The Best Electric Blankets of 2024 - Reviewed - USA Today
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Striving to keep your thermostat a bit lower this winter or feeling perpetually chilly? An electric blanket is a must-have addition to your household. Known for their warmth, these heated blankets can save you from winter’s worst, perfect for a cozy movie night or snuggling into bed.
Electric blankets can come with hefty price tags, and some suffer from issues like inconsistent heating or uncomfortable wiring. To find the ones truly worth your money, we tested seven different models over several months. Our top pick is the Sunbeam Royal Mink Sherpa Heated Blanket (available at Amazon for $39.87), admired for its thick, soft fabric that conceals inner wires effectively.
The Sunbeam Royal Mink Sherpa Heated Electric Blanket won us over with its simple design and unmatched coziness.
Best Overall
Sunbeam Royal Mink Sherpa Heated Throw
- Size(s): 50 x 60 inches
- Material: Polyester
- Heat Settings: 4
- Auto-shutoff: 4 hours
For a single-user electric blanket, the Sunbeam Mink Sherpa Heated Blanket stands out. It’s available in multiple colors to blend with your decor, featuring soft fleece on top and cozy sherpa on the bottom. Its thicker material effectively hides the inner wires, making it more comfortable than many other options we tested.
Function-wise, the Sunbeam Mink Sherpa Blanket excels in simplicity and efficiency. It offers four heat settings controlled by a straightforward button setup. We noticed a significant temperature increase within 4 to 5 minutes of adjusting the setting, with noticeable differences between all four levels, from mild warmth to toasty heat. Even on the highest setting, it remained comfortable, and the four-hour auto-shutoff added a layer of safety. This blanket is machine washable, requiring no special care beyond a gentle cycle and low-heat drying. However, its power cord is shorter than average, necessitating proximity to an outlet.
Pros
- Wide array of colors
- Invisible wires
- Soft sherpa fabric
Cons
$39.87 from Amazon
$39.87 from Walmart
If you’re ready to spend more, the Sleep Number Warming Blanket offers top-tier luxury.
Best Splurge
Sleep Number Warming Blanket
- Size(s): Queen (84 x 90 inches) or King (90 x 100 inches)
- Material: Polyester
- Heat Settings: 11
- Auto-shutoff: 10 hours
Willing to splurge? The Sleep Number Warming Blanket is a luxurious choice. Unlike many other blankets, this product boasts quality craftsmanship, with thick, soft fleece fabric that offers significant warmth even when unplugged.
Available in queen and king sizes, the Sleep Number Blanket includes dual controllers for independent heating settings on each side, perfect for couples. However, we found the controllers lacking—it’s difficult to know which setting you’ve selected due to the absence of tactile or auditory feedback.
The 11 heat settings vary notably, though changes from one level to the next are modest. Machine washable on a gentle cycle, it’s easy to maintain.
Pros
- Thick, soft fabric
- High-quality construction
- Dual heat zones
Cons
- Only available in large sizes
- Poor controller feedback
Buy now at Sleep Number
If layering is more your style, consider the Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Electric Blanket.
Best for Layering
Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Electric Blanket
- Size(s): Twin, Full, Queen, or King
- Material: Polyester
- Heat Settings: 12
- Auto-shutoff: 12 hours
For those who love layering blankets, the Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece is safe to use with other blankets. Available in multiple sizes and colors, the larger versions offer dual heating zones and individual controllers.
The standout feature of this blanket is its excellent controller design. The digital screen provides easy and clear adjustments, along with an adjustable auto shut-off timer, ranging from 1 to 12 hours. However, the blanket is quite thin, and you can feel the wires through the fleece material, making it better suited for layering.
Pros
- Safe for layering
- Adjustable timer
- User-friendly controller
Cons
- Large unheated border
- Less soft fabric
$49.87 from Amazon
$49.87 from Walmart
For those who care about aesthetics, the Beautyrest Heated Faux Fur Throw Blanket offers both style and comfort.
Best Design
Beautyrest Heated Faux Fur Throw Blanket
- Size(s): 50 x 70 inches
- Material: Polyester faux fur
- Heat Settings: 3
- Auto-shutoff: 2 hours
The Beautyrest Heated Faux Fur Throw Blanket combines style with functionality. Its front side is adorned with soft faux fur, and several pattern options are available, including animal prints. The reverse side is a thinner fleece, making the wires feel slightly more prominent.
Though it heats up swiftly in just a couple of minutes, the construction feels slightly subpar compared to its high price. The automatic shut-off after two hours can be inconvenient for longer lounging sessions.
Pros
- Stylish, soft fabric
- Quick heating
- Convenient plug location
Cons
- Shuts off after two hours
$55.99 from Amazon
$50.99 from Target
$65.28 from Home Depot
For budget-conscious buyers, the Tefici Electric Heated Blanket offers warmth without a hefty price tag.
