7 Best Electric Heated Socks

Of all the innovations in outdoor equipment that we have experienced in the last few decades, there is none more decadent and indulgent than the electric heated sock. By threading thin wire into the fabric, manufacturers have found a way to direct electricity through the sock fibers, generating heat, and solving a problem that that been bothering humans for millennia: the problem of cold feet.

Whether you are a backcountry skier heading out on a hike into the deep woods, or an angler looking to do some ice fishing in January, electric socks are an easy and incredibly cool way to stay warm. Because they’re fully rechargeable, you won’t spend a fortune like you would on warming packs or batteries.

When it comes to electric socks there are more than a few players in the game, so to speak. New and old companies alike are vying for their place at the head of the pack, and the result is a price and technology war that had produced socks that are more affordable and more highly performing than ever.

So, what are the 7 Best Electric Heated Socks? We’re about to get into that. But first, let’s take a look at some of the variables involved in making and using the perfect electric sock.

Best Bang-For-Your-Buck Electric Headed Sock: – SUNWILL Electric Heated Socks with Rechargeable battery

Nothing makes us feel like we’ve woken up in the future than realizing that we forgot to charge our socks overnight, but that’s what you might find yourself saying if you get yourself a pair of these high-tech bad boys. They operate off of a rechargeable 7.4V battery which is strong enough to keep the whole surface of the foot nice and toasty, with some pretty decent instep coverage as well.

In fact, considering the dual-layer cotton / Lycra construction, they have a tendency to get a little too warm in many situations. Fortunately you are covered by the fact that SUNWILL has included three different temperature settings that are easy enough to switch between without removing your shoes. We recommend starting out at one of the lower settings, as it can take a few minutes for the full warming effects to become noticeable.

The only thing we didn’t like about these was that the battery pack, located at the top of the sock around mid-calf, is inconveniently placed for ski and snowboard boots. It would need to be just a little bit higher on the leg to allow it to fit into a ski boot, so we hope SUNWILL might offer something like that in the future.

However, for any activity where you are wearing less constrictive footwear, these socks won’t pose any issues. They are a snug fit on the foot and should slip right into most shows and ankle boots.

Battery time isn’t bad if you keep it on low to medium. Recharge time varies but we found it was possible in less than 4 hours.

Best Electric Socks with Smartphone Capability: – MATKAO App Control Heated Socks

When choosing heated socks with smartphone compatibility, there are several factors to look out for. These include device connectivity, app design, precision control options and battery life. With a user-friendly app, a drop-resistant battery and uniform heating, MATKAO’s app control heated socks topped our list as the best option with smartphone capability.

With milk silk fabric wrapped around heating wires to maximize safety, these socks have a range of design features that prioritize style and comfort. Where many heated socks will not provide full coverage with heating wires, MATKAO’s product offers a 360-degree wraparound design to ensure that uniform, consistent heating is provided.

This can offer longer usage and help make the most out of battery life as it heats the foot more efficiently. On the lowest temperature setting, these socks will offer up to 10 hours of battery life, whilst the highest temperature option can last for up to 4 hours. For outdoor use, it can be worth taking an extra battery to ensure the socks can be used throughout the whole day.

Whilst MATKAO’s products utilize a durable and practical design ideal for outdoor use, the battery life and efficient, comfortable quality of these heated socks make them a natural choice to improve comfort for those suffering from Raynaud’s, stiff joints or Rheumatism in the colder months.

From this standpoint, app-controlled heated socks provide several advantages. The app provides precise control over temperature while removing the need to reach down and press a button. The app offers an intuitive user experience with options to control the temperature of each sock independently.

Worn with tall boots, these socks can help improve comfort across various outdoor winter activities. Although they are not recommended to be used in sports such as ice climbing, the build quality makes them an innovative, dependable choice in most other contexts providing reliable heating, easily controlled through MATKAO’s mobile app.

Warmest Electric Socks: – VELAZZIO Remote Control Heated Socks

Velazzio’s remote control heated socks were clear frontrunners in our testing pool for overall warmth. Heating up within 30 seconds, this product can be controlled either by a switch on the sock or a convenient remote control. The remote control makes a real difference for outdoor use allowing for quick and easy adjustment.

The heating elements cover the front of the foot, the sole and the instep, making them an ideal addition to your winter clothing collection. Breathable fabrics help ensure comfort over extended use with two sizing options available for this product. With a compact design, Vellazio’s remote control heated socks can be worn with standard gear for activities such as motorcycling, skiing and hunting.

Before using these socks, one thing to watch out for is ensuring that the battery is paired with the remote. Whilst this is an easy process, the socks will turn off in 10 to 30 minutes if the battery is not paired with the remote. The remote is compact and can be attached to a keyring for outdoor use, with lights displaying the socks’ temperature setting.

The battery lasts up to 6 hours on the lowest setting and can be recharged within 4 hours. Extra batteries can help maximize these socks’ functionality for longer trips whilst also providing replacements to use whilst charging for indoor use. For hunting, during winter, especially in northern states, these socks offer a substantial improvement in terms of warmth and comfort.

