The 6 Best Heated Socks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Do your frosty feet a favor this winter
Need a warmth boost to your feet on the most frigid winter days? We hear you. For some, heated socks are a luxury addition to a cold-weather wardrobe; for winter sports enthusiasts or those that work outside in subzero conditions, they're a comfort essential. Whichever camp you fall into, if you're looking for extra-cozy feet we’ve got you covered. We researched 15 of the best heated socks and put them to the test in our New York City lab. We evaluated each for ease of use, heating efficiency, design, comfort, and value. The top performers are listed below.
Best Overall: Sun Will Electrically Heated Socks
What We Like
Easy and intuitive heating
Sleek battery is hardly noticeable
Very comfortable
What We Don't Like
Could be stretchier
Not particularly breathable
Sun Will’s Electrically Heated Socks were our testers’ top overall pick for a variety of reasons. First, we loved how intuitive and easy the socks were to charge and heat. It took about two minutes for our testers to really start feeling the warmth. The battery pocket and batteries are discrete and slim. “I really like that I don't have to take the battery pack out of the pocket to turn it on or off or to adjust the heat levels,” our tester reported. “This makes it so easy and convenient.”
While we see these as the best overall socks, if you’re looking for heated socks for higher-output activities, check out one of the picks below. The 80-percent cotton construction doesn’t bode well for wicking moisture (potentially leading to sweaty feet), and our testers reported that the socks were tough to pull all the way up, especially around larger calves.
That said, if you’re looking for a cozy pair of socks to wear around the house or lodge, to soccer games or festivals, or on light hikes, these are an excellent all-around pair.
Price at time of publish: $77
Sizes: S to XL | Temperature Settings: 115 to 120 (low), 140 to 150 (medium), 155 to 160 (high) degrees F | Run Times: 6.5 (low), 3 (medium), 2 (high) hours | Materials: 80 percent cotton, 12 percent polyester, 8 percent elastane
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Day Wolf Heated Socks for Men and Women, Electric
What We Like
Very easy to use
Slim battery and pocket
Features graduated compression
What We Don't Like
Lags a bit on lower settings
Built with similar construction to the Sun Will socks, the Day Wolf Heated Socks also impressed our testers with their design features and comfort. In particular, our testers loved the discrete batteries, contained in a small snap pocket on the side of the sock. “I love the design of the socks. The compact and thin battery sits in a buttoned pocket off to the side, and it's barely noticeable,” a tester reported. “It feels secure in the pocket, and I like that it doesn't bulge out like other socks we tested. I thought the height of the socks was really nice, hitting just the top of my knee.”
The socks took a bit longer than others to heat on medium mode—it took 15 minutes for the testers to feel the heat fully. But on high, the socks heated up rapidly. “These socks are a nice weight that isn't too thick or too thin. I think they provide good cushion and coziness,” one tester said. “I would definitely wear these socks skiing this winter as they don't feel like they would bunch up or cause chafing.”
Price at time of publish: $80
Sizes: S to XL | Temperature Settings: Not listed | Run Times: 5 to 7 (low), 3.5 to 4.5 (medium), 2 to 3.5 (high) hours | Materials: 80 percent cotton, 12 percent polyester, 8 percent elastane
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Best Budget: Templus Electrically Heated Socks
What We Like
Range of temperature settings
Excellent design
Good value
What We Don't Like
Just one size
Slow to warm compared to others
Our testers enjoyed these easy-to-use and comfortable budget socks from Templus. They have four heat settings and claim to reach up to 158 degrees F. (We recorded them at 118 degrees three hours into testing.) Our testers found them very easy to use and enjoyed the design. “These socks are great considering their low price point,” our tester said. “The design is good; they're not super warm but warm enough for the price point.”
Our testers weren’t overly impressed by how long it took the socks to warm up. But, for the cost, these are excellent socks and ideal for those not wanting to spend as much or others who only plan on using the socks a few times a season.
Price at time of publish: $40
Sizes: L, XXL | Temperature Settings: 99 to 111 (low), 111 to 129 (medium), 129 to 147 (high), 147 to 158 (extreme cold) degrees F | Run Times: 14 to 17 (low), 6 to 7 (medium), 3.5 to 4 (high), 2.5 to 3 (extreme cold) hours | Materials: 52.5 percent nylon, 22.5 percent viscose, 15 percent spandex, 10 percent polyester
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Related: The 7 Best Heated Gloves of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Value: Weefun Heated Socks
What We Like
Long run time
Multiple temperature settings
Thick, plushy material
What We Don't Like
Just one size
Slow to heat on most settings
These value socks from Weefun feature four power settings and claim to have a battery life of up to 18 hours on the lowest setting. They also claim to reach 161 degrees F on the highest setting. Our testers got them to 120 degrees after running them for three hours.
