Best Electric Blanket – Buyer’s Guide

Affordable and offering a good amount of heat, this Cosi Home blanket is a good option for anyone wanting to keep cost low but not compromise on warmth levels.

There are three heat levels, selected with an easy to control slider remote. This can be removed to machine wash it at 40°C. Talking of temperature, the instruction manual says you should give it around 60-90 minutes to fully heat, but in our opinion this is generous, and there was enough heat after just 30 minutes when it was on the highest setting.

It is definitely one of those which you should leave to heat on the highest setting then allow to cool or turn it down if you like it lukewarm to get the quickest time. Thanks to the overheat cut out feature, you are free to leave it on all night without having to turn it off at 2 am in a panic.

The warmth is good, and it seems to stay warm for quite a while after you turn it off as well which is handy until you nod off.

If you’re a bit of a fidgeter, then the fact that the ties don’t really seem to reach completely under the mattress and tie well enough to hold it in place may bother you, but if you have a tight-fitted under-sheet over it, then this could reduce the likelihood of it shifting about.

For the cost though, it is great if you are sceptical about forking out a lot of money on a more well-known brand and being unsure about the unreliability.

Packed with plenty of features to keep you going, this blanket is a generously-priced option for anyone who wants the best of all worlds.

There is a skirt which can go over the majority of mattresses, to keep it securely in place and really easy to put on and remove when needed.

The electric power pack is high up on the blanket so will always be under your pillow. This is great for anyone who would be bothered by it being too low and digging into your shoulder or side when asleep, which is a common issue.

A timer function keeps the heat running for between 1 and 8 hours if needed. As there are dual controls, each side can be set at a different temperature so there will be no more arguments about it being too warm/cold when you’re both heading to bed. The controls are LED, so it’s easy to pick the settings and make sure you’re all set before you nod off.

It will heat up pretty quickly, getting to a warm temperature in just over 10 minutes and its warmest in about 20.

Even though it is all relatively simple to control in our opinion, it is still unnecessarily complicated, and we could see how it may get a bit much for any elderly users or those who aren’t very technological. But it is quick to get used to, and once you know it, there is no time wasted at all.

One of the pains of having an electric blanket covering the base of a shared bed is that it is more than likely you can put it on the middle setting, and one of you will be far too hot, and the other will still be absolutely freezing.

With a dual control blanket such as this one, you have the freedom to control each half of the bed entirely independently. Feel free to turn one up to the maximum and leave the other off altogether, and both of you will still be happy.

Now for the selling point – you can get it as a regular under blanket, or as a smart control blanket complete with app controllability, a Wi-Fi plug and timer scheduling. Turn it on without even leaving the sofa, or ready for when you get back from an evening with friends and just want to crawl into a warm bed.

It is all fitted to your mattress using tie tapes and is suitable for memory foam designs. Sizings are a bit small for the bed they are advertised for, so if you truly love your warmth and want it to stretch to every single edge and corner perfectly (as well as reaching your feet), we’d possibly recommend getting the size up.

The good news is that you will be happy with the heat levels; the middle ‘2’ setting felt warmer than some of the maximum settings we tested on the slightly cheaper blankets. Worth the money.

Available in a standard or luxury blanket version, the Sweet Dreams blanket seems to be pretty great for the price.

There are 6 heat settings and 9 timer settings with each option, and the lowest setting is still quite warm which is good for anyone who is fussy about the heat.

There is a skirt to fit it to your mattress rather than strings and straps, which makes life a bit easier. This is quite generous in size, so if you take note of all the measurements, then there won’t be any problems getting it fit.

If you are bothered by things such as wires and any lumps, then the fleece version will be the best bet. The price is not much more, so may be worth the investment for true happiness.

It does seem to cool down a bit quicker than most of the others we reviewed, which is good if you like to get into a heated bed but need it to be cooler for a comfortable sleep but not great if you like it to be nicely warm all night. However, it is possible to leave it on a low setting all night as there are safety precautions in place.

Controls-wise, it is easy to set up. There’s nothing complicated or unnecessary, just 5 simple buttons (two temperature, two timers and an on/off switch). The LED display screen tells you what has been selected before you get to sleep so you won’t wake up unnecessarily.

