Featuring powerful batteries and flexible heating elements hidden within, the best heated jackets keep you warm without weighing you down. Having tested tons of cold-weather gear over the years from my home on Long Island, I know how important it is to dress in appropriate clothing as the temperatures fall each year. Based on my research and testing experience, I’ve named the Ororo Heated Jacket my top recommendation due to its 10-hour battery life, water-resistant fabric and multi-use charging port. I also like the TideWe Heated Jacket if you’re after a battery-powered layer that costs around $100.
Stay warm all winter long with one of the best heated jackets.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
To evaluate the best heated jackets, I focused on key factors like battery life, heating zones, comfort, durability and overall value. I also made sure to only consider options that have strong ratings and reviews from verified buyers. In total, I looked at over a dozen jackets, focusing on those that offer a day’s worth of heat, or at least eight hours of warmth on low power. Below, the best heated jackets you can buy right now, and how to find one that meets your needs.
Ororo’s entry-level heated jacket offers the essential features you need to stay warm and comfortable, making it a standout choice for outdoor adventures or daily cold-weather wear. With three heating zones targeting your chest and back, it delivers warmth where you’ll feel it most, and the 10-hour battery life ensures it’s ready for a full day of use. The detachable hood is also a thoughtful touch, letting you adapt to changing weather, and the water-resistant fabric is durable yet flexible enough to move with you.
While I really like this design, there are a couple of things to note. For example, the fit is on the bulkier side, so sizing down might make it a bit more comfortable, though the boxy fit is good for layering. And while the jacket is tough, a softer inner lining would boost comfort for long days out (though you can wear a long-sleeve shirt or fleece underneath to eliminate this issue). Ultimately, the balance of warmth, versatility and durability makes this jacket a no-brainer for winter wear, which is why it earns my top pick.
Battery pack also charges a phone or other devices
Cons:
No heating element across the chest
For those seeking warmth without spending a lot to find it, TideWe’s entry-level heated jacket delivers an exceptional value. It features three heating zones—two hand pockets and one mid-back—making it perfect for keeping your hands and core warm. The 10-hour battery life on the lowest setting is impressive at this price point, and the included power bank doubles as a charger for your phone, adding extra functionality. The detachable hood and durable zipper provide solid protection against wind and cold, while the soft fleece lining ensures all-day comfort.
Unfortunately, it lacks heating zones in the chest, which is where I expect most heated jackets to feature some form of warmth, though the pocket warmers are a nice touch. Ultimately, the fit, materials and thoughtful details make it a reliable choice at a price that’s hard to beat.
Ororo
Ororo River Ridge Heated Jacket
Heat time: 8 hours | Heat zones: 4 (left and right pockets, upper and mid-back) | Hood: Yes | Sizes: S-XL | Materials: Polyester | Care: Machine wash
Pros:
3-in-1 layering setup provides added warmth
Waterproof shell
Three-year warranty on heating elements
Cons:
Expensive
No men’s version
When maximum warmth and protection are your top priorities, this heated 3-in-1 parka from Ororo is an excellent pick. Its multi-layered design combines a waterproof shell with efficient heating zones in the pockets, upper back and mid-back, delivering plenty of versatility to handle a range of conditions. The jacket heats up in just five seconds and provides up to eight hours of warmth on the lowest setting, with easy-to-use controls that vibrate to confirm your selected heat level. Thoughtful details like a USB-C port for quick battery charging and a three-year warranty on heating elements make it a premium choice that’s happy to meet your needs
That said, the parka is expensive at nearly $300, and it’s only available in women’s sizing, which is a bit of a letdown. Still, its durability, I think its safety-certified battery and full-coverage heating zones make it a standout option for anyone who requires added layering and all-over warmth.
For tough jobs that force you to spend hours in the cold, the Milwaukee M12 Heated Toughshell Jacket is hard to beat. Designed with the brand’s Hexon Heat Technology, it provides fast, even warmth across five zones (chest, hand pockets and upper back) and offers an impressive 12-hour runtime on the lowest setting. And this jacket doesn’t just keep you warm; it’s also built for work, with a durable, stretchy polyester fabric and a DWR finish that repels water and wind. Adjustable cuffs and a drawcord waist help lock in heat, while the innovative battery pass-through pocket lets you position the battery in the front or back for improved comfort.
Though the price is steep, this jacket’s thoughtful features make it a standout choice for anyone who works outside through winter. I also appreciate Milwaukee’s commitment to inclusive sizing and color options that make it easier to choose a style you actually like. With three heat settings, independent zone controls and a rugged construction, it’s built to handle the demands of work while keeping you warm.