“I didn't feel too much heat on the medium setting, but when I went up to the second-highest setting, I felt the heat right away all around my foot,” a tester reported. “They're extremely cozy. I had them on the medium setting for the ice bath and got a little chilly, but since there are two higher settings, I'm not too worried about that. Overall I love that these have a variety of temperature settings that you can toggle between based on how active you're being at any given moment.”
Our testers thought these would be good socks for lower-output activities but were concerned about how their bulk would fit into ski boots. Overall, though, like the budget options above, these socks offer good value especially for someone only planning on using them a few times a year.
Price at time of publish: $46
Sizes: L | Temperature Settings: 97 to 103 (low), 106 to 114 (medium), 137 to 143 (high), 155 to 161 (extreme cold) degrees F | Run Times: 15 to 18 (low), 7 to 8 (medium), 4 to 5(high), 3 to 3.5 (extreme cold) hours | Materials: 78 percent cotton, 12 percent polyester, 10 percent elastane
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Related: The 8 Best Heated Vests of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Winter Sports : Savior Heat Rechargeable Heated Socks for Men and Women
What We Like
Well-designed battery and storage
Easy to operate
Good padding and compression
What We Don't Like
On the pricier side
These polyester and elastane heated socks from Savior Heat are comfy and well designed. Featuring three heat settings and up to nine hours of battery life, our testers were impressed by how quickly the socks warmed up. “These socks are designed to keep battery packs protected and secure in their pockets; the button is easily accessible but not cumbersome,” our tester reported. “The batteries themselves are lightweight, slim—I barely notice they're there. The socks are nicely cushioned at the balls of the feet and toes, the socks are thick and stay up well, and offer a good amount of compression on the calves.”
While these socks are on the pricier end our testers thought they were worth the cost, especially if the user plans on using them for high-impact winter activities. “These socks would be great for skiing, snowboarding, hiking in the snow, and extreme winter sports, since the battery pack is really secure,” our tester concluded.
Price at time of publish: $80
Sizes: S to XL | Temperature Settings: 95 (low), 113 (medium), 140 (high) degrees F | Run Times: 8 to 9 (low), 4 to 5 (medium), 2 to 3 (high) hours | Materials: 92 percent polyester, 8 percent elastane
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Related: The 7 Best Heated Jackets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Work: Snow Deer Rechargeable Battery Electric Heated Socks
What We Like
Held up well to ice bucket test
Intuitive design
Sleek, streamlined construction
What We Don't Like
Took a while to heat
From the initial setup to the ice bucket submersion test, our testers really enjoyed these synthetic socks from Snow Deer, which have three heat settings. “The socks are super easy to use and only have four bullet points in the instructions, which is more than sufficient,” our tester reported. “A button on the socks operates the on/off and temperature settings. One long press turns the socks on, a short press takes the sock from high to medium, and one more short press takes the sock from medium to low.”
Our testers didn’t feel much heat initially, and the heat they did feel seemed focused on the toes. However, they reported the socks performing particularly well when worn with boots and submerged in ice. “While my ankles did feel cool, my toes stayed warm, which is particularly valuable to me since I have Raynaud's syndrome,” our tester said. “The heating focuses on the toes, bottom and top.”
Lastly, our testers liked how well the socks fit with boots and other shoes. “I think this sock would be great for most people who live in cold environments or frequently travel in cold environments,” a tester concluded. “The socks are not bulky and could be worn under most regular clothes, as well as under snow pants or active winter wear. I would particularly recommend these for folks with Raynaud's since they definitely help maintain a consistent temperature in the toes.”
Price at time of publish: $80
Sizes: S to XL | Temperature Settings: Not listed | Run Times: 6.5 (low), 3 to 3.5 (medium), 2 (high) hours | Materials: 55 percent cotton, 12 percent polyester, 8 percent elastane
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Final Verdict
Nobody likes cold feet, whether you're shoveling snow, spending the day on the slopes, or sightseeing in winter. The Sun Will Electrically Heated Socks were our favorite, with three temperature settings and batteries so slim you may forget you're wearing them. For the occasional cold-weather adventurer, the Templus Electrically Heated Socks offer great value for money.
