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With energy costs at the forefront of many of our minds this winter, finding ways to stay warm while reducing energy consumption has never been more important. Fortunately, this is best electric blanket Come in.
According to price comparison service Uswitch, most electric blankets have energy ratings of 100-300W, meaning they cost just a few cents an hour to run. Best of all, there’s a range of comfort electric covers available – from heated to mattress protector arrive cozy blanket – so you can find a product that suits your needs.
Staying safe when using your device is important and worth reading Advice from the London Fire Brigadewhich include not using a hot water bottle with an electric blanket and replacing the hot water bottle when the fabric is frayed or the cord is damaged.
But the question remains: How much does it really cost to use an electric blanket? How does this compare to the price of turning on the central heating?
To shed some light on these doubts, I asked experts who weighed up running costs and offered some savings tips. Plus, I calculated the efficiency of our favorite tried-and-true models.
Read more: The best tried and tested electric blankets and heating blankets to keep you warm and comfortable
How much does it cost to buy an electric blanket?
Since electric blankets are designed to simply heat the space around them, they are very energy efficient.
“Three in 10 (30%) homes in the UK use heated electric blankets to keep them warm in winter, and the good news is these devices are very cheap to run,” explains Uswitch.com energy expert Ben Gallizzi. “Electric blankets typically use an average of 100W of power and, based on current energy prices, cost just 3p an hour to run.”
To calculate the operating costs of an electric blanket, first check its power rating. This will indicate the maximum amount of power consumed in an hour. Then multiply the blanket’s wattage by the number of hours you turn it on, multiplied by how much you pay per unit of electricity (you can find this information on your electric bill).
As a rough estimate, at the lower end of the energy scale, a 40W electric blanket would cost 9p to run on maximum setting for 8 hours a day, According to Uswitch when using Price ceiling in January 2026 (electricity price 27.69p/kWh). This equates to approximately £33 per year. On the other hand, running a 250W electric blanket at maximum setting for 8 hours a day will cost you 56p, which equates to around £202 a year.
Electric blankets usually take 5-10 minutes to warm up, and if it can automatically adjust the temperature, it will turn itself off when it reaches temperature, and then turn back on when needed to maintain heat, thus helping to save energy.
What affects cost
Several factors can affect the running costs of an electric blanket, but for Gallizzi, time of use and heat settings are the most important considerations. “The total cost for a household will depend on how long the blanket is used and the temperature setting,” he explains. “Higher temperature settings use more electricity, but it may be more cost-effective to turn the temperature up to preheat the bed for 30 minutes rather than running it at a lower temperature overnight. It’s also worth remembering that older blankets may be less energy efficient than newer versions.”
AO’s small appliances expert Katie Lillywight agrees. “Keep in mind that how long you leave the blanket on and how high the temperature setting you use it will affect the running costs per use,” she says. “If you want to keep costs down then try using a timer on this blanket, or combine it with a duvet or throw to help retain heat – allowing you to use a lower setting. Another useful tip to keep costs down is to layer with other blankets or bedding to keep warmth in without having to turn on the power or central heating.”
The style of your electric blanket—whether it’s a base blanket (which goes on top of the mattress and under the sheets), a top blanket (an extra layer on your bed), a mattress protector, or a heated blanket—plays an important role.
according to U switchthe typical energy level of the blanket is 200-250Wh, and the running cost is about 7p per hour. The same goes for mattress protectors and throw blankets. The average energy rating for heated throws is higher at 300Wh, which means running costs increase slightly, at 8p per hour. For the 25Wh model, the heating pad is the cheapest, costing less than 1p an hour to run.
Additionally, the size of the blanket, heat settings, whether it has automatic temperature regulation, and multiple heating zones all affect the cost. These are good features to look for before purchasing an electric blanket. Setting the blanket to a lower temperature and using it only during the colder months can also reduce costs.
