If you're looking to make those frosty mornings and chilly nights more bearable, a heated blanket could do just the trick. 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.
In recent research, 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.
...the typical home could save £300 by using an electric blanket to keep warm rather than always heating the whole house.
We've included a range of products in our list from electric blankets that fit onto your mattress, to decorative, heated throws you can use on the sofa. So whether 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.
Read our reviews of Dreamland's Relaxwell heated throw and Dreamland's Snowed In heated mattress protector for more cosy finds!
Best heated blankets and throws for 2024
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. To help make your sleep even more relaxing, the blanket has a soft fleece topping, so this pick has warmth and comfort covered.
For seasonal décor ideas, check out our list of the best autumn and winter bedding for a cosy room and we've also tried-and-tested the best winter duvets, too.
Dreamland Relaxwell Large Heated 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 in both cottage or contemporary schemes - shown above in teal, it's also available in black and pink. Its Intelliheat technology boasts six heat settings as well as an auto shut-off function. Plus, at 160x120cm it can fit over a double bed. So if you're struggling to leave your 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. Plus, we've got an exclusive offer code to save you money! Click the link below and enter HOMESTYLE10 at checkout for 10% off everything (excluding sale items).
For more teddy bear texture finds, here's our list of the best bouclé fabric items for your home.
Smart Heated Mattress Cover
This heated mattress cover takes the art of bed warming to the next level. As a smart device, you can control the heated mattress cover from an entirely different room through an app. So you don't even have to look at your chilly bed before it reaches an acceptable temperature. This also allows you to prep your bed for your arrival while you're on your wintry walk home. It even works with Alexa so you don't have to lift a finger.
You have lots of choice with this option too, as you can select from nine different temperature settings. You can also have varying temperatures between four areas of the same bed, so you can avoid those classic couple quarrels over the optimum bed warmth.
Dreamland Alaskan Husky Faux Fur Heated Throw
Add a touch of luxury to your wintry décor with this glamorous heated throw. It would look lovely draped across your sofa when not in use, or you could lay it over your bed during the day. Due to its faux fur design, it's very soft, making it an ideal choice for a relaxing night in. It heats up in just five minutes and there are six heat settings so you can easily adjust it to your preference.
Keep your rooms as toasty as possible with the best draught excluders.
Slumberdown Dual Control Electric Underblanket
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. And if you're worried about drifting off while your blanket is still running, you can select the timer option which switches the blanket off for you.
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket
Suitable for single beds, 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 a whole night of cosiness on a low setting, 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 the addition of an overheat protection feature so you can nod off, worry free.
Take a look at our favourite winter candles for a cosy feel.
Lakeland Sherpa Electric Heated Throw
A snuggly choice with an understated yet pleasing design, this navy throw is a lovely winter warmer. With nine heat settings, as well as nine time settings, it's a versatile item you can tailor to your needs. The exterior has a velvety vibe, and the fleecy lining helps battle the bitter weather outside, so it's a top addition to your sofa.
And for more velvet inspiration, check out our list of the best velvet furniture ideas.
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 cozy 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 put them directly over your lap when you're watching movies on the sofa, keep them over your knees 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. This 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.
Are you an Octopus Energy customer?
If so, they are giving away 10,000 FREE electric blankets in an effort to support their most vulnerable customers this winter. For more details and to find out if your eligible, click here.