Hearth & Lawn

The best electric blankets and heated throws

Last updated: · By the Hearth & Lawn team

How we chose these: We haven't tested these blankets or throws ourselves. Our picks are based on manufacturer specifications, UK retailer listings, independent reviews (The Independent, Trusted Reviews, The English Home, Which?) and patterns in owner reviews. Where sources disagree, we say so. Prices were checked on 18 October 2026.

If you want to feel warm for the least money, heat yourself rather than the room. An electric blanket or heated throw uses about 60–150 watts, a small fraction of a 2,000W room heater, so it costs roughly 1.6–4p an hour at the current price cap.

  • Electric underblankets sit on the mattress under the sheet and warm the bed before you get in. Dual-control versions let each side of a double bed choose its own setting.
  • Heated throws are a soft blanket with heating wires inside, for the sofa or desk. They're the cheapest way to keep warm while sitting still.

Fire-safety advice focuses on spotting old or damaged blankets and using them correctly, so do the checks below every autumn before the first use.

Quick picks

Pick Type Best for Power Price checked 18 Oct 2026
Silentnight Yours & Mine Dual Control (double) Underblanket Best value for couples 60W per side (reported) £45
Dreamland Hunker Down Scandi Sherpa (double, dual control) Underblanket Best overall: timers, six settings 2 × 150W £114.99
Silentnight Luxury Super Cosy Heated Throw Throw Best value heated throw 100W (retailer listing) £60–£65
Dreamland Hygge Days Faux Fur Warming Throw Throw Softest throw, with timer 150W (retailer listing) £74.99–£129.99 by design

Safety first: checks before you use one this winter

These come from Electrical Safety First and London Fire Brigade.

Replace your electric blanket if:

  • it's more than 10 years old
  • the fabric is worn or frayed
  • there are scorch marks or discoloured patches
  • wires are visible or poking through
  • the cable between plug, control and blanket is damaged
  • the control buzzes or smells when it's switched on
  • the connector on the blanket is damaged or gets hot

Using it safely:

  • Unplug underblankets before you get into bed, unless the blanket has a thermostat control designed for safe all-night use (London Fire Brigade).
  • Never use one with a hot water bottle, and never touch it with wet hands or feet.
  • Don't use one if you use emollient (skin) creams, or have an air-flow pressure-relief mattress (London Fire Brigade). Electrical Safety First also advises against underblankets on adjustable beds.
  • Don't use an electric blanket on a baby's bed, or for anyone who can't feel heat properly or can't use the controls safely. For children, the controls should be pre-set by an adult.
  • Don't use it folded, rucked or creased, and don't pin it in place.
  • Buy new from a reputable retailer. Avoid second-hand blankets and unknown online sellers, and register it with the maker so you hear about recalls.
  • Store it flat, rolled or loosely folded, with nothing heavy on top. Don't use moth-proofing chemicals on it.
  • Recycle old blankets at a household waste site that takes electrical items. Don't put them in the bin.

If you use an electric blanket because you're struggling with energy bills, London Fire Brigade points out that Citizens Advice and your energy supplier can help.

Running costs

At the Ofgem price cap of 26.32p per kWh (average direct debit electricity, 1 October to 31 December 2026), at full power:

Product Power Sum Per hour 30 minutes every night for a month
Silentnight Yours & Mine, one side 60W 0.06 × 26.32 1.6p about 24p
Silentnight Yours & Mine, both sides 120W 0.12 × 26.32 3.2p about 47p
Silentnight Super Cosy throw 100W 0.10 × 26.32 2.6p about 39p
Dreamland Hygge Days throw 150W 0.15 × 26.32 3.9p about 59p
Dreamland Scandi Sherpa, both sides on max 300W 0.30 × 26.32 7.9p about £1.18

Monthly figures assume 30 nights. Blankets draw full power only on the highest settings and while warming up. That's why makers quote figures as low as 1p an hour or night, which we can't independently check.

Compare that with a 2kW fan heater or oil-filled radiator at 52.6p an hour. Two hours on the sofa under a 100W throw costs about 5p; two hours of a 2kW heater on full is about £1.05. See the cheapest heater to run for the full comparison.

Work out your own figures with our running-cost calculator

How to choose

  • Size and coverage. Some underblankets cover the full mattress; cheaper ones are shorter and stop below the pillows.
  • Dual controls for a double or larger bed, if you and your partner like different temperatures. Each side usually needs its own socket.
  • Timers or auto shut-off. Useful peace of mind. Dreamland's controls offer 1, 3 or 9 hours.
  • Settings. More steps let you pre-heat on high, then drop to a low setting. Dreamland says only settings 1–3 are for continuous or all-night use.
  • Washability. Most are machine washable with the control detached. Check the label.
  • Safety approvals. Look for a UK plug and a recognised brand; BEAB approval is a good sign. Electrical Safety First warns not to rely on UKCA/CE marks alone, as they can be faked.

The best electric blankets and heated throws in detail

1. Silentnight Yours & Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket: best value underblanket

Price checked: £45 (double) at Silentnight and Argos, 18 October 2026.

