Our Favorite Heated Blanket Is Just $50

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WINTER IS FULL of freeze warnings, blizzard alerts, and waking up early to shovel out the Prius. If your current stash of blankets, throws, quilts, and sherpa-lined onesies just isn’t cutting it anymore, it’s time to invest in a heated blanket.

Heated blankets (a.k.a. “electric blankets”) and heated throws are the gold standard for keeping toasty warm in the coldest weather. Thankfully, we’re living in a Golden Age of heated textiles. There are oversized heated blankets large enough to cover a king bed, heated blankets with foot pockets, and wearable heated blankets designed to keep you warm in every room of the house. You can even buy heated blankets that draw power from the 12-volt port in your car.

If you’re reading this, you’re no doubt looking for some extra warmth to get through winter (like us). We researched dozens of the best-reviewed heated blankets, including models in every style, size, and price range. Ahead, our top eight picks for the best heated blankets to shop in 2024.

Take that, Polar Vortex.

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Bedsure Heated Blanket Electric Twin/Full - Flannel Electric Blanket, Heating Blanket with 10 Time Settings, 6 Heat Settings, and 8 hrs Timer Auto Shut Off (62x84 inches, Grey)

We love the simplicity of this heated throw/blanket from Bedsure. The 21 available colors (yes 21!) all feel sophisticated and premium, so it’s guaranteed to work with any decor. The reversible design features ultra-soft flannel on one side and even softer sherpa on the other, so you can flip it based on your temperature “mood.” We like that the six heat settings allow for a little more fine-tuning than other heated blankets that typically only have four heat settings.

As far as safety goes, the Bedsure blanket has 10 hourly time settings, plus an eight-hour shut-off mode should you fall asleep and forget to unplug.

The only downside about this heated blanket is size. The $50 model is best suited for chilling on a couch or chaise (it's technically a "Twin" size), but if you're looking for a large heated blanket to cover your entire bed you'll want to look to our next pick.

Electric Heated Blanket Full Size

Before you spend hundreds of dollars on a heated blanket large enough to fit multiple persons, we recommend starting here with this affordable blanket from DuoDuo. You can get a full size heated blanket (72 inches by 82 inches) for around $40 in more than 12 different colors.

The heated blanket is not double-sided, but it is made with a soft micro-plush fleece that's more than comfortable enough. You get four heating levels to select from, ranging from 86-108 degrees Fahrenheit. For safety, there's a 10-hour turn off timer.

It's worth mentioning this brand makes a larger queen sized blanket, but the cost is around double of what you pay for the full. We found the full blanket size here to be spacious enough for one or two people to enjoy. You don't have any boosted features like extra heat settings or additional materials, so that's something to consider before buying.

Really the biggest sell on this heated blanket is the overall value. If you have yet to try a heated blanket but want one larger than the Bedsure pick we recommend above, go with this budget-friendly here.

Heated Blanket Electric Throw

This heated blanket model from Gotcozy is the softest throw we've tested, thanks to its material blend of silky flannel and cozy sherpa. The color selection of this blanket is amazing too. If interior design is important to you, then you'll appreciate the selection of earth-toned hues that are much more likely to match a modern living space.

Unlike the Bedsure blanket, the Gotcozy has less heat settings (four compared to six) and only a three-hour shut off timer (as opposed to Bedsure's eight hours). The upside is the blanket is cheaper, so you do save some money by going with the downgraded tech.

If comfort is your most important priority in your heated blanket search (namely softness), then look no further than this pick.

Electric Full Size Heated Throw Blanket

This jumbo heated blanket from MaxKare is generously sized at 72” x 84”, so it’s plenty large to cover a full-sized bed or a couple snuggled up on the couch, maybe even the dog too. The plush flannel and microplush construction is extremely soft and warm, even when it’s not plugged in. It’s also surprisingly lightweight, especially for a heated blanket lined with heavy insulated wires. With four heat settings, it’s mostly easy to dial in the exact level of heat you’re looking for.

The extra long (almost 15-foot), detachable power cord is a nice safety feature to keep you from tripping over it. It also means this blanket is machine-washable. Plus, this model features built-in overheat protection to minimize the risk of fire or burns. On the downside, it’s only available in one color, but that color (brown) is neutral enough to work with any décor. Some reviewers complain that it doesn’t get quite hot enough and that the heating wires don’t cover the entire width of the blanket.

What do buyers say? “Very soft and nice heated blanket. Would definitely buy another,” said one Walmart reviewer.

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2-in-1 Original Heated Weighted Blanket

At nearly $120, it’s pricey compared to other non-weighted heated blankets. But, because you’re essentially getting two blankets in one—a weighted blanket and a heated blanket—we think it’s well worth the money. In between typical 10- and 15-pound weighted blankets, the 13-pound weight will be “just right” for most. The non-toxic glass bead fill feels more natural and delivers a more even distribution than most other lesser weighted blankets. Plus, the glass helps to hold and spread the heat more evenly throughout the blanket as well.

