A heated blanket is one of the cheapest ways to stay warm in winter. Instead of heating the whole house, you heat yourself: a typical heated throw draws around 100 watts, so a four-hour evening on the couch costs a few cents of electricity at the current US average price of about 18 cents per kilowatt-hour. Modern models are far safer and softer than the stiff electric blankets of the past, with automatic shut-off, overheat protection and machine-washable fabrics. There are also a lot of poorly made ones — in 2026 the CPSC warned about or recalled hundreds of thousands of heated blankets sold on Amazon by little-known brands. These five come from established brands, carry ETL safety certification and are rated 4.2 stars or higher.
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Our Top Picks
| Product | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 Bedsure Heated Blanket (Queen, Dual Control) Best Overall |
$81.58 | Check Price |
 Sunbeam Royal Mink Sherpa Heated Throw Best Heated Throw |
$52.47 | Check Price |
 Tefici Heated Throw Best Budget |
$35.99 | Check Price |
 Sealy Heated Blanket (Queen, Dual Control) Best for Couples |
$87.99 | Check Price |
 Sunbeam Restful Quilted Heated Mattress Pad Best Heated Mattress Pad |
$79.87 | Check Price |
1. Bedsure Heated Blanket (Queen, Dual Control) — Best Overall ($81.58)
Bedsure’s heated blankets have become some of the most popular on Amazon, and the line earned the Good Housekeeping Seal after its lab and home testers found it heated quickly and evenly, with no cold spots, and washed well. This queen-size version, 84 by 90 inches, has a soft flannel top and a sherpa underside and two digital controllers, so each side of the bed has its own six heat levels.
Its best feature is the preheat mode: it warms the bed at full power before you get in, then settles into a lower overnight setting. Six timer options run from 1 to 10 hours, with an 8-hour default that covers a full night. It carries ETL and FCC certification and is machine-washable once you detach the controllers. It is rated 4.3 stars on Amazon across the Bedsure heated-blanket listing.
Bedsure does not publish a cord length or a warranty term on the listing, so check the cords will reach your outlets. Good Housekeeping’s testing was of a throw from the same line rather than this queen model.
Pros
- Dual controllers, 6 heat levels per side
- Preheat mode warms the bed before you get in
- Timer from 1 to 10 hours
- Soft flannel and sherpa, machine washable
- ETL certified
Cons
- Cord length and warranty not stated
- Good Housekeeping tested a throw from the line, not this size
2. Sunbeam Royal Mink Sherpa Heated Throw — Best Heated Throw ($52.47)
For the couch, the Sunbeam Royal Mink Sherpa throw is the one to get. Reviewed named it its best electric blanket after months of testing: the thick sherpa hides the heating wires completely, the four settings are noticeably different, and even the highest never got uncomfortably hot. It started to feel warmer within four to five minutes of changing settings.
It measures 50 by 60 inches, has a velvety mink front with a sherpa back, and uses a simple one-button controller with indicator lights. It turns itself off after four hours, and it is machine-washable on a gentle cycle and dryer-safe on low. Sunbeam backs it with a 5-year limited warranty, it is cETLus certified, and it is sold by Amazon.com, with 4.3 stars from more than 11,000 ratings.
The main complaint is the short cord, which means sitting fairly close to an outlet. The 4-hour shut-off is not adjustable.
Pros
- Thick sherpa hides the wires
- Four distinct heat settings
- Machine washable and dryer safe
- 5-year warranty
- Sold by Amazon.com, 11,000+ ratings
Cons
- Short cord
- Fixed 4-hour shut-off
- No preheat
3. Tefici Heated Throw — Best Budget ($35.99)
The Tefici throw is a good heated blanket for about $36. It is a 50-by-60-inch, double-layer flannel throw with three heat settings (the listing quotes 95 to 113°F), a 4-hour auto shut-off and overheat protection, and it is ETL and FCC certified. Its 10-foot cord is longer than most throws’, which makes it easier to use away from the wall.
Reviewed named it its best budget pick, finding three settings were plenty and the controller easy to use, and Your Best Digs measured it reaching 105°F in under 15 minutes. The trade-offs show in the materials: the fabric is thinner, you can feel the heating coils, and the hems are less tidy than on pricier throws. It is rated 4.2 stars on Amazon.
If you want the budget price with a little more refinement, the Bedsure heated throw adds six heat levels and a preheat mode for about a dollar more.
Pros
- About $36
- 10-foot cord
- Heats up quickly
- ETL certified, machine washable
Cons
- Thin fabric; coils can be felt
- Only 3 heat settings
- Warranty not stated
4. Sealy Heated Blanket (Queen, Dual Control) — Best for Couples ($87.99)
If you and your partner never agree on temperature, the Sealy queen blanket gives you the most control. Each side has its own digital controller with 10 heat levels (87 to 126°F per the listing), and the auto shut-off can be set anywhere from 1 to 12 hours, so one person can run it all night while the other turns theirs off after an hour.
It is flannel on one side and sherpa on the other, ETL and FCC certified, and comes with a 5-year warranty. The cords are generous: a 6-foot power cord plus a 10.5-foot controller cord, which matters on a queen bed with nightstands on both sides. It is rated 4.4 stars on Amazon, the highest of the queen blankets here.
We did not find an independent test of this model, so we rank it below the Bedsure. It is made under license for the Sealy brand by a contract manufacturer, and Sealy does not list a preheat function for it.