Other Heated Socks We Tested
Autocastle Battery Powered Heated Socks: Our testers had high hopes for these socks, particularly for active pursuits, because of their breathable materials. But no dice, as they heated so minimally they were barely warmer than regular socks.
Dr. Warm Remote Control Heated Socks: These socks tested well, and our testers recommend them for those willing to spend up to $100. However, we didn't feel their performance was outstanding enough to justify the expense and earn a place on our list.
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Gobi Heat Tread Heated Socks: At $179, these socks are double the price of many on our list but didn't heat up as quickly or stay as warm throughout the testing period.
Rabbitroom Heated Socks Women Electric Battery Socks: These socks are lightweight, affordable and made from sleek, comfy fabric. Alas, our testers could not get them to heat particularly well.
ActionHeat Heated Socks: These ActionHeat socks require six AA batteries. We cannot recommend these in a world where rechargeable lithium batteries exist.
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Spring Shop Heated Socks: Of all the socks we tested, these were one of only two pairs that did not get above 100 degrees F during our testing process.
Black Squid Rechargeable Heated Socks for Men and Women: These socks were soft and comfy but not overly warm, which excluded them from our final selection.
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Product Selection
We selected products primarily based on internet research. We looked at top-rated socks on e-commerce sites like Amazon and other prominent publications. We also relied on the expertise of our editors and testing teams to draw from brands we’ve used or tested in the past. Once we created an initial list of socks, the selection was narrowed down to those mentioned above. We finalized socks to test based on creating a list that catered to various functions and price points.
How We Tested
All socks were tested by the team at our New York City testing lab. We first removed the socks from the packaging and ensured we had everything needed to charge the batteries and turn the socks on. We timed how long the socks took to heat, taking temperature readings at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 3 hours.
Testers put rain boots on over the socks and walked around the testing lab to test their comfort. Then, we placed our feet in a tub of ice for 10 minutes. Another temperature measurement and comfort test took place after the submersion test. We rated the socks on a five-point scale for ease of use, design, comfort, warmth, and value. Those scores were averaged to determine our overall winners.
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
What to Look For in Heated Socks
Heating Time and Temperature
Look for the socks' heating time and temperature range in the product description (bearing in mind that this info is not always accurate). Still, it will give you a general idea. Are you planning on using the socks in seriously cold conditions? Go with socks that have a quick heating time and a higher maximum temperature. Those socks tend to be more expensive, so if you can get by with socks that have slower heating times or don’t get quite as warm, you might consider those instead.
Battery Life
Another thing to consider is how long you plan on wearing the socks between charges. If you’re going out to shovel snow, walk the dog, or go to the store, battery life won’t be as much of an issue. But battery life should be prioritized if you plan to use these socks skiing, working outside, ice fishing, or for any other activity that will last for several hours. Like temperature and heating time, what the brand claims might not be completely accurate. But it should be close enough for you to make a decision.
Materials
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, elastane, and spandex offer just the right blend of comfort, durability, fit, and breathability. Go for heated socks with those materials if you plan on being active while wearing them. Cotton socks will work fine if you’re going for a coziness only and don’t plan on working up a sweat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are heated socks worth it?
Nowadays, some heated socks are not much more expensive than high-end ski socks. So while they’re definitely pricier than the socks you’d wear for everyday use, they may be well worth the splurge if you often suffer from cold feet or spend a lot of time engaging in outdoor activities in winter. Choose ones with rechargeable batteries and you'll be able to wear them again and again—making them an investment in long-term comfort.
Will heated socks help circulation?
We’re not doctors or scientists, so we’re not able to answer definitively one way or the other. That being said, exposure to cold weather decreases blood flow to the hands and feet, resulting in a chilled sensation. And heated socks and gloves can help those extremities get a warmth boost.
Should you wear socks under heated socks?
The short answer is no. Heated socks are created like normal socks and will serve as a replacement for other socks.
How do I care for and clean my heated socks?
Always read the instructions included with your socks. If you can’t find them, consult the brand’s website. Many socks are machine washable—just make sure you remove the battery first. Most should be line dried or tumble dried on a cool setting only.
TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson
Why Trust TripSavvy
Nathan Allen is TripSavvy’s Outdoor Gear Editor. He comes from a family where Raynaud’s syndrome is prevalent and knows the importance of heated socks and gloves for outside comfort in frigid temperatures. After testing these socks in our testing lab, socks were sent to long-term testers, and this document will continue to be updated with their testing insights.
