The 8 Best Electric Blankets of 2019

• 01 of 08

  Best Overall: Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket

  

  Good

  Buy on AmazonBuy on Walmart

  

  Sunbeam is one of the best electric blanket brands, and their Quilted Fleece Blanket is one of our favorite picks from them. This model comes in twin, full, queen, and king sizes, and you can choose from a few plain colors, as well. The fleece blanket has “channels” sewn into it, so it keeps the wires in place, and the ThermoFine technology is designed to deliver consistent, evenly distributed heat all night long. 

  This heated blanket comes with ten heat settings so you can choose the right amount of warmth, and it automatically shuts off after ten hours, so you don’t need to worry if you forget to turn it off when you get out of bed. The blanket is machine washable and dryer safe, unlike many electric blankets.

  Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket Review

  A high-quality normal blanket will keep you warm, too—check out our guide to the best comforters you can buy.

• 02 of 08

  Best Budget: Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket, Microplush

  

  Very Good

  Buy on Amazon

  

  If you’re not sure if you’ll like an electric blanket, you may not want to splurge on a high-end model—instead, consider the Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket. This affordable heated blanket is on the smaller side, but it’s a good option for occasional use or those testing out the technology. 

  This heated blanket is designed to be used as a throw, and the ultra-soft fabric is made from polyester. It uses ThermoFine technology to deliver even heat, and the controller has three different settings to choose from. The blanket automatically shuts off after three hours, and if it gets dirty, you can simply clean it in the washing machine and dryer. Reviewers say this blanket is the perfect size to use on the couch, and many love how soft and cozy it is. 

  Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw Blanket Review
• 03 of 08

  Best High-End: SoftHeat Luxury Micro-Fleece Electric Heated Blanket

  Good

  Buy on Amazon

  

  If you're willing to spend a little more for the best heated blanket, you’ll get more features and better performance. In particular, the SoftHeat by Perfect Fit Low-Voltage Heated Blanket delivers a better user experience thanks to its super-fine wires and gentle heat—however, it has a higher price tag to match. 

  This fleece blanket uses low-voltage technology, which makes it safer for pets and if it ever gets wet. It’s available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes, as well as a variety of plain colors, and the larger sizes boast dual controllers so you can share it with a partner. You won’t even be able to feel the thin wires as you lie under this blanket, yet it still delivers cozy, consistent heat.

  SoftHeat Micro Fleece Warming Blanket Review
• 04 of 08

  Best Heated Throw Blanket: Sunbeam Reversible Sherpa/Mink Heated Throw

  

  Buy on Amazon

  

  There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a cozy heated blanket, like the Sunbeam Heated Throw. This super-comfy electric blanket has sherpa fabric on one side and (faux) royal mink on the other, and it has three temperature settings so you can choose your ideal warmth. 

  This throw blanket is ideal for couch use, as it measures 50 x 60 inches, and it features a three-hour automatic shut-off function. It can be cleaned in the washer and dryer, and its ThermoFine warming system senses and adjusts to provide you with consistent warmth. According to reviewers, this blanket is undeniably plush and cozy, but some do say you can feel the wires through the fabric.

  Continue to 5 of 8 below.
• 05 of 08

  Best King Size: L.L. Bean Heated Blanket

  

  Buy on L.L.Bean

  

  For a comfortable and high-quality heated blanket for your king-size bed, you have to get the L.L. Bean Heated Blanket. Yes, it’s up there in price, but you won’t be disappointed in all this electric blanket has to offer. In addition to dual controllers, this king-size heated blanket has ultra-thin wires, a pre-heat option, and patented Intellisense technology that prevents hot or cold spots. 

  There are several layers to this heated blanket, including a super-plush top layer, an inner insulating layer, and a velvety bottom layer. Together, they keep you toasty warm all night, even when you have the blanket on a lower setting. There are five heat options to choose from, as well as a “pre-heat” setting that gets your bed nice and warm before you get into it.

• 06 of 08

  Best Minimal Wiring: Serta Soft Heat Luxe Plush Low-Voltage Heated Blanket

  Buy on Amazon

  

  One common complaint about heated blankets is that you can feel the wires when using them—it kind of feels like you’re wrapped up in a fishing net. If you hate this feeling, you may want to consider a product like the Serta Soft Heat Low-Voltage Heated Blanket, which features super-thin wires that are nearly undetectable during use for a more comfortable experience. 

  The high-end Serta Heated Blanket uses low-voltage wires that are safe in the presence of moisture and for pets to sleep on. You can choose from twin, full, queen, or king sizes, and the larger options come with dual zones for customizable heat. The microplush fabric is soft and cozy to the touch, and the thin wires are designed to provide even heat distribution without being bulky. 

