The first question almost everyone asks about heated gloves is: how long will they actually stay warm? The honest answer is "it depends", but it depends on a few things you can understand and control. Here's what decides battery life and how to stretch it.
What decides heated glove battery life
The heat setting
This is the biggest factor. The highest setting draws far more power than the lowest, so the same battery can last several times longer on low than on high. Most people use high to warm up quickly, then drop to medium or low.
Battery capacity
Capacity is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). More mAh generally means a longer runtime at the same setting and voltage. Watch out for listings that add the two gloves' batteries together. A pair with two 2000 mAh batteries isn't a "4000 mAh glove"; each glove runs on its own battery.
Voltage
Higher-voltage systems (for example 7.4 V compared with 3.7 V) can deliver more heat. Comparing gloves only by mAh can mislead you if the voltages differ.
The cold itself
Lithium batteries lose some performance in freezing temperatures. On a very cold day, expect less runtime than on a mild one, even at the same setting.
Battery age
All rechargeable batteries slowly lose capacity over hundreds of charge cycles. A one- or two-season-old battery won't last quite as long as a new one.
How to get more hours from every charge
- Start warm. Put the gloves on while your hands are still warm instead of trying to rescue frozen fingers on high.
- Use high briefly. Warm up on high for a few minutes, then step down.
- Keep spare batteries warm. Carry them in an inside pocket, close to your body.
- Charge fully the night before. And store batteries at about half charge over the summer.
- Turn them off when you're moving. On the way up a run or during active work, you may not need heat at all.
What to look for when buying
Look for a seller who publishes runtime for each heat setting, tells you the battery's capacity and voltage, and offers a warranty that covers the battery. Be cautious with any listing that promises all-day heat on the highest setting.
The bottom line
Heated glove battery life comes down to heat setting, battery size and voltage, and how cold it is. Use the lowest setting that keeps you comfortable and carry a spare for long days.
See the ALOVSTEIN heated gloves and our battery and care tips.