10 of the best electric blankets – for a cosy, toasty bed set-up

If you like a cosy bed set-up, you need to invest in one of the best electric blankets. These neat, heated layers can keep you toasty warm without requiring you to heat the whole house. High comfort levels and low heating bills? That's a dream come true.

If, like me, you're always cold, you'll reap the rewards of your electric blanket almost instantly. These cosy layers come in all shapes and sizes. Some people spread theirs under the bed sheets, others use it like a blanket, and some invest in wearable ponchos. Whichever you choose, investing in an electric blanket is an easy way to make your home cosier.

It doesn't have to cost you a fortune either. Electric blankets come with their own power ratings, but we wanted to work out roughly how much it costs to run an electric blanket. If we take the average 100W blanket and run it at full power for an hour, it would cost just 2.7p. Getting your house as warm as that electric blanket makes you feel will take a lot more time and money, so from both a finance and quality of life perspective, electric blankets make a lot of sense.

We asked our experts to test all the different electric blankets on the market alongside some of the best weighted blankets. We looked at models for couples with different heating needs, different bed sizes, and different use cases (some people want them for the sofa, some for bed, some for back pain, and some for anxiety). 

If you want to dive into the details on heat variance, composition, benefits, pros, and cons, here's what our experts thought of the best electric blankets on the market.

The quick list

Best electric blankets to buy for 2024

The best electric blankets for 2024 are a far cry from the heavy ones you may have seen years ago, not to be mistaken for the best weighted blankets that serve an entirely different purpose, modern blanket designs are super-light and you won't feel the wires through the material.

They're safer as well, with auto shut-off settings to ensure they don't overheat, plus they can easily be cleaned in your washing machine if you follow our advice on how to wash an electric blanket.

Other handy features to look for include timing options and different heat settings while a dual-control function is useful if your sleeping partner prefers a different temperature. There are even different options besides the traditional under-blanket available including throws and wearable blankets, ideal for snuggling up with one of the best boxsets this winter.

These are our pick of the best electric blankets to buy right now to see you through this winter...

The best electric blanket overall

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Our bed has never felt as good as when it had this electric blanket on. If you want to make your bedroom feel like a five-star hotel, this will work magic in moments. It attaches to the bed easily with elasticated corner straps, which had no problem fitting over even our very deep mattress. One side is plush sherpa so we felt cosier lying on this before we’d even turned the electric blanket on—especially as we couldn’t feel any wires at all through the thick material. 

If that feels a little too warm, you can turn the blanket over to the cooler polyester side so it functions more like an alternative mattress protector. The electric blanket has Intelliheat patented technology which Dreamland say will monitor and adapt to your body’s temperature throughout the night and we didn’t feel we got over-hot when it was switched on, but stayed perfectly toasty.

Our testers said, 'it's super-speedy to heat up too and mine warmed in just five minutes, so I didn't even need to remember to turn it on in advance.' There are six temperature settings, three automatic shut-off timers and dual controls for argument-free co-sleeping, making this one of the best electric blankets we tested. 

Just be warned that it is quite large if you plan on storing it for some of the year so anyone short on space might be best to choose the slimmer Silentnight Yours & Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket instead.

The best compact electric blanket

If you're considering an electric blanket, it's likely you're keen on other money-saving tips so it makes sense to look for the best budget electric blanket to start with. We were really impressed by the fantastic price of this option and it's made of soft but durable fleece so actually made our bed more comfortable even when it wasn't switched on.

It's very easy to get up and running with elasticated straps that secure the blanket to the mattress, below any style of best sheets. The blanket also sits away from the edges of the bed so remains flat even if you move around a lot during the night. Our expert said 'mine started to feel hot in just over five minutes and, within half an hour, it was toasty warm.' 

Despite there not being a huge number of settings, we found the medium heat was perfect for our liking, although the low setting is best if you plan to keep the blanket on all night or for a long time. Best of all, it folds very flat so you won't need to find too much space to store it when it's not on the bed, ideal when organising a small bedroom.

The best wearable electric blanket

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The best electric blankets have traditionally been ones that go on a mattress under a sheet, but there is now a great range of wearable electric blankets available if you tend to get chilly during the rest of the day. Now there’s no need to wear layers of jumpers when you’re chilly at home. 

Instead, this grey Lakeland poncho in a soft flannel fleece fastens with poppers so it stays in place while you type, make a cuppa or simply snuggle up with one of the best books of all time. I could almost forget I was wearing mine. I spoke with our expert, who also tested it and she said 'it feels like the comfiest dressing gown in the world.' That's exactly what it is.

