We can all agree that there’s nothing worse than feeling cold in your own home, which is why the think the best electric blankets will be your best friends this season. You can snuggle up underneath them on the sofa and put them on your bed with all the bed linen and pillows to make your night’s sleep as toasty as possible.
With the rising cost of living, many of us are turning to alternative ways to stay warm during winter to reduce on the amount we’re spending on energy, such as wearing hooded blankets around the house and popping a fleece bedding set on for extra warmth at night. However, getting cosy underneath the best electric blankets can work out cheaper than sticking the heating on for the same period of time, helping you to cut back on heating bills.
Best electric blankets at a glance:
• Best electric blanket overall: Slumberdown Wonderfully Warm Electric Blanket – view on Amazon UK
• Best electric blanket for bedtime: Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket – view on Amazon UK
• Best fleece electric blanket: Dunelm Electric Fleece Blanket – view on Dunelm
• Best electric blanket for couples: Silentnight Dual Control Electric Blanket – view on Amazon UK
As well as being an energy-efficient way of keeping warm, the best electric blankets also offer customisable heat levels so you can tailor the temperature to your preference. This level of customisation means you can crank up the heat when you’re feeling the chill compared to other people in your home, so you’re only heating up the area where you need extra warmth. These great blankets can also offer pain relief as the gentle warmth can help to relieve muscle tension and soothe any aches and pains you may have.
Whether you need a helping hand to stay warm at night, want to avoid switching the heating on, need some gentle pain relief or simply want to get cosy as you relax in the evenings, we’ve rounded up all the best electric blankets that will keep you warm and cosy throughout the cold spells.
Best electric blankets
Best electric blanket overall
This Slumberdown Wonderfully Warm Electric Blanket has nine different heat settings to warm you up. We particularly love this blanket as you can choose to heat your toes only, which is one of the reasons why it's taken the top spot in our best electric blanket list. It securely fits to the mattress and is suitable for all-night use while also having an automatic shut-off and timer feature. It's also machine washable and tumble dryer safe.
Customer review: "this electric blanket is good value for money.. Lovely and warm and comfortable.. best on no.2 setting for me. Lovely and cosy"
Pros
- Extra foot controls
- Nine heat settings
Cons
- Some reviewers say it takes a while to heat up
Best electric blanket for bedtime
If you're someone who gets cold while they sleep, the Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket will help you to stay warm as it's designed to work like a mattress topper. You simply attach it to your mattress using the straps and heat using the easy remove with three heat settings. You can also easily disconnect the remote from the electricity when you're feeling toasty enough and for safer sleeping.
Customer review: "Fits the whole of the double bed. Easy to fit. Warms up very quickly. Excellent."
Pros
- Keeps you warm in bed
- Three heat settings
Cons
- Some may be looking for more of a 'blanket' style electric blanket
Best electric blanket for couples
Ideal for couples who can't agree on how warm or cold they are, you can both control the Silentnight Dual Control Electric Blanket using the individual remotes so your side suits your personal comfort level. It has three heat settings on each side and the blanket itself is warm and soft to touch so you can both enjoy a comfortable night's sleep. It is washing machine safe too.
Customer review: "Love this. Got it to help with heating costs over winter after years or being too afraid to have an electric blanket. Heats quickly and dual control is a must so we can have our side just how we like it. Getting into a warmed bed is a joy and I don’t know I lived without this before!"
Pros
- Dual control
- Super snug
Cons
- Some reviewers had difficulty securing it to their bed
Best electric blanket for warmth
You can set the Mia&Coco Electric Heated Blanket to exactly how warm you like it as it has 10 temperature levels, which offer a temperature range of 25 to 53°C. It's also got a timer setting so you can set it to automatically switch off after a set period of time. It's made from flannel and sherpa, which will only add to the cosiness as it will feel lovely and soft against your skin.
Customer review: "Bought this as I work from home and the house is cold throughout the day but I don't want to have to put the heating on just yet. Arrived quickly, lovely and soft on one side and fleece on the reverse. Easy to operate and heats up quickly. I have it wrapped around me on the chair while I'm working and only need it on sporadically as it keeps me warm."
Pros
- 10 temperature settings
- Auto-off timer
Cons
- Different sizes are available but not in the same colour
Easiest to use electric blanket
On sale
With a simple-to-use LED controller featuring a switch to turn it on and off and to set the three temperature levels, this Dreamcatcher Electric Heated Blanket is straightforward to use. It has a fast heat-up time and comes complete with secure ties you can securely fasten it to your bed. Once the controller has been detached, it can be popped into the washing machine on a 40°C cycle.
Customer review: "Good for warming the feet on a cold night. Easy to use."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can be machine washed
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the blanket could be thicker as they could feel the wires while laying on it
Best luxury electric blanket
www.lakeland.co.uk
If you're looking for something a little luxurious that will look fabulous in your living room or on your bed, then this faux fur electric throw is ideal. It takes just five minutes to heat up, has six heating functions, is machine washable and comes with an auto shut-off safety function.
Reviewed by Features and Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert: "I have been so impressed with this Dreamland heated throw. It warms up very quickly and is so snuggly-soft, my whole family loves it. The auto shut-off timer is a great feature as it can be easy to forget to turn things off and I love how stylish it looks in my living room."
