Three heat settings were enough to keep us toasty, though we never needed the highest setting, because it offers plenty of warmth. We could set the heat and forget about it because it automatically shut off after 3 hours. UL has developed safety standards for heated bedding, and both UL sunbeam electric blanket and ETL test products to ensure they meet them. Drengenberg said that advances in the construction of heating wires and thermostats have also led to safer products. The Quilted Heated Mattress Pad heated as quickly as our top pick, reaching its maximum temperature within 20 minutes.
Usually, models that are meant for nighttime use have automatic timers that can be set for 6 to 10 hours. However, it’s important to maintain the blanket carefully, according to directions, to make sure there aren’t any shorts or broken wires. After weighing the considerations outlined above, we put some of the top brands through our hands-on testing. We collected the best of the best and spent hours narrowing the market to some of its top-rated electric blankets. Regardless of the model, disconnect all the controllers and cords from the port before laundering.
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, 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.
We observed no problems with shedding, stretching, or shrinking, and all of the blankets and pads still worked after being laundered. If you live in a colder climate and want to snuggle up regularly, you might be willing to shell out more for a premium blanket. People in warmer climates who will only use their blanket occasionally should look at budget buys instead. Although we loved the look and feel of this blanket, we were disappointed in its performance. We plugged it into the outlet next to our favorite armchair, set it to medium, and prepared to get cozy. After ten minutes, the blanket wasn’t throwing off all that much heat, so we turned it up to high for another five minutes.
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. I learned from reading ratings and reviews and from my own testing experience that heated blankets can be fussy. Sometimes they suddenly stop working for a variety of unclear reasons like a thermostat breaking down, loose connections or power surges that can cause overheating, so a good warranty is key. Lifetime limited warranties, 5-, 3- and 1-year warranties were among the best protections I found. The digital controller has three heat settings and a 2-hour automatic shut-off.
And right now you can snag a Queen-size machine washable and dryable electric blanket for nearly 30 percent off its original price. If you don’t like having a lot of bulky bedding on or around you when you’re sleeping, this blanket works great for that.” Again, not required by the standard, but that’s a nice feature to look for, and that usually is advertised. sunbeam heated throw I was impressed with the consistency and level of heat the Warmee puts out. The temperature was in the 70s and 80s by itself and low 90s and 100s when wrapped around my body, which felt very toasty compared to other blankets. I couldn’t feel any wires at all through the fabric, a different feel from many of the other wiry blankets I tried.
We sorted through the top-rated electric blankets available online, purchased the top nine options, and tested them to help you decide which blanket best fits your requirements. We created an extensive testing plan and graded each blanket on how well they executed each task. An electric blanket’s main job is to keep you warmer than a traditional blanket, so our first test was to see how well the blankets heated up and how well they scaled to their highest temperature setting. Then we tested for comfort by having our team look at the softness of the fabric, how easy it is to feel the heating wires, and how thick the blanket is. We checked to see how many buttons needed to be pressed to accomplish a task and how the control fit in our hands.
The queen and king sizes of the Velvet Plush come with two controllers so that couples can adjust the heat on their respective sides of the blanket. Instead, we subjectively assessed whether each blanket and pad achieved a toasty, sheets-fresh-out-of-the-dryer feel at the highest setting. Although it’s not as comfortable as others, this mattress pad offers straightforward all-over heating and is easy to use. 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. An electric blanket provides comfort during winter’s harshest months. It’s also great for easing muscle aches, soothing stiff joints or just keeping nighttime shivers at bay.