Note, however, that it’s only available in one size and color, and isn’t machine washable. A storage bag is included to help you take it with you wherever you go. We tested the full size, but the queen and king sunbeam heated throw sizes also have the additional feature of dual temp control. The dual temp control has two entirely separate heating mechanisms, with separate cords and separate controllers for total warmth independence.
Ensure that all cords are in place and have not worn through the fabric in any way. Spin dry in the washer, then reshape the blanket to its original size. Ensure your blanket is completely dry before reconnecting the power plug or control plug. Some sunbeam electric blanket are made from toasty fleece, while other blankets are covered in cozy micro flannel. Snuggling up with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea is a soothing escape from chilly weather, but you might need a little extra warmth on the frostiest days.
They allow you to save up to 10 percent a year on your heating bills by turning on your heated blanket and setting your thermostat down by percent for 8 hours while sleeping. When looking for quality electric blankets, consider the materials they’re made of, the range of heat settings, and whether you need any extra features. To help you find the best heated blankets, we researched dozens of options and assessed each for safety, maintenance, durability, cost, and more. We also consulted two experts to get their opinion on which features are most important to look for when purchasing a heated blanket.
But when it comes to sleeping in the chiller temps, sometimes those small heaters aren’t enough. Sometimes chilly nights call for a device that, as Homer Simpson would say, keeps you feeling like a big, toasty cinnamon bun. While this blanket has a simple design and impressive heating capabilities, it doesn’t feel as soft as others and feels more like an old army blanket, stiff and wiry. It also doesn’t heat very evenly throughout the blanket, with up to a 10˚ measured temperature difference at different locations. However, it is the only classic fleece blanket in the lineup that produces hot temperatures, so if you are looking for a hot blanket that isn’t as fuzzy and plush, this one will do the trick.
It connects to household appliances to assess its energy use in voltage, watts, and kilowatt hours. Independently zoned heating and dual controllers with the king- and queen-size blankets. The three-hour auto-shutoff is convenient for evening use because if you forget to turn it off before going to bed, you won’t have to worry. However, if you’re planning on using this blanket to keep you warm all night, the short time frame for the auto-shutoff may mean you wake up with no heat source. It comes with Sunbeam’s proprietary Thermofine warming system, which senses both your body temperature and room temperature and adjusts to deliver consistent warmth.
But if you’re new to heated blankets, you may want to start off with a budget-friendlier option—or a smaller size—to see if they’re right for you. Some heated blankets use a dial to help you click through their different heat settings, while others have a digital display with plus and minus buttons to set your heat level. Don’t forget to look for a blanket with a “preheat” option, so you won’t be shivering while you wait for it to warm up. This model has 10 heat settings and a 10-hour shut-off, but that’s about it in terms of features. It seemed to get warmer than other blankets, even on low settings. When I used it overnight on setting 2, I woke up uncomfortably warm after a few hours.
Electric blankets and heated mattress pads can tolerate machine-washing and -drying, but they require special handling. Don’t launder your heated bedding more than you absolutely have to. The Quilted Heated Mattress Pad heated as quickly as our top pick, reaching its maximum temperature within 20 minutes. The queen- and king-size pads come with dual-sided dial-based controls with 10 temperature settings. So if you want to warm your bed quickly, you need to set the pad to high before getting in, and then turn down the temperature later. Hit the plus or minus button to adjust the heat settings, which range from 1 to 10.
Using thicker flannel sheets helped mask the feel of the wires a bit better. If you are above-average height or sleep low in your bed, your feet may occasionally brush against one of the plastic ports at the end of the mattress, where the controllers attach. In 2017, we laundered the winners according to their care instructions to confirm that they didn’t shed excessively, stretch, or shrink when washed. They all performed just fine in that regard, so in 2019 we laundered only our top picks. We observed no problems with shedding, stretching, or shrinking, and all of the blankets and pads still worked after being laundered. Remove the cords, read the care instructions, wash on a gentle cycle and then dry on low tumble.
We’re also planning to test L.L.Bean’s Wicked Cozy Heated Blanket. L.L.Bean touts the blanket’s ultra-thin and flexible wires, even sunbeam heated blankets heating, and two-sided design . We think the wires in this blanket might shift more over time than those in other blankets .