There were nine settings for feet and body, ranging from boiling-hot nine to barely noticeable one; four or five was optimal for me. The timer has four settings: one, five, eight and 12 hours.

On testing we also found that the over blanket was far preferred by our night-sweat suffering reviewers. Every electric blanket we've tested uses polyester wadding to soften and protect the cables, which our hot sleepers found could make them overheat compared to their usual natural material-filled mattress toppers. In comparison to a strapped-on under blanket, the over blanket could be positioned between the duvet and bed sheet to warm up the bed and get things toasty, and then whipped off once the chill had gone from the bed, making for a better night's sleep. On top of that, this luxury option comes with plenty of added features, including 6 temperature settings –the highest of which makes this one of the hottest heated blankets we've tested, and allows a super speedy 5-minute warm-up time (most blankets take up to 15 minutes to reach optimum heat). There are dual-controls so that two sleepers can toggle their preferred heat independently and an auto shut-off timer with 1, 3, and 9-hour settings so that you don't have to worry about switching off the blanket before you fall asleep. The only downside is that those higher temperature settings do mean more energy usage, with this blanket using 150W on each side, compared to an average of 70W.Adding an electric blanket between your body and the mattress top will prevent the memory foam from being able to mould around your body, so it can impact how comfortable you find your mattress.

Yes, as long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. Make sure that the electric blanket you buy has the BEAB safety mark and be sure to read the manufacturer's guidance before you use the blanket and follow any safety precautions. Better blankets have elastic skirting but cheaper models use straps, which can be fiddly. More timing options and heat settings can also make a difference. The best electric blankets let you set different temperatures for your upper and lower body (since feet tend to get colder). If you sleep with a partner, look out for the dual control function, which allows one side of the bed to heat up independently to another. If you have a memory foam mattress don't think that means a chilly bed though. A good solution is to opt for a heated overblanket instead of an underblanket. They're a little harder to come by, but as an overblanket fits between you and your duvet you'll eliminate any issues with a memory foam topper or mattress.This electric heated poncho from Lakeland is made from super cosy fleece which adds a welcome layer of insulation all by itself, but turn on the heat and you have 9 temperature settings to toggle between to find your perfect warmth setting.

The head section of the heated mattress topper isn't wired, but the rest of the cover is, meaning this is one of the few under blankets that heats every inch of your bed, including the very bottom section of the mattress which makes for warmer feet. The full coverage also makes for an even sleeping surface, without the lumps and bumps that can occur with quilted electric blankets that only partially cover the mattress. The electric blanket has six heat settings that cost between less than 1p and 8p per hour to use, and three timer options of one, three or nine hours. It connects to a mains plug but has dual control so you and anyone you share a bed with can control your own heat settings. If you're looking for the cheapest way to save on arguments with your other half, then this is one of the most affordable dual-control electric blankets we've come across.Because it fits the entire width of the mattress, it's also one of our top choices if you're a single sleeper in a double or king-sized bed, and the ability to only turn on one half of the blanket is a useful energy-saving feature if your partner is often away. Compared to Dreamland's 'Boutique Heated Underblanket' at the top of this list, this cheaper dual-operated electric blanket does feel a lot more basic, with no quilted padding and far fewer control options, however, it's also a lot less money.First, you need to decide whether you want an electric blanket, which sits between your mattress and bedsheet, or an electric throw, which can be used for sleeping under or snuggling under on the sofa. That’s the first way to narrow down your search. Other things to consider are material, which could be fleece, polyester or velvet, for example, and size meaning single, double or king.

The size is perfect to cover a single person on the sofa, or for wrapping around you while you work from home and are trying to save on your heating bill, although we would like to see a larger version that fits two on the couch. Costing just pennies to run, it's a great solution for keeping out the chill whilst keeping heating costs low. Whilst the cheapest electric blanket will generally do the job of heating up the bed before you get in, spending a little more money generally means you get a more comfortable sleep and greater control over temperatures and shut-off times. Here are our top tips for what to look out for before you shop. I found that some cheaper blankets had a tendency to come lose or crease up when I moved around at night; this one was fine. I liked the feature that adds extra heat to the area around your feet: in all honesty, I found in general keeping my feet snug and warm quite nice, whereas too much heat on my body made me feel stuffy and affected my sleep. The perfect blanket to snuggle up under on the couch after a long day, it can also be laid over the bed for some added warmth, although with its 150W energy usage it's not quite as economical a way to heat a bed as the under blankets in this edit. To calculate how much it will cost to run an electric blanket you need to understand the cost per unit of electricity. From July 2023, the cost per pence/kWh of electricity will be approximately 30p.For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. High-resistance wires – these days often made of carbon fibre – heat up as an electrical current passes through them. The heat is transferred via fireproof plastic coating to the bedlinen itself. Your blanket will come with a plug (or two if it’s dual-control), which usually extends to around a metre or so. Attach it to your mattress via its straps or elastic skirt, place your sheet over it, and then make your bed as usual. Make sure your duvet fully covers the bed so as not to dissipate the heat. To find the right electric blanket for you it’s well worth understanding the different types of heated blankets available, and how each type works, before you shop.