Updated on May 10, 2023 1:45 PM EDT
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Take it from us: heated seats are easily one of the best car inventions. Ever. Unfortunately, not all cars come with them, and adding them in the aftermarket can be expensive and dangerous if done improperly. When that wave of icy air settles over the winter calm, being able to quickly heat yourself up is invaluable. Enter the heated seat cover.
They do nearly everything a normal heated seat does with some added bonuses. Because they’re seat covers, they protect the original upholstery from spills, stains, and scratches. This means they’re removable if you want your normal seats back in the summer. They might not be integrated or have the ultimate comfort of a real heated seat, but they are much, much cheaper.
Lucky for you, we rounded up a variety of heated seat covers that hit all of the bases. There is a dizzying array of options and narrowing those down can take hours. Save some time and check out our recommendations below.
We scoured high and low for the best heated car seat covers, but that was all behind the computer. As we can’t test every single product, we used our institutional knowledge to find the best heated seat cover just for you.
This is a hot segment, no pun intended. There are a lot of options to choose from, with plenty of great ones, some good ones, a few bad ones. We gathered up a good variety of the best out there for you to choose from. All that’s left is for you to choose, like the Lusrait or Mynt.
Whether you want style, full-cover, partial-cover, massaging, or just a simple, portable seat cover, it’s all here folks.
This is your most common version of the heated seat cover. It’s just a slip-on or clip-on cover with heating elements inside the fabric. It works like a normal heated seat. There are several styles; some slip over the entire seat, some are lumbar-focused, and some slip over a certain portion of the seat. All of them will provide some level of heating.
A massaging heated seat cover is the same deal as before but with an added massage function. Using motorized half-spheres or vibration motors, it simulates a massage to help relieve tension and aid blood circulation on long road trips. Some of the more expensive covers use massaging and heat together in the massage. They are a little more expensive but are much bulkier.
This is a key feature of heated seat covers. Without it, there is a risk of overheating and fire that can damage interiors or destroy a car. Most heated seat covers come with a weight sensor that only allows the cover to work while someone is sitting on it, and others also come with a safety shutoff that detects a fault with the heating element.
Some heated car seat covers have their own heating options. These include controlling the temperature by choosing how hot you want the cover to reach. This feature could be a specific temperature; for example, 74 degrees Fahrenheit, or it could be as a simple three-mode heated seat. Consider purchasing a heated car seat cover that has a few options or controls for temperature settings.
Some heated car seat covers have an indicator on the cord or seat itself that lets you know when it is functioning. The indicator lights up when the cover is on and turns off when the cover is off, or it may also show a green or red light. This will allow you to look at the indicator to determine if the cover is on without having to touch it.
A programmable timer allows the user to set a predetermined length of time where the heater is on, usually 15, 30, 60, or 90 minutes. This can help back pain immensely by providing a sort of cold and hot effect. Most heated seat covers will come with this feature, but all should allow continuous operation.
Heated car seat covers range in pricing but generally won’t be too expensive. Typically, they won’t be more than $60, unless they are fitted with more power options and settings. Extra features like massaging becomes standard at this price level. The only major difference between a $40 seat cover and a $60 plus one is material choice, massaging, and custom fitting to a specific car.
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
This really all depends on the cover. While some heated car seat covers will begin to warm up shortly after you plug them into a power source, others can take several minutes before reaching the desired temperature. Generally, a minute to three minutes is the working range.
Heated car seat covers can retain heat for a short time after they’re powered off. Some may remain warm for between 15 to 30 minutes.
Yes. They come with automatic shutoff technology to prevent them staying on or overheating. They’re safe to use.
It depends on the vehicle and the configuration of its 12-volt electrical socket. Generally speaking, if the heated seat cover has power, it will turn on.
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