The best electric blankets — also known as heated blankets — are a cozy improvement on a traditional throw blanket, providing direct warm to keep you toasty in the coldest conditions. In addition to efficient warming, electric blankets should feature intuitive controls and safety features like automatic shut-off and a timer.
We talked to safety experts and tested several electric blankets to make our top picks. The best overall electric blanket is the Beautyrest Zuri Faux Fur Heated Throw, a gorgeous, soft throw with impressive heating capabilities. If you're on a budget, we recommend the Bedsure Ribbed Heated Blanket, which balances performance with affordability.
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Our top picks for the best electric blankets
Best overall: Beautyrest Zuri Faux Fur Heated Throw - See at Amazon
Best budget: Bedsure Ribbed Heated Blanket - See at Amazon
Best king-sized: Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece - See at Amazon
Best smart: Sunbeam Wi-Fi Connected Loftec Electric Heated Blanket - See at Amazon
Best weighted: Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth Weighed Throw Blanket - See at Amazon
Best overall
With its thick faux fur nap, you may never want to stash this Beautyrest blanket away in a drawer, and it has a surprisingly powerful heat output, too.
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This beauty combines form and function. With impressive function and an attractive design, this option from Beautyrest is our pick for the best electric blanket. If you're going for a luxe option that doesn't look like an electric blanket, look no further than this stunning throw — and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by the substance behind it. Beautyrest is a Serta brand, so the quality is on par with their mattresses and other products. The beautiful and ultra-soft microfiber fabric is Oeko-Tex certified. It's available in several colors and patterns, but the Snow Leopard that we tested fits well with just about any decor and looks great draped over an armchair, which we can't say for all electric blankets.
It's so soft and holds up to wear. It's as soft as it looks, with an inner lining that is a shorter, smoother version of the faux fur, which adds an extra layer of coziness to being wrapped up in this blanket. It still looked and worked great after machine washing. It's the best faux fur electric blanket we tested.
It heats quickly and features automatic shut-off. Regarding performance, this blanket was one of our tests' fastest and hottest heating. It only has three temperature settings but doesn't dip below 70 degrees, even at the lowest. The cord is a comfortable length, and the controller is unobtrusive and easy to use. There is also a two-hour auto shut-off that works flawlessly. This is a safe bet if you want a cozy electric blanket that you don't have to hide in the closet between uses.
But you can feel the wires through the blanket. One thing we will note, however, is that this blanket is thin, and the wires can be felt through the fabric. Feeling the wires isn't entirely uncomfortable, but does disrupt the illusion of being wrapped up in furs. That doesn't detract from the heat this blanket throws off, though.
Best budget
With its unique texture, design and six heat settings that work efficiently, this Bedsure heated blanket is truly a value.
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This blanket is surprisingly high-quality for the price. Although it was the least expensive of the electric blankets we tested, the Bedsure Ribbed Heated Blanket was comparable in every way, from the soft, dual-sided fabric — the outside is super soft microfiber, and the interior is premium sherpa — to the even heating wire distribution. The Bedsure Ribbed Heated Blanket has six heat settings that all heat in under two minutes and hold heat at a steady temperature. This was also the warmest of all the blankets we tried.
I love the ribbed design and intuitive controls. The blanket is lightweight enough not to feel bulky but still plush enough to feel cozy, and the ribbed design is unique and appealing. It's also practical, as it can be machine washed, which you'll need to do at some point if you use it as much as we suspect you will. The control module is also unobtrusive and well-designed, with an easy-to-use format (just three buttons) and an easy-to-read LED display. The 6-foot-long cord makes this electric blanket accessible from any outlet, and you can set an auto shut-off for between one and four hours for the throw and up to eight hours for the larger sizes.
Best king-sized
The Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece heated blanket is available in all bed sizes, but we particularly like it for those looking for a large king-size blanket, thanks to dual controls and a thin but warm design that makes it easier to store when not in use.
