How to choose the right electric blanket so that it meets your needs, read in the expert guide (including tests).
Whether you’re cold in bed, in pain, or just looking for a cozy source of warmth, electric blankets are perfect tools to accomplish all of this and more.
I have tested some of the current models for you and created a comprehensive guide. They experience:
- Which properties and functions are indispensable in an electric blanket.
- How to easily identify good and safe electric blankets.
- And whether a ceiling with or without a cable suits you better.
If you read the following post carefully, you will know exactly what to look for when buying an electric blanket.
At the end I will give you a few recommendations. Underneath, you are sure to find an electric blanket that fully meets your needs.
Among other things, this post provides information on the following topics:
To jump directly to a specific chapter, all you need to do is click on the corresponding link.
If you are looking for a quick recommendation, take a look at this electric blanket model, which is best suited for all common requirements:
Index
How do electric blankets work?
Electric blankets are mostly blankets with heating wires. In order for the heating wires to give off heat, they must be connected to an energy source. This is done either via a direct cable connection or in rare cases via built-in batteries.
Nowadays there are electric blankets in every conceivable shape, material and equipment. From small electric blankets for the shoulder area to large-format bed electric blankets in king-size format, you can find all formats online and in stores.
The heating wires are now so finely processed in the fabric of the blanket that you can hardly feel them. This increases comfort considerably compared to old, inflexible electric blankets.
What types are there?
In principle, experts differentiate between two types of electric blankets: There are the models that you can use as a base, for example in bed, and the models with which you cover yourself.
Both types of electric blankets use the same technique:
- A direct (cable) or indirect power source (battery) supplies the electric blanket with energy.
- With good models, you can use a temperature selector to select different heating levels.
- Most models also have an automatic switch-off function, which ensures that the electric blanket switches off automatically after a specified time.
Which type of electric blanket is best for you depends entirely on where and how you plan to use it.
Electric blankets for warming beds are logically structured differently than those that you can use flexibly in different places. Electric blankets that serve medical or therapeutic functions also have special features and equipment.
In the following, I will introduce you to selected models based on their most important functionality.
Electric blankets with battery
An electric blanket with a battery is much more flexible than an electric blanket with a cable connection. If you want to use these in many different locations, your best bet is to choose a cordless electric blanket.
Since battery operation is limited, there are not very many electric blankets with batteries.
If you are interested in an electric blanket with a battery, you should always pay attention to how long the battery lasts and how long it takes to recharge an empty battery.
If you have an electric blanket with a battery, remember to charge it regularly. If you do not charge the electric blanket’s battery, the electric blanket may not be ready for use exactly when you want to use it.
Electric blankets with cables
You can always use electric blankets with cables as long as there is an electrical outlet nearby. Electric blankets with cables are particularly popular when the electric blanket should always provide warmth in a fixed location.
Many electric blankets that are used to preheat beds have a power cord. When buying, pay attention to the length of the cable and if in doubt, buy an extension cable.
So equipped, you can then install your electric blanket where you want to use it.
What can you use electric blankets for?
Electric blankets are great for either providing warmth or relieving pain. Depending on the purpose for which you buy an electric blanket, I recommend different models.
Electric blankets as a pure source of heat
Do you know the uncomfortable feeling of getting into a cold bed at night? Many people have trouble falling asleep when the bed is too cold. Others freeze every night until the bed has warmed up with their own body heat.
With an electric blanket, you can ensure that your bed is already cozy and warm when you go to bed.
- Many electric blankets that serve as a heat source can be permanently installed as a false ceiling in the bed.
- Program a time for the heating pad to warm your bed for you or switch your electric blankets on manually a few minutes before you go to bed.
The difference is huge. With an electric blanket, you can fall to sleep much more easily, and often straight to sleep, when you lie in a warm bed.
Scientific research has also shown that a comfortable temperature is better for falling asleep than cold.
Note : Be sure to choose a temperature that is neither too high nor too low. Too much heat, just like too much cold, can make you have trouble falling asleep.
In households without heating, electric blankets are often used in the living area during the cold months. Laid out on the sofa or the TV armchair, electric blankets provide a comfortable temperature without having to heat the whole room.
Electric blankets for pain relief
There are many illnesses that warmth can help relieve the pain or problems. Especially with rheumatic diseases, muscle problems or back problems, heat can work wonders.
If you want to buy an electric blanket for pain relief, you should always talk to your doctor about the type of heat and how long it is recommended to use.
There is a wide variety of therapeutic blankets to choose from. But not all are recommended for all clinical pictures. Depending on the symptoms of your illness, it is important to find an electric blanket or heating pad that will actually help you.
Note: Other sleep aids also have a supportive effect if you complain of back , shoulder or neck pain . Click the links to read more about it.
What functions do electric blankets offer?
Depending on how much you are willing to pay for an electric blanket and what demands you have on an electric blanket, you can find very different functions.
In this section I will introduce you to the most important and most common functions:
Temperature selector
With the temperature selector you can choose the temperature of your electric blanket. Simple models only offer one or two temperatures, such as “normal” and “high”.
Higher quality electric blankets, on the other hand, can have a very specific temperature selection with a degree display.
Depending on what you need an electric blanket for, it is more or less important to be able to set the temperature specifically. In addition, you should also consider your personal sensitivity to heat.
Automatic switch-off / programming
For me, an automatic switch-off is one of the most important functions of an electric blanket.
If the blanket switches itself off automatically after a certain period of time, you can be sure not to consume too much energy and actually use the electric blanket in a targeted manner and for a limited time.
In addition, an automatic switch-off prevents possible accidents.
