More and more homes in the UK are turning to heated blankets and throws to stay warm amid rising bills and growing concerns about our carbon footprints. There’s no doubt that using a heated blanket is a great way to get warm and cosy quickly and cheaply, but you might be a bit unsure about which type of heated blanket to spring for.
Well, we've been in the ‘warming tech’ game for over 50 years, so we've learned a thing or two about what our customers love (and don’t love) about the different types of heated blanket - let's dive into some of the pros and cons of each.
Heated Overblankets (Goes Over You) - Pros and Cons
Heated overblankets are more like a throw - you're going to want to drape them over yourself on the sofa for maximum cosiness, when working from home, or on the bed during the winter months. Here are some pros and cons of using a heated overblanket (the ones that go over you):
Pros
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They're very, very versatile! Use the in bed, on the sofa, or when working from home to save on heating the whole house
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They're quick and easy to adjust. Either slip out from under it, or reach for the temperature control to fine-tune the heat setting
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Most heated overblankets are machine washable with detachable power cords.
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Much, much cheaper than heating your whole house/flat or a room using a space/fan heater. Learn more about energy saving with a heated overblanket
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Heated overblankets tend to be quicker to heat up
Did you know? A typical 1500W fan heater runs at around 60p an hour vs 3p per hour for a heated overblanket. That's almost £5 per 8-hour work day versus just 25p!
Cons
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Heated overblankets are generally a bit smaller and don't always provide full coverage, especially if you have long legs!
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Bed use is quite limited - lying on top of them isn’t recommended, and any folding/ruckling of the blanket can cause damage to the wires. They’re likely to slip off you during the night, too
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Commonly made from a super soft luxury material, which might be a bit too warm or heavy for some
Heated Underblankets (Goes Under You) - Pros and Cons
Heated underblankets are almost always used in bed, either under the bottom fitted sheet or between the bottom sheet and the duvet. They’re designed so you can lie on top of them for long periods, keeping you cosy and warm in the colder months. They keep their position, usually thanks to straps or ties, so they don’t bunch up if you toss and turn.
Here are some pros and cons of using a heated underblanket:
Pros
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A nice pre-warmed bed to crawl into on those winter nights is hard to beat
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Much more comfortable to sleep on top of, stays in place all night (however fidgety you are)
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Traps heat between the blanket and duvet, keeping you snug for longer
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Doesn't need tidying away when not in use
Cons
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A heated underblanket is less versatile, it can't really be used on the sofa or be taken around the house with you
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Not always machine washable
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Can be uncomfortably warm for folk who run hot at night - especially if you share a bed and one of you wants it on all night!
Fun fact: someone who is cold all the time might be referred to as 'nesh' in South Yorkshire and the Midlands. In Spanish, it's 'friolero', and in France you'd be called 'frileux' or 'frileuse'.
Is It Safe to Leave an Electric Blanket On All Night?
Modern heated blankets (overblankets and underblankets) are generally safe to leave on all night. Most current models will have an auto shut-off function, overheat protection, and temperature settings that mean you can use a low heat for prolonged use. Always check the manufacturer's instructions to be sure.
It's not safe to run a heated blanket if it's damaged, folded or bunched (this can damage the wires), or lacks the safety features listed above.
It's not advised to leave a heated blanket on for young children, the elderly or vulnerable, or pets.
In Conclusion…
Both heated overblankets and heated underblankets offer distinct advantages, catering to different preferences and needs. You might even want to own both types of electric blanket - one for staying cosy on the sofa and at your desk, and one for making sure you never again have to crawl into a stone-cold bed at night. Shudder.
Ultimately, the choice is yours - browse the Dreamland range of heated overblankets and heated underblankets today!