The best electric blankets are this winter’s must-have items. With energy prices rising and everyone trying to save money on heating bills, the best electric blankets will make sure you’re cozy even if you can’t or don’t want to heat your entire home.
Better still, as well as being an easy way to make a home cozy, they only cost pennies to run. While every electric blanket has a different power rating, one that uses 100W (0.1KW) would cost around 3.4p* to run at full power for an hour.
The best electric blankets are a far cry from the heavy ones you may have seen years ago too, not to be mistaken for the best-weighted blankets that serve an entirely different purpose. Modern versions are super-light and you won’t feel the wires through the material. They’re safer as well, with auto shut-off settings to ensure they don’t overheat.
Other handy features to look for include timing options and different heat settings while a dual-control function is useful if your sleeping partner prefers a different temperature. There are even different options besides the traditional under-blanket available including throws and wearable blankets, ideal for snuggling up with one of the best boxsets this winter.
We tested a range in our own home to find the best electric blankets that will keep you snug however chilly it gets.
How we tested the best electric blankets
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As the sort of people who get chilly on summer days, we were very well qualified to put the best electric blankets to the test. We tested all of them in our own home, without the heating over days when we were really feeling the cold.
We used each blanket as specified – as an under-blanket on the best mattress or as a throw over our best duvet or to snuggle with on the sofa – and judged whether we noticed a real improvement using it. For each blanket, we looked at the following factors:
- Safety features: Did it have an auto shut-off in case we forgot to switch it off or hadn’t set another timer?
- Controls: Did it feature different heat settings so we could adjust it to suit a warmer or cooler room, or duvet? Did it have dual settings to make it more suitable for a couple who prefers different sleeping temperatures?
- Warmth: Did it make a real difference to how we felt when we first got into bed or sat on the sofa in a chilly room? Was the heat distributed evenly?
- Comfort: Was it pleasant to sleep on or could we feel the wires through our sheet? Did we look forward to snuggling down in bed with it on?
- Washing: If the blanket claims to be able to be washed, we tested how easily it washed and dried and if there was any shrinkage.
Some of the best electric blankets Siobhan tested on behalf of w&h
(Image credit: Siobhan Grogan)
Best electric blankets to buy for winter 2022
These are our pick of the best electric blankets to buy right now, to see you through even the chilliest of winters
(Image credit: Zanussi / Currys)
We loved this electric blanket from the moment we secured it to our mattress, like an alternative best mattress protector. It was the only electric blanket we tested that worked like a fitted sheet with a skirt all the way around to tuck securely under our mattress, rather than using ties or elastic straps. This meant it held in position all night without shifting and kept the blanket flat on the mattress to ensure a lovely even heat.
We also liked the fact it had two controls so each person in the bed can operate their side independently and save arguments-though if the bed is against the wall one control is more convenient, choose the Warmer Electric Heated Blanket instead. The upper body area can be a different temperature to the lower area, which is perfect for anyone who hates sleeping with cold feet.
Though it takes over ten minutes to fully heat up, there are nine settings to make sure the temperature’s blissful making this one of the best electric blankets we tested, at a very reasonable price for the functions included. All we need is a cozy new pair of the best pajamas and we’re sorted for a blissfully warm winter, however bad the weather (or heating bills) get.
(Image credit: Silentnight)
If you’re considering an electric blanket, it’s likely you’re keen on other money-saving tips so it makes sense to look for the best budget electric blanket to start with. We were really impressed by the fantastic price of this option and it’s made of soft but durable fleece so actually made our bed more comfortable even when it wasn’t switched on.
It’s very easy to get up and running with elasticated straps that secure the blanket to the mattress, below any style of best sheets. The blanket also sits away from the edges of the bed so remains flat even if you move around a lot during the night. Ours started to heat up just over five minutes after being switched on and was perfectly toasty in less than half an hour.
Despite there not being a huge number of settings, we found the medium heat was perfect for our liking, although the low setting is best if you plan to keep the blanket on all night or for a long time. Best of all, it folds very flat when it’s not in use so you won’t need to find too much space to store it when it’s not on the bed – ideal when organizing a small bedroom.
(Image credit: Beurer)
When wearing one of the best sweaters is no longer sufficient for keeping you warm, an electric blanket is the ideal sofa companion. This one is extremely soft with one fleecy side and one made of faux fur that will look good in any living room even if you never turn it on. It comes in a range of colors so you can definitely find one to suit you too.
It does feel a little heavier than a non-heated blanket when it’s draped over you due to the wiring inside, but we actually grew to like the extra weight for added coziness. There are six temperature settings but we could barely feel the lowest ones at all so would recommend cranking it up to find the heat that works.