The poncho has nine heat and time settings so you can ensure you’re not sweltering or can crank up the temperature if you’re feeling extra chilly. We also loved the fact it was machine washable as it can be tricky to wash an electric blanket and a wearable one gets dirtier than most.

The best electric blanket for watching TV

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If you don’t want to resort to watching TV swaddled in layers, this wonderfully touchable blanket is a sofa must-have. It comes in go-with-anything grey and is big enough that you can share if you really have to. Our expert said that 'the sherpa lining is so soft that I enjoyed using this blanket even when I didn’t switch the heat on', but on extra-cold nights, it has nine heat settings so you can find the perfect warmth. 

However, extra care should be taken when snuggled up and snacking. Although this electric blanket can be machine washed, it can’t be tumble dried so you’ll need to allow a little more time to get it clean and should follow our tips on how to dry clothes indoors. If you prefer an electric blanket you can throw in the dryer, you could be best opting for the Dreamland Snuggle Up Warming Throw.

But this is still one of the best electric blankets to use over your duvet as you won’t need to worry about dozing off thanks to nine time settings and auto shut-off for ultimate peace of mind. Ideal if you want to avoid turning on expensive heating.

The best electric blanket for all mattress depths

It's not easy to keep your house warm if you're keeping an eye on bills this winter. Experts agree the best method is to heat the person, rather than the house, so an inexpensive electric blanket is a great first step.

This budget version is ideal if you're not sure you'll always use the blanket or you just want it for the occasional very cold night. Slim and made of 100% polyester fleece, it attaches to the mattress with elasticated straps that can stretch over even the deepest mattress and has three heat settings so you can find the one that suits you. 

We found it took a little longer to warm up than some of the other best electric blankets we tested, but kept its heat well once it reached our desired temperature. Just don't fall asleep when using it, as it has no automatic timer so you will need to turn it off manually. 

The best over blanket

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Electric blankets that double up as throws are more versatile than ones that go under bedsheets. They can be used in bed over a duvet, on a sofa to keep the chill off or even at your desk when working from home for added comfort.

This one is a joy to use with its velvety soft plush polyester, easy-to-use LED digital control with six temperature settings and a fast five-minute heat-up. There are three auto shut-off settings so you won’t wake up a sweaty mess too. 

We were especially impressed with the patented Intelliheat technology used in this blanket—this involves intelligent software and a five-layer, ultra-thin heating sensor wire that detects the temperature 25 times per second to automatically regulate warmth. That means no cold spots and a comforting, even temperature all the way to the end of the blanket. All this and, unlike some of the other blankets we tested, it can be tumble dried for added ease.

The best budget electric blanket

The best electric blankets should make any bed feel more comfortable, even if they're not switched on. This one is made of fairly thick polyester fleece which adds an extra squishy layer on top of the mattress. Our expert tester said, 'this felt plush on my bed, even in the summer when it was too hot to turn on, so it's a worthwhile addition year-round.'

It works well heated too, with three settings and a decent, even heat that stayed toasty even after we had switched it off—though remember this must be done manually as there is no built-in timer. It does take longer to warm up than some of the best electric blankets though, so we'd recommend switching it on at least five to ten minutes before you hit the sack. 

Though it's available for double and king-size beds as well, we think it would make a great buy for teenagers wanting to warm up their single beds before they get in. Throw in a pair of the best cashmere socks and they'll never moan about the cold again (but may sleep even longer). 

The best king size electric blanket

As with bedding, king-size electric blankets come at an extra cost compared to products for single or double beds. This king-size blanket is still a bargain though, so you can stay snug even if you like to stretch out. 

It ties onto the mattress with corner ties which means it will fit however deep yours is, although we would have preferred stretchable elastic ties instead. Although there are only three heat settings, the controller is easy to use and has an LED screen so you can see at a glance what setting the blanket is on. 

There's no dual control, however, so you and your sleeping partner will need to agree on the bed's temperature. It's generally thought the best way to get to sleep better is to get into a warm bed and then let it cool as you sleep anyway, so hopefully, you can avoid too many rows. If individual controls are the way to go though, buy the Dreamland Hunker Down Scandi Sherpa Underblanket instead. 

The best electric blanket for couples

Not planning on cosying up alone this winter? If you're willing to share, an oversized electric blanket is a perfect way to snuggle up together. This one is the softest blanket we tested, in a touchable taupe-coloured fleece that doesn't obviously look like an electric blanket and is neutral enough to suit all décor. It's so plush, we'd be happy hunkering down under it even without the heat turned on. 

