Best electric blankets and heated throws in the UK, tried and tested

Aside from hugging a fluffy hot-water bottle, sipping whisky and ramping up the thermostat, an electric blanket or heated throw is a practical way to ward off the winter chill. Many of the best electric blankets and heated throws cost about 2p to 4p an hour to run, so heating the person rather than the whole home can save energy and money.

Electric blankets suit mattresses, often arriving with timers, auto-shut-off features and dual controls; heated throws are aimed at sofas, with tactile finishes such as bamboo and pure cotton. I tested popular models from homeware brands including Silentnight, Slumberdown and Dreamland to find the most effective options.

I tested 24 of the most popular electric blankets and throws at home, in bed and on the sofa, using an infrared thermometer to measure how quickly and evenly each item warmed up.

United Kingdom

electric blankets, heated throws, silentnight, slumberdown, dreamland, energy savings, infrared thermometer, auto shut-off, dual controls, pure cotton