Winter is here, and if you're one who's cold all the time, investing in an electric blanket is not something you'll regret. Forget grabbing dusty old blankets from the back of the cabinet, layering on itchy sweaters, or wearing more than one pair of socks to bed. Cozy up with an electric blanket instead for more warmth without worrying so much about your bills.
Costing cents to run each night, an electric blanket is a really budget-friendly buy that will help you get through winter feeling jolly. It will warm up your mattress for a good night's sleep, and keep you toasty on the couch, even when it's subzero temperatures outside.
And besides, electric blankets have come a long way since your grandma had one, and now boast lots of cool features like timers, temperature settings, and smart dual controls. They’re even pretty stylish and available in a range of colors and sizes to suit your home.
So we’ve shopped around and found the best ones on the market. We’ve tried them out overnight to make sure they’re worth the money. Below, you’ll find what we think.
The 6 best electric blankets to invest in
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Our favorite electric blanket is Cosi Home's heated throw. We've tried the one in the UK which is called Cozee Home, by comparison, and it's by far the coziest we've tried. Surprise, surprise! It's perfect for both layering under your duvet or using as a wraparound blanket for movie night, we can't get cozy without it.
In testing
I found this one easy to use and just as quick to clean, giving me more of a reason to keep using it. The heat controller (which is the simplest we've seen, despite the more advanced settings) is detachable, and I've even used it without the heat setting in the style of a traditional blanket. This also means I can wash the entire thing. While the fabric is polyester — not as eco-friendly as I would have liked — it does wash and dry well. I've washed it on a quick cycle and tumble dried on low.
Energy-efficiency
It has nine heat settings, impressive! Most electric blankets have six, max. This includes a plus H button that blasts high heat for 60 minutes before dropping back to one. Being able to control the heat with more precision means you won't waste energy on a setting that's too hot or too cold for your liking. But, it is the most expensive on this list. If you can justify the one-off price, then it'd be worthwhile.
It's safe to say it can get cold just about anywhere in the house, especially if you have an open-plan living room and kitchen. So you'll be glad to know this electric blanket is not just for the bed. It may be sold in standard mattress sizes, but it also comes as a throw option. And since it's super soft, with a reversible profile, it could easily be mistaken for a non-electrical item.
In testing
Whether you're feeling the chill while watching TV, sitting at your desk, or relaxing in bed, you can wrap up in this blanket just about anywhere. I've tested the UK equivalent, and used it on my bed, around the couch, and even while I've been working. And thanks to its stylish design, it doesn't look out of place, in any space. But what I like the most about this, is that it's super easy to clean, too. Completely washable, we've popped this throw in the machine and it's come out just as soft.
Energy-efficiency
While we may have needed to wash this one more than others due to it being used most days, it's still been more cost-effective than switching on the heating. Besides, it's a relatively affordable buy to begin with. With six different settings, a timer, and an automatic switch-off, there's no concern when it comes to choosing your temperature. Though we did notice this one takes a little longer to heat up, which may impact efficiency.
There's a lot to love about Sunbeam's Heated Blanket, and there are also over 31,500 reviewers that are willing to share what exactly is so favorable about it. But first things first, let's start with its smart technology. Who knew an electric blanket can connect to your smartphone? We agree with reviewers that controlling your blanket from just about anywhere is a "dreamy feature we could now no longer live without."
The cozy stuff
Putting the smart tech functions aside for a moment, there are other clever features to keep you cozy. For example, it may be a thinner blanket, made from polyester (not the best when it comes to sustainability), but it uses ComfortSLIM wires that are the thinnest, most flexible yet. Simply remove the cord and controller too, when it comes to washing.
Energy-efficiency
The fact you can control your heated blanket from anywhere is a big saver. Pre-heat your bed, use voice assist with either Alexa or Google assist to adjust the heat, and turn it off without moving a muscle. Once connected to the app, you can also set auto on and off timers for up to 10 hours to get the warmth when you want it. Clever, right?
Love the other electric blankets we mentioned but want more customizable features? If so, then turn your attention to the Biddeford Knitted Blanket. Available in plenty of colors and sizes with 10 heat settings, finding the best blanket at the right temperature couldn't be easier.
The cozy stuff
You can turn it up during those cold chilly nights, and turn the heat down when the temperatures warm up. Too hot? Well, put it away and store it easily, thanks to a reusable zipper bag with a handle. Versatile in temperature but also multipurpose,
this blanket, while soft like a throw, can be used as an under-the-covers mattress pad. Knitted for extra warmth, you really won't have to climb into cold sheets again.
Energy-efficiency
This blanket is better than most since it offers "therapeutic full body relief." In other words, it has ultra-thin heating wires to evenly spread the heat from one end to another. Pre-heating your bed perfectly, there's no need to leave this throw on longer than a few minutes. And with an auto-off timer, you won't be wasting any energy. Better yet, reviewers are impressed with its insulating technology: "Once it's hot, it stays hot!"
We'll talk about the more practical parts after, but for now, let's appreciate the pretty design of this Threshold electric blanket. Who'd have thought you'd picked it up at Target? Luxurious looking, and feeling, it's a stylish alternative to other basic electric blankets.
