Best Electric Blankets – Top Picks And Buyer’s Guide
Looking for a best electric blanket currently sold on the market? This guide is for you. Learn how they work, common features, safety tips, and discover our top picks for 2019.
Looking for a best electric blanket currently sold on the market? This guide is for you. Learn how they work, common features, safety tips, and discover our top picks for 2019.
Electric blankets are perfect for people who are often struggling to warm up after they hop in bed. Even though the regular sheets and blankets are designed to keep your body’s warmth during the night, sometimes that’s not enough. They are mostly used during the winter, but they usually come with multiple heat settings so that they can be used whenever you like. You can get them in all shapes and sizes, and Queen and King ones usually come with dual heating options so that you won’t have to argue with your partner about the right temperature.
The way they work is pretty simple. There are thin wires between the layers of fabrics. When you plug it in, the wires heat up, warming up surrounding materials, making you warmer faster than the standard bedding.
Lower room temperature is usually correlated with better sleep, but it is also essential to hop into a warm bed, as that will help you relax and fall asleep faster.
Besides keeping you warm, electric blankets are beneficial in some other ways as well. They can help people who have problems with circulation, and can also help ease the symptoms of some medical issues, including fibromyalgia and arthritis, as well as menstrual cycle pains.
If you are wondering about how much electricity they are going to use, don’t worry. You are going to save money on your electricity bill, as you won’t have to turn up the room temperature as much.
Electric blankets are sold pretty much everywhere these days, so you can always get one while shopping at Walmart or order it from Amazon on your next shopping binge.
We have analyzed many electric blankets available on the market today, and we are giving you our top 5 choices.
Highlights:
Soft Heat Low Voltage Electric Blanket is made with the incredibly soft microfleece and ultra-thin electrical wires that support the even heat distribution. It has 11 different temperature settings, so there is undoubtedly one that fits you perfectly. Larger size ones also come with the dual heating settings, so you and your partner can both feel most comfortable while lying together.
The blanket operates on less than 25 volts and it is one of the safest and least energy consuming options.
This blanket offers a few extra features such as a 10-hour automatic shut off timer, and a pre-heat option, so you never have to get into a cold bed again. Also, it can be washed in a washing machine, so it’s easy to clean it.
You can choose between various sizes, five colors and it also comes with a 5-year warranty
Recommended for:
Highlights:
This model is suitable for pretty much everybody. It is made of polyester microfiber that is surprisingly soft and durable. This electric blanket comes with ten different temperature settings, so even the most difficult sleepers will get the temperature they are the most comfortable with.
Sunbeam Microplush Heated blanket also comes with a pre-heat option, to warm your bed before you get in it; and shut off is automatic with a 10-hour timer. It can be washed and dried in the machine as well.
It comes in various sizes, and the King and Queen ones have dual temperature control, so it is suitable for couples. You’ll be able to pick between lots of color options, and you’ll also get a warranty for 5 years.
Recommended for:
Highlights:
The Serta Luxe Plush blanket is made from thin wires responsible for distributing the heat exceptionally well; and incredibly soft polyester microfibers that will feel great on your skin.
This electric blanket comes with ten different temperature settings, varying from light to very warm. It is very lightweight, so besides sleeping in bed, you can use it for anything you want, from covering yourself while reading to putting it on while taking a nap on the couch.
Queen and King sizes come with dual temperature controls, so couples will enjoy using it. It also comes with a pre-heat function, and it is excellent for those who don’t like the feeling of that cold bed, and a shut-off option is automatic and has a 10-hour timer.
The Serta Luxe Plush Fleece Electric Throw comes in four different color options, and you’ll also get a warranty for five years.
Recommended for:
Highlights:
The Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket is another product from Sunbeam on our list, which shows you how good their electric blankets are. It is made from plush polyester fleece that is great at containing heat, so even if you don’t turn it on, you’ll feel warmer than with your usual cover.
Like the others, it has ten different temperature settings and an automatic shut-off option with a 10-hour timer. Another fantastic feature is ThermoFine smart technology that measures the sleepers’ temperature and makes sure your blanket never gets too warm.
The Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket comes with dual controls for temperature in King and Queen sizes, and it can be washed and dried in the machine, as well.
You can choose between seven color options, and you’ll get a warranty for five years with it. With the price of less than $70, it is one of the most affordable options.
Recommended for:
Highlights:
The Biddeford MicroPlush Heated Blanket is made from extremely thin wires that give this blanket a light feel. The one side of the blanket is made from microfiber while the other is constructed from Sherpa fleece, so you can choose the one that feels best for you.
It comes with ten different temperature settings, automatic shut-off option and dual controls for each side of the King and Queen size blankets.
The Microplush Heated Blanket is machine washable, and it can go into the dryer as well. It is available in nine different color options and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Recommended for:
There are some things you need to know before buying an electric blanket to make sure you get the best one for you. Here are a few useful tips and information you need to know before getting one.
Even though electric blankets can be beneficial to some people, certain people should avoid using them.
Pregnant women are shouldn’t use hot tubs and should avoid taking warm baths. Same goes with electric blankets as they raise body temperature, and that can cause congenital disabilities. The first trimester is when you should be most cautious.
People who have diabetes could have lower sensibility in the limbs due to lack of circulation and some nerve damage. Because of that, they may not notice if the blanket becomes too hot, and can cause skin burns.
Children, adults with mental disabilities or dementia shouldn’t use them either as these individuals may not know how to adjust the temperature settings and can burn themselves as a result.
If your pet often sleeps with you, the electric blanket may not be for you, as they can be too hot for them. Curious as pets are, they may also chew the blanket and expose the wires.
They come in a variety of colors and sizes so make sure to choose the one you like the best. The size of your electric blanket should match the size of your mattress. The fabrics used to make them are various as well, so you should feel them and pick your favorite.
If you are sharing a bed with your partner make sure you are getting the one that has dual temperature controllers, so that way you can both choose the most comfortable heat setting.
Also, you want to look for the one that has a controller with a bright digital screen, so you don’t have to turn on the light when trying to change your temperature settings.
Most electric blankets can be washed in a washing machine, but that’s not the case with all of them. So make sure to get the one that can be if you don’t want to wash it by hand.
Before you wash it, make sure to remove the controllers and the plug, and always use the gentle cycle option on your washing machine, as well as the low-temperature option if you decide to put it in a dryer.
Of course, always consult the washing instructions and make sure you are caring for your blanket correctly.
It is at uttermost importance that you follow the care instructions and maintain your electronic coverage properly.
Make sure you don’t fold it while it’s turned on, as it can lead to creating “hot spots” that can then burn you. Also, make sure that you don’t put anything on top of it, as it may sometimes lead to overheating and burning.
Always keep it turned off when not in use, and make sure you don’t put anything heavy on top of it when storing it, if you want to avoid potential damage to the wires.
Don’t put it directly on memory foam mattress as they can be sensitive to heat. The way they work is that they contour the best way possible based on your body heat and pressure so that excess heat can mess that up.
If you see any brown spots, stop using your blanket immediately! That is a clear sign that your favorite coverage has suffered some burn damage and that you should shop for the replacement.
Make sure you don’t buy the used one, and if you want to get the maximum life out of it, try not to use it on high-temperature settings, so that way it doesn’t overheat and last a bit longer.
Occasionally check the cord and other electric parts for any visible damage.
Electric blankets can be a great aid if you are living in areas with cold climates or are just struggling to keep warm during the night. They can be a perfect addition to the elderly in your family, as the circulation, as well as other things, deteriorate with age.
The temperature can also affect your aging and longevity.
Be aware that some sleep experts say that the best way to use electric blanket is to warm your bed up before hopping in it, and then turning it off for the rest of the night.
That is all you need to know about different features of electric blankets, what you should look for when buying one, and how to take proper care of them. Our top five list is carefully selected and reviewed so that we can help you make the best choice easily.
Dusan is a biologist, a science enthusiast and a huge nature lover. He loves to keep up to date with all the new research and write accurate science-based articles. When he’s not writing or reading, you can find him in the kitchen, trying out new delicious recipes; out in the wild, enjoying the nature or sleeping in his bed.