The easy-to-use controller has two buttons — Power and Heat — with five heat settings, making it easy to adjust and maintain your perfect comfort level. (During testing, we found that four was the magic number.) For added sunbeam heated blankets safety, the blanket comes with a four-hour automatic shut-off feature, giving you peace of mind as you relax — day or night. We also love that it’s machine-washable and can be tossed in the dryer on low heat, too.
Unlike pads we tested from other companies, this one takes up only one outlet, even for the king and queen sizes. We also like the plug’s locking mechanism, which keeps the plug securely attached to the blanket’s port throughout the night. This design is available in four neutral shades and in twin, full, queen, and king sizes to complement your bedding.
Each of our finalist blankets did a great job of heating evenly, with no discernable hot or cold spots. However, in terms of overall heat distribution, the SoftHeat and Serta blankets were both clear winners, with the most uniform feel of warmth when under the blanket. When the temperature is chilly outside , the blanket may not feel as hot as it would on a warmer day. This is especially true if the user has a lowered body temperature for any reason, or is prone to feeling cold. For those that are budget-conscious, it’s also the least expensive blanket that we reviewed.
Of course, how warm an electric blanket gets can be subjective when reviewed by consumers. This allowed us to narrow the field down to our five finalists. We started out our testing process with market research, combing through articles and blogs on the topic of electric blankets. Our research phase involved finding out the features and benefits of using an electric blanket, the safety and care of electric blankets, and the principles of AC and DC power . An additional inner layer of fiberfill and soft fabric that covers each thin wire, making it undetectable and distributing the heat evenly without the bulkiness of traditional electric blankets. While priced slightly higher than other electric blankets of the same size, you can clearly see that it would quickly pay for itself.
From luxurious down to hypoallergenic down-alternative duvets, top your bed with one of these cloud-like comforters. Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in the category. Rebecca Boniface is a certified PADI dive instructor, full-time nomad, and DIY enthusiast. This blanket comes with a five-year warranty from a well-established company and might be worth the purchase if found at a good price.
The wireless digital control has numbered heat settings up to 10, providing you a range for where and how you’d like some extra warmth in bed. This mattress pad also has an all-cotton quilted top, one of the few that’s made of 100% cotton. The fill (held in place with a wave-like stitch pattern that’s spaced about 3½ inches apart) is polyester, with a loft that adds comfort to the mattress without feeling overly cushioned . The king and queen pads need only one outlet, unlike other heated bedding we tried from Perfect Fit and Biddeford, which required two. It also has locking connector ports to keep the cords securely attached to the pad—something we didn’t see on pads from other brands we tried. The Sunbeam Zoned Heated Mattress Pad has a 100% cotton top, a rare feature on heated mattress pads that can improve breathability.
“Pets can be drawn to the warmth provided by the heated blanket, but one should be aware that these blankets can pose some risk to our pets if they claw, scratch or chew on the blanket when plugged in,” he said. When shopping for a heated blanket, experts recommend considering heat settings, auto shut-off and UL-certification. As a true space cadet, I was worried about burning myself alive with an electric blanket, but again, it turns off automatically after a few hours, so you can rest assured that it won’t burn anything. When trying to find the best electric blanket for your needs, keep in mind that they come as small as a heating pad and as large as a California King bed, with various ranges of settings. Some electric blankets have an issue of heat pockets developing in folds or wrinkles in the blanket. While there is some of that with the Sunbeam electric blanket, the heat remains evenly distributed most of the time.
I chose the best heated blankets based on all these key elements and more. In my testing, I found that my 6-year-old washing machine couldn’t handle a king-size blanket, and most brands advise against washing blankets at a laundromat. Instead, I spilled Starbucks coffee on each of them and focused on spot cleaning with soap and water, noting the ease of removing the liquid from all the fabrics. Want to feel calmer and sleep deeper without getting overheated?
We tested at five, ten, and fifteen minutes to determine how long each blanket took to reach its maximum temperature. 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. If you’re using an electric blanket to reduce your heating bill, you want to know that it will keep you warm at night while the thermostat is set at a lower temperature.