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It's lightweight and warms quickly. This classic Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece blanket is like a favorite fleece you can plug in and heat up. It's thin, which is great because, at this size, anything bulky would be a chore to manage, clean, and store. Despite its size, it consistently warms in minutes, thanks to Sunbeam's Thermofine wiring system.
Choose from 12 heat settings. If you struggle to find the just-right temperature, this blanket could be a good choice since it allows you to select more incrementally. An adjustable auto-off timer allows you to select any length from 1 to 12 hours.
I appreciate the long cord. The Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece also features an exceptionally long cord, which gives you a bit more room to maneuver. This is especially useful if you use it as a bedspread so you don't get tangled up in wiring.
But the remote placement is inconvenient. The one area where there is room for improvement is the controller, which is round, a bit bulky, and placed far from the blanket and closer to the plug. The remote placement isn't ideal, but this is still an excellent all-purpose electric blanket that warms a large surface area.
Best smart
The Sunbeam WiFi-enabled blanket can be pre-programmed, pre-heated, and controlled with your phone for the ultimate in convenience and warmth
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You can control this blanket with the accompanying app. The Sunbeam Connected Heated Blanket has several features that set it apart from the other blankets we tested. Most notably, it can be controlled using your smartphone and the Sunbeam app to turn it on and adjust the heat settings. It also works with Google Assistant or Alexa to change settings using voice commands. That alone is super convenient — you can preheat your blanket on your way home so it's toasty the second you walk in the door — but the larger sizes of this blanket also have dual temperature control zones so if you have two sleepers under it, each can set their preferred temperature and be comfortable, which is a revelation.
I loved the preheat and schedule features. Using the app also allows you to preheat your blanket or schedule it each night at a certain time, so you don't have to remember that you always have a warm, cozy blanket ready and waiting for you. You can also program the times to turn the blanket off at a designated time, even better than an auto-shutoff because it gives you all the control.
It maintains a consistent temperature. And true to its smart designation, this blanket also rated the most consistent in our testing, with the least temperature fluctuations, and achieved a comfortable top-end temp of 84 F. It had even heat, and the temperature zones responded well. The blanket is well made and fluffy, with a furry texture on the outside and a more fleece-like one inside, but it sheds a little bit.
Best weighted
The Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth blanket combines 13 pounds of weight with heat for the ultimate cozy experience.
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Weighted electric blankets are the pinnacle of coziness. If you think electric blankets are cozy, wait until you add weight to the equation. The Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth Weighted Throw Blanket combines the best of both worlds, making it the top electric option in our best weighted blankets guide. It's so comforting that when reporter James Brains tried testing it, his wife couldn't bear to part with it.
It's small yet so comfy. This 13-pound blanket features dual-sided comfort with plush sherpa on one side and micro mink on the other (we especially loved the sherpa side). While its 52-inch-by-60-inch dimensions may not cover you from head to toe, it's ideal for snuggling up during your latest streaming binge. The weight comes from glass beads, offering just enough pressure to feel secure without being overwhelmed.
It's full of settings and safety features. The heating function has four settings ranging from warm to high, with the highest setting quickly reaching a toasty 105 degrees. Safety features include a two-hour auto shut-off, and the generous 9-foot power cord means you won't need an extension cord to stay plugged in. Pure Enrichment backs its product with a reassuring five-year warranty.
It's complicated to clean. The only drawback is the cleaning instructions are surprisingly complex, requiring a 6-inch-by-6-inch tag sewn into the blanket to explain them all. But given how rarely you'll need to clean it, this seems a small price to pay for such luxurious comfort.
What to look for
Choosing an electric blanket combines the intricacies of searching for great bed linens with a functional electrical device. Moreover, Joel Hawk, principal engineering manager for UL Solutions, which does third-party testing and certifications of electric blankets, said, "You can't always tell a lot just by looking at it. How well the internal heating elements work can be a mystery until you actually try them out." Here are some factors to consider when researching your purchase:
Third-party certification
"The number one recommendation from experts is to check that the blanket has been inspected by an independent testing laboratory, which ensures that it meets established safety standards," says Susan McKelvey, communications manager at the National Fire Protection Association.
