Your post-workout recovery toolkit may already include a sturdy foam roller and an ice pack—but what about a heated blanket? Research shows that heat (like the warmth from an electric blanket) can help improve your blood circulation, speeding up your recovery after a tough workout. For busy people or anyone living in a small space, a soft, cozy blanket that doubles as a smart way to rest up is a serious win-win. The best heated blankets are comfortable, safe to use, and easy to care for. To find the top options, we first consulted fitness and medical professionals for advice on which key features to look for. Then, we tested 27 expert-approved heated blankets from top, trusted brands. Eight of our favorites received high scores for quality, feel, effectiveness, heat, durability, ease of use, and overall value. A certified physical therapist from our Review Board also reviewed this article for accuracy and how to use a heated blanket safely. Electric blankets emit extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs). Most people are exposed to ELF-EMFs daily through common objects like electrical wiring, electric shavers, and hair dryers. Studies have found a link between exposure to high levels of EMF and childhood leukemia, but this exposure typically comes from residential power lines (not heated blankets). Generally, ELF-EMF levels are so low at home that they are not a cause for concern. Avoid using a heated blanket if you have neuropathy from diabetes or other nerve or circulatory conditions, says board-certified physical therapist Lindy Royer, PT, NCPT. You should not use a heated blanket over an acute injury that's swollen (like a sprained knee or ankle), adds physical therapist Kathleen Gassner, DPT. People who are pregnant should stick to low or medium settings to avoid overheating. When shopping, make sure to purchase your electric blanket brand-new (not second-hand) from a reputable brand. Also, check for an ETL Listed Mark or a UL Certification Mark—these signal that your blanket has been certified safe by a nationally recognized third-party testing agency. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Budget: Best Investment: Best Portable: Best for Couples: Shavel Home Products Micro Flannel Heated Blanket at Amazon ($150) Best With Foot Pocket: Degrees of Comfort Micro-Plush Heated Blanket at Amazon ($60) In This Article Our Picks We Also Tested What to Look For How We Selected and Tested Our Experts FAQs Why Trust Verywell Fit Pros Two heating zones and remotes Extra-long cord Remembers your settings from last time Cons Can be hard to remove stains Sizes: 66 x 85 inches (twin) to 108 x 90 inches (king) | Material: Polyester | Heat Settings: 10 | Power Source: 17-foot cord | Machine-Washable: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5 Best for anyone who’s had problems overheating while using heated blankets in the past. After testing 27 heated blankets, Shavel Home Products’ Micro Flannel Heated Blanket is our favorite for restorative recovery after a tough workout. Made from quilted micro flannel and shearling, it features a hypoallergenic down-alternative fiber, an impressive 10 heat settings, and a quick heat function that reaches the maximum temperature in just 30 minutes. There’s even a memory function that recalls your last temperature and duration settings, so you can spend less time fiddling with the controls and more time relaxing. While testing this blanket, we were surprised by how breathable it felt. Our tester, who tends to overheat while using electric blankets, noticed she could use this blanket for long periods of time on the lower settings and still feel comfortable. We also appreciate the 17-foot power cord, which is long enough to reach most outlets from a bed or couch. We like that this blanket shuts off automatically after 10 hours of use, for peace of mind. Dual controllers in the king and queen sizes allow you and a friend or spouse to control the settings on each side of the blanket separately. Machine-washable and ETL-tested, this heated blanket also comes with a five-year warranty to protect your investment. Six months later, we found that it stayed soft to the touch and stain-free, earning a permanent place on our couches and beds. “I work the night shift, and sleep is hard to come by during the day. This blanket allowed me to settle in, calm down, and relax quickly.” —Tiffany Ivanovich, Verywell Fit product tester Pros Unnoticeable wiring Consistent heat Controller is easy to read Cons No advanced controls Small size Sizes: 50 x 60 inches | Material: Cotton flannel | Heat Settings: 4 | Power Source: 6-foot cord | Machine-Washable: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.6/5 Best for curling up in a chair or on the sofa, especially if you like a straightforward remote. CureCure’s Heated Blanket is our top budget-friendly pick, providing consistent heat at a fraction of the cost of other blankets on our list. During testing, we liked that the velour and sherpa fabrics felt soft and comfortable, covering unnoticeable wiring that evenly distributed four levels of heat. The six-foot power cord can