Here’s what to consider when shopping for a heated blanket:
✔️ Size: Heated blankets come in many sizes, from a smaller throw to standard bedding sizes like Twin, Full, Queen, King. You’ll want to consider which size is best suited to your needs—whether you want something smaller to snuggle up with on the couch, or a bigger blanket to cover your entire bed for when you’re sleeping. Make sure to double-check the specific dimensions of the blanket, as sizes can vary brand.
✔️ Material: Heated blankets can be made from a variety of different fabrics, including polyester, flannel, fleece, sherpa, and faux fur. Make sure to choose a material that feels warm, soft, and comfortable for you and well-suited for your needs. Generally, thicker fabrics can also be more ideal for cushioning the wires and ensuring that you don’t feel the wires through the blanket.
✔️ Safety certifications: Make sure that the heated blanket has third-party certifications for safety, such as certifications from ETL (issued by Intertek, formerly Electrical Testing Laboratories) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories), which test whether the product meets safety standards. Additionally, some blankets also have FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certification, which means that the electronic product doesn’t interfere with other devices.
✔️ Heating settings: Look for blankets that offer multiple different heat settings, or a wide temperature range, so you can easily choose your preferred level of warmth. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that the heat settings are easy to adjust with a user-friendly controller, and that heat is distributed evenly throughout the blanket. Some bigger-sized blankets also provide dual heating features so you and your partner can choose different levels of warmth for each side.
✔️ Automatic shut-off: Look for blankets with a auto shut-off timer setting, which will automatically turn off the heating function after a predetermined amount of time in order to ensure safety and prevent overheating. If you’re often forgetful, you may want to consider a blanket with a shorter auto shut-off, whereas if you’re looking for a blanket that stays warm longer throughout the night, you may want to opt for a pick with a longer auto shut-off timer.
✔️ Washabability. Many heated blankets are machine washable, with removable cords and controllers to protect the electrical components, making for easy laundering and care. You’ll want to make sure to consult the care label of your blanket for specific laundering instructions.
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