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Everyone’s fingers tend to get cold first. Instead of constantly accommodating bulky hand warmers in your gloves, what if your gloves themselves heated your extremities? I put popular models of heated gloves to the test to find out how warm they are, how long the batteries last, and how functional and comfortable they are.
How I Tested the Best Heated Gloves
First, I fully charged the gloves and fired them up to high heat. I left them all on the highest setting to see how quickly the battery drains. Then, I separated them into gloves and liners and pitted them against each other, bracket style. I put one glove on each hand and compared them to each other, then swapped out the loser to determine the warmest and best touchscreen capability. I also made note of their layering potential and how obtrusive the battery seems.
Best Heated Gloves: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Gerbing S7 Battery Heated Gloves
Key Features
- Heat Settings: Three
- Battery Life: 2.5 hours on high
- Heat Zones: Palm, back of hand, and full finger heating
- Price: $249.99
Pros
- Warmest
- Weatherproof
- Touchscreen index finger
- Chamois thumb
- Wrist strap
Cons
The Gerbing S7 heated gloves are the best overall because they’re the warmest, last 2.5 hours on the highest setting, and have all the features I expect in a winter glove. There are three heat settings, each designated by a different color. The 270 grams (top of hand) and 170 grams (palm) of Highloft insulation means you likely won’t need to use the high setting for long anyway. I plan to ski in these gloves and I think anyone looking for serious winter warmth will love them. They feature a wrist strap and chamois thumb for defogging your goggles or camera. The Gerbing S7s are waterproof and technically touchscreen compatible, though they’re too bulky for detail-oriented use. But you could end a call or take a photo at least. If you want to wear liners with these gloves, size up.
Read Next: Best Heated Vests
Best Value: Savior Heat Heated Glove Liners
Key Features
- Heat Settings: Three
- Battery Life: 2 hours on high
- Heat Zones: Entire back of hand including fingers and fingertips
- Price: $119.99
Pros
- Touchscreen capability
- Slim profile
Cons
The Savior Heat glove liners have the best touchscreen capability and a slim profile. The long cuff and slender, single battery make it easy to forget you even have a battery on your wrist. They’re also a great value, not just because they’re the least expensive on this list, but because you can layer these liners underneath your favorite winter glove. The control button allows you to toggle through three heat settings and see the battery level. They are the second warmest liner I tested, and will feel even warmer underneath another glove or mitten.
Best Design: Outdoor Research Sureshot Heated Softshell Glove
Key Features
- Heat Settings: Three
- Battery Life: 2 hours on high
- Heat Zones: Not listed, but individual fingers are heated
- Price: $269
Pros
Cons
- Only lasts two hours on high
The Outdoor Research Sureshots had the best touchscreen capability out of the full glove options on this list. They also look and feel sleek. Two small, connected batteries plug into a zipper pocket on the underside of your wrist, out of the way of any tasks you might need to perform. The three heat settings each have a different color: high is red, medium is yellow, and low is green. They only last two hours on the highest setting, but the EnduraLoft insulation is comfortable and warm on its own. The heat zones were the least warm in the full glove category, but I think their slim profile, quality construction, and weather resistance makes them a great option for anyone planning on using them while active, like snowshoeing or hiking.
Therm-ic Ultra Boost Heat Gloves
Key Features
- Heat Settings: Three
- Battery Life: 2.5 hours on high
- Heat Zones: 360 degrees around fingers and back of hand
- Price: $429.95
Pros
- PFC-free DWR coating
- Wrist strap
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Wall block not included
- Hand wash only
Therm-ic’s Ultra Boost heated gloves were the second warmest full glove option. The two small, connected batteries in each glove aren’t obtrusive and they lasted 2.5 hours on the highest setting. These gloves are weatherproof and feature a wrist strap making them good for skiing. While I hesitate to call any product using a lithium battery eco-friendly, I love that Therm-ic is using 73 percent recycled polyester in the shell, 28 percent recycled polyester in the lining, and 90 percent recycled polyester Primaloft insulation.
