The best electric blankets and heated throws for keeping warm in bed and on the sofa

The best electric blankets and heated throws can help you to keep warm and cosy when temperatures plummet. Pop an electric blanket on the bed to take the chill off cold sheets before getting into bed at night or snuggle up under a heated blanket on the sofa instead.

Electric blankets have come a long way in recent years, with 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, as well as a whole host of decorative throws and heated ponchos.

In fact, after you’ve invested in one of the best mattresses money can buy, an electric blanket could be just the game-changer you need for a good night’s sleep during the coldest months of the year. Plus, with the cost of running an electric blanket on full power averaging just 2 to 4 pence per hour, an electric blanket could even help to keep you warm whilst saving money on heating costs.

So, whether you’re looking for a single, double, or king-sized electric blanket, or a heated throw for the sofa, we’ve put heated blankets from all of the leading brand names – including Dreamland, Silentnight, Argos, and Lakeland – through their paces to help you find the best electric blanket for you and your budget.

The quick list

This quick list is an overview of the very best electric blankets. You'll find more information on each heated blanket and why our testers recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best electric blankets – tried and tested

Best electric blanket overall

Dreamland's Scandi Sherpa Electric Underblanket scores highly with us because it's one of the few electric blankets that offers a super comfortable sleep surface, dual-controls so that each side of a double, king or super king bed can be warmed independently, a wide range of temperature settings, and an auto-shut off timer to maximise energy and cost efficiency.

The quilted fleece upper means that your sleep isn't disturbed by uncomfortable wires – as can be the case with cheaper, thinner electric underblankets.

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.

Whilst it might be one of the most expensive heated blankets in our round-up, if you're looking for a toasty and comfortable night's sleep this winter, then our tests found this to be the best electric blanket to invest in.

Best heated throw

If you're looking for a heated throw to stay cosy while you snuggle up on the couch then this super-soft velvety heated blanket from Dreamland could be for you.

It comes with a detachable socket, so you can use it as a normal throw if you don't want to be plugged into a wall socket continually, but when temperatures start to cool its 5-minute heat-up time will have you toasty in no time. Although, that being said, on the model we tested we did find the detachable plug very difficult to detach – not a problem if you're happy to leave the cable in place though.

The easy-to-use digital controller has 6 temperature settings you can toggle through by pressing one simple button, and it offers the choice of 3 timers – 1, 3 or 9 hours – with auto shut off. The blanket also has an auto safety function that automatically runs a full safety check of the throw every time you switch it on for extra peace of mind.

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.

Best budget electric blanket

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.

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.

There's also no fancy padding or quilting on this model, but that does mean the heat penetrates to your body nicely, and although with just 3 temperature settings it doesn't get super hot, we still found it plenty cosy enough. Like Silentnight's 'Yours & Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket' it just takes a while to heat up to maximum temperature, requiring 15-20 minutes to get to full heat in our tests.

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.

Budget dual controlled electric blanket

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.

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.

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.

There's also no auto shut-off timer, so you will need to remember to turn the blanket off before you fall asleep if you want to save energy and avoid waking up roasting at 3am. Or you can leave the blanket on all night on a low setting.

There also isn't a super king-sized option in this blanket, but if you're after a dual-controlled double or king-size for the cheapest price possible, this heated underblanket is a good solid contender, and could be the ticket to a warm yet affordable night's sleep.

Best electric overblanket

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. 

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.

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.

Dreamland's Peaceful Dreams overblanket also has plenty of welcome features, from the super-quick 5 minute warm-up time, to the 6 temperature settings and the auto-shut off timer that's perfect if you do want to leave the blanket on the bed all night. There's also a dual-control option for two sleepers. And the lightweight design was barely noticeable extra weight.

Our testers did find it wasn't quite as toasty as an underblanket once you're tucked up in bed, but its versatility meant it fast became one of our reviewer's new favourite finds. Our only gripe is that we'd like to have seen a removable cover for it. You can wash the whole blanket at 30°c, but, although cosy, not everyone loved the feel of the polyester blanket next to their skin.

Most stylish electric blanket

If you want a heated throw that's going to add a touch of luxe to the living room, whether it's keeping you warm or just draped over the sofa, then this faux fur heated blanket could be the one for you – just don't delay as it's selling out fast.

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. 

