- More Baby & Kid
- More Cars
- More Electronics
- More Health & Fitness
- More Hobby & Crafts
- More Home & Garden
- More Other
- More Outdoor
- More Pets
SolidGuides.com may get an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our website. Read More.
What was once only dreamed up in movies like Back to the Future Part II, today’s best heated vests rival their sci-fi counterparts. We sought out to find the best models on the internet and bring them all together here.
We reviewed and ranked 10 entries that impressed with their styles and warmth. Whether to keep warm in the winter or loosen up sore muscles, these vests are sure to do the trick. We have also included a handy buyer’s guide that will assist you in finding the right fit for your needs.
Not just for warmth, these vests are an excellent remedy for back and body aches. We think you’ll be mighty impressed with what lies ahead. But before we get to all that, check out two of our top picks.
Don’t Have Time to Read the Whole Article?
ARRIS knocked it out of the park with the best vest overall. This unisex version is just what the doctor ordered for a sore neck or back. It provides soothing heat throughout and stays warm for hours at a time.
Our favorite vest for ladies goes to ORORO. It looks sharp and sports long battery life for hours of heat. And its water-resistant fabrics mean you can enjoy its warmth in the rain or snow. And if you need to charge your phone on the go, the vest’s battery pack comes equipped with an extra USB charging port.
We have plenty more unique and innovative vests coming right up. Don’t forget to hang around for the buyer’s guide following the reviews. It will help you know what to look for so you choose the best vest for your needs.
ARRIS came out on top with a vest that distributes heat evenly and boasts long battery life. This unisex model isn’t the most attractive of styles we’ve seen. But when it comes to heat delivery and reliability, you can’t do much better.
Where it really shines is its battery life. Depending on what areas of the vest you’re heating, you can get anywhere between 4 and 20 hours of warmth. And that’s one of our favorite features of the ARRIS unisex vest. You get to pick what areas are heated and for how long.
We like how well this one heats the body. Its 7 heating zones ensure that you get heat where you need it for soothing comfort and relief. It’s a great way to stay toasty in the cold or relax sore muscles.
ARRIS’s long battery life and zoned heating design gives you heat where you need it. And thanks to its washable design, it’s easy to keep clean. Simply let the vest air dry or tumble dry on low for best results.
Looks are certainly subjective, but we think this is an attractive vest. The sizes run a bit on the small side, but it provides a nice fit nonetheless thanks to its stretchy quality. The materials used feel great to the touch and are made for durability.
There are 4 heating panels at the ready. This lets you get warming relief around the neck and down the back. Your collar and chest are kept toasty, too. You can expect to get anywhere from 2 to 10 hours of heat, depending on your usage and settings.
We found it quite handy having a built-in USB port. This lets you charge your smartphone while you’re on the go. And you needn’t fear if you get caught in the rain, as this vest is both water- and wind-resistant. It’s also safe to throw into the washing machine, making it easier on you to keep clean.
You get to pick how warm you want to be thanks to 3 temperature levels. The heat distribution is evenly spread across the vest. And with up to 10 hours of warmth, you won’t get stuck in the cold.
Just keep in mind that sizes run small. You may want to choose the next size up when ordering your vest to get a good fit.
ActionHeat’s vest provides some of the best heat around. There are only 3 heating zones, but each one is large, covering most of the back and front of the vest. We like that you control the temperature with a built-in button. This works well and blends right in with the vest.
Sizes are available from small to XXL, helping you get the perfect fit. There are 3 temperature settings that range from 110 to 150 degrees.
The battery life fluctuates depending on use. But you can expect to get anywhere between 2 and 4.5 hours of use on a single charge.
For added convenience, this model is safe to throw in the washing machine. And when outdoors, its water-resistant fabrics ensure that you’ll stay warm and dry in rain or snow.
It’s important to note that you always want to let the vest dry thoroughly on its own. The dryer can ruin the vest’s heating elements.
Adjusting temperature is done with a simple button that’s stitched onto the chest. It changes color depending on the setting. Charging up the battery is straightforward, and you get a nice range of heat to work with.
This unisex vest is attractive and user-friendly. We like the even heat distribution along the neck, back, and front. You can get warmth that climbs as high as 140 degrees, keeping you toasty, even on the coldest of days.
It’s nice being able to charge your phone on the go. The battery pack is equipped with dual-USB ports so you’re never without power.
Battery life isn’t as great as some of the other models we reviewed. But if you’re just needing heat for a few hours, the FNDN vest is a great fit. You can expect anywhere from 6 to 10 hours depending on usage.
Heat stays trapped inside the vest thanks to solid insulation and lining. There are a total of 5 temperature settings to choose from, giving you just the right amount of heat when you need it the most.
