Can you wash an electric blanket?

Most electric blankets on the market today are machine-washable—just make sure you detach the power cord before throwing it in the wash. Some can be dried in a dryer, though others are designed to be air-dried. Read the directions thoroughly before washing an electric blanket, and always follow the manufacturer's care recommendations.

Are electric blankets safe?

"Electric blankets are safe to use at home," Floyd tells The Spruce, "but an electric blanket is an electrical appliance." For this reason, he urges you to always read the manual before using one, as it will explain how to identify damage and prevent potential hazards. Additionally, Floyd advises against buying a used electric blanket. "You do not know how the blanket has been cared for, and there may be hidden damage. An old blanket may not include the latest safety features required by current product safety standards."

How much energy does an electric blanket use?

Generally speaking, electric blankets don't use up very much energy. They tend to consume about 100 watts on average, which would run you somewhere around $0.11 in electrical costs per hour of use. Lots of folks use heated blankets during the winter months as a way to stay warm and keep their energy bill at a minimum .

The 8 Best Electric Blankets of 2021

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Commerce Photo Composite — The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

A regular blanket helps you stay warm, but the right blanket—a heated blanket, to be specific—can keep you warmer. Whether you tend to sleep cold, are looking for ways to cut down on your heating bill, want to stay toasty while you work out fresh patio heating ideas, or just like to be extra cozy at home, an electric blanket is an excellent choice.

Electric blankets consist of heat-resistant outer fabrics (like polyester or acrylic) with internal coil wires that work as an integrated heating system. They come in various sizes and styles and usually plug into the wall, though you can also find battery-powered options. Some boast dual temperature controls, pre-heat options, and other handy settings. But since you're essentially snuggling up with an electrical heater, safety is crucial.

"Like other electrical appliances in your home, such as toasters, table lamps, computers, and cord-powered tools, if damaged or used improperly, cord-powered appliances and tools have the risk of causing a dangerous electric shock or causing a fire," says H. Landis "Lanny" Floyd, a professional engineer, certified safety professional, and adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Newer models are generally safe to use, and most have an automatic shutoff feature. But to cover all your electrical-safety bases, Floyd recommends looking for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label, which certifies a heated blanket meets the latest safety standards. With all this in mind, we scoured the Internet to find the safest, comfiest, coziest options for every budget.

Here, the best electric blankets.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Beautyrest Ribbed Microfleece Blanket at Amazon

With a ribbed exterior and 20 different heat settings, this blanket is both stylish and functional.

Read Review

Best Budget:

Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket at Amazon

Designed to be used as a throw, this affordable blanket heats evenly and feels soft and cozy.

Read Review

Best for Sleeping:

True North by Sleep Philosophy Ultra Soft Heated Blanket at Amazon

This blanket includes a pre-heating feature to get your bed all warm and cozy for you before climbing in.

Read Review

Best Battery Operated:

POP Design Portable USB Heated Throw Blanket at Amazon

Designed with portability in mind, this blanket is ideal for on-the-go or travel as it conveniently charges via USB.

Read Review

Best Dual Control:

Degrees of Comfort Advanced Dual Control Electric Blanket at Amazon

This blanket has two different controls, so it's perfect for snuggling with a partner and it's free of almost all EMF radiation.

Read Review

Best Weighted:

Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth Throw Blanket at Amazon

Weighing 13 lbs and featuring four heat settings, this blanket has all the benefits of a weighted blanket and the coziness of a heated.

Read Review

Best for Cold Feet:

Zircon CosyQuilt Electric Blanket Heated Throw with Foot Pocket at Amazon

This blanket has a built-in foot pocket to keep your feet nice and toasty all night. It's also machine-washable.

Read Review

Best Throw:

L.L.Bean Wicked Cozy Heated Throw at L.L.Bean

This blanket has the look of a chic throw and the warmth of a heated blanket. It's both a decorative accent and practical.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Standout Features
Why Trust The Spruce

View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Jcpenney.com

Material: Polyester | Size: 90 x 84 inches (Queen) | Timer: 10 hour auto shut off | Settings: 20 | Features: None

What we like

20 temperature settings
Auto-shutoff feature
Machine-washable
Four sizes available

What we don't like

Relatively pricey

With 20 temperature settings and flexible wires that ensure a comfy feel, Beautyrest's Heated Microfleece Blanket is tough to beat. It comes in four standard bedding sizes: twin, full, queen, and king. The twin and full sizes have one controller, and the larger options have two. This means you and your cuddle partner can each adjust one side to your preferred temperature.

