Whether your electric heater has packed in, your radiator isn’t quite cutting it, or you just want to feel cosy, a good electric blanket is the perfect way to keep warm.
They’re efficient too. These blankets aren’t just for deep winter; as one of the most effective ways to warm a person, not the whole room, they save you from switching on the heating when you don’t need it. Crucially, they’re cheap to run. With typical power draws between 40W and 120W, you’re looking at roughly 1-3p per hour on a standard UK tariff, depending on size and settings.
There are lots of options out there. Underblankets slip beneath your sheet and use fine heating elements to deliver consistent, even heat, while throws are designed to be seen, with plush fleeces, knits and faux-fur finishes that look good on the sofa as well as the bed. The latest models offer multiple heat levels, rapid preheat, timers and automatic shut-off, plus dual controls for couples. Most are machine-washable once you detach the lead, and built-in overheat protection is now standard.
With so many options on the market, I tested a range of heated bedding, putting blankets and throws through real-world use. I timed warm-up times and measured maximum temperature and consistency with a laser thermometer. On top of that, I assessed comfort, checking for lumpy wiring or cold spots, and examined ease of controls, washability and overall value.
This year’s line-up spans classic mattress warmers, smarter mattress protectors and generously sized throws that actually complement your living space. If you’re trimming heating costs or simply want a cosier night’s sleep, the Slumberdown elegantly warm luxury heated throw is the standout, but there are some other options that are also worth considering.
How I tested
I tested every blanket and throw at home in (as far as possible) identical conditions. Using a stopwatch and thermometer, I measured warm‑up over 10 minutes for each product, and logged surface temperature. When assessing each one, I used the following criteria:
- Heat distribution: Even and stable warmth is a key factor in a good heated blanket, so I looked out for cold spots and edge coverage.
- Speed: I wanted blankets that would be ready in minutes.
- Comfort: Their function as a blanket must also not be forgotten. I examined whether the wires were detectable, and the blanket’s drape. I also checked whether the sizes were suitable for solo use and sharing as described.
- Usability: I assessed each controller for readability, timers, and cable placement.
- Safety: I wanted blankets with auto-shut off timers, to prevent overheating or, in the worst case, fire.
- Cost: I estimated each blanket’s running costs using typical UK tariffs to assess their value for money.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s dedicated shopping section, IndyBest is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products and trialling them within their own homes.
Caroline Preece is an expert product tester and journalist with years of experience. She specialises in home and lifestyle topics, especially sleep products like cooling pillows and sunrise alarm clocks.
The best electric blankets for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Slumberdown elegantly warm luxury heated throw: £54.90, Slumberdown.co.uk
- Best budget – Dreams luxury quilted heated blanket, £35, Dreams.co.uk
- Best value – Bedsure heated blanket electric throw: £53.99, Amazon.co.uk
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Slumberdown elegantly warm luxury heated throw
Best: Electric blanket overall
Type: Electric heated throw
Dimensions: 130cm x 160cm
Heat settings: 10
Timer options: 10 steps, up to 10 hours
Controller: Detachable handset with LED display (heat/timer indicators)
Zones/dual control: No (single zone)
Fabric/material: Microfleece (polyester)
Safety features: Overheat protection; auto shut‑off via timer
Care: Machine‑washable at 40C (controller removed); air‑dry
Heat on max after 10 minutes: 28.2C
Why we love it
- Supersoft faux‑mink fleece with even, rapid heat
- Intuitive controller with 10 heat and 10 timer settings
- Washable design
Take note
- The lead position can get in the way if you don’t orient it
- Bright controller display
- Coverage is generous for one, modest for two
Slumberdown’s elegantly warm blankets feature faux‑mink microfleece that feels plush, offering instant contact warmth unmatched by standard microfleece, and come in shades that won’t shout “gadget” on the sofa.
Setup is plug-and-play with a detachable lead that clicks into a discreet port, and the handset is clear, with heat and timer readouts. You get 10 heat levels and 10 timer steps (up to 10 hours) that make fine‑tuning easy. I found that I hovered at 3-4 for background cosiness, used 7 to preheat, then dropped back to a more sensible level for sleeping.
Heat-up is quick and even. The desired warmth arrived within just a few minutes and spread by the 10-12-minute mark on higher settings, with no lumpy wire runs to spoil the drape. At 130cm x 160cm, it’s a generous solo cocoon and covers two when you lie side-by-side.
The running costs are low, and safety is covered by overheat protection and auto shut‑off. All in all, the luxury feel, thoughtful controls and reliable heat put it at the top of my list.
