ConsFirst / Heated blankets
Heated blankets: the downsides, first
Blankets that stop working within months come up again and again in owner reviews, and expert testers often disagree about how warm they get. Here are the most popular heated throws and blankets in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared13 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 heated blankets, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Serta
$$$Full/queenScore 3.8/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 1,186 ratings, pooled across sizes and colors. Listing title is 'Serta Heated Blanket, Fast Heating Plush'; it carries reviews describing it as luxuriously soft, but the exact match to CNN's tested model is not confirmed.CNN Underscored's best overall: consistent heat across the surface, working dual controls, and genuinely easy machine washing and drying, plus a five-year warranty. Downsides are bulky controllers, some owners' reports of uneven heat and short cords, and a price around $130 for a queen.
Top complaints
- Bulky controllers; cord too short for someMentioned often
CNN found the controllers big, thick and clunky, though its 14.5-foot cables were long. Amazon owners and Home Depot reviewers (per Quartz), however, say the cord is too short.
- Uneven heat for some; slides off the bedMentioned often
Amazon's summary says heat output is mixed and not evenly distributed for some, and the blanket slides off the bed. Quartz cites reviewers reporting a warmer center and cooler edges.
- Some units stop workingMentioned often
Reliability is a concern in Amazon's summary, with some owners saying it stopped working.
- Not the hottestOccasional
Yahoo measured a 104°F peak against 111-113°F for its picks and found it less plush.
What owners love
- Consistent heat; dual controls work
CNN found it reached temperature within 10 minutes, held it for an hour and kept it consistent across the surface, one of four models to hit 95°F. Setting the two sides differently made a clear difference.
- Truly easy washing
Warm gentle wash and low tumble dry with no presoak; it came out fluffier (CNN). Yahoo also calls it washer- and dryer-friendly.
- Safety and warranty
ETL-certified with a 1-12 hour timer, a default three-hour shutoff and a five-year warranty (CNN). Yahoo found the longest heat zone it tested.
Skip it if…- Your outlet is far from the bed
- You want the hottest blanket
- You want a slim, easy-to-grab controller
Good for- Couples who want dual controls
- Easy wash-and-dry care
- A thinner blanket for use year-round
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth3.5
Why 3.5?
One of four in CNN's test to reach 95°F within 10 minutes; Yahoo measured a 104°F peak, below its picks. - Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
Consistent across the surface in CNN's test, with the longest heat zone in Yahoo's; some Amazon owners report uneven heat. - Softness4.0
Why 4.0?
The most luxurious feel in CNN's test; Yahoo found it less plush; Amazon owners call it soft. - Controller & safety3.5
Why 3.5?
Dual controls, a 1-12 hour timer, a 3-hour default shutoff and ETL certification, but the controllers are clunky (CNN) and some find the cord short (Amazon). - Durability & washing4.0
Why 4.0?
Easy wash and dry that left it fluffier, plus a five-year warranty (CNN); some Amazon owners report units stopping.
What experts say
- CNN Underscored: Best electric blanket of 11 tested: even, consistent heat, the most luxurious feel and effortless washing; the controllers are clunky.
- Yahoo Shopping: Tested, not awarded: medium-thick and not as plush, peaked at 104°F, but it has the longest heat zone and easy care, so it suits taller users.
#2
Bedsure
$$ThrowScore 3.7/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Listing pools colors and possibly sizes (9,924 ratings).The most widely recommended heated blanket right now: Good Housekeeping's lab found it fast and even, and CNN, Yahoo and NBC all picked a Bedsure model. But Consumer Reports and Wirecutter both found Bedsure fabric that sheds, and washing it properly is a chore.
Top complaints
- Sheds lint, especially when newVery common
A Good Housekeeping tester saw shedding before the first wash. Consumer Reports' tester found white fuzz on her leggings and a long loose thread after only a handful of uses. Wirecutter dismissed the Bedsure Ribbed Flannel version because it shed and pilled on clothes on first use.
- Heat can be spotty or weakMentioned often
Consumer Reports found the heat distribution spotty on the Bedsure throw it tested. Amazon's summary calls warmth and heat distribution mixed, with some owners saying it doesn't get very warm or doesn't heat evenly.
- Tedious washingMentioned often
The care steps cited by Consumer Reports and CNN involve a 15-minute presoak, a two-minute gentle wash, a short tumble and then line-drying. CNN found hauling the damp Thick Striped version over a clothesline exhausting, and on another Bedsure throw the blue flannel bled into the white sherpa.
