This means it converts the AC power used by most electric blankets to a safer low-voltage DC power. After all, a heavier blanket is warmer in the winter, even before you reach for the controller. The Serta Luxe Plush was the heaviest blanket at 7.8 pounds, and the SoftHeat Ultra Micro-Plush was the next heaviest at 6.8 pounds.
To counteract this objectivity, we used our infrared thermometer as a diagnostic tool. Because it measures temperature within a two-percent plus or two-degree minus range, we felt confident our reading would accurately reflect a true comparison between electric blankets. We checked the exact temperature at high, medium, and low settings. For blankets with ten settings, we checked the temperature at settings one, five, and ten.
So depending on the size of your bed, you may see cords trailing from either side to your nightstand where the controller rests, which can tug at the controller a little. I have a larger bed, and while I didn’t love being able to see the wires when the blanket is in use, the coziness of the additional warmth trumped that for me. In the morning, I didn’t mind unplugging the controllers and placing them under my bed. Hit the plus or minus button to adjust the heat settings, which range from 1 to 10. It has auto shut-off that will turn off the blanket 10 hours after the controller is turned on , but you can also set the timer to shut it off sooner.
Regardless of the model or manufacturer, customer reviews indicate that heated bedding has a high rate of defective units. Generally, the reports we saw weren’t safety complaints ; rather, they were reports of bedding that didn’t initially turn on or stopped heating after a short period of use. Most heated-bedding manufacturers sunbeam heated throw offer three- to five-year warranties on their models; we eliminated any pads or blankets that had warranties under three years. The Cozy Feet is made from ultra-soft material, with excellent stitching along its edges. The edges of the blanket are rolled, so the seams feel as soft and fuzzy as the rest of the blanket.
In 2022, we tested one additional mattress pad, our current pick, since our previous mattress pad pick was experiencing prolonged stock issues. What distinguishes these blankets from a regular throw is the wiring that runs throughout the material. Unlike a heating pad, electric blankets don’t have a “cover”—the wires are integrated directly into the fabric, and they can’t be removed.
If you use heated bedding only occasionally, it’s also easier to swap in an electric blanket than it is to change the mattress pad. Pure Enrichment’s PureRelief electric throw blanket features a reversible design — anti-pill micromink on one side and sherpa on the other — with super-soft, luxe comfort on both sides. The material is so warm, you can use this blanket without even plugging it in. The built-in LED controller is a breeze to use with four heat settings — warm, low, medium and high — and a two-hour automatic shut-off to conserve energy and prevent excessive heating. The 100-watt blanket heats up quickly, but we found the controller to be sensitive to the touch, making it easy to accidentally shift between heat settings or power on/off.
From its warmth to the automatic shutoff and from the cord and controls to washing it, we put it to the test. Those who like a fluffy blanket with a good amount of body might not love the Sunbeam. It is on the thinner side, and I can definitely feel the thick wires through the outer sunbeam heated blankets shell. Those who want something cozier should perhaps consider a heated throw. The brand’s ThermoFine warming technology automatically senses and adjusts to ensure consistent comforting warmth, while an internal wiring system delivers even heat throughout the whole blanket.