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If you’re someone with Raynaud’s Disease or someone who frequently deals with cold hands and fingers (like me), a quality pair of heated gloves can help you feel more comfortable. With so many options available, you may start to feel overwhelmed when shopping. However, you can take a breath as there are a plethora of high-quality heated gloves to choose from. All you have to do is find the pair that fits your needs. A pair for outdoor work is going to be very different than a pair designed to hit the slopes, for example.
To learn more about what you should look for to find the best heated gloves, we also spoke with Kaitlin Neiswenter, OTR/L, an occupational therapist at South Shore Family Health in Hicksville, New York, Dusan Sajic, MD, PhD a board-certified dermatologist at DéRMA Skin Institute and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at McMaster University, Kunal Malik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology, and Alexandra Kharazi, MS, MD, FACS, a cardiothoracic surgeon and author of “The Heart of Fear.”
If you want heated gloves without breaking the bank, I recommend the Autocastle Electric Battery Heated Gloves. They cost just under $30 and will keep your hands warm. Although they don’t come with batteries, you'll need AA batteries to power them up, preferably rechargeable lithium-ion. Since they only come in one size, review the size chart before buying.
For under $30, these heated gloves will keep your hands warm and do so without going over your budget.
If you spend a lot of time skiing, add these heated ski gloves from AKASO to your gear. They heat hands using carbon fiber and 7.4V rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. They’re waterproof and contain a palm made from no-slip fabric, so you can easily grip your poles. Plus, they are lightweight weighing only 0.87 kilograms, so you won’t feel weighed down when making your way down the slopes.
These heated gloves are suitable for skiers as they contain a no-slip grip and waterproof fabric.
If you’re shopping for winter jackets and coats for men, don’t forget these ActionHeat Battery Heated Gloves. Unlike some other pairs of heated gloves, this pair’s heating system is located along the thumb and fingers. Since they’re battery-operated, they come with a charger kit and a waterproof, zippered pocket where you can place the batteries.
These heated gloves for men are equipped with several safety features that’ll keep the wearer both safe and warm.
Cyclists who spend lots of time outdoors especially during the colder months should buy these Day Wolf Heated Glove Liners. Since they’re thin, you’ll barely notice they’re on your hands, but you’ll appreciate the up to 150°F of warmth they can bring. It’s easy to toggle between settings, so you won’t have to worry too much about doing so mid-ride. These gloves also come with a storage box where they can be held when you’re not on your bicycle.
Since these gloves are thin, they’re fitting for cyclers who are looking to keep their hands warm.
Motorcyclists will appreciate these gloves from Kemimoto. Made with composite silk heating elements, these heated gloves can warm your hands anywhere from 104°F (when kept on its low setting) and 150°F (when kept on its high setting) while you ride. For gloves that are ready to go before your ride, you can easily preheat them in under five minutes. If you encounter inclement weather, they’re equipped with a waterproof layer to keep your hands dry.
These heated gloves are great for motorcyclists, as they can be preheated and are waterproof.
These are the best heated gloves that'll keep your fingertips warm. You’ll notice heat circulating to your fingertips within 30 seconds after turning them on. At the lowest setting, they can last up to 6.5 hours when fully charged. In addition to their adjustable velcro wristband, they contain a windproof buckle.
These heated gloves will keep hands (and fingertips) warm for up to 6.5 hours on its lowest setting.
If you’re shopping for heated gloves with great value, the ORORO Heated Gloves are just that. These warm in seconds via the power of 7.4V CE lithium ion batteries and their durable carbon fiber heating element. They’re easy to adjust, as there’s velcro stationed near each of the cuffs which can be tightened or loosened as desired.
These heated gloves offer great value with regard to their heat settings and adjustability.
These heated mittens are made from comfortable polyester fleece and you’ll start to feel the heat within three seconds of turning them on. Since the thumb is the area that typically needs the most heat, these gloves are designed so the thumb receives double the heat of the rest of the glove. They’ll stay on thanks to their anti-lost clip and come with a carrying bag.
This pair of heated mittens starts heating within three seconds of being turned on and provides extra heat to the thumb region.
If your job requires you to endure cold weather for an extended period of time, you will appreciate these gloves. They offer four heat settings (as opposed to three, like many other heated gloves) and can reach temperatures above 150°F via their Zero Layer technology. You can rest assured that unwanted cold air won’t find its way onto your hands thanks to their elastic cinch cord.
If your job requires you to be outside in the cold, these leather gloves with four heat settings and an elastic cinch cord can help keep your hands warm.
