In some areas of the country, it is so cold that homeowners will need a gutter and gutter guard system that melts ice and prevents icicles. Gutter covers can have trouble with ice dams when there is water buildup in the cold weather. Having heated gutter guards can help ensure you are ready for any type of weather, and the water flowing through your gutters will never be an issue. In our guide featuring the best heated gutter guards, we will show you:
- What gutter protection companies offer heated gutter guards
- How much heated gutter guards cost
- If a heated gutter protection system is worth it and much more
There are a number of different ways in which your existing gutter can be fitted with heated gutter guards. A self regulating heating cable is one of the most common. Let’s look at the best gutter guard for your home and how you can have peace of mind about the heated gutter guard system you invest in.
Our Top 5 Heated Gutter Guards
At Today’s Homeowner, we have researched and tested dozens of different heated gutter guards. We looked for things like warranty, type of gutter guard material, reputation in the industry, pricing, type of heating system, and much more. Here is how the top 5 heated gutter guards ranked.
- MasterShield Gutter Guard: Most Environmentally friendly
- Edge Melt Systems: Best for Ice Dam Prevention
- Gutter Helmet Helmet Heat: Best Design
- All Weather Armour ArmourGuard Ice: Best Year Round Heated Gutter Guard
- GutterDome Magma: Most Durable
1) MasterShield Gutter Guard
The MasterShield Gutter Guard is the most environmentally friendly heated gutter guard on the market. With the self-regulating heat cable that can be included on your MasterShield Gutter Guard melting snow and deicing, your gutter guards will be quite easy to accomplish. The MasterShield gutter guards are professionally installed, and they come with a lifetime warranty. In addition, the MasterShield Gutter Guards are considered to be environmentally friendly and are made from recycled steel.
MasterShield Gutter Guards are installed on a slope that will naturally help prevent ice buildup. Instead of simply sitting on top of your rain gutters, the MasterShield is installed at the same pitch as your roof. The idea here is that you will face less water damage and a smaller chance of a clog. Gutter cleaning should be a thing of the past with the MasterShield gutter guards in place. Just make sure you are asking about the heated guards when you call your local MasterShield Gutter Guard representative.
Key Features
- Pitched design to push debris off
- Lifetime warranty
- Over 14 color options
- Made from recycled materials
- Helps prevent a blockage in the downspout
What Customers Are Saying
MasterShield Gutter Guards is not accredited with the BBB. This makes it a bit more difficult to get an idea as to how the MasterShield Gutter Guards stack up against the competition. However, even though there is no accreditation, MasterShield does have 3 out of 5 stars. Homeowners found that even during heavy snowfall, the MasterShield Guards are durable and do not break down.
The complaints that homeowners express is with the filter getting clogged with debris. There are times that grit from roof shingles will get stuck, and the filter will need a rinse. The shingle grit is very fine, and it makes it difficult to create a filter that would be resistant to collecting this grit.
Read our MasterShield Gutter Guards review to learn more.
2) Edge Melt Systems
Edge Melt Systems makes gutter guards great at protecting against ice dams. The reason Edge Melt Systems stands apart from other heated gutter guard providers is that they have a unique system, unlike others on the market. The system allows for three different types of installation to ensure your gutters are heated the way that works best for K style or fascia style gutters. When the Edge Melt Systems heated gutter guards were created, the idea of preventing an ice dam was the main motivation for the product.
The system consists of a VersaScreen Pro and FE Cover and then a self regulating heating cable. Some of these designs can even be installed with an indoor controller. Of course, this could require the help of an electrician as these systems often have an expert design. The Edge Melt Systems are best when installed by a professional that specializes in the different methods of heating your gutter guards.
Key Features
- A+ rating with the BBB
- Large parent company with a strong reputation
- Several methods to heat gutter guards
- Ten-year or more warranty
- Professional installation
What Customers Are Saying
Edge Melt Gutter Guards are owned by a company called GSB services that will make several metal products for homeowners and home improvement needs. The Edge Melt Systems has a BBB rating of an A+ and 5/5 stars. There are not a large number of reviews on this website, but many customers have found Edge Melt Systems to be very easy to work with and responsible for your home improvement needs.
