9 best heated throws for winter 2024 UK; tried and tested
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WITH energy prices due to rise this autumn we’re all looking for ways to save money – and heated throws are one way to do it.
The best heated throws keep you snuggly warm and are big enough to share, with programmable settings for temperature and operation time, but perhaps most importantly, they cost just pence to run.
Like heated clothes airers, air fryers and dehumidifiers, they're among those home appliances that use minimal energy and are great for keeping home electricity costs down, helping you hold on to more of your money.
At this time of year with Christmas just a few short months away, that can only be a good thing.
Think of them as individual radiators you wrap around you. They generally have a number of heat levels and timer settings, though that varies between brands and styles.
Unlike heated blankets, they’re designed to go over you and you shouldn’t use them under sheets on your bed. Some of them are suitable for use during the night, but many switch off after several hours.
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Because of their usually muted shades, they also fit in well with all kinds of décor and look totally at home draped over the sofa or armchair.
While prices vary depending on the brand and luxuriousness of the fabric, heated throws start from around £40 and they’re a lot less expensive than switching on your central heating.
Now we’re heading into autumn I tend to use mine in the evening to take away that slight chill – why heat the entire house just to be warm watching TV on the sofa?
Last winter found me cocooned beneath one of these warming blankets every evening and this coming winter won’t be any different.
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I also wear my favourite heated throw over my knees when I’m working in my home office, I wouldn’t be without it.
How I tested heated throws
To gain a good general impression of each heated throw I tested it over the course of a couple of weeks. I tried out the different temperature and time settings and took into account how the throw felt, how warm and snuggly it was and how it looked.
A couple of points I noticed while testing: when you first switch on, some of the throws give off a slightly strange smell, but this dissipates quickly and doesn’t happen with subsequent use.
Also, the throws do not heat up from edge to edge – there’s usually a wide margin of fabric all the way around without wires, so of course that part doesn’t heat.
Additionally, some throws have more even heat distribution than others across more of the blanket; while with some, the warmth is concentrated in the centre.
None of the throws tested heated up across all of the wires, which surprised me at first – but they were all like that, so I have come to the conclusion that’s just the way they work.
One great feature about all the throws tested is they’re all washable – once you remove the electrical cable obviously – on a gentle cycle at 30° or 40°C, so will stay looking good for multiple uses.
There’s a knack to storing them too: roll or fold loosely so you don’t damage the internal wires and don’t stack anything on top of them.
Best heated throws at a glance:
- Best heated throw overall:
- Best value heated throw:
- Best faux fur heated throw:
- Best lightweight heated throw:
- Best wearable heated throw:
Best heated throws
Dreamland Luxury Faux Fur Warming Throw
Dreamland Luxury Faux Fur Warming Throw, £99.99 £89.99
Pros: Safe to leave switched on all night, long electrical cable, timer with several settings, tumble-dryer safe
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
This throw is in a luxurious faux fur material backed with soft micromink (like velour). It feels lovely and is very cosy, perfect for snuggling up on the sofa on a cold evening.
The handset is simple to use: press the on/off button to operate, and all of the LEDs then light up while the unit checks all is functioning as it should. The highest heat setting – 6 – is then automatically selected and you can adjust from there.
Dreamland recommends you use the highest setting for pre-heating quickly. Alternatively, you can also pre-heat on settings four or five, but it takes longer.
If you’re going to have the throw on all evening, settings one to three are recommended, which keep you warm but not too hot. You can even keep it switched on all night if temperatures drop to arctic levels.
Set the timer for one, three or a maximum of nine hours and it automatically switches off when the time’s up.
I love this throw, it is cuddly and thick – even my dogs who insist on sitting on the sofa with me try and get under it. It also has the longest cable – 3m – of any of the throws I tested, which is brilliant if your electrical sockets are not handily placed for easy connection.
Dreamland says you can also safely tumble dry the throw, and is the only one of those I tested that states this.
It also comes with a two-year guarantee for peace of mind.
Material: faux fur (100% acrylic) with micromink reverse (100% polyester); care instructions: machine washable at 30°C on a gentle cycle; size: 160 x 120cm; colours: Alaskan husky print; timer/heat levels: 6 heat levels, automatic timer for 1, 3 and 9 hours
Lakeland The Snuggler
The Snuggler, £99.99 £79.99
Pros: Keeps your arms and feet toasty as well as your body, good heat distribution, simple to use as no timer to set (also a con), luxury feel
Cons: Only three heat levels, no timer (also a pro), electrical connection at top of throw heavy on your shoulder, price
Rating: 4/5
A heated throw with a difference – this one has sleeves so you wear it and it also has a foot pouch to snuggle your feet in for extra warmth.
The grey velour on both sides feels thick and luxurious, but it’s slightly let down by the inside of the arms, which are not double-sided.
