Dreamland heated throw review: is the Deluxe Velvet Herringbone Blanket worth it?

With the ongoing cost of living crisis and energy bills remaining high, finding ways to stay warm and comfortable at home without breaking the bank has become a priority for many. This is where the best electric blanket and heated throw can help, offering an affordable and energy-efficient solution for keeping warm and cosy in colder temperatures.

Heated throws are essentially blankets with a built-in heating element that allows them to warm up quickly. They come in a variety of materials and sizes, from plush and fluffy to lightweight and compact, making them suitable for all kinds of uses, whether you're snuggling up on the sofa, working from home, or tucked up in bed. Teamed with a warm pair of slippers, they're ideal for keeping snug on winter nights, or even on chilly spring days.

Aside from their cosiness, one of the main benefits of heated throws is their energy efficiency. Unlike central heating, which can be expensive and wasteful, heated throws only heat up the area they cover, so you can save money on your energy bills while you still feel warm and comfortable. There are other budget-friendly solutions to consider too, like a hot water bottle, but the advantage of an electric blanket is that you can heat up a larger area and control how long it stays hot for.

The downside, however, is that they can be pretty pricey initially depending on which one you go for. So, are they worth it? Dreamland is one of the most popular heated throw brands out there at the moment, so I put their Deluxe Velvet Herringbone Heated Throw to the test at home in Sussex. Here's my honest review.

My verdict at a glance

Price on writing: £95 | Buy now from Amazon

What I love

• Easy to set up and use, even for first-time heated blanket users

• Large size and soft material make it super cosy

• Heat is distributed well across the blanket

• Stylish, luxurious design

• Different heat settings and timer options provide flexibility

• Good value for money, especially for those who work from home

• Detachable controls and machine-washable material make it easy to clean

What to know

• Pricey

• Higher heat settings could be too much for some

Dreamland Deluxe Velvet Herringbone Throw: what is it?

If you find yourself wanting a bit of extra warmth at home and your best women's dressing gown isn't quite giving you the warmth you need, a heated throw like the Dreamland could be the ideal solution. It works a little bit like a heated gilet, with electrical elements that warm the blanket up.

Ultra soft and cosy, this one is made from polyester, but has a texture that feels more plush and velvet-like. With six heat settings, there's plenty of flexibility too so you can find the right temperature for maximum cosiness.

It's powered by the mains but has a long power cord, so as long as you're staying put in one place, this shouldn't be an issue (for more freedom to move around the house while staying warm we'd recommend a blanket hoodie) and you will need to factor in electricity costs, but it's fairly cheap to run overall (more on that below).

First impressions

On unboxing the blanket, I was impressed, particularly with the size and the softness of the material. It's big enough for two to snuggle up under on the sofa, or to drape across my lap at my WFH desk.

I really like the colour, too - the one I tested is a mustard yellow, and the blanket is also available in grey, green or blue.

Setting the blanket up couldn't have been simpler, the controls are intuitive to use, with one large on/off button and smaller time and heat buttons to select from 6 heat settings and a 1, 3 or 9 hour timer.

Read next: The best thermal underwear for women to keep you extra warm in cold weather

Warmth factor

If you're splashing out on an electric blanket or heated throw, you want to know it's going to do the job well, keeping you warm and cosy when you'd rather not crank up the thermostat. Luckily, the Dreamland is worth its salt and makes a great alternative to turning on the heating, especially if you're the only one at home and you're sitting still for long stretches of time.

With six heat settings, you can switch between modes and find the one that suits you. I was impressed it had this many settings - some cheaper blankets only offer three, so it's a good choice if temperature control is high on your list of priorities when shopping for a blanket.

I found the settings easy and intuitive to use too, but it's worth noting that you need to remember to choose your setting before the blanket heats up, something that's quite easy to forget. When turned on, the controller automatically selects 1 hour at the maximum setting, so if you want a less intense setting you need to adjust this using the buttons, which can be done at any time.

There's also a handy timer setting for the heat too - you can choose between one, three or nine hours, and it will automatically shut off after this time. The one-hour setting is ideal if you want to pop it on when you're sleepy, but are worried about it being left on if you do nod off.

Design

With a plush, soft-to-the-touch texture, and its availability in a range of rich colours, the Dreamland is a winner when it comes to style. It's also soft and flexible, which makes it a versatile blanket for use at my desk. Dreamland's faux fur heated throw is a lot thicker and stiffer - great for cosying up on the sofa or draping over your bed, but not so good for wrapping around yourself when seated at a desk.

What's more, when you don't fancy being swaddled in warmth, it looks great on the sofa or bed too as a decorative throw so you can use it all year round.

Read next: For more stylish picks, don't miss our guide to the best winter coats for women

Does it wash well?

Sometimes we can be hesitant to wash something with an oh-so-cosy texture for fear of losing some of that softness. However, I had no issues at all when washing the blanket.

It can be washed and tumble dried once the controls are detached, but make sure you read the care instructions before your first wash.

Price

Admittedly, Dreamland blankets don't come cheap. They usually retail between £80 - £130, and there are certainly cheaper options available. However, having tested a whole range of heated throws, the quality, warmth and and design of Dreamland heated throws sets them apart from budget alternatives.

when it comes to homewares, I do look for both style and practicality, and this heated throw ticks both of these boxes. What's more, its targeted warmth helped me use the central heating less, saving me money in the long run.

Dreamland suggests that it can cost from as little as 1p to run, but this will vary depending on factors such as setting used, time used for, and energy rates. The blanket is 150 watts, which is fairly cheap to run, especially when compared to popping the radiators on throughout the house. A way to get a good estimate is the Sust-It Energy calculator; just pop in the wattage, how long you'll use it for and it'll give you an estimate of the running cost - just note this can vary.

Read next: Keep your little ones warm and cosy with our pick of the top kids' hot water bottle and best kids' blanket hoodie

Final verdict: Dreamland heated throw review

I give the Dreamland Deluxe Throw an impressive five-star rating. After five months of use, I'm still using the blanket and love its softness, energy efficiency, and ease of use. It may be an investment, but it's one that pays in the long run.

There are other cost-effective, long-term solutions you can try, such as insulating your home with thermal curtains or a draught excluder, but for a near-instant dose of heat, you can't beat a heated throw or blanket. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it looks good too. Win-win, we say.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.

With an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCert in Lifestyle Journalism, Poppy's written about parenting topics for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun. She's a best-selling, award-winning author, and her books for children and parents have been translated into 12 languages.

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