There were no complaints about the 10-year warranty on the heated gutter components or the 30-year warranty on the gutter guards themselves. The only issue that we happened to notice with the Edge Melt Gutter Guards was the slightly higher prices. With the three different options of gutter heating, this is a good solution for custom or unique needs, but that certainly adds to the total price of the gutter guards.
3) Gutter Helmet Helmet Heat
Gutter Helmet is the best heated gutter guard design. Not only is this a good gutter cover to help melt snow, but it also does a great job of keeping debris out of your home gutters. With more than 40 years in business, Gutter Helmet is a known provider of gutter guards designed to keep things like pine needles, roof shingle grit, and leaves out of your gutters. However, with the addition of the new Helmet Heat technology, you will not have to worry about ice buildup on your gutters. The Helmet Heat is professionally installed and is highly efficient in ensuring that ice never starts to build up on the gutters.
With Gutter Helmet heated gutter guards, you will have a lifetime warranty. In addition, this company has been in the industry for more than 40 years, making it one of the more widely recognized heated gutter guard options out there.
Key Features
- Has seven different design patents
- 40 years in business
- Gutter protection and heated technology combined
- Lifetime warranty
- BBB rating of A+
What Customers Are Saying
Homeowners are generally quite happy with the Gutter Helmet Guards and the addition of the Helmet Heat heating system. The BBB has given Gutter Helmet an A+ rating making it one of the most highly recognized manufacturers in the heated gutter guard space. Overall the long warranty helps to keep people happy with the product. Trustpilot has a few reviews for Gutter Helmet as well, and the total star rating is 3.8 out of 5.
For the most part, homeowners are happy with the functionality and find that this patented system works better than something like heat tape. The micro-mesh system will potentially keep out more debris than the Gutter Helmet Gutter Guards. However, the Gutter Helmet Guards will significantly reduce the amount of debris in the guard.
4) All Weather Armour ArmourGuard Ice Gutter Guards
The All Weather ArmourGuard Ice Gutter Gutter Guards are the best for year round gutter cover performance. With these gutter guards, you will be getting the AWA IceBreaker technology created by All Weather Armour. The idea here is that you will no longer have to deal with damage to your home and roof after a rough winter season. The ArmourGuard Ice will stop ice from developing but also melt it if it has already established itself in your gutter guards.
In addition to the heat performance offered by All Weather ArmourGuard Ice, you will also benefit from the fact that the gutters do not get clogged with this technology in place. The micro-mesh screens do a great job of protecting the gutters in the fall months when leaves, acorns, and other debris can make a real mess. Although this is a newer technology, the 10-year warranty on the heating cable should give you some peace of mind.
Key Features
- A+ rating with the BBB
- Shipping across the United States
- Durable and long-lasting guard
- Will work in all climates
- Can be installed on existing gutters
What Customers Are Saying
All Weather Armour has an A+ rating with the BBB. With just 7 years in business, this company has established itself as knowing how to handle your gutter guards and the issues that can come up with poor weather. Customers were quite happy with the technology that was offered as well as the ability of the ArmourGuard Ice Gutter Guards to keep ice from ever developing. As we know, ice and water damage is expensive, and this product has helped people to save quite a bit of money.
The only issues we came across when looking through the reviews were that these gutters will function best when installed at a 30-degree pitch. In order to make this happen, it is best to employ a professional to help with the installation. This, of course, increases the total price you will pay for the ArmourGuard Ice Gutter Guards.
5) GutterDome Magma
The GutterDome Magma is the most durable heated gutter guard. With the GutterDome Magma, you will not have to worry about corrosion or rusting as this is a military-grade aluminum built to last for years to come. The GutterDome Magma has been on the market for about five years, and the company only recommends this upgrade to those that are living in colder climates. With the GutterDome Magma in place, you will find that ice never has the chance to form; it will melt and travel directly into the gutters.
