Lastly, look out for auto shut-off safety features – this will give you much-needed peace of mind and some even have a selection of timers so you can choose how long you’d like it to be on for. It's getting seriously cold out there. It's time to get warm and snuggly. But here’s the problem: Nothing is getting any cheaper. On the contrary, in fact. We're all being hit with soaring energy prices. Now everyone’s thinking twice about even putting the central heating on to stay warm. Never mind keep it on all through the night. Renowned for their comfortable beds, Dreamland have been keeping us warm and cosy for over 50 years, having developed a range of luxurious heated underblankets, throws and bedcovers with built-in Intelliheat technology. Their aim is to give every happy customer a lifetime of peaceful dreamy nights and relaxed, restful days – no matter what the wintry weather can throw at us. Tip: Preheat it on a low heat in advance, rather than blasting it on a high heat before you get into bed – this way you won’t use so much power. You should wash your electric blanket approximately every few weeks to once a month, or whenever the blanket gets dirty.

Dreamland Scandi Heated Sherpa Blanket | Lakeland Double Dreamland Scandi Heated Sherpa Blanket | Lakeland

If you're new to heated blankets, there are two main designs you should know about. Under blankets are like heated mattress toppers, attaching to your bed to give you warmth. Over blankets, on the other hand, are closer to throws; you can curl up on the sofa, pop them in your duvet cover or lie under them at night for a more versatile heater. Which is right for you depends on where you tend to feel the chill the most. Opt for a throw (or over-blanket) if you want one that works well in the living room, but if you’re just looking for a night-time warmer, an under-blanket can stay put and be ready and waiting come bedtime.Look for electric blankets with auto shut-off timers, so they can’t be left running for too long. And, helpfully, machine-washable ones will make life easier all round. However, the blanket itself is quite rigid compared to some – I found it made my memory foam mattress firm, and less comfortable, to sleep on. However, the size of the blanket was good – I didn’t feel any cold spots other than around the pillow area. On average, it took about 10 minutes to heat up – longer than the maker’s estimated five-minute heat up, but this may be because memory foam tends to be cooler to the touch. There’s just one control for the Anti-Bacterial Heated Underblanket, so both bed occupants need to enjoy the same level of warmth. Fortunately, there’s a good deal of flexibility and there are four temperatures to choose from rather than the average three. Two buttons control the blanket: one for on and off, with the other for cycling through the levels, shown on the LED display. That's right, they aren't the drab, old-fashioned scratchers of old. These days they're safe, soft and – dare we say it – stylish. Most importantly though, they can save you money as they cost just pennies to run per night. That means this winter you can lower your heating bill while still staying toasty warm. Ideal.

Best Electric Blankets To Keep You Warm 2022 - Heated Blankets Best Electric Blankets To Keep You Warm 2022 - Heated Blankets

We’ve also tried a couple of heated ponchos. The one we've featured has heated panels within and runs off a power bank, so you can cosily wander around your home or snuggle up on the sofa. What to look for in an electric blanket

Dreamland Heated Velvet Herringbone Throw

Just because it’s super-snug and quilted doesn’t mean it takes ages to heat up either – Intelliheat+ technology ensures your bed is warm in just 5 minutes. And the same technology cleverly responds to temperature changes while you sleep, cooling down as you warm up, and vice versa. With dual controls to put paid to any arguments, there are 6 temperature settings to choose from to keep both of you cosy all night long. And the price to pay for this luxury? As little as 5p per hour to run. Now that’s worth it as far as we’re concerned!

Dreamland Antibacterial Heated Underblanket | Kaleidoscope

For blankets that had dual controls, we assessed how accurate the temperature was on each side and whether using different settings on one side impacted the other. Lastly, if they were suitable for washing, we tested how well they cleaned and whether they shrank during the process.

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This means running an electric blanket for one hour would cost just over 3p and around 27p a night (based on 8 hours of use), which is significantly cheaper than having your central heating on all night. For a smaller 50W or 60W blanket, running costs will be even cheaper. What sort of electric blanket is best?