One can never have too many warm blankets
. For me, a senior home writer who tests bedding for a living, that doesn't just include traditional throws. As someone who resides in the Northeast and just so happens to run cold, I've long been intrigued by the heated variety. So when my editor asked if I'd be interested in testing the best electric blankets in the dead of a New York winter, I pretty much jumped at the opportunity.
I wasted no time researching, scouring the internet for top-rated brands. I prioritized heated blankets with auto-shutoff features, safety certifications and at least some level of style. I then spent several weeks inspecting, cuddling up to and taking the temperature of these throws (my infrared thermometer has never seen so much action!). The best heated electric blankets look great, are durable (many even machine-washable) and provide tons of warmth. After all, what good is a heated blanket that doesn't make you feel cozy?
In this story
Best electric heated blankets for 2026
Kristin Granero/Yahoo
Material:Polyester | Size:60"W x 70"L | | Targeted heat zone size:49"W x 59"L | Colors:14, including other textures | Heat settings:Four | Auto-shutoff:Yes | Care:Detach power cord and machine-wash cold; tumble-dry low
Brookstone's Heated Throw is the softest, plushest and downright most luxurious blanket I tested. It also happens to be the most convenient, both from an operational and care perspective.
First impressions:I purchased this throw in Faux Fur/Copper, and it arrived folded in a box, uncompressed — with no noticeable creasing or wrinkling. It's easy to set up (you just plug it in) and use. Unlike all the other blankets I tested, the control buttons are part of the blanket itself. You press the same button to power the blanket on and cycle through four heat settings.
Why it's great:This blanket heats up fast (it started to work its magic within seconds). I could also feel — and, thanks to my handy infrared thermometer, confirm — the heat rising with each setting. At its highest, it clocked a temp of 113°F within 10 minutes.
Brookstone's throw is a generous 60 by 70 inches, making it the best oversized heated blanket I tested. And I was completely immersed in warmth, regardless of whether the blanket shimmied or I shifted: Its wiring, where most of the heat is concentrated, covers nearly 70% of the blanket, the highest portion of any throw I tested.
The blanket is designed to automatically shut off after four hours of use (I tested this and can confirm it works). Additionally, it's ETL-certified, meaning it meets specific safety standards , and is completely machine-washable. I unplugged it, washed it on cold and tumble-dried it on low as recommended, and it came out looking just as vibrant and silky as when it went in.
Aside from its practicality, this blanket is beautiful — the fabric brims with a bubbly texture that looks high-end. I consider it the best plush heated blanket on the market, and if you're not a fan of faux fur, it comes in 13 other striking colors, textures and patterns. At only $50, sometimes on sale for less, it's a serious bargain. (Note: At publishing time, the faux fur version was not available for shipping due to limited stock, but was available for in-store pickup at select Target locations. Other textures and patterns were available for shipping, though, and operate the same as the blanket I reviewed.)
What I'd change:I wish the large care tag were more discreet. It's sewn to the top of the blanket rather than the underside, which interferes with the look. I also wish I could set a timer for when I want it to shut off (ideally starting at 1 or 2 hours, in case I doze off while reading or watching a movie).
- Ultra-plush and cushy
- Built-in remote
- Completely machine-washable and dryable
- ETL-certified
- Oversized blanket and heat zone
- Can't set a timer for the automatic shutoff
- Care label is sewn onto the top side of the blanket
Kristin Granero/Yahoo
Material:Polyester | Sizes:50"W x 70"L, 50"W x 64"L | Targeted heat zone size:26"W x 55"L | Colors:Four | Heat settings:Three | Auto-shutoff:Yes | Care:Detach power cord and machine-wash cold, tumble-dry low partially, then hang to dry
For another great (read: cozy, aesthetically pleasing) option, I really liked this Beautyrest blanket. At 50 by 70 inches, it’s slightly smaller than Brookstone's, which is why I reserved it for the "best throw" category, but it impressed me in terms of comfort and functionality.
First impressions:I purchased the faux fur throw in Brown Texture (a camel color), and it arrived in a clear, zippered pouch with no noticeable creasing or other imperfections. The remote control has two cords — one that plugs into the blanket and another that plugs into an outlet. There are separate buttons on the controller for selecting between low, medium and high heat settings.
Why it's great:With the blanket plugged in and powered on, I started to feel toastier almost immediately. I tested the various heat settings and could feel the blanket getting increasingly warmer, clocking temps of up to 99°F (low), 108°F (medium), and 111°F (high). And while this blanket doesn't offer as many warmth options as the others I tested, I found the three sufficient for my needs, with the medium setting hitting the sweet spot for me.
The heating zone of this blanket spans 26 by 55 inches, significantly smaller than our Brookstone pick. I'm 5'4”, and with the blanket up to my collarbone, I felt warmth from side to side, and down to my toes.