Overall, GutterDome Magma is known for having a very strong warranty and for the adjustable sizing that makes installation considerably easier. During heavy rain, the hole sizing of the Magma can be a bit small, and it could cause some rain to fall off the side of the gutter. However, for moderate or average weather, or cold temperatures that can benefit from the heating coil, the GutterDome Magma is a good selection.
Key Features
- The multi-patented dome shape
- Adjustable sizing
- Military Grade 6063 extruded aluminum
- 30-year warranty that is transferrable
- Integrated heat cable
What Customers Are Saying
The reason that GutterDome was fifth on our list of the best heated gutter guards was because of some of the negative reviews that we found with this company. The GutterDome business is not accredited with the BBB and has a few complaints that have not been fixed. In addition, TrustPilot has some negative reviews with an average of 3.3 out of 5 stars. Customers were particularly disappointed in the GutterDome product during heavy rain.
One of the things that may cause GutterDome to get some of these negative reviews is the adjustable sizing. The sizing of the gutter guards is adjustable in the 4-5” and the 6-7” range. Sometimes depending on the exact size of your current gutter, getting the right GutterDome Magma fit can be a problem. This leads to water potentially falling over the edge of the gutter guard.
Buying Guide for the Top Heated Gutter Guards
Heated gutter guards are not necessary for all states. However, if you live in a climate where frequent snow is expected, then heated gutter guards can save you a lot of damage. However, heated gutter guards can be harder to find. Here are some of the things to look for when choosing heated gutter guards for your home.
Quality
A high-quality gutter guard is going to be something that lasts for years to come. Most of the higher-quality gutter guards are going to have a mix of steel and aluminum as these products tend to hold up over time. Some gutter guards will call themselves heated because of a copper filter or something installed in the center; however, to be a true heated gutter guard, you will need to have a headed cable and the ability to turn the heating system on and off.
Cost
Heated gutter guards will be more expensive than traditional gutter guards. As you can imagine, there is additional technology and electrical work that goes into creating gutter guards, and the costs are high. Some gutter guards that are heated will allow for self-installation, which makes them easier to get in locations across the United States, but the cost of the gutter guards will be high when professionally installed. Also, consider the costs of the electrical installation that may be part of this process.
Installation
Gutter guards can be installed professionally or independently as a DIY product. Many of the gutter guards on our list of the best heated gutter guards can be purchased and installed by a local contractor. You will have to find a local gutter distributor in your area, and they may be able to recommend qualified professionals that can complete the installation. Expect the installation process to be a bit more costly for heated gutters since they are created with additional technology.
Appearance
The heating element of the heated gutter guards is sometimes hidden. This means you will not see the heating element or the cables, and that can help with the overall look of the guards. In addition, the appearance of the gutter guards is considerably better when you find a color that matches your current gutters. Many gutter guard manufacturers will make their gutters in a few different colors. Getting color samples from gutter guard manufacturers should not be hard.
Size Options
The standard size options for most gutter guards are 4, 5, and 6 inches. There are some companies that will make 7 or 8-inch gutter guards, but this is less common. It can be hard to find a manufacturer that will make a custom size gutter guard as this can be expensive when you consider the heating element in addition to the custom build. The size of a gutter guard is a very important consideration as it will impact the functionality.
Warranty
Gutter guards with heat elements typically have a warranty attached to the gutter guard itself and one that will work for the heating element. A good warranty on the heating element is about 10 years; for a gutter guard, look for something closer to 30 years. The warranty is important, but for stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guards, the chance of something happening that damages or destroys the guard is relatively minimal.