- Some units stop workingMentioned often
Amazon's summary calls durability mixed, with some owners saying it stopped working after one week.
What owners love
- Fast, even heat in lab tests
Good Housekeeping's best overall and Seal holder was the top performer in every category. It heated quickly, had densely spread wires and no hot or cold spots, and showed no change after several washes.
- Gets genuinely warm
Yahoo measured 93°F on low to 113°F on high. CNN's Thick Striped version was one of the few to reach 95°F within 10 minutes, with consistent temperatures across the blanket.
- Soft on both sides, with safety certifications
Testers at Good Housekeeping and Yahoo found both sides plush. It is ETL- and FCC-certified with an adjustable 1-4 hour timer (Yahoo, NBC); CNN notes overheat protection and a five-year warranty.
Skip it if…- Lint on your clothes would bother you
- You want simple machine wash and dry
- You need perfectly uniform heat
Good for- A soft reversible throw at a mid price
- Adjustable heat and timer
- Buyers who want queen and king sizes with dual controls
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth4.0
Why 4.0?
93-113°F in Yahoo's test, among the few to reach 95°F in CNN's; Amazon owners are mixed on how warm it gets. - Even heating3.5
Why 3.5?
No hot or cold spots in Good Housekeeping's thermal tests and consistent in CNN's, but Consumer Reports found its heat spotty. - Softness4.0
Why 4.0?
Plush on both sides (Good Housekeeping, Yahoo), but it sheds when new (Consumer Reports, Wirecutter). - Controller & safety4.0
Why 4.0?
Six heat levels, a 1-4 hour timer, ETL/FCC certification and overheat protection. CNN found the throw controller easy, but the larger sizes' dual controllers bulky. - Durability & washing3.0
Why 3.0?
Survived multiple washes (Good Housekeeping, CNN), but washing is tedious, Consumer Reports found a loose thread, and Amazon owners are mixed on durability.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best overall (updated 2026-01-30): quickest and most even heat in the lab, durable through washes; one tester noted shedding before the first wash.
- CNN Underscored: Best budget (Thick Striped version): warm, consistent and robust, but the wash-and-dry routine is a struggle.
- Consumer Reports (via Quartz): In CR's 2026 test of six, the Bedsure throw was thin and light and made real heat, but its heating was spotty, it shed lint and a thread pulled loose, so it ranked behind the Sunbeam and Berkshire.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed the Bedsure Ribbed Flannel version in its first round because it shed onto clothes.
#3
Brookstone
$$$ThrowScore 3.6/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
Wirecutter's most luxurious pick: thick faux fur that hides the wires, with a discreet built-in button. But it costs over $200, has no warranty and a fixed four-hour shutoff, and Wirecutter readers report units that quit within months.
Top complaints
- Stops working within months; no warrantyMentioned often
Wirecutter notes it is the only pick without a warranty. Two Wirecutter readers say their throws stopped working within about four to six months, and one adds that Bloomingdale's would not replace it after its 60-day return window. Quartz reports that reviewers of Brookstone heated throws across retailers say the heat fades or fails after a few washes.
- ExpensiveMentioned often
At over $200 it was the most expensive blanket Wirecutter tested, though it often goes on sale.
- No adjustable shutoffMentioned often
The only auto-off option is four hours, which Wirecutter found disappointing at this price.
What owners love
- Luxuriously thick, wires barely detectable
Wirecutter says the dense, silky faux fur hides the wiring, and even electric-blanket skeptics raved about it.
- Discreet built-in button
Instead of a plastic remote, a button in the corner sets four levels, each feeling distinctly different.
- Held up to washing
After a winter of use and two washer-and-dryer cycles it kept its luxe look, though it was slightly less plush.
Skip it if…- You want a warranty for a $200+ purchase
- You want a custom shutoff timer
- You plan to wash it often
Good for- A heated throw that looks like decor
- Not feeling the wires at all
- Simple one-button control
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth3.5
Why 3.5?
Four distinctly different heat levels and quick heating per Wirecutter; no temperature measurements published. - Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter's picks were chosen for warming evenly from shoulders to toes. - Softness5.0
Why 5.0?
The plushest blanket Wirecutter tested, with wires you can barely see or feel. - Controller & safety3.5
Why 3.5?
An easy built-in button with four levels, but the four-hour auto-off is fixed. - Durability & washing2.0
Why 2.0?
Survived two washes, but there is no warranty and readers report units failing within months.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated 2026-09-23): the plushest, with hidden wiring and a subtle button; flaws are the price, a fixed four-hour auto-off and no warranty.
