Or, you could lower the thermostat by 8º and pile on an additional non-electric blanket or two, and let body heat do its work. Perhaps, I simply do not understand the allure of electric blankets.

We live in the Colorado Rockies, and get very cold, snowy, and windy weather. We keep our bedroom at 62 at night. During the day I don't heat it at all. It would be very painful and very cold to get into bed without a warming blanket. A very useful addition to saving money on heating bills.
I wish CU would do a new report on electric (warming) blankets. There are several new ways of heating the bed.
We must save several hundred dollars since we use the warming blanket 8-9 months a year. We get cold nights here even in Summer.

I have a Sunbeam king size heating mattress pad with dual controls. It is wonderful! It has a pre heat selection that you turn on 30 min before going to bed and then your bed is warm and ready. It also has a thermostat control and auto off after 10 hours in case you forget to turn it off when you get up. Wouldn't trade it for anything! Bought it at Sams Club for around $80.

It seems to me that electric blanket effectiveness and reliability have slipped dramatically over the years - I'm buying more frequently and getting less warming and more outright failures. Have others noticed this?

I, too, wish CR would run a report on electric blankets and mattress pads.

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Joannah

http://windscreensite.com

We are writing to ask that CR evaluate electric blankets. Several recent articles have suggested that an electric blanket could save big money on our heating bill. However, we have bought and returned 3 electric blankets, in 2 weeks, because none of them seem to get very warm.

Can you help us, please?

I second the requests for a current review of electric blankets. There are low-voltage ones available now, but expensive. Are they worthwhile? And, which work best and what is reliability? I have read many negative comments on current Sunbeam blankets; they apparently are prone to fail very quickly.

This is the time of the year that would be great for CR to do a review of electric blankets and mattress pads. Is one more effective than the other? If you purchase an electric mattress pad shoud you purchase a water-proof one for safety? Does such a thing even exhist? What relation does wire thickness have to comfort, heating efficiency and safety. Is zoned heating worth the extra price? Which brands would you recommend? It's freezing here in Wisconsin please do this soon!

I have gone thru 2 Sunbean heating pads in two years. Thankfully Costco allowed the returns. I find it interesting they do not have any heated pads this year. I went to CR to see what they recommend. Nothing out there since 12-1990. Pads had been updated considerally since then. CR - please do a review...

I just used my new Sunbeam heated mattress pad for the first time last night. What a disappointment! My old one had more heat at my feet and less at my torso and shoulders and I loved it for years. I didn't realize that particulat heat pattern was not standard. This new one has virtually no heat at my feet, where I really need it, and lots at my torso and shoulders, where I don't need it. By 3 a.m., I was still tossing and turning with icy feet and had to get up and find some knee socks to wear. This pad is being relegated to the guest room and I'm buying one that puts more heat on my feet.

I went to go look for a review of electric blankets as our Sunbeam dual control blanket seems to have failed early, similar to several of the negative comments already posted. I'm reluctant to buy Sunbeam again. I'd sure like to see CR do an update review on electric blankets.

This is for Bern. If your room is already quite warm your blANKET WILL NOT HEAT UP AS MUCH AS IF IT WERE COLD. Fold the blanket into quarters and see if it heats up. If it does, then it is working. At least I had this experience.

I'm living in Canada now and it would be nice to have an updated CR review on electric blankets since it seems there is a discontent with some models out there and no real review done so far. With prices of gas and fuel on the rise such study may be really useful to consumers. Thank you, Ron

I second the motion for a CR review of blankets. We bought a Sunbeam from JC Penny. It failed in one year. Hate to buy another one.

I, too, would like a CR review of electric blankets. I have been using Sunbeam blankets, which work fine for one season, then start getting less and less warm. I don't want to have to replace my blanket every year!

I want to support the earlier comments of some customers. I too wish CR would review electric blankets. There are 2 in our household. We find that both fail to properly heat and are ineffective. This was not the case years ago when we had blankets that worked very well.

I wish CU would do a current evaluation of bed warming items.

I agree with the comments about electric blankets. I have one for my son's bed that failed in less than a year - the control wouldn't stop blinking. Sunbeam wanted to charge me $55 to fix it which was more than the cost of the blanket. I turned them into the Attorney General. Please do a review - I'm willing to pay more but I want to be sure it works and it lasts!

