To find the best electric blankets, we tested 27 popular models over a span of six months, evaluating them on quality, feel, effectiveness, heat, durability, ease of use, value, and bonus features like programmable timers and dual controllers. For expert safety advice, we spoke to Deerwester for tips on selecting and using electric blankets.
“When shopping for electric blankets, be sure to only purchase from reputable retailers,” says Brianne Deerwester, communications coordinator for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). “This helps you avoid counterfeits that may not have built-in safety features like those which have been certified and tested.”
An electric blanket is essential for anyone who loves to be extra cozy in cold weather, whether you're curling up reading a book, dozing off in a cloud-like bed, or staving off cold toes while circling a campfire. There’s nothing quite as cozy as bundling up in an electric blanket—especially during winter when temperatures plummet.
We appreciated the intuitive display, ease of set up, and softness of the material. The blanket’s adjustable timer settings stood out to us, as they aren’t available with every electric blanket. We didn’t love the silk border, though, as it lacked heating elements. Even so, we found that the blanket worked just as well after six months of use as it had when we first opened it.
This micro flannel electric blanket has a bevy of bonus features that make it stand out, along with 10 colorways and four sizes. The king and queen sizes feature dual control, a 10-hour automatic shut-off, eight heat settings, a programmable timer, and a 16-foot power cord with detachable plugs.
Unlike some other blankets on our list, this pick doesn’t have a plush or sherpa underside, so we wouldn’t expect it to be incredibly cozy without its heating function. Even so, we found that the soft fabric, warm temperature, and foot pockets made up for its thin material.
There’s no better feeling than being tucked into a warm blanket—and this option is the perfect companion to make any movie marathon, late-night reading session, or WFH setup indefinitely more snug. The included pocket at the bottom of the blanket will keep your feet toasty, while the heating element can fend off frigid temperatures. This Micro-Plush Heated Blanket also offers three temperature levels, which can be easily controlled with the LED remote. The blanket warmed an impressive 14 degrees in 15 minutes during our testing, bringing it to a high of 82.9 degrees. The blanket’s heating capabilities maintained consistently strong throughout the six-month testing period.
The thin material lacks the coziness of a plush blanket, and it is a bit difficult to unplug.
During our testing, this throw only reached a high of 78 degrees after 15 minutes, which is lower than some other heated blankets on our list. The borders also have no wires or heating element, so the warmth may not extend to the very edges of your blanket. If you’re in the market for an electric blanket that can crank upwards of 80, or even 90 degrees, you may want to opt for another option on our list. That said, the heft and material of the high pile faux shearling adds a layer of warmth for an overall cozy feel, and after six months of use, we found no changes in the blanket’s quality.
No need to hog your heated throw—the Woolrich Linden Electric Blanket is large enough for two people to snuggle up under. The mink is a flannel pattern reminiscent of a homey cabin, while the shearling underside adds softness and padding from the wires. This blanket features an attached controller to toggle between three temperature settings.
While this pick doesn’t offer some of the bonus features that pricier electric blankets have, it still provides ample warmth, auto-shutoff, and a handy remote to tailor the temperature to your liking. The CureCure Heated Blanket comes in various sizes and colors, so you can select the blanket that best suits your space.
Most electric blankets have a higher price tag than their non-heated counterparts—but finding a supremely comfortable and warm option doesn’t need to break the bank. We were impressed by the softness of the velour topside and sherpa underside, the even, comfortable distribution of wires, and the ease of cleaning of this blanket. After six months of use, there was no difference in the blanket’s appearance or performance.
The blanket’s high quality-quilted overstitching proved to be durable during our testing, and its weight provided ample comfort. Lying with the blanket made us feel as if we were sleeping on a cloud. We found the downy material cozy but not too stifling or warm, making this a good choice for those who want a comfortable, moderate amount of heat. The blanket stayed soft and maintained its heating capabilities, even after six months of use. With four sizes and 10 colorways to choose from, this pick is a perfect addition to just about any bed.
This electric blanket performed impressively in our Lab and received a nearly perfect overall score for its quality, feel, effectiveness, heat, durability, ease of use, and value. While this pick can’t crank up to 90 degrees, it has a super soft sherpa backing, 10 heat settings, a dual controller for the queen and king sizes, a programmable timer, and a memory function to preserve the time and temperature you last used.
It can’t heat up to a very high temperature, and the cord is a bit short.
Final Verdict
Our top pick is the Shavel Micro Flannel Sherpa Electric Blanket for its plush shearling underside, 10 heat settings, dual controller function, programmable timer, and memory function. In our lab testing this electric blanket received a nearly perfect score, making it a great addition to just about any home.
Our Testing Process
To find the best electric blankets on the market, we acquired 27 models and tested them in our Lab. We first evaluated the quality and construction of the blanket by spreading it out on a bed and inspecting it for loose threads, separated seams, snags, or other flaws. Then, we touched the blanket to gauge the quality of the materials, as well as whether it was smooth, scratchy, stiff, or had noticeable wires.
