It probably goes without saying that theirs is incredibly soft and cosy. The inner fleece is as soft as cotton wool while the outer feels silky, meaning that, despite its size, it didn’t actually feel as bulky to wear as some of the others. It’s definitely one for wearing while cosying up on the sofa rather than when trying to get anything productive done, as its size and weight make it a little cumbersome, and the large hood often falls over the eyes – great for napping, not so great for WFH. It plugs into the wall like a traditional heated throw, with a remote to control the power, heat intensity and amount of time it stays on for. And it also has an auto-shut-off function. Thanks to their abilities to keep you nice and toasty, they can also save you money on your heating bills – along with other solutions like draught excluders, many Mumsnet users have found them to be invaluable when faced with the cost of living crisis and increased energy bills.

Blanket Hoodies | Dunelm Blanket Hoodies | Dunelm

There are also now lots of online-only brands that specialise in these hoodies, like Oodie, Kudd.ly and Snuggly. Arguably the original and most famous, the word ‘Oodie’ is now synonymous with hooded blankets – we even found ourselves telling people that we were “testing out Oodies” when talking about this feature.

What is the best blanket hoodie to buy?

Part poncho and part blanket, it can be fastened together at the front, swung over your shoulder, or simply laid flat over your body, and it heats up gently to warm the top half of your body. We especially loved the long, snug-fitting elasticated cuffs – perfect for keeping heat in and sleeves out of food – and the protective bag it comes in, for storing it neatly away in warmer months. It also got the ‘paws up’ from our feline tester, who couldn’t stop kneading into this super-soft fabric (on the downside this sherpa fabric does collect cat hair like a magnet…)

Oversized Ultra Soft Plush Sherpa Hoodie Blanket

If you’re after that fluffier, soft-as-clouds style of fleece rather than the denser type of, say, Oodie, this is the best one we tested.

How we chose our recommendations

There is a lot of debate on the Mumsnet forums about how to keep warm this winter, and blanket hoodies have been a popular point of discussion.

Sherpa Hooded Blanket - Etsy UK

We did try hooded blankets that kept us slightly warmer, but thanks to Onesnug’s ‘MicroCool’ fabric, this won’t leave you feeling uncomfortably hot and sweaty. The long elasticated cuffs at the wrists are also useful, keeping your sleeves rolled up and well out of the way if you want to, say, type or cook. For us, though, Oodie just takes the top spot for keeping the body at the perfect temperature and for its vast range of designs and viral fame. Are hooded blankets worth it?

What is a blanket hoodie?

Hooded blankets have become so popular that they’re now widely available across the high street, from upmarket lifestyle stores like The White Company to your local supermarket. Today’s hooded blankets are a world away from embarrassingly old, greying loungewear you wouldn’t be seen dead in. We can’t guarantee that these will save you money on your heating bill this winter, but you know what they say – “heat your body, not your home” – and these hooded blankets can certainly help with that. There are a few different styles – and prices – on the market, but the hoodies from specialist retailers like Oodie, Kudd.ly, Onesnug and Snuggly are all very similar, if we’re being honest.