I put the best electric blankets and heated throws to the test – these are my 8 top recommendations

The best electric blankets and heated throws are designed to keep you warm and cosy when temperatures plummet. But, as I soon found out when I put the leading brand names through their paces, not all do quite as good a job at warming up the bed or creating a warm spot to snuggle into on the sofa as others.

I tested all of the heated blankets included in this guide on my own bed and this shortlist features only those blankets that impressed me the most.

So, if you've already invested in one of the best mattresses money can buy, and are now looking for an electric blanket to warm it (and you) up during the coldest months of the year, you're in the right place. Plus, with most of these electric blankets averaging just 2 to 4 pence per hour to run, they could even save you money on heating costs.

After testing twelve bestselling electric blankets, I think the Dreamland Snowed In Dual-Control Heated Mattress Protector is by far the best electric blanket money can buy thanks to its comfort, quick heat-up time, and wealth of functionality. It's now the blanket I use on my own bed each winter.

But, I was also impressed by the budget-friendly Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket – it's far more basic, but it still did a great job of keeping me warm for a bargain price, plus, it's the cheapest electric blanket to run. Read on to find out more.

The quick list

This quick list is an overview of the very best electric blankets. You'll find more information on each heated blanket and why I recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best electric blankets

Best electric blanket overall

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This was by far my favourite electric blanket overall because it's one of the few that nailed all of my testing criteria.

The quilted upper means that it feels really comfortable to lie on, so my sleep wasn't disturbed by any uncomfortable wires underneath my body – as was the case with many cheaper, thinner electric underblankets – and because it's designed like a mattress protector with an elasticated skirt that fits over the mattress edges, it offers full coverage, so there were no lumps and bumps where I could feel the edge of the blanket below the sheet.

This blanket also comes with plenty of features that make using it a dream, including six temperature settings – the highest of which makes this the hottest heated blanket I tested, and allows a super speedy 5-minute warm-up time. In comparison, most blankets I tested took up to 15 minutes to reach optimum heat, which meant I sometimes had to wait to get into bed or climb in and shiver for a bit. Not so with Dreamland's Snowed In blanket which was always ready when I was.

There are also dual-controls that are invaluable if you share a bed. This means both sleepers can toggle their preferred heat independently, plus there's an auto shut-off timer with 1, 3, and 9-hour settings so that I didn't have to worry about switching off the blanket before I fell asleep. The only downside is that those higher temperature settings do mean more energy usage, with this blanket using 150W on each side, compared to an average of 70W.

It's the most expensive heated blanket in my round-up, but if you're looking for a toasty and comfortable night's sleep this winter I think it's hands down the best electric blanket to invest in.

Best heated throw

If you're looking for a heated throw to stay cosy while you snuggle up on the couch then this super-soft velvety heated blanket from Dreamland is my top recommendation.

It comes with a detachable socket, so you can use it as a normal throw if you don't want to be plugged into a wall socket continually, but when temperatures start to cool its 5-minute heat-up time will have you toasty in no time.

The easy-to-use digital controller has 6 temperature settings I could toggle through by pressing one simple button, and it offers the choice of 3 timers – 1, 3 or 9 hours – with auto shut off. The blanket also has an auto safety function that automatically runs a full safety check of the throw every time you switch it on for extra peace of mind.

I found the size of the blanket perfect to cover me on the sofa, or for wrapping around me while I worked from home and was trying to save on my heating bill, although I would like to see a larger version that fits two on the couch. Costing just pennies to run, I found it a great solution for keeping out the chill whilst keeping heating costs low.

Best budget electric blanket

If you don't need dual-controls, then Silentnight's 'Comfort Control' electric blanket is one of the most affordable electric blankets on the market, and despite its no-frills design, I found it did the job of eliminating the chill and keeping my bed toasty.

This blanket is attached to the mattress with wide elastic straps that slip easily over each corner, but sadly, unlike the top two options in this edit, it does scrimp on size a little, with the blanket not fully covering the whole mattress. In the double size, I found that meant the heat is concentrated in the centre of the mattress rather than the edges, so it may be best for a single sleeper.

There's no fancy padding or quilting on this model, which does mean I could feel the wires under the sheet a little, but not so much it was uncomfortable. The lack of quilting also meant the heat penetrated through to my body nicely, and although with just 3 temperature settings this blanket doesn't get super hot, I still found it plenty cosy enough. Like Silentnight's 'Yours & Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket' it just takes a while to heat up to maximum temperature, requiring 15-20 minutes to get to full heat in my tests.

