6 top-rated heated blankets to stay warm all winter
Yes, they can provide a boost of warmth during cold winter days, but there are also some key safety practices to follow to avoid fires.
Serta Fleece to Sherpa Heated Blanket
$121.12
$169.99
I spoke with fire safety experts for their input on safety practices, here’s everything I kept in mind when curating this list:
The FCC regulates electronic consumer goods that can emit radio frequencies to make sure they are compliant with the company’s rules, according to the FCC. A few blankets may also have certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), another quality assurance company. “The UL Listed seal means that the product has been tested to nationally recognized safety and sustainability standards,” says Robert O’Brien, president at NY Fire Consultants, Inc. All of the blankets on this list have certification from the ETL, FCC or UL.
All of the electric blankets below have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon, or at least 100 reviews on Wayfair, Target or the individual blanket’s brand sites.
The Bedsure electric throw blanket comes in a range of solid colors and sizes and is made of both sherpa and flannel-style fleece for softness and warmth. The remote has four time settings, so you can use it in intervals between one and four hours. The blanket is also machine-washable, according to the brand, so easy to care for after years of use.
This flannel-woven throw blanket will auto shut itself off after four hours. The blanket also functions as a regular blanket, since you can detach the controller. You can hand-wash or machine-wash it, too, as long as you remove the remote attachment, according to the brand. Make sure you completely dry it before using it again after washing for safety reasons.
The Brookstone heated blanket is made of polyester and has a plush texture, according to the brand. It comes in three sizes, with the queen and king sizes coming with dual remote controls, so more than one person can use it at one. It has a 12-hour auto shut-off feature, and it’s machine washable and dryable.
You can set the Beautyrest electric blanket to automatically shut off in 1- to 10-hour intervals. The king- and queen-sized blankets come with dual controllers, and all the blankets are machine washable and come in 5+ colors. They also have a subtle ribbed texture and flexible wiring.
This dual-textured heated blanket from Serta is made of fleece on one side and sherpa on the other. The blanket has a controller with an LCD display that makes it easy to choose from its 10 heat settings. To clean, you can hand wash or machine wash it on a delicate cycle, according to the brand. Plus, like many other options on this list, it has an adjustable auto shut-off feature, which you can set between one and 12 hours.
The Westinghouse electric blanket is made of woven ribbed flannel on one side and sherpa on the other. It comes with a timer that you can set to go off in hourly increments and it’s both hand and machine washable and safe for tumble drying in temperatures below 86 degrees, according to the brand.
Here’s what to consider when shopping:
Material: Many electric blankets are made of polyester and woven into flannel, fleece and/or sherpa. Some of them also have ribbed textures. You can sometimes feel the wires from the outside if it’s made with a particularly thin material like generic polyester.
Size: Most heated blankets come in the same sizes as mattresses in addition to a throw size. Think about how and where you plan to use one before committing.
Outlets: You usually have to plug in an electric blanket into a nearby outlet, whether close to your bed or a sofa. Depending on how you plan on using the blanket, keep in mind that you should have an outlet in arm’s reach.
Intended use: While heated blankets provide warmth and comfort, they aren’t safe for everyone to use, including those who are pregnant, according to experts I spoke with. To prevent damage, you also need to handle the blankets correctly. You should avoid bunching up the blanket, especially while it’s on and avoid using it when it’s still damp from washing.
In general, electric blankets are safe for most people to use, if handled the right way. This means storing and folding properly, as well as washing and drying it completely.
If you handle them improperly, yes, they could cause an electrical fire. That’s because they risk overheating if you leave them on for too long and/or if you turn them on when they aren’t dry. This is why it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions for usage, maintenance and storage, says McKelvey, who also says you should always turn off electric blankets before going to sleep. That said, many electric blankets (such as the ones this list) have auto shut-off features to help avoid accidents.
In line with advice that pregnant people should avoid hot tubs due to potential harm resulting from high body temperatures, you should also avoid using electric blankets if you’re pregnant, says Dr. Chandani DeZure, a board-certified pediatrician. She also recommends only allowing children over the age of three to use heated blankets, and not allowing them to sleep with it overnight. Some safety labels also discourage diabetic people from using them.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I frequently write about bedding, home appliances and kitchen products. I’ve reported on the best bamboo sheets, sleeper sofas and mattresses for side sleepers, for example. For this story, I spoke with a medical doctor and multiple fire safety experts.
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