Great heating that’s easy to control? Sign me up. That’s exactly what you find with FNDN’s heated vest. A simple yet effective temperature control lies inside the front of the vest. Adjusting the vest to your desired warmth is quick and easy.
Mobile Warming delivers a vest that lets you do exactly that. Thanks to Bluetooth integration, you can control the vest’s warmth via your mobile device for quick and easy management. You don’t get as many heating zones as found in other models. But the heat provided is warm and comfy.
There are plenty of sizes to choose from, allowing you to get the perfect fit. Whether you need a small or an XXXL, Mobile Warming has you covered. This vest is well-insulated, too, keeping heat trapped in.
We like the durable materials and fabrics used. It is water-resistant, too, wicking away moisture to keep you warm and dry.
There are a total of 4 temperature settings, making it easy to get just the right amount of heat. And a solid battery ensures that you’ll stay comfortable in any environment. You can look forward to anywhere from 3 to 10 hours, depending on usage.
Once you have downloaded Mobile Warming’s proprietary app, you’ll have full control over the vest’s heating zones and temperature. Just make sure you give it around 3 or 4 hours to fully recharge.
Lenz’s vest for ladies is a lightweight, snug-fitting entry that provides plenty of battery life. On its lowest setting, you can get up to 20 hours of continuous heat. The overall design is rather attractive, to boot.
We wish there were more heating zones, especially considering how expensive this model is. What’s more, the battery pack that powers the vest is sold separately. These two gripes keep this one from scoring higher.
But the craftsmanship impressed us with how well-made this vest is. The fabrics used are stretchy and comfortable. The materials used are also water-resistant. So you can stay warm in the rain or snow without fear of damage.
It comes Bluetooth-ready, allowing you to sync up your smartphone for total control. After you’ve downloaded the app, you can adjust heating zones and the vest’s temperature.
You’ll have to download an app to gain control of the vest. But once you do, it’s a breeze to manage. We like that this one is safe to machine wash, making it easy to keep clean.
Are you looking for a budget-friendly alternative that will still keep you toasty in the cold? Gyde makes the list with one of the better-looking vests available. The Calor Puffer is an everyday model that looks great on any occasion.
Whether formal or informal, this one will blend in seamlessly with most outfits. And best of all, you can pick it up for a fraction of what other heated vests cost. If you’re looking for a stylish addition to your wardrobe, you’ll be pleased with what Gyde has to offer.
The Calor Puffer is lightweight and comes with 4 heating zones for widespread comfort. The maximum temperature peaks at 135 degrees. It may not be as high as other models, but there’s lots of insulation to keep heat trapped in.
This synthetic padding goes a long way in keeping you warm. We like the thickness of the vest and the feel of its materials. You wouldn’t want to wear this underneath your normal clothing, though, as it’s too thick for that.
This one is also water-resistant, able to withstand rain and snow without issue. The sizing is a bit limited, as it’s only available in large in XXL. But for the quality and price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a vest as good as the Calor Puffer.
The heating zones work to warm a large area, keeping you nice and toasty all over. And thanks to 278 grams of insulation, heat stays with you without escaping.
If you need to stay warm on a budget, Volt Resistance provides a great solution. This heated vest isn’t the most stylish option, but it provides nice heat distribution at an affordable price. There are sizes ranging from small to XXL, making it easy to find the perfect fit.
This model is nicely insulated, ensuring that heat stays trapped in. On its lowest setting, you can look forward to 10 solid hours of use on a single charge.
There are 4 heating panels at the ready, providing your front and back with plenty of warmth. The temperature tops out at 150 degrees, keeping you nice and toasty, even on the coldest of winter days.
While it’s pretty plain-looking, you’re getting comfortable heating at a reasonable price. And its thin design gives it greater versatility.
Charging up the battery is quick and easy. And although it isn’t much to look at, its thin profile allows you to wear this vest under normal clothing for round-the-clock heating.
ORORO delivers a solid vest that is worthy of your attention. This nylon model comes equipped with excellent heating throughout, leaving you warm and toasty. This one works wonders for a sore neck or achy back.
The design and look of this vest is sleek and stylish. You’ll look sharp any time you put this on. It’s suitable for nearly any situation thanks to its high level of craftsmanship. There are many sizes available that range from small to XXXL, although they do seem to run big.
There are a total of 4 heating zones, evenly distributing warmth around your neck, back, and front. You get 3 temperatures to choose from, ensuring you’re as comfortable as possible.
You can freely wear the ORORO vest in all kinds of weather conditions. Rain or snow won’t harm the fabrics because they are completely water-resistant. You’ll stay warm and dry and your vest will stay protected.
It’s safe to toss in the washer for easy cleaning. You can expect up to 10 hours of battery life, but this is affected by usage and heat. We wish the fit was a bit better, as it runs big and loose.
