Best Heated Jackets: Warm Up Quickly in Style

The Milwaukee Jacket KIT M12 snags our vote for the best overall heated jacket. It’s a comfortable, functional, and lightweight jacket that’s offered at a reasonable price point. With its ToughShell Stretch Polyester shell, it promises up to five times longer lifespan than some other leading models. 

Although not fully waterproof, it is wind- and water-resistant, making it a great option for a variety of different weather conditions. It functions on a 12-volt lithium battery pack that provides up to 8 hours of run-time. On most occasions, you won’t need to run it for a steady 8 hours, as it gets substantially warm and you might need to shut if off to cool down from time to time.

A one-touch LED controller with three heat settings per zone gives you lots of customization options. However, the placement of the battery itself can be a bit annoying, depending on your height. Another thing we don’t love about this particular jacket is that there is no lower back heat zone and no hood.

If you’re looking for a more budget-conscious choice that still delivers high-quality heat quickly, consider the ORORO Soft Shell Heated Jacket. It’s constructed from lightweight, yet super durable 100 percent polyester that’s fully machine washable. It’s got a neat and tailored design that can easily go from work, to your motorcycle, to a night out. The breathable lining adds a level of comfort and mobility that is lacking in some other heated jackets. 

This jacket is equipped with a 7.4-volt battery that provides heat for up to 10 hours. It also has a convenient USB charging port that you can use to charge your smartphone. This jacket features 3-setting, adjustable heat zones in the chest and upper back only, not the lower back, unfortunately.

While we do appreciate that this model comes with a detachable hood, it seems the zippers are of lesser quality than some other options. This jacket also tends to run small and fits more snugly than other models.

If you like options, the Gerbing Heated Jacket Liner is going to be right up your alley. This is an ultra lightweight and breathable jacket liner that includes a whopping seven different and independently operated heat zones. There’s even a heat zone in the collar to keep your neck warm. This jacket is primarily designed for motorcycle, ATV, and snowmobile riding, and it’s made to fit under another heavier coat if necessary. Although, it can definitely be worn as a stand alone option.

It’s equipped with microwave-powered heaters that get hot quickly and retain warmth for a long time. With the 12-volt power source, you can even plug this jacket into the 12-volt outlet in your car, motorcycle, ATV, or snowmobile so that it doesn’t drain the battery while you’re riding or driving. It can even be paired with single-zone, dual-zone, or BlueTooth controllers.

There are a few drawbacks. One being that all harnesses, controllers, and battery packs have to be purchased separately, making this already pricey jacket even more so. Being a jacket liner, it doesn’t come with any pockets at all. It’s not a good option if you do a lot of rugged outdoor work in the cold weather, since the fabric and zippers are kind of flimsy.

We really like the look and style of the Ridgid Men's Black 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Heated Jacket. It’s also ruggedly constructed from 95 percent polyester and 5 percent Spandex, giving it a snug, yet intuitive and movable fit. It also has a nice duck-tail design that provides extra coverage on the back side for additional warmth.

Elasticized cuffs and waistband keep water and cold air out. As with most heated jackets, this one is wind- and water-resistant, but not fully waterproof. Four roomy pockets allow you to keep accessories and wallets safe and secure. This model also comes equipped with a clever USB power source that you can use to charge your mobile and electronic devices.

Three heat zones and three heat settings are pretty standard on this type of jacket, and give you moderate options for customizing your heating experience. One thing we don’t love is that this jacket has a much shorter heating time before needing a recharge. We recommend buying additional batteries, which will drive up the overall cost.

The Venture Heat Men's Softshell Heated Jacket deserves an honorable mention for taking some of our favorite design aspects of other individual heated jackets and combining them to make one functional, versatile, and well-priced model. This fully machine washable and dryable jacket is constructed from a wind- and water-resistant outer shell with a cozy and breathable inner liner. The carbon fiber heating elements are dependable and lightweight and heat up fast.

This updated version of the jacket features heating panels that are 20 percent larger than in previous versions, boosting your core body heat. There is also a heating panel in the collar, which many other heat jackets lack. As with some other heated jackets on our list, this one comes with a USB charging port for plugging your cell phone into.

This jacket is equipped with a 7.4-volt, 5,200 mAh battery kit that promises up to 10 hours of operation, but many users report getting closer to 3 or 4, depending on your preferred heat setting. This jacket comes backed by a one-year warranty and is a great option for hiking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and even cross-country skiing.