#4
Westinghouse
$$Full/queenScore 3.2/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Queen listing linked from Wirecutter (3,651 ratings); may pool sizes and colors.Wirecutter's versatile pick: velvety, thin enough to fold, with 10 heat levels, a timer up to 12 hours and a five-year warranty in throw to king sizes. But Consumer Reports found the throw's heating the most uneven in its test, you can feel the wires, and Amazon owners report units quitting around 90 days.
Top complaints
- Uneven heatingVery common
Consumer Reports flagged the most uneven heating in its 2026 test, with cold areas up the middle of the throw. Wirecutter's long-term tester found some parts heated faster and hotter, and the queen didn't get as hot as the throw. Amazon owners also note uneven heat.
- Stops working after about 90 daysVery common
Amazon's summary says many owners report it stopped working after 90 days, and some say it only gets warm on high.
- Wires you can feel; settings hard to tell apartMentioned often
Wirecutter felt the wires most distinctly of its picks, and they shift slightly. Consumer Reports found the fabric somewhat slick and adjacent settings hard to distinguish.
What owners love
- Most adjustable
Ten heat levels with subtle but distinguishable differences, and an auto-off adjustable up to 12 hours; Wirecutter's long-term tester slept with it nightly.
- Sturdy, low-maintenance and well warrantied
Wirecutter praises its sturdy construction, minimal shedding and five-year warranty. Consumer Reports found it washer- and dryer-friendly with no special steps.
- Best queen Wirecutter tested
The queen didn't heat as well as the throw but worked better than the other queen-size blankets Wirecutter tested.
Skip it if…- You want perfectly even warmth
- You're sensitive to feeling the wires
- You want the hottest blanket
Good for- Covering a whole bed (twin to king)
- Overnight use with a long timer
- Fine-grained heat control
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth3.0
Why 3.0?
The throw warmed well for Wirecutter, but the queen ran cooler, Yahoo measured it a few degrees cooler than the Bedsure, and some Amazon owners say it only warms on high. - Even heating2.5
Why 2.5?
The most uneven heating in CR's test; Wirecutter found it even at first but its long-term tester saw hot spots. - Softness3.5
Why 3.5?
Velvety and soft (Wirecutter), but CR found it slick, and the wires are noticeable. - Controller & safety4.0
Why 4.0?
Ten levels and an auto-off adjustable up to 12 hours with a slender remote (Wirecutter); ETL-certified (Amazon listing); CR found the settings poorly separated. - Durability & washing3.0
Why 3.0?
Sturdy, with a five-year warranty and simple washing (Wirecutter, CR), but Amazon owners report units dying around 90 days.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated 2026-09-23): a great value with 10 levels and a 12-hour timer; flaws are wires you can feel, weaker heat in large sizes and slight shedding.
- Consumer Reports (via Quartz): Flagged as an underperformer: the most uneven heating of six, a slick fabric and poorly separated settings; easy to wash.
- Yahoo Shopping: Tested, not awarded: heated as fast as the Bedsure but a few degrees cooler; it can be fully machine-dried, but washing instructions are tedious and not front-loader friendly.
#5
Shavel (Thermee)
$$$Full/queenScore 3.4/5
21%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 899 ratings; the listing (linked from HGTV) is a king and may pool sizes and patterns.HGTV's best overall: a heavy, quilt-like blanket with thin wires you don't notice, 10 settings, dual controls and a 1-12 hour timer. But it takes 20-30 minutes to warm, costs about $140, and Amazon owners complain about confusing controls and units that quit.
Top complaints
- Stops working; confusing controlsVery common
Amazon's summary calls durability concerning, with multiple owners saying it stopped working in under two years, and criticizes the controls as terrible and hard to figure out.
- Slow to warm; heat is mixedMentioned often
HGTV found it took 20-30 minutes to get noticeably warm and suggests preheating the bed. Amazon owners are mixed, with some saying it doesn't warm at all.
- Expensive, with very long cordsMentioned often
HGTV lists the high price and very long cords as its cons.
What owners love
- Looks like a quality quilt
HGTV says it looks attractive enough to use unplugged, reverses to soft sherpa, and its 10.5-pound weight feels like a weighted blanket. Amazon owners praise its appearance and softness.
- Thin wires you don't notice
HGTV found the wires very thin and flexible and not bothersome overnight, and even the highest setting didn't leave its tester sweltering.
- Full-featured controls
Ten settings, dual control, a backlit controller that remembers your setting, a 1-12 hour timer that worked perfectly, a 10-hour default shutoff and ETL certification (HGTV).