Next, we laid under the blanket and took note of the feel, comparing it to a regular blanket in terms of stiffness, heft, and comfortability. We also shook the blanket to see if it created any noise.
While powering on their blanket, we evaluated features like screens, buttons, brightness or display controls, and indicator lights, to determine overall ease of use. Each blanket has unique characteristics and controls, so we evaluated them based on their particular type.
For blankets with a single controller, we used an IR thermometer to take a temperature reading under the blanket before heating and again in 15 minutes after setting it to its highest temperature. We assessed whether the blanket successfully reached its highest temperature setting in 15 minutes or if the temperature was below the manufacturer’s specifications.
For blankets with dual controllers, we set one side to its lowest heat setting and the other to its highest heat setting. After 15 minutes, we recorded the temperature under each side of the blanket and laid underneath to see if the difference was noteworthy. We also laid in the middle of the blanket to see if there was any gap between the heating zones. Like with the single controller testing, we also noted whether the blanket reached its highest temperature within 15 minutes.
Blankets with a programmable shut-off timer were assessed on whether the function worked as expected by setting the timer to its lowest period alongside a separate timer on their phone. We noted whether the blanket turned off or stayed on after the elapsed period.
We also tested machine-washable blankets for durability after a wash and dry, looking for loose threads, separating seams, snags, holes, pilling, or any other signs of damage. After inspecting the blanket for wear, we turned on the heating function to compare its pre-wash performance. We also measured the blanket before and after washing to see if any shrinkage occurred.
For blankets that were spot clean only, we poured one tablespoon of coffee on the blanket and let it sit for 30 seconds. We then blotted the area with a cool, wet towel to see if the stain lifted—if it didn’t, we proceeded to treat it with a Tide pen.
After the lab tests were completed, we looked at the retail price of their product. We evaluated the price in conjunction with the electric blanket's performance during tests to assess the overall value of the product.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
How to Shop for Electric Blankets Like a Pro
Size
Do you plan to use an electric blanket as a cozy throw on your living room couch? Or do you plan to snuggle up in bed with your blanket during the most frigid months? Depending on how you want to use your electric blanket, consider the size that would be most effective for your purposes. For beds, we recommend finding a duvet-sized option that can cover the entirety of your mattress. If you only want an electric blanket for late-night movie marathons or to drape over your lounge chair, then a throw-size blanket fits the bill.
Material
We’ve rounded up a range of comfortable and cozy materials including plush microfiber, shearling, fleece, and flannel blankets. You can tailor your final selection based on your existing decor and comfort preferences—some blankets are thinner, while other, more downy options are prime for a fuzzy and toasty electric blanket.
Cleaning
Finding an electric blanket that is machine-washable is much easier than it used to be—many options can be tossed in the laundry (after detaching cords and carefully reading the manufacturer’s instructions, of course). That said, some electric blankets are still spot clean only, so if you’re prone to messes or like to frequently launder your bedding, a machine-washable option might be best for you.
Certifications
The two most common certifications are UL and ETL—both ensure that your electric blanket is safe to use, as both ratings are Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL). “When purchasing electronics, including electric blankets, be sure to only purchase those which have been certified and tested by an NRTL,” says Brianne Deerwester, communications coordinator for the Electrical Safety Foundation International. “NRTLs test and certify electrical equipment and other products to ensure that they meet current safety standards and are safe with proper use.”
Safety should be a primary concern when selecting your electric blanket, and the best way to find a reliable, tested product is to search for these two safety ratings. All of the electric blankets we recommend have one of these certifications.
Bonus Features
More Electric Blankets to Consider
True North by Sleep Philosophy Arielle Electric Metallic Print Throw: We were impressed by this throw’s thorough heat distribution and intuitive, sleek controls. The fabric felt a bit thin, though, and the sparkly, metallic design may be an acquired taste.
Westinghouse Silky Flannel Lined Electric Blanket: This ETL-certified blanket feels high-quality, but we didn’t love the long and easily tangled cords. While the high heat settings were very effective, the lower heat settings felt barely noticeable.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Questions You Might Ask
Is it ok to leave my electric blanket on all night?
Experts agree that electric blankets should not be left on all night—which is why timer functions and auto-off features come in handy. If you plan on falling asleep with your electric blanket we recommend ensuring that it has one of these two features for safety. According to Deerwester: “Heating appliances should never be left unattended or used while sleeping.”
Can you put a blanket on top of an electric blanket?
To avoid any fire and safety hazards, do not put anything on top of your electric blanket when it’s in use. “When covered by anything, including other blankets or pets, electric blankets may overheat,” says Deerwester. “Heating appliances should never be left unattended or used while sleeping.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Quinn Gawronski, associate commerce editor for Real Simple, who has three years of experience writing and editing product reviews and roundups, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To find the best electric blankets we tested 27 popular models over a span of six months, and evaluated them on quality, feel, effectiveness, heat, durability, ease of use, value, and bonus features like programmable timers and dual controllers. For expert tips, we consulted Brianne Deerwester, communications coordinator for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
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