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.

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 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 ponchosNote 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 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.

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. 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 SUPERSOFT AND COSY: Featuring a soft flannel fleece outer and a warm Sherpa fleece inside for extra cosy vibes! 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? The Silentnight Snugsie Giant Blanket is the ultimate snuggly accessory for your home. Sumptuously soft, cuddly comfort to keep you warm and cosy as you relax and big enough to fit the whole family.SUPER-SIZED: The Snugsie Giant Blanket is 180 x 240cm – bigger than a king size bed! It’s big enough to fit the whole family or just shroud yourself in ultimate snuggly comfort. MULTIUSE: Perfect for snuggling on the sofa, movie nights, camping, staying cosy in bed or just keeping warm on chilly nights. All the electric blankets on our list come with varying heat zones and settings – some include extra foot warmth too. 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.