The ribbed microfleece fabric is incredibly soft and snuggly. It's machine-washable, too—just unplug the cord and toss it in your washer. We also like that it has a 10-hour automatic shutoff feature and uses cutting-edge technology to eliminate electromagnetic emissions.

The 8 Best Heated Mattress Pads of 2021

Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw, Royal Blue, TSM8US-R505-32A00

3.6

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw Blanket Review

Material: Polyester | Size: 50 x 60 inches | Timer: 3 hour auto shut off | Settings: 3 | Features: None

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Auto-shutoff feature
Machine-washable
Five-year warranty

What We Don't Like

Only one size available
Relatively small

On a budget? Don't let that stop you from creating a cozy environment at home. While the super-soft Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw is easy on your bank account, the design is far from subpar.

It boasts three heat settings, auto-adjusting temperature, and an automatic shutoff feature. This electric blanket is also machine-washable and backed by a five-year warranty.

What Testers Say

"This blanket is affordable, and frankly, it looks affordable. We could feel the wires used for heating throughout the blanket but didn’t find them uncomfortable. The material is flexible and, in our experience, molds well to your body, whether you’re sitting up, working on your laptop, or lying down watching a movie."—Nina Ruggiero, Product Tester

True North by Sleep Philosophy Ultra Soft Heated Blanket

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Material: Polyester | Size: 84 x 90 inches (Queen) | Timer: 10 hour auto shut off | Settings: 20 | Features: Two controllers, pre-heat feature

What we like

Multiple sizes available
Auto-shutoff feature
Five-year warranty

What we don't like

Relatively expensive

If you want something to bring to bed, your best bet is the True North Ultra Soft Heated Blanket. It comes in four standard bedding sizes, so you can use it as your main duvet or anytime you need an extra layer of warmth.

This plush electric blanket boasts 20 heat settings and an automatic shutoff safety feature. We also appreciate that it's machine-washable and comes with a five-year warranty.

POP Design Portable USB Heated Throw Blanket

View On Amazon

Material: Polyester | Size: 37 x 55 inches | Timer: No | Settings: 3 | Features: Charges via USB

What we like

Rechargeable
Snap-up design
Reasonably priced
Comes in two neutral colors

What we don't like

Battery pack not included

Need a portable option to take on the go? You should definitely consider the USB Heated Throw Blanket from Pop Design. As its name suggests, it charges with any USB cable or a car charger. What's more, the double-stitched fabric is durable and machine-washable, and the snappable design makes it easy to cozy up on your next outdoor excursion.

The 12 Best Blankets of 2021

Degrees of Comfort Advanced Dual Control Electric Blanket

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Material: Polyester | Size: Not listed | Timer: Adjustable auto shut off 1-10 hours | Settings: 20 | Features: Dual control

What we like

Dual-zone controllers
Auto-shutoff feature
Five-year warranty

What we don't like

Smaller sizes don't have dual controls

If you want dual controls, get the queen size of this electric blanket from Degrees of Comfort. You and your snuggle buddy will each have an LCD controller with your choice of 20 heat settings.

With a UL certification, you can rest assured you're safe from burns, electromagnetic radiation, and electrical hazards. Once you disconnect the power cords, you can throw this blanket in the washer too.

The 14 Best Throw Blankets of 2021

Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth Throw Blanket

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Material: Micromink, Sherpa | Size: 50 x 60 inches | Timer: 2 hour auto shut off | Settings: 4 | Features: Weighted at 13 lbs

What we like

Weighted
Auto-shutoff feature
Five-year warranty

What we don't like

Not machine-washable

It's tough to say whether a heated blanket or a weighted throw is more comforting, but with Pure Enrichment's WeightedWarmth, you can have both. Thanks to premium glass beads evenly dispersed throughout the material, it provides about 13 pounds of gentle, relaxing pressure to complement the therapeutic heat.

