The Best Heated Gloves to Keep You Comfortable in the Winter, Tested
Whether you’re shoveling snow or walking the dog, the right pair of gloves can make outdoor winter work or sports more enjoyable. Heated gloves go one step further by providing an added layer of warmth to keep one of the more exposed parts of your body—your hands—cozy in freezing temps.
Heated gloves come in an array of sizes and styles. Unlike traditional gloves, heated ones have elements that generate heat, usually through tiny electrical wires and small rechargeable batteries. Most electric gloves require you to press a button to start the warmth. Some heated gloves can be heated in the microwave, and other types are chemically heated with warming packs containing iron and other components that generate heat when exposed to oxygen.
We tested many types from different brands in our quest to find the best heated gloves. Each pair of gloves was tested for comfort and durability and then awarded points based on how well they heated and how long they remained warm. The gloves were also tested for ease of use and to see if they stood up to manufacturers’ claims, such as being waterproof.
Ahead, learn which features are among the most important to consider when choosing a pair of heated gloves, and find out how each of the following pairs fared in our hands-on tests. Spoiler: Some are deliciously warm!
- BEST OVERALL: Savior Battery-Heated Leather Gloves
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: HotHands Heated Fleece Gloves/Mittens
- BEST FOR SNOW: Snow Deer Electric Battery-Heated Gloves
- BEST FOR MOTORCYCLING: Savior Rechargeable Electric-Heated Gloves
- BEST FOR SKIING: Snow Deer Rechargeable Battery-Heated Mittens
- BEST GLOVE LINERS: Snow Deer Rechargeable Heated Glove Liners
- BEST MICROWAVABLE: PhysioNatural Microwavable Therapy Mittens
- BEST FOR KIDS/TEENS: Obermeyer Teen’s Molten Mitten
- MOST COMFORTABLE: Hammacher Schlemmer Heated Sherpa Lined Mittens
- BEST FOR HUNTING: Lancer Tactical Rechargeable Heated Hunting Gloves
- MOST VERSATILE: ThermalStep Heated Mitten Gloves
- ALSO CONSIDER: Shaalek Outdoor Electric Heated Gloves
How We Tested the Best Heated Gloves
We tested many pairs of heated gloves for this lineup to see if they met the manufacturers’ claims and kept our hands warm in cold temperatures. We charged the lithium-ion batteries for the battery-powered gloves overnight to ensure they had a full charge before the tests.
We started by wearing the battery-powered gloves at the highest available temperature setting. If that became too warm, we then turned the heat down, taking note of how easy it was to do everyday tasks, such as open car doors, sweep with a broom, and rake leaves. This helped us determine the flexibility of the gloves and if we could grasp items without them slipping. After 15 to 30 minutes, we removed the gloves and turned the temperature setting to high to see how long they would continue to generate heat. Most of the battery-powered gloves that made our list generated heat for an additional 6 to 7 hours.
We sprayed the waterproof gloves with water—except for one pair that was tested when it was misting outdoors and another that we used during heavy snowfall—and then we noted whether the moisture seeped through to the inside of the glove. All of the gloves that were advertised as water-resistant remained dry inside.
Our Top Picks
We tested each of the following gloves for their ability to warm up and stay warm in chilly conditions to improve a user’s overall body temperature. While each pair is slightly different, making some better suited for specific activities than others, each provided soothing warmth that kept our fingers toasty warm. Every set of heated gloves has its pros and cons (mostly pros), and both batteries and chargers are included with the battery-powered models. One pair of these gloves may be the perfect pick for keeping your hands warm during your chosen cold-weather activity.
Best Overall
Savior Battery-Heated Leather Gloves
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Heat source: 7.4-volt lithium-ion batteries
- Material: Polyester and lambskin exterior with cotton insulation
- Heated area: Back of the hand, back of fingers
What We Like
- Quality construction; built to last through heavy-duty tasks and conditions
- Nonslip lambskin palm feels both comfortable and secure while in use
- Warms quickly and stays warm up to 7 hours; suitable for long skiing trips or hikes
- Easy to turn on and scroll through all of the settings
What We Don’t Like
- Low heat setting can barely be felt; may need the medium and high settings
The interior palm and fingers on the Savior heated electric gloves are reinforced with soft lambskin, making them flexible yet durable for securely grabbing objects without snagging the fabric. Their soft cotton lining was comfortable against the skin, and these thick gloves were pretty warm even before we activated the heating elements. The small lithium-ion batteries fit inside a zippered pouch located on the inside of the wrist cuff, and once the batteries were in place, we barely noticed they were there. The power button made it easy to turn the gloves on and scroll through the three heat settings.