The cozy stuff
We wouldn't be surprised if you kept this blanket on your bed immediately after getting it out of the box. It'd make a great fall decor buy for cozying up your room, both looks and utility-wise. Since it's made of faux fur, you won't even need to switch the heat on to feel the benefit either. Available in three neutral colors, you'll find one to go with your aesthetic, too.
Energy efficiency
It may look and feel great, but it does only have four heat settings. That being said, it's thick and furry, so maybe you wouldn't want it to get too hot anyway. It isn't the most energy efficient on this list, but it sure is cheap. You get what you pay for it seems. So if you're not willing to invest right away, but could do with a buy to get you through a few chilly nights, then we'd still recommend this one for its value.
Lastly, if you loved the previously-mentioned Sunbeam Blanket but wanted a fuss-free, no-tech version, this fleece one is for you. Designed in perfectly on-trend fleece, this one-size blanket is availablein fun patterns and colors for superior warmth, comfort, and looks. High snuggle factor and high style, what more could you want?
The cozy stuff
Best of all, reviewers loved how this blanket heated up too quickly, and one specifically loved how it was child-friendly! For someone who suffers from hypothyroidism and gets cold during the night she loved how this blanket had a "high setting to let the bed heat up" and then could seamlessly switch to "low" once in it. Between that and the majority of reviews commenting on softness, it's a budget-friendly no-brainer.
Energy-efficiency
Besides the cheap cost, this Sunbeam best-seller features a PrimeStyle Controller for users to switch between 12 heat settings. It also has ThermoFine technology, which will auto-adjust for consistent warmth. Bonus! With a three-hour auto shut-off too, you'll have peace of mind when in use.
How we chose and tested these electric blankets
Interested in how we test these electric blankets? You may have noticed that we haven't had hands-on experience with all of these energy-saving buys. But, we feel the glowing reviews, and the abundance of them, speaks highly. With brands like Sunbeam and Threshold being big names in the home and heated blanket worlds, we can trust they'll do a good job of producing a product that works. Plus the customer feedback confirms it. The ones we've picked have a 4.5-star rating or higher, with compliments galore on the factors we're looking out for, including performance, heat-up speed, settings, and softness.
Besides, we have had hands-on experience with a few, or at least two of their UK versions.
Meet our electric blanket tester:
Louise is currently sharing an apartment with friends in her first home. While this comes with the excitement of having her own place, it also comes with bills to pay. Her heating costs are on the rise (as well as everyone else's), so she's been eager to test out just about anything that will save her some dollars.
"I have both of the top-rated electric blankets, which may seem like one too many, I know. But trust me, having an extra one for a roommate or guest to use has proven tactical in us not turning the heating on just yet. We all take turns snuggling under the Cozi Home heated throw on the sofa and the Be sure throw has added a decorative touch to my bed."
5 things to think about when buying an electric blanket
There are a good choice of electric blankets on the market, and their popularity is only rising in the current climate. To help you decide which one will work for you, there are a few things we'd recommend you to consider:
1. Style
Would you rather have a blanket that sits underneath your sheet to heat up your bed before you sleep? Or would you prefer a throw you can snuggle under on the couch, throw over your bed, or wrap up in when you're sitting in a chair? Either way, most electric blankets come in standard mattress sizing, with some offering a throw option, too. Whether they're pretty enough to be on show is what you should consider.
2. Temperature settings
See how many options there are. We say the more the better, because the weather constantly changes, so it's nice to be able to adjust your blanket's temperature accordingly.
3. Energy efficiency
How energy efficient your electric blanket is will play a big part. Most new electric blankets will cost as little as 10 cents per night to run. And all of them will be cheaper than heating up your whole house.
4. Machine Washable?
Look out for an electric blanket that can be washed. A lot are now tumble dryer safe, too. Some of the best electric blankets have a removable controller that turns it from a heating device to a washable throw.
How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?
Since there are other energy-saving products out there that don't require plugging in or charging, like the best duvet to cover you up at night, or even a draft excluder to keep out the cold, it's worth seeing how much an electric blanket actually costs to heat.
The experts at Sleepseeker have researched and discovered data on how how much it costs to run an electric blanket. They state: "To calculate the cost of an electric blanket with an approximate power of 100W, you need to convert to Kw and multiply by the cent / kWh unit." Recent findings from Save on Energy claim that the average residential electricity rate in the U.S. for September 2022 was 15.42 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), you'd need to calculate 0.1*15.42 = 1.542. Running an electric blanket would therefore cost around 1.5 cents per hour, or 12 cents per night (8 hours).
How do I wash an electric blanket
Hayley Thistleton, at SleepSeeker recommends that “you should wash your electric blanket approximately every few weeks to once a month or whenever the blanket gets dirty." Most electric blankets have a removable cover that can be thrown in the washing machine and dried on low. Though we'd always advise checking the care instruction label before you do.
For a step-by-step guide, you can read our how to wash an electric blanket tutorial full of advice from experts.