Fabric: Most electric blankets are either made of microfiber (a type of polyester) or acrylic. In our tests, we found that consumers preferred the softness of microfiber over acrylic but could often feel the wiring through the microfiber fabrics. Testers didn’t tend to feel the wires through the acrylic blankets. All the electric blankets on our list come with varying heat zones and settings – some include extra foot warmth too. Here, a textiles analyst uses a thermal camera to gauge the heat distribution and approximate temperature of an electric blanket. Grace Wu

Under blankets, for example, can run for up to eight hours, so you could opt for this at night instead of central heating, while a throw can keep you warm while working from home. All the heated blankets on our list have auto-shut off settings, which turn them off after a certain amount of time, minimising the risk of any accidents. Some even let you decide how long they run for, thanks to nifty in-built timers.verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Generally, yes. Most electric blankets on the market feature auto shut-off, meaning they will automatically turn off after 2 to 12 hours. Blankets that offer longer periods of heat can be used overnight, and we recommend unplugging them when not in use. In contrast, over blankets are meant for curling up under; they’re a more versatile choice as you can use them on the sofa or even at your desk if you work from home. Some even resemble a fleecy blanket, which not only feels extra soft against the skin, but will look good in your living room if you want to leave it out. Throws tend to have shorter operating times though – most we tried time out after three hours. Wearable electric blankets or heated ponchos

We also tested an electric blanket, which buttons up, allowing you to wear it like a poncho to retain heat. Aside from the extra design features that make them wearable, these ponchos operate in an almost identical manner to electric throws, with a range of temperatures and a timer. Electric blanket features Curl up in this cozy blanket that’s available in six rich colors to match your room’s décor. Not only do heated blankets from Sunbeam tend to be top performers in our evaluations, but they’re crowd favorites among our testers. We like this Royal Mink Sherpa model in particular for its super comfy, luxurious feel and reversible design. O n one side it features a silky-smooth mink fabric while on the other you’ll find soft, warm sherpa. Size: Many electric blankets are throw-blanket size, but some options come in Queen and King sizes, so decide whether you're looking for something to snuggle up with on the couch or something that will cover your entire bed. Some larger blankets provide dual heating so you and your partner can opt for different levels of warmth.Note that dual control under blankets are plugged in on both sides, meaning they can use double the electricity versus those with a single control. How we test electric blankets Under blankets operate a bit like mattress toppers and tend to come with elasticated straps or as a fitted sheet, so you can secure them to your bed and drift off on top of them. Many can run for up to eight hours at a time, so you stay warm all night long. Over blankets and throws Using an electric blanket is actually cheaper than cranking the heat in your house. If your blanket uses 200 watts (the watt usage should be listed in the manual), leaving it on for 10 hours corresponds to 2 kilowatt-hours, which will cost between 20 to 40 cents, depending on where you live. If using an electric blanket lets you turn the heat down at night, then it can actually be a money-saving investment.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts made up a double bed to test each electric blanket on, measuring how evenly temperature was distributed as well as whether the warmth fluctuated or remained consistent over an extended period of time, across different heat settings. We measured energy consumption, too. Given the current economic climate, it’s understandable that you may be looking for more cost-effective ways to stay warm and save on your heating bill. Electric blankets can come in handy here, as they're becoming increasingly more energy efficient. Dual controls will also let you adjust settings during the night without disturbing your partner. Blankets that have these – often size double and upwards – will have left and right zones, so the settings can be customised if there are two of you in the bed. Are electric blankets safe? Automatic Shutdown Timer: Electric blankets often have an automatic timer for safety reasons that will shut off the blanket after a predetermined amount of time. It can range anywhere from 2 to 12 hours, so consider whether you truly need a blanket that will stay warm through the entire night. Where the blankets had dual controls, we also looked at how accurate the settings were on each side and if there was any temperature crossover when the settings were different.