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Best electric blankets and heated throws
We've tested electric blankets and heated throws from Dreamland, Lakeland,
Russell Hobbs, Silentnight and more
In this article
- The best electric blankets from our test
- The electric blankets we've tested
- The best heated throws from our test
- The heated throws we've tested
- How we test electric blankets and heated throws
- How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?
- Are electric blankets safe?
- What should I look for in an electric blanket?
We've tested heated throws and electric blankets ranging in price from £40 to £150, so we can tell you the best ones to keep you warm this winter.
While testing, we found big differences in how quickly and evenly electric blankets and heated throws heat up, how much energy they use and how quickly they change temperature when you make an adjustment.
Also, be aware that the running cost claims on the box are often based on the blanket's lowest power setting, which our testing revealed hardly heats the blankets up at all. You can see the real running costs based on the blankets highest settings in the table below.
The best electric blankets from our test
Only logged-in Which? members can view the electric blanket test results below.
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| Electric blankets | Heat-up time | Cost per hour* |
|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations. Unlock tableFirst month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time Already a member? Log in | Fast | 4p |
| Fast | 6p | |
| Very fast | 6p | |
| Fast | 2p | |
| Fast | 4p | |
| Fast | 3p | |
| Fast | 2p | |
| Average | 4p | |
| Average | 2p | |
| Slow | 2p | |
| Average | 3p |
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Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations.
Unlock tableFirst month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time
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Dates tested: August 2023 and October 2022. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
*Cost per hour is based on using the blanket on its highest setting because, following our testing, we think that this is the setting you're more likely to use.
The electric blankets we've tested
All the electric blankets we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best electric blankets from our tests.
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Bedsure Fitted Electric Blanket Double
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Number of controls 1
Sizes available Single, double, king
Cosi Home Electric Blanket Double
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Number of controls 1
Sizes available Single, double, king
Dreamland Organic Cotton Double Heated Mattress Protector
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Number of controls 2
Sizes available Single, double, king, super king
Glamhaus Super King Fitted Electric Blanket
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Most recently tested September 2023
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Number of controls 2
Sizes available Single, double, king, super king
Mylek Deluxe Double Electric Fitted Blanket
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Most recently tested September 2023
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Number of controls 2
Sizes available Single, double, king, super king
Russell Hobbs RHEDB8002 Double
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Number of controls 2
Sizes available Single, double, king
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Underblanket
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Number of controls 1
Sizes available Single, double, king
SlumberdownSleepy Nights Electric Blanket Double
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Number of controls 2
Sizes available Double
Slumberdown Wonderfully Warm Double
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Number of controls 2
Sizes available Single, double, king, super king
Snuggledown Intelligent Heated Underblanket
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Number of controls 1
Sizes available Single, double, king, super king
Get a comfy night's sleep - consult our mattress reviews, see our pick of the best pillows and what we rated the best eye masks for sleep.
The best heated throws from our test
Only logged-in Which? members can view the heated throw test results below.
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| Heated throws | Heat-up time | Cost per hour* | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations. Unlock tableFirst month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time Already a member? Log in | Fast | 3p | |
| Average | 4p | ||
| Average | 5p | ||
| Fast | 3p | ||
| Very fast | 4p | ||
| Fast | 3p | ||
| Average | 4p | ||
| Average | 2p | ||
| Fast | 3p | ||
| Average | 3p | ||
| Fast | 4p |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations.
Unlock tableFirst month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time
Already a member? Log in
Dates tested: August 2023 and October 2022. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
*Cost per hour is based on using the blanket on its highest setting because, following our testing, we think that this is the setting you're more likely to use.
