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On cold winter nights, an electric blanket will keep you toasty and warm.  If you want to keep yourself cosy, a heated blanket will add that extra warmth during cold winter nights.  Whether the temperatures have dropped, you’ve had a cold, chilly day or you just need that extra warmth, there are plenty of heated blankets out there to keep you warm.

From electric blankets which go on your bed, to an electric blanket to warm you up while you spend time on the couch, we’ve explored the many different options available along with customer reviews.  These blankets match a range of different budgets.

There’s even a heated pad which can be used to warm up your mattress. Whether you are looking for the best budget blankets or high quality blankets worth the extra expense, we’ve got the best heated blanket for you.

Answers to your questions

We know you’ll have a range of different questions heating up inside of you about the best heated blanket for you.  This is why we’ve decided to address the most important ones.

How do electric blankets work?

Electric blankets use insulated wires or heating elements which warm up when plugged in, heating up the blanket and the bed.  These insulated wires are threaded through the fabric of the blanket.

How hot will an electric blanket become?

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An electric blanket will vary in the amount of heat it releases.  Many have heat settings which can be adjusted depending on the weather.  Generally, electric blankets range between 18 – 25 degrees Celsius as the lowest setting, and 48 – 56 degrees Celsius at the highest setting.

What is the difference between an electric blanket and a hot water bottle?

In times gone by, people took a hot water bottle to bed during cold nights.  You might wonder why you would need a heating blanket if you have used a hot water bottle for years.  Hot water bottles and electric blankets work differently.

An electric blanket does not just heat up a single area, as a hot water bottle does, but spreads its heat throughout the bed.  An electric blanket is also able to sustain heat levels until turned off.  A hot water bottle begins cooling down from the minute hot water is placed in the bottle, and won’t retain heat for long periods of time.

What are the safety rules when using an electric blanket?

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Many people are reluctant to use an electric blanket because blankets have sometimes been associated with dangers such as burns, scalding or fires when used improperly.

However, by following safety tips as well as manufacturer’s instructions, you’ll be able to, if not eliminate, certainly minimize any risks posed by an electric blanket.

  • All brands of heating blankets come with instructions to follow when using their product. Many are consistent across brands.  These instructions can often be extensive in order to ensure your safety.  By following these instructions you will be able to stay safe while using your warming blanket.
  • Even the safest electric blanket should not be used with infants, small children, disabled people or anyone unable to operate the controls freely and independently.
  • A person who is insensitive to heat, and who therefore has no warning that a blanket may be too hot, should not use an electric blanket.
  • A heating blanket should not be used by anyone who is unable to read and follow the instructions.
  • Don’t place the control chords between the mattress and box springs of your base set. If any damage occurs to your controls, this may lead to a fire hazard as the heat will have nowhere to escape.
  • Damaged wires could become dangerous. Therefore sofa beds, adjustable beds, Murphy beds or reclining chairs should not have electric blankets.  The mechanisms may damage wires on the blanket, placing you at risk.
  • Do not use electric blankets on hospital beds, where wires could become stuck in the bed fold, resulting in damaged wires and risk of fires.
  • Do not use heating blankets in combination with heated mattress pads otherwise you will risk overheating.
  • When storing your blanket, be careful of wrapping your chord around your controls. This could result in damage.
  • When you use your electric blanket, ensure it remains straight. A bunched up blanket could result in overheating.  As the blanket is bunched up, the heat will have nowhere to escape, putting you at risk.
  • Do not allow pets to be near your electric blanket. Their claws could puncture the insulation or damage the wires, placing you at risk.
  • Always turn your blanket off while not in use.
  • Do not iron your heating blanket, as the heat of the iron could melt the wires, leading to fire risk.
  • Never dry clean or use detergent on your electric blanket. Harsh chemicals could damage the wires, placing you at risk.
  • Do not use your electric blanket on a water bed. Water and electricity can cause fires.
  • Don’t place your electric blanket on a mattress pad.
  • If you notice your heating blanket is not operating as normal, turn it off and contact your manufacturer for assistance.

How to set up your electric blanket safely

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  • As mentioned earlier, never connect your electric blanket so a sofa bed, hospital bed, reclining bed or Murphy bed, as the wires could become pinched and damaged.
  • Keep your controls unplugged from both the blanket and the wall when not in use.
  • When storing your blanket, fold it in large, loose folds so that the wires within are not damaged by sharp folds. Store on a top shelf with nothing placed on top of your blanket.
  • Store your blanket in a storage bag, with your controls placed in a smaller bag on top of your blanket.
  • Store in a cool, dry place.

The Best heated electric blankets available

Let’s look at the best electric blankets available according to affordability, brand and features.

Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated BlanketSunbeam-Quilted-Fleece-Heated-Blanket Stop looking for the best heated blanket: Your search ends in this article

A great quality blanket for keeping you warm at night, this quilted electric blanket offers dual control pads, an automatic sensor to ensure even heat throughout the blanket, and 10 different heat settings.  After 10 hours, your blanket will automatically turn off.  The quilt is made from 100 percent polyester, and is therefore a completely washable electric blanket.  A great bonus.

Reviewers say that the controls on this electric blanket are really easy to use.  It is one of the top rated electric blankets for warmth.  Some reviewers have commented that the wires on the blanket can feel uncomfortable.

Although it is fairly normal to feel the wires through the surface of an electric blanket, reviewers have mentioned that placing a duvet over the electric blanket does make it feel more comfortable. Over all, this blanket is seen to be well worth the money and will definitely keep you warm in winter.

Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw

Sunbeam-Microplush-Heated-Throw Stop looking for the best heated blanket: Your search ends in this article

If you have been looking for the best heated throw, we have found the best budget throw available.  You can save money by curling up on the couch with this great warming blanket.  This excellent blanket is made from Microplush fabric, which means it is washable.  It also has sensors to ensure that it remains evenly warm throughout.  You can control the temperature with three different heat settings.  The blanket will automatically turn off for three hours.

This is a cheap heated blanket, so won’t give you as many functions as some of the more pricey options.  However, customers are giving these small heating blankets great reviews.  Many have commented on how quickly it heats up, and how well it handles the wash.

The blanket does have a quirky design flaw, with the controls placed in the bottom middle of the blanket.  This makes it quite difficult to plug in.  However, if you can look past this slight inconvenience, you’ll have an excellent budget throw to keep you warm.

Soft Heat Luxury Micro-Fleece Electric Heated Blanket

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If you are looking for an excellent buy, this fleece electric blanket is for you.  This blanket comes with a higher price but it is well worth it.  The blanket is luxurious to the touch, and can be placed in the washing machine.  The blanket is guaranteed not to pill, stretch or shrink.

Low voltage settings ensure this blanket will keep you completely safe.  If you have a partner who prefers different temperature settings to you, this blanket has two heat settings, ensuring you both feel comfortable.  Your blanket will shut down automatically after ten hours so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it off.  As an additional bonus, you’ll have a pre-heat setting so that you can warm up the bed before you get in.

Was the blanket worth the money?  Customers say yes!  They are happy with the warmth this soft heated blanket offers as well as the dual temperature settings.  Some customers, however, found their initial product defective, so this is worth taking into consideration.

Sunbeam Reversible Sherpa/Mink Heated Throw

Sunbeam-Reversible-SherpaMink-Heated-Throw Stop looking for the best heated blanket: Your search ends in this articleIf you are looking to keep warm while cuddling on the couch, you may prefer a throw rather than a full size heated blanket.  A heated blanket will give you all the warmth you need in a smaller package.

This throw has a soft Sherpa lining, so it is super soft and luxurious.  It has three settings and a three hour shut off time, so you don’t have to worry about turning it off.  This excellent lap electric blanket has a six foot chord which makes it really easy to find a power source while relaxing.  You’ll also be able to pop this lap electric blanket into the washing machine for easy cleaning.

Sunbeam Microplush Heated Blanket

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Would you like a soft electric blanket which is both fluffy and plush?  If so, Sunbeam’s Microplush Heated Blanket is the perfect choice for you.  This range offers a king size electric blanket, queen size electric blanket, twin size electric blanket and a warming blanket for double beds. If you select the king or queen sized blankets, you’ll be able to set unique temperatures for each partner using the dual control panel.

This blanket has a pre-heater so that you can heat up your sheets before you get ready for bed.  10 different controls give you versatile settings, and your blanket will automatically turn off after 10 hours as well.  No need to worry about leaving it switched on.

Soft Heat Micro-Plush Top Electric Heated Mattress Pad

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Many people choose to use a heated mattress pad instead of an electric blanket, because the mattress pad, placed underneath your sheets, will warm up your bed from underneath, offering warmth which is insulated by your bedding.

If you would like to get into bed with heated sheets, this heating pad makes an excellent choice.  Made of velour, this mattress pad can be safely placed in the washing machine.  It is a low voltage choice which will save you energy as well as reduce risk.

You can use the preheat feature to warm your sheets before you get into bed.  This heating pad also comes with an automatic overheating sensor, which will assist you with keeping temperatures in ideal range.  A ten hour shut off will keep you safe.

Customers rated this mattress pad high on comfort, sharing that they do not notice the wires.  It offers gentle warmth which will soothe aching muscles at the end of a long day.  A few reviewers critique the durability of this mattress pad, but overall it has been given very good reviews.