The heated wires run over the back of the hand and along the back of the fingers. Within minutes of turning the gloves to the highest heat setting, our fingers were quite warm. We turned it to the lowest setting, which kept our hands plenty warm enough. After wearing the gloves for about 20 minutes, we took them off but turned the heating element to the high setting. We sprayed the gloves’ exterior with water to simulate wearing them when it’s misting or snowing out. We checked the gloves every 30 minutes to see if they were still warm, and they continued to generate heat for nearly 7 hours. The insides never felt damp.
The Savior gloves are soft and supple, making them a comfortable choice for ice skating, sledding, or hiking on a cold winter day. Last but not least by a long shot, we could swipe the screen on a smartphone while wearing the Savior gloves, which is a plus for those who want to operate phones and tablets without taking off gloves.
Get the Savior battery-heated gloves at Amazon or Savior Gloves.
Best Bang for the Buck
HotHands Heated Fleece Gloves/Mittens
Product Specs
- Heat source: Chemical packs
- Material: Fleece, synthetic leather on palm
- Heated area: Front and back pouch
What We Like
- Versatile construction; pull back mitten cover to reveal fingered gloves beneath
- Soft fleece feels very comfortable; suitable for day-long skiing trips or hikes
- Excellent touch-screen ability; great for device lovers
What We Don’t Like
- Not moisture- or wind-resistant; may not be suitable for very cold or wet conditions
- Fit is slightly on the snug side; consider ordering a size up
- Only 2 chemical packs included; packs need to be purchased for each use
These gloves are evidence that it’s possible to keep hands warm without spending a lot of money. These ultralightweight HotHands gloves are made from soft fleece for comfort. The gloves come with two chemical heating packets, one for each glove, but the packets are not reusable. Additional packets must be purchased and new ones used for each use. At first impression, the HotHands gloves look like traditional mittens, but they’re actually glove/mitten combos.
The mitten cover pulls back to reveal fingered gloves beneath. The gloves fit comfortably, and we discovered two pouches on each glove—one in the palm area and one on the back of the hand—to hold the chemical packets. We wore the gloves with the packets in the back pouches, then removed them and put them in the front pouches. Both locations were comparable in terms of heat. Users could put packets in the front and the back for added heat. Both kept our hands relatively warm, but the lightweight fleece fabric didn’t block the cold wind.
The HotHands gloves are not designed to be water-resistant, so we didn’t spray them with water. After wearing them outdoors for about 15 minutes, we took them off and checked frequently to see how long the chemical packs would produce heat. They stayed warm for almost 8 hours, but the heat level dropped to about half in the last 4 hours. The index finger on each glove is coated for use with touch screens, and it worked very well. These budget-friendly heated gloves would be well-suited for tailgating parties or winter field trips.
Get the HotHands heated gloves at Amazon, Walmart, The Warming Store, or HotHands Direct.
Best for Snow
Snow Deer Electric Battery-Heated Gloves
Product Specs
- Heat source: 7.4-volt lithium-ion batteries
- Material: Polyester and sheep leather
- Heated area: Backs of hands and backs of fingers
What We Like
- Flexible and comfortable; ideal for long hours in the cold
- Easy to operate while wearing the gloves; 3 heat settings integrated
- Touch-screen capable; no need to remove gloves to handle devices
What We Don’t Like
- Not compatible with car charging ports; requires 120-volt outlets
Go ahead and throw that snowball! The Snow Deer heated electric gloves feature three temperature settings to keep hands toasty warm no matter the type of outdoor activity. The gloves’ leather and polyester shell kept our hands dry and free from drafts, and the push buttons are easily operated on the back of each glove. The heating wires covered the entire back of the hands and fingers—they end just short of the fingertips.