Buy now £54.90, Slumberdown.co.uk
Dreams luxury quilted heated blanket
Best: Budget electric blanket
Type: Heated underblanket/mattress protector
Dimensions: 190cm x 135cm (double), 200cm x 150cm (king)
Heat settings: 9
Timer options: Multiple presets, including all‑night use
Controller: Clear handset(s); dual controls on double and above
Zones/dual control: Dual control, separate body and foot zones
Fabric/material: Quilted topper‑style microfibre (polyester)
Safety features: Overheat protection; auto shut‑off
Care: Machine‑washable at 30C (controllers removed); air‑dry only
Heat on max after 10 minutes: 29.4C
Why we love it
- Zoned body/feet heating with nine levels
- Quilted, mattress‑protector feel with minimal wire detection
- Dual controls on larger sizes
- Even, edge‑to‑edge heat
Take note
- Pricier than entry‑level pads
- Controllers are a little bulky
- Air‑dry only; not suitable for tumble drying
Dreams’ quilted heated blanket is the on‑bed warmer I plan to use every winter. It’s a mattress protector underblanket with integrated elements and nine heat levels, available in single to super king sizes (I tested the double). During testing, it revealed itself as the “fit and forget” pad, with the quilting that adds cushioning, wires that are barely perceptible, and heat spread evenly to the edges beneath the sheet.
By far the best feature is the separate body and foot zones, which let you set different temperatures for different parts of your body. I found that running the feet warmer than the torso solves cold toes without causing a sweaty core. My sweet spot: body 2‑3, feet 3‑4 for all‑night use.
I found that the controls are intuitive, which is always helpful. It has excellent safety features, too. There’s an all‑night timer, but overheat protection and auto shut‑off will keep you from getting too hot. It costs roughly 1‑3p per hour to run, and you can clean it in a washing machine, too.
I recorded warmth at the feet in two minutes on a preheat, with the body zone up by the 10‑12 minute mark. I then dropped to lower levels, which would be best for sleep. So, though preheating isn’t as instant as a throw, for consistent, all‑night warmth, it’s a great option.
Buy now £35.00, Dreams.co.uk
Slumberdown comfy hugs heated throw
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Best: Soft electric blanket
Type: Electric heated throw
Dimensions: 130cm x 160cm
Heat settings: 10
Timer options: 10 steps, up to 10 hours
Controller: Detachable handset with clear labelling/LED display
Zones/dual control: No (single zone)
Fabric/material: Teddy fleece (polyester)
Safety features: Overheat protection; auto shut‑off via timer
Care: Machine‑washable at 40C (controller removed); air‑dry
Heat on max after 10 minutes: 28.2C
Why we love it
- Deep teddy fleece that feels warm even before you switch it on
- Even heat, quick pre-heat and intuitive controls
- Machine-washable at 30°C
Take note
- Best for one person; modest for sharing
- Teddy pile can feel toasty on the highest setting
- Attracts lint and pet hair; keep a lint roller handy
Slumberdown’s comfy hugs is the teddy‑soft throw you’ll keep reaching for on frosty evenings. The deep‑pile fleece feels like a favourite hoodie scaled up for the sofa and holds warmth even before it’s switched on. At 130cm x 160cm, it’s a solo cocoon.
During testing, warm‑up was quick and even. I felt heat within around three minutes, and by the 9–10‑minute mark, the spread was consistent with no cold spots. Though technically not the warmest I tested, the pile boosts perceived warmth, so the medium settings sufficed. Controls are also straightforward: 10 heat levels and a 10‑step timer up to 10 hours on a clear LED handset.
A preheat on high, then going down to 3–4, worked well, and running costs are roughly 1–3p per hour. You can machine‑wash at 40C (controller removed) and air‑dry.
However, I think it’s best for one. It seems an odd complaint for a heated blanket, but if anything, the fluffy finish can feel too toasty at top levels. If you have pets, this might not be the one for you, as I found that the soft texture is a magnet for lint and pet hair.
That said, this is cosier than Slumberdown’s elegantly warm. Dreamland’s hurry home below heats faster, but for the softest possible blanket, comfy hugs is the pick.
Buy now £47.40, Slumberdown.co.uk
Dreamland hurry home deluxe velvet warming throw
Best: Velvet electric blanket
Type: Electric heated throw
Dimensions: 160cm x 120cm
Heat settings: 6
Timer options: 1, 3 or 9 hours
Controller: Detachable, backlit handset
Zones/dual control: No (single zone)
Fabric/material: Velvet plush (polyester)
Safety features: Overheat protection; auto shut‑off
Care: Machine‑washable at 30C (controller removed); tumble dry or air‑dry flat
Heat on max after 10 minutes: 29C
Why we love it
- Luxe velvet and herringbone quilting
- Rapid, even heat with a genuinely quick preheat
- Simple six-step heat and one/two/nine-hour timer
- Machine-washable at 30°C and tumble-dryer friendly
Take note
- Pricier than basic microfleece throws
- Narrower width than some rivals
- The controller backlight is a bit too bright in low light
Dreamland’s hurry home velvet throw reads as interior decor first, gadget second. The quilted herringbone finish and plush micro‑velvet look premium in the dark emerald green I tested, with navy, grey and mustard also looking chic.