The blanket comes with a dial mechanism which may make it difficult to use late at night.  Additionally, some blankets have been defective, which creates the risk of fires or burns.  The blanket does, however, have a five year guarantee.  If you purchase a defective product ask for a replacement immediately.

Sunbeam Microplush Heated Blanket V.2

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If you are looking for an electric blanket which is soft and plush, and comes in a range of different sizes, this is a great option for you.  Should you purchase a queen size electric blanket, or a king, you will end up a dual control electric blanket which will give both you and your partner complete control over the temperature of your blanket.

This blanket comes in a range of different colours to suit your bedroom decor.  It has ten heat settings, and will turn off after ten hours of use.  You can preheat your blanket before you get into bed, which will prevent you from sliding between cold sheets on cold nights.

All in all, this is a great product.  Some reviewers do state, however, that the blanket does not warm up evenly throughout the night, which may indicate a defective product.  Other reviewers have mentioned that the electric wires within the blanket make this product highly uncomfortable.

Soft Heat Luxury Micro-Fleece Low-Voltage

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This low voltage electric blanket is made of micro-fleece, making it a soft winter option.  The softness of the fleece is combined with ultra fine wires, which make this blanket an extremely comfortable choice.  This blanket will keep you warm without overheating, and has an automatic shut off feature so that it will keep you safe at all times.  Ten different settings help you to regulate your blanket temperature.

This warming blanket comes with excellent reviews.  Reviewers report that the blanket is soft and comfortable.  It also retains heat well, keeping you warm even while switched off.

Biddeford Blankets Comfort Knit Heated Blanket

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A knit electric blanket which comes in a variety of sizes.  If you choose a king or queen sized blanket, you will end up with a dual control electric blanket, which will assist you to set a temperature which is suitable for both you and your partner.

This blanket is made of polyester, which is often quite a soft material for a warming blanket.  Heated blanket reviews, however, say that the blanket feels more like felt than a soft fleece.  The blanket also sheds a lot.  However, it is light weight and so comfortable to use.

Reviews for this blanket are not always positive.  Some reviewers point out that the controls can be difficult to use late at night as they use a dial rather than an LED display.  Although the blanket has ten different settings, which should enable you to regulate your temperature, keeping the blanket anywhere between warm and toasty, some reviewers have pointed out that the blanket may only appear mildly warm.

Other reviewers point out that the blanket takes a long time to heat up.  The blanket is easy to turn off, but some reviewers have pointed out that it does sometimes malfunction.

Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Heated Blanket Twin DenimBiddeford-MicroPlush-Sherpa-Electric-Heated-Blanket-Twin-Denim Stop looking for the best heated blanket: Your search ends in this article

Biddeford is an excellent brand when it comes to electric blankets.  This blanket has a Sherpa lining, which makes it an ideal choice for cold winter nights.  The warming blanket comes in a range of different sizes, but if you choose the queen or king, you’ll have a double control electric blanket.  This means that if you feel warm easily while your partner shivers at the slightest breeze, both of you will be healthy and happy with this great blanket.

Most electric blankets have an automatic shut off feature which will turn your blanket off after 10 hours of use.  This blanket is no exception.  The blanket is soft and cosy, with a Sherpa lining.  It is also light weight, which makes it a comfortable addition to your bed.  It has an LED display which makes it easy to control, even during the darkest night time hours.

Some reviewers have reported that controls may not work, inconsistent heating and the risk of fire hazards, should the blanket mechanisms be faulty.  However, the company offers a complete guarantee on the product, and will exchange a faulty blanket for a brand new one.

Sunbeam Fleece Heated Electric Throw Blanket with PrimeStyle Lighted Controller

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If you are looking for a warming blanket to keep you cosy while you read on the couch, this is a great choice.  The fleecy material makes this blanket extra soft; although some reviewers do point out that the blanket may need a couple of washes to become truly soft.  This throw is one of the most affordable electric blankets on sale at the moment.  It comes in a range of different colours or patterns to suit every living room.

These throw uses dial controls with a setting choice of low, medium or high.  After three hours of use, your blanket will close down automatically.  This makes a great safety feature.  Some reviewers point out that the blanket may not heat evenly throughout.  If your blanket is defective, however, it can be easily exchanged as it comes with a five year guarantee.

Ending thoughts on choosing the best electric blankets

Many electric blankets include similar features such as a 10 hour automatic shut off, dual controls for larger blankets and ten different temperature settings.  In addition, most blankets also come with a soft fabric to keep you cosy at night time.  However, the Soft Heat Luxury Micro-Fleece Low Voltage Electric Heated Queen Size Blanket is in a class of its own.

With this blanket, you will be able to preheat your bed before getting into your sheets.  The ten temperature setting comes with a dial, and you’ll get dual controls in the king and queen size of this product.  The blanket is safely machine washable, and a five year warranty will protect you against possible defects.

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