From fleeces to parkas, the best heated jackets come in all kinds of styles. If you live in parts of the world where sub-arctic temperatures are a frigid reality, you understand that sometimes you need to break out the heavy artillery against an over-enthusiastic Jack Frost. These will help you do it.
Best overall: Gobi Grit Men’s Heated Workwear JacketBest fleece: Ororo Men’s Heated Fleece JacketBest unisex: Dewbu Heated Jacket with Battery Pack
How we selected the best heated jackets
Things to consider when picking a heated jacket
Heated jackets aren’t that different from regular outerwear. For the most part, you should pick yours based on how they look and fit, just like any other winter jacket. The differences, of course, tend to revolve around the electric heating elements and, importantly, the batteries that keep the heat on.
How hot do you want it?
Using the heating feature on a heated jacket will always be situational. At any given time, your needs will change based on outdoor temperature, the kind of jacket you’re wearing, and how you’re feeling. You want to check the estimated temperature for a jacket’s heaters, so you know whether its for brisk days, or the dead of winter. The best heated jackets go a step further, and give you multiple levels of heat, giving you more opportunities to use the feature effectively.
How many heaters?
Power is important, but so is coverage. Heated jackets get their warming boosts from heating elements sewn into the jacket. The number and placement of those heating elements (or zones, as they’re called sometimes) will determine whether your body gets warmed evenly and effectively. Most heated jackets we’ve looked at feature 3-5 hot spots, two to cover your chest and one for your back. We wouldn’t recommend any coat with fewer than three heating elements.
Battery power
It’s also a good idea to find out how long your jacket’s battery (and the heat it provides) should last. From what we’ve seen, most heated jackets should get between 7-10 hours from a single charge. That said, it’s worth keeping in mind that all manufacturers provide their primary estimates based on the lowest power setting. Make sure to double-check and see if there are separate estimates for how long the jacket lasts on medium- and/or high-power. Most modern heated jackets are powered by a rechargeable battery pack, similar to a portable charger you’d use to power your phone. In fact, many of them feature a USB-A or USB-C port, which you can use to charge up if you don’t need to worry about powering the jacket.
Can you wash it?
Given that it has electric-powered elements in it, we strongly urge you to look for washing instructions on your heated jacket before you buy it, along with information about how long the heating elements should last. From what we’ve seen, most well-made heated jackets should be machine-washable.
Best overall: Gobi Grit Men’s Heated Workwear Jacket
Why it made the cut: Gobi’s heated workwear jacket offers heavy-duty protection. Specs:
Material: Cotton with nylon liningHeating elements: 5Max temp: 140 degreesHeat settings: 3 Battery life: Up to 9 hoursCharging port: USB
Pros
5 heating zones provide full coverageBig, durable jacket with inner liningDecent battery life
Cons
Fewer heat settings than other options
If you’re working outside in cold weather, not simply enduring it, then you need something heavier than a shell, a fleece, or a hoodie. (They make those too). The Gobi Grit heated workwear jacket offers a heavier layer of electric warmth, ensuring that you are ready to spend a full day out in the cold. When things get rough, you can turn on the heat, which should last between 4.5 and 9 hours, depending on the setting. Just because you have to work out in the cold, doesn’t mean you should freeze.
Best fleece: Ororo Men’s Heated Fleece Jacket
Why it made the cut: Sometimes you just want a light jacket even when it’s really cold. A heated fleece also works great if you want to pair a inner, heated layer with a heavy coat. Specs:
Material: Poly/Cotton blendHeating elements: 3Max temp: 130 degreesHeat settings: 3 Battery life: Up to 10 hoursCharging port: USB
Pros
Even among heated jackets, fleeces aren’t that common10-hour battery lifeUSB charging port
Cons
Only three heating zones
If you live, say, in San Diego, the concept of a heated fleece seems like overkill. If you live in Minnesota, however, you’re likely wondering where this has been all your life. Combining the soft, cozy embrace of fleece (35 percent cotton, 65 percent Polyester) with a thermal supercharge courtesy of three carbon-fiber heating areas, the Ororo is a stand alone heated jacket capable of handling the most extreme temperatures. And the best part? It’s machine-washable and actually looks great.
Best unisex: Dewbu Heated Jacket with Battery Pack
Specs:
Material: Poly/Cotton blendHeating elements: 5Max temp: 140 degreesHeat settings: 3 Battery life: Up to 8 hoursCharging port: USB-C
Pros
5 heating zonesHeating zones in armsAffordable
Cons
Lower battery life than some other optionsNo heating elements over chest
When you need something a bit more heavy duty than a vest under layer or fleece, you need the Dewbu. First of all, it’s hooded and completely waterproof, which already makes it the kind of rugged all-terrain jacket you need when tackling unpredictable weather. It has three heating zones (two on the chest, one across the back), three adjustable heating levels, and can go up to 8 hours on a single charge. It’s also machine-washable, and comes in an array of styles for both men and women. Do not go sub-arctic without it.
Final thoughts on the best heated jackets
Heated jackets are still a fairly niche garment for people who live, work, and generally spend a lot of time outside in very cold places. As such, there are limited options and variation among the different manufacturers. We recommend taking care and following customer feedback as much as possible when picking one out, since you have less access to professional reviews and expert advice than most battery-powered gear.
