You can't buy big hugs, but the Dreams Fleece Heated Throw is just as good

The Dreams Fleece Heated Throw offers the best of all worlds: there’s a fluffy cloud like texture on one side, a velvet layer on the other, and heat running right through it. It’s changed the way that I work from home, lounge from home, and snuggle up on the sofa.

If you’re not ready to crank up the heating in your home, you’ll want to introduce one of the best electric blankets or heated throws into your home. Effortlessly cosy and endlessly useful, these plush layers are the warm hug that keeps on giving.

I have been working through all the big name brands and their electric blankets and warming throws. At some point, designs, styles, and textures blur into one. However, the Dreams one stands out as something extra special.

Specifications

Unboxing

The Dreams Fleece Heated Throw comes in a neat, zipped plastic storage bag. This means that you don’t actually have to dispose of anything; you’ll want to keep the bag for storage in the summer months, whether it’s under the bed or in the cupboard.

Unfolding and using the throw is easy. There are two buttons that let you toggle between ten different heat settings and an hourly auto shut-off timer. It’s all clearly displayed on the screen, so you know exactly what you’ve selected. 

Who would it suit?

Heated throws are perfect for getting cosy on the sofa and I have to say that this is the cosiest of them all. The thick fleece gets warm quicker than almost all the heated throws that I've tested, so it's great for really cold people as well as those who refuse to turn their heating on.

The generous dimensions of the Dreams Fleece Heated Throw mean that you won't end up fighting over who the corner tucks over. My partner and I are in an ongoing duvet feud, but we don't ever struggle to cover ourselves fully in the cosiness of this.

If I had to be critical, this errs on the side of cosy and casual rather than sophisticated. There are faux-fur, complete fleece models that offer a more refined aesthetic. However, when it comes to keeping warm, I'm all about the blankets and fluff.

What was it like to use?

As soon as I touched the fabric of the Dreams Fleece Heated Throw, I knew I was going to love it. On the top side is a super soft velvet that feels cosy against the skin. On the underside, there’s a white fleece that feels like cotton wool. Since testing this, I’ve wrapped myself up in the Dreams throw without turning it on, just because it’s so cosy. I think this is a great testament to how stubble the wires are in the blanket. Of course, you can feel them, but they’re not so rigid that it becomes uncomfortable to cuddle up under.

When I did set this running I was struck by both how quick and powerful it is. On the lowest setting (1) I felt warmth greater than my body heat could have created in four and a half minutes. It offered a gentle, consistent layer of extra heat. When I slept under this, I set the timer for an hour and the heat to four, which was warm enough to keep me cosy without overdoing the heating.

I’ve also run tests with the Dreams Fleece Throw running at the maximum temperature, nine. As a famously cold person, I have to say, this was lovely. I came home with freezing hands and feet and then, snuggled up under the Dreams Fleece Heated Throw, I warmed up wonderfully quickly. I actually got too hot after nine minutes, even at my hands and feet. So, there you have it. There’s a full spectrum of distinct heat differences, from gently warm right through to toasty.

I've been using this in lots of rooms around the house and one of the problems that often comes up with heated throws is the cord length. Thankfully, the generous cord on the Dreams Fleece Heated Throw lends itself well to big rooms. I have to plug mine in on the other side of the lounge and it reaches right across my narrow, but still sizeable, floor and onto the sofa. You won't have any problems when it comes to plug positioning.

Cleaning

The downside of having a blanket this cosy is that it gets used a lot. That means the likelihood of it coming in contact with crumbs, spills, and stains is extremely high. Thankfully, this is easy to keep clean. The remote controller clicks out of contact with the blanket and then it can go in the wash at 40 degrees. I would recommend opting for the lowest temperature that you can, since this will preserve the electrics and fabric much better than higher heats. It’s also a good idea to use a gentle detergent, such as Ecover, since it’s softer on the fabrics. 

How does it compare?

The two best heated throws on the market right now are this one and the Slumberdown Comfy Hugs. Both are warm to touch, cosy to snuggle up in, and they’re plush and comfy.

The Slumberdown is fleece all over, which is easier to maintain since it doesn't pick up and show dirt quite as much as the white side of the Dreams Fleece Heated Throw. Another big factor that swings in the direction of the Slumberdown is the colour options. You can also choose from a range of deliciously rich hues that look stylish and chic in any home. It’s more expensive, but even without looking at the price tag, this is obvious. It feels really plush, the wires are more subtle, and yet, surprisingly, it’s no quicker at warming up.

So, you can't really make a wrong decision with these. If you want a bit of extra cushioning, opt for the Dreams. If you’re happy with fleece, stick with Slumberdown.

Should you buy it?

As one of the best heated throws on the market, it’s easy to recommend this to a range of people. It’s perfect for snuggling under. The lead is long enough to reach across from a far away plug and it gets hot super quickly. The aesthetic is a lot more cuddly and cosy than elegant and chic, but that's what winter is all about, right?

How we test

I've been running all of the tests on heated throws and electric blankets at woman&home, because I have slept on electric blankets for sixteen years. I know what to look for, what the deal breakers are, and I have lots of advice on what I wish I knew before buying an electric blanket. I use all of this electric blanket obsession to put every product that we review through some rigorous tests. You might think it's as simple as snuggling up in the evening, but it's really not.

I start all of our tests by looking at the packaging that it arrives with. Some of the better electric blankets and heated throws will come with storage bags that let you keep your blanket safe and clean over the summer. Cheaper models won't, which is fine, but it's always good to know these things.

Once I've dissected the packaging (whether it's sustainable, suitable, and easy to dispose of), I'll look at the electric blanket. I make notes on the texture, controller, size, and feel of it. If you need to do any prep work, such as plugging in the controller, pulling out any plastic stoppers, or charging, I'll let you know about it, so you can be prepared for when it arrived at your home.

Then, of course, I get the fun part of the test. I time how long the heated throw takes to warm up, I test each temperature setting, and I use all of the different pre-sets. I like to get a gauge of the lowest, slowest heat as well as the fastest warm up. Then, over the course of a few weeks, I work out which is the middle-ground, or the perfect setting for daily use. As I'm doing these tests, I also make notes on the cord length, maintenance of the throw, and any special features, such as foot pockets and arm holes that might make the electric blanket particularly useful.

Given that I've tested all of the best electric blankets and heated throws myself, I can't help but draw comparisons. I've found that this can be really useful for you, because it's the equivalent of 'shopping around', without any of the decision fatigue. I'll think about models in a similar price bracket or with a similar offering, so I can let you know a) whether yours is good value for money and b) whether there's a better deal out there.

After all this, I come to a conclusion on who it suits and whether you should buy it. No model is a universal fit for all homes, so I like to offer specifics as well as alternatives, so that you don't waste your money (or time).