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Best heated throw: energy-efficient blankets tried and tested
Hunker down and snuggle up with our pick of the warmest, fluffiest and cosiest heated throw blankets. Invest in one of these best electric throws, and you’ll be able to turn your heating down, or even off, and stop your energy bills spiralling.
By Natasha Gregson | Last updated Jan 23, 2024
The best heated throw blanket is always a hot topic on the Mumsnet forums when cold weather comes around. These snuggly spreads are much loved as they could be the key to keeping warm this winter while saving money on your heating bill. They're a little similar to the best electric blankets, but while those are predominantly used as bedding, heated throws are more decorative and you can cosy up under them on the sofa.
Last year, energy prices surged dramatically, and with the cost of living crisis, everyone’s bills went through the roof. This winter, many people are looking for ways to stay warm while keeping the heating off, and Mumsnet users swear by the best heated throws as a potential solution. Along with other ideas like using the best hot water bottle and wearing the cosiest women's slippers, these electric throws focus on heating the person and not the room to stave off the cold. And while they can be pricey initially, some throws cost from as little as 1p a night to run.
How we tested the best heated throw
We've been on a hunt to find the best heated throw for every type of home. Our first stop was the Mumsnet forums – the largest network of parents in the UK – where we gathered tried-and-tested recommendations from our trusted users to find the throws they love. After that, we cross-referenced our analysis with extensive research into expert opinions and authentic consumer reviews to ensure our round-up only features the very best.
We then conducted our own rigorous testing, focusing on these key areas:
Fabric quality and cosiness
Temperature controls
How they washed
Value for money
Dreamland Deluxe Alaskan Husky Faux Fur Throw
Soft, fluffy fabric
Cheap to run
Machine washable
Intelliheat+ functionality checks electrics when turned on
More expensive than some other options
Loses softness if washed a lot
Price on writing: £99 | Size: 120 x 160cm | Temperature settings: Six | Timers: One or nine-hour auto-shut off | Fabric: Acrylic, polyester | Machine washable: Yes
Mumsnetters can't get enough of the Dreamland Alaskan Husky Faux Fur Blanket, and after thorough testing, it was the clear choice for our best heated throw overall. Crafted from gloriously soft and luxurious fabric, this blanket not only looks stylish, but is also super practical thanks to its machine washability, fast heat-up time and ease with which you can control the comforting heat.
While the initial outlay is pricey, it’s fairly cheap to run – we estimated that after the October 2022 energy price rise, it should cost from around 5p per hour of use. Our tester also reported that it offered excellent value for money with the use she got out of it, and the two-year guarantee offers extra peace of mind.
The Dreamland is a safe choice too; it can be set to switch off automatically, plus the Intelliheat+ functionality runs a complete check of the electrics every time you switch your throw on. Our only gripe was that it did lose some softness over time with extensive washing.
Read our full Dreamland Alaskan Husky Faux Fur Heated Throw review
Ideal for those who want something lightweight
Good selection of bright colours
Lots of heat settings to find the right fit for you
Affordable
You may prefer a thicker option for extra cosiness
Price on writing: £45 | Size: 120 x 160cm | Temperature settings: 10 | Timers: Nine settings | Fabric: Flannel and sherpa fleece | Machine washable: Yes
The Mia & Coco Electric Heated Throw is perfect for people who prefer a lightweight blanket with a smooth texture; faux fur and velvet aren’t for everyone. However, despite it being thinner than our top pick, the Dreamland Alaskan Husky, it still provides plenty of warmth – in fact our testers found that it’s lovely and warm even when switched off, so you won't need to bundle up in the best thermals for women when you're wrapped up in this!
The affordable price tag is particularly impressive considering it has a whopping 10 heat settings between 25°C and 53°C for individualised comfort, and it’s a generous size for one person. There's also nine timer settings, so it will switch off exactly when you need it to, saving energy and keeping you safe. It cleans well in the washing machine too, though it does take "an age to air dry", according to one of our testers.
Admittedly, it's not the most luxurious option out there, but you'd be hard pressed to find such a high-quality heated throw for under £50.
Read our full Mia&Coco Heated Throw review
Dreamland Deluxe Velvet Herringbone Heated Throw
Luxurious velvet-feel fabric
Cheap to run
Machine washable
Choice of rich colourways
Not as fluffy as other options
Pricey
Price on writing: £74 | Size: 120 x 160cm | Temperature settings: Six | Timers: One, three or nine hour auto-shut off | Fabric: Polyester | Machine washable: Yes
With a sumptuous velvet fabric and a choice of four rich colourways (the emerald green is our favourite), the Dreamland Deluxe Velvet Herringbone Heated Throw is the winner of our best pick for style. After five months of testing, we were impressed with the design – it's super soft and looks fantastic as a throw even without the heating elements on.
It's not all style over substance, however – this throw certainly packs a punch when it comes to heating power, which is distributed evenly across the blanket. There's six settings to choose between so there's plenty of range, though we found the highest settings were actually a little too hot!
As with many electric throws, the main downside is the cost, though it does come in slightly cheaper than our best overall pick and is cheap to run – our tester reported that she'd recommended it to many friends who work from home as a replacement for having the heating on during the day.
