Slumberdown Wonderfully Warm Multi-Zone Electric Blanket with Twin Controls, Timer & 9 Heat Settings, King Size

Product Information

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. 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. Most of the heated blankets on our list (except for one), feature auto-shut off settings to avoid any nasty accidents. The setting means the blanket will turn off after a certain amount of time - so you can forget about worrying if you've left it on after leaving the house.

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! Excludes post codes starting with BFPO, BT, FK, G83, GG, GY, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW, PA(20-78), PH(18-42), ZE 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. 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.

How much electricity do electric blankets use?

This under blanket can get to work up warming up your comfy space when you aren't home, simply choose from one of nine heat programs as well as up to 10 named user profiles from your app to activate the device. You can also use your smart home device Alexa to control your blanket. 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. 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. High-resistance wires – these days often made of carbon fibre – heat up as an electrical current passes through them. The heat is transferred via fireproof plastic coating to the bedlinen itself. Your blanket will come with a plug (or two if it’s dual-control), which usually extends to around a metre or so. Attach it to your mattress via its straps or elastic skirt, place your sheet over it, and then make your bed as usual. Make sure your duvet fully covers the bed so as not to dissipate the heat.

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.Some of the blankets even allow you to choose how long you’d like your blanket to run for, thanks to handy in-built timers. How much electricity do electric blankets use? 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. 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. 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! This newer version of the blanket also features organic cotton –a nod towards sustainability not found in any of the other blankets we've tested –and whilst it might be one of the most expensive heated blankets in our round-up, if you're looking to invest in a toasty night's sleep this winter, this is an option well worth considering.

Where the blankets had dual controls, we also looked at how accurate the settings were on each side and if there was any temperature crossover when the settings were different. Under blankets operate a bit like mattress toppers and tend to come with elasticated straps or as a fitted sheet, so you can secure them to your bed and drift off on top of them. Many can run for up to eight hours at a time, so you stay warm all night long. Over blankets and throwsThe 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. 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. While health benefits shouldn’t be exaggerated, you might find if you suffer from a condition like arthritis or poor circulation that an electric blanket can alleviate some of the pain. 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.