Gone are the days of bundling up in sweaters to brave the cold: The best heated vests are equipped with smart technology to transform your outdoor experience whether you’re watching a football game or going on a long winter walk. Like heated jackets, these vests are battery operated and have internal coils that target your core to provide optimal warmth. After researching the options, we selected the Ororo Lightweight Heated Vest as the best heated vest overall for its high-performance design, easy-to-adjust features and comfortable fit.
Ahead, you’ll find everything from lightweight vests that retain heat for up to 14 hours to stylish vests ideal for layering and providing an extra boost of warmth on the go. And for more ways to fight the chill, we also have guides to the warmest winter coats for women and best winter gloves.
Smart Features, Quality Design And Reasonable Price
Ororo Lightweight Heated Vest
Heat Time: 3 to 10 hours | Heat Zones: 4 (collar, left pocket, right pocket, mid-back) | Hood: None | Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Nylon, polyester | Care: Machine washable
Ororo’s Lightweight Vest tops our list of heated vests because of its versatility, affordability, and long battery life. If you keep it on low, it will last you up to 10 hours, but you can also easily switch between the three modes for an extra boost of warmth when you need it. It comes in three different colors and has a comfortable fit so you get to experience the toastiness without feeling constricted. The battery also has a USB charging port for smartphones, although it will detract from the battery life of the heating element. Not ideal but not a dealbreaker: This vests runs on the larger side so you order your size in shirts rather than jackets.
What the reviews say: “I bought this vest as a Christmas gift for my partner, expecting her to wear it when outside especially at night. However, she likes it so much that she wears it all day and evening, whether at home or outside. I have ordered another battery so she can have it heated all day.” —Amazon
Best Heated Vest For Extreme Cold
Heats Up Your Core In 3 Seconds
EWool Pro+ Heated Vest
Heat Time: 1.75 to 14 hours | Heat Zones: 3 (front, back, lumbar) | Hood: None | Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Care: Hand wash
Delivering a powerful 51 watts of warmth (compared to the average 7 watts from other brands), EWool’s Pro+ is a must if you hate freezing temperatures. The battery pack is TSA-friendly and very thin so you’ll barely notice it. While this vest only has three heat zones, they cover your entire torso and part of your neck. Not ideal but not a dealbreaker: If you want to max out the capabilities of this vest and get 14 hours of warmth, you’ll need to purchase the dual battery set. A single battery will last up to 7 hours, which is sufficient for many, though.
What the reviews say: “I start wearing the EWool vest in November and don’t take it off until mid-March. It has changed my view of winter. I can now go outside for a walk regardless of how low the temperature.” —EWool
Best Affordable Heated Vest
6 Heated Zones And A Removable Hood
Dr. Prepare Heated Vest
Heat Time: 3 to 8 hours | Heat Zones: 6 (left pocket, right pocket, left low back, right low back, mid-back, collar) | Hood: Removable | Sizes: One size adjustable | Materials: Polyester | Care: Hand wash
If you want to try out a heated vest without spending too much, Dr. Prepare’s vest is the most affordable on our list. It features three different temperatures to keep you warm and has a removable hood so you can wear it across seasons and in different weather. Each side has four zippers that adjust the fit of the vest (perfect if you want to keep it around the house for the entire family to use). Not ideal but not a dealbreaker: The battery pack is not included so you need to purchase your own power bank.
What the reviews say: “Just used this for a week of deer hunting in the upper Midwest. Temps in the teens and twenties…What I liked was that this vest has a removable hood and it fits well. The heated collar is very nice. No cold drafts down your neck. Now I wear it under my work jacket every day.” —Amazon
Looking for a heated vest that will blend in with the rest of your outerwear? While many heated vests look pretty technical, Lolë’s option is stylish. With a modern tapered design that widens at the hips and a reflective inner liner, it’s a great layering piece whether you’re walking the dog or sitting around a campfire. The windproof fabric has a durable water repellent (DWR) coating so it stays dry in a light rain, but is also breathable and doesn’t hold in sweat. We’ve tested other products from Lolë before and loved their durability and high-quality construction. Not ideal but not a dealbreaker: This list has the shortest battery life on this list, but is also warm on its own as a normal vest.
Best Travel Heated Jacket
Extra Cozy With Full-Torso Warmth
Arris Heated Vest
Heat Time: 3 to 16 hours | Heat Zones: 8 (collar, upper back, left and right back, left and right chest, left and right abdomen) | Hood: None | Sizes: One size adjustable | Materials: Nylon, polar fleece | Care: Machine washable
Arris’ quilted design not only adds an element of style but also enhances heat retention by equally distributing insulation across your torso. This vest also boasts a more advanced heating system than most on this list: The adjustable settings, which allow you to tailor the temperature to your comfort, cover a larger range—from 104 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit—so you can use it in a variety of conditions. And at a maximum time of 16 hours, the battery life is solid, offering a long duration for extended outdoor sessions. Not ideal but not a dealbreaker: The adjustable design can feel a bit bulky on smaller individuals.
