Electric blankets are all the rage right now. With energy bills sky-rocketing and many of us opting for other options to stay warm over putting on the central heating. In October alone, an estimated 41,000 Britons searched online for electric blankets, with google searches for rising 342%.
According to Uswitch, getting cosy under an electric blanket uses 100 watts of energy to heat a double bed. Running a blanket at 100W for seven hours a week would use approximately 0.7kWh of energy.
Put simply, if you used a heated blanket for one hour per day, it would cost just 19.6p for seven days. Using it for one hour a day, every single day for a year, would be just £12.48 Just over a tenner for a year of heat is simply pennies compared to putting the heating on.
Plus, it’s unlikely you’ll use the blanket for the entire year – even British summers are too warm for that! Say you use it for 4 months from October to January, using it for three hours a day instead of one, it will cost the exact same amount. Not too pricey for a winter of warmth.
But with so much choice out there, the electric blanket market can seem overwhelming. Which is the best brand? The best value for money? The highest quality?
As usual, here at MoneyMagpie we want to give you the answers to these questions. With money tighter than ever, it is important your financial investment in a heated blanket or throw is the best decision for you.
With that in mind, here are 6 of the best electric blankets currently on the market.
Slumberdown Warm Hugs Heated Under Blanket
This is one of the most affordable electric blankets on the market. The price varies depending on the size – single (£18.00), double (£23.00) or king size (£26.00). It comes with three heat settings and can be washed at a 40-degree heat to keep it fresh and clean.
It’s easy to use and warms up in minutes, perfect for keeping you toasty on even the coldest of winter nights. Made of polyester fleece material, it will keep you cosy by itself, making it the perfect blanket even after you switch it off.
The reviews speak for themselves, too. “Excellent value for money”, reads one five-star review. “I can adjust it to the right temperature easily,” says another. Overall, this blanket is rated 4.7 stars out of 5.
Simply lay it under your duvet, switch it on and snuggle up with some snacks and a festive film for the perfect night in.
Russell Hobbs Electric Underblanket
This electric blanket comes in two sizes – single (£22.00) or double (£32.00). However, even the single is perfect for a bed that sleeps two due to its marvellous heating abilities.
Boasting three heat settings, as well as protection from overheating, this snuggly blanket is perfect for the cold months. It is cream in colour, however don’t worry about cleaning it – it is machine washable so easy to keep it in perfect nick.
The power cord is two metres long, so you can control it easily from either side of the bed. Plus, the remote control is removeable, so you can switch it on and off without even having to move! This is a great addition, as it means you can switch it off last thing at night or first thing in the morning to warm you up on frosty days, without even having to get out of your cocoon.
Glamhaus Heated Throw
These heated throws are fleece lined, meaning they are the perfect companion to keep you snug as a bug this winter season. A slightly more expensive option, they are certainly worth every penny. Coming in at £54.99 for a large 1.6m by 1.3m throw, the fabric is luxuriously soft and comes in six lovely colours.
A fan of more neutral tones? Why not go for brown, light grey or light pink? For those of your who like a pop of colour, you can choose from yellow, blue or two pink shades – deep pink or dark pink.
The higher price does mean more features, however. Of course, it’s fleece-lined as previously mentions – absolutely lush – but it also has more heat settings and a timer feature. You can stay in control of the temperature and the timer, with the easy-to-use controller. You can set the timer for up to nine hours, and choose from 6 different heat settings.
The controller is removeable and the blanket is machine washable.
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket Topper
Silentnight is a household name when it comes to bedding. Most of us will have been kept comfy by the brand throughout the years, whether it be from a plush pillow or secure in a duvet.
This white blanket is hypoallergenic, meaning you can snuggle down with comfort. It can be used all night if needed, with protection from overheating meaning you can sleep soundly in the knowledge you are safe.
The detachable control allows from a choice of three heat settings. You can pop it in the washing machine to give it a good clean, and unlike many other electric blankets, it can go in the tumble dryer.
This soft and snuggly topper comes in four sizes – single, double, king, and even super king. Starting from £35, it is in the mid-price range for electric blankets – not too cheap, not too expensive, but does the job perfectly.
You can find this blanket at many major retailers, including Amazon.
Dreamland Heated Throw
This is another throw on the slightly pricier side. However, the hundreds of five-star reviews seen on Argos potentially give reason as to why it is worth every penny. With reviews such as “A lovely quality throw which heats up quickly and evenly” and “It is a great help for my joints and arthritis”, it is easy to see why 96% of customers would recommend this throw.
You can cocoon yourself in a buttery soft, velvety plush throw. It’s super-sized, meaning you can share it with your loved ones. It’s also stylish and comes in a range of great colours, making it the perfect accessory for your bedroom or living room.
There are six heat settings, however, there is also clever sensor technology within the throw. This sensor automatically monitors the room temperature and adjusts accordingly, meaning you don’t even have to think about turning your throw up or down in heat. The warmth regulates safely, with the heat sensor regulating itself 25 times per second.
There is a timer that shuts off automatically to prevent overheating, allowing all-night use to keep you toasty until the morning.
You can find the entire Dreamland collection here.
Daewoo Premium Heated Blanket
This luxurious and fluffy heated blanket is currently on sale, so definitely worth considering. Not only is it plush, soft and high quality, but it comes in three different sizes – single (£39.99), double (£49.99) and king (£59.99). The single and king size are usually £69.98 and £109.98 respectively, so there are great savings to be made.
Designed to meet European Safety Standards, you can bundle up with peace of mind. The fleece lining means you’ll be kept warm even when the electric function is turned off. When you do turn the heat back on, it’ll take just minutes to heat up again.
Three heat settings mean you can adjust the blanket to find your perfect, most comfortable heat throughout the day. Plus, buying through Robert Dyas gives you a 3-year guarantee, so you are set for many winters to come.
Its neutral colour means it fits seamlessly into any room in your house.
Do you have an electric blanket? We want to know what you think of it! Leave your comments below.
