Warming the bed instead of the room is the cheapest way to sleep warm. A heated pad or blanket costs about 10¢ a night to run; a space heater costs about $1.50.
Quick answer: for most people, a heated mattress pad is the best buy. It sits under your sheet, warms you from below where heat isn't lost to the room, and lets you set the thermostat a few degrees lower at night. Pick a heated blanket if you sleep hot underneath, and a throw for the couch.
| Pick | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sunbeam Restful Quilted Heated Mattress Pad | Best for a cold bedroom | Check price on Amazon |
| Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Blanket, Queen | Best heated blanket for the bed | Check price on Amazon |
| Beautyrest Cotton Blend Heated Mattress Pad | Best cotton-top pad | Check price on Amazon |
| Bedsure Heated Throw Blanket | Best for the couch or desk | Check price on Amazon |
Best for a cold bedroom
Heats you from underneath, so you can turn the room heat down at night. Water-resistant quilted top, and it fits under your normal sheet.
Watch out: Pick the size that matches your mattress; deep mattresses need the deep-pocket version.
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Best heated blanket for the bed
A long-running heated blanket line from a brand that has made them for decades. Queen 90 x 84 in, machine washable once the cord is unplugged.
Watch out: Never use folded or bunched while it's on.
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Best cotton-top pad
A cotton-blend top for people who find fleece too warm or too slippery. Same idea: warm the bed, not the room.
Watch out: Check the listing for the controller type and auto-off time.
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Best for the couch or desk
A throw-size heated blanket with a preheat setting. Wrap up on the couch instead of heating the whole living room.
Watch out: Throw size covers one person sitting, not a bed.
Check price on AmazonA queen heated pad or blanket is usually rated around 100 to 200 watts. On a middle setting it draws about half that once it's warm, so eight hours costs roughly 10¢ at a typical 17.5¢ per kWh. A 1500 W space heater running most of the night costs about $1.47. Check your own numbers with the heated blanket vs space heater calculator.
A pad heats from underneath, so it feels warmer on the same setting and stays put. A blanket is easier to wash and use on the couch. If two people share the bed, look for dual controls so each side has its own setting.
Match the mattress size. Deep mattresses (over about 14 inches) need a deep-pocket pad, or it will slip off the corners.
Look for a UL or ETL listing mark, an auto-off timer (most turn off after 8 to 10 hours), and a cord that unplugs for washing. Don't use one with infants, on a bed it isn't rated for, or folded while it's switched on.
Yes, by a wide margin. A heated blanket or pad uses around 50 to 100 watts on a middle setting, while central heat or a space heater warms the whole room. Lowering the thermostat a few degrees at night and using a heated pad is one of the cheapest changes you can make.
Modern pads with a safety listing (UL or ETL) and auto-off are designed for overnight use. Follow the maker's instructions, never use one that's damaged or folded, and replace it if the cord or controller looks worn.
Most can be machine washed on a gentle cycle once the controller cord is unplugged. Check the care label, and let it dry fully before using it again.