With cold nights drawing in, now’s the time to start thinking about cosy must-haves before winter weather hits proper.
Shopping for cosy PJs, wool blankets and high-tog duvets isn’t just about fostering a sense of Hygge when it’s cold out (although that’s a whole reason in itself). It can help save on your heating bills too. Experts agree that warming the person rather than the whole home means heat is concentrated where you need it (on you) rather than being wasted in empty rooms.
An electric under blanket is a great investment for the cold season. Despite misconceptions, they’re not just for pensioners. One kip with one of these bad boys between your mattress protector and top sheet will have you sold. When temperatures plummet to minus degrees, the puddle of warmth it creates will have you snug as a bug in the proverbial rug. No, snugger.
They’re incredibly cost-effective too, with many costing only a few pennies in electricity to run for a couple of hours every night. Compared to the cost of running central heating or warming the house at all hours, it’s a no-brainer.
Our tip? Stick in on half an hour before you plan to go to sleep to drift off in a perfectly warmed bed. Combined with a quality duvet and mattress, your bed set-up should retain the heat until you’re counting sheep. How’s that for dreamy?
Many come with a timer function too - few people will need or want an electric under blanket to run all night - which means you can settle in and get comfortable without keeping yourself awake worrying about having to turn your favourite new sleep accessory off.
Can’t wait to give it a whirl? We’ve rounded up the best versions money can buy right now. From brands new and old, shop the selection below.
Dreamland Boutique Hotel Cotton Mattress Protector
Best for: five-star comfort
Electric blanket type: Under
Get ready for a sleep you’d normally need a luxury hotel reservation to get. This single-sized electric blanket uses Intelliheat+ to get your bed to the right temperature, whatever the season. The plush mattress protector, covered with a 200-thread count cotton percale, retains its bounce, adding another luxurious layer to your bed.
There are temperature controls fitted within easy reach on either side of the blanket so you can adjust if needed, and the piece is machine washable and safe for tumble dryers too. It only takes five minutes to warm up - switch it on before brushing your teeth and it’ll be ready by the time you return. There’s no chance of waking up a sweaty mess either, as the built-in technology adapts to your body’s temperature changes throughout the night.
Best of all, it costs as little as 1p a night to run. Compare that to last year’s winter energy bills, and this investment is a no-brainer.
Buy now £110.43, Amazon
Snuggledown Intelligent Warmth Supreme Comfort Heated Electric Underblanket
Cold feet are the enemy of sleep, but you won’t have to worry about that when you’re lying on Snuggledown’s heated under blanket. The device features nine levels of heat plus an extra heat boost in the foot area to add firepower on freezing nights.
The design comes in a single size with one controller, but all bigger sizes have a controller on each side so you and your bedfellow can tune the heat to suit you. No more arguments over the thermostat! Sold with a two-year guarantee.
Buy now £110.00, John Lewis
Slumberdown Sleepy Nights Multi Zone Single Electric Blanket
Best for: blissful warmth in five minutes flat
Electric blanket type: Under
From sleep specialist Slumberdown comes this Sleepy Nights creation, a basic blanket that’s high on warmth. It takes just five minutes to transform your bed into a cosy nest, with three settings to control with a detachable remote. Elasticated straps hold the blanket in position all night so you’re not waking up because of its lumpy bits, and an auto shut-off feature offers additional peace of mind from a safety aspect.
Thanks to its low energy consumption, it costs just 1p to run a night. With headlines like these, it’s a sound investment for the cold season.
Buy now £35.00, Sleep Seeker
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Underblanket - Double
Best for: hot and cold couples
Electric blanket type: Under
If your partner is always warm while you lay in bed shivering, this electric blanket could be your salvation. It has two control switches which allow you to set each half of the bed to one of three heat settings. A low pre-heat setting warms your bed for up to two hours before it’s time to climb in. The polyester blanket also boasts an overheat protection to stop you from becoming too hot under the covers.
Also available in king size (£50).
Buy now £45.00, Argos
Beurer Monogram Dual Control Blanket
Best for: Goldilocks level of comfort
Electric blanket type: Under
Covered in a soft faux fleece, there’s nothing better than slipping into a warm bed thanks to this electric blanket. It’s a design Goldilocks herself would be jealous of with six heat settings to reach the optimum level of warmth. What’s more, there’s dual control so if you share your bed with a hot sleeper they can turn off the heat on their side of the bed.
It’s fine to use with most pocket spring mattresses, but may not be compatible with certain memory foam beds, so talk to your manufacturer first.
Considering it costs less than three pence to operate a night, it’s a very cost-efficient option indeed.
Buy now £90.99, Amazon
Dreamland Intelliheat Dual Control Mattress Protector - Double
Offering cloud-like levels of comfort, this 200-thread count cotton under blanket will have you drifting off in a cocoon of warmth. It fits perfectly over mattresses, even if you’ve got an extra plush one, covering depths of up to 38cm.
Six heat levels make it easy to adjust the temperature to your Goldilocks level of ideal, while a controller on each side of the double, king and superking models means you can calibrate your side of the bed independently. You won’t need to mind, not with the Intelliheat feature keeping an eye on toasty levels and regulating them accordingly.
Buy now £140.00, Argos
Silentnight comfort control electric blanket - superking
Let the ‘cool’ kids smirk all they like; you’ll be the last one laughing wrapped in a plush duvet with Silentnight’s under an electric blanket warming your cockles.
An extra layer of cosiness comes courtesy of the fleece finish - it might be hidden by the rest of your bedding, but that doesn’t mean it’s unappreciated. Meanwhile, elasticated bands go under the mattress to ensure the blanket stays put all night long, even if you’re a fidgety sleeper.
From a safety perspective, the blanket comes with overheating protection, automatically shutting down when it hits a certain degree so you’re not cooking all night if you happen to fall asleep with it on (easily done).
Buy now £45.00, M&S
Silentnight Teddy Fleece Electric Blanket Single
If your little one or teenager has trouble falling asleep, the enveloping warmth of Silentnight’s teddy fleece-wrapped blanket should do the trick. It can be slipped over or under the top sheet and comes with three levels of heat for simple and easy adjusting to the right temperature. Straps stop the blanket from moving around or falling off in the night and it can be chucked in the washing machine when it needs a refresh too - just remove the controller first.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Dreamland Heated Multi Pad, Grey
This flat rectangular heat pad is the ultimate versatile warmer to see to a range of aches and ailments, from workout sore muscles to period pain. It’s great for cuddling thanks to the soft velvet-like cover and with a five-minute heat-up time, you won’t have to wait long to feel the warming benefits. Set it to the right level using five temperature settings and don’t worry about falling asleep with it on, as it has an auto shut-off timer.
Best of all, the company says it’s energy saving (when compared to the cost of running central heating all night), costing just a penny to run for three hours. Washing machine and tumble dryer safe.
Buy now £39.99, John Lewis
STATUS KEB-90W1PKB Electric Blanket - Kingsize
This highly-rated electric blanket may turn out to be the best winter-shielding investment you make this year.
Status’ simple design offers just three heat settings and an automatic safety cut-off to stop things from getting sweaty. A pre-heat feature is perfect when you’re brushing your teeth or just about to do your nightly beauty routine, ensuring your bed is lovely and toasty when you’re ready to climb in.
Though it’s mains powered, it can be washed too - just detach the controller and any connecting wires before you sling it in for a spin.
Buy now £32.99, Currys
