Best Electric Blankets

Bedsure GentleSoft Solid Flannel Heated Blanket sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over current expert reviews. A strong all-around choice with a good reputation for softness and value.

Beautyrest Zuri Faux Fur Heated Throw ranks #2 (S tier). The combination of luxury, comfort and positive owner feedback places it at the top.

Our research places Bedsure GentleSoft Ribbed Heated Blanket, The White Company Electric Blanket, Westinghouse Flannel Electric Blanket, L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw in the bottom tiers (D/F). Stylish design with the same robust build as the solid flannel version; only minor reports of overheating in rare cases.

Yes, almost every modern electric blanket can be machine washed once the controller and cord are unplugged from the blanket. The heating wires are sealed inside the fabric and are built to survive a gentle cycle. On our board The White Company Electric Blanket and the L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw are both listed as machine-washable by reviewers. Check the care label first, because a few older or very cheap blankets are spot-clean only.

Detach the controller and cord at the plug on the blanket, then wash on a gentle or delicate cycle in cool or warm water with a mild detergent. Do not use bleach or fabric softener, and do not wring the blanket, which can kink the wires. Tumble dry on low for a short time or line dry, and never iron it. Make sure the blanket is fully dry before you reconnect the controller and switch it on.

A modern electric blanket with a safety certification and an automatic shut-off is safe for most adults when it is used as directed. On our board the Sunbeam Royal Ultra Heated Blanket carries safety certifications and the Bedsure GentleSoft Solid Flannel Heated Blanket earned high safety ratings with no failures reported after more than a year. The Brookstone Heated Throw has no UL certification, which is a reason to pass on it. Do not fold the blanket while it is on, do not sleep on top of it, and replace any blanket with a frayed cord or a scorched patch.

There is no established evidence that electric blankets cause cancer. They produce a low-frequency electromagnetic field like any mains appliance, and large studies have not found a link to cancer at the levels a blanket emits. Newer blankets use low-voltage designs that reduce the field further. If you still prefer to limit exposure, warm the bed before you get in and switch the blanket off.

No. A full-size electric blanket typically draws well under 200 watts on its highest setting and far less once it cycles to hold a temperature, so a night of use costs a small fraction of running a space heater. A heated throw draws even less. Heating the person rather than the room is why an electric blanket is one of the cheapest ways to stay warm in bed.

Buy a heated throw if you mainly want warmth on the sofa or in a chair, and a full-size heated blanket if you want to warm the bed. On our board the Beautyrest Zuri Faux Fur Heated Throw is the S tier throw, praised for its plush faux-fur feel, while the Bedsure GentleSoft Solid Flannel Heated Blanket is the S tier blanket for the bed. The Brookstone Heated Throw in C tier is softer than most but reviewers report uneven heat and controller failures.

On our board Bedsure has the strongest reliability record, with the Bedsure GentleSoft Solid Flannel Heated Blanket reporting no failures after more than twelve months. Sunbeam is the best-known name and the Sunbeam Royal Ultra Heated Blanket still earns mentions for long-term durability, but the basic Sunbeam Heated Blanket in C tier draws complaints of declining quality and a higher-than-average failure rate. A brand name alone is not a guarantee, so judge the specific model.

Expect a good electric blanket to last several winters, and plan to replace it after about five years of regular use or sooner if the heat becomes patchy. On our board reviewers report the Bedsure GentleSoft Solid Flannel Heated Blanket running without failures past a year, while the Westinghouse Flannel Electric Blanket draws complaints about its heating element beyond two years and the Brookstone Heated Throw has controllers failing at around eighteen months. The White Company Electric Blanket comes with a two-year warranty.

The controller is the most common failure, followed by uneven heating as the wires age. On our board the Brookstone Heated Throw is cited for controller failure and costly replacement parts, the Sunbeam Royal Ultra Heated Blanket for uneven heat after extended use, and the Sunbeam Heated Blanket and Westinghouse Flannel Electric Blanket for overheating and unreliable elements. Folding the blanket in storage and pulling on the cord shorten its life.

Check for a recognised safety certification, an automatic shut-off timer, a detachable controller so the blanket can be washed, and a size that matches your bed or sofa. Look at the warranty, since it signals how long the maker expects the blanket to last. On our board the Brookstone Heated Throw lacks UL certification and The White Company Electric Blanket costs more without performing better than mid-priced rivals, so neither is a good buy.

People who cannot feel heat properly or cannot move away from it, including those with diabetes-related nerve damage, infants and young children, and anyone with reduced mobility, should avoid sleeping under a powered electric blanket. Pregnant women are often advised to pre-warm the bed and switch it off rather than sleep with it on. If that describes you, use the blanket to warm the bed before you get in, then unplug it.