  Check out our guide to the best blankets you can buy today.

• 07 of 08

  Best Dual-Control: Biddeford Microplush with Sherpa Electric Blanket

  

  Buy on Target

  

  It can be tough to share an electric blanket with your partner, especially if you can’t agree on the same heat level. If you have this issue, you can both get the heat you want with a dual-control blanket like the Biddeford Microplush Electric Blanket. This cozy blanket is surprisingly affordable, and the queen and king sizes come with two controllers for dual heat zones. 

  The Biddeford Electric Blanket has a soft microplush fabric on one side and a cozy sherpa on the other. It offers ten heat settings, as well as a ten-hour shut-off for safety. It can even be cleaned in the washer and dryer.

  See more reviews of our favorite throw blankets available for purchase.

• 08 of 08

  Best Mattress Pad: Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad

  Buy on Amazon

  

  Don’t like having a heated blanket on top of you? Then you might prefer a heated mattress pad, like this one from Sunbeam. This quilted mattress pad comes in twin, full, queen, and king sizes, and it fits onto your mattress, helping to soothe sore muscles and keep you warm throughout the night. 

  This heated mattress pad has dual controllers on the larger sizes, making it ideal for use with a partner, and it comes with ten heat settings. It has a ten-hour automatic shut off, and the skirt fits onto mattresses up to 18 inches deep. It comes with a preheat setting, and reviewers say the mattress pad is helpful for reducing sore muscles and other aches and pains. Many say it allows them to turn down the heat in the winter, saving energy while staying warm in bed!

  Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best-heated mattress pads.

Products Tested by The Spruce

How We Tested

We bought three of our readers’ favorite electric blankets that our reviewers tested for nine hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these blankets, from their comfort and size to their temperature. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in an Electric Blanket

Material If your heated blanket is warm but scratchy, you may not enjoy using it as much. Fortunately, many heated blankets on the market now are made with soft microfiber fabrics that feel cozy to the touch or sherpa-style blankets that are fuzzy and warm. In addition to the comfort, the big upside to these polyester microfiber blankets is that most are machine washable for easy care.

Size Consider whether you want an electric blanket for your bed or just for lounging around the house. A comforter-size electric blanket, while practical for sleeping, may overwhelm your couch or sitting space, while also being less energy efficient. There are many heated blankets the size of your average throw blanket available. On the other hand, if you want an electric blanket to warm your whole bed, there are all sizes from Twin to King on the market.

Dual temperature control If you’ll be sharing your electric blanket with someone else, it makes sense to look for a version that has dual temperature control. This means that you and a fellow snuggler will each have control over half the blanket so that no one is too hot or too cold. Dual temperature controls are becoming more common, but typically cost more than single temperature zone versions.

Test Results: Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket (Best Overall)

Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Dual controllers

• Soft fleece

• Durable

What We Don't Like

• Slow to heat

• Bulky controllers

“If you plan on using a heated blanket overnight and share a bed, this is worth buying,” one of our testers declared. In addition to the convenient ten-setting dual controllers, our reviewers liked the quality of the fabric and overall aesthetic. “The fleece is soft but durable and washes well,” one of our testers revealed. In terms of negatives, our reviewers said the blanket was slow to heat up (about 10 minutes) and the two sides didn’t heat evenly. One of our testers also didn’t like that the controllers were bulky and the inner coils of the blanket were noticeable.

Test Results: Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw (Best Budget)

Very Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Warms up in seconds

• Heat distributes evenly

• Good value

What We Don't Like

• Low-quality fabric

• Not visually appealing

Our testers liked this electric blanket for its convenience and quick heating. “The setup process is simple, there aren't too many cords in the way, it has just three settings, and it's the right size for lounging on the couch,” raved one of our reviewers. On the flip side, our testers described the fabric as “low quality.” One of our reviewers observed, “Although soft, it isn't a throw you'd want to decorate your couch with.” The overall takeaway? “[It’s] most practical for everyday use,” according to one of our testers.

Test Results: Soft Heat Luxury Micro-Fleece Electric Heated Blanket (Best High-End)

Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Super comfortable

• Thick, high-quality fleece

• Automatic shut-off

What We Don't Like

• Slow to heat

• Only one controller

According to our testers, this blanket is superior in comfort. “The wires are so thin, you can't even detect them,” one of our reviewers raved. “The micro-fleece is soft and the blanket is thick and high quality,” she added. Safety was another major plus for our testers. In addition to being low voltage, the blanket automatically shuts off after 10 hours. On the other hand, reviewers didn’t like how slow the blanket heated: “It took 5-10 minutes to even notice the heat, even when I had it on the highest heat setting,” one of our testers observed. One of our reviewers also mentioned certain sections of the blanket got much hotter than others.