The blanket heats up in just 5 minutes and offers 6 temperature settings for getting your cosy on, all controlled by an easy-to-operate digital LED controller. It also features an auto shut-off function that's programmable to switch off after 1, 3 or 9 hours. The blanket also has an auto safety function that automatically runs a full safety check of the throw every time you switch it on for extra peace of mind.

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.

Best wearable electric blanket

Planning on using an electric blanket to stay warm whilst sitting on the sofa or working from home at your desk? In that case, a heated poncho may fit the bill better, offering all-around warmth without the struggle of keeping a blanket around your shoulders. 

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.

The poncho has fasteners to hold it in place, and it cleverly leaves your arms covered enough to keep them warm, but free enough to turn the pages of a book, enjoy a snack, or type away at your laptop. You'll just need to remember not to wander away from your desk whilst you're plugged in! Although the 230cm cable does give some wander-room, and you can detach the controls from the poncho so you don't need to take it off for the walk to the fridge. That also means it can be machine washed at 30˚c.

Plus, on the off chance that all that warmth might make you drowsy, it also comes with 9 timer settings, and overheating protection for peace of mind.

Best for cold feet

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.

You can tailor the warmth levels further thanks to dual controls on the double, king, and super king blanket sizes. These allow the temperature of the respective sides of the bed to be adjusted independently of each other – a real boon for couples with different heat preferences! 

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!

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. 

Unfortunately, we also found this feature to be one of the blanket's downsides. The thicker quilting meant the heat didn't penetrate through the padding quite as well as thinner alternatives, and as this blanket straps onto the mattress rather than having a full-coverage fitted design and the blanket's width is smaller than a standard mattress, that means that the thicker quilting makes the blanket's edges a lot more noticeable underneath the sheet. We also found the cable length from blanket to control a little too short to operate comfortably once in bed.

That said, if warm feet are high on your agenda, then this electric blanket is still well worth considering.

How to choose the best electric blanket

To find the right electric blanket for you it’s well worth understanding the different types of heated blankets available, and how each type works, before you shop.

First up, there are electric underblankets. These are the classic design that most of us are probably most familiar with. They consist of a blanket that is secured onto your mattress and covered over by your bed sheet. 

Alternatively, overblankets are intended to be used either inside your duvet or on top of a loose sheet above you. 

Heated throws tend to be thicker and bulkier, and can be used either over the bed or to snuggle up under on the sofa or drape over your shoulders or lap whilst you're seated.

All electric blankets contain thin electrical heating wires cushioned between layers of fabric. On thinner under blankets you may be able to feel the wires a little underneath your body, but many modern designs offer quilting to add more cushioning.

The blanket plugs into a wall socket to connect to your electricity supply and has a control unit (between the blanket and the electrical outlet) that you use to turn the heating element on and off and adjust the heat setting.

So what else should you look out for when shopping for the best electric blanket for your needs? 

Well, whilst the cheapest electric blankets on the market will likely 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 consider before you part with your cash.

• 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.
• Number of temperature settings – budget models tend to offer 3 temperature settings, and in our experience it can be hard to settle on one that's just right. More heat settings mean more chance of finding your ideal temperature, plus, having the option to use your blanket on a lower heat setting is also a good way to save energy and heating costs.
• 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!
• Auto shut-off timer – on a basic electric blanket you'll need to switch it off before you fall asleep or leave it on all night. Paying a little more for a model with a timer means you can drift off peacefully in the knowledge the auto shut-off will kick in at a pre-set time. Although the initial outlay is generally more expensive, this can save on energy and running costs over time.
• 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. 
• Smart functionality – some heated blankets allow you to hook them up to a smart app or Alexa to control when they come on so that your bed is always warm when you’re ready for bedtime, although you’ll generally pay more for this feature. Our top tip is to pair an ‘ordinary’ electric blanket with a smart plug so you can get all the convenience of remote control at a lower cost! 

FAQs

How we test electric blankets

Amy Lockwood

Our ecommerce 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.

As well as trying and testing these products ourselves, we've also taken into account the wider views of as many users as possible, via online customer reviews, social media commentary, and brand satisfaction levels. Click here to find out more about how we review products at Ideal Home.

Whichever electric blanket you choose, enjoy feeling warm and cosy all winter long, no matter how much the temperatures drop outside.