Best electric blankets UK: 7 underblankets and heated throws for cosy winter nights
Warm the bed, not the whole house. Here's how to choose an electric underblanket or heated throw that fits your bed, suits two sleepers and is safe to use.
How we chose: We compared sizes, heat settings, timers, controllers and guarantees from manufacturer listings, read independent UK testing from Which?, Good Housekeeping and Expert Reviews, followed Electrical Safety First's buying and safety advice, and looked for recurring themes in Amazon.co.uk owner feedback. We have not personally tested these products; this is a research-based roundup. Our research process.
Quick picks
- Best overallDreamland Cosy Dreamer Electric Blanket, Double, 150 × 137cm, dual controlCheck price
- Best budgetSilentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket, Double, 135 × 120cmCheck price
- Best budget dual controlSilentnight Yours & Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket, DoubleCheck price
- Best fully fittedHomefront Premium Fleece Fully Fitted Electric Blanket, Double, Dual ControlCheck price
- Best for king-size bedsDreamland Hunker Down Scandi Sherpa Electric Blanket, King Size, dual controlCheck price
- Best heated throwSilentnight Comfort Control Heated Throw, 120 × 160cmCheck price
- Biggest heated throwDreamland Indulgent Days XL Heated Throw, 140 × 180cmCheck price
An electric blanket is one of the cheapest ways to feel warm in a UK winter. Instead of heating a whole bedroom so the sheets aren't icy at 11pm, you warm the bed itself for a few pence. Most people switch it on 20–30 minutes before bed and turn it off when they get in. Heated throws do the same job on the sofa or at a home-office desk.
The key choices are underblanket vs heated throw, single vs dual controls for couples, strapped vs fully fitted, and whether you want a timer and auto shut-off. Safety matters more here than with most home kit, so every pick is from an established brand. All of them are sold by Amazon or the brand's own UK store at the time of checking, and each comes with a UK plug.
Comparison table
| Pick | Type | Size | Controls | Timer / auto-off | Guarantee | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamland Cosy Dreamer (double)Best overall | Underblanket, cotton | 150 × 137cm (double) | Dual, 6 settings each | 1, 3 or 9 hours | 3 years | Check price |
| Silentnight Comfort Control (double)Best budget | Underblanket, microfleece | 135 × 120cm | Single, 5 settings (digital) | Auto shut-off | 3 years | Check price |
| Silentnight Yours & Mine (double)Best budget dual control | Underblanket, soft-touch fabric | 137 × 150cm (per title; check listing) | Dual, 4 settings each | Auto shut-off | 3 years | Check price |
| Homefront fully fitted dual controlBest fully fitted | Fitted mattress cover, fleece | 193 × 137cm, skirt fits 20–40cm deep | Dual, 9 body + 9 foot settings | 10 timer options; overheat protection | 2 years | Check price |
| Dreamland Hunker Down (king)Best for king-size beds | Underblanket, reversible sherpa | 200 × 150cm (king) | Dual, 6 settings each | 1, 3 or 9 hours | 3 years | Check price |
| Silentnight Comfort Control heated throwBest heated throw | Heated throw, fleece | 120 × 160cm | Single, 9 settings | Auto shut-off after 2 hours | Check listing | Check price |
| Dreamland Indulgent Days XL throwBiggest heated throw | Heated throw, velvet | 140 × 180cm | Single, 6 settings (LED) | 1, 3 or 9 hours | Check listing | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 20 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
Dreamland Cosy Dreamer Electric Blanket, Double, 150 × 137cm, dual control
Best for: Couples who want separate controls, a timer and a soft cotton finish
- Type
- Underblanket, cotton
- Size
- 150 × 137cm (double)
- Controls
- Dual, 6 settings each
- Timer / auto-off
- 1, 3 or 9 hours
- Guarantee
- 3 years
Good Housekeeping named the Dreamland Cosy Dreamer cotton blanket its best dual-control under blanket in its 2026 roundup, and it ticks the boxes that matter for most couples. Each side has its own detachable LED controller with six settings. Dreamland's Intelliheat system is designed to heat up in about five minutes and then adjust itself through the night. You can set auto shut-off for 1, 3 or 9 hours, which follows Electrical Safety First's advice to use only blankets with auto shut-off if you leave them on overnight.
