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 then checked all four corners and the center of each blanket, testing by hand to make sure there were no hot or cold spots.
The things I didn’t like about my Sunbeam heated blanket are that I couldn’t put another blanket on top of it and that the plug was right next to my feet. Putting anything on top of a heated blanket would be a safety issue, obviously. It’s made of 100 percent polyester, which means it won’t burst into flames, should anything go wrong with it. The plug has to go somewhere, but I’d prefer it at the hem of the blanket rather than inside and underneath. It was right near my feet, which meant I subconsciously played with it with my toes. Don’t use a heated mattress pad and an electric blanket simultaneously, since doing so can also produce too much heat.
Once you turn on your blanket and choose your heat level, electricity flows through internal wires that run evenly throughout your blanket. The wires inside many of the electric blankets monitor sunbeam heated blankets temperature and auto-adjust throughout the night to maintain even warmth throughout your bedding. The Cozy Feet is made from ultra-soft material, with excellent stitching along its edges.
Sunbeam’s heated bedding includes a unique plug, which attaches the controllers and power supply to the bedding with a firm locking mechanism on either side of the connection port. Although plugging in or unplugging the controllers takes some effort, this design ensures that they won’t come loose. This feature is useful both from a functional perspective (you won’t accidentally disconnect the plug and turn off your bedding’s heat if you kick it while sleeping) and as an extra safety feature . Regardless of how you plan to use your electric blanket, there are always precautions you should take to ensure you’re using it safely.
The wireless digital control makes it simple to adjust heat by individual zone or all three together. So you could heat your lower back at level 10, your legs at level 2, and your upper body could remain unheated. UL has developed safety standards for heated bedding, and both UL 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. This UL-listed blanket from Beautyrest offers 20 heat settings and features an adjustable auto shut-off function that can be set for up to 10 hours, according to Beautyrest. You can select from multiple sizes — ranging from Twin to King — and the Queen- and King-sized blankets come with dual controllers so partners can select their preferred settings.
Since it has many of the same options as the Sunbeam Sherpa Mink throw, such as an easy-to-use controller and three-hour auto-shut-off, it offers plenty of bang for your buck. 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. The low voltage technology of the SoftHeat is similar to a battery and uses the same amount of voltage as a light bulb. You can rest assured that you’re using one of the safest electric blankets on the market.
The plush is thick enough on both sides so the heating wires, spaced at 3.25″ apart, are barely noticeable to the touch. The Tefici has a generous 10-foot power cord, which allows you to move around without feeling tied sunbeam heated throw down to one position. The cord has only three settings and is lighted for easy use in the dark. With a shorter power cord at six feet, this is again designed for use in a couch or reclining chair close to an outlet.
It was frustrating, but also my fault for not reading the directions more carefully. As its name suggests, the Comfy Feet also features independently controlled heat zones for your feet. The foot zone can be set higher than the rest of the blanket, resulting in a noticeably warmer foot pocket. For anyone with cold feet, this is the electric blanket of your dreams. Whether it’s Sunbeam, Imperial Plush, or even Loftec, most heated blankets include a spot where you plug in the cord at the foot of the blanket, which makes sense to keep it out of the way. If you have long legs, you might be able to feel where the cord plugs into the blanket with your toes which could be a bit bothersome.
He noted that he typically recommends using these blankets in the morning rather than before going to bed since that’s when our muscles need it the most. The fundamental difference between AC and DC is the direction of flow. DC is constant and moves in one direction, while AC changes over time in a back and forth repetition. The higher the voltage, the greater the risk of electrical shock. You might be wondering what exactly is the difference between AC and DC power, so let’s talk about that.
I considered how warm they made me feel, noting any cold spots. I also tested the consistency of the heat on the surface—how evenly it is distributed—with an infrared thermometer. Since some electric blankets can feel lumpy instead of smooth, I noted whether I could feel wires on the top and underneath. The Sunbeam Cozy Feet does several things very well, starting with producing consistent, distributed heat throughout the entire blanket.