An electric blanket is an effective and cost-efficient way to warm up your bed at night.
Unlike a space heater that uses a lot of energy to warm the whole room, an electric blanket is much more energy-efficient.
It’s also more effective than a hot water bottle which warms up only a small area of your body and you cannot control the temperature.
Electric blankets work by heating up a network of wires embedded inside the fabric. You can set the level of heat that feels most comfortable. Most electric blankets also come with a timer that automatically switches off the heat after the set number of hours.
In this buying guide, I’ll review the best electric blankets available online. I considered factors like safety, ease of use and heat controls to choose the best picks.
But before we get to the reviews here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for an electric blanket.
What to consider when buying an electric blanket
1. Safety
Modern electric blankets are pretty safe. They use a low-voltage current so the risk of an electric shock is very low. Just make sure you follow all manufacturer instructions when setting up and using the blanket.
One thing you should check is whether the blanker as an automatic switch-off feature that cuts power in case of overheating or if the heat is left on for too long.
2. Timer and heat settings
One of the first things to check is whether the blanket has multiple heat settings. That’s very important since it allows you to choose the most comfortable temperature setting.
Some electric blankets come with basic settings like low, medium and high or 1, 2 and 3. Others provide as many as 10 heat levels indicated with numbers. Others come with a thermostat that allows you to set a specific temperature.
Also check whether the electric blanket comes with a timer.
A timer lets you set how long the heat will remain on after you sleep. In most cases, you don’t need to have the heat on all night. You can set the timer for 2-4 hours and the blanket will retain the heat for the rest of the night.
3. Dual controls
If you sleep with your partner, you might prefer an electric blanket with dual controls. They allow each of you to set your own heat level and timer for your side of the bed.
This is great if you have different sleeping preferences. Perhaps you prefer sleeping warmer than your partner.
Dual controls are usually available in King and Super King electric blankets.
4. Easy cleaning
Most electric blankets can be cleaned safely in the washing machine. Just remember to remove the controllers before putting it in the washer.
Check the manual or user guide for specific instructions on cleaning temperature and how to dry the blanket.
5. Under-blanket vs. Over-blanket
These are the two main types of electric blankets you’ll come across.
An under-blanket goes directly over your mattress and then you sleep on it. You can cover it with a sheet if you want.
Most electric blankets are under-blankets.
An over-blanket goes over your duvet. You cover yourself with it.
There isn’t one type that’s better than the other. The best choice is up to you.
Best Electric Blanket reviews
1. Homefront Electric Blanket King Size Dual Control
This is one of the best electric blankets for couples. For one, it’s big enough to comfortably fit a king size bed. It measures 152cm by 203cm.
Most importantly, it comes with dual controls. You can each control the heat output and timer for your side of the bed.
This is great if you and your partner have different sleep preferences. If you love sleeping a bit warmer than your partner, you can set the most comfortable temperature for your side.
There are 9 heat settings available on the controller and 10 timer settings.
The blanket heats up pretty quickly. Around 10 minutes and it’s ready to go. You can even turn off the heat or set a timer for the heat to turn off after some time. It will retain the generated warmth till morning.
One thing I love about the controller is that it has separate settings for your body and feet.
If you are one of those people who feel perfectly warm in bed except for your ice cold feet, this is perfect. You can just warm up your feet.
Overheat protection ensures the blanket never gets too hot.
The blanket itself feels soft and cosy. It is an under-blanket with an elastic skirt that fits snugly on your mattress.
You can machine wash it at 30C. Just remember to detach the controllers.
What we like about it:
- Dual controls.
- Versatile settings.
- Overheat protection.
2. Premium Comfort King Size Electric Blanket
If you don’t need a dual-control electric blanket, this is a good alternative. It’s cheaper too.
This is a king size but it’s also available in a smaller single size.
The controller provides just 3 heat settings indicated by the numbers 1, 2 and 3. This is way fewer than in many premium electric blankets but it’s enough for most people.
I just wish they had included a timer.
The manufacturer recommends pre-heating the bed for 30-60 minutes on the highest setting. You can then turn off the heat when you go to sleep.
But many users say it’s better to turn the heat to the lowest setting after pre-heating. This keeps the bed at just the perfect temperature through the night.
The overheat protection mechanism will ensure it doesn’t get too hot for your safety.
It is an under-blanket which goes over your mattress. Corner ties allow you to secure it snugly to the mattress.
What we like about it:
- Affordable.
