10 best electric blankets to keep you warm this winter

The days are getting shorter and there’s a discernible chill in the air, which means only one thing: winter is on its way. While the return of jumper and coat weather will fill some with glee, others will be considering how they will stay warm during the coming cold season.

As many will already be aware, the UK is currently trapped in the cost of living and gas crises. And although the government has promised to cap household energy bills at about £2,500 until April 2023, that’s still a whole lot more than people have been paying up until now.

The thought of turning on the heating this winter will fill some people with dread. Even Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert, the website that once had the answer to all money problems, advises “heat the human, not the home” to save energy and money this winter. It’s all a bit bleak.

In that article, MoneySavingExpert breaks down the cost of using electric blankets to stay warm. At the calculated £1.47 a week, based on seven hours of use a day, that is significantly more affordable than turning on the heating, which would set households back almost £76 a week.

So, it turns out the electric blanket could be the unexpected hero of this winter. And following recent media attention, manufacturers of this cosy tech have upped their game to bring us some of the best versions we’ve seen yet.

How we tested

We found electric blankets in various sizes, materials, designs and types – including underblankets and mattress protectors, overblankets and throws. We tested them on the nights when the temperature plummeted to see if they kept us warm while we slept, while watching TV on the sofa on chilly evenings and while working from home at a desk.

Naturally, we looked at the quality of each and ease of use. But we also wanted to find out how quickly the blankets heated up, how the heat was distributed, the control options and safety features. Here’s our verdict on the ones to invest in for a toasty winter.

The best electric blankets in 2022 are:

• Best overall – Dreamland Scandi heated sherpa underblanket: From £64.99, Amazon.co.uk

• Best multizone electric blanket – Cosi Home multizone electric blanket: £79.99, Cosihome.com

• Best faux fur heated throw – Dreamland fallow deer faux fur heated throw: £109.99, Lakeland.co.uk

• Best value for money – Silentnight comfort control electric blanket: From £30, Amazon.co.uk

• Best for hygiene – Dreamland anti-bacterial heated underblanket: From £45, Dreamlanduk.co.uk

• Best fleece underblanket  – Beurer monogram dual control blanket: From £95, Dunelm.com

• Best anti-allergy heated blanket – Dreams anti-allergy heated mattress topper: £40, Dreams.co.uk

• Best overblanket – Dreamland peaceful dreams warming blanket: From £69.99, Dreamlanduk.co.uk

• Best colourful throw – Dreamland relaxwell luxury heated throw: £60, Argos.co.uk

• Best luxury electric blanket – Dreamland snowed in organic cotton warming mattress protector: From £84.99, Johnlewis.com

Dreamland Scandi heated sherpa underblanket

With its woolly, sheepskin-style fabric, this underblanket is comfortable enough for most nights, even with the power turned off. It’s seriously soft and flexible, making it easy to put on the bed with the elasticated corner straps, and it is reversible with a slightly less woolly fabric on the underside.

We tested this out in king size, and it perfectly fitted our mattress – which is far from new and a bit springy in places – and actually made it more comfortable by acting as a cushiony layer. But the best thing about this electric blanket is the smart heating. It features Dreamland’s intelliheat+ technology, which takes only five minutes to warm up and responds to temperature changes as you sleep. We felt it heat up evenly and comfortably, and we loved the dual control that allows you to choose from six heats and three time settings. If you go for one of the dual control versions, each side of the bed has its own control pad for couples who sleep at different temperatures.

Besides the comfort and warmth, the cost of running this blanket will also help you sleep easy because it costs around 1p to run over seven hours.

Buy now £64.99, Amazon.co.uk

Cosi Home multizone electric blanket

Having cold feet in bed is unthinkable and a surefire way to ensure a bad night’s sleep. But this electric blanket makes that a problem of the past, thanks to its multiple heat zones for warming the upper and lower body separately on each side of the bed. Each can be adjusted independently with the smart and easy-to-use controllers. We loved the wide range of temperatures you can choose from to achieve that perfect temperature for a solid night of slumber, no matter how cold it is outdoors.

