Electric Blankets: Power Consumption, Safety, and Buying Tips

The heater is on, but you're still freezing on the sofa in the evening? Instead of heating the whole apartment to 23 degrees, an electric blanket warms you right where you need it: on your body. It's cozy—and very energy-efficient compared to other electric heaters.

The Most Important Points in 30 Seconds

An electric blanket warms you directly instead of the whole room—and uses much less electricity than a space heater.
Make sure it has overheating protection, an automatic shut-off timer, and a removable control knob.
Washable blankets: Unplug the controller, then pop them in the washing machine.

Electric Blanket Power Consumption: How Much Does It Cost Per Hour?

Electric blankets require only a fraction of the power used by a space heater. The formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × electricity rate. For example, at 37 cents per kWh, that comes out to:

Performance	Cost per hour	30 evenings, 3 hours each
100 watts	approx. 3,7 cents	approx. 3,33 €
150 watts	approx. 5,6 cents	about 5 €
For comparison: 2,000-watt space heater	about 74 cents	approx. 66,60 €

On top of that, when set to low settings or using the timer, the heater often doesn't run at full power.

Electric blanket or space heater?

A space heater warms the air throughout the entire room—which is useful when you’re moving around, such as when working from home. An electric blanket warms your body directly and is ideal when you’re sitting or lying down: on the sofa, while reading, or during a TV show marathon. You can read more about fan heaters in our guide, “Fan Heater & Fan in One.”

Is an electric blanket safe?

Modern electric blankets have several safety features. When buying one, be sure to look for:

Overheating protection that automatically shuts off if the temperature gets too high
Sleep timer, so the blanket doesn't run all night long
Removable control knob so you can wash the blanket safely

Important: Do not turn on the blanket if it is creased or folded; do not place anything heavy on it; and always unplug it before washing.

Good to know: Always use an electric blanket spread out flat—if it's folded, the heat gets trapped.

Can you wash an electric blanket?

Yes, if it's labeled as washable. Unplug the controller, put it in the washing machine, check the care label to see which cycle is recommended, and let the blanket dry completely before plugging it back in.

Our recommendation: ECHOORIA electric blanket with a smart thermostat

The ECHOORIA heated blanket is a cozy sofa blanket with a heating function:

Soft, cozy flannel with a lambswool look, size 160 × 130 cm
9 heat settings; noticeably warm after about 5 minutes
Digital controller with 4 timer settings for automatic shut-off
Overheating Protection
Machine washable – simply remove the regulator

Discover our electric blankets now

5 Tips: Stay Warm and Save on Heating Costs

Lower the room temperature by about 1 degree and use a blanket to stay warm—every degree you lower the temperature saves heating energy.
Preheat the oven for 5 minutes, then set it to a low temperature.
Use a timer if you fall asleep while watching TV.
Warm socks—cold feet make your whole body feel cold.
Open windows all the way instead of tilting them.

FAQ

How much electricity does an electric blanket use? Significantly less than a space heater. At 100 watts, it costs about 3.7 cents per hour.

Is it safe to use an electric blanket overnight? With overheating protection and a timer, it's designed for use before bedtime. Use the timer so that it turns off automatically.

Can two people fit under the ceiling? At 160 × 130 cm, it's very spacious for one person; for two, it gets cozy.

How quickly does the blanket get warm? After about 5 minutes, it feels warm to the touch.

Conclusion: An electric blanket is the coziest and most economical way to stay warm in the evening. Get the ECHOORIA electric blanket —it also makes a great gift for anyone who feels the cold.