This Easy Fit electric blanket has a whole host of safety features and settings to help make your sleep a comfortable one.

Firstly, there are nine heat settings so you won’t risk being too warm or too cold, as you’ll be able to get it just right for your comfort. It only takes 15 minutes to reach body temperature, so you don’t have to prepare hours ahead of bedtime to turn it on and risk leaving it unattended.

Talking of leaving it unattended, there is Overheat protection, so if it does get a bit too hot or develop a fault, it will turn itself off for safety. This also makes it okay to use throughout the night if you tend to wake up with the cold – leaving it ticking over will keep you warm yet is safe.

There is a single control, and this is removable so you can pop it in the washing machine and the tumble drier, too.

It has been named ‘Easy Fit’ as it acts as a mattress topper as opposed to an ordinary electric blanket with dozens of strings and elasticated straps which need to be tied and fastened in all sorts of ridiculous manners. Simply pop it on, stretch it over the corners, and you’re done. It helps when you take it off to wash, and there is also less risk of it moving around or crimping when you’re asleep if you’re a fidgeter.

It retails at a competitive price for what you get and comes from a well-known name, so you couldn’t really ask for much more. Although we’d recommend quite a thick sheet on the top if you’re sensitive to slight bumps or the wiring.

Made from soft fleece for the ultimate comfortable, non-wiry feel, this offering from Lakeland also gives you a quick heat button for when you just can’t wait any longer to get into bed and fall fast asleep.

As it is so fleecy, it is great to use all year round; warmth in the winter, and softness in the summer. No more having to remove it all and store it away then refit it when the temperature soon dips again.

The LED control panel has six heat settings – the quick heat, which will get you warm in five minutes as a boost, and settings 1-5 which are suitable to use overnight thanks to the Overheat safety precautions.

It will also automatically adjust to ambient temperatures, helping it to keep the same temperature throughout the night but also reduce energy consumption and keep your bills down. There are two versions available, single or dual control, so you can make the selection as personalised as you wish.

As it is illuminated, you can easily see it in the dark if you do need to turn it off in the middle of the night, but there is also a timer which you can set anywhere between 1 and 9 hours. If you know you regularly forget to turn it off, then wake at 3 am feeling like you’re being boiled alive, just set it to turn off at 2 am.

It doesn’t feel quite as warm as a few of the others we reviewed, even on the top setting. For the price, this isn’t great, but we think that because it is so fleecy, it absorbs some of the heat. Great for anyone who likes softness and a subtle warmth, not so great for anyone who wants to get incredibly toasty.

Complete with a faux fur lining, this blanket is a great option for anyone who is after comfort and a bit of extra heat and padding from their under blanket.

Unlike a lot of the others which are quite thick, you can still feel the heat. The 30cm deep elasticated skirting keeps it fixed to the mattress well, and it won’t risk moving during the night.

With a heat up boot time of just 5 minutes, you can still be cosy and warm on those late nights where you just want to crawl into bed or when you have forgotten to switch it on in advance.

The ‘Intelliheat’ part comes from its ability to detect any temperatures during the night with the room and atmosphere, which Dreamland name Ready for Bed technology. If the atmosphere gets colder later in the night, it can boost itself to maintain the same temperature despite the drop in the room, and vice versa.

This keeps it all economic too – it won’t be on high if it doesn’t need to be – but at the cost of around 1p per night to run, it isn’t going to add a massive chunk on to your bills at the end of every month anyway.

You can leave it on overnight, and the safety cut-out will ensure there’s no overheating or issues which may cause a problem. You can also wash it in the machine and tumble dry on cool after.

Sometimes, you’ll have your fluffiest pyjamas on during the winter nights, but your feet are still freezing. You get into your nice warm heated bed, are roasting within minutes yet your feet still feel like ice. And there is absolutely no way you will sleep with socks on.

If this is the case, the Slumberdown Wonderfully Warm is ideal. You can choose to heat the entire blanket or just focus on the lower section where your feet will be, so you have full body warmth when you need it.

