The 4 Best Electric Blankets The Spruce Has Tested

How We Tested the Electric Blankets

To get a true sense of their performance, texture, and quality, we took several top-rated electric blankets home for three months and used them daily. We tested a range of sizes, including throw, queen, and king sizes, from various brands and price points.

The most important consideration when shopping for an electric blanket is how effective it is at keeping you warm. We asked testers to describe the heating ability of the blanket, noting how long it took to heat up and if it provided even, intense, and consistent heat.

In our testing, we also took into account details like adjustability and ease of use. We tended to prefer options that offered lots of heat settings and the ability to adjust the length of time for the automatic shutoff setting. We also considered whether there were bulky connection points or unwieldy cords that made the electric blanket difficult to use.

We assessed the feel and texture of the blanket’s material and inspected the fabric for any loose threads, poor stitching, or other flaws. Our testers tended to favor options that felt soft and cozy, even when not turned on. To judge comfort, we also paid attention to whether the wires were noticeable when lying underneath the blanket. 

All of the options on this list are similar in performance, and we don’t think you can go wrong.

How to Choose the Best Electric Blanket

Prioritize Soft, Easy-Care Fabric

All of the options on this list are made from polyester fabrics that feel soft to the touch. However, since polyester is so versatile, they all have slightly different textures from one another.

The Serta Fleece to Faux Shearling Electric Heated Bed Blanket has a reversible design, where one side is fluffy faux shearling material, while the other side is smooth fleece. It’s a medium-weight option that definitely delivers warmth, even when not turned on. The Bedsure Heated Blanket is another ultra-insulating reversible option. 

For something a bit more lightweight, the Beautyrest Heated Electric Blanket is made of a fabric called “microlight plush”, which has an ultra-soft feel. The Sunbeam Royal Ultra Heated Blanket also has a cozy and comfortable texture with a lighter weight. 

Here’s another reason to take a close look at the material of any electric blanket: Most polyester blankets, including all on this list, are machine-washable. If you're concerned about regular washing and don't want to work with more complex care needs, you'll want to choose a blanket made from a material that's easy to toss into your home washing machine.

You should always detach the power cord before throwing an electric blanket in the wash. Some can be dried in a dryer, though others are designed to be air-dried. Read the directions thoroughly before washing an electric blanket, and always follow the manufacturer's care recommendations.

Consider Sizing: Throw Blanket or Bed-Sized?

Electric blankets come in a variety of sizes, so here's how to find the right size for your needs: Consider whether you want an electric blanket for your bed or for lounging. A comforter-size electric blanket, though practical for sleeping, may overwhelm your couch or sitting space while also being less energy efficient. 

If you plan to use your electric blanket on the sofa, you’ll want to opt for a throw size. All of the options on this list are available in throw sizes, besides the Serta Fleece to Faux Shearling Electric Heated Bed Blanket, which is only available in standard bed sizes. 

Most throw blankets measure around 50 x 60 inches (including the Bedsure Heated Blanket and Sunbeam Royal Ultra Heated Blanket). The Beautyrest Heated Electric Blanket comes in an oversized throw as well, which measures 60 x 70 inches.

If you want an electric blanket to warm your whole bed as you snooze, all of the options on our list are available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. Just note that larger sizes may also be heavier and slower to heat up.

Look for an Automatic Shutoff Feature

According to Daniel Majano, program director for the Electrical Safety Foundation International, "Heating appliances should never be left unattended or used while sleeping."

Most electric blankets you can buy today, including all the options on our list, have an automatic shut-off feature. This feature ensures your blanket remains safe, even if you accidentally fall asleep with it on. For this reason, we recommend always having the automatic shutoff timer on when using your blanket.

Some electric blankets turn off after two or three hours, but the Serta Fleece to Faux Shearling Electric Heated Bed Blanket offers a timer for up to 12 hours. While this blanket is designed to be slept with, we'd recommend setting the time for one or two hours as you're winding down in bed to initially fall asleep, rather than keeping it on all night.

The Bedsure Heated Blanket shuts off after three hours and would be the perfect option for a cozy movie night.

Always Verify UL and ETL Safety Certifications

To ensure you purchase a safe electric blanket, Majano recommends looking for products that have been certified for safety.

"This helps you avoid counterfeits that may not have built-in safety features like those which have been certified and tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)," he says. NRTL-certified products are guaranteed to meet current safety standards and are proven safe with proper use. 

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) are both reputable NRTLs, and all of the options on this list have labels that ensure certification from one of the two.

"The label is an assurance the blanket complies with product safety standards. A standard safety feature is a control on the power cord that allows the user to adjust the temperature setting and turn the blanket off without unplugging the power cord,"  says H. Landis "Lanny" Floyd, a professional engineer, certified safety professional, and adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Do Electric Blankets Use a Lot of Energy?

Generally speaking, electric blankets don't use up very much energy. They tend to consume about 100 watts on average, which would run you somewhere around $0.011 in electrical costs per hour of use.

Lots of folks use heated blankets during the winter months as a way to stay warm and keep their energy bill at a minimum. Majano shares that the wattage will usually be shared on the packaging of your electric blanket.

A Note on Recalls

Despite receiving UL certifications, electric blankets are often recalled. Recalls typically happen in the fall and winter when electric blanket use is at its peak seasonality. Just like any other appliance in your home, the heating element on these blankets needs to be used with caution.

Majano states that electric blankets are safe as long as they are used properly: "Do not allow anything on top of a heating pad or electric blanket when it is in use. When covered by anything, including other blankets, duvet covers, or pets, electric blankets may overheat. Do not plug electric blankets into an extension cord or power strip as they could overheat and cause a fire."

Be sure to always read the instruction manual and safety warnings provided by the blanket manufacturer before you begin using an electric blanket.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Bianca Pineda is a writer for The Spruce, specializing in all-thing bedding since 2022. She has experience testing electric blankets in the past, and she loves options that feel nicely fleecy and have a variety of heat settings. While she tends to be a hot sleeper, she loves using an electric throw blanket when snuggling up on the couch for a movie night.

For this roundup, she researched a variety of electric blankets at different price points and reviewed findings from our extensive testing of each model to evaluate performance, texture, quality, adjustability, and ease of use to come up with our list of the best options available.

Our Experts:

• H. Landis "Lanny" Floyd, professional engineer, certified safety professional, and adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Daniel Majano, program director for the Electrical Safety Foundation International