The perfect blanket to snuggle up under on the couch after a long day, it can also be laid over the bed for some added warmth, although with its 150W energy usage it's not quite as economical a way to heat a bed as the under blankets in this edit. The good news is that electric blankets have come a long way in recent years, with new smart tech options, dual-controlled double electric blankets that cater to partners who like to slowly roast paired with those who prefer to keep things cool, and under or over blankets that allow you to get the heat exactly where you want it. The blanket also offers an auto shut-off timer with 4 options to choose from – 1, 5, 8 and 12 hours – so you can drift off without having to worry about turning off the blanket first if you don't want it running all night, and making for more economical use of energy. And, last but not least, is the blanket's quilted fleece upper layer, which adds an extra layer of comfort and can be unzipped and washed separately for easier regular washing. If you're looking for the cheapest way to save on arguments with your other half, then this is one of the most affordable dual-control electric blankets we've come across.Because it fits the entire width of the mattress, it's also one of our top choices if you're a single sleeper in a double or king-sized bed, and the ability to only turn on one half of the blanket is a useful energy-saving feature if your partner is often away.

The best electric blankets to keep you warm at night (and The best electric blankets to keep you warm at night (and

This electric heated poncho from Lakeland is made from super cosy fleece which adds a welcome layer of insulation all by itself, but turn on the heat and you have 9 temperature settings to toggle between to find your perfect warmth setting. Compared to Dreamland's 'Boutique Heated Underblanket' at the top of this list, this cheaper dual-operated electric blanket does feel a lot more basic, with no quilted padding and far fewer control options, however, it's also a lot less money.

Electric blankets FAQs

Dual-controls–speaking of that elusive 'just right' temperature, if you’re going to be using an electric blanket on a shared double or king-size bed then we’d highly recommend paying a little more for a dual-controlled option. It's well worth it to avoid any arguments with your other half over temperature settings!

Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket Double - Heated Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket Double - Heated

Based on the above example, running an electric blanket will cost you around 24p a night (based on 8 hours of use). This is obviously significantly cheaper than having your central heating on all night, and for the average 70W or 80W blanket, you’re looking at even less. And, this is one of the few electric blankets on the market that also enables you to independently control the temperature of the body and feet zones of the blanket, so if you suffer from cold feet you can just switch on the lower portion of the blanket, or increase the heat setting in this area alone –genius! Otherwise, features are limited –there's no auto shut-off timer (so you'll need to remember to switch it off before you drift off to save energy and money), and there are no dual-controls on this model –however, if you're looking for a budget electric blanket, this option will certainly keep out the chill without breaking the bank.This blanket is attached to the mattress with wide elastic straps that slip easily over each corner, but sadly, unlike the top two options in this edit, it does scrimp on size a little, with the blanket not fully covering the whole mattress. That means the heat is concentrated in the centre of the mattress rather than the edges, so it may be best for a single sleeper. The size is perfect to cover a single person on the sofa, or for wrapping around you while you work from home and are trying to save on your heating bill, although we would like to see a larger version that fits two on the couch. Costing just pennies to run, it's a great solution for keeping out the chill whilst keeping heating costs low. This luxury electric blanket has a lot going for it. Firstly, the simple-to-use digital controllers offer 9 temperature settings that make finding your ideal heat an easier affair, as well as making it easier to manage the blanket's energy consumption. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Quilting or padding–basic electric blankets are formed from two thin polyester layers with electrical wires secured in the middle which can mean you'll feel the wires as you sleep. Look out for options that have quilted or padded upper layers for optimal comfort.

Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket - George at ASDA

Although often harder to find, an over blanket is the ideal solution if you have an adjustable bed where an under blanket's wires could get compressed, a heat-sensitive memory foam mattress that's designed to react to your body temperature and mould to your body shape – the electric blanket's extra heat will confuse things here – or you struggle to do the heavy lifting that strapping an under blanket on to your mattress can require. As well as the obvious benefits of warming up your bed on a cold winter’s night, electric blankets can also be really useful for those with health conditions affected by heat. Symptoms of arthritis as well as many other chronic illnesses can be helped by warmth, and the relaxing effect of a heated blanket can also help to ease sore muscles after exercise. The main problem with using an electric blanket on a mattress with a memory foam upper is that memory foam is designed to mould to your body to add cushioning support, and it's partially your body heat that helps it to hug your contours as you sink into the mattress. There are several reasons an electric under blanket may not be for you, in which case you can still get (nearly) all the benefits of a toasty bed by opting for an over blanket instead.

There are only 3 temperature settings compared to the 6 settings Dreamland's 'Boutique Heated Underblanket' offers, and although we found this blanket to be plenty warm enough on its highest setting, it doesn't achieve the same high temperatures that the Dreamland option can. It also takes longer to heat up, with a 15-20 minute wait before it hit full temperature in our tests. Although, that does make it more cost-effective, with each side of the blanket using a maximum of 60W compared to the Dreamland blanket's 150W per side. If you don't need dual-controls, then Silentnight's 'Comfort Control' electric blanket is one of the most affordable electric blankets on the market, and despite its no-frills design, we found it did the job of eliminating the chill and keeping the bed toasty more than adequately.

Silentnight Dual Control Electric Blanket King Size - Heated

Admittedly more of an investment than other heated blankets, this option is one of the most stylish we've come across, and its super soft feel and on-trend hygge aesthetics are matched by strong performance. Independent temperature zones –if you're prone to icy toes then look out for blankets that offer the option to increase the temperature of the foot section of the blanket independently of the main sleeping area, like Slumberdown's 'Wonderfully Warm' electric blanket. After all, is there anything cosier than taking the chill off those cold sheets before you get under the duvet at night? And do you really need to turn on the central heating when you can get toasty with a heated blanket on the sofa instead? Plus, with the cost of running an electric blanket on full power coming in at well under 5p per hour, an electric blanket could well be a sound financial investment that will help you to save money whilst staying warm. Yes, as long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. Make sure that the electric blanket you buy has the BEAB safety mark and be sure to read the manufacturer's guidance before you use the blanket and follow any safety precautions.

Are electric blankets safe?

To calculate how much it will cost to run an electric blanket you need to understand the cost per unit of electricity. From July 2023, the cost per pence/kWh of electricity will be approximately 30p. The head section of the heated mattress topper isn't wired, but the rest of the cover is, meaning this is one of the few under blankets that heats every inch of your bed, including the very bottom section of the mattress which makes for warmer feet. The full coverage also makes for an even sleeping surface, without the lumps and bumps that can occur with quilted electric blankets that only partially cover the mattress. Adding an electric blanket between your body and the mattress top will prevent the memory foam from being able to mould around your body, so it can impact how comfortable you find your mattress.