Dunelm's Teddy bedding collection is my worst kept secret. Anyone who's used it before will know how good it is. If you haven't, you've been missing out. My favourite piece from their collection? The Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket.
The best electric blankets on the market offer dual controls, fast heat-up, cosy designs, and convenient features. Normally, this comes with a price tag south of £50, if not £100. The fact that a kingsize version of the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket maxes out at £50 is almost unbelievable.
To test out whether you can get a good electric blanket for under £50, I slept on the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket for weeks. I tested out the dual controls with my partner, measured how much it costs to run an electric blanket, and made notes on the whole experience. You won't be surprised to know that I loved this.
Specifications
Unboxing the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket
The Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket comes in a special dust bag. If you didn't know that you need to keep this for storage, you've probably been racking your brains for other uses that it could have around the house, since the thick, flexible plastic case feels too good to throw out.
Instantly, you'll feel the texture of this electric blanket is exactly as the name suggests, teddy-ish. It's super soft and warming just to touch. Had I not known that this is one of the cheapest options on the market, I would have expected it to sit closer to the Dreamland category of electric blankets, because it feels really plush.
The dual controls need to be fitted and then removed for washing (more on that later), but they're really easy to click into place. Once all that's sorted, your electric blanket will be ready to go.
Who would the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket suit?
The Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket is perfect for a range of people. I'll get to the price tag at the end, because I don't think the fact that this is cheap should be the reason to buy it. Instead, the Dunelm Teddy has some other impressive credentials to recommend itself. First of all, the plush fabric is designed to sit on top of your sheets, cradling you in faux fur, naturally keeping you warm. Not all electric blankets come with a naturally warming layer, so this is a nice touch that's well worth investing in. My only word of warning is that the combination of heat and faux fur can get really hot. I'm a cold person and I preferred this on the cooler settings, so if you think you only need a touch of extra warmth in your bed, you're much better off investing in a lighter, thinner layer.
Secondly, the dual controls give you and your partner more of a say in how you want your half of the bed to feel. For example, one of you can opt for a hot half of the bed and the other can keep their heating completely off. I've checked whether this actually results in any temperature difference and, whilst you'll have to read on for more details, the dual controls are very distinct and effective.
Finally, the price cannot be overlooked. This is super cheap and available in a range of sizes, so everyone from students to working professionals could enjoy the benefits of the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket without feeling hard done by.
What is the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket like to use?
The Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket is really straightforward. Each corner comes with thick elastic straps that can reach around the corners of your mattress. Then, the blanket generously stretches to all four corners of the bed. I tested mine in the double size, but the images that you can see are actually on a kingsize bed. If you need to, you can size down to protect yourself against buying for a big bed and then sizing down your bed (or vice versa).
The remote controls are also very simple. You can use the + and - buttons to change the temperature and auto-switch off times. You can go up to the heat setting nine, which is exactly what I tested first.
I set half of the bed on the heat setting nine and then the other half on to four. After five minutes, there wasn't really any temperature change on either side of the bed. After ten minutes, it was warmer on both sides, but not roasting. After fifteen minutes, the temperature was perfect. In the grand scheme of electric blankets, that's a pretty speedy warm up time. Dreamland's electric blankets are quicker, but there aren't many other that are nearly as fast.
Over the next few nights, I tested the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket on different heat settings, spanning from one right up to nine. I eventually settled, as I tend to do, around the middle. I expected four to be my favourite, but I ended up opting for the heat setting three, because the teddy texture made the bed naturally very warm. Anything extra could get almost too hot. I'm not complaining, but I am quite a cold person, so for this to get me super hot at just three says a lot.
How do you clean the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket?
The Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket is machine washable, which is great news. The fact that you sleep directly onto this makes it actually pretty important that you wash this weekly, for the sake of hygiene. You'll need to follow Dunelm's instructions, which will tell you to unclip the remotes and then wash the blanket at thirty degrees with a gentle laundry liquid, such as Ecover Laundry Detergent (or the brand's laundry capsules). Then, if you want to look after the fabric, it's worth letting this air dry. You can use a heated airer to speed up the process if you want to, both methods will be much more gentle on your fabric than a tumble dryer. If you need help, we've got plenty of advice on how to clean an electric blanket over here.
How does the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket compare?
The Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket was one of the first that I tested for woman&home, so it set the standard by which all other textured, heated blankets were measured against. If you like the sound of the Dunelm, but you think you'd like something a little more sherpa textured rather than faux fur (it's less sweaty and hot), you can upgrade to the Dreamland Hunker Down Scandi Sherpa Underblanket. Unfortunately, with this more premium model, you'll need to triple your budget. However, the way that it feels, washes, and works does justify the price increase. The Dreamland can warm up the bed in just five minutes. The different temperature settings are more distinct and much more subtle. I found myself able to turn the heat up higher without getting too sweaty and uncomfortable.
Alternatively, if you like the sound of an electric blanket, but you don't want to sleep directly on one, the Dreamland Snowed In Organic Warming Mattress Protector is a wonderful option. It goes underneath your sheet, protecting your mattresses, whilst terminating warmth up through your bed. It also has distinct, dual controls and a five-minute heat up time. The biggest difference is that this is quilted organic cotton rather than polyester fur, which, of course, translates into a bigger price tag again.
Should you buy the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket?
If you're shopping on a budget and you want a super warm electric blanket, this is perfect for you. The teddy texture is super snuggly and the dual controls offer some surprisingly versatile options for couples with different heating needs. It's easily one of the best electric blankets on the market.
How we test
As the go-to expert for testing electric blankets, I stay on top of the latest products and trends. Electric blankets are incredibly useful for many reasons: they provide warmth, are cost-effective to run, and add a cozy feel to your home.
I’m always scouting for new blankets that stand out in terms of comfort, innovation, or functionality. Once I find one, I conduct hands-on testing, using it for several weeks, sometimes even months, to assess its performance in various areas.
I start by inspecting the packaging. Ideally, both the blanket and its packaging are eco-friendly, using recyclable materials while keeping the blanket compact during shipping. If assembly or setup is needed before use, I make a note of it, though a blanket that's ready to go right out of the box is preferable.
Next, I test the heat settings, typically checking the temperature at intervals of five or two and a half minutes. For wearable products like heated throws or ponchos, I’ll wear them throughout the testing process, and for heated mattress pads, I’ll stay in bed to evaluate how well they perform. Tough job, but someone has to do it!
I also look at how evenly the heat is distributed, checking for cool spots, any features like cooler areas for pillow placement, and overall energy efficiency. If the blanket has dual controls or separate heating zones, I test those as well, sometimes with the help of another person.
After evaluating the heat, I test how easy it is to clean. Some blankets require hand-washing, while others are machine-washable or even tumble dryable. Knowing how the blanket needs to be cleaned is important, especially if it could be inconvenient for regular use.
Throughout the testing, I compare the blanket to other models I’ve reviewed, considering performance, cost, comfort, energy efficiency, and versatility. I also point out similar alternatives and do the research for you. Finally, I offer my honest opinion on who the blanket would suit best and whether it’s worth buying, always ensuring my reviews are unbiased and based on my personal experience.
