The Best Heated Vests to Keep Your Core Toasty and Warm
Sophia Bowman 
6/6
Best Heavy-Duty
DeWalt Heated Reversible Fleece Vest
If your job calls for you to be working outdoors for long hours in cold conditions, this hard-working DeWalt vest gets our vote. Made from reversible micro fleece and Sherpa fleece, it’s powered by a DeWalt 20V battery—the same one that powers many of the brand’s power tools.
This heavy-duty heated vest is cut extra long in the back for coverage when bending over, and packed with eight pockets for storing tools. There are three heating zones, and an extendable collar to protect your neck from winter winds. Note that this vest is wind resistant but not water-resistant, so you’ll need an extra layer in wet weather.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction and many pockets
- Compatible with DeWalt battery chargers
Cons: Available in L and XL sizes only
What to Consider When Buying a Heated Vest
The first question to ask yourself when considering a heated vest: “How much will I really use it?” If you spend most of your winter indoors or live in an area that gets really cold only a few times each winter, your heated vest might spend a lot of time in the closet. On the other hand, if work or winter pursuits keep you outdoors a lot, a heated vest might be your best purchase ever.
The best heated vests have fast-charging, long-lasting batteries. Because most use lithium-ion batteries, most are far lighter than you might imagine!. As you shop, be sure to read user reviews that discuss battery charging time and, importantly, how long the vest heats on a fully charged battery.
Another important thing to consider is sizing. Heated vests are designed to warm the torso, so they typically have a closer fit than other types of outerwear. If you’re worried about feeling constricted, order up a size. Here, it’s also important to read reviews to discern if the vests run true to size.
FAQs
Are Heated Vests Safe?
In a word: yes. Because of their low-voltage batteries, there is no risk of electrocution, and are also safe for pacemaker wearers. And while there’s potentially a risk of overheating, you can always just turn off the vest or take it off altogether.
How to Charge a Heated Vest
Most heated vests use a USB-C cable for charging, which may come with the vest, or may be sold separately. Charging times can vary from about 3 to 8 hours, depending on the brand. The USB-C plug is a big plus when you’re on the go, as it can be attached to your vehicle’s USB port; if your vest only works with a wall socket, you won’t be able to charge it while you’re outside your home or office.
How to Wash a Heated Vest
Most heated vests are machine washable once you’ve removed the battery pack. Washing guidelines will vary by manufacturer, but most brands recommend their heated vests be line dried.
How We Found the Best Heated Vests
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
