SALES of electric blankets have skyrocketed as we look for smart ways to save on heating bills.
Consumer site MoneySavingExpert.com says it costs around 4 pence per hour to run one of the blankets, which could be cheaper than trying to heat your home.
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Online retailer OnBuy.com revealed that sales rose 1,350% in a single week in September.
Liam Tickner, home manager for the site, said people were looking for ways to keep warm rather than heating their whole house. He added: “It’s a savvy and cost-effective way to stay warm and save money during the winter months.”
But which one will make you feel most comfortable – and for how much?
Lynsey Hope tries some of the best and rates them out of ten.
- Price per hour based on energy tariff from October and using all coverage on the highest setting available.
Bedsure Electric Heated Throw
£56.99, amazon.co.uk
Cost per hour: 4.6p
A lovely soft throw that warmed up quite quickly. It can reach 40C in just 35 minutes.
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It was nice and warm to drape over you while relaxing on the couch or in bed.
It has a soft flannel fabric on one side and a fluffy sherpa on the back, which makes it extremely soft.
The only downside is that it seemed to attract specks of dust, so sometimes it looked a bit messy.
It has six heat settings and ten timer settings. It will also automatically turn off after eight hours.
Lakeland Fairisle Print Heated Throw
£79.99, lakeland.co.uk
Cost per hour: 5.4p
“I loved warming up under this super cozy Fairisle print throw.
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“It looks stylish and I love that it costs pennies to run. I’ve used it on the couch, in bed, and even draped it over me while working from home.
“The soft and thick fleece material is lovely.
“It has nine temperature settings so you can choose the right level of toasting.
“You can also set a timer and, for added safety, it has built-in overheat protection that will automatically turn off the trigger if it gets too hot.
“Reasonably energy efficient compared to others.”
Silent Night Yours and Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket
£55, silentnight.co.uk
Cost per hour: 3p per hour
“Each side of the bed is independently controlled and you both have your own remote control with three heat settings.
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“I was impressed with how quickly it warmed up with even heat and no hot spots.
“It’s also machine washable at 40°C and comes with a three-year warranty. Excellent value.
“Even better, keep it on the lowest heat setting for six hours overnight and it’ll only cost you 1p to run, helping to lower energy bills.”
Russell Hobbs Fitted Sherpa Blanket
£64.99 for a double bed, currys.co.uk
Cost per hour: 3p
“This is made with soft Sherpa fleece for extra warmth and comfort and will keep you warm on the coldest nights.
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“It has six settings and dual controls so you can have it warmer on one side than the other if you and your partner prefer different temperatures.
It can be attached to the mattress for you to sleep on and has overheat protection for added safety.
“I was surprised when I saw it was less than £65 for a double, I thought it was going to cost a lot more.
“It looks very good quality and is also energy efficient.”
Aldi Easy Home Undercover
£49.99, aldi.co.uk
Cost per hour: 8.1p
“I thought it was a good quality blanket at a great price.
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“It has six heat settings, but although it’s advertised as having ten preset timer settings, it doesn’t – it shuts off after ten hours.
“But it gets nice and warm and doubles as a thick topper so it was very comfortable to sleep on. It was easy to set up and has dual control
“It’s 240 watts so it will cost around 8p per hour to run.
“It’s more than most but still cheaper than having your heating on.”
Vonhaus King-size under blanket
£64.99, vonhaus.com
Cost per hour: 8.1p
“It attaches to your mattress to stop all movement and keep you warm all night.
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“It has three different heat settings and two easy to use remote controls.
“But it took a while to get to the right temperature and I found I had to switch to number three to feel really warm.
“It is machine washable and is also protected by an automatic shutdown in case of overheating.
“It’s comfortable to put on and good value for money, but it’s less energy efficient than others.”
CozyTek Deluxe Navy Blue Heated Throw
£36.99, surbuy.com
Cost per hour: 2p
“A real bargain here. It is soft and heats up in minutes.
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Made from 100% polyester and measuring 160cm by 120cm, the fleece material is soft to the touch and machine washable at 40 degrees.
“It has a quick heat-up time and is also the most energy efficient we’ve tested, costing just 2p per hour to run.
“The removable controller is easy to use and offers nine heat settings.
“Plus, its safety overheat protection will automatically turn it off after three hours.”
Beurer monogram blanket
£85 for a double bed, dunelm.com
Cost per hour: 2.7p per hour
“It adapts to your mattress to keep you warm all night long. I was a little worried that I could feel the wires, but you can’t.
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“It’s soft and comfortable and seems to be very warm around the foot area which is great as cold feet often keep me awake at night.
“It only took about six minutes to get to the right temperature.
“The blanket is soft and cozy and it’s quite luxurious and fits the bed well.
“It’s expensive to buy but very energy efficient to run, costing just over 2p an hour.”
Be careful
NEVER leave an electric blanket on when you are in bed unless it is marked “suitable for overnight use”.
Many now have automatic shut-off and will shut off if forgotten, but older ones might not.
Make sure your blanket is tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions, especially after the warranty expires.
Regularly check the cover, plug and cable for any damage, including frayed fabric, burn marks, exposed wires and, if in doubt, do not use it.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when storing them as many should be rolled, not folded.