Checklist · 11 picks · 5 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Affiliate link.
Some people are cold in every room all winter, so these gifts warm them up wherever they are.
The Sunbeam Royal Ultra was Consumer Reports' top heated blanket and the cheapest in its comparison, and the Tefici is NBC Select's best budget heated blanket, a flannel throw that shuts itself off after four hours. For a desk, the Honeywell HHF360 is Bob Vila's best halo heat heater, and the Dreo Atom 316 is its best bang for the buck. MOGGEI wool socks are Treeline Review's best affordable winter sock, and Smartwool Hike Classics are its best overall. Achiou thermal gloves are OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy winter glove, Grabber hand warmers lasted about 11 hours in Outdoor Life's test, and the Meriwool beanie is OutdoorGearLab's top merino pick. The splurges are UGG Tasman slippers for cold floors and an Ember Mug 2 that keeps coffee hot.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they love snow days and ski trips; the gifts for winter lovers and gifts for skiers pages fit better.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grabber Hand Warmers (10 Pairs) | budget | $15-25 | commutes, games and walks | 1 outlet |
| Achiou Touch Screen Thermal Gloves | budget | $15-25 | everyday walks and the bus stop | 1 outlet |
| Meriwool Merino Cuff Beanie | mid | $25-50 | a warm hat that dries fast | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · Compact
Best for commutes, games and walks
Outdoor Life's best overall hand warmer: cheap, light, and about 11 hours of warmth in its test.
Heads up. Single use
1 outlet. Outdoor Life best overall hand warmer.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
budget pick · Pick by hand size
Best for everyday walks and the bus stop
OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy winter glove: comfortable and grippy, dries fast, and you can use your phone.
Heads up. Snags easily, isn't weatherproof, and is hand-wash only
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Buy winter gloves.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · One size
Best for a warm hat that dries fast
OutdoorGearLab's top pick merino beanie: warm, dries fast and works for lots of activities.
Heads up. The inside tag can bother you if you wear it uncuffed
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab top Pick beanie (merino).
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best heated blanketbudget pick · Large
Best for cold bedrooms and lower heating bills
Consumer Reports' top pick after comparing six heated blankets, and the cheapest one in that comparison.
Heads up. Not as plush as a throw
2 outlets agree. Consumer Reports top heated blanket. ABC7 grandparent gift pick.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Large
Best for a heated throw for the couch
NBC Select's best budget heated blanket. A flannel throw that shuts itself off after four hours.
Heads up. Only select colors are available, per NBC Select
1 outlet. NBC Select best budget heated blanket.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best space heaterbudget pick · Compact
Best for warming just them at a desk
Bob Vila's best halo heat electric heater: ideal as a personal or nearby-zone heater, with a full 360 degrees of heat.
Heads up. No remote or oscillation, and it's not meant for large rooms
1 outlet. Bob Vila best Halo Heat electric heater.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Compact
Best for a small bedroom or dorm on a budget
Bob Vila's best bang for the buck electric heater: an affordable portable heater that punches above its class.
Heads up. Controls are hard to see
1 outlet. Bob Vila best Bang for the Buck electric heater.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best wool socksbudget pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for stocking up on warm socks
Treeline Review's best affordable winter sock, with a good fit for the price.
Heads up. Can be itchy, and weaker on durability, warmth and odor control
1 outlet. Treeline Review best affordable winter socks.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Pick by shoe size
Best for cold feet in winter boots
Treeline Review's best overall winter sock, praised for warmth without bulk and for durability.
Heads up. The fit could hug a little tighter
1 outlet. Treeline Review best overall winter socks.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Top picksplurge pick · Gift-box
Best for slow sippers whose coffee always goes cold
Keeps cocoa or coffee at the perfect temperature for as long as you take to drink it.
Heads up. Expensive
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$100-150
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Big box
Best for cold floors, if you know their size
Sheepskin-lined slippers you can also wear outside for quick errands.
Heads up. Pricey
1 outlet. Piper Sandler teen survey top footwear brand.
$100-150
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
A heated blanket. The Sunbeam Royal Ultra was Consumer Reports' top pick after comparing six heated blankets, and the Tefici, NBC Select's best budget heated blanket, shuts itself off after four hours.
For someone with a cold desk or bedroom, yes. The Honeywell HHF360 is Bob Vila's best halo heat heater, ideal for warming one person nearby, and the Dreo Atom 316, its best bang for the buck, has a thermostat mode that saves power. My space heater checklist also has smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to go with it.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.