Slumberland Easy Fit Heated Mattress Cover - Kingsize

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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. 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! Also, look out for the practicalities. How long are the cables? How does an underblanket attach to the mattress? Are the controls positioned where you can get to them? These are usually simple plastic modules attached by a cable to the side of the blanket, but some are removable to make the blanket easier to wash or clean. Being machine-washable is clearly a good thing, and some blankets can be tumble-dried. Compared to Dreamland's 'Boutique Heated Underblanket' at the top of this list, this cheaper dual-operated electric blanket does feel a lot more basic, with no quilted padding and far fewer control options, however, it's also a lot less money.

Number of temperature settings–budget models tend to offer 3 temperature settings, and in our experience it can be hard to settle on one that's just right. More heat settings mean more chance of finding your ideal temperature, plus, having the option to use your blanket on a lower heat setting is also a good way to save energy and heating costs. Prices are correct at the time of writing and are for a double size electric blanket.Electric blankets also go by the name of ‘heated blankets’ in the UK, but they do the same thing.

How to wash an electric blanket

All electric blankets contain thin electrical heating wires cushioned between layers of fabric. On thinner under blankets you may be able to feel the wires a little underneath your body, but many modern designs offer quilting to add more cushioning. Clever features includeIntelliheat+ technology which respond to temperature changes as you sleep. It also switches itself off after one, three or nine hours (not sure when I last got nine hours sleep but that’s not particularly relevant).

Admittedly more of an investment than other heated blankets, this option is one of the most stylish we've come across, and its super soft feel and on-trend hygge aesthetics are matched by strong performance.

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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. The quilted fleece upper means that your sleep isn't disturbed by uncomfortable wires –as can be the case with cheaper, thinner electric underblankets.

It’s probably more suited to someone who likes a gadget rather than someone who just wants a simple electric blanket. This one also avoids a lot of the usual underblanket pitfalls: it’s big enough to cover most of the bed; the deep, elasticated skirt stops it riding up during the night; there’s no cold central zone between the two regions, and any wires are nicely unobtrusive. There’s a super-king size available and you can even wash it at 30˚C. The Homefront is a blanket with a mid-range price tag but one that works and feels like a high-end option. Plus, on the off chance that all that warmth might make you drowsy, it also comes with 9 timer settings, and overheating protection for peace of mind. 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. There are several reasons an electric underblanket may not be for you, in which case you can still get (nearly) all the benefits of a toasty bed by opting for an overblanket instead.

Mattress Protectors & Heated Textiles

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. Which you choose is largely a matter of personal preference, but manufacturers of memory foam mattresses often advise against heated pads because they restrict the mattress’s ability to mould to your body, and there’s a risk of the foam itself getting damaged in the long term. What differences are there between blankets? An electric blanket has a plug in that when turned on, the electricity is transformed into heat through the cables that are running through the blanket. They also feature a thermostat which regulates the temperature. how safe are electric blankets?