Skip it if…- You want fast heat-up
- You want a budget option
- You prefer simple controls
Good for- A bed blanket that looks like a quilt
- Couples (dual control)
- People who like a heavier blanket
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth3.0
Why 3.0?
It didn't overheat for HGTV, but it takes 20-30 minutes to warm, and Amazon owners are mixed on warmth. - Softness4.5
Why 4.5?
Luxurious sherpa and unnoticeable wires (HGTV); softness is an Amazon positive. - Controller & safety3.5
Why 3.5?
A backlit memory controller, a 1-12 hour timer and ETL certification (HGTV), but Amazon owners find the controls hard to figure out. - Durability & washing2.5
Why 2.5?
Durability is an Amazon concern (units stopping in under two years), and 21% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- HGTV: Best overall (updated 2026-02-06): reversible, high-quality look with a 1-12 hour timer; cons are the price and very long cords, and it is slow to warm.
#6
Beautyrest
$$ThrowScore 3.4/5
26%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)1,714 ratings, pooled across colors/prints (1-star 20%, 2-star 6%).A stylish faux-fur throw that Wirecutter and Yahoo both picked for its even, quick warmth and easy washing. But it has only three settings and a fixed two-hour shutoff, a cheap-feeling remote, and one of the worst Amazon low-star shares here, with owners reporting dead units and flashing controllers.
Top complaints
- Units die early; controller lights flashVery common
Amazon's summary flags reliability (stops working after 2 weeks) and durability (breaks within 3 months), plus controllers that flash non-stop. One in five Amazon ratings is 1-star.
- Clunky, cheap-looking remoteMentioned often
Wirecutter found the remote especially plasticky and oversized, with an unlit on/off button that is hard to see in the dark. Yahoo also called the controller clunky.
- Short, fixed shutoff and few settingsMentioned often
Three heat levels and a two-hour auto-off with no timer adjustment (Wirecutter, Yahoo).
- Thin, with heat that some barely feelMentioned often
Amazon's summary says some owners find it super thin and report almost non-existent heat. Wirecutter could feel the wires when running a hand over it.
What owners love
- Even, quick warmth
Wirecutter cites particularly effective, even heat. Yahoo felt warmth almost immediately and measured 99, 108 and 111°F on low, medium and high.
- Low-maintenance washing
Wirecutter's long-term tester washed and dried it at least twice and it stayed cozy, if less fluffy. Yahoo saw no fading or shrinking.
- Stylish, UL-certified, 5-year warranty
It comes in many solids and animal prints (Wirecutter), is UL-certified (Yahoo) and has a five-year limited warranty (Wirecutter).
Skip it if…- You want more than two hours of heat per session
- You want a long-lasting unit
- You need fine heat control
Good for- Couch use in a decor-friendly print
- Quick, even warmth for one person
- Easy washing
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth4.0
Why 4.0?
99-111°F in Yahoo's test and quick to warm, though some Amazon owners report weak heat. - Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
Particularly effective, even heat (Wirecutter), and it covered Yahoo's tester to the toes; heat distribution is mixed on Amazon. - Softness4.0
Why 4.0?
Nearly as plush as Yahoo's softest pick; the wires are detectable by hand (Wirecutter); some Amazon owners find it thin. - Controller & safety2.5
Why 2.5?
UL-certified, but only three levels, a fixed two-hour shutoff and a bulky, unlit remote (Wirecutter, Yahoo). - Durability & washing2.5
Why 2.5?
Washes well with a five-year warranty (Wirecutter), but reliability and durability are Amazon negatives and 26% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated 2026-09-23): lightweight with even heat and easy care; the remote is cheap-looking and you can feel the wires.
- Yahoo Shopping: Best heated throw (2026-01-16): plush, warms fast and UL-certified; cons are partial machine-dry only, few heat settings and a clunky controller.
#7
Beautyrest
$$Full/queenScore 3.1/5
21%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Listing pools throw through king sizes and colors (3,549 ratings).Experts split sharply: Good Housekeeping named it best value for even, consistent heat, 20 settings and a 10-hour shutoff, but Consumer Reports said to skip it because it barely got warm, and Wirecutter found its heat uneven. Amazon owners often report it dying within three months.
Top complaints
- Weak or uneven heatVery common
Consumer Reports couldn't get more than slight warmth in spots on any setting, and level 8 felt nearly the same as 20. Wirecutter dismissed it over uneven heat and wires it could feel. Good Housekeeping noted the throw's wires weren't as closely packed.
- Stops working within three monthsVery common
Amazon's summary says many owners report it stopped working after three months or less, with one saying it lasted only 60 days.