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During testing, it was one of the quickest to warm. On level six, I felt heat in just a couple of minutes, and it reached cosy, even warmth by the end of my ten-minute window. The wiring is slim, so it drapes naturally, and the corner‑mounted lead sits neatly.
The controls are simple, with six heat steps and one-, two-, or nine-hour timers. I used level six to preheat, then dropped to four. Compared with Slumberdown’s 10‑step model, you lose some granularity but gain speed.
At 160cm x 120cm, it’s a generous solo cocoon and fine for two in a pinch, though Slumberdown’s 130cm x 160cm feels roomier across the lap. Running costs are low at roughly 1‑3p per hour, with overheat protection and auto shut‑off. Care is also simple: machine‑wash at 30C and tumble‑dry low.
Downsides? It’s pricier than microfleece rivals, the backlit controller is bright in a dark room, and the width won’t suit serial sharers. But for luxe looks and rapid heat, it’s still a standout.
Buy now £94.99, Dreamlanduk.co.uk
Dreamland hygge days luxury faux fur warming throw
Best: Faux‑fur electric blanket
Type: Electric heated throw
Dimensions: 160cm x 120cm
Heat settings: 6
Timer options: 1, 3 or 9 hours
Controller: Detachable, backlit handset
Zones/dual control: No (single zone)
Fabric/material: Faux fur (polyester)
Safety features: Overheat protection; auto shut‑off
Care: Machine‑washable at 30C (delicate); tumble dry or air‑dry flat
Heat on max after 10 minutes: 29.1C
Why we love it
- Deep, convincingly plush faux fur that holds heat beautifully
- Even, rapid warmth with six heat levels and 1/3/9-hour timers
- Washable at 30C
Take note
- Smaller footprint; best suited to one person
- Heavier than microfleece rivals
- The controller's backlight is quite bright in a dark room
Dreamland’s hygge days faux fur throw is the one to reach for when you want proper cocooning comfort with modern, controllable heat.
I tested the Alaskan husky design, and it looks great on a sofa, reading as a plush, premium throw without giving away that it’s a heated blanket. Its performance backs that up. During testing, I felt warmth in a couple of minutes on level six, and reached a comfortably even heat within the 10-minute mark.
The deep pile traps warmth, so a quick preheat on six followed by level three or four kept me cosy without overheating, and the heat lingers pleasantly after the timer clicks off. I found the controls easy to use, too, with six heat settings with 1-, 3-, or 9-hour auto shut-off.
The backlit handset is clear, if a little bright in a dark room, and the corner‑mounted lead is tidy with decent cable length. At 160cm x 120cm, it’s ideal for one person; sharing works if absolutely required, but space is snug. It’s also noticeably heavier than its microfleece rivals. It’s not as heavy as a weighted blanket, but the weight adds to the cocooning feel.
Running costs remain low at roughly 1‑3p per hour, and you can machine‑wash at 30C (delicate) and air‑dry flat. Dreamland’s hurry home velvet throw is lighter and marginally faster, while Slumberdown offers finer control, but for faux‑fur cosiness, this is my pick.
Buy now £129.99, Dreamlanduk.co.uk
Bedsure heated blanket electric throw
Best: Value electric blanket
Type: Electric heated throw
Dimensions: 160cm x 130cm
Heat settings: 6
Timer options: 1-10 hours
Controller: Detachable handset with indicator lights
Zones/dual control: No (single zone)
Fabric/ material: Flannel fleece (polyester)
Safety features: Overheat protection; auto shut‑off
Care: Machine‑washable at 30C (controller removed); air‑dry flat
Heat on max after 10 minutes: 28.4C
Why we love it
- Wallet-friendly price with reliable, even heat
- Six heat levels and four timers
- Soft ribbed flannel; machine-washable at 30°C
Take note
- Warm-up is good, not the quickest
- Indicator lights are small and harder to read in low light
- Wiring is faintly perceptible compared with luxe rivals
Bedsure’s heated throw is the value pick I would keep on the sofa for everyday warmth. The 160cm x 130cm ribbed flannel is soft from the off, and across the testing period, it proved reliably cosy. I felt warmth inside three minutes and recorded an even spread by the nine-to-10-minute mark, with 28.4C at 10 minutes. The wiring is slim, though you can faintly feel the elements if you pinch the fabric. It still drapes naturally and provides coverage for solo use.