It's very responsive with six illuminated temperature settings so you can see at a glance how warm the blanket is. We also liked the fact it switched off automatically after three hours, so you could sling it on over your duvet if you prefer. 

'The heat is extremely evenly spread,' says our expert tester, 'this means you won't argue about who gets the warm spots.' However, a throw won't make you quite as toasty as an under-blanket, so we'd recommend the Cozytek King Size Electric Blanket Heated Underblanket if you need warming up in bed. Still, this would make a great gift for a couple. 

The best dual control electric blanket

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An electric blanket may be one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your house warm this winter but they don’t suit everyone. If you like tropical temperatures and your other half is always complaining it’s too hot, you need an electric blanket made for two.

This one from Silentnight is a great buy and purposely designed for a couple. That means each side has its own independent control with three heat settings on each so you can find your perfect temperature for a blissful night’s sleep. Made of soft fleece, it features overheat safety protection and heats up in under ten minutes.

We found it a little fiddly to fit as it fastens with an elasticated strap that runs under the entire mattress from one side of the bed to the other. However, it stayed firmly in place once it was there for on-demand warmth. 

Our only complaint is that this electric blanket doesn’t have an auto shut-off setting so it’s recommended that it’s used on the lowest heat setting if it will be on all night. If you’d rather have one that turned itself off after a set period of time, try the Monogram by Beurer Komfort Heated Mattress Cover instead.

How to choose an electric blanket

How you choose an electric blanket is dependent on three key considerations – your budget, preferred use, and your interior design tastes. 

If you are looking for a warming layer for your bedroom to keep you cosy at night choose an electric blanket that is specially designed to fit over your mattress, featuring elasticated straps to fit comfortably over your mattress to secure it underneath your bedding – so it's undetectable. A standard electric blanket is only really for use as a layer over your bedding and might not cater to your needs.

If you're looking for more of a comfort blanket, to use in the living room, while nestled on the sofa, think more about the aesthetic (still focusing on the usability rating of course) but be more conscious of your chosen blanket adding a decorative touch to your interior décor choices. Look for a colour or patterned design that compliments your scheme, so it becomes a welcome layer rather than standing out like a sore thumb. 

In all instances, budget is an important factor, but the good news is that our pick of the best electric blankets offers different styles all at affordable price points –meaning there's a solution for everyone to stay suitably cosy this season, whatever the budget.

How we tested the best electric blankets

As the sort of people who get chilly on summer days, we were very well qualified to put the best electric blankets to the test, as vigorously as how we test pillows and other items of bedding. We tested all of them in our own home, without the heating over days when we were feeling the cold. 

We used each blanket as specified, as an under-blanket on the best mattress or as a throw over our best duvet or to snuggle with on the sofa - and judged whether we noticed a real improvement using it. For each blanket, we looked at the following factors: 

• Safety features: Did it have an auto shut-off in case we forgot to switch it off or hadn't set another timer?
• Controls: Did it feature different heat settings so we could adjust it to suit a warmer or cooler room, or duvet? Did it have dual settings to make it more suitable for a couple who prefers different sleeping temperatures?
• Warmth: Did it make a real difference to how we felt when we first got into bed or sat on the sofa in a chilly room? Was the heat distributed evenly?
• Comfort: Was it pleasant to sleep on or could we feel the wires through our sheet? Did we look forward to snuggling down in bed with it on?
• Washing: If the blanket claims to be able to be washed, we tested how easily it washed and dried and if there was any shrinkage.

FAQs

How does an electric blanket work?

Electric blankets are clever ways to effectively warm you up without you having to heat a whole room. They work using insulated wires woven into fabric. Dreamland, the manufacturers of our favourite electric blanket say that 'when turned on, the wires in your electric blanket distribute warmth evenly throughout the blanket. The wires then connect to a controller, allowing you to find your ideal level of cosiness. A thermostat monitors the temperature, regulating the current within the wires'

Modern electric blankets work very well and mean you will heat the space you sleep in, rather than the whole room. That means you can use them for a short space of time even before you get in, then turn the blanket off once you have warmed up under the duvet. 

Can you leave an electric blanket on while you sleep?

Whether you can leave your electric blanket running while you sleep is dependent on the model that you buy. Most have low settings, so you can leave them on all night as a constant source of warmth. Before you do this, check with the manufacturers and make sure that the blanket has overheating protection.