Pros
- 10 heat levels per side
- Timer from 1 to 12 hours
- Long cords for both sides of the bed
- 5-year warranty
- 4.4-star Amazon rating
Cons
- No independent test found
- No preheat mode listed
- Licensed brand, not made by Sealy itself
5. Sunbeam Restful Quilted Heated Mattress Pad — Best Heated Mattress Pad ($79.87)
A heated mattress pad warms you from below, which many people find more comfortable than a blanket, and it stays put under the sheet. The Sunbeam Restful Quilted pad has 12 heat settings, a 1-to-12-hour selectable shut-off and two controllers on the queen size, so each side can be set separately. It fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep and has a water-resistant, quilted top.
Mattress Clarity rated it 4.3 out of 5, praising the wide range of settings and the dual controls, and noted its long 19.5-foot cord; the main complaint is that you may feel the thin wires. Bob Vila named Sunbeam’s heated mattress pad the best overall in its 2025 test. It is sold by Amazon.com and rated 4.4 stars from more than 8,000 ratings.
Use a mattress pad instead of a heated blanket, not alongside one: safety guidance from State Farm and UL is to use only one heated bedding product at a time.
Pros
- Warms from below and stays in place
- 12 heat settings, dual controllers
- Timer up to 12 hours
- Long 19.5-foot cord
- Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- Wires can be felt
- Not a blanket; don’t combine with one
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bedsure Queen | Sunbeam Sherpa Throw | Tefici Throw | Sealy Queen | Sunbeam Mattress Pad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 84 x 90 in | 50 x 60 in | 50 x 60 in | 84 x 90 in | Queen 60 x 80 in |
| Heat settings | 6 per side | 4 | 3 | 10 per side | 12 per side |
| Dual control | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Auto shut-off | 1-10 hr | 4 hr | 4 hr | 1-12 hr | 1-12 hr |
| Preheat | Yes | No | No | Not listed | No |
| Certification | ETL | cETLus | ETL | ETL | ETL |
| Warranty | See card | 5 years | Not stated | 5 years | Limited (see Sunbeam) |
| Price | $81.58 | $52.47 | $35.99 | $87.99 | $79.87 |
How to Choose and Use a Heated Blanket Safely
Buy certified, from a known brand. Look for a mark from a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL or ETL. In 2026 the CPSC recalled about 178,000 OCTROT and 195,000 JKMAX heated blankets sold on Amazon over fire and burn hazards and warned consumers to stop using Melinora blankets. None of the picks here are affected, but it is a good reason to avoid unknown brands.
Throw or full-size. A 50-by-60-inch throw is for the couch and costs less. A queen or king blanket with dual controllers is for the bed, so each sleeper sets their own temperature.
Look for a timer and preheat. Auto shut-off is essential, and an adjustable timer lets you choose between a short warm-up and running all night. Preheat warms the bed before you get in.
Use it the right way. Sunbeam’s instructions say not to tuck in, fold or bunch a heated blanket, since it can get hotter where it is folded, and to keep cords out from between the mattress and box spring. Don’t use an extension cord, don’t pile heavy bedding on top, and use only one heated product at a time. Inspect cords and fabric each season and replace a blanket with frayed cords, scorch marks or a burning smell.
Who shouldn’t use one. Manufacturers and UL advise against heated blankets for infants and young children, and for anyone who cannot feel heat properly or operate the controls, including people with diabetes or poor circulation.
Washing. Detach the controller, wash on a cold, gentle cycle and dry on low or air-dry, following the label. Never reconnect the blanket until it is completely dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are heated blankets safe to sleep with?
Modern heated blankets with auto shut-off, overheat protection and UL or ETL certification are safe for most adults when used as directed: don’t tuck them in or fold them, don’t pile bedding on top, and inspect the cords each season. Choose a model with a timer if you plan to sleep with it on. They are not recommended for infants, young children or people who cannot feel heat or operate the controls.
How much does it cost to run a heated blanket?
Very little. A throw that draws about 115 watts uses about 0.46 kWh in four hours at full power, roughly 8 cents at the July 2026 US average of 18.31 cents per kWh, and blankets cycle on and off, so real use is lower.
Can you wash a heated blanket?
Yes. All five picks are machine washable once the controller and power cord are detached. Use a cold, gentle cycle and dry on low or air-dry, and don’t reconnect the blanket until it is completely dry.
Is a heated mattress pad better than a heated blanket?
It depends on preference. A heated mattress pad warms you from below and stays in place under the sheet, while a blanket warms you from above and doubles as a couch throw. Use one or the other, not both at the same time.
Can you use a heated blanket with an extension cord?
No. Sunbeam’s instructions and general safety guidance say to plug heated blankets directly into a wall outlet and not to use extension cords, converters or inverters.
Which heated blanket brands have been recalled?
In 2026 the CPSC announced recalls of OCTROT and JKMAX heated blankets sold on Amazon and warned consumers to stop using Melinora heated blankets. In 2023 a Star Elite-distributed Sunbeam queen model (32810027) was recalled. The Sunbeam products recommended here are different models.
Final Verdict
The Bedsure queen heated blanket is the best choice for most beds. Dual controllers, a preheat mode, a timer that covers a full night and a soft flannel-and-sherpa build come from a line that earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, at a mid-range price.
For the couch, get the Sunbeam Royal Mink Sherpa throw. On a tight budget, the Tefici throw keeps you warm for about $36. Couples who want the most control should look at the Sealy queen, and if you prefer warmth from below, the Sunbeam heated mattress pad is the alternative.
For more ways to keep warm this winter, see our guide to the best space heaters and our comparison of the Nest and ecobee smart thermostats.