Best Electric Socks for Hunting: – Mobile Warming Battery heated Socks

Because the manufacturers are so focused on creating a sock that generates warmth, they can sometimes forget to pay attention to one of the most important aspects of footwear: comfort. Mobile Warming’s sock is a nice soft fabric that holds tight against the leg, and even after multiple uses, manages to retain some of that new sock feel.

The wires are cleverly hidden here, sewn in between the layers of the sock. They are not altogether gone, as you can still feel them with your foot, but at least they are not exposed as they are with some brands. Other things we like include the handheld controller and the stylish grey look.­

It’s strange how the internal wire structures seem to modify the shape and fit of the sock. It’s almost like they are too thick or too rigid for the soft sock, however we wonder if it is this added thickness that makes them more durable. In fact the wires on the Mobile Warming socks were far more firmly installed than in other products that have come across out list.

The company advertises these socks as being fully machine washable, however we are not sure how well that claim holds up. We noticed a significant drop in heating ability after the first wash, and we can only expect to get similar results from subsequent washings. Our recommendation is to stick to gentle hand-washing, as there is it far less likely that the wire structure will become damaged in the process.

Best Budget Electric Heated Socks: – Rabbitroom Unisex Rechargeable Electric Heated Socks Kit

One of the major barriers that electric socks have faced in gaining popularity is the price point at which many of the best-performing products are introduced. Because they are often too expensive for the casual consumer, many products have not been able to remain viable and have been kicked out of the marketplace before they had their time to shine. Fortunately, due to some technological advancements and rapidly dropping materials prices, socks like the RABBITROOM Heated Sock have been able to carve out their own little chunk of the market.

Not only is this perhaps the most affordable sock that our team reviewed, but it is the only one that features a 100% knit cotton construction. While in most cases cotton socks would not be the best choice for staying warm, in this case, they provide a highly breathable and water resisting barrier that keeps your feet feeling great for hours at a time. As a natural fabric it also tends to hold its shape quite well over time as opposed to the highly synthetic materials that the majority of heated socks are made of.

One of the ways that Rabbitroom managed to make such an affordable electric sock was to cut back on the total heated area, restricting it to front instep area of each foot. While this means that the heat output is somewhat less that competing products, it also means that there is only one wire inside the sock and it runs along the top of the foot instead of the bottom, so what we are really talking about is a significant boost in comfort and performance.

Anyways, the area that is most likely to get cold is the toes, right? So perhaps Rabbitroom is on to something with this design, because the price simply can’t be beat.

Best Electric Heated Socks for Skiing: – SNOW DEER Rechargeable Electric Heated Socks

When choosing heated socks for skiing, it is essential to consider fit, battery life and temperature adjustability. It is crucial to avoid heated socks where the heated wires can be felt through the sock, causing considerable discomfort, especially in winter sports.

Snow Deers’ electric socks instead opt for a far Infrared carbon fiber heating system to efficiently disperse heat whilst maximizing comfort. With a compact design, these socks fit well under ski boots with buttons to adjust the temperature at the top of the sock.

One downside of the button placement is that it can occasionally be pressed by ski boots accidentally. Whilst this is not a common problem, it is a disadvantage of any heated socks that are not controlled with a remote control or smart device. This issue is more common when walking with snow boots than skiing due to the impact.

Despite this flaw, these socks are a clear frontrunner in terms of fit. With a battery pack, it can be challenging to find high-quality heated socks that comfortably fit within skiing boots. With a compact 7.4V battery, which offers some advantages over a 3.7V battery, these socks fit well with knee-high ski boots.

The battery pocket on the side of the sock, rather than within the sock, also offers an advantage allowing the battery to be replaced more easily and quickly if necessary. With 4-5 hours of battery life in low temperatures, an extra battery may be necessary for longer trips, so this is useful. These socks are an invaluable addition to your skiing kit, offering reliable, efficient heating within a breathable, well-made sock.

Best Electric Heated Socks for Wearing Around the House: – QILOVE Extra Warm Rechargeable Battery Heated Socks

The fact that relative newcomer to the heated apparel game QILOVE has such an impressive variety of heated items for sale, from beanies to socks to insoles, means that they are making a serious attempt at cornering the budget electric sock market. Their flagship heated sock utilizes a 3.7V battery to pump heat throughout the sock fabric along the top of the foot. Working in tandem with a targeted compression design that gets tighter closer to the toe, these socks are capable of increasing and restoring blood circulation even without the heating function on.

The fact that the heating element runs along the top of the foot means that there is little chance of experiencing discomfort inside the show or boot. Whereas some electric socks have multiple wires running along the bottom of the foot, these have only the padding of the natural woven fabric. The heat manages to spread throughout the sock quite well, even reaching the bottom of the foot after it has some time to warm up.

However we would be lying if we said that these socks were as good as heating the toes as thoroughly as they could. Because of the top placed heating element, it is possible that the backs of your toes will become overheated before the bottoms of your toes are adequately warm. We recommend turning your socks on for a brief period before putting them on so that they have a chance to warm up adequately.

Unfortunately the QUILOVE Battery Heated Socks have one of the bulkiest battery packs that we’ve seen, sticking out from the side of the sock an inch or more. They are not tall enough for the batter pack to be above the rim of a ski or snowboard boot, so perhaps this is a pair of electric socks that is more suitable for lounging around the house on a cold Sunday than taking along for a motorcycle ride in April.