I too would like to see a CR review of heated blankets and mattress pads. I agree completely with Richard's comment that "the effectiveness and reliability have slipped dramatically over the years." We are also buying more frequently and getting less warmth and have had 2 complete failures. In recent years we've only gotten a season or two at best from Sunbeam products. In the past we got as much as five years.

The allure of an electric blanket is more so when two people with different thermostats sleep in the same bed. If one person needs just a a sheet, and the other wants to pile on the comforter and duvet, you end up with a pile of stuff in the middle of the bed and a struggle to keep it from moving around. Who needs conflict when they sleep?. A dual thermostat electric blanket or mattress pad solves the problem and reduces nocturnal thrashing.

Please review electric blankets. I was somewhat surprised that CR had not already done so.

For the last few months, I've noticed that my sunbeam mattress pads would no longer dial up to H. It seems that as the item has aged, it's effectiveness went down and down. The model I have, Sunbeam PAC-229, has a digital readout of the level. In the past, it went to 9, and then H (for High). Now, it stops at 6 or 7. Not sure why, but the temperature definately is not like it was when we first purchased it. So, disappointed with Sunbeam, I naturally went to CR to see what they recommended. I was shocked to find so many other people in the same boat as me. PLEASE CR, We need your help.

I have purchased two SunBeams in the last two years. Both have stopped working. Next time I'll get another brand.

I wish I had read your comments before I put my old electric blanket, of 17 years, out as the dog's bed. The control had stopped working but it had warmed beautifully. I purchased a Sunbeam dual control to replace my old blanket and I can't tell if it is even warming. I would have been ahead to try to have the control fixed on the old blanket. Please do a review of electric blankets soon!!!! And blood pressure machines too. I depend on you!!!

I too would like to see a CR report on heated mattress pads. I have had 2 Sunbeams in 2 years my feet are always cold as there is no heat at the foot level it is all at the torso!!
I must replace mine as now AGAIN my Sunbeam is not generating much heat at all. I have no idea which one to buy now!? I do know it will not be a Sunbeam. Anyone out there have any suggestions?

I am very disappointed with my subscription to consumers reports. Two times I have looked up items, Rug scrubers and electric blankets and found nothing. Please add these items to your future reports. Thanking you in advance, Barbara Silvasy

I also would like to request ratings to be done on electric blankets. I have a Sunbeam one that failed after only one season. I think it was about $120, so it was a good one, but apparently not good enough.

I bought two Sunbeam blankets 1 mo ago and they already have both failed. Just returned them to Walmart, but sheesh. Now I am pretty leery about buying another sunbeam anything. Please review electric blankets. This is ridiculous! Can't anybody hold Sunbeam's feet to the fire? I find it hilarious that the package insert says in case of defect do not return to store - contact Sunbeam. Are they KIDDING?

Not only am I disappointed that CR has not reviewed electric blankets recently, I am curious why there are no CR responses here among all these comments begging for one.

I, too, am interested in a report on electric blankets. Our Sunbeam dual-control blanket now heats only on one side. I'm in the market for a new one, but I'd appreciate some guidance.

While we wait, does anyone know of a quality electric mattress pad?

I heard Sunbeam sucks.

I have seen numerous requests for a review of electric blankets on this post, going back several months. Is Consumer Reports going to do one?

It seems manufacturers quit making full size electric blankets with dual controls. I cannot find one anywhere. Am I the only person with a full size (double) bed anymore whose spouse wants a different setting than me?

SoftHeat Low Voltage Electric Blanket claims to be Voted “Best Electric Blanket” by the THE WALL STREET JOURNAL in 2006. Claims to come with 5 year manufacturer’s guarantee. I'd like to know if these claims are true. Or if these new Low Voltage Electric Blanket electric blankets are any good. Looks like I'll be buying without CR advise. (Christmas gifts)

We've gone through 2 Sunbeam electric blankets in the past couple years, and I'm finally going to replace the current one. It seems that ever since they added electronic controls the things break in no time. We used my wife's grandmother's old, non-electronic, electric blanket until it wore out and frayed. I liked that much better also because I could put it on an X10 controller and turn it on by timer or remotely. Can't do that with the electronic ones; of course, it doesn't matter whether you can turn them on anyway. I just noticed that Land's End has one, and I expect better quality and support from them, so I might give them a try. I just hope that all electric blankets are not made by Sunbeam and re-branded.