There are three heat levels but you can’t set a timer with this one – it automatically shuts off after three hours, though of course, you can manually switch it off sooner if you wish.
Level three is very toasty and level two isn’t much less so. I found level one more than warm enough and I was impressed at the heat generated.
I wore the throw while working at the computer and I noticed it slipped off my shoulders often. However, I suspect most people will wear this while relaxing watching TV or reading, so I don’t think that will be an issue generally.
All in all, this is great; warm and snug. However, the cable connection is at the top of the throw, on the left side, which creates a drag on your shoulder so is rather heavy. I did wonder why it wasn’t positioned at the bottom of the throw, as that way you wouldn't have to carry the weight – but perhaps it may be to do with better heat distribution.
This one comes with a three-year guarantee.
Material: double-sided velour except for the arms; care instructions: machine washable at 30°C size: 180 x 150cm colours: grey; timer/heat levels: 3 heat levels, no timer – auto switch off after three hours
Dunelm Faux Fur Heated Throw
Faux Fur Heated Throw, £70
Pros: Large size, nine heat levels, nine timer settings, cosy fabric
Cons: None
Rating: 4.5/5
This throw is so snuggly – it is short faux fur on one side and soft velour on the other – and it’s also slightly larger than the other throws I tested, which does make a difference.
There are nine heat levels (with nine being the highest), and nine timer settings in one-hour increments, which gives you great flexibility when using your throw. The handset is clear and easy to operate and the heat distribution across the fabric is pretty good.
I found level 5 was comfortable and anything higher was too hot currently, but I did venture to level 9 and it’s good to know there is more heat available when the temperatures drop.
I can see myself using this throw all winter. I love the larger size and the softness of the fabric; it’s perfect for hibernating under.
Material: velour one side, fake fur the other (100% polyester); care instructions: machine washable at up to 40°C on a wool cycle; size: 160 x 130cm; colours: grey; timer/heat levels: nine heat levels, timer from 1 – 9 hours
Von Haus Pink Heated Throw
Von Haus Pink Heated Throw, £49.99
Pros: Price, good heat distribution, timer (1 – 9 hours), nine heat levels including pre-heat function, large size
Cons: None
Rating: 4.5/5
The instructions say to pre-heat this throw for 30-60 minutes on its highest temperature – 9. That seems rather a long time to have it switched on before using, so I set it to preheat, but had it draped over my legs at the same time to benefit from the warmth.
There are nine heat levels, including preheat: L, 1 – 7, and H (preheat). There’s also a timer that you can adjust for one to nine hours before the throw automatically switches itself off.
This is a warm, snuggly blanket without being switched on and the fleece is very soft. Adding heat to the mix just makes it even more toasty. It is also larger than some of the others reviewed, which is a bonus.
I found the warmth was pretty evenly distributed across the blanket but level 9 was too hot for October, which is when I tried it. Come January though, it will be a different matter.
For me, taking the middle ground at level 5 was ideal.
Material: 250gsm double flannel with fleece lining; care instructions: machine washable at 30°C size: 160 x 130cm colours: pink and grey; timer/heat levels: nine heat levels and nine time settings (1 – 9 hours)
Mia & Coco Electric Blanket
Mia & Coco Electric Blanket, from £39.99
Pros: Cosy sherpa fleece, pre-heat function, lots of heat levels and timer settings, price
Cons: None
Rating: 4/5
This cosy throw is velour on one side and Sherpa fleece on the other, so it’s warm even before you switch on the heat.
The controls are easy to use yet offer lots of functionality: there’s a pre-heat setting, 10 heat levels ranging from 1 – 9 then high, and a timer that’s adjustable from one hour to nine hours with hourly increments. It’s a simple plus/minus to adjust both the temperature and the automatic timer.
Pre-heat warms the throw to the maximum temperature (H) for one hour, then reverts to the previous heat and timer settings. I found level five was great for warmth without too much heat; the higher levels though may well come in handy in the thick of winter.
Material: velour one side, sherpa fleece the other (100% polyester); care instructions: machine washable at up to 40°C on a gentle cycle; size: 160 x 120cm; colours: grey; timer/heat levels: 10 heat levels, timer from 1 – 9 hours
Lakeland Brown Arctic Faux Fur Heated Throw
Brown Arctic Faux Fur Heated Throw, £99.99 £79.99
Pros: Nine heat levels, nine timer settings, luxurious fabric
Cons: Price, timer only up to three hours
Rating: 4/5
I love the feel of this throw – it has a velour finish on one side and a silky, furry fabric on the other. It’s thick and feels comfortingly heavy. One for snuggling up with on a cold evening.
The control is simple to operate: just switch it on, choose your temperature and your preferred time setting and off you go. It has nine heat levels and nine time settings – from 20 minutes up to three hours before it automatically shuts off.
I found level five to be warm enough, but the heat was concentrated in the middle and didn’t spread across the entire blanket.
