Cold hands end the day early.
In short: for most people, battery heated gloves with the heating running into the fingers are the best all-round choice: no cable, warm fingertips, several heat levels. Heated mittens are warmer but less nimble. Heated liner gloves are thin and go under your own gloves. USB gloves suit the desk more than the dog walk, and 12 V gloves are made for motorbikes with a power connection. For the slopes, choose a ski glove with a long cuff.
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We compare glove types here, not brands. Gløde sells one heated glove, Øven, and we use it as a reference where it helps. Everything else is based on how each type works.
The types compared
| Type | Power | Warmth | Dexterity | Best for | Less suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery heated gloves | Rechargeable battery in the cuff | Good, often up to the fingertips | Good | Walking, cycling, stadium, work outside | Very long days without spare batteries |
| Heated mittens | Rechargeable battery | Warmest | Limited | Standing still in the cold, winter sports | Fiddly jobs, cycling |
| Heated liner gloves | Small battery or USB | Mild on their own, strong as a layer | Very good | Under your own gloves, photography, light work | Wet weather on their own |
| USB heated gloves | Cable to power bank or computer | Mild | Good, but tethered | Desk, reading, a cold home office | Moving around outdoors |
| 12 V motorcycle gloves | Bike's electrical system | Strong while riding | Good on the bars | Motorbike riders in winter | Anything off the bike |
| Heated ski gloves | Rechargeable battery | Good, long cuff | Moderate | Skiing, snowboarding, snow | City use; often bulky |
What to look for
Where the heat goes
Fingers get cold first. Gloves that only heat the back of the hand feel warm on the wrist while your fingertips freeze. Check whether the heating runs along the fingers and around the thumb.
Heat levels and temperature
Three levels is common. You use the highest to warm up and a lower level to stay warm. Øven, for example, has three levels between 35 and 50 °C.
Runtime and batteries
Runtime depends on the heat level and battery size. Øven runs 2–5 hours, with one pair of 3,000 mAh batteries included. For long days, spare batteries or a lower setting make the difference.
Water and wind
Wet gloves feel cold fast, heated or not. A water- and windproof outer layer keeps the heat where it belongs. Øven is water- and windproof.
Fit and cuff
Too tight and the heat struggles to spread, too loose and cold air gets in. A cuff that fits over or under your sleeve keeps drafts out. Wrist straps help you take gloves off without dropping them.
Washing
Always remove the batteries first and follow the care label. Many heated gloves are hand wash only. Let them dry completely before you switch them on again.
Type by type
Battery heated gloves
The all-rounder. Batteries sit in a pocket at the cuff, so you are free to move. They are the logical choice for walking the dog, cycling to work, watching a match or working outside. The downside is weight at the wrist and the need to charge.
Heated mittens
Fingers together stay warmer than fingers apart, so mittens are warmer at the same heat level. They are great for standing still on a cold stand or a frozen lake. You lose grip and precision, so taking out keys or a phone means taking them off.
Heated liner gloves
Thin gloves with heating, worn under a normal glove or on their own on dry days. They give the best dexterity. On their own they are less protected against rain and wind. Under a good shell they are a flexible layering system.
USB heated gloves
Usually fingerless or thin gloves with a cable to a USB port. Handy at a cold desk. Outdoors the cable is in the way, which makes them a niche choice.
12 V motorcycle gloves
Wired to the motorbike, so they stay warm as long as you ride. Many riders compare them with heated grips. Grips warm the palms; gloves warm the back of the hand and fingers as well. Off the bike they need a separate battery, if they have one at all.
Heated ski gloves
A ski glove with heating: long cuff over the jacket sleeve, insulation, and batteries that can handle snow. For the slopes, read our separate guide to the best heated ski gloves.
Normal gloves with hand warmers
Disposable or rechargeable hand warmers in an ordinary glove are a cheap starting point. The warmth is local and hard to control. Heated gloves spread the heat more evenly and let you turn it up or down.
Which type for which situation?
- Dog walks and school runs: battery heated gloves.
- Cycling to work: battery gloves with a good grip and a windproof outer layer.
- Stadium, sideline, ice fishing: heated mittens, or battery gloves on a high setting.
- Working outside: battery gloves, or liners under your work gloves for more dexterity.
- Photography and hunting: heated liners, possibly under a mitten you can pull off quickly.
- Skiing: heated ski gloves.
- Motorbike: 12 V gloves or heated grips.
- Home office: USB gloves.
Warm hands are only half the story on a cold day. A heated vest keeps your core warm, which makes a long outing a lot more comfortable. Cold feet? Read our guide to the best heated socks.
Safety basics
Start on a low level and turn it up if you need to. Take the gloves off or lower the level if they feel too hot. Use the charger that comes with the batteries, and do not charge damaged batteries. Keep the batteries dry and remove them before washing.
What Gløde offers today
Øven is our heated glove: three heat levels from 35 to 50 °C, water- and windproof, wrist straps, one pair of 3,000 mAh batteries and a storage pouch included. Runtime is 2–5 hours depending on the heat level.
See all heated gloves, or compare vests in our heated vest comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best heated gloves?
For most people, battery heated gloves with heating into the fingers, a water- and windproof outer layer and several heat levels. For standing still in serious cold, heated mittens are warmer. For skiing, choose a heated ski glove with a long cuff.
How long do heated gloves stay warm?
It depends on the heat level and the batteries. Øven runs 2–5 hours on one charge. The lowest setting lasts longest; spare batteries help on long days.
Are heated mittens warmer than heated gloves?
Usually yes. Fingers together lose less heat than fingers apart. The trade-off is dexterity: with mittens, fiddly jobs mean taking them off.
Heated gloves or heated grips on a motorbike?
Heated grips warm your palms and stay on the bike. 12 V heated gloves also warm the back of your hands and your fingers, but need a connection to the bike. Some riders use both.
Heated gloves or glove liners?
Liners are thin and give the best dexterity, and you can wear them under your own gloves. Complete heated gloves are warmer on their own and better protected against wind and rain.
Can I wash heated gloves?
Remove the batteries first and follow the care label. Many heated gloves are hand wash only. Let them dry completely before you switch them on again.
Are heated gloves waterproof?
Not all of them. Check the product information. Øven is water- and windproof. Keep the batteries dry either way.
Gløde — warm the person, not the room.
