The Best Electric Blankets in Canada of 2024

When the temperature plummets outside, your heating bill can really take a hit. If your sheets and comforters aren't keeping you warm enough, electric blankets are a great item to buy to turn up the heat level.

One of the main appeals of electric blankets is that they’ll keep you toasty all night long, allowing you to lower the thermostat and save money on heating. However, a lot of electric blankets have thin wires, high price tags, a low heating level, and mediocre ratings, so we set out on a mission to find which models were actually worth buying no matter what size bed you have.

After weeks of research and testing, we can tell you that the Sunbeam Velvet Plush Cozy Feet (available at Amazon) is the best electric blanket you can buy. Available in a number of sizes, it offers extra heat in the foot area, plush fabric, and a five-year warranty.

How We Tested Electric Blankets

The Tester

My name is Rebecca Boniface. As a full-time RV nomad, folks assume that when temperatures start dropping I would move my house towards warmer climates. The reality is a bit different: sometimes, I get stuck in a colder place, so I'm always prepared for a wide range of temperatures which help keep me on the road and in my RV home.

When the weather is truly awful, being able to hunker down in bed with an electric blanket keeps me toasty and my propane consumption lower than when I heat the entire house. At night, dropping the furnace and the oil heater down but cranking my electric blanket up allows me to keep warm using a smaller amount of electricity.

Our first round of testing was completed by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor, who's been testing household linens for Reviewed for a few years, including bed sheets, comforters, and towels. She majored in fashion in college, which required her to take numerous courses on fabrics, textile science, and manufacturing, giving her the expertise to evaluate fabric quality and construction techniques of the blankets.

The Tests

We tested electric blankets in a room heated to 15.5 °C , while the tester lounged under the blanket and read—one of the toughest gigs we’ve ever had.

We started by testing each blanket passively (with the power turned off) and then, with the power turned on. This gave us an understanding of how warm the blanket was with and without electric heat.

To register how much warmth each of the blankets generated, we used iButton temperature sensors. Before getting under each of the blankets, an iButton was tucked into the hip pocket of the tester’s pajama pants. Once covered up in the blanket, the tester would turn the blanket on, turn it up to its maximum temperature and stay under it for 30 minutes. This method allowed us to collect the peak temperature for each of the blankets.

In between tests, the bed being used was stripped of the electric blanket and tested, using an IR thermometer to ensure that its temperature dropped back down to match the temperature of the room it was in. We also ensured that the tester’s body temperature had a chance to drop back down, between each test.

Finally, we looked at the average amount of electricity each blanket used while in operation, by plugging it into a Belkin Energy Monitor. The blankets all used such a minor amount of electricity that we felt the data collected in this area was a secondary consideration, at best.

On the subjective side of things, we considered the build quality of each blanket, how intuitive its power controls were, the blanket’s shell material felt against the skin and, how noticeable the wires were inside each of the blankets.

What You Should Know About Electric and Heated Blankets

In general, there are three types of electric blankets: standard blankets that you sleep under overnight, heated mattress pads that you sleep on top of, and throw blankets that you can use around the house. Our testing focused on standard blankets, so the details provided in the following sections are specific to this type of product.

With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about electric blankets to make an informed purchase.

How Do Electric Blankets Work?

Electric blankets aren’t as thick or puffy as a winter comforter—if you’re looking for new bedding, our guide to the best comforters can help you there. Instead, they’re typically more akin to a lightweight summer blanket or throw blanket. Most are made from polyester fleece or velvet, making them super soft to the touch.

What distinguishes these blankets from a regular throw is the wiring that runs throughout the material. Unlike a heating pad, electric blankets don’t have a “cover”—the wires are integrated directly into the fabric, and they can’t be removed. At the end of the blanket is one or two connectors, depending on how many zones the blanket has, where you plug the cords in. When you set the blanket up, these connectors are typically positioned at the foot of the bed, and you then run the cords under the bed, positioning the controller(s) on your bedside table and putting the plug into a nearby outlet.

What Features Do Heated Blankets Have?

There are several common features you’ll see on electric blankets. First, almost all electric blankets have 10 heat settings and automatic shut-off after around eight to 10 hours. The blanket will automatically turn off after this period of time, so you won’t accidentally leave it on all day.

Another common feature is dual-zone controls. Queen and king-sized blankets electric blankets typically come with two controllers that allow partners to customize the heat on their side of the bed. This was once a “luxury” feature, but we’ve found it’s pretty standard today across all brands.

There are also some special features reserved for more expensive electric blankets. For instance, some models have a “preheat” option, which typically heats up the blanket on a warmer setting for 30 minutes or more before lowering the temperature. Essentially, it’s a way to heat up your bed before you get in—the preheat settings we tested specifically note not to use them when you’re in bed.

Another special feature is a timer, which means the blanket will turn off after a set number of hours. Similar to the preheat option, this will ensure you don’t get too hot overnight, and it will save electricity, too.

Do I Need an Electric Blanket?

If you feel like the cold weather really impacts you, an electric blanket is an effective way to warm yourself up without heating up the entire room. An electric blanket can also be used to preheat a bed, if crawling into a cold bed is an unpleasant thought. If your feet are often chilled, an electric blanket helps warm up faster and stay warm more effectively than throwing a pair of socks on in bed can.

As part of the testing, we used a highly-rated Amazon Basics blanket and I was reminded of how effective regular blankets can be. After testing several electric blankets in a row, I expected to be disappointed by a non-heated version. Other than a bit of chill around my arms, I didn’t notice much difference. Our heat sensor supported this, noting a peak temperature of 1°C difference between the unheated blanket and our Best Overall pick. So, if the room you’re in isn’t particularly chilly, an electric blanket might not serve you as well as you might be hoping.

How To Safely Use An Electric Blanket

One of the first things you’ll notice when you buy an electric blanket is there are a lot of safety precautions. They’re listed in big bold letters in the instructions, but the blankets themselves also sport a big patch with important safety guidelines—and it can’t be removed.

In general, all heated blankets have a few key guidelines for safe use:

• Don’t use the bedding for children, disabled individuals, or with sedatives.
• Don’t fold, bunch, or tuck the blanket.
• Don’t use pins on the blanket.
• Don’t pinch, trap, tuck, or cross the electrical cords.
• Don’t use electric blankets on pull-out or fold-up beds.
• Don’t let your pets scratch or claw the bedding.
• Don’t use the blanket if it’s wet.
• Don’t use a heated blanket in combination with other heated products, such as a heating pad or mattress pad.
• If you notice any signs of damage or misoperation, stop using it immediately.

Because it’s an electric device that you’re using while asleep, it’s important to follow these guidelines carefully to ensure your safety.

What Are Common Issues with Electric Blankets?

Despite the fact that they’ve been around for many years, electric blankets are still plagued with issues. There are several common problems you might experience if you purchase an electric blanket, and they range from moderately inconvenient to dangerous.

On the mild end of the spectrum, many electric blankets don’t last as long as you might expect, especially considering their high price. If you read reviews on popular electric blankets, you’ll see many users complain their blankets stop working after a few months—sometimes just one “zone” dies out, and other times the whole thing goes kaput. Another frequently cited issue is hot spots, where one zone or area of an electric blanket doesn’t get quite as warm as the other.

However, electric blankets can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Some users report their blankets have started smoking or melting at the connection where the cord meets the blanket. There’s also a risk of burning yourself if you leave the blanket on too high overnight. To prevent these serious problems, it’s essential to carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions. You’ll also want to stop using your blanket if there are any signs of fraying or loose wires or other damage.

You may want to check if there's a year warranty on the blanket, too.

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Other Electric Blankets We Tested

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