Testing was done with a couple who are famously hard to please, and like different temperatures to sleep. Measuring a generous 120 x 160cm, this large fleece electric blanket has a premium feel and boasts nine heat settings. Any blankets where the wires were too bulky or the fabric too itchy were discounted from this round-up. Make sure to also use your electric blanket as the top layer, above any other blankets or duvets and do not lie or sit on it,' Hayley Thistleton at SleepSeeker explains.

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. You should wash your electric blanket approximately every few weeks to once a month, or whenever the blanket gets dirty.The controls are easy to use, with six heat settings – including a fast-heat setting – and three options for the auto shut off duration. Whilst electric blankets are designed to create a warm and cosy environment when getting into bed, they are not recommended for overnight use and should be turned off when getting into bed or set on a timer to turn off within a short while. To stay warm and well when the cold weather hits, people should focus on heating themselves rather than their homes,' said consumer expert, Alice Beer, who has worked with Silentnight on a ' how to stay warm for less' guide. There are dual controls, which means you can govern the temperature on your side of the bed without interference from co-sleepers.

If your dryer does not have a low heat setting, skip this step and simply air dry the blanket from the start as high temperatures can damage the electric wiring inside the blanket,' Hayley advises. The traditional electric blanket – those which lie on your bed, warming it up – might evoke images of your Nanna in her nightgown, but actually, they’re a very savvy choice that have been brought bang up to date and cost as little as 1p to run.With many people expected to experience 'fuel poverty' – spending a large proportion of their income on energy bills – electric blankets are a relatively low cost, and boasts a low running cost too.

This under blanket’s accompanying app means you can turn it on while you’re out, leaving you with a warm bed by the time you’re back. Active Safety Control Function - auto safety function activates every time it is switched on and monitors the temperature 25 times per second. There are nine heat settings and time timer settings, meaning you can find the perfect combo for you. Let the machine run for a few minutes before turning it off and leaving the electric blanket to soak in the soapy water for about 15 minutes, and then skip to the rinse and spin cycle,' Hayley explains.Ease of use and durability were also important, as was easy care – could we machine wash them if spillages occurred? You do have to sit close to a plug socket though, as it requires being plugged in while in use, but there are three heat settings on it, and we found it warmed up in around five minutes. Two buttons control the blanket: one for on and off, with the other for cycling through the levels, shown on the LED display.