The 7 Best Weighted Blankets of 2021

Zircon CosyQuilt Electric Blanket Heated Throw with Foo

View On Amazon

Material: Cotton, rayon | Size: 50 x 60 inches | Timer: 2 hour automatic shut off | Settings: 3 | Features: Built-in foot pocket

What we like

Budget-friendly
Foot pocket
Machine-washable

What we don't like

Foot pocket and cord pull at opposite ends

Cold toes? Reach for the Zircon CosyQuilt. This nifty electric blanket has a dedicated foot pocket to keep your toes tucked and toasty at all times. It's made of 90 percent cotton and 10 percent rayon with soft sherpa on one side and cozy flannel on the other. We also like that it's machine-washable, has an automatic shutoff feature, and is backed by a five-year warranty.

View On L.L.Bean

Material: Polyester | Size: 50 x 62 inches | Timer: Automatic shut off, hours not listed | Settings: 5 | Features: None

What we like

Auto-shutoff feature
Ultra-soft fabric

What we don't like

Short power cord

Looking for something on the smaller side? Check out the Wicked Cozy Heated Throw from L.L.Bean. Measuring 50 x 62 inches with a bulk-free design, it's pleasantly light, portable, and perfect for snuggling up on your couch or porch.

With loftmink on the back and PrimaLush polyester on the front, this electric blanket is as soft as it is warm. What's more, Intellisense technology guarantees even heating throughout, and an automatic-shutoff feature ensures it's never left on.

Final Verdict

Our number one pick is the Beautyrest Heated Ribbed Microfleece Blanket (view at Amazon). This ultra-comfy, machine-washable electric blanket has 20 temperature settings, an automatic shutoff feature, and dual controllers for the larger sizes. However, if you're looking for something more wallet-friendly, you can't go wrong with the Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw Blanket (view at Amazon), which has three heat settings, an auto-shutoff feature, and is backed by a five-year warranty.

SoftHeat Micro Fleece Warming Blanket — The Spruce / Jordan Provost

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, though 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 available. On the other hand, if you want an electric blanket to warm your whole bed, there's every size from twin to king on the market.

Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Heated Blanket — The Spruce / Lindsay Boyers

Automatic Shutoff

A majority of the heated blankets you can buy today have an automatic shutoff feature. This means that if you forget to power it down, it'll automatically turn off after a period. Some electric blankets turn off after two or three hours, but for those designed for sleeping, it's usually closer to 10 hours.

UL Label

"Make sure it includes labels from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another recognized national testing laboratory," says Floyd. "The label is an assurance the blanket complies with product safety standards. A standard safety feature is a control on the power cord that allows the user to adjust the temperature setting and turn the blanket off without unplugging the power cord."

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.

Pre-heat option

If you want your bed to be toasty warm before you get in, choose an electric blanket with a pre-heat option. This will ensure the bed has reached your desired temperature before you tuck in for the night.

Rechargeable battery

While most electric blankets must be plugged in during use, you can opt for a rechargeable battery-operated version if you want the flexibility to get cozy anywhere. This design is pricier, but if going cord-free is a priority, it's worth spending more on your new heated blanket.

FAQ

Can you wash an electric blanket?

Most electric blankets on the market today are machine-washable—just make sure you detach the power cord before throwing it in the wash. Some can be dried in a dryer, though others are designed to be air-dried. Read the directions thoroughly before washing an electric blanket, and always follow the manufacturer's care recommendations.
Are electric blankets safe?

"Electric blankets are safe to use at home," Floyd tells The Spruce, "but an electric blanket is an electrical appliance." For this reason, he urges you to always read the manual before using one, as it will explain how to identify damage and prevent potential hazards.
Additionally, Floyd advises against buying a used electric blanket. "You do not know how the blanket has been cared for, and there may be hidden damage. An old blanket may not include the latest safety features required by current product safety standards."
How much energy does an electric blanket use?

Generally speaking, electric blankets don't use up very much energy. They tend to consume about 100 watts on average, which would run you somewhere around $0.11 in electrical costs per hour of use. Lots of folks use heated blankets during the winter months as a way to stay warm and keep their energy bill at a minimum.

Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in lifestyle and home design. For this roundup, she spoke with a certified safety professional, looked at dozens of electric blankets from various brands and retailers, combed through user reviews, and researched the key features and specifications before making her final selections. Each product on this list has multiple heat settings, an auto-shutoff feature, and a soft feel. Theresa has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, where she covers home improvement, interior decor, and bedding.