Electric Blankets

Cost-Effective and Luxurious

You might not think something can be affordable and luxurious at the same time, but some electric blankets have managed to be both! A combination of advanced, efficient heating elements and plush, cosy fabric means many heated blankets are low-cost to run and sumptuously soft to lie on.

All of the blankets above meet our strict quality tests, meaning they’re eco-friendly and superbly comfortable. Below, we’ll outline how we judge a good electric blanket and a few of the different features you should look out for.

Comfort

When it comes to electric blankets, comfort is the most important thing! There’s a lot that goes into making a heated blanket comfy and cosy, including the fabric, the quality of the heating elements inside it, and the way it fits to (or over) your bed.

Some of this is down to personal preference. You might prefer a thick, cosy underblanket or silky-smooth overblanket, or something else. That’s why we stock such a wide range of different blankets! However, there are a few things you should watch out for no matter what. A good blanket has very thin heating elements and thick fabric so you can’t feel the wires as you lie on top of it. If you want a fitted electric blanket, it should fit to your mattress smoothly, with no lumps or riding up. Finally, it should distribute warmth evenly across the entire surface, with no patches of extreme heat or cold. This means you can get comfy in whatever position you like – you won’t have to wriggle around to find the one spot where the temperature is just right!

Easy to Fit

Whether you’re good at changing bedding or not, you want your blanket to be as easy to fit to your bed as possible. For heated throws, overblankets, and duvets, this isn’t really an issue. Electric underblankets, though, need to be fitted smoothly over your mattress. If they’re not fitted properly, they can ride up and crease, which in turn can cause the heating elements inside the blanket to bunch up. This means you could be left with hot and cold patches in your bed, so finding a good fit is important.

The most secure fit is a fully-fitted electric blanket. These work just like a fitted sheet, with an elasticated skirt around the edge that you can easily stretch over your mattress. This gives you the best, snuggest fit of any electric blanket! Other fitting styles include elastic straps and tie tapes, which fit around the corners of your mattress.

Heat-Up Time

The best way of using an electric blanket is to turn it on while you get ready for bed. By the time you’ve got your PJs on and you’ve brushed your teeth, you should be able to sink into a perfectly cosy bed! If your blanket takes too long to heat up, you might be left with a cold bed for longer than you’d like, so it’s worth considering.

The average heat-up time for the blankets in our range is around 10-15 minutes. Some blankets, such as the Dreamland Intelliheat models, have a fast heat setting that reaches its target temperature in just 5 minutes.

Easy to Clean

If you want that refreshing clean sheet feeling from your electric blanket, just pop it in the washing machine! Every electric blanket you can see above is tested to ensure it’s easy to wash and easy to dry. All the sensitive electrical components are in the control (the only thing inside the blanket is a heating element), so just detach your control cable and pop the blanket on a cold, gentle wash. Some (but not all) models can even be tumble dried, although the can all be dried carefully on a washing line or clothes airer.

Controls

All electric blankets have a controller of some sort. They let you adjust your temperature settings, timer, and any other settings. Controllers are usually very simple, but some are simpler than others. Basic controls are made of a simple slider switch, whereas more advanced models may feature buttons and a simple keypad to let you program your timer. If you’re really uncomfortable with technology, this is worth considering.

Most blankets in double, king, and super king sizes are fitted with two controls. With these dual control blankets, you and a partner can control your half of the bed independently of the other. This means, if you like things hotter than your partner, there’s no need to argue – you can both get your side of the bed just the way you like it!

Heat Settings

Having more heat settings gives you more control over your comfort. It means you don’t have to put up with being slightly too hot or too cold – you’re more likely to find a setting that’s just right. If you’re very particular about being just the right temperature, you want a heated blanket with as many settings as possible.

Some blankets – such as the award-winning Homefront range - offer even more flexibility as they include separate settings for your feet and body. This is great if you suffer from cold or achy feet a lot.

Affordable to Run

Electric blankets are much cheaper to run than your central heating. This is because they don’t have to warm up your whole room. In addition, they’re made from cosy, heat-absorbing material, meaning they don’t have to use much energy to warm up.

Stylish

Electric blankets don’t have to be the best-looking things – but it certainly helps! This isn’t really a concern for fitted underblankets as you’ll never see them, but overblankets and throws are a different story. Above, you’ll find a wide range of throws ranging from simple to stylish. Some of them look so good that they’re easy to accessorise as part of your living room all year round! If you want to use a throw or overblanket downstairs on the sofa, you should consider carefully how it’ll fit into your décor.

Our Electric Blanket Reviews

To help you decide which electric blanket is best for you, we've tested each and every one against for six important things. Every product is marked out of five for comfort, cosiness, fit, heat-up time, energy efficiency, and value for money. To find out more about how we test our blankets, click here.