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When it comes to warming up a cold vehicle, you will sometimes feel it can’t happen soon enough. If you live in cold temperatures, you’d know what we are talking about. If you drive an old model car or a classic, chances are your vehicle is not fitted with an efficient heating system. It’s even possible you do not have a built-in seat heater to keep toasty in frigid temperatures. At this point, getting the best heated seat cushion for your car can be a game-changer.
They are a simple way to solve the problem of shivering muscles and chattering teeth. Plus, they are economical and won’t create a hole in your wallet.
In addition, a heated seat cushion can also protect your car’s upholstery from stains, spills, and unsightly tears. Today, there are many heated car seats on the market, that it may be difficult to find one that best meets your needs. Our team has put together this comprehensive buying guide to help you navigate through them and ensure you will be bringing home a top-of-the-line heated seat cushion.
Best heated seat cushion for your car for 2022 Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons
Not enough time to read through the product reviews and the buying guide? Below is a table that contains the best heated seat cushion for your car and their characteristics at a glance.
Product
Brand
Material
Products Material Maximum heating temperature Timer
When it comes to the best heated seat cushion for your car in 2022, our best overall goes to the KINGLETING Warmer Seat Cushion. The first thing we observed during unboxing is a sleek, clean design that will instantly increase your car interior’s aesthetic feel. The car seat cover is lightweight and far from bulky. Even though it is super-thin, it comes with an anti-slip grip that will prevent sliding when entering and exiting your car or during sharp bends. We also love the unique wiring harness that allows the use of two at once.
The KINGLETING Warmer Seat Cushion is super-easy to install; there is no need to follow the seat’s contour or drape it completely over the headrest. Simply fit it underneath the headrest, fasten the clips, and you are good to go. It comes in a unique design that perfectly fits within the seat without overlapping.
Let’s talk about how this device heats! The cover is engineered with a highly breathable airflow design which allows the KINGLETING to reach desired temperatures in under a minute. Thus, there is no reason to wait too long for the seat to warm up. The KINGLETING Warmer Seat Cushion also utilizes an innovative, intelligent heating control system. The control system can be adjusted from 86℉ to 140℉ at 5-degree intervals.
Pros
This heated seat cushion is easy to install.
It comes with an innovative, intelligent heating control system.
It comes with an anti-slip that prevents sliding in sharp bends.
Cons
We don’t say it’s uncomfortable, but it can use more cushion.
If you need a premium heated seat cushion for your car, the Snailax Massage Seat Cushion should be your go-to selection. This device is not just a warmer; it is also a seat cooler. It is perfect for climates whose temperatures meander from one extreme to the other.
The seat cushion comes with dual heating zones that allow for rapid and uniform heating. You do not have to wait around for long to get toasty. Also, the cooling fan outputs flow bottom-up to prevent sweaty, sticky bottoms and back during the summer heat. These features are made possible through Snailax’s 3D mesh that allows seamless passage of cool or warm air.
The Snailax Massage Seat Cushion comes in a sweet universal design that makes it suitable for car and office use. Two separate adapters come with the unit – one 12V for your car’s port and another for a wall adapter. Installing this seat cushion can be tricky, but a non-slip backing holds it firmly in place once installed.
Pros
This device is a seat warmer and cooler.
It comes with a non-slip bottom that prevents sliding when entering or exiting your car.
It is a massage chair that soothes your lower back, upper back, hips, and thighs.
This is a budget-friendly, decent, heated seat cushion. It is not overly chunky and doesn’t have a minimalistic design. It’s got a ribbed and sleek look and provides a superb cushion for optimal comfort. The fabric on this car cushion is breathable, although it could improve a bit more in this area.
We observe that the heating element isn’t that great compared to the other products on this list. It takes about three minutes to become fully heated. And the max temperature it can attain is 115°F. This seat cushion does not come with Intelligent temperature control like the Snailax Massage Seat Cushion. Instead, it is equipped with low, high, and medium temperature settings. And has a 45-minute timer that we find very useful in minimizing power consumption or if you need just a little bit of warmth for the beginning of your drive.
