The Best Electric Blankets of 2023, Tested by HGTV Editors
Stay warm while conserving energy with one of these electric blankets we tried and loved.
Our Top Heated Blanket Picks
- Best Overall: Serta Heated Throw Blanket
- Best for the Sofa: Pure Enrichment PureRelief Heated Throw Blanket
- Best for the Bed: Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket
Does your electricity bill creep up in the cold-weather months? Our solution: an electric blanket. Aside from the coziness factor, electric blankets can help save money on your energy bill and can help you sleep better at night, too. Just turning your thermostat down a few degrees — or completely off — at night can significantly decrease your energy consumption over time. Plus, electric blankets don’t use much energy themselves. Every blanket comes with a wattage listed on the manufacturer’s tag, and the higher the wattage and heat setting, the more energy it uses. (FYI: The average single electric blanket requires about 60 watts.) The cost to use an electric blanket versus running central heating? Pennies. This makes it a particularly appealing solution during the winter months.
There are a few notable features we considered to make our recommendations below: automatic shut-off, machine-washable material, easy-to-use remote control settings and aesthetics (does it look good?). Automatic shut-off is the most important factor to consider if you plan on using your electric blanket in bed. (Never leave your heated blanket on overnight, as it can become a fire hazard.) We recommend warming up your bed with your electric blanket before you get in, so you can turn it off before falling asleep. From ease of use and care to cord length, we considered all of these things and more when choosing our top electric blanket picks.
Serta’s 100-watt heated throw blanket is perfect for cozying up and staying warm during the winter months. The ultra-soft material is made from brushed microplush (in 13 hues) that reverses to a plush sherpa lining that looks good and feels good. The 50-by-60-inch size is ideal for a single user, but two can squeeze in and share the warmth. The easy-to-use controller has two buttons — Power and Heat — with five heat settings, making it easy to adjust and maintain your perfect comfort level. (During testing, we found that four was the magic number.) For added safety, the blanket comes with a four-hour automatic shut-off feature, giving you peace of mind as you relax — day or night. We also love that it’s machine-washable (warm, gentle cycle) and can be tossed in the dryer on low heat, too. While the microplush exterior isn't the most aesthetically pleasing, it is small enough to fold up and store away in its zippered bag when you're not using it.
Our Editor Says: "I'm a hot-natured person, but I found myself taking this blanket from room to room as cool, fall temperatures hit. It's perfect for wrapping up while working, watching TV on the sofa and laying in bed reading. I'm hooked!"
The best part about this heated blanket? It’s pretty enough to drape over the sofa. Pure Enrichment’s PureRelief electric throw blanket features a reversible design — anti-pill micromink on one side and sherpa on the other — with super-soft, luxe comfort on both sides. The material is so warm, you can use this blanket without even plugging it in. The built-in LED controller is a breeze to use with four heat settings — warm, low, medium and high — and a two-hour automatic shut-off to conserve energy and prevent excessive heating. The 100-watt blanket heats up quickly, but we found the controller to be sensitive to the touch, making it easy to accidentally shift between heat settings or power on/off. Just like our other picks, this 50-by-60-inch blanket is machine-washable (delicate cycle) and can be dried on low heat to help preserve the fabric’s softness and maintain its luxurious look and feel for years to come.
Our Editor Says: "I found this blanket to be cozy on its own, but the heated element made it even better."
A bed-sized electric blanket is perfect for those who want to share the heat with their partner but still maintain control over their preferred level of warmth. The Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket features an extra-soft channel design with a ThermoFine warming system that senses and auto-adjusts heat throughout the blanket to deliver cozy, consistent warmth. Sunbeam’s EasySet controller includes 10 heat settings so you can choose just the right amount of warmth for cold nights. Queen- and king-sized blankets actually come with dual controllers so each person can control their own side of the bed. Both controllers attach at one point on the blanket which can make the extra controller a bit cumbersome if one partner doesn’t want to use heat. We found that the low setting (one or two) was just enough to provide soothing warmth to fall asleep, but the medium settings would be perfect for those ultra-cold winter months. We love how lightweight this blanket is compared to other heated throws, making it perfect for year-round use. You can buy this blanket in four sizes, including twin and full, and it comes in seven neutral, earthy hues like acorn, mushroom, seashell and walnut.
Our Editor Says: "I really like how lightweight this blanket is (I'm not a weighted blanket person). It's probably the thing I like best about it! It's light yet the warmth makes it feel like it should be heavy. If you don’t like having a lot of bulky bedding on or around you when you’re sleeping, this blanket works great for that."
Can You Wash an Electric Blanket?
Yes, you can wash your electric blanket in the washing machine or hand-wash it. First, make sure the power cord is detached from the wall first, then disconnect the control cord from the blanket. Ensure that all cords are in place and have not worn through the fabric in any way. Once you've done that, you're ready to wash. Presoak the blanket for 15 minutes in mild soap and cold water. Wash on the delicate cycle for two minutes. Rinse in cold water. Spin dry in the washer, then reshape the blanket to its original size. Our recommendation is to line-dry your electric blanket. Ensure your blanket is completely dry before reconnecting the power plug or control plug.