This quality blanket is made from a soft, snug material that adds to the comfort provided by the heating elements, we just wish it was more straightforward to fit onto the mattress. It’s secured with a tie that you need to feed through loops on the blanket and then secure to the mattress. But elasticated straps or a skirt would be far easier, especially when fitting the blanket onto large beds.

Having said that, we felt confident we were safe as we slept because of the built-in overheat protection.

Buy now £79.99, Cosihome.com

Dreamland fallow deer faux fur heated throw

Fur is what our ancestors would have pulled on to ward off the cold. Today, we might go for something more ethical, but faux fur blankets can be just as warming, especially when they contain an efficient heating element.

This Dreamland electric throw is thick, meltingly soft and oh so snuggly. We tested this while lounging on the sofa in the cooler evenings and found ourselves picking it up day after day for a comforting hug of warmth. The six temperature settings were more than adequate for staying toasty on most days, and it couldn’t be easier to use.

The stunning pattern also makes the blanket a stylish addition to the bedroom or living room, and the neutral colouring means it partners well with sofas of pretty much any colour – even our burnt orange velvet number. Testing this blanket injected a look and feel of luxury into our lives. Our only gripe is the price tag, which is unlikely to suit everyone’s budget.

Buy now £109.99, Lakeland.co.uk

Silentnight comfort control electric blanket

One thing we have noticed about electric blankets is that the overwhelming majority are pretty bulky and would need a generously sized space to keep them fresh when they’re not in use. While that might be doable for some homes, it won’t work for others. This blanket, however, is exceptionally compact and will fold up and fit easily into even the smallest airing cupboards.

Beyond the practical benefits, it is an efficient and easy-to-use electric blanket that kept us warm at night during testing. Yes, it might have only three heat settings and one control, but this is a real bargain. Plus, it is well made from a soft fleece material, will cost you about 1p a night to run and comes with a three-year guarantee. There is so much to like about this blanket.

Buy now £30.00, Amazon.co.uk

Dreamland anti-bacterial heated underblanket

The design of Dreamland’s anti-bacterial blanket incorporates silver, which is known for its antimicrobial properties, meaning it is 99 per cent effective against bacteria for ultimate hygiene and freshness. It is made from a soft microfleece fabric for maximum cosiness and is suitable for machine washing and tumble drying.

It also has a digital control with four heat settings and features Dreamland’s safety system, which checks the temperature 25 times a second and automatically shuts off the electricity after nine hours regardless. We found it easy to use and fit on the mattress with the elasticated straps, which helped keep it in place while we slept.

Buy now £45.00, Argos.co.uk

Beurer monogram dual control blanket

There’s something about fleece in winter that just makes everything feel cosy. While this blanket is used on top of the mattress and under a usual bedsheet, the teddy fleece fabric adds extra warmth and softness.

The six temperature settings are more than enough to keep you comfortable at night, and the dual controls make this blanket ideal for couples. We especially liked that this electric blanket is designed with a deep elasticated skirt, much like a fitted sheet, which made it super easy to fit on the mattress and kept it securely in place over several nights of sleep.

You can expect a night of running the blanket to set you back a mere 2p, and it comes with a three-year guarantee. One thing to note though is that this is said to be unsuitable for use with memory foam mattresses.

Buy now £95.00, Dunelm.com

Dreams anti-allergy heated mattress topper

If allergies, as well as the cold, are keeping you awake at night, this is the electric blanket for you. The mattress topper is made with anti-allergy treated polycotton fibres to prevent irritation and ensure a restful night’s sleep. The fabric is smooth and comfortable to sleep on, feeling much like pure cotton, and it works brilliantly under a cotton bedsheet. It might not have any fancy features or loads of temperature settings, but the electric blanket does the job and is also incredibly good value for money, with even the super king version costing only £40. While it’s currently out of stock, you can leave your email to be notified when it next become available.

