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. 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. 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.

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

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?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! Also consider heat zones – this tends to come down to size, with double blankets and beyond boasting left and right zones so couples can set their own preferences. Dual control will help limit any sleep disruption too, giving the ability of warming one side of the blanket. Are electric blankets safe to use overnight? We made up a double bed and turned on the electric blankets to measure how even and consistent the temperatures were across their different heat settings. We looked at whether there was any fluctuation in warmth during use, too. To make your bed the snuggly haven you deserve this winter, there’s one bit of bedding you should invest in: an electric blanket.

Underblanket Single – DreamlandUK Hunker Down Scandi Sherpa Underblanket Single – DreamlandUK

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.

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. 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. There are two main types of heated blanket – the traditional blankets you can snuggle under or ones that are secured to your mattress, similar to a mattress topper. Which you’d prefer comes down to personal preference. The competitor’s item must be brand new, identical in specification to ours, and offered on the same terms. While safety experts recommend that no heated appliance should be left on unattended, or while you sleep, electric blankets have safety measures such as timers which switch the heat off at a designated time, or an automatic shut-off that prevents overheating. Are electric blankets expensive to run?