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Best heated gilets to keep you warm this winter

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From USB rechargeable designs to battery powered heated vests Safety Gloves

Best heated gilets to keep you warm this winter

Winter has arrived and we are desperately layering on our thermals, thickest padded coats, hats, scarves and gloves for any outdoor activities, and even when we're inside we won't be without some of those extra layers.

If you're anything like us and feel the cold, or you're off skiing or to even colder climates, a heated gilet may be worth investing in.

Heated gilets, or heated vests, do what they say on the tin - they have been designed with heating components, which may be battery powered or rechargeable via a USB port and power pack, to insulate you even more than a standard gilet or jacket, which is perfect for those who truly feel the cold.

Heated gilets are a genius invention, in our opinion, and a welcome addition to the collection of heated blankets for the home and heated gloves we already own and refuse to leave the house without in sub-zero temperatures (or, quite frankly, anything below 10 degrees.)

Heated gilets come in a variety of styles, as well as mechanisms, some may be battery powered, others feature a rechargeable USB port to boost its juices and heat the wearer once again.

Gilets in themselves can be worn alone over tops, and jumpers, or sandwiched between thermals and a thick quilted jacket for extra warmth, and the same applies to heated gilets. It all depends on how cold you feel.

While many may wear outdoors, some may turn to the layering item indoors, especially with the cost of living crisis seeing electricity bills sky rocket.

A heated gilet is a genius take on the classic gilet, which is a sleeveless outerwear design, but with built-in heating mechanisms to keep the wearer extra warm when the temperature drops.

Some heated gilets may be battery powered, others require a USB port to recharge the battery using a power bank you may also use to recharge your smart phone.

A heated gilet works in a similar way to heated gloves and heated blankets, as they provide extra insulation, but are still safe to wear and do not cause burns on the skin, as they feature a cut off period, and some have controlled temperatures too.

Some may wear a heated gilet on its own over a long sleeve top, or jumper, while others may layer it over thermals, jumpers and knitwear, but under a thick jacket, for extra warmth. How you wear yours is up to you, as long as it keeps you warm.

Heated gilets, and heated jackets, work in a similar way to heated gloves, our beloved heated blankets.

Depending on the design some heated gilets may have battery powered or rechargeable heat mechanisms inside, which slowly warm up to heat the wearer.

A heated gilet is typically lined with a heating zone, which can be controlled by a switch, or warm up over time only to reach a maximum temperature before automatically cooling down after hours of wear.

Some designs may feature the battery pack inside a pocket of the design for you to control the settings, including the on and off feature.

As the heated mechanisms are fitted inside the jacket they are safe to wear and are not providing heat directly to the skin.

Most heated gilets can last for six to 10 hours, depending on the design and battery life, though as the battery starts to die the temperature may ebb.

Yes, mostly heated gilets are safe to wear and have been tried and tested by manufacturers.

As the heat components are built into the jacket, or gilet, they are not directly touching the skin to avoid any harm, such as burns.

Heated gilets are worn over clothing, which also makes them safe to wear indoors and outdoors.

We have searched high and low to find the top rated and bestselling heated gilets to keep your warm this winter, and many more cold seasons to come.

With over 6,000 Temu Heated Gilet's sold, according to the website, it's a bestselling winter warmer to have on your radar for the colder months.

This layering essential comes in sizes small to XXL, features a collar to prevent any draughts creeping down your neck, plus it's a fitted design to keep the warmth in.

It features five heat panels, including two at the back, two in the pocket, as well as around the collar for added warmth. The heat can range from 35 to 55 degrees, plus it features water resistant exterior to keep you warm and dry whatever the weather.

The Ororo Women's Heated Vest boasts four carbon fiber heating elements, which are spread across the collar, back, the front chest area for necessary warmth. While the three heat setting scan be easily adjusted by a button.

It is super fast heating, and can keep you warm for up to 10 hours, after one charge using the USB port, which is also compatible for charging smartphones.

It is available in sizes extra small to extra large, and is safe to wash in the washing machine too.

The SOLJIKYE Heated Gilet is another hugely popular heated vest available to shop on Amazon, and for under the £50 price tag.