We were impressed by the quality of the construction; the reinforced leather palm made it easy to get a firm grip on items such as bars and shovel handles, and the soft inside liner is super cozy. The gloves operate on lithium-ion batteries that fit inside a zippered pouch on the inside wrist cuffs. The power button is located on the back of the hand, and we had no problem scrolling through the three heat settings while wearing the gloves. On the highest setting, the gloves got toasty warm in just a couple of minutes—the heating elements run along the back of the hand to the tips of the fingers.
Like the other battery-powered gloves, we wore this pair outdoors for about 20 minutes or so and then removed them, sprayed them with water, and left the heat turned to high. The gloves continued to generate heat for another 7 hours and remained dry inside. These gloves are very flexible yet soft and warm. As a plus, a small leather strip sewn along the tips of the thumbs and index fingers enabled us to use the touch screen on a phone.
Get the Snow Deer electric heated gloves at Amazon.
Best for Motorcycling
Savior Rechargeable Electric-Heated Gloves
Product Specs
- Heat source: 7.4-volt lithium-ion batteries
- Material: Leather and polyester outer layer with carbon fiber, cotton insulation with fleece liner
- Heated area: Backs of hands and backs of fingers
What We Like
- Rugged and well insulated; handles any rough outdoor conditions easily
- Knuckle guard offers great protection for heavy-duty work or play
- Touch-screen capable; users can type or check their screen without taking off gloves
- Reinforced palm grip for added security when handling heavy tools
What We Don’t Like
- Battery life can weaken over time; may not be ideal for some users
- Power button is in a different position than most other gloves
We could tell the Savior rechargeable heated gloves were rugged right out of the package. They feature a double-reinforced leather palm and knuckle guards for protecting knuckles when riding a motorcycle or snowmobile, and they come with a small foam pad sewn into the outside edge of the palm, which offers hand fatigue relief when gripping handlebars.
Cold highway winds are no match for the Savior’s durable leather and polyester construction that offer a windproof and waterproof shell. Their style makes it easy to grip a bike’s handlebars and operate the brake levers. The heating wires, powered by lithium-ion batteries in zippered wrist pouches, extend over the back of the hand and fingers, and the gloves warmed up within a couple of minutes after turning them on. They’re slightly bulky but well suited for extended cold-weather riding.
The power button on these gloves is in a different location from other gloves—it’s located on the back side of the wrist. It’s still simple to operate and scroll through the temperature selections. After wearing them outside for a while, we removed them, sprayed them with water, and then checked them to see how long they generated heat. The Savior gloves stayed warm on high for another 6 hours, and the insides stayed dry. We were also able to use the touch screen on a phone using our gloved index finger. However, the battery life can weaken with frequent use.
Get the Savior rechargeable heated gloves at Amazon, Savior Gloves, or The Warming Store.
Best For Skiing
Snow Deer Rechargeable Battery-Heated Mittens
Product Specs
- Heat source: 7.4-volt lithium-ion batteries
- Material: Polyester, sheep leather
- Heated area: Backs of hands extending to fingertips
What We Like
- Soft and comfortable; keeps wearers cozy for long periods of work or play
- Able to grip handles easily; great for cold outdoor work
- Mitten design maximizes finger warmth for long periods of outdoor exposure
What We Don’t Like
- Not touch-screen enabled; may not be as versatile as other heated gloves
Whether inching down the bunny slopes or tackling the twists and turns of a challenging black-diamond run, the Snow Deer heated ski gloves are designed to keep hands warm. These mitten-type gloves feature heated wires that extend across the entire back of the hand all the way to the fingertips to keep hands toasty warm.
The mittens are made of water-resistant polyester on the back of the hand and butter-soft leather on the palm. We were surprised when we inserted our hands and discovered the soft interior lining inside had a glove design; they are essentially gloves inside mittens. The mitten design doesn’t permit as much agility, and we could not swipe the touch screen on our phone, but they’re very warm and comfortable.
The mitten design and supple leather palm allowed us to grip a shovel handle securely. We had a light rain the day we tested these, so we didn’t need to spray them with water. Our hands stayed warm and dry for the 20 minutes we wore them outdoors, even though the exterior was wet. After we removed them, the mittens stayed warm for another 6 hours of battery life.
Get the Snow Deer heated mittens at Amazon.