- Slides off the bedMentioned often
Amazon owners say the blanket tends to slide off the bed during use.
What owners love
- Even, consistent heat in Good Housekeeping's lab
It heated fairly quickly, held a consistent temperature with minimal deviation, and its heating elements gave the best coverage.
- Lots of control
Twenty heat settings, a one-hour preheat and a 10-hour auto shutoff on twin to king sizes (the throw has 3 settings and a 2-hour shutoff). Amazon owners appreciate the dual controls.
- Soft and well made
Consumer Reports found the fabric hefty, soft and lint-free with straight seams and an 18.5-foot cord; Good Housekeeping testers called it velvety smooth.
Skip it if…- You want strong heat
- You want proven durability
- You hate a blanket sliding off the bed
Good for- Fine heat control and preheating
- Couples (dual controls on larger sizes)
- Long cords
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth2.5
Why 2.5?
Only slight warmth in Consumer Reports' test; Good Housekeeping found it heated fairly quickly. - Even heating3.0
Why 3.0?
Consistent in Good Housekeeping's lab, but uneven for Wirecutter and Consumer Reports. - Softness4.0
Why 4.0?
Very soft (Wirecutter), velvety (Good Housekeeping), hefty and lint-free (CR), but the wires can be felt. - Controller & safety3.5
Why 3.5?
Twenty settings, preheat and a 10-hour shutoff (Good Housekeeping), but CR found the settings barely different. - Durability & washing2.5
Why 2.5?
Well constructed per CR, but Amazon owners frequently report it dying within three months.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best value: even heat, 20 settings and a preheat option; the con is less closely packed wires on the throw.
- Consumer Reports (via Quartz): A blanket to skip: great specs and build, but it produced only slight warmth on any setting.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: very soft, but heat distribution was uneven and the wires were too noticeable.
#8
Sunbeam
$ThrowScore 2.9/5
11%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Listing pools color/pattern variants (15,904 ratings).Consumer Reports' 2026 top pick and the cheapest major-brand throw, with the most even heat in its test. But Wirecutter and Good Housekeeping found it thin, less soft and weak, the wires are easy to feel, and Amazon owners report units dying after a few months.
Top complaints
- Heat that some find weakVery common
Wirecutter was particularly disappointed by its weak heating. Amazon's summary calls heating mixed, with some owners saying it doesn't heat up much.
- Stops working after a few monthsVery common
Amazon's summary calls durability concerning, with multiple owners reporting it stopped working after three months.
- Thin fabric with noticeable wiresVery common
Consumer Reports could see and feel the thick wires through the fabric, and Yahoo could see faint wire outlines. Good Housekeeping testers found it notably thin and less soft, and Wirecutter called the cover plasticky. Yahoo also found it attracted hair and fuzz.
What owners love
- Most even heat in Consumer Reports' test
CR found it spread heat more evenly than the other five blankets, with four clearly different heat levels. It took about 90 seconds to feel warm on setting 2.
- Cheap and simple
Around $40, the least expensive blanket CR tested, with a four-hour auto shutoff and a nine-foot cord.
- Machine-washable
Machine-wash cold on a regular cycle; low dry is OK if you pull it out damp and stretch it to size (CR). Yahoo found it machine-washable and partially dryable.
Skip it if…- You want a plush, luxurious feel
- Feeling the wires would bother you
- You want an all-night bed blanket
Good for- A first heated throw on a tight budget
- Couch use (4-hour shutoff)
- Distinct, easy-to-tell heat levels
Scores (tap for why)
- Warmth3.0
Why 3.0?
Four distinct levels from gentle to dryer-warm (CR), but Wirecutter found it weak and Amazon owners are mixed. - Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
The most even heat in Consumer Reports' six-blanket test. - Softness2.0
Why 2.0?
Thin and less soft (Good Housekeeping), plasticky (Wirecutter), and the wires are visible (CR, Yahoo). - Controller & safety3.0
Why 3.0?
Simple four-level remote that Yahoo calls sleek, a fixed four-hour auto shutoff and a nine-foot cord (CR). - Durability & washing2.5
Why 2.5?
Easy machine washing, but durability is a concern in Amazon's summary (units dying after three months).
What experts say
- Consumer Reports (via Quartz): Top pick in a February 2026 test of six: the most even heat and distinct settings at the lowest price, though the thick wires are visible and can be felt.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: a plasticky cover, a weak heating system and noticeable wires.
- Good Housekeeping: Not picked: notably thin, and testers found it less soft than other heated blankets they've owned.