Pros
- Luxury faux fur
- Takes just five minutes to heat
Cons
- May get too hot for some because of the faux fur
Best electric blanket for softness
This Monogram by Beurer Komfort Heated Mattress Cover has a soft and cosy fleece fabric and six electronically regulated temperature settings to choose from so you should reach your ideal warmth level in around eight minutes. It's available in single, double single, double dual, king and super king dual sizes, which means there are sizes to fit many bed types and the option to choose whether you would like a single or dual temperature control.
Customer review: "Had bought another brand which I thought was great - it still is, but, this is far better for a couple of quid extra when on special. The other one is now consigned to the boxroom bed:). I love the fact this is on a timer, means if I go out and forget to turn it off I'm not worried it might overheat or something, (I unplug it anyway, when I get in to bed). It's the thickest electric under blanket I have EVER had and feels more like a mattress topper - which is brilliant. I have an L5 fracture and bulging discs and it's perfect for what I want and need. Even when it's off for a good while, because it's so thick - it still holds the warmth mmm... perfect!"
Pros
- Choice of sizes and temperature controls
- Sensor to prevent overheating
Cons
- Dual control isn't available for all sizes
Best electric underblanket
www.lakeland.co.uk
This Double Dual Control Dreamland Scandi Heated Sherpa Underblanket covers the entire mattress, even covering over the edges making it ideal if your feet often poke out the edge. It's double-sided, super snug and warms up in just five minutes. Intelliheat+ technology responds to temperature changes as you sleep, so as you warm up, it cools down and vice versa. It also has dual control so it's perfect for couples and has six temperature settings.
Customer review: "This is my second electric blanket from Lakeland (first one died after many years good service). This Sherpa Under Blanket is far superior in sumptuous fluffyness and extra fast heat up. With a selection of heat settings and even three time-settings to switch off automatically. We have found on heat 4 for just 15 minutes is perfect to settle for a good nights sleep. Even without the heat settings it's fleece under the sheet is very comforting. I recommend this Sherpa Underblanket 100%"
Pros
- Itelliheat+ technology with six heat settings
- Auto shut-off timer
Cons
- Only one size available
Recommended
www.lakeland.co.uk
Measuring 135 x 180cm, this stylish throw in grey and red check combines aesthetics with functionality. The sumptuous velvety fabric provides a luxurious feel, while the electric heating ensures cosy warmth on demand. With multiple heat settings and a user-friendly controller, it's perfect for snuggling up during colder evenings. The elegant design adds a touch of sophistication to your space, making this heated throw a must-have.
Reviewed by Features and Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert: "The look of this heated throw adds a real country vibe to your home. It's roomy enough for my whole family and the soft and fleecy side is so snuggly you won't want to leave it!"
Pros
- Auto shut-off
- Large size
- 6 heat settings
Cons
- Only one size is available
FAQs
Ways to save money with an electric blanket
It might be clear to see how cheap it is to run an electric blanket, but there are some important things to keep in mind if you do decide to get one.
• Consider your heat settings - the higher the temperature setting, the more energy you consume. If your blanket comes with the option to have different heat settings, be sure to use just enough heat to stay warm without overdoing it and decrease when needed. It's also a good idea to start it on the lowest heat setting when you first use it. It could surprise you how little heat you need.
• Use your timer - some blankets come with a timer. This allows you to run it for an hour when you go to bed for the time you fall asleep so you're not running it all night.
• Spot heat - if your blanket is a double blanket or can be heated in certain parts only, it's a good idea to use this feature. This way, you're only using energy to heat up the part of the blanket you need rather than wasting energy on the whole thing.
How do you take care of an electric blanket?
Hayley Thistleton, sleep expert at SleepSeeker has shared her top tips for keeping your electric blanket in perfect condition.
Wash semi-regularly
You should wash your electric blanket approximately every few weeks - once a month or whenever the blanket gets dirty. Firstly, you should check the tag to see the manufacturer's cleaning advice and follow this. If the washing machine safe symbol is listed, you should ensure the blanket is unplugged and wash on a gentle cycle in cool to warm water using a mild detergent. Let the machine run for a few minutes before turning it off and leaving the electric blanket to soak in the soapy water for about 15 minutes, and then skip to the rise and spin cycle.
Dry gently
Just like weighted blankets, most electric blankets can be machine dried, but again check the tag for advice. Set the dryer to a low heat setting for around 10-15 minutes before taking out and evenly hanging on a drying rack to finish drying. If your dryer does not have a low heat setting, skip this step and simply air dry the blanket from the start as high temperatures can damage the electric wiring inside the blanket. Additionally, you should never dry clean an electric blanket as the chemicals used in the dry cleaning process can damage the blankets wiring and heating system.
How to store
During the summer months, electric blankets are usually stored away till the weather gets cold again. Before storing, wash and dry the blanket, ensuring it is completely dry before storing. You should then roll, not fold, the blanket, making sure there are no harsh folds as this can damage the inner wires. Pack away in a cool, dry place with the controls and cords unplugged.
How to remove stains
To spot clean an electric blanket, unplug before blotting with a damp cloth and using a butter knife or anything with a thin blunt edge to carefully scrape and remove any food or drink from the fabric. For a more stubborn stain, rub a mild laundry detergent on the area to lift it, before removing with a damp cloth. Air dry before use.
Safety
Electric blankets are designed to create a warm and cosy environment when getting into bed, however, they are not recommended for overnight use and should be turned off when getting into bed or set on a timer to turn off within a short while. Make sure to also use your electric blanket as the top layer, above any other blankets or duvets and do not lie or sit on it.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.