This is THE heated throw for cold people - I should know, I have Raynaud’s

Slumberdown's Cosy Hugs is one of the best heated throws on the market. The fleece feels warm just to touch, so you can only imagine how toasty it gets when the heat's turned up.

Slumberdown’s aptly named ‘comfy hugs’ heated throw has coziness stitched into it. Having tested models from Dreamland, Lakeland, Beurer, and the likes, this firmly stands as the best heated throw on the market.

I’ve been putting this through a series of tests to find out how quickly it warms up and how hot it gets, and whether an electric blanket is a good way to save money. As someone who suffers with Raynaud’s, I’ve also been monitoring how well it improves my circulation. Here’s everything you need to know. 

Specifications

Unboxing the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw

Slumberdown sends the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw in a storage case. It’s clear, so you can check that you have the right colour, waterproof, and spacious enough that it’s not too much of a struggle to pack your warming throw back into it when the weather warms up.

You’ll get an instruction manual, with details on how to clean your electric blanket as well as how to use the remote control. However, for the most part, this is straightforward. All you need to do is snuggle up (and maybe get an extension cord if you plan on moving around a lot while wearing this).

Who would the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw suit?

As far as electric blankets and warming throws go, the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw feels like one the most premium option on the market, even though it's one of the cheapest. The fleece is sumptuously soft and it feels like it will wear well. So, if you like the idea of a special treat for working from home or snuggling up on the sofa, this is a great place to start. 

The throw is big enough to wrap around any adult, whether that’s on the sofa or working from home. Both my partner and I could snuggle under it on the sofa without fighting over who’s covered by the blanket and who’s not. 

I mentioned earlier that I have Raynaud’s, which means that I get cold and lose circulation, even in the summer. For me, it’s important that a blanket can warm up quickly and this, of all the wearables, was one of the speediest to get up to its maximum temperature. I timed ten minutes before I was toasty (with my circulation coming back). So, it’s generously sized, luxuriously made, and thoroughly toasty. That sounds like a lot to love, especially when you take a look at the price tag.

What is the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw like to use?

I’ve given a lot of the game away with my praise of the Slumberdown Comfy Hugs Heated Throw, but if you like to hear the details of the blanket, you’re in the right place.

Some throws come with plush, faux fur, which is naturally warming, even without the blanket on. However, I often find that this is harder to clean and much more prone to picking up bits and pieces from the floor and sofa. The fact that this is fleece keeps it low maintenance, but still cosy. I’m a big fan. 

The remote will come pre-attached to the blanket, although you can remove this at a later date if you’d like to. This has ten temperature settings as well as some shut-off timers. These span from one hour up to six, which is useful if you’re using this for lots of different purposes: on your bed, working from home, and on the sofa. 

I wanted to give all the temperature settings a good test, so I started small. With the heat setting on one, I wrapped myself in the blanket and settled in for a film. The fleece felt instantly warming and I think my body heat made it cosier, but, about half an hour into the film, I could feel some subtle, external heat getting pumped through the blanket. It’s almost imperceptible, which is nice if you just want to take the edge off the cold, because it does a good job for people who don’t like to roast under the blanket.

The next day, I came inside without any circulation in my fingers. I was cold. So, I thought I would make the best of a bad situation and wrap myself in the Slumberdown Comfy Hugs Heated Throw on full blast. I didn’t notice the warmth until five minutes, but I still wasn’t sure if this was my body heat. However, ten minutes in, the blanket had kicked into gear. I was getting warm — and I liked it. I tried to stay wrapped up in this for as long as possible, but by half an hour, I was really really hot. I didn’t want sit sweating in the blanket, so I took it off and turned the heat off. Coming back to it forty minutes later, the blanket was still radiating some lovely background heat. It’s THE blanket for cold people.

I’ve been making my way through the menu of different heat settings and I think the sweet spot for me is five. It’s really toasty, but not unbearable to sit under. My partner, on the other hand, uses it on three when I'm not at home. He says “it’s enough to stop me from reaching for my dressing gown and I don’t need to put the heating on. I’m the perfect temperature.” So, there you go. I just need to buy one for him, so we don’t have to share.

How do you clean the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw?

Cleaning the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw is easy. Not all electric blankets are machine washable, but thankfully, this is. you just unclip the plug and load it into the wash at 40°C. I’d also recommend using Ecover laundry liquid, because it’s more gentle on the fibres of your throw, meaning it’ll last longer. 

I wouldn't recommend tumble drying this, so you're better off letting it air dry, or putting it on one of the best heated clothes airers. It actually dries quickly given how weighty the blanket feels before it's washed.

I have more advice on how to clean an electric blanket over here.

How does the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw compare?

This is my favourite heated throw of all time, but there are some other options on the market. If you like the idea of wrapping yourself up in a fleecy blanket, Lakeland makes a wearable option. With this, you get sleeves and a foot pouch, meaning you’ll find it easier to use your arms, whether that’s working at your laptop or reaching for a cup of tea. The arms do make it less appealing as a stylish throw, but they certainly make it a replacement dressing gown. 

Alternatively, if you found yourself disappointed by the lack of faux fur, I have you covered. Beurer’s XXL Nordic Throw has one fleece side and one faux fur side, so you can choose which texture you want to snuggle up under. It’s slower to heat up — I measured a 45 minute heat time for getting super hot — but the faux fur makes it naturally warmer anyway. 

Should you buy the Slumberdown Cosy Hugs Heated Throw?

I asked myself this question when I had three in my basket at checkout. I ended up buying all three because I could think of plenty of people who would welcome these around Christmas. There are other options out there for people who want something different, or you're looking for a way to make your home cosier, you can’t go wrong with this. Trust me. 

How we test

Testing electric blankets is one of my favorite tasks. As someone who is always cold and deals with Raynaud’s (a circulation issue), I'm constantly seeking ways to stay warm at home without overheating the entire house. Electric blankets and throws have consistently been one of the most effective solutions for me.

I follow a thorough testing process for all the electric blankets I review, and my fellow experts adhere to the same. I’m always researching new products, and whenever something catches my eye—whether it's cozy, innovative, or just looks practical—I’ll bring it in for testing. Once I have it at home, I’ll use it over several weeks or months, evaluating it from multiple angles.

The first thing I assess is the packaging. I appreciate compact, eco-friendly, recyclable boxes. Ideally, the blanket should be ready to use right out of the box. If any setup or programming is needed, I’ll mention it.

Next, I go through all the temperature settings, typically checking them at intervals of five or two and a half minutes. If it’s a wearable throw or poncho, I’ll use it the entire time. If it’s a mattress cover or warmer, I’ll be testing it while staying in bed—tough job, I know.

I’ll also evaluate how evenly the heat is distributed, whether there are any cold spots, and if it leaves a cooler area for the pillows. I always test energy efficiency and, if there are dual controls or different heating zones, I make sure they work distinctly, sometimes with the help of a partner.

Once I'm familiar with its functionality, I'll test how easy it is to clean. Some blankets need to be hand-washed, while others can go in the washing machine or even the dryer. Knowing this in advance can save you hassle, especially if a difficult cleaning process might be a dealbreaker.

Throughout testing, I compare each electric blanket with others I’ve reviewed, considering factors like performance, value, texture, energy efficiency, and overall versatility. I’ll give you recommendations on comparable models, so you don’t have to do the research yourself. In the end, I’ll offer my opinion on who the blanket is best suited for and whether I think it's worth buying. All my reviews are completely unbiased and not sponsored, so you can trust that my feedback is genuine.