The top is cotton rather than fleece, so it feels more like a sheet than a fluffy layer. There's an anti-slip backing, it's machine washable and tumble-dryable once you unplug the controllers, and it carries Kema Keur safety certification and a three-year guarantee. Owners like how quickly it warms and the independent sides. The main complaints are that it can shift on some mattresses and that, at 150cm long, it doesn't reach the bottom of a 190cm double. Most underblankets stop short of the edges by design, so that's normal.
What owners and reviewers like
- Independent dual controls with 6 settings
- 1/3/9-hour timer and auto safety controls
- Cotton top; washable and tumble-dryable
- Independent test pedigree (Good Housekeeping)
Watch-outs
- Some owners find it slips without fitted sheets on top
- Doesn't cover the full mattress length
- A few early-failure reports, so register the guarantee
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Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket, Double, 135 × 120cm
Best for: Solo sleepers or couples who agree on temperature, on a tight budget
- Type
- Underblanket, microfleece
- Size
- 135 × 120cm
- Controls
- Single, 5 settings (digital)
- Timer / auto-off
- Auto shut-off
- Guarantee
- 3 years
Silentnight's Comfort Control is one of the best-selling electric blankets on Amazon UK, and Expert Reviews picks it as its best low-cost blanket. The latest version has a digital controller with five heat settings and a built-in auto shut-off. Stitched channels hold the wires in place so the heat stays even and the wires don't tangle. It's soft microfleece, fixes on with elasticated straps and is machine washable once you detach the cable.
The trade-off is size and control. At 135 × 120cm it covers the middle of a double bed rather than the whole thing, and one controller means one temperature for both of you. Owners mostly say it warms the bed quickly and fits neatly. Some find the connector on the blanket sits where they lie, and durability reports are mixed, which isn't unusual at this price.
What owners and reviewers like
- Very affordable from a big UK brand
- 5 heat settings with digital control
- Auto shut-off and 3-year guarantee
- Machine washable
Watch-outs
- Smaller than the mattress
- One control for both sides on a double
- Connector position bothers some sleepers
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Silentnight Yours & Mine Dual Control Electric Blanket, Double
Best for: Couples who like different temperatures, for not much more money
- Type
- Underblanket, soft-touch fabric
- Size
- 137 × 150cm (per title; check listing)
- Controls
- Dual, 4 settings each
- Timer / auto-off
- Auto shut-off
- Guarantee
- 3 years
If one of you runs hot and the other is always cold, a dual-control blanket saves a lot of arguments. Silentnight's Yours & Mine gives each side its own controller with four heat levels. It uses the same stitched wire channels, auto shut-off and three-year guarantee as the Comfort Control. Expert Reviews rates it as its best basic dual-control blanket, and it appears in Good Housekeeping's 2026 roundup too.
Owners like the separate controls and say it's good value. You do need two sockets, one per side, and a few owners find it covers only about three-quarters of the bed lengthways. The listing quotes two different sizes (137 × 150cm in the title and 160 × 200cm in the description), so check the size panel on Amazon before you buy. Some owners report one side failing after a year, so keep your receipt for the guarantee.
What owners and reviewers like
- Separate controls for each side
- Low price for a dual-control double
- Auto shut-off; 3-year guarantee
- Independent test pedigree (Expert Reviews)
Watch-outs
- Only 4 heat settings
- Needs two sockets
- Listing size details are inconsistent
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Homefront Premium Fleece Fully Fitted Electric Blanket, Double, Dual Control
Best for: Edge-to-edge warmth that won't ruck up, with extra heat for cold feet
- Type
- Fitted mattress cover, fleece
- Size
- 193 × 137cm, skirt fits 20–40cm deep
- Controls
- Dual, 9 body + 9 foot settings
- Timer / auto-off
- 10 timer options; overheat protection
- Guarantee
- 2 years
Strapped underblankets can drift. A fully fitted design goes on like a fitted sheet, so it stays put and covers the whole mattress. Homefront's double has a deep elasticated skirt for mattresses 20–40cm deep, and each side gets its own controller with separate body and foot zones (nine settings each) plus ten timer options. It's polar fleece, machine washable at 30°C, and the listing says it has overheat protection and is tested to UKCA/CE standards.