Otherwise, its features are limited – there's no auto shut-off timer (so I needed to remember to switch it off before I drifted off to save energy and money), and there are no dual-controls on this model – however, if you're looking for a budget electric blanket, this option will certainly keep out the chill without breaking the bank.

Budget dual controlled electric blanket

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If you're looking for the cheapest way to save on arguments with your other half, then this is one of the most affordable dual-control electric blankets I've come across. Because it fits the entire width of the mattress, it's also one of my top choices if you're a single sleeper in a double or king-sized bed, and the ability to only turn on one half of the blanket is a useful energy-saving feature if your partner is often away.

Compared to the Dreamland Snowed In Dual-Control Heated Mattress Protector at the top of my shortlist, this cheaper dual-operated electric blanket does feel a lot more basic, with no quilted padding and far fewer control options. As with the Silentnight Confort Control blanket, I could feel the wires through my fitted sheet, and the sockets where the power cable attaches are much more noticeable (and uncomfortable to sleep on) than on Dreamland's blanket. However, this Silentnight option is a lot less money.

There are only 3 temperature settings compared to the 6 settings Dreamland's Snowed In blanket offers, and although I found this blanket to be plenty warm enough on its highest setting, it doesn't achieve the same high temperatures that the Dreamland option can. It also takes longer to heat up, with a 15-20 minute wait before it hit full temperature in my tests. Although, that does make it more cost-effective, with each side of the blanket using a maximum of 60W compared to the Dreamland blanket's 150W per side.

There's also no auto shut-off timer, so you will need to remember to turn the blanket off before you fall asleep if you want to save energy and avoid waking up roasting at 3am. Or you can leave the blanket on all night on a low setting.

It definitely feels basic, but if you're after a dual-controlled double or king-size for the cheapest price possible, this heated underblanket is a good solid contender.

Best electric overblanket

There are several reasons an electric underblanket may not be for you, in which case you can still get (nearly) all the benefits of a toasty bed by opting for an overblanket instead.

Although often harder to find, an overblanket is the ideal solution if you have an adjustable bed where an underblanket's wires could get compressed, a heat-sensitive memory foam mattress that's designed to react to your body temperature and mould to your body shape – the electric blanket's extra heat will confuse things here – or you struggle to do the heavy lifting that strapping an under blanket on to your mattress can require.

As someone who's prone to overheating, I also found this overblanket was a far better solution for reducing night sweats. Every electric underblanket I've tested uses polyester wadding to soften and protect the cables, which I found could make me overheat even when the blanket wasn't on. In comparison to an underblanket, the overblanket could be positioned between the duvet and bed sheet to warm up the bed and get things toasty, and then whipped off once the chill had gone from the bed, making for a better night's sleep.

Dreamland's Peaceful Dreams overblanket also has plenty of welcome features, from the super-quick 5 minute warm-up time, to the 6 temperature settings and the auto-shut off timer that's perfect if you do want to leave the blanket on the bed all night. There's also a dual-control option for two sleepers. And the lightweight design was barely noticeable extra weight.

I did find it wasn't quite as toasty as an underblanket once I was tucked up in bed, but its versatility meant it fast became one of my favourite finds.

Most stylish electric blanket

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Performance-wise this heated blanket is identical to the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw at #2 in this list. It heats up in just 5 minutes and offers 6 temperature settings for getting your cosy on, all controlled by an easy-to-operate digital LED controller.

It also features an auto shut-off function that's programmable to switch off after 1, 3 or 9 hours. Plus, the blanket has an auto safety function which means an in-built heating sensor detects the blanket's temperature 25 times per second and automatically regulates its warmth to reduce any risk of overheating.

The only real difference is in aesthetics (the Hygge Days super soft faux fur design is available in a soft brown mocha or a deep grey colourway), its weight (this blanket is around twice as heavy which may appeal to those of us who like snuggling up under a weighted blanket), and, unfortunately, its price point (this blanket is almost twice the price of the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw). However, in the flesh, this blanket is great quality, and I do think its higher price point is justified.

If you're after affordability then the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw at #2 would be my top choice, but for luxury and stylish design, the Dreamland Hygge Days Luxury Faux Fur Warming Throw would be my top recommendation.

Best wearable electric blanket

Planning on using an electric blanket to stay warm whilst sitting on the sofa or working from home at your desk? In that case, a heated poncho may fit the bill better, offering all-around warmth without the struggle of keeping a blanket around your shoulders.

This electric heated poncho from Lakeland is made from super cosy fleece which adds a welcome layer of insulation all by itself, but turn on the heat and you have 9 temperature settings to toggle between to find your perfect warmth setting.