The heated throws we've tested
All the heated throws we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best heated throws from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Beurer Nordic Heated Throw
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Cord length 2 metres 57cm
Dreamcatcher Heated Throw
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Cord length 2 metres 30cm
Dreamland Alaskan Husky Faux Fur
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Cord length 3 metres 80cm
Cosi Home Fleeced Throw
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Cord length 2 metres 40cm
Dreamland Heated Throw
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Cord length 3 metres 76cm
Dreamland Herringbone Pattern Emerald Heated Throw
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Cord length 3 metres 76cm
Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw Teal
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Cord length 3 metres 60cm
Glamhaus Heated Throw Blanket
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Cord length 2 metres 20cm
Lakeland Sherpa Heated Throw Teal
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Cord length 2 metres 40cm
Lakeland Velvety Green Heated Throw
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Most recently tested August 2023
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Cord length 2 metres 30cm
Lakeland The Snuggler Heated Throw
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Most recently tested September 2022
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Cord length 2 metres 40cm
How we test electric blankets and heated throws
To test electric blankets and heated throws, we've designed a test that captures how quickly and evenly each blanket heats up.
We also factor in how comfortable each blanket is, according to a panel of volunteers.
Finally, we take into account the durability of each blanket by washing and drying it five times after testing.
- Heat-up time We attach temperature sensors to six different locations on each electric blanket or heated throw and record how quickly each blanket heats up over a 20-minute period. The best blankets heat up twice as fast as the worst.
- Heat distribution Using the six temperature sensors, we record how evenly each blanket heats up. Most heat up evenly, but some have irregular hot and cold spots.
- Responsiveness Once the electric blanket or heated throw has reached its maximum temperature, we adjust the temperature setting and recorded how responsive each blanket is.
- Comfort A panel of five volunteers assesses each electric blanket and heated throw for comfort. There is quite a big difference in how snuggly each one is and underwires are more noticeable in some of them. For electric blankets, we also assess how easy each one is to attach to a mattress and how comfortable each one is to lie on under a fitted sheet.
- Energy use We attach each electric blanket and heated throw to an energy monitor and record how much money it costs to run on its highest setting. Prices range from 2p to 7p an hour. We do the same for each one on its lowest setting, but this results in such low temperature increases that we don't think it's a realistic setting for keeping warm. We used the RS PRO energy meter, £28, from RS Components. If you're interested in measuring your electric blanket, throw or other appliances around your home, you can buy similar meters starting from around £18 from popular retailers such as Amazon and Screwfix.
- Durability After testing, each electric blanket and heated throw is washed and dried five times to simulate wear and tear. We then conduct a full electrical safety test on each one. None showed significant wear and tear, and all passed the test.
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How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?
In many adverts for electric blankets or heated throws, manufacturers claim that blankets cost 'pennies to run', but what does this actually mean?
On their highest settings, we found that electric blankets cost anywhere between 2p and 7p an hour to run. For heated throws, the range is from 2p to 5p.
This means that if you have an electric blanket on every night for three hours, for six months of the year, the most expensive to run would cost you £38.33 in energy, while the cheapest costs £10.95, which is a saving of £17.38.
Are electric blankets safe?
If you buy your blanket from a reputable UK retailer, as we did for our tests, then it should be safe.
But take extra care if you buy from an online marketplace, as some have been known to stock potentially unsafe electric blankets that can't be sold legally in the UK.
As part of our test, we washed and tumbled dried each of the blankets five times after testing, and then conducted a full electricity safety test. All the blankets passed.
Any risk posed by electric blankets tends to come from disreputable online sellers, or old blankets that have become worn and unsafe. If you have an old electric blanket that's showing signs of wear or has visible wires, it could be time for a change.
What should I look for in an electric blanket?
- How comfy is it and can you feel any wires?
- What are the running costs?
- How long is the cord to ensure you can plug it in without needing an extension lead?
- What's the heat up time?
- How good is the heat distribution?
- Can it be washed?
We record all these key things to look for in an electric blanket in our reviews above.
What is better than an electric blanket?
If you want to keep warm in bed without shelling out for an electric blanket, a cheaper option is a hot water bottle. The good news is that you don't need to splash out on a pricey one thinking that will keep you warmer. Our testing discovered paying more doesn't mean you'll stay warmer. Do make sure the cover is good so your bottle retains the heat for longer. See how the running costs of an electric blanket compare to the cost of boiling your kettle for a hot water bottle in: Hot water bottle or electric blanket, what's best and cheapest for keeping you warm in bed.
