Keeping warm and keeping a good range of motion simultaneously can be difficult. Wearing thick coats can definitely keep you toasty, but this type of clothing is also known to restrict movement, which can make physical activity difficult. Not only that, but they’re generally not very “fashion-forward.” So, what’s the alternative? One of the best heated vests, of course! These vests work to maintain the ideal core body temperature, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to, and we have rounded up our top picks below.

Looking for more heated clothing?

Check out our guides to the Best Heated Hoodies, the Best Heated Jackets, and the Best Heated Socks.

The Best Heated Vests

	ORORO Women's Heated Vest	VentureHeat Men's Heated Vest	ARRIS Adjustable Heated Vest
Voltage:	7.4V	7.4V	7.4V
Battery:	5200mAh Lithium-ion	5200mAh Lithium-ion	7200mAh Lipo
Runtime:	Up to 10 Hours	Up 10 Hours	Up 10 Hours
Shell:	Nylon	Ripstop Nylon	Fleece

The Best Rated Heated Vests For 2021

1. ORORO Women’s Lightweight Heated Vest
2. VentureHeat Men’s Battery Heated Fleece Vest
3. ARRIS Adjustable Heated Vest 
4. Venture Heat Women’s Heated Vest
5. Milwaukee M12 Heated AXIS Vest

Heated Vest Reviews

#1 Editor’s Choice – ORORO Women’s Lightweight Heated Vest

ORORO is a brand which consistently produces top-notch products, which is why we love their heated jackets and their Women’s Lightweight Heated Vest. Made of 100% nylon, it’s not only lightweight, but durable and stretches with the body. While you may want to wear it under a jacket, it’s one of the best-looking due to the tailored lightweight design that hugs the body in all the right spots, while allowing for unrestricted movement. Thanks to 4 carbon fiber heating elements across the color, mid-back and two pockets, your trunk and hands will be nice and comfortable.

With 3 different heat settings, you can easily change it to your liking with the quick press of a button. The powerful 7.4V UL/CE-certified battery is not only safe, but will keep you covered all day long. With up to 10 working hours in one charge, you won’t have to worry about it failing you. Keep connected at all times, too, with the handy USB port. Whether you’re out walking in the mornings, riding dirt bikes or camping, you can count on this model to help you out. When you’re done for the day, simply toss it in the washing machine.

#2 Runner Up – VentureHeat Men’s Battery Heated  Vest

The VentureHeat Men’s Battery Heated Vest comes with everything you need for your core to stay at the right temperature during those cold days and nights spent outdoors. This vest is most ideal for men due to its width and length. Coming with a battery and charger, you’ll never be left in the cold. With 3 heat settings, you still get a good amount of control over the range of temperature. The built-in temperature controller makes sure that it never gets to dangerous or uncomfortable levels of heat, so you can focus on having fun instead of messing with the controls.

Depending on the setting you have it on, you can get up to 7 hours of heat in just one full charge. What we really enjoyed was the ultra-thin heating elements, which make it simple to layer a coat or jacket on top without feeling too bulky. It also comes with a 1-year warranty in case you’re not 100% satisfied with your purchase.

#3 Best Adjustable – ARRIS Adjustable Heated Vest

The ARRIS Heated Vest is easily one of the best budget products currently on the market. Despite being so affordable, this vest is both powerful and versatile. It works perfectly for men, women and children, so if you’re purchasing for someone aside from you, you can rest easy knowing it will fit them as well. With 5 heating panels and levels, you can choose anywhere from 104°F to 176°F which promotes improved circulation. One 7.4V 7200mAh Lipo Battery is also included in the package.

To ensure comfort and safety come first, the vest has a built-in thermal protection module. If it comes close to overheating, the heat turns off until it comes down to an acceptable temperature. Soft fleece combined with carbon fiber heating material results in warmth and comfort for up to 10 hours. The thin to medium thickness is great for layering and placing under your regular coat to wear while snowboarding, skiing, camping and more. With a 30-day money back guarantee, if you’re looking to spend a little and get a lot, the ARRIS Heated Vest may be perfect for you.

#4 Venture Heat Women’s Heated Vest

If you like the idea of wearing a heated vest without placing a coat or jacket over it, then check out the Venture Heat Women’s Heated Vest. You’ll receive 2 outer utility zip pockets, 3 zippered inner media pockets and an elastic drawstring hem to keep out the cold. The insulated nylon vest is quite warm on its own, but if you’re going to be in bone-chilling temperatures, you’ll need something more substantial. With a 7.4V battery and 3 flexible heating panels, you can go about your outdoor activities feeling cozy and comfortable. The heating elements are ultra-thin and smooth, so you won’t even know they’re there.

The embedded heat control button is easy to adjust whenever you need a change. You can receive up to 10 hours of runtime from one full charge of the CE-certified battery, which you can even use as a phone charger. As the entire garment is wind and water-resistant, you can use it in all kinds of weather. Finally, you can easily machine-wash the garment and throw it in the dryer. To take it with you on a trip, the manufacturer has included in a handy zippered travel pouch and a 1-year warranty.

#5 Milwaukee M12 Heated AXIS Vest

Made to protect you from the cold while you’re active, the carbon fiber heating elements within the Milwaukee M12 Heated AXIS Vest emit heat to the chest, back and shoulders. The heating elements are easy to control with an included LED controller that features 3 heat settings. Featuring a unique Quick-Heat function, this vest works to create and distribute heat up to 3x quicker than many competitor models.