I too purchased 4 sunbeam electric blankets and a sunbeam electric mattress pad. They worked great last year but this year my mattress pad doesn't work on one side and hardly heats the other side. The controller on the side that doesn't warm up doesn't work either. The electric blankets sometimes work, but other times don't work at all. They are probably going to quit all together soon. I have a small electric heating pad that we got from my husband's grandma that is very old and works great. Sometimes I put that at the end of the bed to warm my feet. They just don't make stuff the way they used to anymore I guess.

The electric mattress pad, in my opinion, does a far better job keeping you warm because the heat is spread out over the entire bed. Electric Blankets are okay, but to truly get a nice warm bed you can't beat these energy efficient, safe electric mattress pads.
 
Electric Mattress Pad

I have researched for several hours trying to find a good electric blanket. I had one as a kid on my bed for all the eyars I grew up. Same one!! And this was only in the 80-mid 90's. Why don't they make anything good anymore. Anyway teh brand I purchased was Biddeford and we will see how it works. Just couldn't bring myself to buy a Sunbeam after all the terribel reviews here and elsewhere.

Also, to the person who asked about Low voltage Blankets. these do work, but it is not like how an electric blanket works. You truly do not feel any "heat" so the bed won't seem "toasty warm" like I look for when I have an electric blanket. It does keep your body regulated, but again it never feels "warm" at all really.

Come on, CR-- if you don't rate something as common as electric blankets, why are we paying for the subscription?

I to bought an sunbeam electric blanket. It worked for one winter. In the market for a new one.

I would also like CR to review electric blankets. We keep our bedroom at between 60-62 degrees during the colder months. I would like to find a brand that stands up to wear and washing for more than two years.

I have read innumerable comments about Sunbeam electric blankets failing within ridiculously short periods. This seems a perfect opportunity for CU to step in and stop this consumer abuse by Sunbeam. An explanation of what is causing the instant demise of these blankets and how the home geek repair person can fix it would also be extremely valuable to many people who have been ripped off by these inferior products. Also, are there any currently produced electric blankets that should last as long as the earlier ones did, which could last at least 20 years and always worked just fine? All the safety crap in the world is useless on a product that doesn't function.

Sunbeam blankets quit working after a year or two. Is this by design? They should last several years. I still have a heating pad from the 70s that works just fine. (It is not Sunbeam.) I just ordered another brand of blanket.

Once again, I find myself unpleasantly surprised at the things that CR has *not* reviewed. Electric blankets are an item of particular interest, given: 1) some terrible durability problems, widely discussed on net; 2) recent interest in the potential for energy savings associated with e-blanket use.

I subscribed with three, non-esoteric things I was interested in: steam mops; internet radios; steam mops. CR has covered none of them. This is very disappointing, and reminds me of why I discontinued an earlier subscription.

Does anyone know about another brand besides sunbeam?
It seems they are disposable. I founda "aristrocrat" brand on Landsend.com, but its $180.00 for a queen. Beats throwing one away every year though !
CR why not review these for the spring / summer !!! And then A/C units for next fall/ winter ! Seriously what about these small items that sell by the millions to Joe the homeowner. It seems items reviewed must meet a minimium dollar amount of a grand.

We have used electric mattress pads for more than 10 years. Until recently (within the last 12-18 months) we've had very, very good success with RestWarmer mattress pads (purchased from JCPenny). We have a King-size (dual controls), 2 Queen-size (dual controls) and 2-full size. The 2 Queen-size ones are not working properly. We routinely turn them on 15 to 20 minutes prior to going to bed; the beds would be nicely warmed and cozy when we get in them. Then we lower the settings to 2 or 3 (of a maximum 10) for a wonderful night's rest. One point of reference, the zone heating is very effective, more heat delivered to your feet and gradually less for your mid-section and upper body areas.

The RestWarmers have a 5-Year Repair or Replacement Warranty (with receipt proof of purchase) which I am pursuing for the 2 Queen-size mattress pads. I will post results.

In summary, we've been so impressed with this product and have given them as Christmas gifts; including one California King size. Without exception, everyone we've given these to have thoroughly enjoyed them; particularly those who live in mid-to-upper Wisconsin areas.

