January 20th, 2020 by Becky Calvert

If you’re in the market for an electric blanket, there are a few things to consider. From the size, material, controller and blanket type – it can be a daunting process if you’ve never owned one before. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide to tell you everything that you need to know about electric blankets to help you make an informed decision, so the blanket you choose is the perfect one for you!    

Over-blanket vs Throw  

Perhaps the biggest thing to consider is whether you want an electric over-blanket or a throw. As the name suggests, an under-blanket is fitted to your mattress with corner straps or an elasticated skirt and you sleep on top of it. In contrast, an electric throw is much like a blanket that is designed to be draped over you or on top of your duvet. Which one you choose to buy depends on how you intend to use it. If you’re wanting to use it to keep you warm as you sleep, an under-blanket would be best as it will fit securely to your bed and can be used every night without you having to adjust it. However, if you’re wanting an electric blanket to snuggle up under on the sofa – or you want to be able to use it outside of your bed too, then an electric throw will be better suited. It all depends on what you think you’re more likely to use the blanket for, so pick whichever would be best for you!

Material

Electric blankets come in different materials, from super soft cotton to luxurious fleece. Whichever you opt for depends on both your budget and what your personal preference is. All of our blankets are super soft to touch but the more luxurious of our blankets are fleece-lined to give you ultimate comfort and cosy vibes as you drift off to sleep.

Dual Control vs Single Control

The answer to which you should buy is pretty simple. If you are buying the blanket for you and your partner to share, opt for dual control and if you’re just purchasing it for your own use, opt for the single control. A dual control electric blanket has a controller on either side of the blanket so that both you and your partner can separately control your side of the blanket – perfect for couples with completely different heat preferences! However, single control allows you to control all of the blanket yourself – perfect for if you’re wanting the blanket all to yourself!

Controller Type

Electric blankets are available with different types of controllers. These range from the simple slide button to choose your preferred heat setting to controllers that allow you to heat your body and feet separately. This again depends on your budget, with the more detailed controllers often being slightly more expensive. It also depends on whether you’re wanting to just use the blanket to warm your bed before you get into it, or whether you’re wanting to use it whilst you’re in the bed and sleeping. The slide button controller will allow you to preheat your bed to the perfect temperature for you to climb into and drift off to sleep, whereas the more in-depth controller will make sure that both your body and feet are at the desired temperature for you – perfect for those who suffer from cold feet!

Corner Straps vs Elasticated Skirt

If you’ve chosen to buy an under-blanket, then you need to decide how you’d prefer the blanket to be strapped to your mattress. Both fit the blanket perfectly well, so it’s completely up to you! The corner strap method uses elasticated straps to attach to the corners of your mattress to keep the blanket attached. Blankets with a fully-fitted elasticated skirt attach to your mattress much like a fitted sheet, covering all of your mattress to provide a super secure fit. This is a completely personal choice and both methods work perfectly well!

The Perfect Heated Blanket for You

After you’ve picked what type of blanket you’d like and all of the other things that come with it, we’re sure that you’ll have chosen the perfect electric blanket for you! To find it, click here to browse our range of blankets and throws so that you can have your ideal electric blanket in no time.