Overheating protection
This protective function ensures that the electric blanket switches itself off as soon as it reaches a certain temperature. Overheating protection is the most important protective function of an electric blanket.
For example, while the normal operating temperature of an electric blanket is between 25 and 40 degrees, the overheating protection ensures that the blanket switches off when the temperature rises to 55 or 60 degrees. The overheating protection prevents accidents and burns.
Warning : You should not buy an electric blanket that does not have overheating protection.
Illuminated display
Note that you can be sure to use your heating pad often in the evening or at night. It therefore makes sense to have an illuminated display for changes to the temperature setting.
If, on the contrary, you are looking for a simple electric blanket with a few basic functions, the lighting of the display is also not important.
As you can see, the functions are varied and your use depends on the actual use of the electric blanket. I would rather buy a more elaborate model instead of having to worry about the limitations afterwards.
safety
You have probably also heard news that electric blankets were responsible for accidents in households. Fortunately, such reports are a thing of the past. As long as there is no major technical defect, today’s electric blankets are absolutely safe.
Various European seals of approval guarantee that your electric blanket meets the latest standards.
TIP: Only buy heating pads with a safety seal from the European Union. Cheap chinaware offers you no security.
Care and handling
When buying, pay attention to the care recommendations for the electric blankets that interest you. In order to enjoy your electric blanket for a long time, you should make sure that it is hard-wearing and washable.
Electric blankets that are too cheap are often not washable or have a simple processing in which the heating wires used break easily or lose contact. Recommendations and customer ratings in internet forums can help avoid unpleasant surprises.
Electric blankets recommendations: The best current models
In this section you will find a selection of electric blankets that personally convinced me in the test.
Read about the purposes for which each electric blanket is best suited and find the model that best meets your expectations.
Recommendation: Medisana heated blanket HU 665
An absolute price-performance winner in the field of thermal blankets for the bed. With a size of 150 × 80 cm, this electric blanket warms the entire bed down to the feet. In addition, this electric blanket is washable, has 3 temperatures and an overheating protection.
Medisana also offers other models for electric blankets such as the HU 662 * electric blanket . This offers six different temperature levels. I would not recommend the HUB * model, however, as it is not washable.
Cozy: the Beurer HD75 thermal blanket
The Beurer electric blanket is ideal for cozy moments on the sofa, in the TV armchair or to cover up in bed. You can select six different temperatures via an illuminated temperature switch. The cozy blanket is also washable at 30 degrees.
As befits a top product, the security functions are also absolutely state-of-the-art. My tip for everyone who likes it cozy.
Versatile: Deuba fleece electric blanket
This Deuba fleece electric blanket is very versatile. You can use them in bed under the fitted sheet, on the sofa as a heat source and even under your pet’s basket. The size of 150 × 80 cm, a two meter long power cable and the possibility to wash the blanket make it an all-rounder under electric blankets.
Note : In the product test, the Deuba electric blanket was the only electric blanket to be rated “very good” with a grade of 1.5.
USB-compatible: Karvipark electric blanket
You can take this electric blanket with you everywhere: in the car, in the office, on the sports field. No matter where you are cold, the Karvipark electric blanket quickly provides cozy warmth.
You can connect the electric blanket to the socket using a USB power adapter or operate it with a laptop or power bank. This makes this electric blanket a perfect model for everyone who wants to have their electric blanket with them all the time.
Wireless: HoMedica Comfort electric blanket
Unbound and versatile: the HoMedica Comfort electric blanket contains a battery and you can use it anywhere. In addition to the heat function, there is also a vibration massage included. You can recharge the blanket on the go using a USB cable.
Marken vs. Supermarket
Is it worth buying a branded electric blanket, or are the offers for an Aldi electric blanket from Lidl just as good? I hear this question more and more often not only when it comes to electric blankets.
In my opinion, with a Lidl electric blanket, for example, you should always pay attention to the service and guarantee you receive when you buy it.
You might save money if you buy the Aldi electric blanket that has just been advertised, but what if the electric blanket is defective or does not work as it should
Tip: Before buying, clarify whether the supermarket chains offer customer service or the repair of technical devices.
I buy from Lidl or Aldi when the offers and prices are so good that I don’t have to worry if the device breaks.
If, on the other hand, I’m looking for quality, I always buy a branded device whenever possible. As a rule, I ride it well and enjoy my purchases for a long time. But as I said, that’s my personal experience.
Alternatives to the electric blanket
Heating pads, for example, are recommended as an alternative to the electric blanket. Here you will find an overview of many current heating pad models .
In the past, hot water bottles were often used to warm beds. Or they were placed on painful parts of the body. In comparison, however, hot water bottles are relatively cumbersome and only give off heat over a very reduced area.
If you have rheumatic pain, you should find out about therapeutic heat pillows.
Also note the optimal room temperature for falling asleep – for a more restful sleep.
If you freeze at night, it could also be due to the wrong XXL duvet . Maybe it’s too thin or made of a material that doesn’t keep you very warm.
Conclusion: buy the electric blanket that meets your needs over the long term
I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about electric blankets. Somehow I always associated these products with my grandparents.
However, after testing various models, I have to admit that I have become more and more likeable to electric blankets. Whether in bed as a source of heat or while watching TV on the sofa, I quickly got used to the cozy warmth.
Here I have summarized my 3 personal favorites for you again. You will find electric blankets between around 15 to 30 euros.
If you are toying with the idea of getting an electric blanket, I recommend looking for higher quality models. These are not that much more expensive than simple models, but they will certainly give you much longer pleasure.
I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.