Read our full Dreamland heated throw review
Large
Super soft and comfy
Cheap to run
Machine washable
Sleeves and foot pouch aren't heated
Foot pouch is on the small side
Pricey
Price on writing: £75 | Size: 180 x 150cm, sleeve length: 63cm | Temperature settings: Three | Timers: Three-hour auto shut-off | Fabric: 100% polyester | Machine washable: Yes
A perfect option for those who need a bit of extra heat while still having full use of their arms and hands, this cleverly designed Lakeland Snuggler Heated Throw fills a gap in the market between a humble heated throw and a blanket hoodie – just bear in mind you do still need to have it plugged in like a standard electric blanket. While there's fewer heat settings than some other options, we loved how toasty it was and it kept us warm and snuggly in the cold depths of winter. It's huge too – when the sleeves aren't in use, it easily fits two adults underneath it.
That being said, we did have a few gripes with the design – the sleeves and foot pouch don't warm up and we would have liked the latter to be roomier. At £100 RRP, it's very pricey too (though it's currently reduced to £75), but it did help us keep the central heating off when we wore it.
On a more positive note, we found it was ideal for working from home – you get all the warming qualities of the best heated gilet without feeling like you're wearing an outdoor winter coat. It's also super soft and comfortable to wear, and it can even be popped in the washing machine for a quick spruce up.
Read our full Lakeland’s The Snuggler Heated Throw review
How do heated throw blankets work?
Heated throw blankets emit heat via coil wires that provide a steady source of warmth when plugged into an electrical outlet. Each heated throw blanket has a controller, a built-in timer, and a temperature control gauge. That means it will only go as warm as you want it to. The timer means the heat should cut off after a specified time of your choice, so you don't need to worry if you fall asleep while snuggled up in it.
Related: The best men's dressing gowns for your DH
How much does it cost to run a heated throw?
This depends on how long you use it for and which setting you opt for. As a general rule, you can expect running a heated throw to cost somewhere between 4p and 8p an hour.
The best way to check is using the Sust-It Energy Calculator. Simply add in the watts of the throw and the time you will use it for, and it will give you an estimate running cost.
What to consider when choosing the best heated throw
Temperature settings: Look for adjustable heat settings so you can get the most out of your blanket – some options have as many as 10 different settings! Bear in mind that it does often cost more to run a blanket on the higher settings, so it's a good idea to opt for one with good range.
Size and coverage: Make sure the throw is large enough to cover you comfortably. If you want one you can snuggle up under with your other half or kids, make sure you go for a large size so there's space for everyone.
Safety features: Look for blankets with an automatic shut-off feature. It's a must-have in case you accidentally drift off while it's on, and you can usually choose between different time settings up to nine hours. Overheat protection is also a good safety feature to have too.
Fabric: The fabric should be soft and snuggly, something you'd love to wrap up in for hours. This will depend on personal taste; while some will love a thick faux fur option, others will prefer a lightweight fleece.
Cost: Heated throws can work out quite pricey, but they can be cost-effective long-term as they're often cheaper to run than turning on the central heating. It's worth checking the guarantee too so you can get a sense of longevity.
What's the difference between a heated throw and an electric blanket?
There's often some confusion between heated throws and heated blankets. Whilst electric blankets are predominantly used as bedding, heated throws are used in other parts of the home.
A heated throw should be decorative and practical, whereas an electric blanket has a distinctly utilitarian look. Heated throws are also more versatile, as they can be used wherever they are within reach of a power socket.
Are heated throws safe for kids?
If you're worrying about your children staying well this winter, then it's understandable that you might be considering allowing them to get under your heated throw. These blankets are perfectly safe for children to use under supervision, but they're not recommended for under fives. They're also not safe for children to sleep with, as they should always be supervised when using a heated throw.
How we chose the best heated throw
Recommendations from real people
To help us select the best heated throws, we first checked what products our trusted Mumsnet users were raving about on our forums. We focused on the blankets they loved, noting the pros and cons of each one. We also looked for the throws our Mumsnet users didn't rate so we could whittle down our shortlist and only focus on the very best.
Expert guidance
Our team then ensured our article represented the latest recommendations from industry experts that you can rely on. We used a variety of sources to compile considered product selections, including independent consumer reviews from reputable sources and retailers like Amazon, resulting in a trustworthy and in-depth set of product reviews.
In-depth testing
With the help of Mumsnetters from our Voices panel, MNHQ editors then ensured every recommendation on this page had been tried and tested by real people. Using our expertise and first-hand experiences, we then carefully analysed selected products after extensive use, scoring their performance on warmth, design, temperature settings, ease of use, and value for money.
Celebrated products
Finally, we cross-reference all of the above information to present you with a carefully curated selection of high-quality products.
For this guide, we looked at the throws that had won the most accolades and recommendations across the board to bring you the top ones at various price points. We think there’s something here for everyone.
About the author
Natasha Gregson is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet, with an expertise in home and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. With numerous years of editorial experience under her belt, her work has also been featured in prestigious national publications like The i Paper and Stylist Magazine, and she's written on a wide range of topics.
Amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis, Natasha has been on a mission to unearth the top products that can help Mumsnetters save money on their energy bills this year – including everything from the best heated gilets to the warmest blanket hoodies. Her thorough research into this topic and experience testing products for Mumsnet helps to inform her in-depth assessments of the buys we think Mumsnetters will love.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
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