I so appreciate this blog. I have purchased two sunbeam heating blankets within a two year span of each other. They both have stopped working. They make it thru one season and die. I live in Washington State. It is cold and damp. Love to crawl into a warm bed and turn the thermostate down to 64 at night.
I just bought an electric mattress pad cover. It is warm and toasty. I bought it at an american made company with a 5 year guarantee. Http://electricblanketupgrade.com. House of Wright is the name of the company. I am so tired of the american jobs going overseas. I love that a american company is making these heated bed warmers. This is the best I have found so far.
Lesley in Washington State

We are very disappointed that CU has not heeded requests to review electric mattress pads - this would be the best time to help consumers who are trying to cut down on electricity use and keep warm. We too had a Sunbeam heating pad that failed in the first winter.

After the first one stopped working, my second Sunbeam brand electric blanket still "works" but it tends to heat up too hot around 4am. Now we just use the warm up feature and then shut it off after getting in. Sunbeam should issue a recall and provide a better design that works.

I'll add to the voices asking for electric blanket/mattress pad cover reviews.

I have a Sunbeam electric warming blanket with dual controls. In under a year's use, one side no longer heats. Isn't that just great.

I'm going to look for a blanket not Fabrique en Chine.

Come on CU. Help us here.

I have a 15 to 20 year old Sunbeam king sized blanket that I love and pray doesn't fail. Especially, if as this blog seems to imply, the new ones are lucky to make it a year before crapping out. Your paying subscribers are in dire need of a new review of the current models (showing a picture from your review in 1954 is interesting but not very helpful...after 55 years, don't you think an updated rewiew is warranted?

I bought a Sunbeam Electric Queen Blanket with Dual controls 3 years ago and loved it, until one of the controls stopped working last fall. Like a dummy I did not save the receipt for the warranty. Last Fall I bought a Biddford Electric Blanket as I was very disappointed in the Sunbeam brand. One of its dual controls just stopped working after only 4 months! I've tried to reach the company since it has a 5 year warranty only to keep hitting dead ends. I've tried to find replacement controls for both blankets to no avail. The irony of all of this is that I pulled out an old electric blanket that belonged to my mother that must be 30 years old and both of its controls are STILL WORKING! The quality of products in our country now a days is sad. Is there a third brand to choose from that might be more reliable?

I purchased a Biddleford brand blanket a few weeks ago for my daughters 16 birthday. It ended up being her favorite present.
I just returned it back to Kohls today. It had scorch marks all over it and had stopped working all together. The fact that it stopped working I am counting as a blessing given the scorch marks. There must be a safety mechanism in it or something. I too used the same electric blanket for years as a kid. What the heck is the deal with these new ones? Daughter wants me to replace it but I am kinda afraid to. Don't want to burn either her or the house down. Don't know what brand to try next.

I see a lot of negative reviews. Can anyone recommend an electric blanket that IS reliable? Is an electric mattress pad likely to last longer than an electric blanket?

Consumer report needs to test electric blankets. there is a dearth of information on this subject. I notice increasing blogs of displeasure.

I bought a new West Point Home electric heating blanket for my mother for Christmas, that seemed very well made. It lasted less than three months before the controller started blinking an error code. While trying to find a troubleshooting guide on line, I stumbled onto several blogs of unhappy buyers of West Point Home and Sunbeam electric heating blankets, all with the same complaints - apparently the Chinese manufacturers haven't figured out how to build a controller that lasts more than a few months. Agree Consumer Reports should try out whatever makes and models are available, but I'm not optimistic they'll even find a reliable one on the market.

I just bought an electric blanket with a lifetime warranty from www.hammacher.com. I also agree CR should evaluate electric blankets and all other commonly used keywords that are searched on. What are we paying CR for?

My Microfleece Warming Blanket, Model LVBK-H2 By Perfect Fit Failed within 1 year. Nice while it lasted. Thanks blogger for your info on what not to buy. Wish CR would recommed a reliable blanket

I had an electric blanket that I received when I was 19, finally die two years ago ----- I am currently 56. It was a Sunbeam brand. I got it when I went to college, and my daughter used it, and her daughter was using it when the control finally gave out. The queen size electic blanket I have owned for the past four years needs replacing because for the SIXTH time, one of the cotrols has given out. I'm tired of calling the factory about the problem, sure they replaced the control everytime, but the last time I had one replaced was in December just before Christmas --- only FOUR months ago!!!!! I'm not sure who the manufacturer was, but I got it at Penney's. Like a few other people have mentioned, "they just don't make em' like they used to!"

I am disappointed that CR has not reviewed electric blankets or heated mattress pads. Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. I know I will avoid anything from Sunbeam or Westpoint. The reviews on Amazon helped too. I'm going to try the Soft-Heat warming mattress pad. I'll let you all know how it works for us.

