If you don't need dual-controls, then Silentnight's 'Comfort Control' electric blanket is one of the most affordable electric blankets on the market, and despite its no-frills design, we found it did the job of eliminating the chill and keeping the bed toasty more than adequately.

If you have a memory foam mattress don't think that means a chilly bed though. A good solution is to opt for a heated overblanket instead of an underblanket. They're a little harder to come by, but as an overblanket fits between you and your duvet you'll eliminate any issues with a memory foam topper or mattress.

Fire Risk of Electric Blankets

Our shopping editor, Amy, put multiple bestselling electric blankets through their paces to compile this guide, testing sleep comfort, heating efficiency, ease of use of controls, and additional features such as dual-controls or zoned temperature capability to find the electric blankets that deliver best on performance and price. Based on the above example, running an electric blanket will cost you around 24p a night (based on 8 hours of use). This is obviously significantly cheaper than having your central heating on all night, and for the average 70W or 80W blanket, you’re looking at even less. Given the current economic climate, it’s understandable that you may be looking for more cost-effective ways to stay warm and save on your heating bill. Electric blankets can come in handy here, as they're becoming increasingly more energy efficient.

On testing we also found that the overblanket was far preferred by our night-sweat suffering reviewers. Every electric blanket we've tested uses polyester wadding to soften and protect the cables, which our hot sleepers found could make them overheat compared to their usual natural material-filled mattress toppers. In comparison to a strapped-on underblanket, the overblanket could be positioned between the duvet and bed sheet to warm up the bed and get things toasty, and then whipped off once the chill had gone from the bed, making for a better night's sleep. The introduction of ultra-thin wires has been made to ensure a comfortable nights rest, as well as making blankets very economical to run. 4 Heat Levels Otherwise, features are limited –there's no auto shut-off timer (so you'll need to remember to switch it off before you drift off to save energy and money), and there are no dual-controls on this model –however, if you're looking for a budget electric blanket, this option will certainly keep out the chill without breaking the bank.Built in protection system will automatically shut off the power if it reaches a temperature that is higher than considered comfortable. It will also shut off if an unsafe situation should arise. Specification Blanket Size (mm) If you're looking for a heated throw to stay cosy while you snuggle up on the couch then this super-soft velvety heated blanket from Dreamland could be for you. Provides you with extra heat at the foot of the bed to keep your toes toasty on cold winter nights. BEAB Approved The perfect blanket to snuggle up under on the couch after a long day, it can also be laid over the bed for some added warmth, although with its 150W energy usage it's not quite as economical a way to heat a bed as the under blankets in this edit.

Whilst the cheapest electric blanket will generally do the job of heating up the bed before you get in, spending a little more money generally means you get a more comfortable sleep and greater control over temperatures and shut-off times. Here are our top tips for what to look out for before you shop. That said, if warm feet are high on your agenda, then this electric blanket is still well worth considering. After all, is there anything cosier than taking the chill off those cold sheets before you get under the duvet at night? And do you really need to turn on the central heating when you can get toasty with a heated blanket on the sofa instead? Plus, with the cost of running an electric blanket on full power coming in at well under 5p per hour, an electric blanket could well be a sound financial investment that will help you to save money whilst staying warm.All the electric blankets on our list come with varying heat zones and settings – some include extra foot warmth too. If you cannot find the problem, replace the heating blanket. In many cases, it is cheaper to buy a new heating blanket instead of fixing the old one. Why Electric Blankets Stop Working? The blanket also offers an auto shut-off timer with 4 options to choose from – 1, 5, 8 and 12 hours – so you can drift off without having to worry about turning off the blanket first if you don't want it running all night, and making for more economical use of energy. And, last but not least, is the blanket's quilted fleece upper layer, which adds an extra layer of comfort and can be unzipped and washed separately for easier regular washing. Smart functionality –some heated blankets allow you to hook them up to a smart app or Alexa to control when they come on so that your bed is always warm when you’re ready for bedtime, although you’ll generally pay more for this feature. Our top tip is to pair an ‘ordinary’ electric blanket with a smart plug so you can get all the convenience of remote control at a lower cost!