This guide examined brands with UL, Intertek, or CSA certification, popular third-party safety certifications for consumer goods.
"This can be tough to tell with online purchases, but the product packaging should have a certifier logo printed somewhere on it," says Hawk. "That's an indication that a lab tested the product to make sure it meets a nationally recommended standard for similar products. Certification is voluntary, so if a product does not have it, you may be taking a risk."
Auto-shutoff
Another important safety consideration is an auto-shutoff feature or timer, which is useful should you want to sleep with your blanket. People always think of safety regarding electrical fires, said Hawk, but thermal burns from blankets set too high for too long are more common. Some heated blankets allow you to adjust the window of time the blanket remains on before auto-shutoff kicks in, so think about how long you will be using the blanket and whether you need flexibility in that feature.
Heat level
According to Hawk, national standards mandate that the surface temperature of a heated blanket may not exceed 149 degrees Fahrenheit, but our testing showed that most didn't even come close to being that hot. The temperature will be affected if a blanket is bunched up so that many wires converge in one place; however, it's best practice to lay a blanket as flat as possible and avoid doubling it. The blankets in our tests ranged from 3 heat levels to 12, so think about how sensitive you are to temperature and whether you want the ability to fine-tune it or are OK with simple controls.
Special features
Most blankets come with auto-shutoff standards, but others have features that make them compatible with wifi, so they can be controlled remotely or have dual temperature zones to accommodate more than one user at a time. Consider what you'll use and what is worth paying for. Some brands also offer wearable designs, battery-operated models for outdoor use, and foot pockets to keep feet cozy.
Materials
Most heated blankets are some form of polyester because it is inflammable and washable. But different blankets have different textures, so know if you want to cuddle up in something resembling flannel or feel cozier in a fleece or sherpa-style microfiber. The thickness of the fabric can also play a role: heavier blankets may make you feel too warm and are bulky to store, but too thin fabrics may have you noticing the heating wires.
Size
You want to consider not only the size and capacity of your blankets, which are available in throws and standard bedding sizes like twin, full, queen, and king sizes but also the cord. Shorter cords require you to use the blanket near an outlet and restrict movement. You'll also want to ensure the wires are evenly distributed throughout, especially in larger blankets, so you don't have cold spots.
How we tested the best electric blankets
We consulted Hawk and McKelvey about what to look for in an electric blanket and safety considerations. Based on those recommendations, we researched dozens of products on the market before choosing six to test. We used a ThermoWorks infrared thermometer to verify temperature settings and how well each blanket held its temperature at one, two, and three hours and confirmed if the auto-shut-off worked. We machine-washed each blanket and re-tested it to compare performance and fabric feel.
Electric Blanket FAQ
Are electric blankets safe?
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, electric blankets cause about 500 fires a year, and most of those are caused by older or improperly used products. Most electric blankets are perfectly safe when used according to manufacturer instructions. Don't use one if the cord is frayed, and avoid scrunching or doubling up the blanket to keep the wires from tangling or becoming damaged.
How do electric blankets work?
Most electric blankets use thin wires throughout to generate heat across the surface of the blanket.
How to care for an electric blanket?
You should refer to the manufacturer's instructions for care, but most electric blankets are machine washable, and some can even go in the dryer. They can also be spot-cleaned but should not be dry-cleaned. Keep them unplugged when not in use. If you need to store your electric blanket, unplug the cord from the blanket and fold or roll the blanket, being careful that no wires are pinched. You can store it in a box with the detached cord in a cool, dry place like a closet.
How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?
According to EnergyBot, the average electric blanket uses around 400 watts of power, costing an estimated $1 a month to run.
How long do electric blankets last?
Electric blankets usually last for five to ten years, but it depends on the blanket. Keep an eye out for signs of wear that indicate it's time for a replacement, like wire fraying, exposed wires, or inadequate heating.
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