There’s also electronic temperature regulation so the whole blanket is evenly heated and you won’t end up with cold toes but toasty arms. We especially liked the fact it switched off automatically after three hours in case we dashed away and forgot to switch it off (or more likely, fell asleep during a film). Definitely one to reach for if you’re trying to avoid turning on the heating.
(Image credit: HoMedics )
A wearable electric blanket is a great option if you rarely sit still for long or want to stay snuggly even when moving between rooms – an affordable alternative to the best cashmere sweaters. This HoMedics throw is best worn like a poncho, with snap buttons and pockets at the front, so you won’t need to brave the cold when nipping to make a cup of tea in the kitchen.
It comes with a USB cable and battery pack so it’s completely portable so you don’t have to stay near a plug when using it, which is really handy. However, that does mean you need to be a little more organized and charge it when not using the blanket to make sure you have warmth on demand.
We found it took around three hours to charge and the battery lasted around four hours. It does switch off automatically after half an hour, though we would have preferred it to last a little longer before this kicked in.
The massage feature is a real bonus too and soothed our aching necks and shoulders after a long day. It’s particularly relaxing combined with the heat function, although if you’re looking for stronger heat from a throw, you would be better choosing the Beurer HD 75 Cosy Heated Overblanket. However, for portability, this blanket can’t be beaten and we’d happily settle down wearing it with one of the best fiction books of 2022 for pure escapism.
(Image credit: Slumberdown / Wilko)
It’s not easy to keep your house warm if you’re keeping an eye on bills this winter. Experts agree the best method is to heat the person, rather than the house, so an inexpensive electric blanket is a great first step.
This budget version is ideal if you’re not sure you’ll always use the blanket or you just want it for the occasional very cold night. Slim and made of 100% polyester fleece, it attaches to the mattress with elasticated straps and has three heat settings so you can find the one that suits you.
We found it took a little longer to warm up than some of the other best electric blankets we tested, but kept its heat well once it reached our desired temperature. Just don’t fall asleep when using it, as it has no automatic timer so you will need to turn it off manually.
(Image credit: Lakeland)
Not quite ready to start wearing a winter coat while you watch TV? If you’re warm enough in bed but prefer to be cozy catching up on Netflix on the sofa, a heated throw will be a game-changer.
This one from Lakeland is blissfully soft and thick enough so you won’t notice the wires while you channel surf. The Fairisle pattern and soft grey color are subtle enough to suit any home too.
Though the control is on the large side, it’s not difficult to tuck it out of sight and it offers an impressive range of settings to get the temperature exactly as you like it. There are nine different settings for the heat and another nine for auto shut-off, so you can set it to turn off any time in 20-minute intervals for up to three hours. Ideal if you’re likely to nod off before you reach the end of the film you’re watching.
(Image credit: Dunelm)
The best electric blankets should make any bed feel more comfortable, even if they’re not switched on. This one is made of fairly thick polyester fleece which adds an extra squishy layer on top of the mattress so it’s a worthwhile addition year-round.
It works well heated too, with three settings and a decent, even heat that stayed toasty even after we had switched it off-though remember this must be done manually as there is no built-in timer. It does take longer to warm up than some of the best electric blankets though, so we’d recommend switching it on at least five to ten minutes before you hit the sack.
Though it’s available for double and king-size beds as well, we think it would make a great buy for teenagers wanting to warm up their single beds before they get in. Throw in a pair of the best cashmere socks and they’ll never moan about the cold again (but may sleep even longer).
(Image credit: Cozytek / OnBuy)
As with bedding, king-size electric blankets come at an extra cost compared to products for single or double beds. This king-size blanket is still a bargain though, so you can stay snug even if you like to stretch out.
It ties onto the mattress with corner ties which means it will fit however deep yours is, although we would have preferred stretchable elastic ties instead. Although there are only three heat settings, the controller is easy to use and has an LED screen so you can see at a glance what setting the blanket is on.
There’s no dual control, however, so you and your sleeping partner will need to agree on the bed’s temperature. It’s generally thought the best way to get to sleep better is to get into a warm bed and then let it cool as you sleep anyway, so hopefully, you can avoid too many rows. If individual controls are the way to go though, buy the Warmer Electric Heated Blanket instead.
(Image credit: Beurer)
Not planning on cozying up alone this winter? If you’re willing to share, an oversized electric blanket is a perfect way to snuggle up together. This one is the softest blanket we tested, in a strokable taupe-colored fleece that doesn’t obviously look like an electric blanket and is neutral enough to suit all decor. It’s so plush, we’d be happy hunkering down under it even without the heat turned on.