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You get six heat levels, and the timer has 10 hour-long increments on a detachable handset with simple indicator lights. I used level three for background warmth, level six for a quick preheat, then nudged back to four. Note: the lights are small and harder to read in low light.
Running costs are roughly 1-3p per hour, and safety is covered by overheat protection and auto shut-off. Care is simple: remove the controller, machine-wash at 30C and air-dry flat. It’s not as plush as Slumberdown’s elegantly warm or as quick as Dreamland’s hurry home, but it’s the value choice that delivers dependable heat.
Buy now £53.99, Amazon.co.uk
Silentnight hotel collection double electric blanket
Best: Dual control electric blanket
Type: Heated underblanket
Dimensions: 90cm x 193cm (single), 135cm x 120cm (double), 152cm x 203cm (king)
Heat settings: 3
Timer options: None dedicated (suitable for continuous low‑level overnight use)
Controller: Simple double handsets
Zones/dual control: No
Fabric/ material: Microfleece (polyester)
Fit: Elasticated corner straps
Safety features: Overheat protection
Care: Machine‑washable at 30C (controller removed); air‑dry
Heat on max after 10 minutes: 30.9C
Why we love it
- Soft microfleece top; wiring is barely noticeable under a sheet
- Consistent, even warmth and quick, reliable preheat
- Simple controls and low running costs
Take note
- Only three heat settings; no dedicated timer or foot zone
- Less plush than quilted “topper” styles
Silentnight’s hotel collection double underblanket is the fuss‑free warmer I’d pick for everyday use. It sits between the brand’s budget pads and pricier “topper” styles: a soft microfleece surface, slim wiring you can’t feel under a sheet, and elasticated corner straps that take two minutes to fit.
During testing, it delivered consistent, even heat. In timed preheat runs, warmth reached the feet in around three minutes on high, with a uniform spread by the 10–12‑minute mark; I recorded 30.9C at the surface after 10 minutes on max. After that, the lower setting should keep things comfortably toasty through the night without clamminess.
Its controls are very simple. There are three heat settings on a straightforward handset, no dedicated timer or foot zone, and built‑in overheat protection. It’s designed for continuous low‑level use, and running costs are pleasingly low at roughly 1–3p per hour on typical UK tariffs. Fit and finish also impress for the price. Coverage is good, the wiring doesn’t bunch, and the straps keep it anchored under a fitted sheet. Care is easy, too: machine‑wash at 30C (controllers removed) and air‑dry.
Still, there are only three heat steps, no timer, and straps instead of a fitted skirt. If you want zoned warmth and granular control, Dreams’ luxury quilted blanket is better and cheaper. However, this maxes out two degrees warmer than the Dreams blanket, so if you want to be as warm as possible, this could still be a good option. For set‑and‑snooze simplicity, this Silentnight nails it.
Buy now £60.00, Amazon.co.uk
Your questions on electric blankets answered
What is the best electric blanket?
Our best buy is Slumberdown’s elegantly warm luxury heated throw. It nails the balance of plush comfort and everyday practicality, with 10 heat and 10 timer steps, quick, even warmth and an intuitive handset that makes fine‑tuning effortless. It’s also cheap to run at roughly 1‑3p per hour, so you’ll actually use it.
If you want on‑bed, all‑night warmth, the Dreams luxury quilted heated blanket is the best budget option. Zoned body/feet heating, nine levels, and dual controls (on larger sizes) deliver genuinely tailored comfort without lumpy wiring.
How much do electric blankets cost to run?
Energy efficiency is built into most electric blankets, with some costing just a few pence to run per night. Depending the power level, these blankets tend to top out at around 3p an hour. This makes them a good alternative to turning on your central heating overnight, so you can avoid feeling cold while saving on your electricity 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 don’t have to worry about fire hazards if you leave them unattended. However, to be extra safe, it’s always advisable to exercise caution and not leave them turned on for longer than you need.
How to wash an electric blanket
Most electric blankets are machine washable, but always check the label. Avoid using a full cycle like you would with the rest of your laundry. Instead, opt for a delicate or gentle cycle, rinse and spin. This will prevent damaging the blanket.
How to choose the right electric blanket for you
There are a few factors that need to be taken into account to make sure you find the right blanket for your individual needs. First, would you rather have a blanket that you layer underneath your bedsheets or one you throw on top like a regular blanket? You’ll also want to look at what materials and sizes you’d prefer. Timers are also a great feature to look out for, to make sure you save money and don’t overheat. If you have a partner who runs at a different temperature from you, an electric blanket with dual controls might be essential for harmonious sleeping.
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