All the heated blankets on our list have auto-shut off settings, which turn them off after a certain amount of time, minimising the risk of any accidents. Some even let you decide how long they run for, thanks to nifty in-built timers. As someone interested in creating a beautiful and comfortable home for her family while saving money where possible, Gemma was determined to provide honest and independent advice on the best heated throw that will keep your family warm for mere pennies this winter. Why you should trust us With many years of experience as a content and copywriter for her family business Urban Media Publishing, Gemma has written articles and blogs on travel, the outdoor industry, parenting and finance.

If you're worrying about your children staying well this winter, then it's understandable that you might be considering allowing them to get under your heated throw. These blankets are perfectly safe for children to use under supervision, but they're not recommended for under fives. They're also not safe for children to sleep with, as they should always be supervised when using a heated throw. How we chose the best heated throw

What's the difference between a heated throw and an electric blanket?

Where the blankets had dual controls, we also looked at how accurate the settings were on each side and if there was any temperature crossover when the settings were different. 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. 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. Heated throw blankets emit heat via coil wires that provide a steady source of warmth when plugged into an electrical outlet. Each heated throw blanket has a controller, a built-in timer, and a temperature control gauge. That means it will only go as warm as you want it to. The timer means the heat should cut off after a specified time of your choice, so you don't need to worry if you fall asleep while snuggled up in it. How much does it cost to run a heated throw? Under blankets operate a bit like mattress toppers and tend to come with elasticated straps or as a fitted sheet, so you can secure them to your bed and drift off on top of them. Many can run for up to eight hours at a time, so you stay warm all night long. Over blankets and throws

Or even What are the Top 10 affordable (best budget, best cheap, or even best expensive!!!) Heated Throw Blanket available? Etc. Size and coverage: Make sure the throw is large enough to cover you comfortably. If you want one you can snuggle up under with your other half or kids, make sure you go for a large size so there's space for everyone.We also tested an electric blanket, which buttons up, allowing you to wear it like a poncho to retain heat. Aside from the extra design features that make them wearable, these ponchos operate in an almost identical manner to electric throws, with a range of temperatures and a timer. Electric blanket features Dual controls will also let you adjust settings during the night without disturbing your partner. Blankets that have these – often size double and upwards – will have left and right zones, so the settings can be customised if there are two of you in the bed. Are electric blankets safe? Aldi’s heated throw hits the middle aisle on Thursday 23rd November and is expected to be snapped up by shoppers pretty fast. Last time it was around it sold out almost immediately. This depends on how long you use it for and which setting you opt for. As a general rule, you can expect running a heated throw to cost somewhere between 4p and 8p an hour.

The best heated throw blanket is always a hot topic on the Mumsnet forums when cold weather comes around. These snuggly spreads are much loved as they could be the key to keeping warm this winter while saving money on your heating bill. They're a little similar to the best electric blankets, but while those are predominantly used as bedding, heated throws are more decorative and you can cosy up under them on the sofa.Given the current economic climate, it’s understandable that you may be looking for more cost-effective ways to stay warm and save on your heating bill. Electric blankets can come in handy here, as they're becoming increasingly more energy efficient.

Temperature settings: Look for adjustable heat settings so you can get the most out of your blanket – some options have as many as 10 different settings! Bear in mind that it does often cost more to run a blanket on the higher settings, so it's a good idea to opt for one with good range.

If you buy your blanket from a reputable UK retailer, as we did for our tests, then it should be safe.