7 Best Heated Gloves

It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing; whether you’re out on a ski trip, shoveling snow on the driveway, or sitting within the comforts of your home, cold hands are an absolute pain in the neck.

Sometimes, even the thickest pair of gloves won’t do the trick. Enter heated gloves, which up the ante by warming your hands further using actual heat-generating elements.

Now, be warned: choosing the best heated gloves can be an intimidating process. There simply are too many options on the market right now, and navigating through the different features, specs, and designs available for you can be confusing.

This buying guide aims to solve that. Make sure to read until the end to know more about all the factors you have to consider before buying a pair of heated gloves. Are you ready for some frustration-free shopping? We sure are!

Heat Source: Chemical vs. Battery

Not all heated gloves use the same type of heat source. Some are chemically heated while others are battery-operated. What’s the difference, and which one is better for you? Read on.

Electrical heat source (Battery operated)

Electrically heated gloves have an electric heating element that connects to and runs through a battery. One of the best things about this heat source is it’s way easier to control. You can turn on and turn off each glove individually.

Heated gloves that use an electrical heat source often use replaceable batteries, although others use rechargeable ones, as well.

Chemically heated gloves

Chemically heated gloves generate heat through a chemical reaction. They use disposable heating packets that are fitted inside the gloves. These warming packets contain substances that produce heat when exposed to air.

Chemically heated gloves can provide warmth for up to eight hours per packet. Once they stop working, you can easily buy new warming packets to place inside your gloves. What’s more, these are typically more affordable than battery-operated styles.

Although battery-operated heating gloves are 100% safe, some people still aren’t comfortable with them. If that’s the case, chemically heated gloves have got your back covered.

Important Features to Look Into

You have to be aware of the two heat sources that are commonly used in making heated gloves—but it’s not the only important consideration you should make.

Below, we’ve listed some of the most important features that you must look into when you’re looking to buy a pair of heated gloves.

Adjustable Heating Level

Some heated gloves have multiple heating levels while some only have a single heat setting. Getting yourself a pair with adjustable heat levels will allow you to use your gloves in different environments—from mild winters to extremely low temperatures.

Even if you don’t travel to different places during the winter, it’s still nice to be able to adjust the amount of heat you’re getting depending on your needs on a specific day. The trade-off, though, is that gloves with just a single setting are more budget-friendly than their more versatile counterparts.

Material

While the material is of utmost concern when it comes to shopping for ordinary winter gloves, they aren’t as crucial as far as heated gloves are concerned. After all, heating elements are already present in these special pairs. This gives you more flexibility and allows you to choose a glove material based on factors other than warmth and insulation.

That said, you’ll be able to find heated gloves that are made of materials like polyester, leather, fleece, and velvet. Some glove manufacturers also have special or patented materials that boast superior warmth.

Heated Area

Most glove models have heating elements attached to the back of the hand, which means this area gets the most warmth. However, some have heated areas that extend throughout the glove including the fingers and palms.

Ideally, you should get a model with heated fingers since this is the part that gets cold the most. There’s a trade-off, though, as gloves with heating elements that go beyond the back of the hand are typically pricier.

Touchscreen Compatibility

We all know how annoying it is when your winter gloves aren’t touchscreen compatible. Having to constantly remove your gloves to use your phone in the winter can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Besides, exposing your hands to cold air every so often can negate the effect of having heated gloves.

Good thing more and more gloves these days—heated or otherwise—are getting designed with touchscreen compatibility in mind. Getting yourself a pair of heated gloves with this feature will enable you to send texts and use your phone without having to expose your hands to the bitter winter cold.

Battery Life

If you’re getting yourself a pair of electrically-heated gloves, one of the most important factors you should look into is battery life. You don’t want to run out of power while you’re in the middle of an outdoor adventure in sub-zero temperatures, do you?

Battery lifespans will vary from model to model. Some gloves will offer electric heating for more than eight hours, while others can only generate heat for a maximum of two hours.

When choosing the best battery-operated heating gloves, think about the kinds of activities that you typically engage in during winter. If you only need them to run quick errands, gloves with a shorter battery life will probably be enough.

But if you like to dabble in winter sports that require you to be outdoors for long stretches of time, it would be wise to invest in a pair of heated gloves that can keep you warm for more than five hours.

Fit and Comfort

Fit and comfort are both super important when it comes to heated gloves. You want to get yourself a pair that fits close to the skin. Anything that is even remotely too loose can lower the heating efficiency of the gloves.

At the same time, you’d want to avoid gloves that are so snug that they compromise your blood circulation. As with many other things, balance is key.

Grip

Whether you’re planning to use your heated gloves to run errands or go on a ski trip, you have to ensure that it provides sufficient grip. This is even more important if you do relatively high-risk activities like motorcycle riding during the winter.

Other Factors to Consider

If you’re dead set on making your best purchase ever, why not go the extra mile and look into the following aspects, too?

Thumb wipes

Runny noses are all too common during winter, which is why some gloves are fitted with soft material on the thumbs for wiping your nose.

Versatility

The best heated gloves should be able to keep up with you anywhere you go. This is why versatility is important. The thick and bulky pair that you’re eyeing might work great for ice fishing, but would you wear it on a normal winter day?

Buying a pair of heated gloves that is versatile in both the aesthetic and functional aspects will give you more bang for your buck. That said, try to look for something that would work great and look great in many settings.

Durability/Ruggedness

Durability-related features like waterproofing are important if you’re planning to use heated gloves for some heavy-duty stuff. If you plan to engage in different activities over the winter, you wouldn’t want to be stuck with a pair that’ll give up within the first few uses.

With normal winter gloves, you really don’t have to worry much about durability. All you need to do is look for a well-made pair. However, it’s a different story with heated gloves that contain a bunch of additional components. As the rule goes, the more parts are involved in a system, the more prone it is to damage and/or breaking.

Price

Heated gloves can range from as low as $20 to up to hundreds of dollars.  As mentioned previously, chemically heated gloves are typically the most affordable while heated gloves with rechargeable batteries are the priciest.

Warranty

Before buying a pair of heated gloves, make sure to check its warranty policy—more so if you’re splurging much of your hard-earned money.

Heated Gloves vs. Heated Mittens

Mittens tend to keep your hands warmer because all your fingers are kept in one compartment. However, gloves are definitely superior when it comes to the range of motion they provide.

Making the right choice between these two styles, then, depends on which you’d rather prioritize: extra warmth or easier movement?

Are Heated Gloves 100% Safe to Use?

Some people have concerns about the safety of heated gloves. And we don’t blame them—after all, the thought of wires and electrics inside your gloves can seem intimidating.

However, note that heated gloves are very safe to use. There’s no risk of electric shocks since the heating mechanism in battery-operated gloves are fitted with safety features. Oftentimes, these gloves are designed to automatically shut down in the event of a short-circuit.

If the thought of having electrical wiring inside your gloves still makes you iffy, you can always go for chemically heated gloves instead.

When Is the Best Time to Use Heated Gloves?

The best heated gloves will keep your hands warm and comfy when you have to be out in the cold for long periods. We recommend wearing heated gloves for skiing, snowboarding, skating, hiking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and hunting. You can also use them for when you’re doing the usual winter chores, like shoveling snow and walking your pets.

Are Heated Gloves Machine Washable?

Here’s the deal: most heated gloves are not machine washable. Remember that sensitive electronic elements are attached inside the gloves, so it really won’t be smart to just throw them in the water.

So, how do you clean your heated gloves, then? Most glove makers recommend using a nylon brush and a mixture of soap and water to clean the gloves’ exterior. This way, you won’t risk harming the electrical components of your chosen pair.