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The 7 Best Heated Jackets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

When temperatures start to drop, these heated jackets will keep you warmer than standard winter coats.

A woman wears an Ororo Soho Women's Heated Parka outdoors
Photo:

Travel + Leisure / Sarah Barber

When you want to turn up the heat on your standard outerwear, heated jackets are a sure way to get more warmth without adding extra layers. Whether you’re planning to hike through the mountains or enjoy the sights on a winter vacation, they can be a great addition to your winter wardrobe — as long as you don’t mind charging one more device.

We tested 22 of the most popular heated jackets on the market, wearing them in a wide range of scenarios like camping, going for brisk walks, and even working out over a two-year period. These heated jackets are the best based on heat settings, comfort, and battery life, so you can stay extra toasty for seasons to come.

Why We Love It
  • It has an adjustable padded hood that makes it exceptionally warm and cozy.

What to Consider
  • The LED lighting that indicates heating levels is visible from the outside.

The Ororo Women’s Heated Jacket is our favorite warm and cozy coat for any cold-weather occasion. We wore it in a variety of situations throughout the winter and found it to be soft, comfortable, and easy to use. It has a slim fit and drawstrings at the bottom that create a flattering silhouette. The power button is located at the chest area, making it easy to access. Besides heating up quickly, the difference between the three heating levels was very noticeable, especially on the back.

We also tested this jacket’s water-resistance by spraying water on it, and the water drops rolled off the fabric easily. It features a detachable and adjustable padded hood, while the two side zippered pockets are roomy and convenient to keep your belongings safe on the go.

The Details: Size XS-3XL women’s | Polyester and spandex | 95-130 degrees Fahrenheit | Up to 10 hours of battery | Waterproof

Why We Love It
  • Its minimalist build makes it easy to move around.

What to Consider
  • The battery pack could be lighter.

We think the Venture Heat Men’s Max 26W Heated Down Jacket with HeatSync is one of the best heated jackets you can get. Available for men and women, it features four heating panels at the back, collar, and both sides of the chest, which are large enough to cover most of your torso. During testing, we found that the heating settings were easy to control by holding the power button or syncing the jacket with your phone through the Bluetooth app. The temperature was constant once the panels reached their different heating levels — low, medium, and high. Also, the lightweight, breathable construction of this jacket allowed us to do various tasks with ease without feeling sweaty at any time.

The battery life works as advertised and the plug-ins at the end of the sleeves to attach the brand’s heated gloves are a nice addition for those extra frigid days. If you want to wash it, you just need to remove the battery as the heat pads are designed to get wet. After we tested the Venture Heat for a few weeks, we’d say that it’s mainly made for people on the move and it offers useful features and the right amount of warmth for the price.

The Details: Size S-XXL men’s, XS-XL women’s | 95-130 degrees Fahrenheit | Up to 8 hours of battery

Why We Love It
  • It’s so versatile that it’s comfortable to wear throughout shoulder season and into winter.

What to Consider
  • The pockets may be too small to comfortably hold large smartphones.

Constructed with cotton, polyester, and soft “polar fleece,” the Gobi Heat Ridge Women’s Heated Hoodie is ideal for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. In testing, we wore this in a wide range of activities, including camping and walking around the neighborhood in the morning. In all situations, this jacket gave us ample mobility, comfort, and, most importantly, warmth. The heating pads, located at the chest and back, offer three heating levels, which can be easily adjusted with a button on the left chest area — even when wearing gloves. It took approximately five minutes for the panels to fully warm up and they maintained a constant temperature while we were out and about.

This jacket is so flexible and easy to move around in that we even found ourselves wearing it alone without using its heating elements (you can hardly tell it’s a heated jacket unless the heating pads are on). It has a good hip length, making it suitable to wear with most bottoms. The hoodie feels sturdy yet cozy, and it provides enough room in case you want to wear a hat, beanie, or helmet underneath.

The Details: Size S-4XL men’s, XS-3XL women’s | Cotton-polyester blend and polar fleece | Up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit | Up to 10 hours of battery | Waterproof

Why We Love It
  • The power button located inside the jacket is discreet and easy to reach.

What to Consider
  • While it can withstand water, you may get cold if it gets fully drenched.

With its durable build, the Conqueco Men’s Heated Outdoor Soft Shell Jacket stands out for its water- and wind-resistant qualities. We tested it for several days under different weather conditions. We even poured water all over it to see how well it repelled liquid, and it passed the test successfully. We found the heat settings are easy to adjust and the battery pack is conveniently placed in a pocket without feeling bulky. The heating pads provided a nice boost of coziness to our upper chest area during colder days.

Since it’s designed to combat adverse weather, we didn’t expect this jacket to be breathable, but we were pleasantly surprised, its sleek design made it extremely comfortable. There was nothing stiff, itchy, or abrasive while wearing. The battery went from minimal to full capacity in a couple of hours, meaning it doesn’t take too long to charge. After machine-washing it with cold water and hanging it up to dry, we did not notice any quality flaws from the cleaning process.

The Details: Size M-XXL men’s | Up to 12 hours of battery | Waterproof

Why We Love It
  • The front heating elements are located near the pockets to keep your hands warm.

What to Consider
  • The instructions could be clearer and take time to get used to.