Just remember not to use an electric blanket older than ten years as this may no longer be safe and always check a blanket over before adding it to your bed to make sure it has no loose connections or scorch marks and the cord is not damaged. To ensure safety, plug it directly into a socket rather than an extension lead too. 

Are there health benefits to an electric blanket?

Electric blankets offer a lot more than a warm and cosy environment. Not only are these a source of comfort. Research shows that resting in a warm bed or warm bath twice a week for four weeks helped to reduce participants' Hamilton Depression Rating Scale when compared to a placebo group.

The sleep brand, Dreams, also says that 'heat therapy is well documented to help alleviate some symptoms of other health issues, such as muscular pain, joint pain, and even improved heart health.'

Some people also use their electric blankets to help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and even for chronic pains and sciatica. These aren't as well established as the claims above, but anecdotally, I can vouch for the back pains and sleep quality. It's a go-to remedy in my family and I use mine every night.

How safe is an electric blanket?

If you use your electric blanket safely, following the manufacturer's instructions, they are safe to use. To make sure that yours is kept in pristine condition, follow these safety tips:

Check for damage

Before plugging yours in and turning it on, inspect it for signs of damage, such as frayed wires, scorch marks, damp patches, loose connections, worn flex, or exposed heating elements. Similarly, keep it away from pets, and young children, because they might damage the electric blanket (they also may not be able to regulate their body temperatures as effectively as adults). If yours is damaged, you should stop using it.

Keep it flat and avoid folding

If you keep your electric blanket flat and avoid folding it up, the wires are less likely to bunch up. That way, you'll avoid the elements overheating, which risks creating more damage. If you need to store yours, aim to roll it instead of folding. Similarly, avoid tucking the blanket in too tightly, because this could damage the heating elements too.

Turn it off

When you're not using your electric blanket, make sure to turn it off and unplug it. It's good practice, both for your bills and for peace of mind when you're leaving the house or going to sleep.

Is an electric blanket worth it?

Electric blankets can be really helpful if you feel the cold, even if you have a partner who doesn't. Though the best electric blankets can't replace heating, they are a cost-effective way to warm up if you need a boost before bed or if the heating isn't working.

“As well as their energy-saving benefits, electric blankets offer a safe source of heat that is comfortable next to skin, and this heat encourages increased blood flow that can alleviate some of the pain of sore muscles, backache or arthritis,” says Assunta Trano, product expert at Dreamland. “Some allergy sufferers can also benefit, as the heat helps to reduce moisture and humidity in the bed, reducing the chances of dust mites.”

Do electric blankets use a lot of electricity?

“Electric blankets can be a great way to keep warm at a lower cost as they heat the person rather than the room,” says Robert Slade, Managing Director at Beurer UK. “Personal heating means that you don't have to wait for the space around you to warm up before you can feel the benefit—simply plug in and snuggle up.” With the cost of heating rising, it makes sense to find a way to warm yourself up without resorting to heating the entire house if you don’t have to.

“Studies have found that the cost of using an electric blanket for seven hours per day will cost as little as £1.47 per week, compared to £76 per week if you were to put the heating on for that amount of time,” says Assunta. “Electric blankets from Dreamland have around 150W of power, which does not consume much electricity and costs from 1p per hour to run, depending on your domestic electricity prices at the time of use.”

Robert says you can keep costs down even more by looking for eco settings to make sure you use the minimum amount of electricity possible. “For example, users can set an automatic switch-off timer for after two, six, nine or 12 hours to avoid unnecessary energy usage. Our heated products all have adjustable temperature settings with simple controls to suit any preference - turn the heat up and down as needed to stay comfortable.”

What are the different types of electric blanket?

Electric blankets come in all shapes and sizes, but there are three common categories that most fall into:

• Underblankets or mattress pads: These go on top of your mattress, but under your sheet. They're more subtle and can give great heat transfer across the whole of your bed (or half if you have dual controls). Make sure you buy the right size for your bed though. Otherwise, you'll have cold patches where it can't reach.
• Dual controlled blankets: even though these are more of a sub-category, they're worth knowing about. The name is pretty explanatory. The blanket is divided into two circuits, so you'll get two controls. It's the perfect option if you and your partner have different sleeping needs.
• Wearables and ponchos: taking warm hugs to the next level, wearable electric blankets are truly something else. They're often made with a fleecy material (which feels warm anyway) and then there's a warm wire running through it. Always check whether these are machine washable, because it's easy for these to get grubby.
• Blankets: These work just like any blanket or throw that you might cosy up with on the sofa. More often than not, you'll need to be near a plug socket to use it, but you can buy cordless options.