The 6 best electric blankets of 2024 to stay warm through the winter

The Pure Enrichment PureRadiance Luxury Heated Throw Blanket ticked all the boxes we liked among the other blankets we tested and is at a mid-range price point, making it the best overall pick for someone looking for a heated blanket that excels at both form and function. It has a faux fur exterior that looks and feels like mink and a super soft Sherpa lining that is so cozy to cuddle up in.

The throw-size is a great option for a bed or couch and has six heat settings, which gives you enough temperature variety without being overwhelming. The fabric washes nicely; even the controller is stylish and minimal, with simple up or down arrows to adjust the heat. This dual-sided version is only available in one color and size. Still, if you require a bed-size blanket, the collection is also available in a micro-mink velvet option with 10 heat settings and dual controls on queen and king sizes.

In our tests, the heat on this blanket showed true range, going from a chilly 65 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting to 84 degrees when cranked to the highest using an infrared thermometer.

The heating was fast and even, and the blanket was neither too thin nor bulky and surprisingly lightweight (under 4 pounds). It has an auto shut-off for safety and looks high-end, draped across a couch or chair. This is the absolute winner if you're looking for a simple, no-frills heated blanket that feels cozy and looks good.

Although it was the least expensive of the electric blankets we tested, the Bedsure Ribbed Heated Blanket was comparable in every way, from the soft, dual-sided fabric — the outside is super soft microfiber, and the interior is premium sherpa — to the even heating wire distribution. The Bedsure Ribbed Heated Blanket has six heat settings that all heat in under two minutes and hold heat at a steady temperature. This was also the warmest of all the blankets we tried.

The blanket is lightweight enough not to feel bulky but still plush enough to feel cozy, and the ribbed design is unique and appealing. It's also practical, as it can be machine washed, which you'll need to do at some point if you use it as much as we suspect you will. The control module is also unobtrusive and well-designed, with an easy-to-use format (just three buttons) and an easy-to-read LED display. The 6-foot-long cord makes this electric blanket accessible from any outlet, and you can set an auto shut-off for between one and four hours for the throw and up to eight hours for the larger sizes.

This classic Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece blanket is like a favorite fleece you can plug in and heat up. It's thin, which is great because, at this size, anything bulky would be a chore to manage, clean, and store. Despite its size, however, it warms in minutes and consistently thanks to Sunbeam's Thermofine wiring system.

There are 12 heating settings, the most of any blanket we tried, so if you struggle to find the just-right temperature, this blanket could be a good choice since it allows you to select more incrementally. An adjustable auto-off timer allows you to select any length from 1 to 12 hours.

The Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece also features an exceptionally long cord, which gives you a bit more room to maneuver. This is especially useful if you use it as a bedspread so you don't get tangled up in wiring.

The one area where there is room for improvement is the controller, which is round and a bit bulky and placed far from the blanket and closer to the plug. This isn't ideal, but it gets the job done well for a basic, all-purpose electric blanket that keeps you warm over a large surface area.

If you're going for a luxe option that doesn't look like an electric blanket, look no further than this stunning Beautyrest Zuri Oversized Faux Fur Heated Throw — and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by the substance behind it. Beautyrest is a Serta brand, so the quality is on par with their mattresses and other products. The convincing and ultra-soft microfiber fabric is Oeko-Tex certified. It is available in several colors and patterns, but the Snow Leopard that we tested fits well with just about any decor and looks great draped over an armchair, which we can't say for all electric blankets. It's also as soft as it looks, with an inner lining that is a shorter, smoother version of the faux fur, which adds an extra layer of coziness to being wrapped up in this blanket. It still looked and worked great after machine washing.

One thing we will note, however, is that this blanket is thin, and the wires can be felt through the fabric, which isn't entirely uncomfortable but does disrupt the illusion of being wrapped up in furs. That doesn't detract from the heat this blanket throws off, though. Regarding performance, this blanket was one of our tests' fastest and hottest heating. It only has three temperature settings but doesn't dip below 70 degrees, even at the lowest. The cord is a comfortable length, and the controller is unobtrusive and easy to use. There is also a two-hour auto shut-off that works flawlessly. This is a safe bet if you want a cozy electric blanket that you don't have to hide in the closet between uses.

The Sunbeam Connected Heated Blanket has several features that set it apart from the other blankets we tested. Most notably, it can be controlled using your smartphone and the Sunbeam app to turn it on and adjust the heat settings. It also works with Google Assistant or Alexa to change settings using voice commands. That alone is super convenient — you can preheat your blanket on your way home so it's toasty the second you walk in the door — but the larger sizes of this blanket also have dual temperature control zones so if you have two sleepers under it, each can set their preferred temperature and be comfortable, which is a revelation.

Using the app also allows you to preheat your blanket or schedule it each night at a certain time, so you don't have to remember that you always have a warm, cozy blanket ready and waiting for you. You can also program the times to turn the blanket off at a designated time, even better than an auto-shutoff because it gives you all the control.

And true to its smart designation, this blanket also rated the most consistent in our testing, with the least temperature fluctuations, and achieved a comfortable top-end temp of 84 F. It had even heat, and the temperature zones responded well. The blanket is well made and fluffy, with a furry texture on the outside and a more fleece-like one inside, but it sheds a little bit.