With four InstaHeat settings, you can choose between warm, low, medium, and a maximum 105°F high setting. That may not be quite hot enough for some, and is indeed quite a bit lower than the above Sealy’s max temp of 113°F. Because it’s not machine-washable, this model requires spot-cleaning which could be a deal-breaker for some. Still, given the good balance of price and versatility, we love this as the best weighted heated blanket of 2022.

What do buyers say? “Plush is the word I would use to describe this weighted throw blanket with heat. I feel cozy wrapped like a human burrito in this baby,” said one Walmart reviewer.

Read more: Sleep Awards 2022

Large Heated Blanket with Foot Pockets

There’s something seriously decadent about blankets with foot pockets, and a heated blanket with foot pockets takes things to a whole new level. Degrees of Comfort’s aptly named Heated Blanket with Foot Pockets might be the coziest blanket of the year. At 60” x 70”, it’s generously sized (more blanket than throw), so it’ll work equally well on the sofa and over your bed. The buttery soft polyester fabric is warm even when not plugged in, and it’s machine-washable by simply detaching the power cord. Twin sewn-in pockets at the bottom corners add a nice place to park your feet and toes for extra warmth.

This model isn’t perfect. On the downside, this electric blanket only has three heat settings, the fewest of our roundup. Some reviewers complain of the too-short auto-off safety timer. At just two hours, it’s half the time of most other electric blankets. The power cord is reasonably long, but could be longer, simply to prevent tripping hazards. But, given its pros and cons, we still think this electric blanket is a great buy at around $50.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 4,600 Amazon reviews, 79% recommend the Degrees of Comfort Heated Blanket with Foot Pockets with at least a 4-star rating.

Read more: Best Space Heaters

Reversible Sherpa to Fleece Electric Wrap Poncho Blanket

Of course, the only thing that might make a good heated blanket better is if you could wear it like a piece of clothing. Beautyrest’s Reversible Electric Wrap Poncho Blanket isn’t quite a blanket, but it’s not quite a ponch. It’s a perfect blend that’s designed to wear over your shoulders and wrapped around your body to maximize heat retention. It’s also surprisingly lightweight at around 3.5 pounds. While most won’t be buying it as a fashion piece, we do like that it's available in nearly a dozen stylish patterns and colorways. It’s also machine-washable, so if you wind up wearing it a little too much, you know it’ll be easy to clean.

With only three heat settings, this model is tied for the fewest in our roundup. On high, it can heat up to 105°F, although that depends on the ambient temperature. Some reviewers complain of a too-short power cord. At six feet, it’s decent, but we agree that it could be longer. As with most electric heated blankets in our roundup, the auto-shutoff is a nice safety feature. It is a bit short, but can be switched off if you’d rather it run continually. All in all, it’s a great bargain at just over $40.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 4,200 Amazon reviews, 84% recommend the Beautyrest Reversible Electric Wrap Poncho Blanket with at least a 4-star rating.

12-Volt Electric Blanket for Car

Why should you only enjoy the luxury of a heated blanket at home? Stalwart's 12V Heated Blanket is designed specifically for use in any vehicle with a standard 12V outlet. The power cord measures 96 inches, which is plenty long to reach the front and backseats of most vehicles. Unlike fancier home models, this one is meant to be used in winter emergencies, as a way to keep the kids warm on long car rides, or as an add-on to your RV’s heater. That said, it only has one heat setting: Plug it in and it heats up; unplug it to turn it off. Another downside about this blanket is there is no automatic shut-off feature.

The simple design (with just one heat setting) might be too simple for some, but we’ve found that it’s the standard for most vehicle-minded heated blankets. Because the power cord isn’t detachable, this model isn’t machine-washable. It’s spot-clean only. At just 59 inches by 43 inches, it’s also the smallest blanket on this list, but considering it’s designed for in-car use, that seems right. The best part about this heated blanket? The price. At around $30, it’s the most affordable heated blanket on this list.

How to Find the Best Heated Blanket (for You)

As far as home electric gadgets go, electric blankets might be among the simplest. Finding the best heated blanket for you comes down to just a few considerations:

Size

As with all blankets and bedding, size matters. If you’re buying a heated blanket for your bed, you want to know that it’s available in a standard size that will fit your mattress. If you’ll be casually using it on the couch or in your living room, a blanket with a smaller footprint (usually labeled a “throw”) might work fine. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of heated blankets available right now in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Heat Settings

Almost every heated blanket offers an adjustable controller to dial in your preferred level of heat. Budget models typically feature three heat levels (low, medium, and high), while the best heated blankets offer six or more. Consider, too, the blanket’s maximum temperature. Some entry-level models top out around 105°F, which feels more warm than hot, in our opinion. If you need something more, look for a blanket that can handle at least 110°F.

Machine Washable

Many electric blankets feature a detachable power cord, allowing you to easily throw just the blanket in the washing machine. Other blankets are spot-clean only. If you have small children or pets, this might be a feature worth considering.

How We Selected

We researched dozens of the top electric blankets on the market this season. Although they seem deceptively simple, we carefully compared every aspect, including overall dimensions, number of heat settings, maximum heat output, price, machine washability, and overall comfort according to verified buyers. The list above represents our honest picks of the seven best heated blankets to shop in 2022.

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