Owners consistently praise the fit and the separate foot heat, and many say it warms quickly. The watch-outs: the guarantee is two years rather than three, you need two sockets, and you have to strip the bed to wash it. The fleece layer also adds a little height and warmth year-round if you leave it on the bed.
What owners and reviewers like
- Covers the whole mattress and stays in place
- Separate body and foot zones on each side
- Lots of timer options
- Fleece feels warm even when switched off
Watch-outs
- 2-year guarantee (others offer 3)
- Two plugs needed
- More effort to remove and wash
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Dreamland Hunker Down Scandi Sherpa Electric Blanket, King Size, dual control
Best for: King-size beds and anyone who wants a thick, cosy sherpa layer
- Type
- Underblanket, reversible sherpa
- Size
- 200 × 150cm (king)
- Controls
- Dual, 6 settings each
- Timer / auto-off
- 1, 3 or 9 hours
- Guarantee
- 3 years
The Hunker Down is Dreamland's cosy option: a reversible underblanket with plush sherpa on one side for winter and a smoother, lighter side for milder months. This king-size version has two detachable controllers with six settings each, the same 1, 3 or 9-hour timer as the Cosy Dreamer, and Intelliheat+, which Dreamland says adjusts to temperature changes during the night. Which? has put the Hunker Down through its electric blanket tests (most recently in October 2025). It's machine washable and tumble-dryable, with a three-year guarantee.
Owners love how soft it feels under the sheet and how fast it heats. A minority report a controller or side not working, so check it as soon as it arrives and register the guarantee. It's a pricier blanket. If you have a standard double, a double version is also sold, but the one we checked had a single controller and came from a third-party seller, so read the variant and seller details carefully.
What owners and reviewers like
- Thick, reversible sherpa feels luxurious
- Dual controls and 1/3/9-hour timer
- King size (200 × 150cm)
- Machine washable and tumble-dryable
Watch-outs
- Premium price
- Some reports of controller faults
- Variants differ in controls and seller
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Silentnight Comfort Control Heated Throw, 120 × 160cm
Best for: Keeping warm on the sofa or at a desk without putting the heating on
- Type
- Heated throw, fleece
- Size
- 120 × 160cm
- Controls
- Single, 9 settings
- Timer / auto-off
- Auto shut-off after 2 hours
- Guarantee
- Check listing
A heated throw is the best fit for evenings on the sofa or long days in a cold home office. Silentnight's Comfort Control throw is the best-seller in Amazon UK's electric throws chart when we checked. It's soft fleece with nine heat settings: Silentnight suggests 7–9 for a quick warm-up, then dropping to 1–6. Stitched channels prevent hot spots, there's HeatSafe overheat protection, it switches itself off after two hours and it's machine washable.
Owners say it's big enough to cover an adult, warms up quickly and works out cheaper than running the heating. As with most throws, durability reports are mixed, with a few failing within weeks, so buy from a seller that makes returns easy. This listing is the Berry colour, and other colours are on separate listings.
What owners and reviewers like
- 9 heat settings
- Auto-off after 2 hours
- Machine washable
- Best-selling throw from a known UK brand
Watch-outs
- 2-hour auto-off means resetting it on long evenings
- Mixed durability reports
- Not designed for use as a bed underblanket
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Dreamland Indulgent Days XL Heated Throw, 140 × 180cm
Best for: Sharing on the sofa, or tall people who want their feet covered
- Type
- Heated throw, velvet
- Size
- 140 × 180cm
- Controls
- Single, 6 settings (LED)
- Timer / auto-off
- 1, 3 or 9 hours
- Guarantee
- Check listing
If two of you share the sofa, a standard 120 × 160cm throw quickly turns into a tug of war. Dreamland's Indulgent Days XL is 140 × 180cm, with double-sided velvet, a claimed five-minute heat-up and an LED controller with six settings. It has the same 1, 3 or 9-hour auto shut-off timer as Dreamland's underblankets. It's machine washable and safe to tumble dry.
