The Berkshire Blanket VelvetLoft Striped Heated Blanket, also called the L.L.Bean Wicked Cozy Heated Blanket was recently recalled due to product safety issues and we no longer recommend it as best heated blanket for extra warmth.
The only issue with having one of the best heated blankets is that it makes leaving your bed that much more difficult. If you’ve considered tossing one into your cart for added warmth this season, you may be wondering which brands, sizes and styles are the best fit. After more than 2 weeks of extensively testing seven blankets, I found the Beautyrest Plush Electric Blanket to be the best among the products I tried due to its luxe feel and superior performance. (You can read our in-depth reviews of the Beautyrest Plush Electric Blanket for more details, too.)
If you want to avoid turning up your thermostat during the winter months, the Beautyrest Plush ... [+] Electric Blanket is one of our top recommendations to help keep you warm and toasty.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERSThe following is a list of all the winners from my testing process:
If you want to avoid turning up your thermostat during the winter months, a blanket that radiates heat while you sleep is a solid option. Unlike the wiry, fuzzy electric blankets of yore that were not safe to leave on overnight, heated blankets these days are designed to take to bed. In fact, the risk of fire hazard from these products has greatly diminished over the years. “Now we have smart wires that will detect if there is an abnormal condition occurring anywhere along the wire, and it’s going to go back to your controller,” says Joel Hawk, a principal engineer manager at UL Solutions. So no matter the style or color you choose, the best heated blankets should always have a seal of approval from third-party testing agencies like UL or Intertek. Read on for details about the best heated blankets according to my testing.
Amazon
Dimensions: 90 x 100 inches | Number of heat settings: 20 | Auto shut-off feature: 10 hours | Warranty: Limited 5-year warranty
Best for:
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This product tops the list of best heated blankets thanks to its lightweight material and wide range of heat settings, more than any of the other blankets I tried. When winter kicks in, especially in cold climates like we have here in New England, you may want something extra to warm things up come bedtime. That’s where the Beautyrest comes in.
This silky blanket spread easily over my comforter and felt like a coverlet—an extra layer of bedding that’s often used to boost your room’s decor. It’s made of microlight plush polyester and has a luscious feel. It comes in 10 colors, and the design looks attractive. Setup was easy: You place it on the bed with the warning label facing out at the feet, and with the cords trailing under the bed in the direction of your head.
Unlike the L.L.Bean’s shorter wires, the Beautyrest’s cords are a manageable length—approximately 19 feet long when I measured—which means you can’t see too much of them when you walk in a bedroom because they’re laying under your bed. Visible wires are a drawback, in my opinion, because I don’t like the look of them trailing across the floor. The paper instructions are clear and explain the special features well. I really appreciated that the UL certification information is explained thoroughly in the FAQ section. No other brand I tried did that as well as Beautyrest.
The silky Beautyrest Plush Electric Blanket spread easily over my comforter and felt like a coverlet ... [+] adding an extra layer of warmth on particularly cold nights.
Amy JamiesonThe blanket has 20 adjustable heat settings, the most options of all the blankets I tested. I started warming the bed at 20, the highest setting, and the blanket produced a warm, cozy feel in about 25 minutes (there’s also a preheat feature that heats the product faster or can be used as a boost feature when you need extra heat). The surface thermometer readings were pretty consistent, ranging mostly from 80 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. While having 20 heat options is great, I clicked around a bit and realized I wasn’t able to differentiate between 7 and, say, 13, so I started at 20 then reduced the temperature to 4 for most of my night’s sleep.
I was able to easily adjust the temperature in the middle of the night without trouble because the controller illuminates in the dark, a common feature in all the heated blankets I tested. The sleep mode button allows you to adjust the length of the auto shut-off to between 1 and 10 hours, designated by an “H” on the LED screen, which is a good detail for groggy nighttime operation. It’s also nice to know that the timer restarts automatically if the controller gets turned off or power is lost.
I spot cleaned this blanket after spilling coffee on it and was able to quickly and easily wash the stain out, then I hung it to dry. It has a 5-year limited warranty, and an entire page in the instruction manual explains the details of it. The look and feel of this blanket enhanced my decor and my night’s sleep with comfortable heat and a ton of clickable options.
Warmee
Dimensions: 60 x 70 inches | Number of heat settings: 3 | Auto shut-off feature: 4 hours | Warranty: Limited 3-year warranty
Best for:
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The Warmee Smart Heated Throw is a splurge, but if you want to easily control your heated blanket with an app, it may be worth it for you. I’m designating the Warmee as a throw because of its smaller size, and while the brand says it can be used by two people, I preferred to use it without company. Its soft, thick and plush construction made it a winner for cozy nights on the couch, and its “smart” operation—a standout element among the blankets I tried—makes it a fun option for the tech-savvy.
The Warmee comes in a cute, thoughtfully designed box that directs you to scan the QR code for instructions and to download the free Warmee app, which is where you control the blanket’s settings. 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.