Beautyrest's electric blanket automatically turns off after two hours of use and is certified by UL Solutions for meeting specific safety standards. The blanket is machine-washable and partially machine-dryable. Per the instructions, I took it out of the dryer after tumbling it on low for a bit, stretched it out, and hung it to dry. I didn't notice any signs of fading, shrinking or wear.
Made of faux fur, this heated blanket is just as soft and almost as plush as Brookstone's. The fabric has an attractive grid pattern, and there are a lot of textures and colors to choose from — I especially like Brown for those rich ranch vibes . Bonus: The large care tag is sewn onto the underside of the blanket, so it doesn’t compete with the aesthetic.
What I'd change:I wish this blanket were completely dryer-friendly, and that I could time the shutoff. And I wouldn't mind an extra heat setting and a sleeker controller — this one looked the clunkiest of the bunch.
- Plush and silky
- Oversized
- UL-certified
- Care label is hidden on underside of blanket
- Warms up quickly
- Partial machine-dry only
- Fewer heat settings
- Controller looks a bit clunky
Kristin Granero/Yahoo
Material:Polyester | Size:50"W x 60"L | Targeted heat zone size:28"W x 52"L | Colors:Four | Heat settings:Six | Auto-shutoff:Yes | Care:Detach power cord and machine-wash cold, tumble-dry low partially, then hang to dry
If faux fur isn't your thing, this fleece blanket from Sunbeam was among the fluffiest and cuddliest I tested. At under $40, it's also among the most affordable, making it the best budget heated blanket for anyone who wants to warm up without burning a lot of cash.
First impressions:Sunbeam's Sherpa Throw, which I purchased in Natural, arrived in a compact box. Despite being sealed in a compressed bag, it showed no wrinkles or creases. There's one cord with a controller in the middle. The controller has three buttons: one to turn on the blanket, one to set a timer and one to toggle between heat settings.
Why it's great:I could feel heat moving through the wires of this blanket within seconds of turning it on. When dialing up the settings, I could also feel — and thanks to my handy thermometer, track — it getting increasingly warmer. I clocked a low of 95°F and a high of 111°F, the latter reached within about 10 minutes.
I found the heat coverage sufficient: Despite the blanket’s slightly smaller size (50 by 70 inches), the heating zone was comparable to that of Beautyrest. The heat felt evenly distributed, and when lying with the top of the blanket at chest level, it warmed my entire body.
Sunbeam's electric blanket automatically turns off after 4 hours (or can be programmed to do so earlier). Like my Brookstone pick, it's certified by ETL for meeting certain safety standards. And like the Beautyrest throw, it's safe to machine wash and at least partially machine-dry. I found it easy to clean and didn't notice any changes in look or feel after washing and drying it according to the brand's instructions.
Made of polyester, this heated blanket remained super-soft and extremely fluffy, and, despite being a light color, didn't appear dingy after several weeks of testing. Best of all, it has three built-in foot pockets at the bottom. It reminds me of my favorite Teddy Throw from Pottery Barn , but heavier; the foot pockets are similar to my other beloved blanket, the Footsac from LoveSac . Talk about a winning combination!
What I'd change:I wish this blanket could be fully dried in the machine. And while I loved the cream color I tested, I wish Sunbeam offered more than four colors and patterns. Like with Brookstone, relocating the sewn-in care label from the top of the blanket to the underside would improve its aesthetic. Of note: Fuzzies are more prone to sticking to this blanket, but I didn't include it as a con, as that's typical of sherpa-style fleece.
- Plush and fluffy
- Sleek remote
- Built-in foot pockets
- cETLus-certified
- Budget friendly
- Partial machine-dry only
- Care label is sewn onto the top side of the blanket
Kristin Granero/Yahoo
Material:Polyester | Sizes:50"W x 60"L (standard twin, full, queen and king also available) | Targeted heat zone size:39"W x 42"L | Colors:Six | Heat settings:Six | Auto-shutoff:Yes | Care:Detach power cord and machine-wash cold, tumble-dry low partially, then hang to dry
Why settle for one cozy fabric when you can have two? This heated blanket from Bedsure combines silky faux fur with fluffy sherpa, all in a single throw.
First impressions:I ordered the blanket in gray, and it came compressed in a bag, but it quickly took its shape. There's a controller with two cords — one that plugs into the blanket and another that plugs into an outlet. The controller has three buttons: one to turn it on, one to set a timer and another to toggle between heat settings.
Why it's great:Bedsure's electric warms up quickly. While I couldn't feel the coils themselves, I could feel the heat moving through them almost instantly, and I appreciated the six heat settings. Aside from a little overlap here and there, I could feel the difference between them.
With a low of 93°F and a high of 113°F, the blanket offers a good, customizable heat range. And even though it has a slightly shorter heat zone than those above, I could feel the warmth down to my feet when I lay with the top of the blanket at chest level.
I liked that I could set this heated blanket to shut off at my convenience (there are four options, from 1 to 4 hours) and that it's ETL-certified for safety. But what really makes it stand out is that it's reversible, with a thick, fuzzy top layer and a fleecy underlayer. I machine-washed and dried the blanket according to the instructions and didn't have any issues with color fading or wear (the fur felt just as smooth and silky, and the fleece just as fluffy).
What I'd change:I wish this blanket could be completely dried in the machine and that it came in a wider range of colors. (I love the thick ribbing of this blanket style, but for more color options, the brand offers a narrow-ribbed version that functions almost identically.)
- Plush and reversible
- Six heat settings
- Adjustable shutoff timer
- ETL and FCC certified
- Partial machine-dry only
- Care label is sewn onto the top side of the blanket
Factors to consider when buying a heated blanket
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Size:A typical throw measures around 50"W x 60"L (according to standard bed sizes, you're then looking at around 38"W x 75"L for a twin, 60"W x 80"L for a queen and 76"W x 80"L for a king). A larger blanket will typically have a larger heat zone, or wired area where the heat is concentrated.
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Material:The plusher the heated electric blanket, the less likely you are to feel the internal wiring. Most are made of polyester, in different textures:
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Sherpa-style fleecetends to be thick and warm. I consider it the best-looking, but it’s prone to trapping hair and fuzzies.
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Chenille- or flannel-like polyesteris typically thinner than sherpa, but smoother and silkier.
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Faux furis plush, and to me, hits the sweet spot for warmth and silkiness, with a premium look and feel (and minimal maintenance).
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Operation style:Most heated blankets have a handheld controller, but some feature the a display panel sewn into the blanket itself. The latter look sleeker but are harder to find.
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Heat range:See if the product descriptions include average or high temperatures, so you can find the one that's best for you. Otherwise, try to choose blankets with several heat settings for greater customization. In my experience, three or four should suffice — more than that, and you often can't tell the difference between certain settings.
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Safety features:Prioritize heated blankets that automatically shut off after a certain period of use, ideally with a timer so you can schedule it.
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Certifications:
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ETL/cETLus( Intertek ) and UL( UL Solutions ) certifications are given to products that have passed rigorous safety testing by nationally recognized testing laboratories.
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FCC certificationsare given to products that the Federal Communications Commission has tested and confirmed won't interfere with other electronic products, such as radios or TVs.
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How we tested heated blankets
I spent several weeks rest-testing electric heating blankets. Specifically, I looked at:
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Comfort/aesthetics:How soft and cushy the blankets felt, and how nice their materials and controllers looked, also noting any pros or cons regarding power cord or label placement.
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User-friendliness:How easy blankets were to set up and clean, and how intuitive their controllers were to operate and schedule.
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Functionality:How much time it took for each blanket to heat up, how hot it got at each heat level, and whether the auto-shutoff kicked in as promised.
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Heat coverage:How wide and far blankets' internal wires (or concentrated "heat zones") extended, and what portion of the blanket they accounted for in terms of percentage.
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Durability:How tough-wearing the blankets and controllers seemed upon arrival, whether they had any snags such as loose threading, and how they held up to testing and washing.
Other heated blankets we tested
Westinghouse Electric Blanket :Like my Bedsure pick, this blanket features a ribbed texture on one side and fleece on the other, with auto-shutoff timers and six heat settings. In terms of performance, it heated up just as fast and had a similar operating style and heat range, minus a few degrees. I ultimately awarded the Bedsure model the title of "best reversible heated blanket" because I thought it looked more elevated. I also found the washing instructions for Westinghouse a bit tedious (involving several intervals of soaking, rinsing, agitating and spinning), and because you're supposed to fill the washer with warm water, it's not front loader-friendly. Unlike Bedsure's version, this one can be completely machine-dried, which may be a worthwhile tradeoff to some people.
Serta Luxuriously Soft Plush Electric Blanket :Serta's heated blanket isn't as plush as my top picks (it's more of a silky-smooth, medium-thick fleece). Featuring 10 heat settings, it offers the most customization, but the highest temp I clocked was 104°F, compared to some blankets that got into the hundred-teens. But it's both washer- and dryer-friendly and ETL-certified, with shutoff timers. While the heat zone stops short 20 inches from the sides, it's the longest of those I tested, so I'd consider it the best oversized heated blanket for draping over a bed, or for someone who's tall and needs a bit more coverage.
Sunbeam Royal Ultra :This blanket heats up quickly, with the same sleek remote and four settings as the Sunbeam Sherpa Throw I tested. It's machine-washable and partially machine-dryable. But the thin polyester felt like the thinnest of those I tested (I could see faint outlines of the wires), and it was a magnet for hair and fuzzies. It reminded me of a blanket you'd get on an airplane, the upside being that it's lightweight and takes up very little room when folded.
Stalwart Travel Blanket :Stalwart's battery-heated blanket is made of polyester fleece and plugs into your car's auxiliary power outlet. I found the material thick and soft, but it's not as plush as my top picks, you can only spot-clean it, and it doesn't offer different heat settings. It took awhile to heat up when I used it in a cold car, and it lacks an auto-shutoff feature (though it turns off when you turn off your car). I'd consider it a good option if you regularly drive passengers who tend to run colder than you and you don't want to blast the heat.
Ourea Battery-Operated Wearable Electric Blanket :I thought I'd made a mistake when ordering this wearable heated blanket because on Amazon, the brand was listed as "ZonLi." (After some digging, I discovered that both Ourea and ZonLi are under the same umbrella brand.) You can plug the blanket directly into an outlet, or charge the battery and then plug that into the blanket's pocket for cordless use. There are three heat settings, with the heat lasting up to five hours on the lowest. Unlike the other blankets I tested, this has six concentrated heat patches versus one big zone of wires. The heat isn't as consistent and even as in my top picks, and the top layer isn't as soft, as it's designed to be weather-resistant. But when I wore it (it looks like a poncho), it fit me well, falling right below my knees. I'd consider the Ourea a solid cordless heated blanket for tailgating and heat emergencies.
Safety factors for heated blankets
While the instructions for the heated blankets I tested differed slightly, they commonly warned against using the product with infants and individuals who are diabetic or have heat sensitivities or poor circulation. Additionally, brands warned against balling up blankets or leaving them in an area where pets might be able to chew on them, to help preserve internal wires and power cords. Finally, brands advised against ironing or wringing out blankets, or drying them in commercial dryers, as these are more prone to overheating.
As a general rule, you should treat your heated blanket as you would any electrical appliance, taking care that the blanket and power cord do not get wet when the blanket is plugged in. If any elements are exposed to moisture (from spills or washing), make sure the blanket and plug are completely dry before plugging it back in. Heated blankets should not be slept in or otherwise left unattended (this is when auto-shutoff comes in handy). Be sure to read the instructions for your heated blanket in their entirety to ensure that you're taking proper care (and precautions) when using and washing the blanket. Check out the Electrical Safety Foundation International 's helpful guide to electrical blanket fire prevention.
How to wash electric heated blankets
How to hand-wash heated blankets
Many of the brands I tested recommended hand-washing blankets in cold water and mild detergent (no bleach), with light agitation, then stretching the blanket out to its full size and air-drying. Some advised using clothespins; others advised against it, suggesting you drape the blanket over the top of a shower or similar.
How to machine-wash heated blankets
For machine-washable blankets, many brands instructed using cold water and mild detergent, on gentle or delicate settings. For those that could go in the dryer, most advised tumbling blankets on low heat, with ample tumble room (some advised a machine-dry, air-dry hybrid). In all cases, you'll want to ensure you unplug power cords from the blankets and that the blankets are completely cool before being washed and dried. After cleaning, check that they're completely dry before using them. Be sure to read the dedicated care instructions for your blanket to ensure you're washing and drying it as intended.
Heated blanket FAQs
What is better than a heated blanket?
Heated mattress pads and toppers can be helpful for getting a bed nice and toasty. You can also try a smaller heating pad if you want to just warm up a specific spot, like the foot of your bed, or you're looking to alleviate pain such as muscle stiffness or cramping). A cushy down or down-alternative comforter and/or fleece or faux fur throw are some of our other favorite buys for keeping warm and cozy.
What is the average lifespan of an electric blanket?
A quality electric blanket can last five to 10 years, so long as you take care of it correctly and/or use it sparingly. Regardless of how long you've owned or been using your electric blanket, the Electrical Safety Foundation International advises replacing it at the first sight of "dark, charred or frayed spots, or electrical cords that are cracked or frayed," even if your blanket appears to be in perfect condition otherwise. The foundation also recommends replacing electric blankets at least every 10 years to minimize the risk of a fire hazard.
Do all electric blankets have wires?
Traditionally, electric blankets feature thin wires that are woven into the blanket, typically a few inches apart from one another. The blanket comes with a power cord that plugs into both the blanket and an electrical outlet, which serves to heat up those wires.
As for the difference between an electric blanket and a heated blanket, these terms are often used interchangeably. You may also see terms like "cordless" for blankets that are only plugged into an electrical source for charging purposes, or "battery operated" for blankets that are powered by a car or other battery.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