If your hands spend a lot of time in extremely cold conditions, consider adding these to your cart. Easy to turn on and off with a click of a button, they can reach up to 140°F. Although they’re on the pricier side, they’re made from 40% lambskin, have three heat settings, and the heat lasts for up to 7 hours. They also heat your entire hand (including your fingertips) as opposed to just the back of your hand, which is a bonus.
These heated gloves will keep hands warm as they heat the entire hand instead of only a portion.
To organize our list of the best heated gloves, we chatted with dermatologists, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and an occupational therapist about their expert recommendations as well as factors to keep in mind when shopping for heated gloves. These factors include battery life, fit, material, and temperature range. We also conducted online research to supplement our experts’ recommendations with some additional picks based on product details and customer reviews.
Fit is important when determining which pair of heated gloves to buy. Dr. Sajic recommends reviewing size charts, as they may vary by brand. Although most heated gloves are available in sizes S - XL, some offer gloves in XXS, XXL, XXXL or one size. Measure your hand and use the hand dimensions as the most accurate sizing guide, suggests Kharazi. If you feel any pressure on your hands, the gloves are too tight.
The temperature range of the heated gloves you purchase, “depends on the intended use of the glove and the climate you’ll be in,” explains Dr. Kharazi. Most heated gloves provide heat between 100° and 140°F while others deviate by a couple of degrees. If you’re going to be in a cold environment, you may want to opt for heated gloves with a temperature range that’s a bit wider. However, Dr. Sajic adds that if a shopper has a medical condition such as Raynaud’s Disease, it could impact the temperature range that’s healthiest for them. It’s always a best practice to consult with your physician before buying a pair of heated gloves.
The battery life of a pair of heated gloves will depend on its mAh, the setting you keep your gloves, and the length of time they’re powered on. "Usually the highest setting will also drain your battery the quickest. You may want to plan accordingly and also test out on certain temperature ranges at home for increasing periods of time,” says Dr. Sajic.
Pay attention to the materials that comprise the pair of heated gloves you plan on buying. “Make sure the materials aren’t too thick so that you can still be agile with your hands and have good movement, especially if you’re performing activities that require more precision,” says Neiswenter. You should also ensure you’re not allergic to any of the materials. The gloves you opt for should be dependent on “the specific skin sensitivity that you have,” says Dr. Kharazi. ”Different materials feel good to different people.” And making sure the heated gloves are water-resistant is important, especially if you’ll wear them outside.
The difference between heated gloves and heated glove liners is heated glove liners are thinner and worn usually under another pair of unheated gloves. Heated gloves acquire their heat from a heating element and tend to be bulkier as a result. They also often contain padding.
There isn’t one right answer when it comes to whether gloves or mittens are better. They both have their advantages and disadvantages and this answer will depend on what you’re looking for and what activities you plan on participating in when wearing them. “If you’re working a lot with your hands and need finger movement, gloves are the better option because you are going to get finger dexterity,” says Neiswenter. “You’ll also have better coordination with gloves on than you would with a mitten.” If you plan on relaxing or simply wearing a pair without being super active, mittens can be a viable option. Neiswenter adds, “You’ll still have thumb action and be able to grab things like a cup of coffee.”
Heated gloves can be safe if equipped with safety features and used as directed. That said, keep an eye out to see if the gloves you're considering meet UL and/or Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards, as those pairs tend to be safer. Monitor their temperature, “as they may overheat and cause a burn,” says Dr. Sajic. In other words, if you’re not careful with the temperature near your skin and the time you’re doing so, you could risk getting burned.
The way heated gloves should fit depends on how you plan to use them. “They shouldn’t be too big,” says Neiswenter. “There shouldn’t be enough finger space where you’re not able to grab things accordingly, and you still want to have good coordination and dexterity of your fingers.” However, heated gloves shouldn’t be too tight either.
Heated gloves are worth buying, especially if you spend a lot of time outside in cold weather or have Raynaud’s Disease as they can help manage symptoms. “Heated gloves can help manage Raynaud's symptoms by providing a consistent source of warmth and thereby preventing the frequency and severity of vasospasm attacks which are triggered by [the] cold,” explains Dr. Malik.
People with arthritis may experience increased tightness and achiness as a result of being cold. They should prioritize warmth and flexible gloves to decrease the amount of motion restriction.
AKASO Heated Ski Gloves are one of the best battery-powered gloves for skiing because they’re waterproof but breathable and lightweight. At the lowest heat setting, they stay warm for 6 to 8 hours. At the highest setting, expect them to be warm for 2 to 3 hours. These gloves are also touchscreen compatible.
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