The Best Heated Blankets to Keep You Warm All Winter Long [Tested and Reviewed]

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Best Overall Heated Blanket

Beautyrest Microlight Reversible Berber Luxury Heated Throw

79.9919% OFF$65.08 at Amazon

$89.99 at Kohl's

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When the temperatures drop, you’ll find yourself curling up on your couch with this Beautyrest heated blanket every chance you get. This cozy blanket comes in an array of colors and sizes, from throws all the way through king-size.

“You can wrap yourself in luxury. Whether you need a heated throw or a king-size blanket, Beautyrest has you covered in a color that will complement your decor,” says Product Tester Sheri Kaz.

When it was time to get warm and cozy, our testers were quite pleased by how quickly this blanket heated up. On the lowest temperature setting, this blanket registered 79.3 degrees Fahrenheit in the corner and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the center. On the highest setting, it registered 81.5 degrees in the corner and 95.1 degrees in the center.

What they didn’t love, however, was the inconsistent heat distribution. “There is a foot of non-heated space around the entire perimeter of the throw,” explains Product Tester Dylan Fischer. “This one does a better job of covering Sheri’s body; however, the actual heated portion doesn’t extend to the corners, so she finds herself bunching it up more, which leads to her feet being exposed.”

If you’re spending your days wrapped up in one of the best heated blankets, there’s always a chance it will fall victim to a spill or two. In order to see how well this blanket holds up to stains, our testers doused it with some coffee. This blanket is machine washable, but our testers opted to spot-clean the coffee stains. They used one to two sprays of Dawn Powerwash, which they rubbed in and wiped with a damp microfiber cloth. Then, they dipped the corner of the blanket into a bucket of cold water to rinse. The end result? The coffee stain was gone.

Overall, our testers loved the plush fabric, solid heat levels and size and color options. Better yet, you can find this blanket at an array of retailers including Amazon. You won’t have to wait long to get cozy!

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Best budget Heated Blanket

Homemate Heated Blanket Electric Throw

$36.99 at Amazon

Keep cozy on a budget with this Homemate heated blanket. “No need to crank up the furnace. You’ll save money on your heating bill by warming up with this throw,” says Sheri. This heated blanket comes in five sizes and seven colors and has an intuitive remote control.

Once they received the blanket, our testers laid it out to take measurements. They were surprised to find that it was actually smaller than advertised. Instead of measuring 50-by-60 inches, this blanket measured 46.5-by-58 inches. They also noted that the material was thinner than they had expected but noted that it was soft and cozy nonetheless. “The soft sherpa material feels nice and cozy, especially when heated up. Overall, the blanket feels slightly thinner than others, but it’s also only half the cost,” explains Dylan.

During testing, our team was disappointed to find that the middle of this blanket didn’t heat up, and neither did the corners. It registered 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit in the corner and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the center on the lowest setting. When they cranked it up to the highest setting, this blanket warmed up to an impressive 92 degrees Fahrenheit in the corner and 81.5 degrees in the center. “The middle coils just didn’t heat up nearly as much as the corner coils, even on high heat,” explains Sheri. “We’re not sure if it’s a defect or what. But overall, it’s still cozy.”

If you happen to spill something on this heated blanket, you can wash it by hand or put it in your washing machine on a cycle with slow agitation and low spin. Our testers opted to spot-clean the coffee they spilled onto it. Just one to two pumps of Dawn Powerwash, a damp microfiber cloth and a bucket of cold water was enough to completely remove the stains.

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Best Wearable Heated Blanket

Comfort Spaces Electric Blanket Shawl

$42.99 at Amazon

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Whether you’re sitting at your desk or in your favorite chair, this wearable heated blanket will keep you nice and toasty. It only comes in one size but there are six colors to choose from. At first glance, our product testers were especially pleased by how thick and plush this blanket is. And better yet, it comes with a free pair of cozy socks. “Gotta love anything that comes with a free pair of fuzzy socks,” raves Dylan.

While Sheri and Dylan loved the overall look, feel and fit of this wearable blanket, they were less than impressed by the remote. “There’s no screen, just a power button and heat level button,” explains Sheri. “It’s simple and intuitive in theory, but the kicker is that the heat level is indicated by an LED light next to the text that says ‘low,’ ‘medium,’ or ‘high.’ This is fine when you’re in a light room, but in the middle of the night or in a dark space, it would be difficult to figure out which setting you’re actually on.” Moreover, they pointed out that it also feels heavier and bulkier than some of the others.