reach an outlet wherever you recline, and we also appreciate that the controller is easy to use and read. This ETL-tested blanket heats up quickly and maintains its temperature for six hours before shutting off automatically. We also love that it’s machine-washable and spot cleans easily, so you can indulge in your favorite recovery foods and drinks worry-free. Two months after initially testing it, we’re still curling up underneath CureCure’s blanket—even our dogs love it! “It heats up really well and is so soft and cozy! I can hardly feel the heating cords—it’s not at all like the heating blankets I remember when I was growing up.” —Ashley Craiger, Verywell Fit product tester Pros Cordless Heated hand pockets Two built-in USB ports Cons Short battery life on high settings Sizes: 60 x 60 inches | Material: Polyester | Heat Settings: 3 | Power Source: Battery | Machine-Washable: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5 Best for bundling up outdoors during overnight camping trips or cold-weather sporting events. With an all-weather exterior and a velvety, micro plush interior, Cozee’s Portable Battery Powered Heated Blanket is our top pick for staying warm on the sidelines or keeping your muscles in top shape for hiking during camping trips. Powered by a lithium battery park that has received a UL Certification Mark, this travel-friendly blanket warms up in just five minutes to keep you cozy for up to four hours on the lowest setting. Best of all, the corners have heated hand pockets, and there are two USB ports for charging your devices. During testing, we noticed that this blanket evenly distributes heat without any uncomfortable or visible wires. Plus, it has a Mylar thermal shell inside that keeps the heat inside in cool weather. When you’re finished using it, stash it in the included carrying case and recharge the battery pack using a wall outlet or Cozee’s car charger. Given all of its impressive features, we think this blanket is definitely worth the investment—especially for athletes or travelers who are always on the go. “The inside is a soft, velvety material, and the wires aren't noticeable at all. Being able to charge the blanket with your car is ridiculously helpful.” —Savanna Bous, Verywell Fit product tester Pros Two heating zones and knobs Consistent, warm heat Durable design Cons Instructions are slightly complicated Sizes: 84 x 90 inches | Material: Polyester | Heat Settings: 10 | Power Source: Cord | Machine-Washable: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.4/5 Best for soothing aches and pains, with a maximum temperature of 87.5 degrees F. Perfect Fit’s SoftHeat Electric Blanket is shareable and extra-cozy, thanks to its large size and dual controls that efficiently cover any queen- or king-sized bed. The brushed polyester fleece feels plush and luxurious, proving to be the softest heated blanket we tested. We appreciate its durable design—the reinforced hems, undetectable wires, and pill-resistant fabric feel built to last. One of the largest and warmest blankets on our list, the highest settings can reach up to 87.5 degrees F. We also like that each side can be controlled separately using simple knobs, whether you’re sharing with a partner or a pet. A UL Certification Mark, automatic shut-off feature that kicks in after 10 hours of use, and machine-washable fabric make this blanket a solid buy. It’s also covered by a five-year warranty to protect your initial investment. “This blanket was very easy to plug in and turn on. It’s lightweight and looks great on my bed!” —Sonja Carmon, Verywell Fit product tester Pros Durable, waterproof outer Heats up quickly Heated hand pocket Cons Recommend spot-treating only Sizes: 40 x 50 inches | Material: Polyester, nylon | Heat Settings: 3 | Power Source: Battery | Machine-Washable: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.3/5 Best for gathering around a campfire or spending long hours outdoors in chilly weather. Huddled up at a track meet? Eddie Bauer’s Heated Throw Blanket goes where you go, with a convenient battery-powered design. Built for the outdoors, this reversible blanket is made from water-resistant nylon on one side and weather-treated fleece on the other. We also love that the kangaroo pocket where the battery lives doubles as a hand warmer in cooler temperatures. During testing, we loved that this blanket warms up quickly and lasts up to six hours, depending on which setting you’re using. The battery is easy to charge using the included adapter and even has a USB port for juicing up your phone in a pinch. And with a three-year warranty, you can rest easy. “I love that it’s weather-resistant—everyone should have one.” —Polly Rodberg, Verywell Fit product tester Pros Thick, soft material Two heating zones and controllers Wide range of sizes and colors Cons Wires aren’t as hidden Sizes: 89 x 89 inches | Material: Polyester | Heat Settings: 8 | Power Source: 17-foot cord | Machine-Washable: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5 Best for pairs, especially if someone’s always hot and someone’s always cold. Never fight over the thermostat again with