Updated by 
Darrell Morrison – November 14th 2023
Heated Clothing is designed to keep you warm when working in colder temperatures. But more than that, they are battery-powered to provide a continuous stream of heat whilst working.
This means that when the temperature drops and you have to work outside, your choice of hoodie, jacket, or body warmer will keep you warm and comfortable where traditional jackets may not.
Despite sounding like it’s a specialist type of workwear, heated jackets, heated hoodies, and heated gilets are easily accessible with the likes of Makita and Milwaukee offering heated clothing that runs on their battery systems – (the same batteries as their power tool ranges). This means that the battery that powers your impact driver will power your heated jacket.
Most Popular Heated JACKET
Milwaukee M12 HH Grey Heated Hoodie
The MOST popular Heated Jacket (Heated Hoodie) on the market. This is the jacket that popularised heated jackets in construction!
- M12™ battery holder is stored in a concealed battery pocket.
- The hood fits easily under a hard hat
- Up to 8 hours charge on 1 battery
- Machine washable and dryable
- Full Milwaukee Warranty
ITS EXPERT SAYS:
“This is the jacket that i own, i remember when Milwaukee came into our office and first showed us these jackets. At first you feel a bit skeptical, “oh so you have to carry a battery with you all the time” , “I bet it doesnt even work”
And then you try it on. And the that warm soft fabric heats you up like a tight hug from grandma, and you kinda just get it. I bought 1 straight away. Maybe my choice here is biased, But for the last couple of years this heated hoodie has been best selling and for that reason it deserves our top spot!
Darrell Morrison
Makita’s Best Heated Jackets, Coats & Hoodies
If staying visible is an essential part of your job, such as managing vehicles on site, then have a look at Makita’s choice of hi-vis, heated jackets.
Makita 12V CXT heated Jacket
The High-Vis, hooded jacket is great for those obliged to wear hi-vis on site. Made following industry standards, the jacket includes a removable hood, heat zones on the back and front along with front pockets as well as a clear ID-display pocket. Incredibly comfortable to wear, each jacket is fleece lined. When used with a 4.0Ah Battery, you can get up to 14hours of continuous heat on a low setting.
Each jacket delivers three temperature modes along with it being machine washable.
The jacket is also available for those who have the 18V LXT battery range. Identical in every aspect, when used with a 6.0Ah Battery, you can get up to 35hours of continuous heat on a low setting.
Makita 14.4V-18V LXT li-ion heated vest
For a little more freedom of movement, then check out the Makita 18V LXT Heated Vest (yes, we know it’s a bodywarmer, but its what they’ve called it).
The vest has three heat zones for the back, chest and neck to keep you warm. The polyester and fleece lining and 2 way zipper makes this incredibly comfortable to wear while you can choose from 3 heat levels.
The vest includes a belt clip lock for the battery holder and features a Type A USB port to charge mobile devices while on site.
With a 6.0Ah battery, at Low Power, it will work for 35 hours, Medium Power for 20 hours, and at High Power for 10 hours.
Milwaukee’s Best HEATED Jacket’s, Hoodies, and Bodywarmers
Milwaukee offer quite a detailed range utilising both the RedLithium USB battery along with the M12 battery range.
Opinion: You can’t have failed to notice that they don’t offer any heated workwear with M18 battery compatibility. Maybe they will, but then the whole point of having heated workwear is to stay warm while still being able to move around freely. The M18 batteries, by comparison to the M12 Batteries are quite large and heavy. I would imagine that by having a M18 battery, especially the High Output batteries, it can become cumbersome and heavy to wear. That said, I could be wrong, and will eat my woolly hat if they do.
Best Milwaukee Heated Bodywarmers
For those who might feel restricted by wearing a coat or jacket, Milwaukee have the M12 HPVBL2 Heated Puffer Vest or M12 Heated Toughshell Vest.
The bodywarmers uses carbon fibre heating elements along with Quick Heat functionality to distribute heat faster than competitors across your chest, back and shoulders.
Milwaukee M12 heated puffer vest
The HPVBL2 bodywarmer is made from polyester and includes four pockets with two on the front, one internal and one compartment for the battery.
Milwaukee M12 heated toughshell vest
The Toughshell stretch polyester and spandex material is designed to stretch and move as you work resulting in additional comfort and complete freedom of movement.
Both bodywarmers are powered from the beautifully compact Milwaukee M12 batteries which are stored in a concealed pocket to ensure your comfort and convenience. A single battery can provide up to 8 hours of warmth – perfect if you’re working outside during the winter months.
Best Milwaukee Heated Hoodies
If you find yourself moving from inside to out and back again, you may find that a hoodie will suit you better.
