5 Best Heated Vests of 2025, Tested By Gear Editors

In our gear tests, we found that most of the cheapest heated vests on the market today aren’t worth the money. To find something decent that we feel comfortable recommending, you’ll usually need to spend more than $100. Venustas’ Heated Vest is right in that sweet spot, with a good balance of tech, battery life, quality, and price.

Heated vests, especially puffer-style models, can be bulky. We like the thinner design of this option, which allows it to layer easily under bulky winter jackets and outerwear. The carbon fiber heating elements are adjustable to one of three heat levels, and the zones are larger than most other heated vests we tested, especially at this price point.

“I’ve worn this heated vest (and Venustas’ heated fleece zip-up) for the last few weeks,” said writer Mike Richard. “Between hiking in the Whites, wearing it around the house, and on my daily jogs, it’s held up very well. Where many of the vests I tested center their heat on a smaller targeted core area, the zones in this one feel more like large ‘panels,’ so the heat feels nice and even throughout my entire upper body.”

The quality of this vest is solid (especially at this price), even if it lacks the fit and finish of more premium models. We also wish the included 4800mAh battery were larger, although the brand does offer additional batteries in three sizes. Those gripes aside, it checks all our must-have boxes, so we think it’s a great buy.

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Most heated vests include at least three levels of temperature control. But the level you choose usually heats up every zone (and, therefore, the entire vest) equally. Arris’ Fleece Heated Vest has eight total zones, each with five adjustable heat levels. Plus, there are three separate buttons allowing you to activate/deactivate three zone groups (abdomen, chest, and neck/back) independently, making this the most adjustable heated vest in this year’s roundup.

On the surface, this vest looks and feels like almost any other premium fleece vest. It’s soft, comfy, and very warm, even without the heating elements turned on. But this model, too, features carbon fiber elements woven into the fabric that warm up in less than a minute, delivering nearly instant warmth. The included 7500mAh battery is good for up to 16 continuous hours on Low, so you’ll have all-day heat for whatever adventures you’re getting into.

At a little over $100, this heated vest is a great value, ticking all of our essential “must-have” feature boxes. Our main gripe is that the battery takes longer to charge than most others we tested—around 6-7 hours—with the included charger. The manufacturer also recommends hand-washing this one, which is a bit of a pain compared to most of the other machine-wash-capable models we tested for 2024.

Pros

• Durable, high-quality design
• Five heat zones
• All-day battery life
• U.S.-based customer support

If you tend to go hard on your outerwear, we get it. You want gear that stands up to years of abuse. Gobi’s Ibex Heated Work Vest is purpose-built for long days on the job.

The Ibex looks and feels like a work vest, which might be a good thing. It’s a functional aesthetic with a focus on durability over flash. The heavy-duty, 13.4-ounce duck cotton/nylon blend fabric is wind-, water-, and abrasion-resistant, making it the perfect shell for not just working, but hiking, hunting, biking, or any other hardcore outdoor pursuits. Unlike some of the “crinkly” fabrics found in less vests, we like that the Ibex’s fabric is quiet. It’s also machine-washable, making it easy to clean.

Like most in our roundup, this model is built with three adjustable heat levels. But it also has five heat zones: Two in the chest, two in the abdomen, and a large zone in the back, ensuring even all-over body heat. On low (around 113° F), the included battery pack will last about 9-10 hours—plenty for those extended outdoor excursions.

Foxelli proves that a good heated vest doesn’t have to be expensive. Its value-minded model checks all the boxes for what we look for, including three adjustable heat levels, carbon fiber heating elements, and a comfy all-around fit. Plus, it’s warm (even when switched off), thanks in part to the removable zip-off hood.

The puffer design offers just-right insulation that layers well under a jacket but keeps you warm enough without looking like the Michelin Man. It’s the only model in our roundup with a hood, which offers a bit more customization to dial in your preferred level of warmth. Remove it for those bluebird days, or zip it back on when the temperature drops. The built-in carbon fiber heating elements are well-spaced around the core, collar, and body, with nice, even heat distribution. It only takes about three minutes to warm up from cold, and the included 10,000mAh battery pack is good for up to eight hours of consistent heat on a single charge.

For the price, we’re hard-pressed to find much of anything to dislike about this model. Our only minor gripe is that it doesn’t heat quite as well as others in our roundup. We found that it performs best on at least the Medium heat setting, but High is often required (which zaps the battery in around four hours). Still, for roughly $90, we think it’s a decent buy.

You usually get what you pay for when it comes to heated vests, which is why decent ones typically cost more than $100. Tidewe’s Lightweight Heated Vest is a surprising departure with a more reasonable $80 price point.

True to its name, this model is thinner than most other heated vests in our roundup. The razor-thin polyester shell doesn’t quite stand on its own as a warm, insulating vest. Think of it instead as the “electric/heated layer” in your layering scheme. Like most on this list, the temperature is adjustable to one of three levels: Low, Medium, or High. The zones are smaller and more targeted with this model. Because they’re only in the collar, abdomen, and upper back, you won’t get the toasty “all-over” warmth found in more premium alternatives. That does, however, mean that it draws less power. The included 10,000mAh battery pack is good for up to 10 hours on Low and three hours on High.

This heated vest just barely ticks all of our essential boxes for recommendation. It looks good, the quality is decent, and the battery pack and zoned heating elements provide an acceptable amount of all-day heat in most of the right places. The biggest thing this model has going for it is price. We can almost guarantee that you won’t find a better option for $80.

Do Heated Vests Actually Work?

The short answer is: Yes, absolutely. The best heated vests offer a long battery life and excellent durability and are comfortable enough for all-day wear. With the right layering, we’ve found that heated vests are very effective in helping you keep warm in winter.

Do Heated Vests Actually Work?

The short answer is: Yes, absolutely. The best heated vests offer a long battery life and excellent durability and are comfortable enough for all-day wear. With the right layering, we’ve found that heated vests are very effective in helping you keep warm in winter.

Yes, you will need a small portable power bank to power your heated vest. Most heated vests include some form of portable power, but you may want to upgrade to a larger model or even pack an extra one for longer outdoor adventures. Some heated vests are even built to hold more than one battery at a time.

Is a Heated Vest Better Than a Heated Jacket?

Heated vests are best for cool-to-cold conditions like late fall and early/late winter. Heated jackets are better suited for the dead of winter when temperatures are likely to be much lower.

What Are the Disadvantages of Heated Vests?

The downside of heated vests—even the best heated vests—is that they’re often more expensive than their traditional, non-electric counterparts. Because they’re electric, they also require battery packs which add extra weight to whatever gear load you’re already carrying.