Slumberland Easy Fit Heated Mattress Cover - Kingsize

Product Information

The standard model comes with just one handset but you can upgrade to a dual control version so you won’t have to argue in bed about what temperature to put it on.

If you don't need dual-controls, then Silentnight's 'Comfort Control' electric blanket is one of the most affordable electric blankets on the market, and despite its no-frills design, we found it did the job of eliminating the chill and keeping the bed toasty more than adequately. Based on the above example, running an electric blanket will cost you around 24p a night (based on 8 hours of use). This is obviously significantly cheaper than having your central heating on all night, and for the average 70W or 80W blanket, you’re looking at even less. It’s made from cotton rather than synthetic materials like polyester. Cotton is a natural and breathable material which is seen as a posher material for bedding. Dual-controls–speaking of that elusive 'just right' temperature, if you’re going to be using an electric blanket on a shared double or king-size bed then we’d highly recommend paying a little more for a dual-controlled option. It's well worth it to avoid any arguments with your other half over temperature settings!

electric blanket faqs

Quilting or padding–basic electric blankets are formed from two thin polyester layers with electrical wires secured in the middle which can mean you'll feel the wires as you sleep. Look out for options that have quilted or padded upper layers for optimal comfort. HELPS PAINFUL JOINTS: If you suffer from sore and aching joints, you'll be aware that applying a heat source can be an excellent way to dull the pain. Using a warm electric blanket can make you more comfortable, reducing aches and pains Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. What’s more, the generous padding and 180-thread cotton count cover give you a luxury feel even when the heating’s off. Put it all together and you’ve got a terrific topper for the cold months, but one you might want to keep in place the whole all year round. You can choose from a fleecy version or a less-fleecy version which both cost about the same and are available as single, double or king size heated blankets. If you really want to, you can get one that works with an app and with Alexa. The idea is that you control it from your phone or shout at it from across the room to annoy the neighbours.

If you want a heated throw that's going to add a touch of luxe to the living room, whether it's keeping you warm or just draped over the sofa, then this faux fur heated blanket could be the one for you –just don't delay as it's selling out fast. 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. 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.

The verdict: Electric blankets

All electric blankets warm your bed, but they differ in how long they take to heat up and how much control you have over the temperature. Some take under five minutes to warm up, while others take substantially longer. That’s not necessarily a problem if your blanket has a timer and your bedtimes are regular, but it’s worth thinking about. The main problem with using an electric blanket on a mattress with a memory foam upper is that memory foam is designed to mould to your body to add cushioning support, and it's partially your body heat that helps it to hug your contours as you sink into the mattress. It’s probably more suited to someone who likes a gadget rather than someone who just wants a simple electric blanket. Pros:low price considering the multiple settings, dual controls, heats in zones rather than all the same, Dreamland's Scandi Sherpa Electric Underblanket scores highly with us because it's one of the few electric blankets that offers a super comfortable sleep surface, dual-controls so that each side of a double, king or super king bed can be warmed independently, a wide range of temperature settings, and an auto-shut off timer to maximise energy and cost efficiency.

The downsides with this one are that it is polyester rather than cotton which is a bit more breathable (the Dreamland electric blankets mentioned earlier are cotton – see #2 and #3). It’s also a bit slower to heat up than theDreamland electric blankets(15 minutes compared to 5 minutes).This simple electric blanket from Silentnight doesn’t have all the bells and whistles which you get with some. It won’t impress your dinner party friends or give your life a renewed sense of purpose. If you're looking for a heated throw to stay cosy while you snuggle up on the couch then this super-soft velvety heated blanket from Dreamland could be for you. Independent temperature zones –if you're prone to icy toes then look out for blankets that offer the option to increase the temperature of the foot section of the blanket independently of the main sleeping area, like Slumberdown's 'Wonderfully Warm' electric blanket. That said, if warm feet are high on your agenda, then this electric blanket is still well worth considering. This blanket is attached to the mattress with wide elastic straps that slip easily over each corner, but sadly, unlike the top two options in this edit, it does scrimp on size a little, with the blanket not fully covering the whole mattress. That means the heat is concentrated in the centre of the mattress rather than the edges, so it may be best for a single sleeper.

Whilst it might be one of the most expensive heated blankets in our round-up, if you're looking for a toasty and comfortable night's sleep this winter, then our tests found this to be the best electric blanket to invest in. 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. The idea of waking up in the middle of the night on fire isn’t exactly going to (excuse the pun) warm you to the idea of buying an electric blanket, and so many people are put off buying one due to safety concerns. However, electric blankets are perfectly safe as long as you buy from a respected brand and retailer.

How to wash an electric blanket

There are only 3 temperature settings compared to the 6 settings Dreamland's 'Boutique Heated Underblanket' offers, and although we found this blanket to be plenty warm enough on its highest setting, it doesn't achieve the same high temperatures that the Dreamland option can. It also takes longer to heat up, with a 15-20 minute wait before it hit full temperature in our tests. Although, that does make it more cost-effective, with each side of the blanket using a maximum of 60W compared to the Dreamland blanket's 150W per side. The quilted fleece upper means that your sleep isn't disturbed by uncomfortable wires –as can be the case with cheaper, thinner electric underblankets. Smart functionality –some heated blankets allow you to hook them up to a smart app or Alexa to control when they come on so that your bed is always warm when you’re ready for bedtime, although you’ll generally pay more for this feature. Our top tip is to pair an ‘ordinary’ electric blanket with a smart plug so you can get all the convenience of remote control at a lower cost!