Key specs (Silentnight, Argos):

  • Double 137 × 150cm (Argos lists 137 × 152cm); also king and super king
  • Two detachable controls, 3 heat settings each; each control has its own plug
  • Overheat protection; BEAB approved; suitable for all-night use (Argos)
  • Machine washable; 3-year guarantee
  • Power: Trusted Reviews reports a maximum of 60W per side

This is the budget favourite, with 4.7/5 from more than 3,100 Argos reviews when we checked. Trusted Reviews named it the best budget electric blanket. You get dual controls at a low price, and it's cheap to run.

The trade-offs: only three settings, no adjustable timer, and it doesn't cover the pillow area. Trusted Reviews also found the control connector sat at shoulder height. The English Home's reviewer said it doesn't get as hot as some.

Pros

  • Very cheap to buy and run
  • Dual controls
  • Huge number of positive owner reviews
  • 3-year guarantee

Cons

  • No adjustable timer
  • Only three settings
  • Shorter than the mattress

2. Dreamland Hunker Down Scandi Sherpa (double, dual control): best electric blanket overall

Price checked: £114.99 at Dreamland, 18 October 2026. The Independent quoted £79.99 at Boots for the version it reviewed, so look out for offers.

Key specs (Dreamland, G.E. Bright Electrical listing):

  • Full bed size, double 190 × 137cm; elasticated corner straps; reversible
  • Dual controls; 6 settings; 1, 3 or 9-hour auto shut-off
  • 2 × 150W; Dreamland "Intelliheat+" temperature monitoring
  • Machine washable and tumble-dryer safe
  • Also in single, king and super king

The Independent named this its best electric blanket overall, praising the dual controls, the thick sherpa top and fast warm-up. Its tester measured about 34°C after an hour on the top setting. Dreamland's own reviews average 4.7/5.

It costs more to buy and draws more power on high than the Silentnight. Dreamland recommends settings 1–3 for all-night use, and the higher ones only for pre-heating.

Pros

  • Covers the whole mattress
  • Six settings and timers
  • Soft, thick sherpa

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Higher power on max
  • Needs stretching into shape after washing, according to The Independent

3. Silentnight Luxury Super Cosy Heated Throw: best value heated throw

Price checked: £60 at Silentnight; £65 at Boots Kitchen Appliances (18 October 2026).

Key specs (Silentnight, Boots Kitchen Appliances):

  • 120 × 160cm; 9 heat settings
  • 100W and overheat protection (Boots Kitchen Appliances listing)
  • Machine washable; 3-year manufacturer's warranty (retailer listing)

The Independent's tester picked this as the throw they'd choose for the sofa, saying it gave some of the most even warmth they measured. At 100W, it's under 3p an hour on full.

The retailer listing we found shows no auto shut-off timer, so switch it off when you get up.

Pros

  • Low price
  • Nine settings
  • Big enough for two on a sofa

Cons

  • No timer listed
  • Power and warranty figures come from a retailer, not Silentnight's own page

4. Dreamland Hygge Days Luxury Faux Fur Warming Throw: softest throw, with timer

Price checked: £74.99 for the Zebra print (was £129); £129.99 for the Alaskan Husky print at Dreamland (18 October 2026). Prices vary a lot between designs.

Key specs (Dreamland; power from Amazon UK listing):

  • 160 × 120cm faux fur
  • 6 settings; 1, 3 or 9-hour auto shut-off; fast heat-up
  • About 150W
  • Machine washable and tumble-dryer safe

Trusted Reviews named a Hygge Days throw its best electric throw for one person. The timer means it switches itself off if you nod off on the sofa. Dreamland's cheaper Cosy Up Silky Soft Faux Fur throw (£59.99 when we checked, same size, same timer options) is worth a look if you don't need a pattern.

Pros

  • Very soft
  • Timer
  • Washable

Cons

  • Full price is high; look for the discounted designs
  • Power figure from a retailer listing, not Dreamland

FAQs

How much does it cost to run an electric blanket? Most use 60–150W, which is 1.6–3.9p an hour at full power at 26.32p/kWh. Pre-heating a double for 30 minutes on one 60W side costs under 1p.

Is it safe to leave an electric blanket on all night? Only if the maker says it's suitable for all-night use and you use a low setting. London Fire Brigade advises unplugging before you get into bed unless the blanket has a thermostat control for safe all-night use. Silentnight's own advice is to switch off before you fall asleep for better sleep.

How often should I replace an electric blanket? At least every 10 years, and straight away if you spot wear, scorch marks, exposed wires, damaged cables or a buzzing or smelly control (Electrical Safety First, London Fire Brigade).

Is a heated throw cheaper than putting the heating on? Yes, per hour. A 100W throw costs about 2.6p an hour; a 2kW plug-in heater costs about 52.6p. It keeps you warm, not the room, so it won't stop condensation in a cold home. See our condensation guide.

Can I use an electric blanket with a memory foam topper? Check with both makers. Argos's Q&A quotes Silentnight saying its products are safe with its own toppers but that other brands should be checked with the manufacturer.

Can older people use electric blankets? Many do, and they can help. Choose simple controls, a timer and auto shut-off, and check the blanket every year. Don't use one if the person can't feel heat properly or use the controls safely, and never use one with emollient creams or an air-flow pressure mattress.

Sources