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If you’ve found that your regular blankets aren’t providing the warmth you’d like, especially as the cooler weather approaches, a heated blanket may be just what you need. Heated blankets are great because they can warm up one’s body more quickly than your standard blanket as they often are powered by electricity. Some heated blankets can even be taken outside and are made to withstand some water contact.
I’ve compiled a list of the best heated blankets to keep you warm this winter and beyond, taking into consideration the insights from fire safety experts Daniel Majano, Program Manager of the Electrical Safety Foundation, and Brad Maggard, Fire Marshal of Ashland Fire Fighters Local 706.
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The Rovify Electric Heated Blanket may be just what you’re looking for if you seek extra warmth. Made with sherpa 220 GSM thick flannel fabric, and NTP/PTC heating wires, this blanket will heat your body in under five minutes. Though this heated blanket is an advanced one with four heating settings (86°F, 95°F, 104°F, and 113°F), its control is user-friendly with a singular button. Another great thing: The throw size shuts off after four hours for peace of mind if you forget to turn it off before leaving the house. However, the twin and queen sizes stay on for 10 hours. Note: For more about GSM and what it means when buying textiles, read our guide to choosing the best bath towels.
This heated blanket provides users with a great deal of warmth and is easily controlled with its one-button controller.
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The CureCure Electric Blanket is one of the best heated blankets that won’t cause too much damage to your bank account. This heated blanket made of flannel and sherpa fleece offers four heat settings between 95°F and 113°F and is ETL-certified. Though it’s less expensive than others on our list, it’s still packed with safety features including overheat protection and automatic shut-off. This blanket can be machine washed as long as its controller is removed. It’s also on the thinner side, good for those who dislike bulky blankets.
Those looking for a heated blanket on a budget will appreciate this flannel and sherpa one with a price tag under $40.
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For a heated (and smart) throw blanket, the Eddie Bauer Smart Heated Electric Throw Blanket is a solid pick. You can easily control this polyester blanket using your voice (when connected to Wi-Fi) via its app or Alexa voice commands for a hands-off experience. This heated blanket cannot be controlled manually, as it can only be adjusted using Wi-Fi. Unlike some of our other picks, this heated blanket can be tumble-dried on a low setting.
This heated throw blanket is suitable for those looking for something casual, yet smart as it can only be controlled via Wi-Fi.
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Couples will appreciate the Berkshire Corduroy Stripe Electric Heated Blanket. This polyester heated blanket comes with two controllers and is available in Queen and King sizes. It's great for couples who want to bring on the heat, but want to do so at different temperatures as it offers 10 heat settings.
This heated blanket is a solid pick especially for couples who seek extra warmth thanks to its two controllers.
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It’s hard to go wrong with the Sunvivi King Size Heated Blanket. With 100 x 90-inch dimensions and two controls, it’s big and flexible enough to accommodate multiple people, even if they have different temperature preferences. Even though this blanket is of considerable size, it’s easy to clean.
If you’re shopping for a king-size heated blanket, this one is easy to clean and comes with two controls for efficient temperature setting.
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If your feet get extra cold, we recommend adding the Degrees of Comfort Micro-Plush Heated Blanket with Foot Pocket to your cart. This blanket contains an 18-inch foot pocket stitched into the bottom of the blanket for resting your feet when lounging with a good book and some cozy pillows. This blanket also has an LED controller for toggling between its three heat settings. If you’re bothered by the cords that often accompany heated blankets, this one can be tucked away.
This micro-plush heated blanket contains a stitched in foot pocket that will keep your toes extra warm.
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If you’re someone who wants lots of color choices available when buying a heated blanket, consider the Serta Reversible Fleece to Sherpa Blanket. With 12 color options from Berry Red to Stone Brown, you’ll find one to suit your preferences. It’s also reversible, offering flexibility for your decor. As long as you’re okay with following directions when washing and drying your new blanket, this will make a great addition to your collection.
Although this blanket requires some extra steps to be followed when washing, it’s worth the extra effort if you’re someone who values lots of color choices.
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The Cozee Portable Battery Powered Heated Blanket can easily be used indoors and outdoors, which is great for those who frequently travel and spend a lot of time outside without access to electrical outlets. Not only is its battery powerful enough to provide heat for up to two hours when kept at its highest setting, it has two USB charging ports and a 12-volt adapter which can be useful when traveling by car.
This battery powered heated blanket is worth the investment as it can be used in indoor and outdoor settings, plus it’s water resistant.