After trying the Ororo Soho Women’s Heated Down Parka Jacket in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, we think it’s the best heated parka you can buy. During testing, the stitching and materials felt well-made and durable, while the length and fit are perfect for a winter down jacket. The two thumb slips at the wrists are a nice addition to retain warmth. Despite its heavy-duty appearance and limited breathability, it did a great job keeping us protected from the cold. The heating elements, located at the lower and upper back, and near the two front pockets, heated up almost instantly and kept a consistent temperature throughout use.

The battery life lasted as long as expected. Washing it was simple — we just had to put it in a machine-safe bag, similar to washing delicate garments. After washing, everything looked and worked fine.

The Details: Size S-XXL women’s | Polyester and feather down | Up to 10 hours of battery | Waterproof

Why We Love It
  • It takes less than 30 seconds to heat up.

What to Consider
  • It’s designed for function rather than comfort, so it doesn’t stand out as the coziest jacket on this list.

The Tidewe Heated Jacket is an excellent choice if you’re looking for your first heated jacket that won’t break the bank, or if you’re a fan of outdoor winter sports. Throughout testing, we found it to be a great value and comfortable to wear during different activities. The heat settings were easy to operate and provided quick warmth, particularly on the back.

Besides a lengthy battery life and an extra cable to charge your phone, the Tidewe Heated Jacket boasts eight pockets inside and outside, allowing you to keep your items organized. It also offers waterproof and windproof features, including a brimmed hood to keep water out of your eyes, making it ideal for damp days.

The Details: Size S-3XL men’s, S-XXL women’s | Polyester | Up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit | Up to 10 hours of battery | Waterproof

Why We Love It
  • Its adjustable cuffs help keep the warmth inside.

What to Consider
  • While it keeps water away from the skin, it does absorb moisture on the outside layer.

The Conqueco Women’s Heated Jacket Slim Fit Electric Hoodie Jacket stands out due to its lightweight materials, discreet heating features, and slim battery pack, making it easily packable. We tested this jacket in different activities (including a jumping jacks session), and we found that it warms up pretty quickly and allows for excellent mobility. Despite not being a perfect slim fit, it comes with stylish touches like gray zippers and visible stitching.

The heating pads are easy to turn on and provide consistent warmth, taking between one and two minutes to heat up. The battery has its own pocket, ensuring it stays in place even during strenuous activities.

The Details: Size M-XXL men’s, S-XL women’s | Polyester | Up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit | Up to 16 hours of battery | Waterproof

Others We Liked

If the styles above don’t seem to match your needs, we think these two options are still worth a try despite some issues we found during testing.

iHood Women’s Heated Jacket with 12V Battery Pack: We really liked its materials and heat settings that warm up different areas. However, the battery pack is bulky and the settings button can be difficult to operate.

Smarkey Heated Jacket Down Coat: We loved how soft and comfortable this jacket feels, particularly at the sleeves, but the battery life isn’t as lengthy as expected.

Our Testing Process

For this article, our Travel + Leisure testers evaluated each heated jacket in our New York City lab and then wore each jacket in different cities and weather conditions for a two-week period. Throughout every scenario, they assessed overall build, level of comfort, heating settings, breathability, temperature fluctuation, battery life, waterproof features, and more.

Our testers wore them outdoors, indoors, while working out, walking around the neighborhood, and in other typical situations you’d find yourself wearing a heated jacket. We also tested waterproof capabilities by spraying them with water to see if any moisture soaked through. So far, our team has tested 22 jackets over a three-year period and will continue wearing these styles to collect further insights.

Person examining TideWe Heated Jacket for Men with Battery Pack with thermometer nearby

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Tips for Buying Heated Jackets

Get the right fit for your needs

Heated jackets should fit fairly close to your body, waist, collar, and cuffs to help retain heat inside. A baggy heated jacket increases the air between your skin and the garment, which makes it feel less cozy than it should.

Another consideration is the overall weight of the jacket. Generally, a heated jacket weighs around one to three pounds, something that you may want to consider depending on the activities in which you usually wear it.

Consider the power source

Some battery packs on heated jackets can be large and take up pocket space. When shopping for a new heated jacket, go for jackets with slim, lightweight battery packs that won’t feel like a bulky nuisance when you’re out and about.

Most heated jackets come with battery packs that last between 10 and 12 hours, which can be easily charged on the go through USB outlets. If you think you may need more than that, consider getting a portable charger or a backup battery pack.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long do heated jackets last?

    Heated jackets usually run on a rechargeable battery, which can last up to 300 to 500 charge cycles before you need to replace it. At the same time, a high-quality jacket that’s been used and maintained properly can last for about three to five years.

  • What do you wear under a heated jacket?

    When it comes to wearing heated clothing, it’s best to play it by ear and wear layers. In general, it’s advisable to wear breathable clothing, like a Merino wool base layer or cotton shirt, as your first layer. Avoid insulating materials like fleece or wool underneath your jacket, as you may get too hot when the heating elements are turned on.

  • How do you wash a heated jacket?

    Some heated jackets can be easily washed in the washing machine after removing the battery pack, while others are designed for hand wash only. Before washing your heated jacket for the first time, make sure to read and follow all cleaning instructions to prevent water or certain cleaning products from reaching spots they shouldn’t. You should also consult the manufacturer instructions for drying recommendations.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, writer Joe Niehaus analyzed T+L testing feedback and results to identify the best heated jackets for various purposes. Joe is an international traveler, avid outdoor adventurer, and gear writer who understands the qualities a heated jacket should have for different climates and weather conditions.

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Edited by
Taylor Fox
Taylor Fox, Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure
Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years.
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