It’s very responsive with six illuminated temperature settings so you can see at a glance how warm the blanket is. We also liked the fact it switched off automatically after three hours, so you could sling it on over your duvet if you prefer. The heat is extremely evenly spread so you won’t argue about who gets the warm spots but a throw won’t make you quite as toasty as an under-blanket, so we’d recommend the Cozytek King Size Electric Blanket Heated Underblanket if you need warming up in bed. Still, this would make a great gift for a couple.
(Image credit: Cosi Home / OnBuy)
You won’t need to resort to sleeping in one of the best winter hats if you choose one of the best electric blankets. This one is perfect if your mattress is a little thinner or deeper than average as it comes with fabric ties to attach it rather than the more usual elasticated straps. Though the elastic version is a little quicker to use (and our preference), it’s best to choose a blanket with corner ties if your mattress is an unusual size. You could also try the Warmer Electric Heated Blanket, which lies on the mattress with no fastenings at all.
It feels very comfortable on the bed so you won’t need to worry about feeling the wires through the sheet, and has three temperature settings so you can boost heat or keep it on low if you prefer all-night warmth. Just remember there’s no timer so you will have to switch it off manually if you just want a quick blast. Overheat protection will ensure it doesn’t overheat when you snooze though. Perfect to make sure you’re not getting into an icy bed this winter.
(Image credit: Warmer / Wayfair)
If you can never get warm and your other half is dressed for summer nights, you’ll need a dual-control electric blanket. These have two separate heat zones which can be controlled individually so your partner can turn it down or off entirely, while you bask in toasty warmth (or vice versa). Unusually, there’s also only one control to operate both sides, so you won’t need to find two plugs, although some people might prefer an individual control on their own side of the bed.
However, the reason we really loved this blanket is the fact it also offers body zones so you can heat the entire blanket or just the area near your feet-a dream come true if you hate having cold toes in bed. There are also nine heat settings so you can really find the perfect temperature plus a two or ten-hour timer to make sure the blanket will switch itself off.
This was also the easiest electric blanket to fit on our bed as there are no ties or straps to fit and it simply lies on top of the mattress, though we did find it shifted a little after a few nights of use. We’d have also loved it if the blanket was machine washable as we’re clumsy and worried about spilling our morning coffee all over it. If you’d rather choose one that was, you may prefer the Cozytek King Size Electric Blanket Heated Underblanket instead.
Do electric blankets work and are they worth it?
Modern electric blankets work very well and mean you will heat the space you sleep in, rather than the whole room. That means you can use them for a short space of time even before you get in, then turn the blanket off once you have warmed up under the duvet.
Most have low settings to enable them to be left on all night too if preferred, though make sure the blanket has overheating protection before doing this.
They are particularly useful for anyone who really feels the cold but has a partner who doesn’t, as long as you choose a blanket with dual controls. Though even the best electric blankets can’t replace heating as they won’t warm the wider atmosphere, they are also one of the most cost-efficient ways to warm up if the heating is not on or if you’re looking for a boost as you get into bed.
Just remember not to use an electric blanket older than ten years as this may no longer be safe and always check a blanket over before adding it to your bed to make sure it has no loose connections or scorch marks and the cord is not damaged. To ensure safety, plug it directly into a socket rather than an extension lead too.
How to choose an electric blanket
How you choose an electric blanket is all dependent on three key considerations – your budget, preferred use, and your interior design tastes.
If you are looking for a warming layer for your bedroom to keep you cozy at night choose an electric blanket that is specially designed to fit over your mattress, featuring elasticated straps to fit comfortably over your mattress to secure it underneath your bedding – so it’s undetectable. A standard electric blanket is only really for use as a layer over your bedding and might not cater to your needs.
If you’re looking for more of a comfort blanket, to use in the living room, while nestled on the sofa, think more about the aesthetic (still focusing on the usability rating of course) but be more conscious of your chosen blanket adding a decorative touch to your interior decor choices. Look for a color or patterned design that compliments your scheme, so it becomes a welcome layer – rather than standing out like a sore thumb.
If your home is lacking space consider one of the more compact designs that are easy to fold away, when not needed, to help keep your small space organized.
In all instances budget is an important factor, but the good news is that our pick of the best electric blankets offers different styles all at affordable price points –meaning there’s a solution for everyone to stay suitably cozy this season, whatever the budget.
*This is based on the Energy Saving Trust’s national average price per pence/kWh of electricity of £0.34 in October 2022.