If you were wondering whether to get an electric blanket or heated mattress pad, you are in the right place. Both electric blankets and heated mattress pads are useful and comfortable, thus you might be confused.
I will compare heated mattress pads and electric blankets in a variety of categories, which will hopefully help you decide which product to get.
Basic Overview
Heated mattress pads and electric blankets have similar construction. Both include wires that keep the fabric and the person using it warm, and controllers for users to adjust the heat.
However, with a heated mattress pad, you can use whatever top cover sheet you wish, while you should never place another cover on your electric blanket.
Both mattress pads and electric blankets are available in a different size, to match the standard bed sizes.
Additionally, an electric blanket is available in the throw blanket form that comes in a smaller size.
Comparison of Electric Blankets and Heated Mattress Pads
The crucial aspects in which blankets and pads should be compared are energy usage, maintenance, materials, user-friendly characteristics, and safety features.
Before we move on, refer to the chart to get an overlook of most important similarities and differences between electric blankets and heated mattress pads. Keep reading to learn more about each comparison aspect.
| Electric blankets | Heated Mattress Pads |
| Compatible with standard bed sizes | Compatible with standard bed sizes |
| Energy-efficient | Inexpensive to run |
| Comes in different colors and made from different materials | Available in white, made from polyester and cotton |
| Simple maintenance | Simple maintenance |
| Includes warranty | Includes warranty |
| Multiple heat settings – up to 20 | Multiple heat settings – up to 10 |
Energy Usage
Using an electric blanket or heated mattress pad every night won’t cause your electricity bill to increase significantly. Both electric blankets and mattress pads usually come with technical specifications that state how much electricity they use.
The majority of electric blankets can consume around 200 watts. Therefore, if you leave the blanket on for the whole night, it won’t consume more than 2 kilowatt-hours.
It means that you will have to pay somewhere between 15 and 30 cents for a full night warm sleep.
On the other hand, an electric mattress pad uses 120 to180 watts of energy in the highest settings. Thus, you can expect to pay 2 or 3 cents per night, even if you keep your pad on for the entire night.
Find out more about energy consumption by electric blankets:
What is Better as an Energy Saver – Blanket or Pad?
You might wonder how another electronic device in your bedroom can help you to save energy. First of all, you can keep heating at a low setting in your bedroom, and use a mattress pad or electric blanket to get a full night of warm and cozy sleep.
The electric mattress pad is more energy-efficient than an electric blanket due to its placement. Because pads go underneath you, the heat gets trapped between your body and the blanket, and the pad doesn’t need to emit more heat to maintain the temperature.
Materials Used
Electric blankets and heated mattress pads are made from similar materials. Most commonly, both have polyester construction.
However, electric blankets sometimes have fleece or plush cover, which makes them cozier. A soft and plush structure isn’t necessarily better than classic polyester, because it makes the blanket more flammable.
When it comes to heated mattress pads, a cozy cover isn’t what manufacturers and users are looking for when buying or producing it. Because you can place your sheet over the pad, heated mattress pads sometimes have cotton covers for better breathability.
Design and Sizes
As mentioned before, heated mattress pads and electric blankets come in standard bed sizes – twin, full, king, queen. California king size is more challenging to find for both pads and blankets, and several manufactures create them.
Electric blankets have more interesting designs and come in a variety of colors and patterns, while heated mattress pads are available usually in one color. The only variability seen in heated mattress pads is elastic skirts. Some pads are created without them, and the pads that have elastic skirts at the borders are easier to use and won’t slide over the bed easily.
Features Similarities and Differences
Electric blankets and heated mattress pads have similar features in terms of temperature control units and multiple heat settings. For example, larger size blankets and pads, king or queen size, have dual control and dual heat zones.
Also, blankets and pads have multiple heat settings. But, blankets can have up to ten different heat levels, while heated mattress pads usually have fewer heat settings.
If customization is something you enjoy so much, you will probably enjoy electric blankets more than heated electric pads.
On the other hand, some heated mattress pads have an additional cooling system that allows you to use a mattress pad year-round.
Maintenance
Electric blankets and heated mattress pads come with specific maintenance instructions. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely, to keep both of the products safe for use.
In general, maintenance is simple, because modern blankets and pads are washing-machine and dryer safe, once you detach controllers.
You should wash and dry both of them in low-temperature settings, and avoid the use of harsh chemicals, stain removal products, and iron.
Electric blankets that have fleece, plush, or some other cover can slowly lose its softness after several washing cycles in the machine. With a cotton or polyester heated mattress pad, you don’t have to worry about it. However, fleece or plush electric blankets are more comfortable than basic heated mattress pads.
Safety
In the past, electric blankets and pads were not as safe as they are today. Electric blankets and mattress pads are safe to use, but only if you follow the instructions.
Some electric blankets are made from more flammable materials, such as plush, than heated mattress pads. On the other hand, mattress pads cables sometimes go under the mattress, which can cause the cables to overheat and burn.
The safety precautions for electric blankets and heated mattress pads are similar. Never use them if you can notice wires poking through, discolorations, or if they are older than ten years, you hear weird sounds or can notice an unpleasant smell.
Luckily, both pads and electric blankets come with excellent safety features such as automatic shut off. That way, your warming device will shut down automatically when it detects too high a temperature.
Additionally, electric blankets and heated mattress pads need to comply with UL94 federal safety standards.
If you have a memory foam mattress pad for additional comfort, check the technical specification of the heated pad, to see if it is safe to use on memory foam pads. Besides, never use an electric blanket or heated mattress pad on a water bed.
Warranty
All reputable manufacturers that produce and sell electric blankets and heated mattress pads sell their products with a limited warranty. It can go from one year to five years.
However, keep in mind that some actions can void the warranty, and make sure to get familiar with what those actions are. Improper maintenance is the most common activity that can void the warranty. Therefore, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing and using blankets and pads.
Which One is For You – Electric Blanket or Heated Mattress Pad?
Finally, the answer depends on your personal preferences. But, let’s highlight the best aspects of pads and blankets so that you can easily decide which one to get.
Why Should You Pick an Electric Blanket?
If you enjoy the coziness of a plush and soft blanket and the ability to take your electric blanket with you wherever you go, you can get an electric blanket.
It doesn’t matter if your hotel bed is of a different size than the one you have at home. You can still use your precious electric blanket. It is safe to use, and simple to maintain. Besides, if you want to get warm while watching your favorite TV show in the living room, you can easily take your blanket to the living room.
Also, electric blankets are available in colors and patterns and can be a match to your bedroom interior.
Find out more about the benefits of sleeping with an electric blanket:
Why Should You Pick a Heated Mattress Pad?
Mattress pads are a bit less expensive to run. Also, they tend to get warmer than electric blankets and require less frequent washing.
Heated mattress pads are fixed to your bed and cannot be used with beds of different sizes. Some pads have cooling features as well and can be used year-round.
Keep in mind that if you have a memory foam pad, you need to check if you can use the heated pad with memory foam.
Check the benefits of heating/cooling mattress pad:
Comparison Chart Basic Features and Aspects
Check the chart for a simple comparison of the most important aspects of electric blankets and heated mattress pads.
FAQs
Let’s answer the most common questions about heated mattress pads and electric blankets. Still, if you have more concerns or misunderstandings, feel free to ask more in the comments section below.
Conclusion
At the end of our electric blanket VS mattress pad analysis, we learned that both are safe to use, inexpensive to run and help keep you warm during the night.
So, what is your final verdict? Which one seems more appealing to you? Share your thoughts and experience if you have used either an electric blanket or heated mattress pad.
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