Wednesday, December 18, 2024

15 essentials for the person who’s always cold, starting at $5

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There are two kinds of people: Folks who are occasionally chilly — you know, on a cold, windy day or in a poorly insulated room — and the ones whose teeth begin to chatter at the first marginally cool breeze. If you’re in the latter category, fear not: We’ve scoured the web for products that will keep you toasty no matter what. Even better, they start at just $5. Who knew warmth could be so wallet-friendly?

This multipack of thick wool socks will keep your toes toasty, and this Calvin Klein puffer jacket will be the piece you reach for all season long. An electric space heater that’s small enough to take from room to room is another must. And if you can’t risk your hot chocolate, coffee or tea going cold while you’re busy, this self-heating travel mug will make sure it never happens again. Keep scrolling to check out our picks that will keep you ready for every cold front this fall and winter.

Amazon

Yes, everyone loves socks, but probably not as much as the person whose feet are always like blocks of ice. These thick wool socks are super soft to the touch, so your feet will feel like they’re wrapped in the fluffiest blanket even when you’re not in bed. 

“I’ve never owned wool socks before and I am amazed at how soft and comfortable these are,” said one happy buyer. “They’re so warm. I suffer with neuropathy and I have very cold feet. It doesn’t matter if it’s 75° outside or 90° outside, I have cold feet. So being able to wear a pair of socks … that don’t make my feet sweat but that keep them warm at the same time is amazing.”

$5 at Amazon

Amazon

Taking off your gloves when you’re already a walking icebox? No thank you. Unlike standard gloves, these No. 1 bestsellers are touchscreen compliant, so you don’t have to remove them to type, make a call or do just about anything you normally would on your phone.

“These are what I’ve been looking for!” said this fan. “I have long fingers and have worn through countless pairs of other touchscreen gloves. These are wonderfully soft inside and I can still use my phone. … I will be buying another pair before winter really sets in. Definitely recommend.”

$7 at Amazon

Amazon

Never underestimate how easy it is for cold drafts to find their way into your otherwise toasty home. Ground zero for these brazen, breezy intruders? That tiny space at the bottom of your front or back door, which this adjustable helper plugs up like a champ.

“Why didn’t I do this sooner?” one shopper asked. “During the winter, you can really feel the breeze coming in under my north-facing door. Once I easily put this under my door, my house [was] so much warmer and [it] should help with my electric bill.”

$14 at Amazon

Amazon

When you’re already freezing, sipping a lukewarm drink is just adding insult to injury. This mug warmer keeps coffee, tea and other hot beverages at a pleasantly piping temperature. Use it with any flat-bottomed cup — glass, porcelain, metal, even paper.

“I bought this because I can never finish my coffee before it gets cold,” one fan wrote. “With this, my coffee or cocoa never goes cold while I’m getting ready in the morning or having tea in the afternoon.”

$14 at Amazon

Amazon

If you have a window A/C unit, unwelcome drafts could start creeping through the vents when temperatures drop. This cover keeps all the cold air out and saves you the hassle of removing your unit when chilly weather sneaks up on you.

“This thing survived some crazy winter weather and storms,” one reviewer wrote. “I used it on the outside on a wall unit and it held up against the wind and snow, and kept the unit fairly clean. Great for apartments’ A/C window units.”

$16 at Amazon

Amazon

The cult of Crocs shows no sign of disbanding, but in the colder months, these famously breathable, cushy clogs aren’t quite as practical thanks to their perforations and lack of insulation. That is, unless you have this faux-fur-lined version that has over 96,000 fans, of course.

“I have normal Crocs for summer, but I needed one for winter,” one impressed shopper wrote. “This clog is sooo comfy, and I feel like my feet are being covered by clouds.”

$36 at Amazon

Amazon

When you’re sitting on the couch wrapped in your blanket and your teeth are still chattering, you may need some extra reinforcement. This portable electric space heater will do the trick — it’s small enough to carry with one hand but packs a serious punch. It also comes with a remote, oscillates up to 70° and has five heating modes.

“As a person who is always cold and immediately feels the difference when I turn it off, this is an absolute winner in my book,” one of over 15,000 five-star reviewers wrote.

$45 at Amazon

Amazon

We love a good Shark Tank product, and this one gives us cozy vibes just looking at it. The oversized wearable blanket has a sherpa lining that’s sure to keep you warm whether you’re sitting on the couch or heading out for a brisk walk on a fall evening. It even has a lined hood that protects your ears from the elements.

“I am one of the coldest people ever,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “This is so warm and comfortable. It’s my everyday go-to when I first get up. By noon or so, it’s usually warm enough for me to take it off.”

$50 at Amazon

Amazon

Between this blanket’s 15-pound heft and its sherpa fleece underside, you’ll feel like you’re receiving a warm hug that never seems to end.

“I probably own 10-plus blankets, some weighted, and this one is now my favorite,” wrote this fan. “It’s super soft and cozy. It’s good quality, and the color I chose is a really nice rich deep blue. I also like that there is different material on both sides.”

$50 at Amazon

Quince

We love luxury knitwear just as much as the next person, but the premium prices often make us second-guess hitting the checkout button. Quince was created with this in mind — the brand aims to make high-quality pieces at lower prices while cutting out the middleman. This 100% organic cotton cable cardigan comes in seven colors. Take note: Shoppers say it runs large.

“I absolutely love this sweater,” a reviewer gushed. “It’s soft and cozy and you cannot beat the price.”

$70 at Quince

Amazon

Stay warm from the inside out with tea, coffee and other hot beverages. A good kettle helps it happen, and this shopper favorite has a gooseneck for easy and precise pouring — no spills! It also has five temperature control presets and boils water in minutes.

“I love that it has different settings for different types of teas,” one reviewer wrote. “And not all teas take the same temperature. … Oh! If you forget to add water, it shuts itself off (yes, I’ve done this).”

$70 at Amazon

Nordstrom Rack

If lined Crocs aren’t toasty enough, these faux shearling Ugg boots will have you feeling warm and fuzzy. They’re lightweight and comfortable enough for all-day wear and have been a tried-and-true pick for shoppers for years.

“I wear these throughout the winter with leggings,” one reviewer explained. “They’re warm, comfortable to walk around in all day, and cute! … I sprayed these with suede protector right out of the box so I can get some more years out of them.”

$90 at Nordstrom Rack

Amazon

If you need a portable solution for keeping your drink hot, this Ember mug is our senior tech writer’s favorite pick for travel. It lets you control the temperature via app, so you can adjust as you go. The battery also lasts for three hours, so you’ll get lots of time to enjoy your morning cup of joe while you’re out and about.

“No more microwave for me!” one impressed shopper wrote. “I just love my mug! It’s personalized and cute. I love the fact that you can set your temperature to your liking and it remains hot for hours. It cleans easily! No spills over here.”

$125 at Amazon

Nordstrom Rack

A high-quality puffer jacket will last you forever. This designer option won’t break the bank and has a faux shearling lining for an extra layer of cozy insulation. It also has a removable hood and premium down fill.

“Loved it. Well made, quality materials and construction,” one shopper wrote.

$150 at Nordstrom Rack

Brooklinen

This waffle blanket is one of my personal favorites. As soon as open-window season hits, I add this layer underneath my duvet cover for extra warmth, and it makes more of a difference than you may expect. Some people recommend doubling up your duvet, but that can make things a bit too toasty — this layer strikes the perfect balance.

“Love the color in addition to the lightweight feel,” one shopper wrote. “It’s perfect as a TV blanket or as an extra layer on the bed.”

$186 at Brooklinen

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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