Compare the Best Heated Gutter Guard Companies
| Provider | Cost* | States Covered | Unique features |
| MasterShield Gutter Guard | Contact For Quote | Contact Company for Complete and Updated List | Created by inventor of Micro Mesh Gutter guards, lifetime warranty, premium technology, and functionality |
| Edge Melt Systems | Contact For Quote | Available From Dealers All Over US | A+ rating with the BBB, three different options to choose from, large parent company with great reputation |
| Gutter Helmet Helmet Heat | Contact For Quote | Available From Dealers All Over US | Great technology and performance, micro mesh design for better runoff, 40 years in the business |
| All Weather Armour ArmourGuard Ice Gutter Guards | Contact For Quote | Available From Dealers All Over US | Durable and long lasting, works on all gutter types, 7 years in business |
| GutterDome Magma | Contact For Quote | Available From Dealers All Over US | Military grade aluminum, domed design, comes in adjustable sizes |
Final Thoughts on the Highest Rated Heated Gutter Guards
We hope you now feel as though you have the information you need to purchase the best heated gutter guards on the market. There are many different types of heated gutter guards to choose from, but some manufacturers like LeafFilter, recommend looking at other solutions aside from heated gutter guards. LeafFilter Gutter Guards have been on the market for more than 15 years, and they are known for their durability, longevity, and overall strong performance.
When shopping for any kind of gutter guard, be sure to consider getting more than one quote. Having several quotes will help ensure that you get a great deal on a product that should last for years to come.
Heated Gutter Guards FAQs
Are heated gutters worth it?
Heated gutters are worth the price for people that are living in cold climates and struggle with ice dams in their gutters. Unfortunately, heated gutters are a bit more expensive than traditional gutters, but the extra functionality is quite important. Gutters can’t function at all when they are frozen with ice.
How much do heated gutter guards cost?
Heated gutter guards can cost anywhere from $1 or more per linear foot. The question will depend on the type of gutter guard you end up with, how these gutter guards are installed, and the size of your home. Heated gutter guards are more expensive than traditional gutter guards, but the extra functionality is necessary for some areas with large amounts of snow and freezing temperatures.
Will they cause or prevent ice dams?
Heated gutter guards will prevent ice dams. Most of the heated gutter guards in our guide featuring the best heated gutter guards are designed to ensure that ice never forms in the gutters. Many of these gutter guards have controls that will turn on as soon as the temperatures get cold enough, and homeowners will never have to worry about a heavy gutter filled with ice snapping off of the house.
What is the best type of gutter guard?
The best type of gutter guard is the stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard. These gutter guards have a tremendous ability to keep large and small debris out of the gutters and only let water penetrate into the gutters and downspout. LeafFilter Gutter guards are known for being the best on the market because of their history in the industry and their functionality.
Why are gutter guards important?
Gutter guards will keep debris out of your gutters and allow water to flow off of your roof. In addition, here are some of the other benefits of having gutter guards in place:
- Lower chance of foundation damage
- No critters making homes in the gutters
- Gutter cleaning is significantly reduced
- Greater strength of current gutter system
How we Ranked, Reviewed, and Tested the Best Gutter Guards
Here, we’ve broken down our rating methodology for gutter guards. You should know that we’ve taken the utmost care to provide the most up-to-date information and to ensure that you make the best choice for your budgetary and home maintenance needs.
Why Trust Today's Homeowner? Our Gutter Ranking Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 gutter guards so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each gutter guard and gutter guard provider company according to our gutter ranking methodology.
We also dug into the details of each gutter guard to ensure that you could make the best decisions for your home and keep your gutters debris-free for years to come.
To make the most of our research, we developed a formula to objectively determine the best gutter guards based on the following criteria:
- Material: Material durability was the single most important factor that went into our rating methodology for gutter guards. Whether they were stainless steel micro-mesh or plastic screening, we gave an in-depth rating for this criteria.
- Debris Resistance: Our testing served as the primary evaluator for this factor. We curated a rating based on customer testimonials and our own in-house testing here.
- Ease of Installation: Most of the gutter guard options listed have some DIY component involved. For this reason, guards that required the fewest specialty tools got the highest rating here.
- Cost: How reasonable are prices in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors.
- Warranty terms: We looked into the warranty of lifetime warranty terms if it is offered by the provider.
- Trust: What do customers rate the company? We looked into what customers are saying about their experience with the company.
- Buying process: if the gutter guard is a DIY installation, how easy is the buying process? We looked for shipping costs and shipping time, as well as where the product can be bought from.
