The 8 Best Heated Buckets

This massive API 16HB (about $98) can hold an impressive 16 gallons at a time, and stays warm using a thermostatically-controlled mechanism with overheating protection for safety. The unit will only come on as needed to prevent the water inside from freezing.

When you have the Powerblanket Lite (about $81), almost any vessel can be converted into a heated version that will resist freezing. The flexible wrap easily adjusts to match your bucket shape, plus there are multiple sizes to fit anything from a two gallon pail to a propane tank.

The simple but effective Farm Innovators Poultry Drinker (about $45) is a two gallon vessel with three drip and freeze-free nipples that dispense water on demand. It can be hung from it's heavy-duty metal handle, or placed on a flat surface.

The K&H Pet Products Thermal Bowl (about $23) has a modest 96-ounce capacity, but it's a fine heating solution for keeping your outdoor dogs, cats, or smaller farm animals hydrated during the colder months. This stainless steel option is quite durable and easier to clean than plastic.

The API Flat Back (about $43) stays flush against the wall, even when hanging, and features hidden cord storage in the bottom for year-round usage. It's made of impact-resistant polyethylene resin to help prevent warping or stress cracks.

With its anti-tip design, the Farm Innovators Model P-60 (around $28) may be just the option for anyone with pets who think that drinking time should be splashing time. It's a great size for big dogs, but it doesn't quite hold one-and-a-half gallons as the label says it will.

The K&H Pet Products Thermo-Poultry (about $53) is a useful option for anyone who keeps chickens in an outdoor coop during the colder months. It offers an adequate 2.5-gallon tank as well as a no-roost top that will help it stay clean better than many other models.

The clever flat-backed design of the Farm Innovators 4.5 Gallon (around $55) allows it to rest stably when it is hanging against a wall, reducing the likelihood of spills and splashes. It's made of lightly flexible rubber that resists cracking down to -35 degrees Fahrenheit.