In your article's savings calculation, you state $150 to $175 savings the first year by lowering the thermostat by 8°F for 24 hours a day, 25 weeks a year. Did you mean 8 degrees for 8 hours per day?

We have been using our current Sunbeam dual control electric blanket for 20 years. It is still working fine, even at the zero setting. However, the satin trim is in shreds and no instructions for laundering came with the blanket--just said follow washing machine instructions. Our washing machine is too small for a king-sized blanket. Please CR get to the obvious and widespread problems associated with replacing an old blanket. We used an electric sheet in the past. It was fine and easy to wash. If they are still around, I suspect they now have the same issues as the blankets.

I have been so glad to hear the comments on Sunbeam electric blankets. We have had 3 king size, duel control ones over the past six years and one control always fails (after two years). Upon writing to Sunbeam they suggest I return the blanket and controls to them. It would cost $35.00 to replace controls or $95 to replace the entire blanket and controls - plus the cost and hassle of return, not to mention being without it for who knows how long. I am very disappointed in Sunbeam and wish that CR would review electric blankets, especially longevity.

All the comments above are from the fall of 2009... It's a year later and I found this page while doing a google search. Like the above commenters, I'm looking for a heated mattress pad 1) to make my bed comfortable in the winter, 2) to save some money on heating bills, and 3) with a decent reliability.
I was already biased against Sunbeam before coming here (remember "Chainsaw Al" Dunlap?), but you can see most of the comments refer to their products' failures. The only alternatives I see at the $100 point are on overstock.com. They are about $70 or $80 for the queen size - one is a Beautyrest i think. The only thing that makes me hesitate is that they only have a few reviews :-(

Another vote for testing electric blankets. A friend gave me a $$$ heated mattress pad from Ceragen. LOVED it, but, alas, it just died after 5 years of excellent, trouble-free heating. Would buy another but now have a Tempurpedic, so I need a blanket. Don't trust Sunbeam anymore, and I can't believe the cost of the blankets I'm seeing. Willing to pay more, but not for a POS that's gonna die next month.

please do a review of warming and electric blankets.

CR needs to do a report on Heated Mattress Pads vs. Heated Blankets. It appears that online research is very limited. Manufacturers are suggesting a significant savings on utility cost with the use of their products. Additionally, it appears comfort and heat production vary from product to product. CR please conduct a report on effectiveness, reliability, comfort and safety of these products.

PLEASE do a review of heated mattress pads! I would very much like to buy one (we live in Northern New England and it is quite nippy - right now I use a heating pad to preheat our bed), but I don't want to spend $100 and the hassle of returns.

Now, before Christmas, would be the perfect time to review the new blankets and mattress pads!!

Our first 2 Sunbeams lasted over 20 years - gave a twin size to Goodwill still working. However the NEXT Sunbeam failed in 3 or 4 years. Bought another dual control queen 2 years ago and it's quit. Any BETTER brands out there?

Hello CU Research Planners! Are you Reading this feedback? How much time, effort, and expense (*comparitively speaking) would it take to perform testing and publish a Report? (Actually these Are Electronic devices too! - not entertaining, But Much more pleasureable and Needed in millions of Households!!) Thank you! JTL

This blog has been going for almost two years and still no CR electric blanket review. I've had two Sunbeam blankets and both died quickly. The second blanket was an expensive dual-controlled version that made it through the first winter, but by the second winter it didn't heat up at all. It was just dead. I can't bring myself to buy another Sunbeam electric blanket.

CR, given the increasing cost of heating homes in the winter, please do a review of electric bedding (blankets, mattress pads, etc.) so that consumers will stop wasting money on the over-priced junk that companies like Sunbeam put out.

I can't speak on the reliablilty of Sunbeam electric blankets from the past, but the present Sunbeam electric blankets will fail and leave you disappointed in short order. Rest assured that I will not be purchasing ANYTHING from Sunbeam in the future. Look else for a quality product.

It's that time of year...cold weather. I too would like to see CR do an updated report on electric blankets with added info on whether the savings in utilities would offset any treatment to the skin caused by dryness from the blanket. Thanks.

November, 2010 and I would like CR to do a review of electric blankets also. We own a Sunbeam now that worked for about a year, now one side heats and the other just warms. Lets find out which electric blankets really work!