If you’re looking for a whole new way to stay cozy and sleep better, look no further than heated blankets. These are blankets that use electrical wiring to provide optimal warmth and coziness. Used while plugged into a power outlet, heat is distributed throughout the blanket, providing warmth throughout. Heated blankets are also often quite big, so you can literally wrap it around your entire body—especially if you have an extra large one!

Want to know which type of heated blanket is best for you? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using one.

The benefits of heated blankets

A heated blanket not only helps you have a more comfortable night’s sleep, but also serves several other great purposes. These blankets can help those in physical pain by helping more blood flow through the body, helping to soothe aches and tightness. They’re also environmentally-friendly, meaning you’ll likely have less of a need to turn up the heat in your home, even if not a direct replacement for a thermostat.

Heated blankets are also portable, able to have its temperature controlled, and available in a variety of sizes and fabric types. Above all, the temperature in a heated blanket is stabilized during your sleep, preventing any sleep-related disruptions from temperature changes in your home.

The possible downsides

As comfy as heated blankets can definitely be, it’s by no means a miracle cure for your sleep routine. For one, these types of blankets are not washable. Because these blankets are electric and water and electricity don’t mix, they cannot be run through a washing machine or else they won’t be able to work anymore.

Using them improperly, or letting your pets claw through them, can also easily cause damage. You also cannot leave them on for too long, since heated blankets are a fire hazard—provided it doesn’t have an automatic on/off feature. To this point, it’s also possible to be burned by these blankets, and by extension, not recommended if you're pregnant due to a risk of miscarriage.

What to know before you buy

Finding the best electric blanket for you depends on your budget, preferred size, and whether or not it's made from the right material (wool, cotton and fleece are examples). You can even choose from a variety of colours, to customize it even further. If an electric blanket isn’t right for you, a small or large heating pad is another option. This is worn under you or behind your back, is smaller, and is especially good for those experiencing various kinds of aches and injuries.

Remember that electric blankets also don’t typically go well with couches, since it risks setting the fabric on fire. Make sure it’s also not going to cause electrical damage to your bed, such as if you sleep on a waterbed. If you’re using a heating pad, having it on a foam mattress can also be risky, as foam can be softened by the heat. Keep in mind also that older electric blanket models typically used bigger wires, and newer ones are more minimal by comparison—making them less of a fire hazard.