Runtime is around 8 hours with a single charge, which is more than enough for most users. The polyester fabric is ripstop, making it perfect for high-energy activities. The lightweight, compressible design is super easy to transport and wear over or under other layers. The high-loft insulation also helps to keep heat in, while remaining resistant against both wind and water. To keep your belongings safe and handy, you’ll also receive 2 exterior pockets, one inner zip pocket and a single low-profile battery pocket.

Heated Vest Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Heated Vest – Buying Guide

Material

The material of heated vests doesn’t vary much, as they typically feature carbon fiber to transmit heat effectively and safely while being wind and moisture-resistant. The outer shell is usually comprised of either polyester or nylon. Both are very durable and hold up well in the elements, and there aren’t many differences between the two. Polyester is perhaps more durable yet provides less stretch, while nylon will allow for a bit more flexibility.

Style

As you can see, there are quite a few options to choose from when it comes to style. To select the most appropriate style and fit for you, you should consider what you’ll be using it for. A loose fit is obviously not ideal if you’re wearing a layer that’s supposed to be keeping you warm. However, you’ll probably want something relatively easy to move around in if you’re going to be partaking in sports. In addition, you’ll want something lightweight and breathable so you can keep warm without overheating or sweating.

A vest that fits snug on your body is ideal – not something too tight or too loose. There are some that are made to fit nicely under layers, and others – like puffer models – that are made to have a light shirt under them.

Battery

This is one of the biggest factors to take into consideration when you’re selecting a heated vest. Some models come with built-in batteries, and some don’t. If you already have a compatible battery then you’re in luck, because vests that don’t come with them are incredibly affordable. Make sure to take a look at the compatible voltages for correct and safe use.

If you don’t have a battery, start to think about the amount of time you’re going to need to use your vest for. The longest available battery runtime is around 12 hours, but this will also depend on the heat setting you’ve selected. The lower the setting, the longer the battery will last.

Voltage

Regarding the vest’s battery, two things are important: voltage and milliampere hour (mAh). A higher voltage signifies a higher potential temperature of the heating elements on the maximum setting.

mAh pertains to the capacity of the battery. The values for heated runtime vary greatly, because they’re influenced by battery capacity, heat setting as well as external temperatures. In harsher conditions, you’ll lose heat and power quicker. In a work environment, you might be able to recharge or change the battery throughout the day. But if you’re out in the wilderness, choose a high capacity battery and consider bringing a replacement as backup if you’re running on high heat for prolonged periods.

Pockets

This may not seem too important, but if you’re not wearing a jacket or coat on top of your vest, where are you going to put your belongings? Not only that, but you’ll need a place to store your battery. Most quality vests will give you at least one pocket to hold your phone or other electronic devices – bonus points if that pocket is waterproof.

Are you someone who likes listening to music all the time? Then look for a model with a headphone port and ideally a battery with a USB port to keep your phone charged. Just remember that charging your phone will take some precious battery life from your vest that you could be using to keep you warm!

Heating Elements

As we’ve mentioned, the heat elements used in heated vests are usually carbon fiber. Older models use copper wire and have the disadvantage of a rigid, less packable or foldable jacket that can only be washed by hand. Jackets with carbon fiber elements are more flexible and can be washed on a gentle cycle in cold water. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to take care of your jacket.

It’s best not to tumble dry, but hang your vest after washing. Also pay attention to any caution for a particular model regarding heat elements. Some manufacturers advise against wearing a backpack with a heated jacket, as this could put too much pressure on an element or push it too close to your body.

Price

How much are you realistically looking to spend on your new heated vest? Try to come up with a specific budget before you start looking. Going up in price will generally give you a longer-lasting model along with nice extras such as an included battery with a USB port, headphone ports or waterproof pockets.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read about the best battery-powered heated vests and our buyer’s guide to go with it, which one will you be using on your next adventure? While each is an excellent product, it’s wise to select the best one for your unique needs. We hope that this article has helped you choose the perfect product for you. For more cold weather gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits articles: Best Heated Hoodies and Best Heated Jackets.

How We Researched

To come up with the top heated vests, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw, EVO along with our own personal experiences. We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as possible. To help weed out fake reviews, we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

Best Heated Vests FAQ

Are heated vests safe to use in the snow?

Yes, they are! All of the vests we’ve recommended above are safe to use in the elements, so you don’t have to worry.

How do I adjust the heating level?

This will vary a bit throughout each model and manufacturer, but most come with a little knob or button that you engage to change the heat setting.

Can I machine wash my heated vest?

This will also vary depend on the manufacturer’s instructions, but most of the above items can be machine washed and dried. Just remember to remove the controller and battery pack before you do so!

How long should I wear the vest for?

These models are made to be safe, so you can generally wear them for as long as the battery lasts. If you ever feel any discomfort or pain, then make sure to immediately turn it off and take it off.

How long does the battery take to fully charge?

While this will depend on the battery, most unfortunately take quite a while to charge. The average is around 8 hours to get a full charge out of it.

Looking for more heated clothing?

Check out our guides to the Best Heated Hoodies, the Best Heated Jackets, and the Best Heated Socks.