Once the blanket appeared in my list of networks, I was able to easily set it up. For the ultimate smart tech experience, you can also integrate your home’s Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can name the blanket and adjust the level of heat from 1 to “H” (which is the hottest) and the duration of heat (from 1 to 4 hours) using up and down arrows on the app itself. Four hours for a couch throw is a good duration. Even though you use an app to adjust the heat settings, the blanket is always plugged into a wall.
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.
The Warmee Smart Heated Throw comes in a cute, thoughtfully designed box that directs you to scan ... [+] the QR code for instructions and to download the free Warmee app, which is where you control the blanket’s settings.
Amy JamiesonThis luxe throw was extra comfortable, and it was a favorite with my family. My kids gravitated toward it because of its plush, warm feel and cute polka dot pattern. Care instructions say it’s machine-washable on warm in the gentle cycle but that hand-washing is the best for the longevity of the blanket. So I spot tested just a corner of it with coffee. I was able to get it out with mild soap and water and a few rinses under my faucet. I Iet the corner air-dry, which took about 2 days—a good illustration of just how thick it is. Instructions say you can tumble dry on low.
At $299, it’s the priciest of all the winners, but it may be worth the investment if you’d rather control a heated blanket with an app instead of a remote. Plus it has a 3-year limited warranty. Turn it on with your phone while you’re making popcorn and have a piping-hot blanket ready for your Netflix binge.
I tested three other heated blankets that didn’t make the cut.
The Cozee Battery Powered Heating Blanket: This battery-operated portable blanket is perfect for outdoor use at sporting events, but it won’t provide the continuous warmth of the other picks on this list. There are two ways to wear the Cozee—like a cape or wrapped around you under your arms. Depending on how tall you are, your feet may not be covered. If you charge the battery for 6 hours, it provides nearly 3 hours of continuous heat. Even without heat it’s a high-quality, thick blanket that has a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. I wore it as I worked at my desk, and it really warmed me up.
Bedsure Fleece Electric Blanket: The fluffy sherpa underside of this blanket definitely brings on the heat. However, you can feel the wires on top and underneath the blanket. The Bedsure has lengthy 16 feet cords, easy-to-operate controls that illuminate at night and one-click preheating that warms the blanket to level 10 automatically. The blanket, which has a 5-year warranty, shuts off at 8 hours, which is less than some of the other blankets I tried.
Thermee Micro Flannel King-Size Heated Electric Blanket: There were things to like about the Thermee Micro Flannel blanket, like the cozy sherpa underside and the controller’s memory setting. Unfortunately, one of the controllers displayed an “F2” code after one night’s sleep, signaling an issue on the right side of the bed. Reps for the company kindly sent a replacement, but I read reviews that reported similar issues.
In general, heated blankets work in largely the same way: They contain an insulated wire covered with fabric that creates heat when it’s plugged in. When you’re shopping for one, you’ll notice right away they come in a range of sizes that correspond to your bed size—king, queen or twin. If you select a size larger than a twin, it will typically come with two controllers, one for each side of the bed, which allows two people to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling heat output. If you’re looking for a heated blanket for a couch or office chair, a throw is more appropriate because it’s smaller and usually designed for one person to use. As an example, the throws I tested usually measured around 60 x 70 inches, while king-size blankets measured 90 x 100 inches. Throws typically come with one controller to be operated by one person who drapes it over their lap. Here’s what I looked for while testing:
First, I evaluated the feel, style and weight of each blanket, since comfort is a high priority. Then, I tried the blankets with their heating elements. I read the instructions and powered on the blankets on my king-size bed. 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.
I found there’s a learning curve when you try out any heated blanket. Each controller has different buttons for adjusting the heat level and timer. After reading the instructions, and in some cases watching instructional videos several times, I evaluated how easy it was to turn the blankets on and adjust the heat levels in daylight and in the dark. I also took note of the length of the cords, which ran from the bottom of the bed to the plugs behind my bedside tables, since a longer cord will give you more leeway for how far your bed can be from an outlet.
All the blankets I tested had auto shut-off, whether that was over 8, 10 or 12 hours. Each product I tested also had an accredited third-party certification logo, either from UL Solutions (UL) or for Intertek (ETL), on their instructions or tag. Read on for why you should look for that logo and auto shut-off while shopping.
I had intended to wash each blanket in my washing machine, but I discovered pretty quickly that with larger king-size blankets—even though the instructions say you can wash each of them in the gentle cycle of a standard washing machine—their weight and size were major factors.
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.
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.
When I started testing these products, the winter chill was definitely moving in. I unboxed the blankets, read the instructions and set them up on top of my comforter and top sheet. I learned how to operate the controls and slept with the blanket for a night or in some cases two or three. I have a sore back and have difficulty finding a good sleep position, so I woke up in the dark to look at the controller, adjust the temperature and then go back to sleep. As a homeowner and parent, and because I’m one of those people who checks a straightening iron twice to make sure it’s off, I unplugged each one after use to be sure it was off.
I chose the best heated blankets based on all these key elements and more.
Only buy blankets that have been approved by nationally recognized testing agencies, such as UL Solutions (UL) or Intertek (ETL). The Beautyrest blanket had an entire section in the manual dedicated to its UL certification, which I appreciated.
