Both electric blankets and heated throws deliver affordable warmth, but they solve different problems. One warms the bed for sleep. The other keeps you cosy on the sofa or adds a flexible layer over the duvet. This guide compares cost to run, comfort and use cases in UK homes so you can choose the option that fits your routine and keeps bills low.
Sofa evenings feel warmer with heated throws that work on low.
How Each One Works
An electric blanket used as an underblanket fits on the mattress like a sheet and warms the surface from below. It is the most efficient way to preheat a bed before you get in. A heated throw is a portable blanket with an integrated heating element that you plug in and drape over yourself. It shines for evening lounging and quick bursts of warmth without heating the whole room. Both include multiple heat settings and timers on modern models.
Running Costs in Pounds and Pence
Underblankets on low or medium settings typically draw 40 to 100 watts. Heated throws on medium draw around 80 to 150 watts. At 28 pence per kilowatt hour, a 60 watt underblanket running for three hours costs about 5 pence. A 120 watt throw for two hours costs around 7 pence. Both are far cheaper than running a 1 to 1.5 kilowatt space heater for the same period, which could cost 28 to 42 pence per hour. For targeted warmth, both products are energy winners.
Comfort and Use Cases
If your main goal is getting into a warm bed and sleeping comfortably, choose an underblanket. Preheat for 20 to 30 minutes, then switch off or go to a low setting when you get in. If your goal is to stay warm while watching a film or reading in a cool living room, choose a heated throw. You feel the benefit immediately and you can take it anywhere in the house. For all night bed warmth, an underblanket is more consistent. For short sessions and flexibility, a throw wins.
Couples and Controls
On a shared bed, dual controllers let each partner choose a preferred setting. This avoids arguments and keeps both people comfortable while using little power. On the sofa, a heated throw is easy to share, but a single controller means one setting for both. If you often sit together, look for a larger XL throw with simple controls you can reach without getting up.
Memory Foam and Bedding
With memory foam mattresses and toppers, use lower settings and avoid trapping heat. An underblanket is fine for preheating on low, but many people prefer an overblanket or throw to keep most heat above the body rather than in the foam. Pair both products with sensible duvet togs so you do not overheat. Cotton percale sheets and breathable pyjamas help you run lower settings comfortably.
Care and Storage
Modern blankets and throws are often machine washable once you detach the controllers. Follow the label, use cool gentle cycles and dry flat. Underblankets live on the bed in winter, so storage is simple during the season. Throws fold into a cupboard and can be used year round. Choose a throw with a long cable and a compact controller so it is easy to route and store.
Safety Features
Choose products with UKCA or CE marks and overheat protection. Timers that switch off automatically add peace of mind if you doze off. Inspect cords for wear and avoid running cables under rugs or where they can be pinched. Keep pets’ claws away from the fabric to prevent snags.
Which Should You Buy First
If your bedroom is the coldest pain point, start with an underblanket. It solves the problem at the source and makes winter nights more comfortable for pennies. If your living room is chilly in the evening, start with a heated throw. Many households find value in owning both: the blanket for overnight comfort and the throw for the evening hours before bed.
FAQs
For targeted bed warmth, many households favour electric blankets with clear timers, while sofa evenings feel cosy with heated throws that stay warm on low.
Which is cheaper to run? Both cost only a few pence per hour on low or medium. Underblankets draw less power, but the difference is small in everyday use.
Can I use both? Yes. Use a heated throw on the sofa, then preheat the bed with an underblanket for a warm, comfortable transition to sleep.
Is a heated throw safe to use in bed? It can be used over the duvet for a short time, but for all night bed warmth, an underblanket is more consistent and less likely to shift.
