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An electric blanket is a warm bed cover that includes ultra-thin, integrated heating wires hidden under a layer of plush,...
When the winter months roll in and the temperature drops, all we want to do is get cosy indoors. On chilly nights, is there anything better than snuggling up in bed with an electric blanket or curling up on the sofa under a heated throw? We don't think so.
But with so many different types and features available, tracking down the best electric blanket for your needs can feel a bit overwhelming. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know to find the perfect style for your home, alongside practical tips on how to set it up, keep it clean, and store it away safely.
An electric blanket is a warm bed cover that includes ultra-thin, integrated heating wires hidden under a layer of plush, soft fabric. When you plug the cord into the mains, those internal coils heat up, spreading a lovely, even warmth across the blanket.
They come in various sizes to fit your bed perfectly and are designed to keep you toasty without needing to turn the central heating on. Modern heated blankets are incredibly safe, energy-efficient, and come with advanced controllers that let you pick the exact temperature that suits your preferences.
Finding the right heated bedding comes down to understanding the different features available. Here's a quick guide on what to look out for:
Once you know which of these features are a priority for your lifestyle, it becomes much easier to narrow down your choices.
There's no single style that suits everyone. Electric blankets actually fall into three unique types that serve completely different purposes around the home:
Deciding between bed-specific options and a portable layer usually comes down to where you spend most of your time. Here's a quick breakdown of the main differences between them:
|
Feature |
Electric blanket |
Electric throw |
|
Placement |
Fixed to your bed, either under or over your sheets. |
Used anywhere around the home, like the sofa or an armchair. |
|
Material |
Made from practical, breathable fabrics like cotton or polyester blends. |
Luxurious, decorative fabrics like velvet, faux fur, or sherpa. |
|
Safety features |
Often includes dual controls and long night-time timers. |
Features shorter auto-shutoff timers suited for lounging. |
|
Attachments |
Elasticated straps or skirts to grip the mattress tightly. |
No straps, designed to be draped loosely over the body. |
At Lakeland, we have carefully designed our electric blanket range to help you stay warm on those frosty nights. Here's a comparison of our top-rated options so you can choose the right model:
We offer a wide variety of portable options in various colours, patterns, and finishes to match your home decor beautifully. Here’s a look at our StaySnug heated throw range:
Each model in our StaySnug collection offers the following:
A beautifully soft, smooth finish that feels incredible against the skin and adds a touch of elegance to your living space.
Combines a traditional, homely knitted texture on one side with a plush, warm sherpa reverse for double the comfort.
Features a tactile waffle weave that looks incredibly stylish draped over a sofa arm when not in use.
The ultimate in thick, fluffy comfort, designed to trap heat and keep you completely insulated on the coldest evenings.
A fun, textured faux fur that offers a luxurious feel and makes a real design statement in any room.
Classic, sleek faux fur that brings a touch of cabin-inspired glamour and sophistication to your living room.
Blends a chic striped pattern with premium softness for a truly modern, eye-catching look.
Once you've chosen your perfect heated blanket, it's important to know how to set it up properly. Following these five simple steps will help you get the best results, stay safe, and keep it in good condition for years to come:
The first step is to put everything in place, and the right way to do this changes slightly depending on which type of model you choose:
Always plug the controller directly into a main wall socket rather than using a multi-plug adapter or extension lead. This guarantees the unit gets the full amount of power needed to function safely and reduces fire risks.
Make sure the cord is routed safely under the bed or behind the sofa so it doesn't become a trip hazard when you get up in the dark.
You'll need to pre-heat your electric blanket before use to make sure it's toasty and warm when you slip under the covers or get cosy on the sofa. Ideally, you should set your preferred temperature using the controller provided and let the coils heat up for around 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime.
We all have our own ideas of what comfortably warm feels like, so it's worth exploring the settings on your heated throw or blanket to find the one that's right for you. If you find yourself sweating, then you're probably not using your blanket – or your fuel – efficiently. Throws like the StaySnug Sherpa have six different heat settings to try out, so there's plenty of variety.
In most cases, an electric blanket can be washed, but the specific method used can vary depending on the model and manufacturer. While some are safe to toss in the washing machine on a gentle cycle once the power cord is removed, others need a more delicate hand-wash approach. Check your instruction manual beforehand.
Once clean, leave the fabric to dry thoroughly. We recommend using an indoor airer and letting it air dry before use. Avoid hanging it outside on the washing line in case the weather takes a turn and rainwater gets into the electrical connection points.
When the weather warms up, storing your electric blanket properly is vital. Avoid using vacuum storage bags, as the intense suction can crush and damage the delicate coils inside the fabric, which might cause them to snap.
Instead, roll the material loosely, making sure you remove the power cord beforehand, and slip it into a storage bag that lets the materials breathe.
Our Clearview Protective Clothes and Duvet Zip Storage Bag is a great way to store your winter warmers under the bed when not in use, and we also have a dedicated Heated Throw Storage Bag that provides the perfect fit for your portable layers.
Not at all. Running one of these is actually incredibly cost-effective, with a typical model using between 40 and 150 watts of power. Based on data from the UK Ofgem energy price cap, a standard 100W electric blanket costs roughly 2p to 3p per hour to run at full power. If you decide to leave it on for a full 8-hour night, it will only cost you about 16p to 24p.
Yes, most modern designs are fully washable, but you'll need to remove the power cord and control unit first. Always check the specific care label attached to your product, as the instructions will vary depending on the material, model, and manufacturer. Some can handle a delicate machine wash with a light detergent, while others need a gentle wipe down by hand.
Turning on your central heating warms up every corner of the house, which naturally uses a lot of energy. On the other hand, an electric blanket works a bit differently. It uses targeted warmth to heat you directly, needing significantly less power than a radiator or large electric heater.
To give you a better idea of the differences, we've crunched the numbers using the Ofgem energy price cap (where electricity is roughly 26p per kWh and gas is 8p per kWh):
|
Electric blankets (100W) |
Central heating (24 kW gas boiler) |
Portable electric heater (2000W) |
|
|
Energy needed |
0.1 kW |
24 kW |
2 kW |
|
Running cost |
2p to 3p an hour |
£1.20 to £1.90 an hour |
Over 50p an hour |
Thanks to the automatic 1, 3, or 9-hour shut-off timers, you can safely doze off with your heated throw or blanket. Depending on the setting, the system will switch off after your chosen period of time, meaning there's no need to worry about wasting energy or overheating.
All our heated models also have built-in temperature sensors. If you do get a little too comfy and start to drift off to sleep, you can rest assured that the system will keep an eye on the temperature and won't keep blasting high heat.
These are heavy, comforting blankets filled with tiny glass or plastic beads. The extra weight provides a gentle, even pressure across your body that mimics the feeling of being hugged or held securely.
The positives go far beyond simply keeping the cold away. The deep pressure stimulation helps the nervous system relax. Here are a few weighted blanket benefits that make them so popular:
Most standard models are quite lightweight to accommodate the heating elements safely and keep them flexible. However, some specific 2-in-1 models offer all of the warmth and cosiness of a heated layer with the comforting, heavy feel of a weighted design.
Staying warm and comfortable in the colder months is easy when you have the right heating setup. Whether you want to preheat your mattress before bed or wrap yourself up in a faux-fur layer on the sofa, there's a style to suit every home.
Shop our full range of heated throws and blankets to find your new favourite winter companion today.
