Fight frigid temps with these ultrawarm heated socks and stay cozy from head to toe.
It's easy to load on layers every time you step outside during the colder months, but if you're looking to stay warm without all the bulk, it might be time to go electric — that is, with a pair of heated socks. Whether you love to hit the slopes and trails, work outside in frigid temps, have poor circulation or are simply always cold, these cozy companions are the perfect solution for icy feet.
These high-tech socks boast built-in heating elements to provide gentle, consistent warmth, ensuring your tootsies stay nice and toasty. They may ease certain physical issues too. "Heated socks can help with circulation," said Dr. Dana Canuso, a podiatrist who has developed skin care products for the feet. "Over time, small periods of increased circulation can lead to long-term benefits in blood flow." This makes heated socks especially helpful in the winter months since cold weather can decrease blood flow, causing poor circulation.
When choosing heated socks, you'll want to consider things like wearability, durability, battery run time, comfort and ease of use. To figure out which pairs walk the walk, we spoke with Canuso and combed through hundreds of reviews to see what outdoor enthusiasts are wearing. We then tested 10 of the best-rated pairs ourselves to see which ones are worth the money. Ready to go electric? Say goodbye to cold toes and read on to shop the best heated socks of 2025.
Looking for more cold-weather gear? Check out our guides to the best snow boots and best touchscreen gloves.
Update, Feb. 3, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our number one pick for best heated socks remains unchanged.
"It is important to look for socks that have multiple heat settings as well as meet the proper electrical safety standards," Canuso says. When you get a pair to try, you'll want to ensure the heating coils are fully insulated in the sock and not sticking out at all, as you don't want them to come in direct contact with your skin. The socks should also have adjustable heat settings to give you control over the temperature, and you'll want to make sure the batteries used are high-quality and don't overheat when charging. Other considerations include the following:
Battery life: Check out how long the battery can keep your socks juiced up, "especially if you are planning on sleeping with the socks on or wearing them for longer than four hours," Canuso says.
Material: While cotton and fleece socks are great for lounging around the house, outdoor activities like skiing, hunting or hiking are more demanding. You might want to look for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester, nylon and wool to keep your feet dry and happy while you're active.
Temperature range: Depending on the pair, heated socks can have settings that range from 86°F to 158°F. Be sure to read the product description to find a pair that fits your temperature needs.
To figure out which heated socks were the best of the best, we consulted Canuso to get the scoop on what to look for when picking out the right pair for your needs. We then combed through hundreds of shopper reviews to see which pairs outdoor enthusiasts wear themselves — and then tested 10 of the most popular pairs to see which ones are actually worth buying.
Sun Will: The front foot and instep feature heating coils to keep your toes nice and toasty, while the heels are lightly cushioned to treat your feet. These were warm and cozy, but they were nearly identical to the Savior Heat heated socks in design and comfort. That said, they lacked the larger temperature range of Savior Heat.
ActionHeat: If taking a break to recharge batteries isn't an option, this pair of heated socks runs on good ol' AAs. You will need a total of six AA batteries for both socks. Unfortunately, I had trouble getting them to work. The battery packs would turn red, suggesting that the batteries had juice, but when I plugged them into the socks, they never turned on.
Autocastle: This pair fit comfortably and looked nice (we tested the hot pink), but they took longer to warm up than other options on our list. The brand does recommend turning them to the highest setting in the first five to 15 minutes, then switching to lower heat settings for the best results. It definitely helped when we did that, but they still took longer than others.
Hotronic: We ordered a pair of these to test after seeing them on a few other best heated sock lists. Well, turns out they're not actually heated — just a normal pair of warm socks. Whoops!
Fashion meets function in these innovative accessories. While they may look like run-of-the-mill foot coverings, heated socks contain ultrathin, flexible heating elements that are usually made from carbon fiber or other conductive materials. These wires are strategically woven into the fabric of the sock, usually focusing on the areas where your feet might need extra warmth, like the toes. Heated socks are typically a snap to use; most have an attached control panel so you can easily adjust heating levels to suit your needs. Some of the newer, more high-tech versions come with wireless remotes or smartphone apps that let you adjust the temperature.
If the socks are from a reputable company and meet all safety standards, they're generally safe for most users. However, Canuso recommends not wearing heated socks if you are neuropathic. "The concern arises when the wearer of the socks suffers from a degree of neuropathy and cannot feel the heat from the socks. In this situation, the wearer could be unaware that the socks are burning them if they become too hot," she explained.
It's always best to read care instructions for each pair. While many are machine-washable, you always have to remove the battery before washing them and should let them air-dry in most cases. Many reviewers say that even if the brand said the socks were machine-washable, they still hand-washed them just to be safe.
It's always best to let heated socks air-dry. And even if the sock is water-resistant, the batteries shouldn't be exposed to water, so avoid getting them wet when the batteries are still attached.