September 27th, 2018 by Chris Chapman

Electric blankets are a great way to keep warm for less in winter as they combine the warmth of an energy-efficient electric heater with the cosiness of a blanket! Gone are the days when electric blankets were expensive, lumpy quilts that you never wanted to use. Pick up a quality electric blanket today and – if you get the right one – you’ll have a luxuriously soft and comfortable way to keep warm. But that’s the thing – you need to get the right electric blanket for you. There are so many on the market it can be hard to narrow it down to pick the best electric blanket for you. That’s why we’ve pulled together this guide on what to look out for when you’re shopping for an electric blanket, and which features are right for you.

Electric Blankets for Use in Bed

A common misconception surrounding electric blankets is that you can’t use them in bed – this isn’t true! There are plenty of electric blankets out there that you can use under your duvet all night long, but not all blankets can be used this way.

What to Look Out for When Buying an Electric Blanket for Use in Bed

Does it fit to your bed?

Some electric blankets can be fitted on top of your mattress. This the cosiest way to keep warm in bed as the heat comes from beneath you and is trapped under your duvet. Make sure the blanket fits to your mattress using an elastic skirt (like a fitted sheet) rather than by using elastic straps or tie tapes – this means your blanket will fit much more snugly onto your bed. A snug fit means no creases in your blanket, so you’re guaranteed an even warmth across your whole bed as the wires won’t be bunched up.

Can you use it under your duvet?

Most fitted electric blankets are safe to be used all night under your duvet, but it’s worth double checking. Make sure your electric blanket comes with overheat protection – which shuts the blanket down if it starts to get too hot – to keep you safe all night long.

Does it have a timer?

If you’re using your electric blanket while you’re falling asleep, you might not want to keep it on all night. Electric blankets with timers are a great way to save on electricity as they let you program your blanket to turn off after you fall asleep. Most electric blankets have several hourly timer settings that let you turn the blanket off after a set number of hours. Be sure to check how many timer settings are on your electric blanket as the more timer settings you have, the more flexibility you have.

Is it easy to wash?

Fitted electric blankets do need to be washed occasionally, so you should check how easy it is to clean. Most electric blankets are machine washable these days – just pop the controls off the blanket and put them in the washing machine – but some of them can retain a lot of water after washing. This can stretch the fabric of your blanket, leading to the heating wires inside the electric blanket becoming displaced or damaged. Double check that the electric blanket you’re looking at is easy to wash without any issues!

HSD Recommends: Sweet Dreams Prestige Fully Fitted Electric Blanket

Sweet Dreams’ top-of-the-line electric blanket ticks every one of the above boxes and then some. It’s luxuriously comfortable, made from plush quilted fabric, and fits to any mattress smoothly thanks to its extra-deep elastic skirt. With nine timer settings and six heat settings for both your body and feet, you can get your bed to the exact temperature you want for as long as you like so you can drift off to sleep with complete peace of mind. It’s easy to use and easy to wash, making this the best blanket out there for anyone who wants to keep warm in bed.

Electric Blankets and Heated Throws for the Sofa

If you want an electric blanket that you can use anywhere – both on your bed and on the sofa – then a heated throw might be what you’re looking for. If you spend a lot of time downstairs but want an eco-friendly way to keep warm in the living room, read on for a list of things you should look out for.

What to Look Out for When Buying a Heated Throw

Does it look nice?

Unlike fitted electric blankets, heated throws aren’t hidden underneath your duvet and can be highly visible around your home. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to get a throw that you like the look of. Heated throws can be used as part of your living room or bedroom décor, so you want something that’s stylish and modern-looking. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: would I be happy to display this throw in my living room all year round?

Is it big enough?

There’s nothing worse than snuggling under a comfortable heated throw only to find your feet are poking out of the bottom of it and your blanket isn’t big enough to cover them! Throws are supposed to be a little bit oversized so you can wrap yourself in them. This is especially important if you want to use your heated throw with another person! Always check the measurements of your heated throw and get the biggest one you can afford.

Does it have enough heat and timer settings?

Unlike a fitted electric blanket, you’re probably not going to want your heated throw on all night long. While some heated throws are suitable for all-night use as they have overheat protection, it’s still a good idea to get one with plenty of heat and timer settings so you’ve got plenty of flexibility. While you’re awake, you’ll notice changes in the temperature more, so it’s good to know you can make small adjustments to the warmth of your heated throw if you need to.

HSD Recommends: Homefront XL Reversible Heated Throw

Offering you a superbly stylish throw with a reversible design that looks great in any décor, Homefront’s oversized throw is perfect for you if you want to keep warm on the sofa, in an armchair, or on your bed. It’s very large (200 x 130cm) so it’s perfect for snuggling down on a family movie night, and with nine heat and nine timer settings, you’re always kept in complete control of the energy you use.