In spite of its bulky remote, our testers both agree that this wearable blanket offers a comfortable fit. They found it was easy to drape around their shoulders when sitting at a desk. And when used as a blanket, Sheri was able to fit it over her feet. It’s a good thing, too, since this blanket really pumps out the heat. During testing, this blanket registered 86 degrees Fahrenheit on the corner coil and 86.1 degrees Fahrenheit in the center on the lowest setting. On the highest temperature setting, the corner coil registered 97.3 degrees Fahrenheit, while the center coil reached 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it was time to see how easy it was to clean this blanket, our testers were skeptical at first. “We were a bit concerned at first because it looked as if the coffee was spreading a bit on the sherpa fabric,” admits Sheri. However, after one or two pumps of Dawn Powerwash, a few scrubs with a damp microfiber cloth and several dunks in a bucket of cold water, all of the coffee stains were lifted out of this blanket. And if hand washing isn’t your style, you’re in luck. You can toss this blanket in your washing machine on a delicate cycle.

Overall, our testers agree that this is one of the best heated blankets out there, thanks to its comfy fit and good heat levels. “If you’re someone who gets cold working at their office desk, you will undoubtedly love being able to quickly throw on this wrap to warm up. It works well as a blanket too, but it really shines when worn as a shawl,” raves Dylan.

Psst! Did we mention that this blanket is super affordable? It’s under $50, so we don’t expect it to stay in stock all winter long. Go ahead and add it to your cart right away.

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Best Battery-Operated Heated Blanket

ActionHeat 7V Battery Heated Throw Blanket

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$119.99 at Amazon

$119.99 at DICK'S Sporting Goods

Keep warm on the go with this ActionHeat battery-powered heated blanket. Measuring 31.5-by-55 inches, it’s perfect for throwing around your shoulders when you’re outside in the cold. It’s quite compact and even comes with a carrying bag so you can pack it up and take it with you on all of your adventures.

According to our testers, this blanket seems tailor-made for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its compact size and weather-resistant material. “It’s easy to see this being a big hit for outdoorsy folks. It’s a nice compact blanket with a convenient carrying bag that can easily fit into a backpack. However, if you’re looking for a heated blanket for indoor use, this one might not be the best fit,” says Dylan.

In addition to its size and materials, this blanket’s high heat would come in handy to anyone who happens to be outside in the cold. On the lowest heat setting, the temperature hovered around 87-88 degrees Fahrenheit. On the highest setting, the temperature fluctuated between 111-119 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the packaging, this blanket is supposed to reach 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, our testers were unable to get the temperature that high. “After wearing this one for 30 minutes on high, I took the internal temp, and it read 108 degrees. It was very toasty, but it didn’t get anywhere close to the 135 degrees indicated on the packaging,” explains Sheri.

While it didn’t live up to claims that it gets as warm as 135 degrees, the battery life was exactly what our testers expected. “The battery died almost exactly at the three-hour mark. This checks out with what the table in the manual says (2-hour battery life on high, 3-hour on medium, 4.5-hour on low),” explains Sheri. “We were all over the place with the heat settings during testing but spent a lot of the time draining the blanket on high.”

It’s also worth pointing out that this heated blanket is machine washable, but you may want to hang it outside to dry. Like the other blankets we tested, we opted to spot-clean this blanket. Our testers were shocked at how much coffee and water this blanket actually soaked up, considering it’s meant to be used outdoors. It was completely soaked after being washed, and it needed to have a drip tray placed underneath it while it dried.

Other heated blankets we tested

For this article, we tested a total of 12 blankets.

We really liked these two blankets and are crossing our fingers that they come back in stock soon:

• Berkshire VelvetLoft Sherpa Heated Throw: Thick, plush fabric, an easy-to-use remote and high heat made this blanket an instant favorite. “Of all the blankets we tested, the VelvetLoft impressed us the most with its thick fabric and plush feel,” raves Sheri. During testing, this blanket heated up quickly and was easy to wash. Unfortunately, it’s not only our testers who realize that this is one of the best heated blankets out there, and it is currently sold out. If you’re lucky enough to come across one in your travels, don’t hesitate to scoop one (or two) up!
• Brookstone Heated Faux Fur Throw Heated Blanket: This is another wildly popular blanket that you may have a hard time getting your hands on. But if you’re able to find one, you won’t regret your purchase. Though it didn’t get as warm as other heated blankets we tested, Sheri and Dylan appreciated the consistency of the warmth throughout the blanket, consumer-friendly design choices like an embedded remote and its overall plushness. “If you’re looking for luxury, this is it,” raves Sheri.