The poncho has fasteners to hold it in place, and it cleverly leaves your arms covered enough to keep them warm, but free enough to turn the pages of a book, enjoy a snack, or, in my case, type away at your laptop. I just had to remember not to wander away from my desk whilst it was plugged in! That said, the 230cm cable does give some wander-room, and you can detach the controls from the poncho so you don't need to take it off for the walk to the fridge. That also means it can be machine washed at 30˚c.

Plus, on the off chance that all that warmth might make you drowsy, it also comes with 9 timer settings, and overheating protection for peace of mind.

Best for cold feet

This luxury electric blanket has a lot going for it. Firstly, the simple-to-use digital controllers offer 9 temperature settings that made finding my ideal heat an easier affair, as well as making it easier to manage the blanket's energy consumption.

You can tailor the warmth levels further thanks to dual controls on the double, king, and super king blanket sizes. These allow the temperature of the respective sides of the bed to be adjusted independently of each other – a real boon for couples with different heat preferences!

And, this is one of the few electric blankets on the market that also enables you to independently control the temperature of the body and feet zones of the blanket, so if you suffer from cold feet you can just switch on the lower portion of the blanket, or increase the heat setting in this area alone – genius!

The blanket also offers an auto shut-off timer with 4 options to choose from – 1, 5, 8 and 12 hours – so you can drift off without having to worry about turning off the blanket first if you don't want it running all night, and making for more economical use of energy. And, last but not least, is the blanket's quilted fleece upper layer, which adds an extra layer of comfort and can be unzipped and washed separately for easier regular washing.

Unfortunately, I also found this feature to be one of the blanket's downsides. The thicker quilting meant the heat didn't penetrate through the padding quite as well as thinner alternatives, and as this blanket straps onto the mattress rather than having a full-coverage fitted design and the blanket's width is smaller than a standard mattress, that means that the thicker quilting makes the blanket's edges a lot more noticeable underneath the sheet. I also found the cable length from blanket to control a little too short to operate comfortably once in bed.

That said, if warm feet are high on your agenda, then this electric blanket is still well worth considering.

Also tested

How I tested

Each electric blanket in this guide has been tested by me at home, on my own bed. Or, in the case of the heated throws, while I was snuggled up on the sofa in the evening.

Amy Lockwood

Hi, I'm Amy, and as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the last four years testing sleep products from the best duvets to the best pillows. For this guide, I put 12 bestselling electric blankets and heated throws to the test to see which performed the best overall.

During testing, I assessed how well each electric blanket fitted to my mattress, whether that was by way of a fitted skirt or elasticated straps. I also noted whether the electric blanket covered the entirety of the mattress surface – I soon found many cheaper electric blankets scrimped considerably on size.

I then noted how comfortable each blanket was to sleep on and if I could feel any of the electrical wires or the electric sockets through my fitted sheet.

Then I timed how long each electric blanket and heated throw took to heat up and how hot it felt once it was fully heated. I also considered how easy the controls were to operate, how many temperature settings each blanket offered, and whether the heated blanket was equipped with an auto-shut-off feature so that I could fall asleep without wasting money and energy by accidentally leaving the blanket turned on all night.

In the case of the electric underblankets I also considered whether the larger sizes of the blanket came with a single control or dual controls. Dual controls are preferable if you share a bed with a partner as it means that both sides of a double, king, or super king electric blanket can be operated independently of each other.

I also made sure to note each blanket's wattage so it's easier to calculate how much it costs to run, and, of course, I took the blanket's initial price into consideration.

As well as testing each electric blanket and throw for a couple of nights in my own home, I also dug into third-party reviews to see what other customers thought of each product. I compiled all of this data to give each product a score out of 5.

How to choose the best electric blanket

To find the right electric blanket for you it’s well worth understanding the different types of heated blankets available, and how each type works, before you shop.

First up, there are electric underblankets. These are the classic design that most of us are probably most familiar with. They consist of a blanket that is secured onto your mattress and covered over by your bed sheet.

Alternatively, overblankets are intended to be used either inside your duvet or on top of a loose sheet above you.

Heated throws tend to be thicker and bulkier, and can be used either over the bed or to snuggle up under on the sofa or drape over your shoulders or lap whilst you're seated.

So what else should you look out for when shopping for the best electric blanket for your needs?

Well, whilst the cheapest electric blankets on the market will likely do the job of heating up the bed before you get in, spending a little more money generally means you get a more comfortable sleep and greater control over temperatures and shut-off times. Here are my top tips for what to consider before you part with your cash.