Best Budget
Tefici Electric Heated Blanket
- Size(s): Throw, Twin, or Queen
- Material: Polyester faux fur
- Heat Settings: 3
- Auto-shutoff: 4 hours
On a budget? The Tefici Electric Heated Blanket is a worthy contender. Made from fleece fabric, it provides ample warmth and comes in several sizes for different needs.
This blanket is thinner, and you can feel the coils within. Its construction isn’t stellar, but it remains effective. It has three heat settings, and its controller is large and somewhat cumbersome, though the cord’s corner location is convenient for lounging.
Pros
- Affordable
- Convenient port location
Cons
- Feelable wires
- Bulky controller
Buy now at Amazon
$28.99 from Walmart
Other Electric Blankets We Tested
Sunbeam Microplush Heated Blanket with Digital Display Controller
The Sunbeam Microplush’s construction left something to be desired due to noticeable, rigid wires. However, it features a dedicated preheat button for convenience and comes with a five-year warranty.
Pros
- Great value
- Preheat button
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Very noticeable wiring
- Serged ends
Buy now at Amazon
Perfect Fit Soft Heat Micro Fleece Warming Blanket
The Perfect Fit Soft Heat Warming Blanket features almost undetectable wiring, making it feel like a regular polyester blanket. However, it lacks advanced features and has questionable warranty support.
Pros
- Thin wires
- Lightweight
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Questionable warranty support
- Non-adjustable shutoff time
$129.99 from Amazon
$178.66 from Walmart
Beautyrest Microlight-to-Berber Reversible Heated Blanket
The Beautyrest Microlight-to-Berber Blanket excels in plushness and warmth, featuring dual-sided velvet and sherpa materials. However, its large, blocky controllers detract from its usability.
Pros
Cons
- Big controllers
- Slower heating
$105.99 from Target
$143.66 from Home Depot
$105.99 from Walmart
Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket
The Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket is less inviting, with stiff, uncomfortable wires and less cozy fabric. Although it features separate heating zones, the cord setup is inconvenient.
Pros
Cons
- Not very soft
- Stiff wires
$89.87 from Amazon
$74.20 from Walmart
Westinghouse Soft & Silky Flannel Warming Blanket
The Westinghouse Heated Blanket fell short in comfort and safety, featuring thin polyester fleece and overheating issues. Despite good construction and a five-year warranty, it’s not recommended.
Pros
- Good construction
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Patchy heating
- High electricity consumption
Buy now at Amazon
$119.99 from Walmart
How We Tested Electric Blankets
Testing electric blankets required many cozy nights and diligent assessments.
The Tester
I'm Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor at Reviewed. With years of experience in bedding reviews, I’ve tested numerous heated blankets professionally and personally. Residing in a drafty farmhouse in New England, my partner and I often rely on heated blankets during cold nights.
The Tests
Our methodology involved evaluating each blanket’s construction, material quality, stitching, and care requirements. We paid attention to whether the blankets were machine washable and tested for ease of use, maintaining usual washing and drying cycles.
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We also spent each day lounging with the blankets, noting differences between heat levels, time to temperature changes, comfort, softness, and wire detectability.
What You Should Know About Electric and Heated Blankets
Selecting the right heated blanket involves understanding several key factors.
Primarily, there are three types of electric blankets: standard blankets for overnight use, heated mattress pads, and throw blankets for home use. Our focus was on standard blankets, guiding our insights accordingly.
How Do Electric Blankets Work?
Electric blankets are generally lighter than winter comforters, akin to summer blankets or throws. Most are made from soft materials like polyester fleece or velvet and contain integrated wiring.
These wires are built into the fabric and connect to a power source via cords usually located at the blanket’s foot. When in use, these cords run under the bed to your outlet, positioning the controllers nearby.
What Features Do Heated Blankets Have?
Common features include multiple heat settings and automatic shutoff after 8 to 10 hours. Dual-zone controls are standard for larger sizes, allowing personalized warmth for each partner. Advanced models offer preheat functions and adjustable timers for customizable warmth.
Do I Need an Electric Blanket?
If falling asleep in cold conditions is difficult for you, an electric blanket can warm you without heating the entire room. It’s also useful for preheating beds, especially for perpetually cold feet, providing effective warmth compared to just wearing socks.
Post-testing, we found non-heated blankets also effective. Interestingly, our sensors noted a peak temperature difference of only 1.4°F between our top electric blanket and a non-heated one, indicating room conditions also play a significant role.
How To Safely Use An Electric Blanket
Consistent safety guidelines include:
- Avoid using the blanket for children, disabled individuals, or with sedatives.
- Do not fold, bunch, or pin the blanket.
- Keep cords untangled and unobstructed.
- Do not use on fold-up beds or with pets.
- Ensure the blanket remains dry.
- Do not combine with other heated products.
- Cease use if damage is detected.
Adhering to these guidelines is crucial for safe use.
What Are Common Issues with Electric Blankets?
Electric blankets, while useful, often have issues like short lifespans or hot spots. Some can even be hazardous if overheating occurs, highlighting the importance of careful usage and immediate discontinuation upon detecting damage.
Warranty considerations are also essential; many blankets don’t last as long as expected.
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