With more of us working from home, only going into the office a few days every week, we have to worry about increased heating bills this winter. This week, temperatures have plummeted and some areas of the UK are already seeing snow. So, if you're looking for a way to keep warm that doesn't involve extortionate heating bills, a heated blanket could be the answer.
Searches for 'heated throw' and 'heated blanket' have risen hugely over the past year. Thousands of us are turning to electric blankets after Martin Lewis and his money-saving experts conducted some work around 'heat the human, not the home' and urged people to stay warm using thermals, electric blankets and throws to save money and energy.
Grazia's Best Heated Blankets, At A Glance
Editor's choice: Lakeland Faux Fur Heated Throw, £89.99
Best heated blanket on Amazon: GlamHaus Heated Throw Blanket, £64.99
Best heated blanket in a range of colours: Dreamcatcher Luxurious Electric Throw, £44.99
Launching the guide, Lewis wrote: 'This is a guide I really wish we needn't be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can't afford their energy bills. So don't see this as an 'MSE or Martin says you should do this'. It's more that we're trying to help provide some options and information for those who may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues.'
His guide found that using single electric blankets could keep you warm at a cost of just 3p per hour. So, with that in mind, we looked to find the best heated throws and blankets available to buy now.
SHOP: The Best Heated Blankets & Throws To Buy Online
Editor's Choice
www.lakeland.co.uk
Finished with cosy faux fur, Lakeland's heated throw has nine heat settings, which you can switch between using the easy-to-use controller. There are also nine time settings, should you wish to ensure it turns off after a certain time but there's also auto shut-off for extra peace of mind. Even better? It's machine washable.
Best Amazon heated blanket
The GlamHaus Heated Throw Blanket is created with Shu Cotton Velvet 280gsm and Sherpa Fleece 220gsm, knitted together with an overlock edging stitch system to offer extra supreme durability. It's also available on Prime, so you could have it by tomorrow if you're really feeling the cold.
Best heated blanket in a range of colours
Available in a variety of colours, the Dreamcatcher Electric Throw from Amazon has a fast heat-up time and nine heat settings for greater control. The fluffy blanket is just big enough to fit as an over-blanket for a double bed.
Best faux fur heated blanket
www.johnlewis.com
Dreamland’s Alaskan Husky faux fur heated throw will keep you warm as you watch Netflix or could be thrown over your bed for extra snug winter nights. It has an auto shut-off function that can be set for one, three or nine hours.
Best heated blanket with low price guarantee
www.very.co.uk
The Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket is an energy-efficient and affordable way to stay warm for less. Pre-heating your bed for two hours on a low heat setting costs as little as 1p, so you can afford to feel cosy every night.
Best extra large heated blanket
www.lakeland.co.uk
This new extra-large design is the biggest in Lakeland's heated blanket range and is the perfect size for wrapping up warm with friends and family, so everyone can stay snug.
Rhiannon Evans is Senior Editor at Grazia, and was previously Acting Digital Director, Features Director, Commissioning Editor and Special Projects Editor.