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Looking for a cheap electric blanket? Below we’ll explain what to look for, where to buy them, how to use them safely and more.
Credit: New Africa (left image), Olena Yakobchuk (right image) – Shutterstock
With UK energy prices at their highest-ever levels, many of us are looking for ways to save money on bills this winter. And one great way to do so is to use a heated blanket instead of putting on radiators.
As we’ll discuss in more detail later, compared to putting on the heating, electric blankets cost a fraction of the price to run.
To help you save even more money on the blankets, we’ll go through some of the best cheap ones below. And, if you scroll down further, you’ll find info on how to use electric blankets safely, and how to wash them.
Electric blankets
Cheap electric blankets
Here are the best electric blankets to buy on a budget:
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Slumberdown heated underblanket (single)
- Cost: £18
- Best for: Quickly warming up a bed.
If you’re keen to get an electric blanket to warm up your bed, this is a good cheap option. You tend to put underblankets beneath bed sheets.
At the time of writing, this single-sized blanket is available for £18 from Wilko. You can also buy a double-sized underblanket for £23 or a king-sized version for £26.
It has three heat settings and is machine washable. Plus, it has a 12-month guarantee.
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Silentnight heated throw
- Cost: £30
- Best for: Keeping warm and cosy on the sofa or while studying.
Electric throws usually cost £60 or more. But, at around £30, this Silentnight blanket from Asda is a great deal. We’ve spotted the same blanket on sale elsewhere, but Asda has the lowest price of the ones we’ve seen.
This blanket would be ideal for times when you’re feeling cold at your desk, or when you’re snuggled up on the sofa in the evenings.
Like the underblanket mentioned above, this blanket also has three heat settings and can go in the washing machine. It has a three-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
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Dreamland heated overblanket (single)
- Cost: £70
- Best for: Using instead of a duvet, or as well as a duvet if you’re very cold.
Overblankets generally cost more than underblankets. This Dreamland one is pretty expensive (£70 for a single blanket or £95 for a double). Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find an overblanket from a reputable retailer for much less than this.
An electric overblanket can help to keep you warm in bed. For some, it will be worth spending a bit more to be surrounded by a heated blanket at night.
But, before buying one, consider whether the higher price will be worth it for you. You might be able to spend less on an underblanket and still stay warm at night. Heat rises, so you could benefit more from the warmth of an underblanket.
However, if you feel it would be worth spending a bit more for an overblanket and it suits your budget, this Dreamland one from Argos is a good option.
It has six temperature settings (so twice as many as the above two blankets). It’s also machine washable and it has a two-year guarantee included in the price.
Saving money with an electric blanket
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Energy bills have risen a huge amount over the last year.
Over winter, putting the heating on always adds a lot to monthly bills. And now more than ever, we’re all looking for ways to save energy and keep bills down.
Compared to putting on radiators, electric blankets use very little energy. In fact, an electric blanket costs just £0.051 per hour to run.
Of course, you do need to consider the initial cost of buying an electric blanket.
To find good deals, use the ones we’ve suggested above as a guideline. But remember that you might be able to find some in sales for less, so do your research and shop around for the best deal. For example, Aldi and Lidl often sell electric blankets for cheap prices.
And if you do get a heated blanket, look after it as much as you can. When used carefully, electric blankets can continue to save you money on bills for the next few winters.
For tips on how to use electric blankets safely, see the next point.
Are electric blankets safe?
Electric blankets should be safe to use if you use them correctly.
The London Fire Brigade has some good tips on how to use electric blankets safely on its website. Here’s an overview of their advice:
- When storing electric blankets, either keep them flat, rolled up or loosely folded.
- Some electric blankets have thermostats to keep them at a safe temperature overnight. If you have one without this setting, switch it off before getting into bed.
- Don’t use an electric blanket with an air-flow pressure relief mattress.
- You also shouldn’t use an electric blanket if you’re using emollient creams (e.g. E45 cream). When these creams get on things like bedding and clothes, they can increase flammability.
- Don’t use electric blankets when they’re wet. You should never switch it on to dry it.
- When getting an electric blanket, buy a brand-new one, rather than a second-hand one.
- Check it often for wear and tear to make sure it’s still in a safe condition. The London Fire Brigade recommends replacing them at least every 10 years.
How to wash a heated blanket
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Before getting an electric blanket, make sure it’s machine washable. It goes without saying that if it’s not, don’t put it in the washing machine.
Check your blanket’s specific care instructions and follow these closely.
When washing an electric blanket, you’ll need to remove the control cord. They usually need to go in delicate cycles.
As mentioned above, don’t switch the electric blanket on to dry it. If you have a tumble dryer, you might be able to dry the blanket on a low-heat setting. But otherwise, air dry it.
And once the blanket’s dry, don’t iron it. This can damage the wiring.
Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll be able to protect the electric blanket and help it to last longer.
Although it’s difficult to switch to cheaper energy providers right now, see if you can save money by switching broadband providers.
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