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. On testing we also found that the overblanket was far preferred by our night-sweat suffering reviewers. Every electric blanket we've tested uses polyester wadding to soften and protect the cables, which our hot sleepers found could make them overheat compared to their usual natural material-filled mattress toppers. In comparison to a strapped-on underblanket, the overblanket could be positioned between the duvet and bed sheet to warm up the bed and get things toasty, and then whipped off once the chill had gone from the bed, making for a better night's sleep. 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. Experts reported that people who use electric blankets and exposed to the electromagnetic field for a long time may experience health risks. They said that the use of electric blankets, which increased during the winter months, can be seen as an economic solution but may cause various health problems. Experts pointed out that there are people who lost their lives due to electric blankets and added: “When you consider the heating mechanism of the electric blanket, by plugging in and using the heating structure, a static electric field is formed in the bed, that is to say electromagnetic field. If we use the bed in cold weather for a long time, exposure to the electromagnetic field and static electric field, as well as the effects of electromagnetic fields on human health are issues to be discussed. For this reason, the use of electric blankets for a long time may cause too much electromagnetic interference in the elderly, children, and pregnant people. It may cause serious health problems.” Fire Risk of Electric Blankets The introduction of ultra-thin wires has been made to ensure a comfortable nights rest, as well as making blankets very economical to run. 4 Heat Levels

Although often harder to find, an overblanket is the ideal solution if you have an adjustable bed where an underblanket'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. Rather than strapping onto the mattress like most heated under blankets (and being sized far smaller than the mattress surface area) this option works like a fitted sheet, with a skirt that attaches to your mattress and a quilted upper that covers the whole of the mattress surface, whether you opt for the single, double, king, or super king. The electric blanket is a comfortable aid in cold weather. There are wires on the blanket that heats up when the power is turned on. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat on the control pad of the blanket. Repair is necessary when the connections are loosened or the heating wire breaks. Determine the cause of the fault before repairing the blanket. Depending on the problem, it may be less expensive and time-consuming to get a new blanket. If your electric blanket has stopped working, you can follow these steps:

There are several reasons an electric underblanket may not be for you, in which case you can still get (nearly) all the benefits of a toasty bed by opting for an overblanket instead. You can dry your blanket in the dryer if you wish. But do not forget to operate at the lowest degree when drying. Run for 2 minutes and then hang your blanket in its damp state. If you do not prefer a dryer, hang your blanket from top to bottom without folding and do not use tongs. Doing so may damage your blanket. Pay attention to these tips when cleaning the electric blanket: 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. 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.

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. 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.

Need Inspiration?

Our shopping editor, Amy, put multiple bestselling electric blankets through their paces to compile this guide, testing sleep comfort, heating efficiency, ease of use of controls, and additional features such as dual-controls or zoned temperature capability to find the electric blankets that deliver best on performance and price. 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. 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! Open the control unit with a screwdriver and look for loose parts. If the blanket only works in some settings and not for others, the thermostat is defective. Tighten any loose connections inside the thermostat.

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. 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. 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. 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. On top of that, this luxury option comes with plenty of added features, including 6 temperature settings –the highest of which makes this one of the hottest heated blankets we've tested, and allows a super speedy 5-minute warm-up time (most blankets take up to 15 minutes to reach optimum heat). There are dual-controls so that two sleepers can toggle their preferred heat independently and an auto shut-off timer with 1, 3, and 9-hour settings so that you don't have to worry about switching off the blanket before you fall asleep. The only downside is that those higher temperature settings do mean more energy usage, with this blanket using 150W on each side, compared to an average of 70W.

Why Electric Blankets Stop Working?

Under blankets, for example, can run for up to eight hours, so you could opt for this at night instead of central heating, while a throw can keep you warm while working from home. Keep away from piercing, reaming and damaging materials. Pay attention to use in wool and cotton beds, wrinkling, shrinkage, and collapse that may occur in the bed directly create the same effect on the blanket and it is dangerous. Additionally, you should never dry clean an electric blanket as the chemicals used in the dry cleaning process can damage the blanket's wiring and heating system,' continues Hayley. In contrast, over blankets are meant for curling up under; they’re a more versatile choice as you can use them on the sofa or even at your desk if you work from home. Some even resemble a fleecy blanket, which not only feels extra soft against the skin, but will look good in your living room if you want to leave it out. Throws tend to have shorter operating times though – most we tried time out after three hours. Wearable electric blankets or heated ponchos Whilst the cheapest electric blanket will generally do the job of heating up the bed before you get in, spending a little more money generally means you get a more comfortable sleep and greater control over temperatures and shut-off times. Here are our top tips for what to look out for before you shop.

If you cannot find the problem, replace the heating blanket. In many cases, it is cheaper to buy a new heating blanket instead of fixing the old one. Why Electric Blankets Stop Working? That said, if warm feet are high on your agenda, then this electric blanket is still well worth considering.Note that dual control under blankets are plugged in on both sides, meaning they can use double the electricity versus those with a single control. How we test electric blankets 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. 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.