This means that the product has not only gone through a full protocol and battery of tests but also that the third party periodically asks the manufacturer to demonstrate that the unit is being built with the right components. This reinforces that quality assurance processes are in place. “What you should see is that it has a third-party logo, and it should say the word ‘listed,’” explains Hawk. “Sometimes you have manufacturers who like to play games and say it’s compliant with the UL standard. That doesn’t mean anything. That’s a false or misleading advertisement.”
Never buy a heated blanket at a garage sale or secondhand. Purchase your product from a reputable retail store or online retailer, which often have safety protocols and do random spot checks of their own. “I think with blankets it’s a little different than clothing. I don’t know how many people try to resell it, but it’s always best to get it from a retailer,” Hawk notes.
While it’s not required by the UL 964 Standard, Hawk says choosing a blanket with the auto shut-off feature—meaning the unit automatically shuts off in 8, 10 or 12 hours—is good practice just in case you ever forget to turn it off. “Auto shut-off is a nice safety feature. Again, not required by the standard, but that’s a nice feature to look for, and that usually is advertised. Even online you’ll usually see that called out,” he notes.
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. Also bear in mind that heated blankets do not last forever. “We usually assume a 10-year cycle for most small appliances,” says Hawk.
I have more than two decades of experience writing about lifestyle, health, celebrity and pet content. I was the founding senior editor of People.com’s pets channel, and I frequently reviewed pet, baby and parenting gear for the website. More recently, I’ve been writing product reviews for brands like Consumer Reports and ScaryMommy.com. Paramount to all of that, I live in a very drafty house in New England that feels cold even in the summertime. Flannel sheets, slippers and space heaters are all staples around here, especially during the frigid winter months, which explains my enthusiasm for putting the best heated blankets to the test.
For the technical side of this piece, I consulted with Joel Hawk, a veteran of Illinois-based UL Solutions, who oversees the testing of heated blankets for the agency, for his insight into how to shop for and store these products. UL is an organization that created a nationally recognized safety standard called Electrically Heated Bedding UL 964 and independently tests electric blankets to ensure they meet the necessary requirements.To learn about the health benefits of heated blankets, I spoke with TPI Level 1 certified physical therapist Cindy Langer, founder and owner of BodyFit Physical Therapy in Connecticut.
When selecting blankets to test, I extensively studied online ratings and reviews. I considered heated blankets at a variety of price points and only chose products with an auto shut-off feature and warranty. I focused on blankets that were certified by one of the 21 Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) like UL Solutions or Intertek. I further established specific criteria to determine which blankets are best. For throws, I evaluated each on my couch or at my desk. For heated blankets intended for use on a bed, I evaluated each blanket before, during and after an approximately 8-hour sleep.
Electric blankets can definitely give you the boost of warmth you need at night. For me, additional heat on my back has helped me find comfort when my back issues flare up. But heated blankets are not for everyone. If you suffer from a health condition and are unsure whether a heated blanket would be safe, consult with your doctor.
The morning can be a good time to apply heat to combat stiffness or aches. You can use heat—in the form of a blanket, heating pad, sauna, etc.—to help you get moving and warmed up for the day. Langer uses the analogy of taffy to describe what that kind of warmth can do for the body. “If it’s hard and cold and frozen in your freezer, you’re not going to be able to stretch it out,” she explains. “But if we put it out in the sun, it’s going to be all gooey and nice and flexible.”
The sensation of heat on the skin sends positive feedback to your brain that can distract from stiffness or pain, or from the fact that you need to get out of bed and start the day. It certainly did that for me. “Your brain gets overloaded with this nice comfortable sensation, and that can be very comforting,” she says.
Once you’ve chosen a blanket, read the instructions and the safety label on the blanket thoroughly. As a next step, always monitor the condition of your blanket.“You should always be ready to what I call ‘retire the product’ before it gets to its end point,” says Hawk. If your fabric starts to wear out or discolor, or you see damage on the cords, it may be time to replace your blanket. When it comes to washing your blanket, follow the manufacturer instructions for washing and drying electric blankets. Using other methods such as dry-cleaning could damage the product. Lastly, store your heated blanket in a dry location. It should be folded loosely without stacking things on top of it. Detach supply cords and wind those up separately. “That way you’re not binding the product; you’re not wrapping the cord real tightly around the product,” he explains. “You don’t want to displace the internal wires.”
Some brands, like the Warmee for instance, claim to make heated blankets with Invisiwire fibers that are cased in MFA, a “Teflon-like polymer material that is proven to have a very high temperature resistance in addition to good flexibility,” according to the website. And while there have been many advancements in technology that have reduced risks to consumers, product certifications are based on the minimum requirements of Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, which do not grade or compare designs based on degree of safety. “This is a general claim by the manufacturer, and any manufacturer could make the same claim,” says Hawk.
A heated blanket could stop working due to a number of reasons. If you’re faced with a similar issue, unplug the blanket as a first step. Then make sure to check each of the connection points thoroughly, like the plug, temperature controller and cord connection that attaches to the blanket. If there is an issue with any of these connection points, your best option is to simply replace the blanket. Alternatively, you could also reach out to the manufacturer if your blanket is still under warranty.
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