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Electric blanket FAQ
How to use an electric blanket properly
According to Dr Neil Stanley, an independent sleep expert and author of How to Sleep Well, in order to get a good night’s sleep, you actually have to lose body temperature. It drops throughout the night, the lowest point being about two to four o’clock in the morning.
“My advice is that you need a cool bedroom and a warm bed. Getting into a cold bed may be perceived by your brain and body as a threat, increasing wakefulness.”
Dr Stanley says switching on an electric blanket around half an hour before bed should make it perfectly cosy to get into, letting you drift to sleep naturally, but you should set it to turn off some time after you nod off. All the blankets I tested were able to warm up the bed in 30 minutes or less, costing less than 3p at today’s prices.
What makes a good electric blanket
Better blankets have elastic skirting but cheaper models use straps, which can be fiddly. More timing options and heat settings can also make a difference. The best electric blankets let you set different temperatures for your upper and lower body (since feet tend to get colder). If you sleep with a partner, look out for the dual control function, which allows one side of the bed to heat up independently to another.
Price-wise, you’re looking at around £40-50 for a basic option; £60-80 for something a little more high-tech; and over £100 for the best blankets. All models tested here are for a double bed, though they come in other sizes, and each is machine-washable. Safety-wise there is very little to worry about, but look out for British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) approval.
Here’s what I found after several nights testing the best electric blankets, starting with my favourite. (And if you’re looking for other ways to improve your sleep this winter, you could consider upgrading your pillow next).
How does an electric blanket work?
High-resistance wires – these days often made of carbon fibre – heat up as an electrical current passes through them. The heat is transferred via fireproof plastic coating to the bedlinen itself. Your blanket will come with a plug (or two if it’s dual-control), which usually extends to around a metre or so. Attach it to your mattress via its straps or elastic skirt, place your sheet over it, and then make your bed as usual. Make sure your duvet fully covers the bed so as not to dissipate the heat.
Then, via the control pad (or your smart phone) you switch it on, and choose between heat settings and – on the better models – select a time.
How safe is an electric blanket?
While old electric blankets were seen as fire hazards, new models simply are not. Your blanket should have passed BEAB checks, and feature auto cut-off or overheat protection. Some are even machine-washable without damaging the product.
However, Page offers some advice on conduct: “Be careful with liquids in bed, and if your pets sleep in bed with you, that’s a bit of a question mark, just in case they chew the wires.”
Are there any health benefits?
While health benefits shouldn’t be exaggerated, you might find if you suffer from a condition like arthritis or poor circulation that an electric blanket can alleviate some of the pain.
“We have head people with arthritis or bad backs saying it alleviated those ailments,” says Page. Stanley agrees: “If you have problems with circulation, or medical problems where you are feel cold, it could be beneficial.”