Buy now £40.00, Dreams.co.uk

Dreamland peaceful dreams warming blanket

You’ll notice that most of the electric blankets in this round-up are the type that fit directly on the mattress, but if you want something warming over you while you sleep, this overblanket will do the trick.

Coming in three sizes depending on your bed, the ivory heated blanket will keep you snuggly through those extra chilly nights. It’s made from a sumptuously soft polyester fabric and features a gorgeous satin trim. Most importantly though, it heated up rapidly and kept our tester perfectly warm for a restorative night’s sleep.

Although the overblanket is designed to be used draped over you while you’re in bed, we would recommend using it in a duvet cover to keep it fresh and clean. It can be machine washed and tumble dried though, and comes out as good as new after a cycle.

Buy now £69.99, Dreamlanduk.co.uk

Dreamland relaxwell luxury heated throw

Besides adding warmth, electric throws can add a pop of colour, and you’ll want to find one that will fit in with your interiors. Whether you plan to drape it on the sofa or the end of the bed, there will be a Dreamland relaxwell throw that will work with your colour scheme.

This heated throw is available in several colours, including navy, mustard, dusky pink, grey, black and teal blue, which we tested. We love the plush fabric and found it a dream to snuggle up with on the sofa. The blanket was also a massive hit with our tester’s youngsters who were desperate to get under it while watching the telly after getting home from school.

Buy now £60.00, Argos.co.uk

Dreamland snowed in organic cotton warming mattress protector

Enjoy the feeling of a hotel bed every night with this luxury mattress protector. The beautifully soft, top-quality sheet is made with 200-thread count sustainable, organic cotton and is oh so soft for the ultimate sleep experience. It is super simple to fit, thanks to the deep fitted-sheet style elasticated skirt, and even though we put a sheet over it, we could feel that it had helped to make our far-from new mattress that bit more comfortable.

We loved how quickly it warmed up, and the six settings were perfect for achieving the ideal temperature. The single and double electric mattress protector come with a single control pad for warming the entire bed, but there is the option of two controllers for adjusting each side of the bed independently with the dual double, king and super king versions.

Buy now £84.99, Johnlewis.com

Electric blankets FAQs

How much do electric blankets cost to run?

Energy efficiency is built-in to most electric blankets, with some costing just a few pence to run per night, therefore they’re a useful alternative to turning your central heating on overnight. It also means you don’t need to put up with feeling cold, and they can help you save on your electric bills.

Are electric blankets safe?

Modern electric blankets are designed with safety systems such as auto shut-off after a set period of use, which means you won’t have to worry about fire hazards if you leave it unattended. Although, to be extra safe, it’s always advisable to exercise caution and not leave it turned on for longer than you need.

How to wash an electric blanket

Most electric blankets are washing machine safe, but always check the label. If it’s ok to be put in a machine, avoid using a full cycle like you would with the rest of your laundry. Instead opt for a “delicate” or “gentle” cycle option, rinse and spin. This will avoid damaging the blanket while still keeping it clean in between uses.

The verdict: Electric blankets

Dreamland’s Scandi sherpa underblanket is our best buy for the second year in a row, and that’s because it has everything you could want in an electric blanket for the bedroom. It’s thick, ultra-soft, and heats up quickly and evenly. We love the built-in intelliheat+ technology for safety and that the blanket is so comfortable it feels lovely to sleep on even when it’s not turned on.

For staying warm when not in bed, we would recommend Dreamland’s fallow deer faux fur heated throw. As well as giving us comforting warmth on chilly evenings with a quick heat-up time, the thick blanket adds a luxe look to any room in which it is used. It’s perfect for creating stylish, Scandi winter vibes.

Check out our review of the best mattresses, including memory foam, pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses