The 10 Best Electric Blankets in 2021 (Reviewed and Compared)

With the winter season fast approaching, you’re probably looking to cut down on your heating bills. And one of the easiest ways to do so is by using an electric blanket to keep you warm.

To help you find the best electric blanket for your needs, we painstakingly analyzed and reviewed the top options.

We looked at the materials, temp settings, comfort levels, and a slew of other features.

If you’re ready to find the electric blanket of your dreams, let’s start with the ratings.

Affiliate Disclosure

Despite a few minor shortcomings, Vipex’s blanket is the best-rated electric blanket on Amazon and our pick for best overall. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done quickly and has a reasonable price tag to boot. 

Good heating options – With 10 temperature settings, this blanket will accommodate the vast majority of users. The temperatures range from 68°F to 122°F. It also features three auto-shutoff settings at one, two, or three hours. 

Easy cleaning – The Vipex blanket is machine washable and dryer-safe. Its brushed flannel will resist numerous washes without showing signs of wear and tear. 

Top safety certifications – In addition to being Intertek ETC Certified, this blanket features comprehensive Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) protection. This prevents gradual damage to its components, so it’s always as safe as the first time you used it. 

Outstanding warranty – This electric heating blanket is one of few with a lifetime warranty. Plus, Vipex promises 24/7 customer support. However, its return policy is unclear.

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Full flannel construction
• Good variety of heating and timer options
• ETL safety certification

Cons:

• Vague return policy
• Only one size option 

Beautyrest is a company with a storied legacy in the mattress industry. And its attention to quality is apparent in this blanket. This is the best king-size electric blanket with a dual control functionality. 

Twenty heat settings – Whether you like your blanket hot, scorching, lukewarm, cool, or anything in between, Beautyrest delivers. With 20 heat settings, you can find precisely the temperature you want. Moreover, it has a preheat feature, so it’s ready as soon as you get in bed.

Reversible – You get your pick of a light microlight plush fabric or the Sherpa reverse. The thick Sherpa fabric is a little warmer, but you’re not likely to need it with this many heat settings. 

Safety features – It’s UL listed and ETL certified. Also, it features a 10-hour automatic shutoff. 

Unique to this list, this Beautyrest blanket promises near-zero electromagnetic radiation emissions. EMF radiation from electric blankets is generally safe, but it’s always nice to keep it to a minimum. 

Dual control electric blanket – With two controllers, you can choose different heat settings for each side of the blanket. However, the dual-controller setup is only available in the king and queen sizes.

Pros:

• Wide range of heat settings
• Reversible
• UL- and ETL-certified
• Dual controller
• Heats evenly throughout 

Cons:

• Short power cable
• Only 10-hour automatic shutoff

You might know L.L. Bean for its high-quality outdoor equipment, but it certainly makes a mean heated blanket as well. It’s one of the most luxurious and comfortable blankets on this list, with simple features that deliver a rock-solid performance. 

However, this may not be for you if you’re trying to find the best price on electric blankets.

Plush feel – L.L. Bean’s heated blanket features a Primalush top layer and a Velvetloft bottom layer. These are both specially designed by Berkshire Blankets to provide maximum comfort while evenly distributing heat.

As far as heated blankets go, this is probably the snuggest you’ll find. But the materials are a little slippery on some sheets, so your blanket might shift around more than you like. If this is a consistent problem, consider using a textured mattress topper to prevent it.

Safety features – Despite not being certified with independent laboratories, this blanket has several safety precautions built-in.

It has an automatic shutoff timer with four duration settings and patented Intellisense technology. The Intellisense controller senses heat distribution and ensures no hot or cold spots form on the blanket.

Minimal wiring – The feel is another reason this ranks well among the best electric blankets. It feels just like a regular blanket. The makers of this blanket went to great lengths to make sure all the wires are exceedingly flexible and barely noticeable.

Sensible controls – Straightforward controls with only five heat settings and a preheat function.

Pros:

• Premium look and feel
• Machine washable
• Intellisense technology ensures even heating
• Four auto-shutoff settings
• Ultra-thin wires 

Cons:

• Only five heat settings
• Expensive

If you like to have full control of your blanket’s heat, this is the one for you. Sunbeam is widely recognized as the best electric blanket brand, and it does that reputation justice with this blanket. 

It’s relatively lightweight and has an intuitive and uncomplicated controller, making it ideal for older users. All the buttons are clearly labeled and in a large format. 

Cozy feet – Sunbeam goes above and beyond with heat settings on this blanket. In addition to having two heat zones with individual controls, each zone is also further split into body and foot zones. 

You can set the temperature for your feet independently of the body zone. You’ll love this if you have poor circulation or just need a little extra heat on your toes.

Easy care – Machine washable and dryer-safe, making this one of the absolute best electric blankets.

Safety features – This blanket isn’t UL listed but claims to meet UL standards. While it’s a nice addition, it’s not a replacement for a legitimate UL certification. 

It does, however, have a 10-hour automatic shutoff function, and it’s ELT-certified. 

Pros:

• Simple controls
• Cozy Feet zone keeps your feet warm
• 25 total heat settings
• Rich, velvety feel
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Center area between zones heats unevenly

SoftHeat is among the best-quality blankets you can get. It also has a few features that make it the best electric blanket to buy if safety is a primary concern.

However, it’s not without its flaws, and it’s a relatively pricey option.

Ultra-thin wires – Perfect Fit makes a big deal about the thin wires in its blankets. And, to be fair, they make a difference. The thin wires lay much flatter and are less intrusive than what you’ll find in most other heated blankets.

But the claims that ultra-thin wires heat the blanket more evenly don’t quite pan out. Uneven or slow heating are among the chief complaints about this blanket. 

Super soft fabric – This blanket’s biggest claim to fame is the low-pill microfleece fabric. Coupled with the thin wires, you’ll have trouble distinguishing this from a regular blanket.

It’s technically machine-washable, but you’ll have to follow a pretty complicated set of instructions.

Ease of use – The SoftHeat has the best electric heating blanket controls out of the ones on this list. The controller has a large knob that makes it a cinch to adjust the temperature settings. And the temperature settings are displayed on a large, backlit display for easy reading. 

Safety features – For starters, this is a UL-listed blanket. Additionally, it features low-voltage functionality. Since it works with only 25 volts, it’s less likely to be a fire hazard. 

SoftHeat also claims it produces no electromagnetic fields, but there’s no real evidence to back that up.

Pros:

• Extremely plush and soft
• Easy-to-use controls
• Ultra-thin wires
• Low-voltage
• Overheating protection

Cons:

• Rather heavy
• Relatively low heat

If you’re a sucker for features, this blanket has more than you can shake a stick at, and they’re all pretty good. It’s more of a comforter than a blanket, and it features a plush seven-layer construction. 

The big selling point is the soft and luxurious Micro Flannel fabric, which is admittedly quite lovely. But this is one of the bulkier blankets on the list, and you may find that it’s too warm for regular use. 

However, when the temperatures dip below freezing, you’ll be happy you invested in this one. 

Seven layers of warmth – If you’re getting ready for harsh winters, this is the blanket you want. It has seven layers, including a down layer and a quilted layer for the heating elements.  

A generous queen – This is an outstanding blanket for queen beds. The queen-size electric blanket is sized like a comforter, so you get about four more inches per side than you would on a typical Queen blanket. 

Moreover, the Micro Flannel is resistant to sliding. Once you lay it on the bed, you won’t have to worry about it shifting around. For such a heavy blanket, that’s a much-needed feature.  

Tight stitching – The heating wires are stitched in tightly and securely. This feature prevents the cables from shifting around inside the blanket. 

Long power cord – At 16′ in length, this blanket’s power cord is the longest on this list. It’s also the longest you’re likely to find on any electric blanket.   

Pros:

• Thick and warm
• Oversized
• Anti-shrink Micro Flannel
• Resists sliding
• Full heating wire coverage with no dead zones

Cons:

• Requires two outlets for dual controls
• Single auto-shutoff setting

As one of only a few battery-powered electric blankets, the Cozee is a great investment if you need to stay warm while camping or engaging in outdoor activities. It’s the best 12-volt electric blanket, bar none, and if you can look past the price, it’s an outstanding product overall. 

Cordless heated blanket – The portable battery pack keeps you warm for up to five hours. And you can use the two additional USB ports to power your electronics, as well. 

You can charge the battery pack from any standard outlet or even your car’s 12-volt outlet. You can’t ask for much more if you’re looking for a heated travel blanket.  

Space-age technology – The Cozee blanket uses mylar insulation to trap warmth, the same material used for temperature control on spacecraft. 

Safety features – Since it runs on only 12 volts, it’s unlikely to ever be a fire hazard. Moreover, the blanket features an auto-shutoff function and regulates temperature automatically to prevent overheating.

Pros:

• Battery-powered electric blanket
• Water-resistant
• Heated pockets for hand warming
• Mylar insulation
• Over five hours of continuous heating on a single charge

Cons:

• Expensive
• Can’t be directly plugged into an outlet

Hyde Lane’s faux fur blanket is not only great at keeping you warm. It also makes a great design accent for your home. 

It has a premium appearance, and you can choose from several color options to match your home’s decor.

Invisible wires – This is a low voltage blanket and features minimal wiring. Its faux fur masks the cables entirely, so you can use it as a decorative piece. The remote is also small and can be easily concealed. 

Sized for couches – As a throw blanket, it’s only available in one size. If you need something to keep you a little warmer in your living room, this is the best electric blanket for you. However, it’s a bit lackluster if you need to stay warm overnight. 

Safety features – There’s not much to brag about in the safety department, but also not much left to be desired. It’s UL listed, and it has a two-hour automatic shutoff.    

Pros:

• Great as a home accent
• Unintrusive heating wires
• Machine-washable
• Simple controls
• Gets very hot on the highest setting

Cons:

• Only three heat settings
• Only one size

The beauty of this blanket is all the colors you have to choose from. For what is primarily a mattress company, Serta certainly invested in a multitude of options for this electric blanket. 

It has all the trappings of the best electric blankets and comes in over a dozen colors and patterns. 

Great gift idea – With so many colors to choose from, there’s undoubtedly one in the bunch for even the pickiest amateur home designer.  

Soft and comfortable – Serta’s blanket is reversible. You can pick between the soft micro plush inside or the even softer Sherpa lining. Both are brushed polyester and stand up well to machine washing.

Extra light – The 175 GSM polyester fabric makes this the lightest blanket on this list, weighing just over 2 lbs.

Pros:

• Many color and pattern options
• Reversible 
• Machine-washable
• Light and thin

Cons:

• Controls are awkwardly placed on the power cord
• Relatively low heat

This is the ideal blanket for people who have to share a bed with a picky partner. For the king and queen blankets, each side is controlled separately with a comprehensive panel that includes a digital display. The controllers can be placed on a bedside table or the floor since they each plug into outlets independently. 

However, you should know it’s quite heavy. The king-size electric blanket weighs in at almost 10 pounds, which is almost comparable to a weighted blanket. 

Quick heating – This blanket reaches your desired heat in just under 20 minutes. That’s superior to a few of the other top-shelf blankets on this list.   

Reversible – Polyester microplush and a Sherpa inner lining make this a soft and comfortable choice. Both sides feature low-pill fabric, and if you’re in the market for a low-maintenance blanket, this is a great choice. 

Safety features – Other than a 10-hour automatic shutoff, this blanket doesn’t have much in the way of safety precautions. 

Pros:

• Thin heating wires
• Reversible
• Excellent digital dual controls with queen and king sizes
• Heavy
• Heats quickly

Cons:

• Delicate blanket—won’t take a lot of punishment
• Heats too quickly for sensitive users

To compile this list, we examined dozens of different blankets from the top manufacturers.

And to be honest, we discovered more than most people care to know. But the good news is you don’t have to go through the trouble.

Here are the criteria we used to ensure these reviews are valuable and accurate for you:

Materials

Due to its flame-retardant nature, polyester is the fabric of choice for just about every heated blanket. But not every polyester fabric is the same. 

There are many variations of polyester. Different weights and softness ratings make significantly different blankets. 

Polyester is also heavily prone to pilling (the fabric’s tendency to develop lint balls). So a low-pill version, such as Sherpa, may prove to be the best electric blanket material for you. 

Temperature Settings

Generally speaking, the more temperature settings a blanket has, the better. But there’s a point at which diminishing returns make more settings gratuitous and unnecessary. 

You should look at each blanket in the context of its intended use. In some instances, having more settings doesn’t add any substantive value. 

Size

You need a blanket sized to fit your needs. A throw blanket is not going to cut it if you need to cover two people. By that same token, a king-size electric blanket is hardly appropriate for your couch. 

Most of the time, a blanket will come in a variety of sizes. But some are restricted to a single size option, so we made sure to include options in all sizes.

Warranty

Even if you buy the best electric blanket in the world, it’s not going to last forever. Moreover, some electric blankets have extravagant price tags. 

Knowing there’s a comprehensive warranty if something goes wrong makes it easier to commit to a significant investment. 

Safety Certifications

Put together electricity, heat, and fabric in most situations, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. We wanted to ensure the blankets we’re recommending were independently tested by at least one recognized safety certification company. 

Price

The main goal was to present you with the best deals on electric blankets. To that end, we included both high-end and affordable blankets that can fit any budget. 

If you don’t know the difference between a rheostat and a duvet, don’t sweat it. We’ll explain everything you need to know

To start, there’s more to picking out an electric blanket than just getting the cheapest one. You can save yourself a lot of grief and quite a bit of money if you know what you’re looking for. 

Below, you’ll learn about the main factors to consider when picking the best-quality electric blanket. You may have other special needs, but these are the broad elements you should keep in mind. 

Start With the Hand

You may have heard people talk about hand when discussing fabrics. In a nutshell, it refers to how a fabric feels to the touch.

The thing about hand is that there are no objective standards to measure it by. You just have to find what works for you. Some common fabric types used for electric blankets are the following:

• Sherpa: very soft and fuzzy; it’s excellent at retaining heat
• Microplush: a knitted fabric that feels similar to velvet
• Microfiber fleece: excellent at wicking moisture but feels dense and sometimes stiff
• Polyester Flannel: not quite as soft as cotton flannel, it retains most of the same characteristics 

If you can, visit a craft store and try to feel all these fabrics for yourself. It will help you figure out the best electric blanket material based on your preferences. 

Temperature Settings

It’s hard to overstate how much temperature settings vary from one blanket to the next. However, it’s almost never wrong to pick a blanket with more temperature settings. 

As a rule of thumb, three temperature settings are the bare minimum. Ideally, you want 5–10. 

Some heated blankets only have on and off settings. It’s safe to avoid those entirely. If you’re very picky about how hot you want your blanket, there are blankets with 15 or more settings. Plus, you can purchase one with heat settings for each region of the body. 

If you share a bed with a partner, you may also want to look into a double control electric blanket. It makes it easier for each of you to find the perfect temperature.

Product Care

All the blankets on this list are machine-washable. And in general, you want to avoid any that aren’t. 

The lion’s share of modern blankets can be washed as if they were regular blankets. However, they will need a little bit of special care. A full wash cycle is almost always discouraged.

It’s imperative that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Doing so will extend the lifespan of your electric blanket and ensure it functions as intended. 

Safety

All the other criteria for an electric blanket are subordinate to safety. If it has a bad track record when it comes to safety, it’s not the best electric blanket for you. It’s as simple as that. 

While modern blankets are relatively safe compared to their old counterparts, there is always a risk associated with heated blankets. At a minimum, you want a blanket that has an ETL or UL certification. 

Moreover, it’s good to look through customer reviews and pick a blanket without any serious instances of malfunction. 

Electromagnetic radiation is also an issue some blanket manufacturers bring up. Mostly, it relates to the link between EMF radiation and cancer. This association has never been substantiated with evidence, but if it will make you feel safer, you can pick a blanket with low EMF emissions.   

Lastly, an auto-shutoff feature is non-negotiable. In a perfect world, you’ll want a blanket with several timed settings for automatically shutting off to choose from. 

Ease of Use

The best electric blanket on the market for you is ultimately one that you’ll use regularly. So you want to pick one with controls that won’t confuse you. 

You should also consider any limitations you have and whether those restrict you from using certain controls efficiently. Small print, buttons that are hard to discern, and too many functions may be undesirable. 

Another consideration is the length of the power cable. Unless you have outlets close to where you intend to use it, a blanket with short power cables will be a hassle. You can use extension cords, but that will become a nuisance quickly, so it’s best to avoid it. 

Warranty

It’s fair to say that even the best electric blankets are a touchy product. 

As simple as they are, there’s quite a bit that can go wrong with them. And some can set you back hundreds of dollars. 

So it’s good to be protected. A one-year warranty on parts is a good standard to look for. Anything less than that tells you the manufacturer really isn’t standing by the product. 

Broadly speaking, the more extended the warranty, the longer the blanket’s manufacturer expects it to last. 

Conclusion

Blankets aren’t just about staying warm. We expect more from our blankets, like comfort, coziness, and convenience. 

So don’t settle for any old blanket. Pick one of the best-rated electric blankets on this list to make sure you get what you need at a fair price. 

And if we missed one that you think deserves to be here, we want to hear about it. Leave us a reply right now in the contact form below.