Our research and testing showed that in most cases you're better off with a heated mattress pad rather than an electric blanket. Pads are better at masking the heating wires, and your body and the rest of your bedding insulate the warmth. They're also easier to use safely, because they lie flat and won't bunch or fold—as electric blankets can—which could cause overheating. But blankets are better if you already use a specific mattress topper with your bed or don't want to add extra padding to your mattress.You should probably replace your bedding if it isn't UL or Intertek (ETL) certified, if it wasn't stored appropriately, or if it isn't in good working order. (Heated bedding shouldn't show signs of wear, fraying, damage, or discoloration on the cords, controllers, connections, or outer material.)All heated bedding follows a similar design: A system of insulated wires is encased in a blanket or mattress pad, and a power cord with one or two controllers attaches to an external port on the bedding.
The wires heat up, and a series of safety mechanisms and thermostats regulate the temperature. What differs from model to model is the outer textile and the control style (dial versus digital, number of heat settings).We considered only UL- or ETL-certified models. Most heated-bedding manufacturers offer five-year warranties on their models; we eliminated bedding with shorter warranties.We eliminated mattress pads that had no internal padding ("fill"), because this feature is necessary to mask the feel of the wires.We made a list of every electric blanket and heated mattress pad we could find on Amazon and the sites of Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's, and other retailers, ending up with 21 models from nine companies. We then focused on the most popular models with the highest customer reviews on Amazon and other retailer sites, and eliminated models that were extremely expensive (over $150 for queen-size).We decided to test three mattress pads and five electric blankets on a queen-size bed with two sleepers for at least a single night, and in some cases over multiple nights.
We used cotton sateen sheets and a midweight comforter, with the bedroom temperature between 66 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.We didn't measure the exact temperatures each blanket or pad reached, because the temperature would be affected by ambient room temperature and other factors. Instead, we subjectively assessed whether each blanket and pad achieved a toasty, sheets-fresh-out-of-the-dryer feel at the highest setting.Finally, we laundered the winners according to their care instructions to confirm that they didn't shed excessively, stretch, or shrink when washed. The Sunbeam Premium Quilted Heated Mattress Pad was the cushiest mattress pad we tested, with virtually undetectable heating wires. Its digital controls offer more temperature settings along with a useful preheat function, and it conveniently needs only one outlet even for queen and king pads with two controllers. It's one of the only models we found with a moisture-wicking all-cotton top, and we think its quilting will help keep the fill from shifting (better than in other pads, at least).
The Premium Quilted also has an extra safety feature that keeps the connector port securely attached at all times. And overall, we've found that Sunbeam heated bedding has fewer customer complaints about safety issues. For more on how we assessed safety complaints and why heated bedding is generally extremely safe, see our full guide.Ironically, of the three heated-bedding manufacturers whose items we tested, Sunbeam actually uses the thickest, stiffest wires (they're about as thick as the cord of a USB charging cable). But the Premium Quilted's 9 ounces of padding—the most of any mattress pad we found—made the internal heating wires virtually undetectable. If you don't mind sacrificing some cushioning, an all-cotton top, and digital controls, the Sunbeam Quilted Heated Mattress Pad offers the same benefits as our top pick but currently costs about $50 less. It's a good option if you think you'll use a heated pad only during the coldest weeks of winter and you don't mind possibly feeling the wires within.
Containing only 5 ounces of fill, Sunbeam's Quilted pad has less padding than our top pick but offers the most of any of the under-$100 models we looked at. In our tests this pad was comfortable overall, but we could feel the wires when we ran our hands over the top, and the wires were slightly noticeable when our testers were lying on the pad, especially when sleeping on their sides (though the wires weren't jab-in-the-rib uncomfortable). All of the electric blankets we tried had varying issues ranging from unpleasant fabric to particularly noticeable wires. In our test group, the Sunbeam Velvet Plush Heated Blanket was the best, as its overall combination of softness, performance, controls, and safety features helped it edge out the competition.Made of 100 percent polyester, the Velvet Plush has a very soft, brushed texture that feels like a thick velour. Of the Sunbeam blankets we tested, it had by far the most pleasant texture, with a velvety-soft feel. (We found the texture of our runner-up from Biddeford more pleasing against the skin, but we also encountered slightly more customer reviews mentioning a safety concern with that company's heated bedding.)
In many ways we preferred the feel of the Biddeford Comfort Knit Heated Blanket. Next to Sunbeam's offerings, though, Biddeford's controls were more awkward, and at the time we checked, this company's heated bedding had a few more customer reviews mentioning a safety concern.Biddeford's dual-controller blankets (queen-size and larger) require two separate outlets and plug into two ports at the bottom of the blanket. This design makes for a lot of cords in the bed area.This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.Note from The Sweethome: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.We do not recommend using an electric blanket or heating pad with your mattress. Due to the temperature-sensitivity of the TEMPUR material, adding high heat can hinder its ability to react to your body temperature and conform to your body shape.If you ever do use an electric blanket or heating pad, we recommend limiting its use to 30 minutes, and only on low or medium heat.
We do not recommend using a conventional mattress pad or mattress cover with your mattress. These items add another "layer" between you and the TEMPUR material, reducing its ability to conform to your body.If you use a mattress protector, we offer the MattressProtector by Tempur-Pedic™, which was designed to protect your mattress without impacting the feel or performance.The covers on most of our mattresses can be removed and washed. If you're not sure if your mattress cover is removable, please refer to the tags sewn into the cover or contact our Customer Service department.We recommend a cold temperature setting for machine washing and a cool setting for machine drying. Do not "over-dry" the cover and do not use chlorine products or harsh stain removers of any kind.If you spill liquid on your mattress, please take the following steps. Because the mattress should never become wet, we can't promise that these steps will completely remove the stain or odor.If your mattress has a cover, remove it, wash it in cold water with mild detergent, and hang dry for best results.
Never use bleach or bleaching products with the cover.After the cover has been removed, soak up as much of the liquid using towels as possible. This may require pressing down on the material with the towel(s) to release the moisture.Once excess moisture is removed, let the mattress air dry. To speed up the drying process, place a fan so that it blows on the mattress.Never wash the TEMPUR® material.TEMPUR&trg; material should never become wet. We offer a special wet-safe cover to provide extra protection against liquid spills.Do NOT wash or Dry Clean the TEMPUR-Topper Supreme. The cover can be removed and washed in cold water, dried on a cool setting or air drying which is recommended. Do not use chlorine products or harsh stain removers.Each of our mattresses use our patented, one-sided design that means you'll never have to flip, rotate, or turn it. The TEMPUR material will return to its original shape time after time, year after year.If needed, you can fold your Tempur-Pedic mattress to make it easier to move.