Heated Overblankets..Are They Worth It?

Lifematters

They seem quite pricey and I do have concerns about faults that may occur.  

So just wondering what others think who have them or thinking of buying one. Any recommendations? 

Bendy_House

For bed, or for when sitting in front of t'telly?

Either way, they must surely be safe? When was the last time you heard of a fatality from a leccy blanket?

They do sound like a nifty idea - must be the most cost-effective way to keep warm!

goldfinches

I now have two of the heated throws that I bought either from Lakeland or using a Which or a Good Housekeeping best buy recommendation I can't now remember the details exactly but the reservations you mention were why I relied upon those authorities rather than just getting the cheapest one from the big river site.
They have been a great purchase that I use almost every day throughout the year and I can unreservedly recommend that you buy at least one. I bought a second one quite quickly once I found the first so helpful and sit with one behind my back that I lean against and the other over my lap and am always comfortably warm whether my heating is on or not.
I do use them as a way to shorten the time that my central heating needs to be on for and they are very effective for that. I've also used them on my bed in very cold weather as well but primarily they're for keeping me warm while sitting typing.
Mine have various settings for both time and level of heat and those are worth having as some days you feel much colder than others or you might need a boost in the last half hour before the heating comes on and so on, so give some thought to getting as many variables as you might need. The ones that are designed to be used on a bed can even have zoned heating so that you can toast your cold feet or back.

MaryNB

goldfinches said:

I now have two of the heated throws that I bought either from Lakeland or using a Which or a Good Housekeeping best buy recommendation I can't now remember the details exactly but the reservations you mention were why I relied upon those authorities rather than just getting the cheapest one from the big river site.
They have been a great purchase that I use almost every day throughout the year and I can unreservedly recommend that you buy at least one. I bought a second one quite quickly once I found the first so helpful and sit with one behind my back that I lean against and the other over my lap and am always comfortably warm whether my heating is on or not.
I do use them as a way to shorten the time that my central heating needs to be on for and they are very effective for that. I've also used them on my bed in very cold weather as well but primarily they're for keeping me warm while sitting typing.
Mine have various settings for both time and level of heat and those are worth having as some days you feel much colder than others or you might need a boost in the last half hour before the heating comes on and so on, so give some thought to getting as many variables as you might need. The ones that are designed to be used on a bed can even have zoned heating so that you can toast your cold feet or back.

I second this, I got a heated throw a year ago and my only regret is not getting one sooner, especially for WFH during the pandemic. I have no doubt it's saving me a fortune. I live in a old victorian property with an EPC of E, it's expensive to heat.
It's great for leaving on my desk chair at home or for when I'm on the couch watching tv. It's even better if I throw another blanket (non-electric) over it to keep the heat in.

I bought one for my mother shortly after I got mine and she loves it so much she's bought a second one for herself and something like 8 more to give as gifts to other friends

elsien

Are they designed to be perched on by large dogs under the misapprehension they are small lapdogs, or would that ruin them? (When the dog’s on my lap, I mean. Not with his own individual throw.)

coffeehound

I bought one for Mither a couple of years ago and it works well.  If the cost is a factor, then a standard single electric underblanket would be a fraction of the price.  Although not furry or attractive, it would work similarly

ka7e

Bought one for OH as he isn't very mobile and it saves putting on the heating when he watches TV during the day. It has 3 heat settings and a timer and he loves it. We have an electric under-blanket for the bed (dual control) and I put my side on 20 mins before I go to bed but switch it off to sleep. Both are machine washable.

Lifematters

I’m thinking of buying one to use while working from home.  If it saves on the heating will be cost effective. Not that I can ever have the central heating on for too long anyway as it just drys out my eyes. 

scottishblondie

I got one from Aldi last year, I love it.  So cosy and saves on the central heating when it’s just me working at home. Lidl and Aldi both had them recently, worth a check to see if they are still available. 

getmore4less

https://www.aldi.co.uk/heated-throw-with-sleeves/p/811324583290700

SaintJudy

I bought one a few years ago and it's hands down one of the best purchases I've ever made. I used to live in a very old house that had heating on a timer that was landlord controlled, so I frequently found myself colder than I would've been if I'd been able to manage the timer myself. I had a little convector heater but it was very expensive to run to I bought the electric throw and it was an absolute game changer. Even now I've moved house I still use it and save myself the cost of running the heating. Plus the cats thought all their christmases had come at once! This is the one I bought https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5261992