This creation is fast heating, and provides hours of warmth after being charged via a USB. Plus, it has an automatic shut off, unlike other designs, which kicks in after two and a half hours of inactivity for extra safety.

This gilet features two side pockets to keep your hands warm, comes in sizes small to 3XL, and has been UL, CE and FCC certified safe to use.

The Jkevow Heated Vest is a unisex design, which has garnered over 7,000 glowing reviews from shoppers - some of which have hailed as 'stylish and warm'.

This vest features five heating zones, spread across the back, stomach and waist, which can be tailored across three heat settings, ranging from 40 up to 55 degrees.

The Jkevow Heated Vest is compatible with a power bank with 2A/2.1A USB output port, however, this design does not come with the power bank.

Milwaukee's Heated Gilet is powered by 'M12 battery with carbon fibre heating elements', which heat the chest, back and shoulders for a run time of up to 11 hours after one charge.

The one touch controller makes it super easy to adjust the heat settings from low, medium to high, while the durable polyester fabric, which is super lightweight, has been reinforced around the shoulders to keep the wearer extra warm.

The LITZEE Heated Vest has a unique twist on the heated gilets, as this design allows the wearer to control each heated area independently, which is ideal for those who may feel the chill down their neck and back more so than their chest.

This design boasts a four-way stretch, which provides extra comfort, and flexibility. To heat up simply charge via a USB cable, which can be stored neatly away in a zip up pocket.

It also features three temperature settings, is lightweight , insulating, machine washable, and affordable for under £50 now it's on sale.

While The Range has listed this Heated Body Warmer for men's, it is unisex, as we would certainly buy and wear it, the only different is it is not a fitted design like some womenswear items.

This creation is powered by a power bank, which is not included, and after a full charge it can heat the wearer for up to eight hours.

If you are looking for a cost-effective winter warmer, this may just be the answer.

The HeatexApparel Heated Gilet has garnered high praise from shoppers with some hailing it 'versatile and cosy', while others praised it as a 'stylish solution' when the cold weather hits.

This creation heats up in under one minute, and at the touch of a button, though when the battery starts to deplete you can recharge with a USB, which is ideal for those on the go, or travelling.

Not only is this gilet insulating, it is also waterproof, windproof and snowproof, so rest assured you will be 'warm as toast' on the slopes.

We know Regatta's design is not a sleeveless gilet, but it is a heated jacket, which is equally as desirable, if not more so when the cold strikes.

This parka is longline and falls mid-way down the thigh, has long sleeves, as well as a collar and fur lined hood to keep the wearer extra warm - and that's before we mention the heated feature.

Inside a pocket you will find the USB port to connect to a 5V USB power bank with a minimum output of 2.1A, though this is sold separately. The battery powered heating system, combined with Regatta's waterproof and windproof Isotex shell fabric, and Thermoguard insulation will leave you warm enough to face the coldest of temperatures.

The Thermo Heated Gilet is a stylish design with a quilted exterior, zip front fastening, concealed side zip pockets and a collar to keep you warm.

However, the mechanics are equally as impressive, as it features three temperature settings, heat sections that run from the top to the bottom of the gilet on both the front and back of the layering essential, activated by the touch of a button situated on the front of this creation.

This gilet is waterproof, windproof, snowproof, and super insulating for over eight hours of warmth when worn continuously.

The Gobi Heat Dune Women's Heated Bodywarmer is selling out due to popular demand, and we are not surprised.

This creation has three heat zones across the chest and back, which can be adjusted across a low, medium and high heat.

After three to four hours of charge, which requires the Lithium Polymer battery, wearers will have up to 10 hours of warmth in the insulated, wind and water resistant gilet.

Bertschat is one of the more luxe heated gilets available to buy, but is well worth the investment.

The body warmer features a zip front fastening, and some may notice it does not feature a round neck, collar, or padded exterior like other labels.

For those looking for an extra insulating heated gilet, this is the hero item your cold fingers will thank you for, as it features an impressive 10 heating zones across the front and back of the design. There are two buttons to control the heat settings, which correspond to the front and back sections, so you can heat your body all at once or tailor to your needs.

This gilet comes with two standard battery packs, but shoppers can opt for the Extra Powerpack to stay warmer for longer.

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Best heated gilets to keep you warm this winter

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