- Easy to use – just 3 heat settings and an on/off button.
- Overheat protection.
3. Monogram Komfort Fully Fitted Fleecy Heated Blanket/Mattress Cover
If you are looking for a luxury dual control electric blanket, this is a good buy. It will cost you a bit more compared to the dual control Homefront electric blanket, but it feels more comfortable and luxurious.
It’s made from 100% polyester fleece. Even without the heating function, it feels warm and cosy.
Turn on the heat and it’s perfect for extra-chilly winter nights.
The wires are extra-thin. You won’t feel them even when you sleep directly on the blanket (it is an under-blanket).
The elastic skirt provides a snug fit around your mattress.
This is a king size but there are other sizes also available including double (single and dual control), single and super king dual.
Using the controller, you can set your side of the bed to one of the 6 temperature settings.
The bed warms up in a quick 8 minutes. After that you can either turn off the heat or set the timer to 1, 3, 6 or 12 hours.
A Sleep Safe protection system ensures the blanket doesn’t get too hot.
What we like about it:
- Extra-plush and soft.
- Dual controls.
- Timer.
- Quick heating.
4. Slumberdown Wonderfully Warm Electric Blanket
The Slumberdown electric blanket is available in 4 sizes: double, single, king and super king.
All are under-blankets with straps at the corners to secure them to the mattress.
Only the king and super king sizes have dual controls for couples. The other two come with just one controller.
There are 9 heat settings to choose from. But the electric blanket can also automatically adjust temperature based on room temperature.
A temperature sensor constantly checks room temperature and adjusts the blanket’s heat level to maintain maximum comfort through the night.
Like the Homefront electric blanket, this one also has separate controls for your body and feet. This is handy if you need extra warmth for your feet.
It of course comes with a timer with four settings: 1, 5, 8 and 12 hours.
The blanket itself is very comfortable. The quilted comfort layer is extra-soft and provides plenty of warmth even with the heat turned off.
As for cleaning, you can opt to wash the entire blanket (remove the controllers first) or just wash the removable comfort layer.
What we like about it:
- Easy to use.
- Dual and single controllers available.
- Versatile heat settings plus an auto-adjusting temperature sensor.
- Easy to maintain – you can remove and clean just the comfort layer rather than the whole blanket.
5. Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket
This is another great choice for those who are looking for something that’s not too expensive.
You can get the blanket in single, double or king size. None of them, including the king, offer dual controls.
One thing to note about the sizes is that they don’t fit edge-to-edge on corresponding mattress sizes. For instance, the king size won’t fully fit a king size bed.
If you are buying one for a double bed, I recommend getting the king size. If it’s for a single bed, get the double size.
If you are buying one for a king size bed you’ll just have to make do with a slightly smaller electric blanket. It’s not a big problem though some users say it doesn’t cover some areas like your neck.
The controller has three heat settings. The highest setting (3) is great for pre-heating the bed. The lowest setting (1) is perfect if you want sustained warmth through the night.
The blanket’s overheat protection mechanism will automatically cut power if it detects hot points or any other electrical problem.
You can clean the blanket in a washing machine at 40C.
What we like about it:
- Affordable.
- Multiple heat settings.
- Overheat protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much electricity does an electric blanket use?
Compared to a central air conditioner or a room heater, an electric blanket uses very little electricity.
The average usage is between 40 watts and 200 watts depending on heat setting, the size of the electric blanket and whether it has a separate heating system on each side.
Assuming you set a medium heat level throughout the night (roughly 70 watts for 8 hours), the total heat usage per night is 560 watts.
Compare that to a 1,000W room heater that can use up to 8,000 watts (8Kwh) per night.
Q: How much does an electric blanket cost to run?
The average electric blanket uses about 70 watts of electricity per hour when on the medium heat setting. For a full night of 8 hours, this comes to 560 watts or 0.56kWh.
The average cost per Kwh in the UK is 14.37p.
That brings the nightly cost to run an electric blanket to around 7p and the weekly cost to around 50 cents. The monthly cost of running an electric blanket will be roughly £2.
Q: How to wash an electric blanket?
Most electric blankets are machine washable. You just need to detach the power cord then put the entire blanket in the washer.
Check the care tag or manual for washing instructions. Most electric blankets require a gentle cycle at 40 degrees.
For drying, check manufacturer instructions to see whether it is safe to tumble-dry the blanket. If it’s not, you’ll need to air dry it, either on a hanging line or a flat surface.