Shavel Home Products’ Micro Flannel Heated Blanket. The king and queen sizes feature separate heating zones and controls, so you can pick and choose your favorite settings. When we tested the queen size, we found that it distributed heat evenly and had an intuitive controller, with up and down arrow buttons that control the temperature and a handy timer. Made from velvety micro flannel and trimmed with a satin border, this thick quilt comes in a wide range of colors and sizes for different beds and couches. We especially like that if one person forgets to turn their side off, the blanket will automatically shut off after 10 hours. Well-constructed, ETL-tested, and covered by a five-year warranty, this blanket is also safe to use and easy to care for. “Pro tip: Turn it on at a low temperature while you get ready for bed. That way, when you get into bed, you won't be sliding into cold sheets. I did this several times and it felt so cozy and luxurious!” —Brandi Fuller, Verywell Fit product tester Pros Budget-friendly Heats up quickly Long power and controller cords Cons Shuts off after two hours Cord connection is bulky and difficult to release Sizes: 50 x 62 inches or 60 x 70 inches | Material: Polyester | Heat Settings: 3 | Power Source: 6-foot cord | Machine-Washable: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.4/5 Best for keeping your feet warm after walking or running in cold weather. We didn’t know we needed a heated blanket with a foot pocket until we tried some—and Degrees of Comfort’s Micro-Plush Heated Blanket quickly became our favorite. In testing this oversized, UL-certified throw, we found it warmed quickly to 82.9 degrees F on the highest setting. Plus, its lightweight fabric hides the wires inside well and feels soft to the touch. Once we kicked up our cold, tired feet, we appreciated how quickly we could get comfortable with this blanket’s long power and controller cords. The straightforward, ergonomic remote is easy to use and can be removed when it’s time to toss the blanket in the washing machine. We also love that it’s budget-friendly, costing seven times less than some of our other top picks. After using this blanket for two months, we (and our cats) are still happily reaching for it on chilly nights. “This heated blanket is incredible for its generous size, genius foot pocket, and heating abilities. My cat loved this blanket too, even when it was off—this is the only blanket she's ever snuggled up under.” —Amina Abdelrahman, Verywell Fit product tester Through our rigorous testing process, we’ve tried dozens of heated blankets—but they can’t all make our list of favorites. While these blankets impressed us in some ways, they ultimately missed the mark: After testing 27 heated blankets, Shavel Home Products’ Micro Flannel Heated Blanket is our clear winner for its long-lasting heat and impressive memory function. We continue to test all of these heated blankets at home, and we’ll update our recommendations if we notice anything new that we haven’t already mentioned here. To find the best heated blankets, we’ve tested 11 expert-recommended options from top brands. During testing, we evaluate each product based on the following key criteria: We consulted experts at every stage while researching and reporting this story. Some, like Royer, helped us determine how to use heated blankets safely. Others provided guidance on how using a heated blanket can improve your daily routine. We choose products independently, but input from experts helps us tailor our selections. Using a heated blanket to apply heat to sore muscles can help relieve tightness, soothe chronic pain or aches, and improve blood circulation, says Purdy. A heated blanket can also help your body maintain a consistent temperature on cold days and nights, making it a valuable investment for many people. You can expect to spend between $40 and $350 on a high-quality heated blanket. Our top overall pick costs up to $200 when we published this list (depending on the size). It’s fine to use a heated blanket in bed, but experts don’t recommend leaving yours turned on all night long. Royer and Aludogbu recommend manually turning your blanket off before falling asleep (even if it has an automatic shut-off feature) to prevent overheating or injury. Jessica Murtaugh, NASM-CPT, is a certified personal trainer and fitness enthusiast who researches and reviews fitness products. As a runner from the Midwest, she knows how helpful it can be to curl up with a heated blanket for rest and recovery after a cold outing. Jessica is dedicated to reporting authentic content to her readers. Additional reporting by Ravi Davda As a certified personal trainer and health and fitness writer,Ravi Davdaunderstands how important quality product recommendations can be. He recommends products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. Are Heated Blankets Safe to Use?
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Cozee Battery Powered Heated Blanket
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Shavel Home Products Micro Flannel Heated Blanket
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