If you are searching for a heated seat cushion that comes with excellent features and offers good value for money, look no further from the HealthMate IN9438-2 12V. With this cushion, you will feel you’ve spent a whole lot more considering the value you stand to enjoy. This product is not just a seat cover; it doubles as a seat cushion. We noticed right from the start how its thick velour provides top-class cushion and comfort. It also comes with lumbar support for those who need it.
Another feature we love about this heated seat cushion is the reliable heating element. It heats up to a maximum of 114°F. You can’t set the temperature to a specific degree; however, it comes with an easy control setting of Lo, High, and Off. It warms up nicely to keep you nice and toasty.
We found the strapping system on this seat cushion a little above average. It features two straps behind the seat back and four cinch straps on the seat bottom to hold it in place. Although, they slide just a little during sharp turns.
Pros
This heated seat cushion comes with lumbar support.
It is extremely comfortable.
It is inexpensive and great for long rides.
Cons
Heating speed can be improved.
5. Zone Tech Car Seat Cover Cushion — Best remote controlled
This is one of the thinnest selections on this list. However, this does not in any way prevent it from doing its primary job – keeping your behind toasty and providing a small amount of cushion. However, this level of comfort is not comparable to the HealthMate IN9438-2 12V Heated Seat Cushion. The seat cushion comes with three solid points for attaching to the seat but does not have an anti-slip bottom or grip on the back to prevent slide and slip.
Although the installation and cushion can be better, the temperature control and heating element are very solid. It also comes with a remote to set the dial to an exact temperature of up to 140°F.
The Zone Tech Car Seat Cover Cushion also comes equipped with an auto 45-minute timer. If you desire additional warmth, simply turn the device on again. And while it takes some time to get pretty warm, if you want to save some money on a heated seat cushion, this is a solid buy.
Pros
The Zone Tech Car Seat Cover Cushion fits all different sizes of RV and car seats.
It warms your bottom and back that helps to maintain your blood circulation and metabolism.
It comes with its own temperature control for your desired temperature of high or low.
Cons
This seat cushion needs constant readjustment.
6. Relief Expert Seat Warmer — Best for Aesthetics
This is one of the most practical options on this list. It comes in an ultra-thin construction without any extra cushioning or padding. This makes it less comfortable than the other above-reviewed heated seat cushions. But you can’t question the quality of design and craftsmanship; it is aesthetically pleasing and perfect for users who exit and re-enter their cars more than others.
The heating element works exceptionally well and gets up to the desired temperature within three minutes of being turned on. We wish this unit had better temperature control; the temperature dial is relegated to low, medium, and high settings.
The Relief Expert Seat Warmer comes with a non-slip rubber backing which is excellent. However, the backing can become useless if the bottom clips fail, and it does that once in a while. Aside from that, this is a pretty solid heated seat cushion for your car.
Pros
This seat cushion has one of the finest craftsmanship on the market.
The heating pad works exceptionally well.
It is ultra-thin and easy to set up.
Cons
It is prone to slipping.
7. Relaxzen 6-Motor Massage Seat Cushion — Best for massage
The Relaxzen seat cushion is made of soft polyester fabric designed to give you optimal comfort by massaging your lower back while you drive. The term “relax” is a part of the brand name because it does exactly that. If you will be driving long hours and need a relaxing seat cushion on your commute back home, this is the perfect product for you.
The top-level comfort you stand to enjoy from this device is generated by six invigorating massage motors that soothe your lower and upper back alongside your thighs. Another part of the massage process is the warming process. The seat cushion has a max temperature of 124F, a little lower than the Zone Tech Car Seat Cover Cushion that warms up to 140°F.
We found that this seat cushion warms quite quickly, but you need to wait for about 7 minutes to actually reach max warmth. In comparison to other seat cushions on this list, this is relatively slow. If you need a product that can reach max temperatures within a short period, the KINGLETING Warmer Seat Cushion is a great option.
This heated seat cushion also comes with a handy controller that contains the necessary menus. This control has the option of a timer that can be calibrated to either 15, 30, or 60 minutes.
