below are available in both men's and women's sizing to help you find a precise fit.
Top heated vests, at a glance:
- Best Overall: Ororo Lightweight Heated Vest
- Best Value: Savior Heat Heated Vest
- Longest Battery Life: Venustas Classic Heated Vest
- Warmest: Ororo Surewarm 7-Zone Dual Control Classic Pro Heated Vest
Best Deal
Ororo Lightweight Heated Vest
Ororo Lightweight Heated Vest
Pros
- Top performer in Lab tests
- Long battery life
- Popular heated apparel brand
Cons
- Fabric can be a bit stiff and noisy
Ororo is known for its heated apparel, and its original vest is one of the most popular models for good reason. It’s lightweight and fitted, making it great for everyday use. You can toggle between three heat settings, and there are heated zones at the collar, upper back, and front pockets. Plus, the battery can double as a power bank in a pinch to charge your phone.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR LAB TESTS:
✔️ In-Lab evaluations: This was the all-around top performer in our evaluations. It quickly heated up, adjusted to a comfortable temperature, and maintained its heat for a long time. We were also impressed by the undetectable carbon fiber heating mechanism.
✔️ User feedback: Our consumer testers found the vest comfortable and liked the even heating throughout each zone. The heated collar stood out: One tester said, “It feels so comfortable on chilly mornings.” Some noted that the fabric was a bit noisy and stiff when compared to similar, non-heated puffer vests, but found the warmth worth the trade-off.
Features at a Glance
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Battery capacity | 4800 mAh |
| Sizes | XS to 3XL |
| Care | Machine washable |
Savior Heat Heated Vest
Savior Heat Heated Vest
Pros
- Dual controls for front or back heated zones
- Slimmer, lighter battery than other styles
- Consistent performance during heating tests
Cons
- Runs small
- Wires are a little bulky compared to other styles
Known for its heated gloves, Savior Heat’s heated vest delivers high-powered warmth with dual controls for the front pockets and the neck, back, and waist at a lower cost than competitors. It still has three heat settings to cycle through, but the battery doesn’t double as a power bank.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR LAB TESTS:
✔️ In-Lab evaluations: This model stood out for how quickly it heats up and maintained a consistent heat throughout. We liked that the battery was less bulky compared to those for other vests, but it didn’t prove as efficient, despite the high capacity, although it still lasted for a fair amount of time.
✔️ User feedback: The heated wires on this model were a bit more bulky and noticeable on the interior compared to other vests. Our consumer testers liked the smaller-sized battery but found that the vest itself ran small, so they needed to size up.
RELATED: The Best Heated Gloves
Features at a Glance
| Battery life | 8 hours |
| Battery capacity | 5200 mAh |
| Sizes | S to XXL |
| Care | Machine washable |
Venustas Classic Heated Vest
Venustas Classic Heated Vest
Pros
- High battery capacity
- Breathable mesh lining
- Consistent performance during heating tests
- Largest size range
Cons
- Bulkier than other styles
Venustas’s heated vest boasts larger heated zones that provide more coverage than competitors, but what really impressed us in our tests was its long battery life and size range. It has the widest size range amongst all the vests we tested, from S to 5XL for Men’s and XS to 4XL for Women’s styles. Plus, it’s lined with a silver mesh for added breathability and comfort.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR LAB TESTS:
✔️ In-Lab evaluations: It took a bit longer to heat up compared to other vests we tested, but once it reached its intended temperature, it maintained it for a long run time and consistently outlasted competitors.
✔️ User feedback: Our consumer testers liked the overall fit of this style, calling it comfortable and true to size. Most liked the ample quilted fill, but some found it too bulky to layer with other clothes. Others appreciated the large pockets and not-too-bulky battery.
Features at a Glance
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAh |
| Sizes | XS to 5XL |
| Care | Machine washable |
Pros
- Dual controls for top or bottom heated zones
- Fastest to heat up
- Warmest temperature in tests
Cons
- Pricey
- Bulky battery
While Ororo’s classic heated vest is our best overall pick, its advanced models also pack a punch: This version comes with seven heated zones and dual controls for the pockets, collar, shoulders, and upper back. Beyond that, it hit the highest temperatures out of all the vests we tested.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR LAB TESTS:
✔️ In-Lab evaluations: The back heated up the fastest in our tests, and all zones maintained a consistent temperature throughout use. We found the dual zones easy to operate, though they’re less intuitive (albeit more subtle) than those on the Savior Heat vest we evaluated.
✔️ User feedback: Compared to other models, this one felt more luxe: Instead of a stiff nylon shell, the exterior has a lighter, supple texture that scored points for comfort from our consumer testers. One preferred it over all puffer vests. Still, some called the battery large and heavy and said it weighed down the vest.
Features at a Glance
| Battery life | 9 hours (all zones) to 20 hours (pockets only) |
| Battery capacity | 4970 mAh |
| Sizes | XS to 3XL |
| Care | Machine washable |
Other heated vests we tested
For this story, we focused on popular vests from well-known, established brands within the heated gear space that performed well in our heated gloves and socks tests. We also considered sizing, heating levels, comfort, and price. Not every style we tested made the cut. Here's what we thought about other styles:
- Venustas's Fleece Heated Vest (Men's/Women's), while popular, didn't meet the mark when it came to comfort. The half-lined interior wasn't a favorite amongst our experts, and the heating wasn't as consistent or impressive compared to other styles.
- Duluth's Insolator Battery Heated Vest only comes in Men's. We liked the sturdy construction for work, but it doesn't come with a portable battery, so you'll need to supply your own. The caveat is that it has fewer heated zones than other models, with most around the lower back.
How we test heated vests
Beyond working with consumer testers to try each vest in the real world during activities like hiking, commuting, and walking the dog, we put these heated vests through a series of in-Lab tests.
✔️ Design & construction: Our analysts evaluated the overall construction, from materials and stitching to battery placement, controls, sizing, and comfort. The styles that performed best weren’t overly bulky but still contained enough of the heating mechanism to keep you warm.
✔️ Heat distribution: We used a thermal camera to identify where heating components were within each vest and noted any hot spots or uneven distribution. Knowing this allowed us to determine where to position sensors for measuring temperature over time.
✔️ Heating over time: Using thermocouples (a.k.a. thermal sensors), we recorded the temperature for several zones on each vest over the course of 12 hours. We started the vests on high and monitored to see if models would automatically drop to medium or low levels (most did) and noted how quickly they heat up and how consistently they stayed warm.
✔️ User feedback: In addition to expert evaluation in the Lab, we worked with consumer testers to try out select styles firsthand in cold weather during the winter before sharing feedback on fit, comfort, and overall performance.
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: GH 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 putting 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?
Textiles Product Reviews Analyst Grace Wu oversaw recent in-Lab and consumer testing of heated gear, including heated gloves, heated socks, heated vests, and heated jackets.
Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, Wu earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University. She previously worked on wearable technology, smart clothing, and electronic textiles within various academic laboratories.
This story was previously written by contributing writer Courtney Campbell, and former updates editor Elizabeth Berry, who consulted consulted GH Test Engineer Alec Scherma for additional insight..
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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