Amazon
Venture Heat Max Heated Jacket
Heat time: 8 hours | Heat zones: 4 (right and left chest, back, collar) | Hood: Fixed | Sizes: S-XXL | Materials: Polyester, down | Care: Machine wash
Pros:
Down insulation delivers winter-ready warmth
Bluetooth connectivity
Waterproof and windproof
Cons:
Expensive
Tapered fit doesn’t accommodate all body types
For a great combination of premium warmth and techy comfort, Venture Heat’s down-insulated heated jacket is my top pick. Combining feathery down with advanced carbon fiber heating elements, it provides quick, consistent heat across four zones: right and left chest, back and collar. The jacket also connects to a handy Bluetooth app, letting you fine-tune the temperature with 10 precise settings—perfect for dialing in comfort based on your needs. With up to eight hours of heat on the lowest setting and a waterproof, windproof exterior, it’s ready for cold weather in more ways than one.
Though the puffer style and high price tag may dissuade you, I think the quality and insulation outweigh these minor drawbacks. Whether you’re skiing, hiking or just braving cold commutes, it’s a style that’s as functional as it is premium.
TideWe’s Inferno Heated Hunting Jacket is the best option for staying warm and unseen when you’re still for hours or days at a time. Designed with hunters in mind, it pairs quiet heavy-brushed polyester with advanced heating for the perfect combination of performance and warmth. Four strategically placed carbon fiber heating zones on the chest and back target your core, and a unique heated seat pad doubles as a backrest for all-day support.
A 10,000mAh battery delivers up to 10 hours of heat—essential if you’re sitting still in a treestand or blind. The waterproof and windproof design, complete with a DWR finish and TPU membrane, provides reliable protection from the elements. And for added practicality, the jacket includes 10 pockets, an adjustable hood and a safety harness port.
While the NEXT G2 camo print helps you blend in, the jacket’s appearance limits its versatility—it might not be your first choice for a night on the town with friends and family. And it’s expensive if you can’t find it on sale. That said, TideWe packs in so many features (like anti-slip shoulder grips, magnetically closed cargo pockets and a hidden heating element light) that it’s still worth the investment if you’re a dedicated hunter who prioritizes comfort, warmth and camouflaging.
To identify the best heated jackets, we focused on a handful of key variables. Here’s how we made our picks:
We started by looking at heating zones, as these determine how much warmth you can expect a jacket to provide. Some styles feature a few zones in the chest, back and pockets, while others deliver heat to even more areas like the collar and lower back for added warmth.
From there, we looked at the battery life that each jacket provides at different heat settings. Most batteries last for at least eight hours on the lowest heat setting, with some delivering upwards of 12 hours on a single charge. Additional points were awarded to jackets with swappable batteries.
How a jacket fits is also important. It should be snug enough to seal in warmth, yet spacious enough to add layers underneath. We looked for options that come in different sizes to fit different body types.
Finally, we looked at how reliable these jackets are from one to the next. After all, a heated jacket is only useful if it actually works, and if it doesn’t, it’s just a heavy, run-of-the-mill jacket with dead electronics.
How To Shop For The Best Heated Jackets
Insulation
Once a heated jacket’s battery runs out, you’re left with a standard jacket until you can recharge the battery or swap it with a new one. Be sure any heated jacket you consider can also serve as a regular jacket based on the temperatures and conditions you’re likely to face. Most heated jackets feature a thin layer of synthetic insulation, though a select few contain down, which is warmer yet more expensive. I recommend pairing your heated jacket with soft, breathable thermal underwear to maximize warmth and comfort.
Battery Life
All of the heated jackets I recommend in this guide contain batteries that last at least eight hours on the lowest setting, which should be sufficient for most environments. With that said, battery life declines at higher heat settings because more heat uses more juice.
Again, consider how long you intend to wear your jacket and what conditions you’re likely to face. If you work outside in the dead of winter, you may need a jacket that delivers lasting battery life at higher heat settings. If you’re simply walking to work, you may only need a touch of warmth for minutes at a time. Fortunately, many jackets allow you to swap batteries, so you can often pick up a spare just in case.
Heating Zones
The total number and placement of the heating zones within a jacket will determine if it can keep you warm in all the right places. If you run cold, you may want more heating zones across the chest, stomach, back and collar; if you only need a touch of warmth, fewer zones will suffice. All of the jackets featured in this guide contain at least three heating zones, and one jacket pushes that figure to five zones. It’s generally true that the more zones you need, the more expensive a jacket will be.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The gear section at Forbes Vetted contains a plethora of winter guides on cold-weather essentials. We spend countless hours testing and reviewing equipment in the cold each year, from the damp chill of the East Coast to the snowy peaks out west.
This article was written by Forbes Vetted staff writer Steven John, who has covered outdoor gear and apparel for over a decade on the East Coast, where he’s accustomed to wet, frigid winters that call for warm layers.
Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta oversees this guide. He has years of experience reviewing winter gear, and as an avid skier, he spends most winters in waist-deep snow on the west coast.
Because heated jackets are an evolving category of technical apparel, we revisit and revise this guide as needed to ensure it’s up-to-date with the latest recommendations and advice. It was last updated in October 2025 by John, who reviewed our latest recommendations and added a buyer’s guide.
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In this update, we looked over our top recommendations, as well as added buying advice to help you identify a heated jacket that meets your unique needs.