What the reviews say: “The quilted type fabric was much more plush and much higher quality than we expected. It seriously looks like something made by a high-end outdoor clothing company.” —Amazon
Best Heated Vest For Outdoor Sports
Durable Exterior Provides Even More Warmth
Gobi Dune Heated Vest
Heat Time: 6 to 10 hours | Heat Zones: 3 (left chest, right chest, back) | Hood: None | Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Nylon | Care: Machine washable
Whether you’re ice fishing, hiking, or skiing, a heated vest is a great choice—especially if you can never seem to stay warm enough. And you’ll need something rugged enough to stand up to scratches and exposure on the trail. The Gobi Dune Heated Vest not only keeps you warm, but it has a water-resistant, windproof and abrasion-resistant nylon exterior. It’s also light enough (less than 2 pounds) that you can pack it in a backpack if you need it on the go. Not ideal but not a dealbreaker: The pockets aren’t heated but the chest panels provide plenty of warmth.
What the reviews say: “Bought this for my sister in law who is always cold and she loves it. The fit is great as well. Highly recommend! She and her boyfriend camp a lot and it is perfect for that…” —Moosejaw
Best Lightweight Heated Vest
Only 1.5 Pounds And Bluetooth Compatible
Venture Heat ProMax Heated Vest
Heat Time: 3 to 10 hours | Heat Zones: 4 (left chest, right chest, back, collar) | Hood: None | Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Nylon, prime loft insulation | Care: Machine washable
The Venture Heat ProMAX Heated Vest stands out in the lightweight category: It only packs 1.5 pounds and has minimal bulk, yet is effective at providing lasting warmth. Its streamlined design (complete with thin, water-resistant nylon and insulation) makes it perfect for layering under other jackets, and while the battery is compact, if efficiently powers the vest, offering up to 10 hours of run time. Also great: This vest is bluetooth-compatible so you can toggle between 10 different heat settings with your phone. Not ideal but not a dealbreaker: It runs small and is tight in the chest so size up if you want to layer heavy clothing underneath.
What the reviews say: “I would wear this vest with or without its heating functions turned on. Took this vest out on a camping trip and it really saved me from the cold, to the point where I felt like I didn’t need to layer jackets over this vest. A sound investment for people who easily get cold and want to keep their core warm.” —Amazon
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we combine in-depth research and critical analysis with extensive product testing and in-the-field experience. Our goal is to provide accurate, comprehensive reviews and recommendations so you can make smart and informed buying decisions. Our fashion team has tested a lot of cold-weather gear, from the best thermal underwear to the best winter boots for women, and we know firsthand the importance of staying comfortable and warm during freezing weather. As part of our review process, we consider materials, technology, performance and value, but we also weigh factors like fit and design in our final selections.
How We Chose The Best Heated Vests
To find the best heated vests available, the Forbes Vetted’s fashion team relied on an in-depth research process. We started by examining vests from both established and newer outdoor brands, prioritizing top-rated models based on user feedback and our own experience with these brands. Once we narrowed down our initial selections, we analyzed qualities, such as heating performance, comfort, durability, materials and price. From there, we checked to make sure we had options for all types of users and shoppers, including outdoor enthusiasts who spend a lot of time in the cold and those on a budget. To make sure you’re getting the most accurate information, we regularly update this article, most recently in January 2024.
With their high-quality materials, upgraded features and exceptional quality, the best luxury mattresses are considered a worthy investment. They often stand out from the crowd with thoughtful details, like hand-stitched covers, reinforced handles and complimentary white-glove delivery—and that’s in addition to meeting specific sleep needs. Our pick of the best luxury mattress overall is the…
A great moisturizer is a vital part of any skincare routine to deliver a healthy, radiant complexion—especially for mature skin, which tends to become drier over time. When choosing the best moisturizer for aging skin, look for formulas with key ingredients that hydrate and help to improve skin elasticity and texture, such as peptides, ceramides…
In addition to serving you notifications, the best smartwatches help you to take calls hands-free, track your health metrics and even allow you to leave your phone at home and listen to music while running errands. Put simply, they can expand your phone’s accessibility by a lot. It’s a combination of these features that make…
As any homeowner knows, even the most beautiful, professionally landscaped yards require regular maintenance. Luckily, when it comes to freshening up your greenery, the best pruning shears make it easy: You can use these tiny-but-mighty, time-tested tools to swiftly trim hedges to perfection or remove overgrown branches and damaged stems. Of course, the value they…
Ah, the bookshelf. Often a focal point in many homes, it can easily become a cluttered mess if not styled and organized properly. Ksenya Malina, founder of the New York interior design studio Time & Place Interiors, explains, “Your bookshelf is the place in your home that most closely reveals your background and personality: the…
Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer for some and the beginning of back-to-school season for others, but it’s also a great time to shop some unbeatable discounts. Right now, a handful of brands are having a “last hurrah” of summer and slashing prices on popular products—including Dyson. During the Dyson Labor Day sale,…