Experts told us you should never leave an electric blanket on when you leave the room or when you’re asleep. Many electric blankets have an automatic shut-off feature so it’s not heating when you don’t need it, but it’s always wise to double-check that sunbeam heated blankets your blanket is off once you’re done using it. Those who are suffering from pain disorders may also have trouble falling asleep — a heated blanket can “be beneficial to warm up cold sheets or for help in drifting off to sleep,” noted Gallucci.
While the instructions weren’t intuitive and I had some issues pairing the blanket with my network, I was able to call customer service for help. Being covered up by fabric, this was difficult to measure with a ruler, sunbeam heated throw so we used a flat palm to run our hand across the surface of the fabric. With all but the Serta and SoftHeat blankets, which have “invisible wires”, we could easily detect the wires running through the blankets.
All of the electric blankets we tried had problems, ranging from unpleasant-feeling fabric to particularly noticeable wires. In our test group, the Sunbeam Velvet Plush Heated Blanket was the best, since its overall combination of softness, performance, controls, and safety features helped it edge out the competition. sunbeam heated throw 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.
The look and feel of this blanket enhanced my decor and my night’s sleep with comfortable heat and a ton of clickable options. Safety concerns about malfunction, overheating, and electromagnetic frequency waves are among the top questions the Electric Blanket Institute receives. Each of the blankets we looked at met the latest Underwriters Laboratories electric bedding standards. 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. However, the SoftHeat and Serta blankets, which convert to DC power, cost less than four dollars a year to operate.
If you suffer from a health condition and are unsure whether a heated blanket would be safe, consult with your doctor. As I learned firsthand, heated blankets sometimes just stop working. No matter what appliance you purchase, it’s always a good idea to look for a warranty. “We usually assume a 10-year cycle for most small appliances,” says Hawk. Compared to the other blankets I tested, the Berkshire Blanket VelvetLoft Striped Heated Blanket was the thickest.