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If you’re looking for a heated blanket you can wear, consider the Beautyrest Soft Sherpa Fleece Electric Throw Heated Blanket Wrap. It’s small enough for you to drape over your shoulders without feeling too heavy at 3.6 pounds. When you’re not wearing it, you can rest it on the couch or the foot of a bed.
This heated blanket is small and decorative enough that it can be comfortably wrapped around your shoulders.
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The Beautyrest Reversible Microlight to Sherpa Electric Blanket is reversible with premium plush on one side and sherpa on the other. Even though it’s double-sided, its heat is distributed evenly for a comfortable experience. It’s OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified, so you can rest assured it’s free from 350 toxic chemicals.
This is a double-sided and reversible heated blanket with 20 heat settings for a personalized wearing experience.
To compile our list of the best heated blankets, we chatted with fire-safety experts about what to look for when shopping with regard to their size, material, safety features, and heat settings. We also conducted online research to discover the best heated blankets by reviewing both the product information and customer reviews of heated blankets from a variety of brands and places to buy bedding.
When determining the size of the heated blanket you plan on purchasing, think about where you’ll be putting it. The great thing about heated blankets is many are available in a variety of sizes including throw, twin, full, queen, and king. If you plan on wearing it or using it as a shawl as you watch TV, I recommend a throw-size blanket with dimensions around 50 x 60 inches or so. However, if you plan on using your new heated blanket when napping or lounging in bed, opt for a blanket with a size that matches that of your bed. For example, if you have a king size mattress, order a king-size heated blanket.
Material is important when it comes to your heated blanket because you want to ensure comfort. Sherpa, polyester, fleece, and flannel are some of the most common materials for the best heated blankets. If you prefer a fluffy feel, opt for a heated blanket made from Sherpa like the Rovify Electric Heated Blanket. If you plan on taking your blanket outside or are someone prone to spills, blankets like the Cozee Portable Battery Powered Heated Blanket are made with water-resistant materials.
The number of heat settings for the best heated blankets varies. They typically range between three and 20. Some heated blankets like the Berkshire Corduroy Stripe Electric Heated Blanket have two controllers which can be beneficial if people with different temperature preferences want to share a blanket.
Being mindful when it comes to a heated blanket’s safety features, as safety is key when making any purchase, but especially those involving heat and electricity. “You’ll want to make sure they [heated blankets] are UL-listed,” says Maggard. “This means that a banket has been listed by Underwriters Laboratories which means that they’ve certified it to be a safe product to use.” He adds, “I would stick with name brand blankets as they are generally safer than something you might buy online that you’ve never heard of before.” An ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) certification is another one to keep an eye out for when shopping.
According to Majano, “heated blankets are not always electric, as they may be heated by another source. However, electric blankets are heated blankets.”
Although there is no definitive answer as to when is the best time to buy a heating blanket, many purchase them when the weather becomes cooler.
Although we wouldn’t recommend sleeping with a heated blanket, it can be safe to sleep with a heated blanket “as long as they are used according to manufacturer’s instructions,” says Maggard. “Don’t lay on top of them as they are supposed to be on top of you, and don’t compress them.” Make sure any pillows or other items aren’t resting on top of them.
As far as using a heated blanket with a memory foam mattress topper, luxury mattress retailer Saatva says there are mixed opinions but not from a safety perspective. The concern is that heat from the blanket will soften the foam, making it less supportive to sleep on.
Allison K. Rodgers, M.D, gynecologist and director of education at Fertility Centers of Illinois explains that pregnant individuals should avoid using heated blankets. “Increased core temperature during pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus. When you or I are hot, we sweat, flush, and can remove clothing. However, a fetus inside our body can’t do that, and its temperature and heartbeat can rise to a dangerous level.”
You can care for a heated blanket by keeping it clean. Although not all heated blankets permit washing, some do. If that is the case, wash them according to the manufacturer’s directions.
In general, washing a heated blanket is not recommended. “We recommend not washing electric blankets as water and electricity do not mix,” explains Majano. “If the blanket comes with a removable cover that does not contain electrical components, then you could wash [the removable cover].” However, there can be some exceptions to this if stated in the manufacturer’s instructions. If the heated blanket you purchase can be washed, make sure to thoroughly read through the user guide and safety manual to ensure that you properly remove any parts that need to be removed before doing so to clean it without causing any harm to the blanket (or yourself).
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