The affordable gadget you need to save £300 this winter (and it's a Black Friday bargain!)
If you're looking to make those frosty mornings and chilly nights more bearable, a heated blanket will keep you warm as the temperature drops. Electric blankets heat up in minutes, allowing you to wrap yourself up in a toasty cocoon, and they put much less strain on your energy bills than turning up the central heating.
Renewable energy supplier, Octopus Energy Group, found the typical home could save £300 by using an electric blanket to keep warm rather than always heating the whole house.
Below, we share our favourite heated blankets on the market right now, from electric blankets that fit onto your mattress, to decorative throws you can use on the sofa. So whether you're snuggling up in the living room to watch a movie or climbing into bed for the night, treat yourself with the delights of a heated blanket.
Best heated blankets and throws
Cosi Home Double Electric Blanket
Popping on an electric blanket to warm up your bed makes the move from living room to bedroom far more appealing. This electric blanket has integrated corner ties so you can easily and securely attach it onto your double bed.
The remote control has three heat settings, so you can decide how warm you'd like to be. There's even a detachable chord so you can chuck it in the washing machine whenever you fancy freshening it up. For extra comfort, and to help make your sleep even more relaxing, the blanket has a soft fleece topping.
For seasonal décor ideas, check out our list of the ultimate cosy bedding and we've also tried-and-tested the best winter duvets, too.
Dreamland Snuggle Up Electric Throw
If you're looking for a portable electric blanket you can enjoy in every room, a heated throw is a top choice. This cosy, machine washable design from Dreamland would look lovely whatever your scheme and is available in range of colours – teal (as shown above), black, pink, grey, navy, and mustard. Plus, its Intelliheat technology boasts six heat settings as well as an auto shut-off function.
At 160x120cm, this throw can fit over a double bed. So if you're struggling to leave the warm nest you've been relaxing in all evening, you can take your heated blanket to bed with you!
Silentnight Teddy Fleece Electric Blanket
We're huge fans of the teddy bear fabric craze! The soft material lends itself well to the colder seasons, making this blanket an especially toasty choice. It has three heat settings to choose from, and it's machine washable so you can keep it feeling clean and fresh all throughout winter.
For more teddy bear texture finds, take a look at these 7 cosy and comfy Bouclé fabric accessories.
Slumberdown Wonderfully Warm Electric Blanket
This electric underblanket from Slumberdown has a deep filled, quilted comfort layer for added softness, making it an indulgent pick. If you suffer from cold toes at night, you're in for a treat, as there's a convenient feet warming feature.
The blanket has dual controls and zonal heating, so you can set the temperature on your side of the bed. And if you're worried about drifting off while your blanket is still running, you can select the timer option, which switches it off for you.
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket
Available in a range of sizes (i.e. single, double, king and super king), this snuggly fleecy electric blanket is sure to warm up your crisp bed sheets. Whether it's a quick blast to warm up the bed while you're brushing your teeth, or you're after hours of blissful cosiness, this is likely to become your favourite winter bedroom accessory.
This is another machine washable pick, so you can put it in the washer, alongside your bedding. For extra peace of mind, there's a built-in auto shut off, so you can fall asleep, worry free.
Lakeland StaySnug Faux Fur Heated Throw
This super-snuggly faux fur electric blanket will help you keep warm all winter long. With nine heat settings to choose from, you're guaranteed to stay cosy! There are also nine time settings with auto switch off for safety.
We love the steely grey finish of this faux fur electric blanket, and it'll look stylish draped over your bed or sofa when not in use.
Do electric blankets use a lot of electricity?
Electric blankets are generally very energy-efficient and won't significantly inflate your electricity bill. They typically consume as much energy as a few light bulbs, and as many of them come with automatic shut-off features and timers, you can be really careful with your usage.
A heated blanket typically uses significantly less electricity than central heating. Central heating systems warm an entire home, consuming a substantial amount of energy, while a heated blanket is designed to provide targeted, personal warmth, using much less electricity to keep you cosy.
So, if you're looking to save on energy costs, using heated blankets and throws can be a cost-effective and energy-efficient way to stay warm without heating your entire home and empty rooms.
Is an electric blanket cheaper than radiators?
Heated blankets are generally more cost-effective than relying solely on radiators to stay warm. Radiators heat an entire room, often requiring substantial energy consumption and driving up heating bills. In contrast, electric blankets and throws offer direct, personalised warmth right where you need it, allowing you to stay comfortably cosy without heating unused spaces.
This means that using an electric blanket instead of the radiator can be more energy-efficient, economic and eco-conscious choice during the colder months.
Where is the best place to put an electric blanket?
The best place to put an electric blanket totally depends on the type of blanket you choose. Heated throws, for example, can move around the house with you whenever you need to keep warm!
You can wrap them around you when you're watching movies on the sofa, drape them over your lap when you're working from your desk at home, or put them on top of your duvet if you need extra warmth during the chilly winter evenings.
If you've got an electric mattress cover, this is usually best placed under your bedsheet. This positioning ensures that you have a comfortable and warm surface to sleep on, while the bedsheet acts as a barrier between you and the heated pad, providing a more comfortable and safe sleeping environment.
That being said, you should always check the instructions on your particular model before setting up, as each will differ. Whichever type of heated blanket you have, always make sure the blanket is spread out evenly to maintain consistent heat distribution.
Photo: Getty