Lenz delivers a solid contender that’s attractive and provides a great fit. We like the stretchy qualities of the fabric used. And there are plenty of sizes available to ensure you get the right fit, ranging from small to XXXXL.
The main draw here is that you can control the heating zones with your smartphone via a downloadable app. You sync it up with Bluetooth where you can then adjust its 3 temperature settings.
We wish there were insulated lining and that the price were more affordable. As it is, this is an expensive vest compared to the other models we reviewed.
But the style is one of the better ones out there and the fit is nice and snug. You can get up to 20 hours of warmth on a single charge depending on how you use it.
It’s nice not having to worry about getting caught in the rain or snow, as the material is water-resistant. You’ll stay warm and dry without fear of damaging the vest.
It’s pretty cool being able to control the vest’s setting with your smartphone. And there’s plenty of battery life at the ready that allows for all-day heating.
Heated vests are an ingenious invention that makes all the difference during cold winter days and chill nights. But you don’t want to buy just any model. It’s important that you know what to look for so you walk away with one that best suits your needs.
In this section, we’ll focus on what you should watch for. The following aspects work together to make or break a vest’s overall performance.
This is important depending on how much you plan on using the vest throughout each day. If you’re only going to need it for a couple of hours, you can do with a vest that has a lower mAh battery.
But if you want warmth for several hours a day, you should go with a battery that is no less than 10,000mAh. This will ensure continuous use without compromising your comfort.
Keep in mind that higher heat settings will drain a battery faster, regardless of the model. You might want to choose a vest with certain positioning of the elements to ensure you’re getting the heat you want.
Not every vest offers heated pockets. But if it does, you may want to consider it. This is a huge advantage and comes in handier than you may think.
The biggest thing you want to look for in a vest’s materials is whether they are water-resistant. This is crucial in ensuring that both you and your vest stay protected in the elements.
Secondly, you might want to make sure the material or fabric is stretchy, like spandex. This will work to give you a better, more comfortable fit.
Also ensure that the vest is safe to throw in the washing machine. This will save you from having to hand-wash it, while speeding up the cleaning process. While most modern vests are safe to wash, you want to let them air dry. Some are OK to tumble dry, too, though.
This mostly comes down to personal preference. If you attend a lot of formal events, however, you may want to switch your focus to vest styles that accommodate this need.
Also pay attention to reviews about fit. As you may have noticed from ours, some brands tend to run either small or big. You may need to order the next size up or down to get a proper fit.
There are some vests that sport really thin profiles, allowing them to be worn under your normal clothing. If this is important to you, stay away from bulky vests or vests with thick insulation.
The most modern heated vests use elements made of carbon fiber. This is what heats the vests while allowing them to move freely and unencumbered. Older models made use of copper wire. This was tough to work with, as it made the vest stiff, and the washing machine was out of the question.
Vests that are properly insulated will keep heat trapped in, making better use of the heating elements and battery life. Fleece lining is a great fabric to keep you warm. And vests that have water-resistant fabrics work to keep air out.
Depending on your personal needs, you may want a vest that is equipped with an extra USB port. This will allow you to charge your mobile phone while you’re on the go. Just remember that this will also sap some of your vest’s battery life.
If you prefer a more technical approach, some vests are equipped with Bluetooth technology. This allows you to sync up your smartphone and control the vest’s features from it. After downloading an app, you’ll be able to activate heating zones and adjust the temperature.
Today’s heated vests have made drastic improvements over models from yesteryear. The risk of fire is very, very low. That being said, you want to go with a reputable manufacturer to ensure you’re getting a quality vest.
The batteries these vests use are perfectly safe, as are the carbon fiber elements that heat them. In fact, you can safely run a quality vest for hours without fear of a fire breaking out. The battery and element will likely go bad and stop working long before they’d start a fire.
This depends on the model, but your use plays a big role, too. Many of today’s heated vests will keep you warm anywhere between 2 and 20 hours. You’ll get the most heat by running a single heating zone and keeping the temperature on the lowest setting.
As we mentioned a moment ago, if you need to stay warm for several hours throughout the day, the vest’s battery should be at least 10,000mAh. This will provide you upwards of 15 hours of heating.
Many of today’s vests allow you to simply toss them in the washing machine. But to be sure, always consult with the manufacturer’s recommendation. Certain vests need to be hand-washed only.
Regardless of the method, always be sure to remove the battery pack before washing. If you accidentally leave it in the vest, you’ll more than likely ruin the battery. It’s also a good idea to pre-treat stains before washing.
If using a washing machine, always use the gentle cycle. Now, this is perhaps the most important part. Let your vest air dry or tumble dry on low. Subjecting the vest to high temperatures will risk ruining the internal heating elements. Giving it plenty of time to dry on its own will preserve the vest’s life.