Heated Throws and Electric Blankets: Safety and Running Costs

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

A heated throw or electric blanket warms you directly for a fraction of the cost of heating a whole room. Buy new from a known retailer, check it every autumn, replace it after about ten years, and it is a safe and economical way to keep warm.

Who they help

Anyone who feels the cold when sitting still or in bed, people with poor circulation or stiff joints who find warmth comforting, and anyone trying to keep heating bills down. They are a top-up, not a replacement for a reasonably warm home; see keeping warm for less for the wider picture.

Main types

• Electric underblanket — fits on the mattress under your sheet, held by straps or a fitted skirt. Used to warm the bed before you get in; many modern ones are designed to be left on a low setting overnight. Check the instructions for yours.
• Electric overblanket — lies over you like a normal blanket, under or in place of a duvet.
• Heated throw — a soft fleece blanket for the sofa or armchair, to wrap round your lap or shoulders.
• Heated mattress topper — a quilted underblanket that adds padding as well as heat.

What to look for

• Overheat protection — shuts the blanket down if any part gets too hot. Standard on blankets made to current safety standards.
• Automatic timer — switches off after one to twelve hours, so it cannot be left on by accident.
• A safety mark — UKCA or CE marking, and ideally an independent mark such as the BSI Kitemark or BEAB Approved.
• Several heat settings, and for double beds, dual controls so each side can be set separately.
• Controls you can see and feel — large buttons, a clear display, ideally lit.
• Machine washable with a detachable controller.
• The wattage, printed on the box or label, so you can work out the running cost.

How to work out the running cost

You do not need to rely on anyone's claim of "pennies an hour". You can work it out yourself from two numbers: the wattage on the product label and the unit rate on your electricity bill.

1. Find the wattage (W). A heated throw is often around 100W to 150W; a double underblanket may be 60W to 120W. Yours may differ.
2. Divide by 1,000 to turn watts into kilowatts (kW). So 100W is 0.1kW.
3. Multiply by the number of hours you use it. That gives kilowatt-hours (kWh), the "units" on your bill. 0.1kW for 4 hours is 0.4kWh.
4. Multiply by your unit rate in pence per kWh, shown on your bill or in your supplier's app.

As a worked example with a made-up round number: if your unit rate were 25p, then 0.4kWh would cost 0.4 x 25 = 10p for the evening. Put your own rate in to get your real figure. In practice a blanket on a low setting uses less than its maximum wattage, because the thermostat switches the heat on and off, so this sum gives you the upper limit.

For comparison, do the same sum for a 2,000W (2kW) fan heater: one hour is 2kWh, twenty times the 100W throw.

Rough price guide

• Single or double underblanket: from around £25 to £80.
• Heated throw: around £30 to £90.
• Heated mattress topper or premium dual-control blanket: around £70 to £150.

Safety points

• Never buy a second-hand electric blanket, and be wary of unbranded ones from unknown online sellers.
• Read the instructions. Only leave a blanket on all night if the maker says it is suitable.
• Lay underblankets flat and secure them. Do not use one folded, creased or tucked in tightly.
• Do not use an electric blanket and a hot water bottle together, and never use a blanket that is wet.
• Do not use an underblanket on an adjustable bed, or a blanket with a memory foam mattress, unless the instructions say you can.
• Store it loosely rolled or flat, with nothing heavy on top. Sharp folds damage the wiring.
• People who cannot feel heat well, cannot operate the controls themselves, or have continence problems should get advice before using one. Ask your GP, district nurse or pharmacist.

When to replace, and free testing

Fire and rescue services and the charity Electrical Safety First advise replacing an electric blanket at least every ten years. If yours has no date and you cannot remember buying it, treat it as due.

Some fire and rescue services and councils run free electric blanket testing sessions, usually in autumn and often with Trading Standards. Several have run them in 2026, and in some areas a blanket that fails is replaced free. These schemes are local, not national, and dates change every year, so check your own fire and rescue service's or council's website or phone them. You can find your council through GOV.UK. Many fire services also offer a free home fire safety visit for older residents, where you can ask about blankets and smoke alarms.

Mistakes to avoid

• Turning the heating off entirely and relying on a throw. A cold home carries health risks of its own.
• Choosing by price alone and ending up with no timer.
• Forgetting to register the product with the maker, which is how you hear about a safety recall.

Help with heating bills

Make sure you are getting everything you are due: the Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount and, in very cold spells, the Cold Weather Payment. It is also worth joining your supplier's Priority Services Register.

Common questions

Is it safe to leave an electric blanket on all night?

Only if the manufacturer's instructions say that model is designed for all-night use, usually on a low setting. If in doubt, use it to warm the bed and switch it off when you get in.

Is a heated throw cheaper than putting the heating on?

For one person sitting still, almost always, because it uses far fewer watts. Use the sum above with your own unit rate. Keep the room itself from getting too cold, though.

Can I wash an electric blanket?

Many can be machine washed once the controller is unplugged, but follow the label exactly and dry it fully before use. Never dry clean one unless the label permits it.