• Quilting or padding – all electric blankets contain thin electrical wires cushioned between layers of fabric. These wires are what heat up to warm the bed. Cheaper electric blankets tend to be quite basic and thin which means you can often feel these wires underneath your bedsheet. Look out for heated blankets that have a quilted or padded top layer for optimal comfort.
• Number of temperature settings – budget models tend to offer 3 temperature settings, and in my experience it can be hard to settle on one that's just right. More heat settings mean more chance of finding your ideal temperature, plus, having the option to use your blanket on a lower heat setting is also a good way to save energy and heating costs.
• Dual controls – speaking of that elusive 'just right' temperature, if you’re going to be using an electric blanket on a shared double or king-size bed then I’d highly recommend paying a little more for a dual-controlled option. It's well worth it to avoid any arguments with your other half over temperature settings!

• Auto shut-off timer – on a basic electric blanket you'll need to switch it off before you fall asleep or leave it on all night. Paying a little more for a model with a timer means you can drift off peacefully in the knowledge the auto shut-off will kick in at a pre-set time. Although the initial outlay is generally more expensive, this can save on energy and running costs over time.
• Independent temperature zones – if you're prone to icy toes then look out for blankets that offer the option to increase the temperature of the foot section of the blanket independently of the main sleeping area, like Slumberdown's 'Wonderfully Warm' electric blanket.
• Smart functionality – some heated blankets allow you to hook them up to a smart app or Alexa to control when they come on so that your bed is always warm when you’re ready for bed time, although you’ll generally pay more for this feature. My top tip is to pair an ‘ordinary’ electric blanket with a smart plug so you can get all the convenience of remote control at a lower cost!

FAQs

How does an electric blanket work?

All electric blankets contain thin electrical heating cables cushioned between layers of fabric. When you plug the electric blanket into a wall socket and turn it on, these cables then heat up. An electric blanket will have control unit between the blanket and the electrical outlet that you use to turn the heating element on and off and to adjust the heat settings.

What is the difference between an electric blanket and a heated blanket?

A electric blanket (sometimes also known as an electric underblanket) is a blanket that contains heating elements. An electric blanket is designed to go on top of your mattress and under your fitted sheet to warm up your bed.

Some people also call an electric blanket a heated blanket. However, these days you can also get heated throws, and (confusingly) sometimes these are also referred to as heated blankets!

A heated throw is usually much thicker and more luxurious than an electric blanket, and it's designed to be used to snuggle up under on the sofa as you would with a normal unheated throw. You can also use a heated throw on top of the bed over your duvet, but it's usually then a struggle for the heat to penetrate through the duvet. Our guide to heated blankets vs electric blankets has more detail.

What's the #1 rated electric blanket?

Having tested multiple electric blankets from Dreamland, Silentnight, Slumberdown, and more, I rate the Dreamland Snowed In Dual-Control Heated Mattress Protector as the #1 electric blanket.

That's because this underblanket has a fitted skirt that means it fits snuggly and securely onto the mattress and a quilted upper which means you don't feel the electric wires. It also heats up in just 5 minutes and has 6 temperature settings to find your ideal heat. Plus, it offers dual controls that mean you and your partner can operate your respective sides of the blanket independently, and it has an auto-shut-off timer so you can fall asleep without worrying about running costs.

Does a heated blanket use a lot of electricity?

The amount of electricity a heated blanket or electric blanket uses will depend on its wattage, whether you use it on its highest or lowest heat setting, and how long you use it for, but, an electric blanket is usually an economical way of staying warm.

For instance, most of the electric blankets in this guide cost between 1p and 3p an hour to run. That's often cheaper than turning the central heating up which is why using an electric blanket can be a good way to save energy at home.

To help you work out the exact running cost of each blanket in this guide I've included the wattage in the 'specifications' section for each product. Our guide to how much it costs to run an electric blanket will then give you the exact formula to use to work out its cost-to-run based on your energy prices.

Which electric blanket is cheapest to run?

In my tests, I found the cheapest electric blanket to run was the Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket. Using just 70W of energy, at current average energy prices that equates to running costs of under 2p per hour. And it will be even cheaper if you're not using it on the highest of its three temperature settings.

However, if you have a double or king-sized bed, then, depending on your usage, the Silentnight Yours & Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket could work out even cheaper to run. This electric blanket allows you to operate both sides of the bed independently, with each side using just 60W of power.

If you and your partner go to bed at different times or one of you prefers to sleep warmer than the other, being able to heat both sides of the bed independently of each other could not only save you both arguments, but also save you money, as you're not wasting energy heating both sides of the bed unnecessarily.