If you think electric blankets are cozy, wait until you add weight to the equation. The Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth Weighted Throw Blanket combines the best of both worlds, making it the top electric option in our best weighted blanket guide. It's so comforting that when reporter James Brains tried testing it, his wife couldn't bear to part with it.

This 13-pound blanket features dual-sided comfort with plush sherpa on one side and micro mink on the other (we especially loved the sherpa side). While its 52-inch-by-60-inch dimensions may not cover you from head to toe, it's ideal for snuggling up during your latest streaming binge. The weight comes from glass beads, offering just enough pressure to feel secure without being overwhelmed.

The heating function has four settings ranging from warm to high, with the highest setting quickly reaching a toasty 105 degrees. Safety features include a two-hour auto shut-off, and the generous 9-foot power cord means you won't need an extension cord to stay plugged in. Pure Enrichment backs its product with a reassuring five-year warranty.

The only drawback is the cleaning instructions are surprisingly complex, requiring a 6-inch-by-6-inch tag sewn into the blanket to explain them all. But given how rarely you'll need to clean it, this seems a small price to pay for such luxurious comfort.

Choosing an electric blanket combines the intricacies of searching for great bed linens with a functional electrical device. Moreover, Joel Hawk, principal engineering manager for UL Solutions, which does third-party testing and certifications of electric blankets, said, "You can't always tell a lot just by looking at it. How well the internal heating elements work can be a mystery until you actually try them out." Here are some factors to consider when researching your purchase:

Third-party certification

"The number one recommendation from experts is to check that the blanket has been inspected by an independent testing laboratory, which ensures that it meets established safety standards," says Susan McKelvey, communications manager at the National Fire Protection Association. 

This guide examined brands with UL, Intertek, or CSA certification, popular third-party safety certifications for consumer goods. 

"This can be tough to tell with online purchases, but the product packaging should have a certifier logo printed somewhere on it," says Hawk. "That's an indication that a lab tested the product to make sure it meets a nationally recommended standard for similar products. Certification is voluntary, so if a product does not have it, you may be taking a risk."

Auto-shutoff

Another important safety consideration is an auto-shutoff feature or timer, which is useful should you want to sleep with your blanket. People always think of safety regarding electrical fires, said Hawk, but thermal burns from blankets set too high for too long are more common. Some heated blankets allow you to adjust the window of time the blanket remains on before auto-shutoff kicks in, so think about how long you will be using the blanket and whether you need flexibility in that feature.

Heat level

According to Hawk, national standards mandate that the surface temperature of a heated blanket may not exceed 149 degrees Fahrenheit, but our testing showed that most didn't even come close to being that hot. The temperature will be affected if a blanket is bunched up so that many wires converge in one place; however, it's best practice to lay a blanket as flat as possible and avoid doubling it. The blankets in our tests ranged from 3 heat levels to 12, so think about how sensitive you are to temperature and whether you want the ability to fine-tune it or are OK with simple controls. 

Special features

Most blankets come with auto-shutoff standards, but others have features that make them compatible with wifi, so they can be controlled remotely or have dual temperature zones to accommodate more than one user at a time. Consider what you'll use and what is worth paying for. Some brands also offer wearable designs, battery-operated models for outdoor use, and foot pockets to keep feet cozy.  

Materials

Most heated blankets are some form of polyester because it is inflammable and washable. But different blankets have different textures, so know if you want to cuddle up in something resembling flannel or feel cozier in a fleece or sherpa-style microfiber. The thickness of the fabric can also play a role: heavier blankets may make you feel too warm and are bulky to store, but too thin fabrics may have you noticing the heating wires.  

Size

You want to consider not only the size and capacity of your blankets, which are available in throws and standard bedding sizes like twin, full, queen, and king sizes but also the cord. Shorter cords require you to use the blanket near an outlet and restrict movement. You'll also want to ensure the wires are evenly distributed throughout, especially in larger blankets, so you don't have cold spots. 

We consulted Hawk and McKelvey about what to look for in an electric blanket and safety considerations. Based on those recommendations, we researched dozens of products on the market before choosing six to test. We used a ThermoWorks infrared thermometer to verify temperature settings and how well each blanket held its temperature at one, two, and three hours and confirmed if the auto-shut-off worked. We machine-washed each blanket and re-tested it to compare performance and fabric feel.

Are Electric blankets safe?

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, electric blankets cause about 500 fires a year, and most of those are caused by older or improperly used products. Most electric blankets are perfectly safe when used according to manufacturer instructions. Don't use one if the cord is frayed, and avoid scrunching or doubling up the blanket to keep the wires from tangling or becoming damaged. 

How do electric blankets work?

Most electric blankets use thin wires throughout to generate heat across the surface of the blanket. 

How to care for an electric blanket?

You should refer to the manufacturer's instructions for care, but most electric blankets are machine washable, and some can even go in the dryer. They can also be spot-cleaned but should not be dry-cleaned. Keep them unplugged when not in use. If you need to store your electric blanket, unplug the cord from the blanket and fold or roll the blanket, being careful that no wires are pinched. You can store it in a box with the detached cord in a cool, dry place like a closet. 

How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?

According to EnergyBot, the average electric blanket uses around 400 watts of power, costing an estimated $1 a month to run.