Milwaukee M12 Heated Hoodies
Available in either Grey or Black, these rugged hoodies are made from durable cotton (53%) exterior with durable reinforced utility pockets and waffle-weave polyester (47%) lining. The heat is supplied via three heating zones across the body to distribute warmth to the core body areas.
The hoodie can be worn as a rugged outer layer during the spring and autumn months or as a base layer during winter. The hoodie allows for 3 separate heating levels to suit your comfort levels.
Machine washable and dryable, the hood will easily fit under a hard hat for when you’re working on site, as well as having an integrated phone pocket.
Best Milwaukee Heated Jackets
There are four jackets available at the time of writing this, each offering something unique.
Milwaukee M12 Heated Hybrid Puffer Jacket
The M12 HJP Heated Hybrid Puffer Jacket is made with Ripstop Polyester which provides a lightweight design that can be used as an outer-shell or as a mid-layer (100% Polyester outer and inner shell).
It includes reinforced high-wear zones protect from abrasion and tears along with water as well as wind resistant to provide comfort.
With a single 2.0Ah M12 battery, it can provide up to 8 hours of heat on a low setting.
Milwaukee M12 Black Heated Jacket
Next up is the M12 HPJBL2 Black Heated Jacket. Unlike the other jackets, this one includes a hood giving all weather protection. But that is not the only difference.
The jacket has no less than 5 different heating carbon fibre heating zones that distribute heat around the body. It will also distribute heat for up to 11 hours when used with a fully charged 3.0Ah M12 Battery.
Milwaukee M12 Heated Jacket – Black / Grey
Finally, and for your consideration, the Milwaukee M12 HJ. I know I said there were four jackets, but this is available in both a black and now, a grey option.
Both jackets are made with TOUGHSHELL stretch 90% polyester and 10% spandex material to withstand harsh working conditions and deliver up to 5x longer life. The easy touch heat controller gives you the option of three different heating levels, while the carbon fibre heating elements evenly distribute heat around the body and even into the front pockets.
As you would expect, the jacket is resistant to wind and rain, as well as including an extending back design to prevent heat loss. With a fully charged 3.0Ah M12 battery, it provides up to 8hours of continuous heat.
Best Milwaukee Heated Jackets Made For Women
Milwaukee M12 Women’s Heated Hoodie
This Ladies Rugged Hoodie is made from durable cotton (53%) exterior with durable reinforced utility pockets and waffle-weave polyester (47%) lining. The battery is stored in a concealed pocket to ensure your comfort and convenience. A single battery can provide up to 8 hours of warmth.
Machine washable and dryable, the hood will easily fit under a hard hat for when you’re working on site, as well as having an integrated phone pocket.
Milwaukee M12 Women’s Black Heated Jacket
The Women’s Hybrid Puffer Jacket is made from Ripstop Polyester which provides a lightweight design that can be used as an outer-shell or as a mid-layer (100% Polyester outer and inner shell). As with other Milwaukee heated clothing across the range, there is a one-touch LED controller allows the user to select from 3 heat settings, delivering ideal heat for any environment.
Both water and wind resistant, the jacket, which is machine washable, provides comfort and durability in harsh environments.
Regatta’s Thermogen Heated jackets
The Regatta Thermogen Heated Jackets feature a smart heating system, powered by a rechargeable copper heating zone that’s connected to unique and discreet micro wires within the jacket.
Regatta Warmloft Heated Jacket
The Warmloft Quilted Jacket is water resistant and draws moisture away from the body. This means that if you exert yourself, any moisture that gets built up within the jacket is kept away from you. Made with lightweight 20d polyamide fabric, it includes two external pockets and a dedicated pocket for the battery as well as your mobile phone.
Regatta Heated Waterproof Jacket
The Waterproof Insulated Hooded Jacket is fully waterproof with taped seams to enhance the water protection of the jacket. Like the Warmloft, you can charge your phone thanks to heating elements sewn throughout the jacket. Made from Waterproof Hydrafort 5000 peached polyester fabric (that’s a bit of a mouthful), it includes two external pockets and a dedicated pocket for the battery as well as your mobile phone; with elasticated cuffs to keep water out and heat in, along with a hood with adjusters.
The heat is proved through the back panel and through the two chest panels. With three temperatures to choose from to suit how you feel, the battery can help deliver up to 6 hours worth of continuous heat – just about enough for working a shift outside (albeit no point inside when you’re having a cuppa). The jackets are machine washable (please take out the battery) giving you both maximum comfort and durability.
At the end of the day, heated workwear isn’t just there to make working comfortable, but to maintain your own health. The last thing you want is to miss work due to being ill or dread working in the first place because the weather has turned.