Read more: Experts reveal how much it really costs to run a dehumidifier
Electric blankets versus central heating systems
Any electric blanket is much cheaper to use than central heating as it only heats the area around you rather than your entire room or home. Set gas price at 5.93 pence per kilowatt-hour using January 2026 gas price capsomeone with a 24kW gas boiler pays £1.42 an hour to run it. And heating with an electric blanket only costs pennies an hour.
Phil Steele from Octopus Energy explains: “Electric blankets are an excellent, energy-efficient way of keeping warm, especially for people who stay in one place for long periods of time, or as a supplement to central heating.
“Research from Octopus Energy shows that using electric blankets for heating (rather than providing central heating for the whole house) can save the average household 10-20% on their electricity bills during the winter. Over a year, this can be a saving of around £300.”
However, National Energy Action (NEA) project development manager Laura North warns that electric blankets should not completely replace central heating systems.
“Electric blankets work well for warming people. However, these should be used in conjunction with central heating systems and not the other way around, as there are health consequences to unheated homes,” she explains. “A cold and damp home can worsen or even cause a variety of health problems, including those related to the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous system, etc. While you’re in it, you should strive to keep the temperature in your home between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.
“Using an electric blanket next to your central heating can really allow you to use less heating, keeping you warm at times of the day when you want to be warm but don’t want to turn it on.”
one of the best dehumidifier May reduce moisture content, and We also demystify the running costs of these devices.
Additionally, North advises: “If you really can’t afford central heating, the best way to use an electric blanket is to put it under the sheets on your bed and make sure you turn it off before going to bed.
“Electric or heated blankets are different from blankets in that they cover you if you’re sitting on the couch. If you buy an electric blanket or blanket that’s more energy efficient, it will cost less to use.”
Energy saving tips
For OVO’s director of disadvantaged accounts, Steven Donovan, you can really cut costs by combining energy-saving tips with an electric blanket. While blankets can help reduce home heating costs, he said, “A combination of energy-saving tips and products can help households save up to £360 a year.”
“Our top energy-saving tips include: installing loft insulation, switching to low-energy light bulbs, reducing boiler water temperatures and draft proofing to stay warm this winter,” he adds.
Other tips include smart thermostats, tracking your energy usage, turning off appliances on standby, and using thermostatic radiator valves that allow you to control the temperature in each room by sensing the room’s air temperature and regulating the flow of hot water until the room reaches your desired temperature.
Read more: This affordable electric heater does more than just heat your home
How much do our tried and tested electric blanket models cost to run?
Sleepdown Elegant Warm Luxury Heated Blanket: £27, Amazon UK
After reviewing the Slumberdown Elegant Warmth Luxury Heated Blanket, IndyBest testers Caroline Preece Listed it first in her guide best electric blanket. She found the design luxurious and loved that it didn’t look stingy on the couch, adding: “The required warmth arrived in just a few minutes and spread by 10-12 minutes on the higher setting, with no lumpy wires ruining the drape.”
At the January 2026 price cap (electricity prices are 27.69p/kWh), using the blanket for an hour at the maximum setting (70W) will cost 1.9p.
Silentnight hotel range double electric blanket: £44.99, Boots.com
on her Silentnight’s Hotel Collection Double Electric Blanket ReviewIndyBest reviewer Caroline Preece says this is her go-to, worry-free base blanket for everyday use. “During testing, it delivered consistent, even heat. During the timed warm-up run, heat reached the feet in approximately three minutes and was evenly distributed over 10-12 minutes,” explains Caroline.
This model has a maximum power of 65W, which works out to 1.7p per hour at the January 2026 price cap.
Dreamland hygge days luxury faux fur thermal blanket: £79.99, Amazon UK
Caroline says in her book, “When you want the right amount of cocooning comfort with modern, controlled heat, this throw is the way to go.” Dreamland hygge days luxury faux fur thermal blanket review. She adds that the plush faux fur looks very much like a regular blanket and is very warm.
Crunching the numbers, this model has a maximum power of 150W and costs 4.1p per hour (using January 2026 electricity price caps), putting it at the most expensive end of the spectrum.
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