Sometimes, we get our hands on a product that doesn’t quite live up to our expectations but is still worth considering:

• The Cozee Battery-Powered Heating Blanket: Our testers loved the soft, plush feel of this battery-powered heated blanket. They also appreciated its versatility. “We really, really love the versatility of this one. It’s easy to switch between battery mode and outlet mode, meaning it’s just as easy to take this one out camping with you as it is to wear on the couch,” says Dylan. That said, they found that overall, this blanket is finicky and doesn’t heat very effectively. Given its high price tag, which is a whopping $350, we highly recommend taking a look through the user guide before purchasing to ensure that it will be suited to your lifestyle.
• Sunbeam Fleece Heated Electric Blanket: Our testers liked the auto shut-off mode on this blanket, but the dense, flat-feel fabric is not as plush or soft as the others we tested. That said, it’s budget-friendly and a solid option for anyone who prefers a low-pile blanket.

And, of course, there are a few blankets that didn’t make the cut:

• Beautyrest Heated Throw Blanket/Wearable Shawl: This option from Beautyrest was almost identical to our pick for the best wearable heated throw from Comfort Spaces but at a slightly higher price point. While it works just fine, our testers preferred the latter’s heating capabilities by a slim margin.
• Degrees of Comfort Heated Blanket: The heat levels on this blanket are nice and consistent, but we couldn’t stand the remote. It’s hard to read, and the preheat function is weirdly abstract.
• Westinghouse Electric Blanket Heated Throw: “The blanket itself is thick and cozy. However, the heat it generates is pretty subtle compared to others we tested,” says Sheri. Plus, the price changes depending on the selected color, which we found odd.
• Heated Wearable Blanket by Sharper Image: For the price point, we expected this blanket to heat more than just our chests. The fabric is thin, and our testers found it to be a very oversized fit.

What to look for when buying a heated blanket

The best heated blankets should fit your style and budget, but above all else, should meet certain safety requirements. The Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends purchasing electric blankets that have been listed and approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL or CSA. These logos can be found on the tags of the blankets. They also recommend purchasing electric blankets from reputable retailers that stand behind their products, as counterfeit or non-listed and approved blankets may be missing crucial safety devices that prevent fires.

Why you should trust us

Here at Reader’s Digest, we love staying warm and cozy all winter long. That’s why we’re constantly researching and testing the best cold weather products and sharing what excites us the most. The best heated blankets that made this list have been rigorously tested to see how cozy they really are, how warm they get and how evenly they heat. We also assessed how easy they are to clean by spilling coffee on each blanket, allowing it to dry and spot cleaned our mess.

Once we selected and tested our blankets, we spoke to Jennifer LeFevre, Executive Director of the Electrical Safety Foundation International. LeFevre shared the foundation’s recommendations for purchasing the best heated blankets that aren’t only warm and comfy but meet the safety requirements you want in your home. 

Plus, this isn’t our first time testing bedding products. We’re professional product testers with decades of experience evaluating the latest and greatest gear. We’ve also reviewed cooling blankets, non-toxic mattresses, mattress toppers and more.

How we found the best heated blankets

After thoroughly researching top brands and combing through customer reviews, our product testing team selected 12 heated blankets for closer inspection. Over the course of 55 hours, our team performed 14 tests on each blanket and collected 375 data points overall.

During testing, our team captured the temperature of the center and corners of the blanket on its highest and lowest settings with an infrared thermometer placed directly on the coils and heating pads. They also captured the evenness of the heat distribution on the blanket’s highest setting with an infrared thermometer by measuring the temperature in opposite corners as well as the center of the blanket, in between the coils and heating pads. Next, our testers sat under each blanket for 15 minutes and monitored how the temperature and fabric felt and whether they were able to feel the wires. Once the results came in, we narrowed down our list to the four best heated blankets your money can buy.

FAQ

Are heated blankets washable?

Yes. All of the heated blankets on our list are washable. That said, the care instructions differed for each. Be sure to carefully read the instructions for the blanket you choose.

What are the dangers associated with heated blankets?

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, the most significant danger associated with electric blankets is fire. In order to mitigate this danger, the foundation recommends the following best practices: 

• Never leave electric blankets or other heating devices unattended — including while sleeping.
• Do not plug electric blankets into an extension cord or power strip.
• Look for dark, charred spots or electrical cords that are cracked or frayed. Replace any worn or old electric blankets or heating pads.
• Do not allow anything to rest on top of an electric blanket when it is in use, including pets. This could cause overheating.
• Never fold electric blankets while in use. Folding or tucking in electric blankets significantly increases the risk of overheating.