Upping the temperature to seven and then nine improved this and the heat distribution was better across the throw, but it was too hot in the middle. I think the trick is to start at a high temperature and then decrease it as the throw heats up.
It comes with a three-year guarantee.
Material: faux fur with velour reverse (100% polyester) ; care instructions: machine washable at 30°C size: 160 x 120cm colours: brown; timer/heat levels: nine heat levels and nine time settings (1 – 9 hours)
Silentnight Luxury Heated Throw
Luxury Heated Throw, £45
Pros: Easy to operate, lightweight, clear-to-read handset
Cons: Lack of timer function might put some people off, wires more prominent
Rating: 3.5/5
This is one of the more lightweight throws I tested, but that doesn’t make it any less toasty than the others.
The grey fleece is cosy, though you can feel the wires through it. However, I didn’t find that a problem and it's to be expected, given it’s a lighter throw.
You don’t get to set a timer with this blanket: once you switch it on, it stays on for two hours and then automatically switches itself off. All you need to do, though, is switch it back on for another two hours of heat. You can of course manually switch it off earlier if you wish.
The handset has a very clear display – nothing but the heat level – and there are only two buttons: an on/off switch and a button to scroll through the heat settings from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). I found level five perfectly warm enough.
This blanket would be ideal for an older person, such as my 86-year-old dad, as it’s not heavy to lift or when it’s lying on your legs, you don’t need a degree in engineering to operate it and it has a large, clean LCD. Heat without the faff.
Material: 100% polyester fleece; care instructions: machine washable at up to 40°C on a wool cycle; size: 160 x 120cm; colours: grey; timer/heat levels: 9 heat levels, no timer – blanket automatically switches off after two hours
Glamhaus Heated Throw
Glamhaus Heated Throw, £49.99 £42.99
Pros: Price, nine heat levels, nine time settings, large size
Cons: Fabric thinner than expected so wires are more prominent
Rating: 3.5/5
With one side velour and the other sherpa fleece, I expected this to be thicker than it is. That said, it heats up quickly and feels soft, so overall I wasn’t disappointed.
The gorgeous baby blue colour makes a change from the usual grey and this would make a lovely feature for a living room or bedroom with matching or contrasting cushions.
The control is easy to operate. It has an on/off button, a clear LCD display, a temperature control and a time control – both with plus and minus buttons to increase and decrease. There are nine heat levels and nine time settings (1 – 9 hours). The heat automatically shuts off after the stipulated period.
This throw is also slightly larger than most of the others, which is a bonus. If you’re using it on your bed, it covers more space, and if you’re snuggling under it on the sofa there’s more snuggly blanket to go around you.
If you’re using this throw continuously for nine hours, the manufacturer recommends sticking with levels 1 – 4, though you can start with level 8 or 9 to heat the blanket quickly when you first switch it on.
It comes with a two-year Amazon warranty.
Material: velour one side, sherpa fleece the other (100% polyester); care instructions: machine washable at up to 30°C on a gentle cycle; size: 160 x 130cm; colours: aquamarine; timer/heat levels: 9 heat levels, timer from 1 – 9 hours
Beurer HD 150 Heated Overblanket
Beurer HD 150 Heated Overblanket, £94.99
Pros: Easy-to-use controls, sumptuous-feel fabric, large size, no timer (also a con)
Cons: Price, no timer (also a pro), wires prominent through the fabric
Rating: 3.5/5
An extra-large throw in silky soft velour that feels super luxurious. The size makes it perfect for two to snuggle under; either on the sofa or in the bedroom.
It has six heat settings and the manufacturer recommends you start with the highest setting to heat the blanket quickly. If you’re going to have it switched on for a while though, the recommendation is to reduce the heat to the lowest setting.
The controls are simple to use: the on/off switch is on the side of the handset and you simply slide it up for on and down for off. You can’t set the time with this throw, but it automatically switches off after three hours. You can switch it off manually before that, though.
I found it took a while for the throw to heat up fully, but 30 minutes later on maximum setting, it was toasty, but not too hot. I was also surprised the wires feel as prominent as they do through the material.
The easy controls make it particularly suitable for older people who don’t want to be fussed with lots of options and just want something to warm them. However, it is on the heavy side due to its size.
It comes with a three-year guarantee.
Material: fleece velour with fleece velour reverse; care instructions: machine washable at 30°C on a gentle cycle; size: 200 x 150cm; colours: taupe; timer/heat levels: 6 heat levels, no timer – auto switch off after three hours
How much do heated throws cost?
You can pay anything from around £40 to over £100 for a heated throw, depending on your budget and what kind of fabric finish you’re after. Cost doesn’t necessarily indicate tech level though, with some of the mid-price throws in our selection offering more functionality than some of the more expensive ones.
Where to buy heated throws
You may find heated throws in department or chain stores on the high street, but your best bet is to search online.
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We found the throws tested in our review at:
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