It is also incredibly comfortable. There is a fleece between the quilted outer layers, giving you a soft, supported base. The elasticated straps will keep everything fixed much better than strings and ties, so even if you are quite the fidgeter, you won’t risk it moving or bunching up, disturbing your sleep.

Now for a few niggles – the power connector is quite low down the blanket, it doesn’t feel overly warm, and it takes ages to get to a warm stage. It would make sense for the connector to be nearer the top, so it sits more under the pillow area rather than near your elbows. We also don’t know whether it is because it is quilted or not, but the heat isn’t great. It just feels warm rather than hot, even on the highest setting. And it took over an hour to get to this stage.

It isn’t for anyone who needs a powerful heat, but for those who like to keep it ticking over on low all night, it could be a good option.

If a low price is the absolute first thing you are looking at on your quest to buy an electric blanket, then this Morphy Richards is cheap and cheerful and does the job.

There are four heat settings, which is more generous than a lot of the others over twice the price, and the ultra-thin nanowires mean you won’t feel any of them under your fitted sheet.

There are a few downsides. The sizing is a bit off for a start in both length and width, so it is best to measure your mattress and not just buy the double as you have a double bed. It also doesn’t feel as long-lasting and reliable as others, and the corner ties don’t keep it in place overly well, but for the much lower price, they are all forgivable niggles if you just want something to get you through winter.

The idea of a smart app-controlled electric blanket has really caught your attention, but you want even more pizzazz. You want digital controls rather than a slider, a super-quick heat time, micro-fleece material for a luxurious sleep, and extra foot warmth.

The soft, fleecy Monogram Konnect blanket from Beurer gives you all this and more. Not only does it work with the dedicated app via Wi-Fi as well as Alexa and Bluetooth, but the digital screen makes your exact selected settings clearer and easier to choose than ever.

You can save up to 10 profiles for even more personalisation, so there is no messing around trying to get things exactly right, every day of the week. The screen will also give you a run-down of the energy usage which is great for anybody who is conscious of how much a blanket can add to the bills – and we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how low it is.

There are dual controls which are removable for popping it in the washing machine, but this doesn’t just mean you can heat either side of the bed separately. It means you can heat each quarter separately. Great if you love it to be really hot for your feet but just comfortable for your upper body.

It fits the bed really well without moving thanks to the skirting and adds to the comfort of the bed. It comes in above the smart Silentnight blanket even though it is around 3x more expensive, but if we are honest, it performs and feels miles ahead, and there is so much more choice. Well worth the extra cash.

With 9 heat settings, this is the best option for anyone who is incredibly fussy about the heat and wants it to be as particular as possible.

It has all the other usual features – overheating protection, timer and removable remote control and cable for machine washing. The fluffy texture means it can be used as an ordinary blanket as well as an electric one, and you can’t feel the heating elements throughout.

Talking of the elements, they seem to be spread well throughout the blanket to make the whole thing warm as opposed to just a few sections. It heats up well even on the lowest setting and keeps the heat for a good amount of time afterwards.

Available in both grey and brown, there will be something for everyone whether you want it to match the rest of your decor or just have a favourite.

Whether you want a blanket to keep you warm when you’re sat on the sofa watching a movie, or you prefer to have one above you rather than lying on it when in bed, electric heating throws are growing in popularity.

From around 1p per use, this Dreamland blanket will keep you warm without you having to completely wrap yourself in it and wait for the heat to hit. You can use it all night long, thanks to the timer function and the safety switch off should any problems be encountered.

There is a single control which is detachable from the rest of the blanket so you can pop it in the washing machine, and an auto-adjusting heat sensor can detect any changes in the external or your body temperature, changing its power levels accordingly.

As it only takes 5 minutes to heat, it is ideal for those evenings where the temperature suddenly drops, and the boiler can’t seem to kick in quick enough, or for when you need to warm up after you get back from work and out of the rain and wind.

Just like the other Dreamland products, the controls are a bit fiddly to get used to. But with a timer and 6 heat settings, they have plenty of options with just how much they want to keep warm.

It comes with a storage bag to keep it safe and dust-free when not in use and is also tumble dry safe. Perfect for all heating eventualities.