The Best Electric Blankets

Let’s face it—nobody likes being cold in their home. However, cranking up the heat all winter long can cause a completely different type of discomfort once you see your energy bill. Thankfully, electric blankets strike the perfect balance for chilly evenings at home as they allow you to relax in warmth and comfort without turning up your home’s heater. Here are some top-rated electric blankets that we think you’ll love to cozy up with.

Buying Guide for Electric Blankets

Why buy an electric blanket?

If you’re ready to curl up on the sofa or in your comfy bed for a relaxing evening that soothes away the aches and pains of the day, electric blankets make amazing companions. They’re luxurious and supportive, giving you plenty of warmth while you lounge or sleep. Since electric blankets use the heat generated from a current running through an insulated wire inside each blanket, they create quick, direct warmth. That means you can lower your thermostat while you sleep at night and still be snug under the covers, potentially saving you about 1% on your heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat during a typical night of sleep.

What should you look for in an electric blanket?

• Heat Control and Display: Your electric blanket should allow you to easily adjust your heat settings to the temperature that’s most comfortable for you. Look for at least three settings, but some blankets have many more than three for extra-precise control. If you’re going to share your blanket with someone else, look for dual controls that let you choose different settings for each side of the blanket to accommodate different temperature preferences. The controls for your blanket should also have a backlit display so that you can read it easily in the middle of the night if you need to turn the heat up or down. Some electric blankets include programmable settings that allow you to warm your blanket up before you get in bed or change settings after you fall asleep.
• Material and Maintenance: The most convenient electric blankets will be machine washable without needing special care. A blanket’s material should be thick enough so that you don’t feel the wire through the fabric, or, if you prefer a thinner blanket, it should have thinner wires.
• Safety and Convenience: Electric blankets that include an auto-shutoff can prevent you from getting too hot while you sleep—having a range of options for shutoff timing is a plus. Also, check the length of the power cord to make sure that it’s long enough to reach outlets and the placement of the control device to make sure it can be safely placed on a reachable surface.

How long should an electric blanket last?

This is a tricky question because it really depends on what you want to pay. Plenty of electric blankets cover the basics: they’re comfy, warm, and heat up quickly. The trick is finding one that will do that consistently for a long time without breaking the bank. It’s possible to find the right combination of performance and price, though. Just remember that you get what you pay for. Also, know that you should stop using an electric blanket if it stops working correctly or efficiently. Bottom line: they aren’t meant to be used for more than 10 years, though many will wear out before then.

Our Picks for the Best Electric Blankets

Pros: Snuggle up with this gorgeous, machine-washable heated electric blanket made from super comfy polyester micro-plush material. This heated blanket has a controller with a digital touch display with convenient buttons for precise control. It also has 10 heat settings, so you can dial in the right amount of comfort. Plus, it has a 10-hour auto-off function for safety. This blanket gives you the freedom to choose which setting makes you most comfortable. On top of that, there are several color choices, so you can be comfortable in style.

Cons: This blanket is relatively thin. While the material is enjoyable to snuggle up with, the wires underneath tend to poke through slightly.

Bottom Line: The features of this blanket are incredible: it heats up quickly, you can choose the heat level that works for you, and you can even pre-heat it, so you don’t have to wait around. The thinner fabric isn’t a big problem for those looking for a comfortable, affordable electric blanket.

 

Pros: This thick, plush electric blanket stands out for its 20 different heat level settings that you can control with an LCD display. For premium comfort for every member of your family, this blanket comes in every available standard bed size. There’s even a dual controller available in king and California king sizes, so two people can enjoy their ideal level of heat. These customizable settings and extra-long power cord make this blanket ready to settle in for a relaxing night. It’ll stay soft even after being washed.

Cons: The larger sizes of this blanket that feature dual controls may not heat evenly.

Bottom Line: If you’re a finicky sleeper or have a particular preference for how warm you like to be, the 20 setting controls of this blanket make it a solid choice. It has all the comfort and softness of other electric blankets with the added perk of tons of temperature options.

 

Pros: For quick heating in an emergency, this blanket plugs directly into your car’s auxiliary power outlet. It has a long cord, so you can enjoy it on hiking or camping trips or warm up passengers in your third-row seats. It’s compact enough to stuff into an emergency kit, into a larger glove box, or under a car seat. And while it’s lightweight, it’s also very warm. This blanket also uses less wattage than some other car blankets. And as a bonus, this portable blanket comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Cons: This warming blanket is not machine washable.

Bottom Line: For camping trips, family road trips, RV adventures, and car emergency kits, this heated electric blanket is a must-have. It warms up quickly and distributes heat evenly. And while you can’t launder it, you can easily spot clean it.

 

Pros: Seeking a luxurious blanket that will keep you warm and comfortable all night? The Royal Ultra Heated Blanket is the cream of the crop. Not only is this product’s luxurious material soft and cozy enough to fall asleep under, but its 10 selectable heat settings also offer more variety than  similar blankets and work fast after you make a selection. It also comes equipped with two remotes so that you and your partner can each find the perfect setting to suit your needs. Factor in the fact that this blanket is machine washable and dryer-safe, and you have a premium product that’s as convenient as it is luxurious.

Cons: While this electric blanket scores mostly rave reviews, many reviewers noted that the controller is tricky to use and doesn’t light up enough for dark environments.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an insanely comfortable electric blanket that works fast and won’t break the bank, this one delivers where it matters most. It’s comfy, convenient, and comes in an array of size offerings to fit anybody’s needs.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for a quality blanket that checks all the boxes for your required features, this one is a great choice. It’s soft, lightweight, and comfortable. You can also choose how warm you want to be with its three convenient settings. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting too hot or shorting out the blanket, thanks to the four-hour automatic shutoff feature. As a bonus, the fast-heating feature means that you’ll enjoy extra warmth in no time. Just take off the heating controls to throw the blanket in the wash when it needs laundering. It can be dried safely in the dryer, too.

Cons: This blanket is smaller than some other full-size options.

Bottom Line: Tossing electric blankets in the washing machine can often fry them or minimize their heating capabilities. This electric blanket doesn’t have that issue, but it does have some excellent features that make it worth a look.

 

Pros: This best-selling electric blanket comes in a lovely variety of colors and stands out from the pack due to its simple timer settings that allow you to relax in comfort without keeping the blanket on all night. However, even with the power off, its exceptionally comfortable material is a joy to relax under. Unlike many other electric blankets on the market, this one gets incredibly warm even on its lower heat settings, so you won’t have to crank it up in order to enjoy a blissfully cozy night on the couch watching your favorite movie.

Cons: Quite a few reviewers noted that the underside of this blanket tends to shed, so it might not be an ideal option for an office environment, especially if you tend to wear dark colors.

Bottom Line: This electric blanket won’t complicate your life with confusing controls or a plethora of settings you’ll never use. It’s incredibly reliable, so there’s no wonder why so many people decided to give it a five-star rating.

Final Thoughts

Instead of blasting your furnace, electric blankets are a great way to get some extra heat quickly and affordably. Plus, most solid options come with features that let you customize your comfort. They’re great for sharing and will make you feel extra cozy whenever you’re lounging at home.