eWool Heated Glove Liners with SnapConnect
Key Features
- Heat Settings: Three
- Battery Life: 2 hours on high
- Heat Zones: Individually heated fingers
- Price: $339
Pros
- Touchscreen compatible
- Charge entire glove without removing batteries
- Machine washable
Cons
- Too hot on the highest setting
The eWool glove liner was the hottest liner I tested, too hot actually. I was uncomfortable having my bare skin in this glove at the highest setting. But I can fit a thin pair of knit gloves underneath which makes all the difference. The eWool still felt like the warmest glove liner on the normal setting, too. When you toggle through the three heat settings on the glove (low, normal, and high) the glove vibrates, which I love because you can’t unknowingly change your setting by bumping the control button into something. The highest setting produces a red light and vibrates three times. The normal setting is a white light with two vibrations and the low is pulsating white light with one vibration. I don’t love that the normal and low settings are both the same color light, as opposed to a different color for each setting on other models, but the vibrations are awesome.
The long cuff and thin battery aren’t obtrusive, and if it’s under a jacket, I would forget I even had a battery on my wrist, which is the highest compliment for heated apparel. You also don’t have to take the battery out of the glove to charge it. Simply snap the charging cord onto the port under the control button. These gloves are very warm and last two hours on the highest setting, which I will likely never need anyway, extending their battery life on the normal setting only.
Fieldsheer Heated Glove Liner
Key Features
- Heat Settings: Four
- Battery Life: 2.5 hours
- Heat Zones: Outside perimeter of fingers
- Price: $129.99
Pros
- Touchscreen thumb and index finger tips
- Grippy material on palm
Cons
- Bulky battery compartment
The Fieldsheer heated glove liners have four heat settings, each designated by a different color. The batteries lasted a solid two and a half hours. But, the battery compartment is bulky with two batteries in each glove. I can feel them pressed against my wrist and I’m very aware they’re there. It also makes it more difficult to layer another glove on top. These liners were also the least warm. But I like the grippy material on the palm and they are touchscreen compatible. If you’re looking for light heat and to utilize a liner without layering another glove on top, these are a great choice.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Heated Gloves
Warmth
Obviously, if you’re buying heated gloves, you are concerned with warmth. I’d like to caution against relying solely on heated gloves for warmth in the backcountry. Any battery-powered device is subject to failure. Maybe you spill your water bottle on the battery pack; maybe it dies. Maybe a squirrel chews through the wire. You never know what can happen, and a heated vest is not an excuse to layer improperly. If you’re wearing heated gloves into the backcountry, treat them as normal gloves without a heating element, or bring an extra pair.
Battery Life
Take into account the battery life so you’re not left freezing.
Sizing
If you want to wear a glove liner underneath one of the best heated gloves, I’d recommend sizing up. Similarly, if you plan on buying heated glove liners to go under your favorite winter gloves, you might size down for a snug fit.
FAQs
Q: How long do heated gloves stay warm?
On the highest setting, the best heated gloves stay warm for two to two and a half hours, but you can prolong the battery life by only turning them on when you need them or choosing a lower heat setting.
Q: Are heated gloves waterproof?
The best heated gloves are waterproof, but the heated glove liners are not, because they’re designed to be worn underneath a waterproof pair.
Q: Are heated gloves durable?
The glove options on this list are durable and you’re meant to enjoy any snow sport you typically would while wearing them, except if you’re recreating in avalanche terrain. If you’re wearing an avalanche locator beacon, the extra batteries in heated apparel can affect rescuers’ attempts to find you. Only wear heated apparel in the front country. The heated glove liners on this list are also less durable, because they’re designed to be worn underneath a more durable pair of winter gloves.
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Final Thoughts on the Best Heated Gloves
Heated gloves are a great way to conquer cold and stiff fingers in the winter months. I’ve used all of the gloves on this list in the front country and performed controlled tests on their heat and battery levels to determine the best winter gloves for various activities and individuals.