Pros
It comes with a controller that allows multiple control options.
It is versatile and connects via AC + DC adapters.
A Complete Buying Guide for Finding Top Heated Car Seat Cushions
The best heated seat cushion for your car goes beyond getting anything that will warm your butt. The following are important things to consider before making a buying decision:
Comfort and Breathability
This is one factor you need to get right, as you do not want to end up with a seat cover that is unpleasant to sit on. If you are shopping in an auto parts store or physical location, set the unit up and try them out. You should also ensure the seat cover allows excellent breathability to your back and bottom. Seat cushion like the KINGLETING Warmer Seat Cushion will keep you comfortable during long drives.
Ease of Installation
Putting your car seat cover in place should not be a struggle. It should fit seamlessly with minimal effort. Check to see if the seat cushion fits your car. If your car seats are big, opt for Sojoy Winter Seat Cushion for Car, it is tall enough and wide enough to meet your needs.
Non-Slip Back with Grippy Front
This is an essential factor to consider when making a decision. The back of the cushion should have a mechanism that grips onto the car seat through rubber or textured material. This will prevent the heated cushion from sliding off the car seats when you enter or exit your car or during sharp turns. You should also check if the heated cushion has a bit of grip on the front side, as you do not want to be sliding off the chair while driving.
Heating Element Safety
Check the customer reviews for the safety of the heating element before making a purchase. Trust me, you don’t want to end up with a heating element that will malfunction and burst into flames while you are on it.
The heating element efficiency
This is when it takes the heating element to get up to the desired temperature and maintain it. Ideally, you should look for a cushion that heats up fast and will maintain the temperature throughout use. KINGLETING Warmer Seat Cushion heats up in under a minute and comes with an automatic timer to prevent heating element burnout.
Temperature control
Some heated seat cushions come with remote control for temperature regulation. Products with remotes allow for exact temperature selection. Most products come with vague temperature settings like low, medium, and high. Relief Expert Seat Warmer and Relaxzen 6-Motor Massage Seat Cushion come with intelligent controllers.
If you do not like the heated seat cushion for cars, a portable car heater is an excellent option worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will a heated seat cushion take to generate heat?
This will depend on the seat cushion. While some cushions begin to warm up almost immediately after turn-on, others take several minutes before reaching the desired temperature. A good heated car seat should start warming up in as little as 60 seconds. Others take approx. three minutes to reach a set temperature.
Q: How long does a heated seat cushion retain heat after shutdown?
A heated seat cushion can maintain warmth for a short time after shutdown. Some may retain heat between 10 to 35 minutes, depending on the product.
Q: Is a heated seat cushion safe?
Yes!
Most high-quality heated seat cushions come equipped with an auto-shutdown timer to prevent overheating to dangerous temperature levels. Or to prevent them from continuing draining your car’s battery. Good quality heated seat cushion has a temperature cap to prevent burning you or damaging your car battery. From our test, most heated seat cushions have a max temperature cap of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: Will a heated seat cushion stay on when I turn my car off?
The most well-designed and reliable car seat heater will not stay on when your car is turned off completely. They are designed in this way to prevent the risk of overheating or accidental fire or because you forgot to turn off the heated seat cushion. And to prevent power drains that may damage your car battery.
Some heated seat cushions will still function depending on your cat settings when the car is in accessory mode. Also, if your car’s 12-volt outlet works without the engine running, the seat cushion will stay on when your car is off.
Conclusion
Whether you are casually considering your options or looking to make a heated cushion investment, we hope this comprehensive guide will help you make the right choice. The best heated seat cushion for your car means saying goodbye to frigid winter temperatures and driving in warmth and comfort.
This review will save you time and energy searching for the models that will best meet your needs. We have discussed various options and listed their pros and cons – just so you can easily determine what will work best for you.
The good thing about our list is that they are functional and fit most budgets. However, if you need extra features, the more costly the seat cushion will be. Therefore, read and digest this guide, and you will find the perfect product for you and your car seat.
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