Best cheap electric blankets 2023

Looking for a cheap electric blanket? We reveal our best buys. Save on heating bills whilst keeping cosy and safe.

Credit: New Africa (left image), Olena Yakobchuk (right image) – Shutterstock

With soaring UK energy prices, buying an electric heated blanket is a great investment that's pretty much guaranteed to save money on bills this winter.

Electric blankets warm your body directly, keeping you toasty whether on the sofa or in bed. They are far more cost-effective than turning up the central heating.

We'll cover where to buy cheap electric blankets, before sharing tips on maximising their performance and using them safely.

Where to buy electric blankets

Here are the best places to look for cheap electric blankets:

1. Amazon

   

   Amazon has a good range of electric blankets, both in terms of underblankets (to go on your bed) and heated throws (to use like a standard blanket).

   When buying electric blankets, we suggest sticking with reputable brands with good reviews.

   For example, the Dreamland Snuggle Up heated throw is available on Amazon. We've tried and tested this electric blanket and have been very happy with it. It's super soft and cosy. And, if you work from home, it's ideal as you can stay warm without putting the radiators on.

   You could also look at the range of Silentnight electric blankets on Amazon. They sometimes have great deals on underblankets and heated throws.

   Also, remember students can try six months of Amazon Prime for free which often lets you get free delivery.

   Visit Amazon »

    

2. Silentnight

   

   As we mentioned, you can buy Silentnight electric blankets from sites like Amazon, but it's also possible to buy directly from their online store.

   It's worth comparing the prices elsewhere before buying an electric blanket from Silentnight, just in case you can find the same product for less.

   Visit Silentnight »

    

3. Dunelm

   

   We've previously seen electric underblankets at Dunelm on sale for around £22. As a general rule, it's difficult to find electric blankets for much less than £20. So, if you can get one for £22, this is a decent deal.

   But, again, the best offers are likely to sell out quickly. Keep an eye on the site to see if they have any cheap electric blankets available.

   Visit Dunelm »

    

4. Supermarkets

   

   Some supermarkets have excellent deals.

   Asda is a good place to start. We've seen them sell Silentnight electric blankets for discounted prices.

   Two other stores to try are Aldi and Lidl. They don't always have electric blankets available, but it's worth checking if they have any in stock as they've been known to run some great offers.

   Also, even if you can't find any in your local Sainsbury's, remember that it's linked to Argos (which is worth checking too!).

   Visit Asda »

    

5. Boots

   

   Boots usually has a handful of electric blankets on sale. They're not always the cheapest, so compare prices on other sites first.

   Having said that, it's still a good site to try if you're struggling to find ones that are affordable and in stock at other retailers.

   Plus, students can get 10% off with a Boots advantage card.

   Visit Boots »

    

Saving money with an electric blanket

Energy bills have risen a huge amount over the last year.

Over winter, putting the heating on always adds a lot to monthly bills. And now more than ever, we're all looking for ways to save energy and keep bills down.

Compared to putting on radiators, electric blankets use very little energy. In fact, a heated blanket costs just £0.041 per hour to run.

Of course, you do need to consider the initial cost of buying an electric blanket.

To find good deals, try the sites we've suggested above.

And if you do get a heated blanket, look after it as much as you can. When used carefully, electric blankets can continue to save you money on bills for the next few winters.

For tips on how to use electric blankets safely, see the next point.

Are electric blankets safe?

Electric blankets should be safe to use if you use them correctly.

The London Fire Brigade has some good tips on how to use electric blankets safely on its website. Here's an overview of their advice:

• When storing electric blankets, either keep them flat, rolled up or loosely folded.
• Some electric blankets have thermostats to keep them at a safe temperature overnight. If you have one without this setting, switch it off before getting into bed.
• Don't use an electric blanket with an air-flow pressure relief mattress.
• You also shouldn't use an electric blanket if you're using emollient creams (e.g. E45 cream). When these creams get on things like bedding and clothes, they can increase flammability.
• Don't use a hot water bottle while also using an electric blanket.
• When getting an electric blanket, buy a brand-new one, rather than a second-hand one.
• Check it often for wear and tear to make sure it's still in a safe condition. The London Fire Brigade recommends replacing them at least every 10 years.

How to wash a heated blanket

Credit: sfam_photo – Shutterstock

Before getting an electric blanket, make sure it's machine washable. It goes without saying that if it's not, don't put it in the washing machine.

Check your blanket's specific care instructions and follow these closely.

When washing an electric blanket, you'll need to remove the control cord.

If you have a tumble dryer, you might be able to dry the blanket on a low-heat setting (again, check the care instructions of your blanket first). Otherwise, air dry it.

And once the blanket's dry, don't iron it. This can damage the wiring.

Hopefully, with these tips, you'll be able to protect the electric blanket and help it to last longer.

Although it's difficult to switch to cheaper energy providers right now, see if you can save money by switching broadband providers.