September 21st, 2022 by Sarah Miles

Electric blankets have been growing in popularity of late due to the way they help improve the quality of sleep and can even help soothe aches and pains. However, the real drive now for buying them is as a way to reduce energy bills, and this is a really valid strategy.

If you are looking to buy an electric blanket for the first time, you may be unfamiliar with the various features and functions, so here is an overview of the main ones to help you choose the right heated blanket for you.

Size
The size of the electric blanket you choose will obviously be largely determined by the size of your bed. This is definitely the case if going for a fitted electric blanket as these fasten snug to the mattress and you sleep on top. However, if you prefer an over-blanket or heated throw, which goes over the bed like a cover, you could conceivably go for a larger size, covering the whole bed and down the sides as well.

Dual or single control?
Single control means that the whole blanket will heat evenly to the same temperature. Dual controls mean that you have the option to set each side of the bed independently so that two people in the bed can choose their own settings. If the bed is only used by one person, then single controls would be fine. However, for couples, dual control is a Godsend, ensuring that both get the level of warmth that they want (after all, few of us want it exactly the same).

Foot warmer
If you find that you experience cold feet in bed (and this is very common), you may benefit from choosing a model with a foot zone. This means that the bottom part of the blanket can be set to a different temperature than the rest of it, giving your feet some extra warmth.

Timer
A timer is very useful in a couple of ways. Firstly, it means that you can set the blanket to turn off after a given period. Many people like having their blanket on to help them get off to sleep but don’t necessarily want it on all night. A timer will turn the blanket off without you having to wake up and do it manually. You can also use a timer to set the blanket to come on before you go up to bed so that it’s already at the perfect temperature when you retire for the night.

Heat settings
The level of heat we want will vary throughout the seasons and may even be different from day to day, depending on various factors. The more heat settings a blanket has, the more control you have to have it just as you want it.

Material
All electric blankets are designed to be appropriate for direct contact with you so all will be soft to the touch and comfortable to sleep on. If you are concerned about being able to feel the wires through the fabric, please don’t be – you really won’t know they’re there. There are, of course, variations in the material from polyester, to fleece, to diamond quilted. The thicker it is, the better it will retain heat and they do tend to be more expensive but thinner ones can be easier to wash and store so it really depends on your personal preferences.

Running costs
If you have concerns about energy consumption and the cost of running an electric blanket then be reassured that they are actually very economical to run, costing just pennies to have them on all night if desired. Many are choosing them as a way of reducing energy bills by using one on the bed, or a heated throw on the sofa in the evening, as a way to allow them to turn the central heating down without compromising on comfort.