It's a newer listing with relatively few owner reviews so far, so there's less owner evidence than for the Silentnight throw. It's sold by Imetec UK, the company that owns Dreamland, which fits Electrical Safety First's advice to buy from a reputable seller rather than an unknown marketplace trader.
What owners and reviewers like
- Extra-large 140 × 180cm
- Timer up to 9 hours
- Washable and tumble-dryable
- Sold by the brand's UK company
Watch-outs
- Fewer owner reviews so far
- Single controller
- Velvet finish won't suit everyone
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Underblanket, fitted cover or heated throw?
Get the size and controls right
A UK double mattress is 135 × 190cm, a king is 150 × 200cm and a super king is 180 × 200cm. Most strapped underblankets are deliberately smaller than the mattress so they lie flat and stay away from the edges. If you want warmth right to the edges and the foot of the bed, choose a fitted design. For couples, dual controls are worth paying a bit more for. Check you have two sockets within reach, because each side usually has its own plug. Separate foot zones are great if your feet are always cold.
Running costs: pennies, not pounds
Electric blankets use very little power. Which? found the cheapest cost about 2p an hour on their highest setting at an electricity price of 27.69p per kWh, with the most power-hungry costing around four times that. A blanket drawing 100W for an hour uses 0.1kWh, which is under 3p at that price. Warming the bed for 30 minutes before you get in costs about a penny or two, far less than heating the room. Manufacturers' 'from 1p an hour' claims are usually based on the lowest setting.
Safety: what Electrical Safety First recommends
Buy new, from a reputable retailer or the brand, rather than a second-hand blanket or an unknown marketplace seller. Look for overheat protection and auto shut-off, and check for a UK 3-pin plug and UKCA or CE marking (though don't rely on the marks alone). Register the blanket so you can be told about recalls.
Check it before first use each winter for scorch marks, frayed fabric, exposed wires or a damaged cord. Never use it folded or rucked, never pin it in place, and never use it with a hot water bottle. Unplug it when you get into bed unless it's designed for overnight use with auto shut-off. Store it rolled or loosely folded, and replace it at least every ten years. Old blankets go to electrical recycling, not the bin. If you have a pressure-relief mattress, use emollient creams, or have a medical condition that affects how you feel heat, check with your GP or care provider first.
Washing and storage
Almost all modern blankets are machine washable once you detach the controller. Follow the label (usually 30–40°C), dry it completely before plugging it back in, and don't dry-clean it or use moth-proofing chemicals. In summer, leave an underblanket unplugged on the bed or store it rolled in a cool, dry place with nothing heavy on top.
FAQs
Is it safe to leave an electric blanket on all night?
Only if it's designed for it, with temperature control, overheat protection and an automatic shut-off, and you use a low setting. Otherwise, warm the bed for 20–30 minutes and switch it off when you get in. Electrical Safety First and UK fire services both recommend unplugging before sleep unless the blanket has these features.
Is an electric blanket cheaper than putting the heating on?
For warming yourself, yes, by a long way. A blanket costs a few pence an hour at most, whereas central heating warms the whole room and house. It won't stop damp or condensation, though, so keep rooms ventilated and reasonably heated. See our dehumidifier guide for damp.
What's the difference between a heated throw and an electric blanket?
An electric underblanket goes under your sheet on the mattress. A heated throw (or overblanket) goes over you, usually on the sofa. They're built differently, so don't swap their roles.
How long do electric blankets last?
Replace yours at least every ten years, or sooner if you see scorch marks, worn fabric, visible wires, a damaged cord, or the control buzzes or smells. Most of our picks come with a two- or three-year guarantee.
Can I use an electric blanket with a memory foam mattress or topper?
Many brands say yes, but check the manufacturer's instructions, as some foam toppers and pressure-relief mattresses aren't suitable. Never use an electric blanket on an air-flow pressure-relief mattress.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through our links, Amazon may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which products we include. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Sources we consulted
- Which?: best electric blankets
- Which?: best heated throws
- Good Housekeeping UK: best electric blankets and heated throws
- Expert Reviews: best electric blanket
- Electrical Safety First: electric blanket safety advice
- London Fire Brigade: electric blankets
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, tell us.
