How Much Does an Electric Blanket Cost to Run in the UK?
With energy bills still painful, heating an entire house just to feel warm in one room feels wasteful.
That’s why electric blankets are making a big comeback.
But how much does an electric blanket cost to run? Are electric blankets actually cheap to run — or does it just feel that way compared to central heating?
I’ve broken down the real numbers below so you can see the exact electric blanket running cost per hour, per night and across winter.
Electric Blanket Cost to Run (UK 2026 Figures)
Under the current Ofgem price cap (24.67p per kWh from April 2026), electricity unit rates have fallen slightly.
That means electric blankets are now even cheaper to run than they were last year.
Most electric blankets use between 60W and 150W depending on:
• Size (single, double, king)
• Whether it’s an underblanket or heated throw
• The heat setting
Electric Blanket Cost Per Hour
To work out electric blanket cost per hour:
Watts ÷ 1000 = kWh per hour
kWh × electricity unit rate (24.67p) = cost
Here’s what that looks like in real money.
Blanket Wattage | kWh Per Hour | Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|---|
60W (Low / Single) | 0.06 kWh | 1.5p |
100W (Medium / Double) | 0.10 kWh | 2.5p |
150W (High / King) | 0.15 kWh | 3.7p |
Even a high-setting king-size electric blanket costs under 4p per hour.
That’s extremely low compared to most household heating appliances.
Electric Blanket Cost Per Night
Let’s assume you use a 100W blanket for 4 hours in the evening.
0.10 kWh × 4 hours × 24.67p = 9.9p per night
So roughly 10p per night.
If you prefer a higher setting (150W):
0.15 kWh × 4 × 24.67p = 14.8p per night
So about 15p per night.
Electric Blanket Cost Per Winter
If you use a 100W blanket:
• 4 hours per evening
• 180 days (around 6 colder months)
9.9p × 180 days = £17.82
So you’re looking at around £18 for an entire winter.
For a 150W blanket:
14.8p × 180 = £26.64
Even at the higher end, it’s under £27 for the season.
That’s less than many households spend in a single week running central heating.
How Much Electricity Does an Electric Blanket Use?
Electric blanket power consumption is typically between 60W and 150W.
In kWh terms:
• 60W blanket uses 0.06 kWh per hour
• 100W blanket uses 0.1 kWh per hour
• 150W blanket uses 0.15 kWh per hour
If you’re searching for “electric blanket kWh per hour” or “electric blanket electricity consumption”, those are the exact figures.
Most modern heated blankets and heated throws are more efficient than older models, especially on lower settings.
Do Electric Blankets Use a Lot of Electricity?
No — not even close.
For comparison:
• Kettle: 2,000–3,000W
• Tumble dryer: 2,000W+
• Oil radiator: 1,500W
• Electric blanket: 60–150W
An electric blanket uses roughly 20–30 times less electricity than a kettle running for the same amount of time.
It’s one of the lowest power heating devices in your home.
How Much Does a Heated Throw Cost to Run?
Heated throws are usually slightly smaller than full underblankets and typically use 60W–120W.
That means:
• 60W heated throw = 1.5p per hour
• 120W heated throw = 3p per hour
So the heated throw cost to run is often slightly cheaper than a large electric blanket.
If you’re sitting on the sofa in the evening and don’t need to heat the whole room, a heated throw is one of the cheapest ways to stay warm.
Are Electric Blankets Cost Effective?
In short — yes.
Heating a whole room just so one person feels comfortable is inefficient.
An electric blanket heats you directly. There’s very little heat loss because you’re not trying to warm walls, ceilings and air.
If using a blanket allows you to reduce your thermostat by just 1°C, industry estimates suggest you could cut overall heating bills by around 7–10%.
That’s where the real savings are.
Electric Blanket vs Central Heating
Gas central heating can cost £1–£2 per hour or more when multiple radiators are running.
Compare that to:
• 4 hours central heating = £4–£8
• 4 hours electric blanket = 10–15p
They’re not remotely comparable.
Of course, an electric blanket won’t heat your entire house. But for evenings on the sofa or pre-warming your bed, it’s far cheaper than heating a whole room.
2026 Energy Bill Context (Important)
From April 2026:
• Electricity unit rates dropped to 24.67p per kWh
• Standing charges rose to around 57p per day
That means your fixed daily cost is higher — but each unit of electricity you use is cheaper.
This makes “heating the human, not the home” even more logical.
If you can reduce how many units you use, you reduce the variable part of your bill, which is the only part you control.
What About Economy 7 or Smart Tariffs?
Traditional Economy 7 still offers cheaper overnight electricity. If you’re unsure how off-peak pricing works, I break it down in more detail in my guide to whether electricity is cheaper at night.
However, many suppliers now offer time-of-use smart tariffs with “super off-peak” periods.
Some of these drop as low as 8–10p per kWh.
At 10p per kWh:
A 100W blanket would cost just 1p per hour.
At that point, the cost is almost negligible.
Cheapest Electric Blanket to Run
If you want the lowest running cost electric blanket:
• Choose a lower wattage model (under 120W)
• Use lower heat settings
• Preheat for 20–30 minutes instead of leaving it on all night
• Look for automatic shut-off timers
• Replace very old blankets (modern ones are more efficient and safer)
Heated throws generally cost less to run than large king-size underblankets because they use less power.
How to Keep Electric Blanket Running Costs Down
• Stick to lower settings
• Don’t run it longer than needed
• Store it loosely folded to protect internal wiring
• Replace damaged or very old models
Are Electric Blankets Safe?
Modern electric blankets are generally safe if:
• Bought from reputable retailers
• Used according to manufacturer instructions
• Replaced roughly every 10 years
Look for overheat protection and automatic shut-off features.
Can You Wash an Electric Blanket?
Most modern electric blankets are machine washable once the controller is removed. Always check the care label first.
Do Electric Blankets Save Money?
If they allow you to reduce central heating usage, yes.
Used sensibly, electric blankets are one of the cheapest heating solutions available in the UK.
Final Verdict: Are Electric Blankets Cheap to Run?
Yes.
At roughly 1.5–3.7p per hour under current electricity prices, electric blanket running costs are extremely low.
Across an entire winter, most people will spend between £18 and £27.
Compared to heating a whole room, that’s a bargain.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in saving money when it comes to your energy bills, take a look at how to reduce your heating bills by up to 40%, or visit my page on the best energy-saving gadgets and devices.
FAQs
How much does an electric blanket cost to run per hour?
Under the current Ofgem electricity price cap (24.67p per kWh), most electric blankets cost between 1.5p and 3.7p per hour to run, depending on their wattage. Lower wattage models (around 60W–100W) are the cheapest to run.
How much does it cost to run an electric blanket all night?
If you ran a 100W electric blanket for 8 hours, it would cost roughly 20p per night at current electricity rates. However, most people preheat the bed for a few hours rather than running it continuously overnight, which keeps costs lower.
Do electric blankets use a lot of electricity?
No. Electric blankets typically use between 60W and 150W. That’s significantly less than appliances like kettles (2,000–3,000W) or portable heaters (1,500W). They are considered low electricity consumption devices.
How many watts does an electric blanket use?
Most electric blankets use between 60 and 150 watts depending on size and heat setting. Heated throws are usually at the lower end of that range.
What is the electric blanket cost per night in winter?
If you use a 100W blanket for 4 hours per evening, it costs around 10p per night. Over a 6-month winter (around 180 days), that works out at roughly £18.
Are electric blankets cheaper than central heating?
Yes — if you’re only trying to keep yourself warm. Running central heating can cost £1–£2 per hour or more, whereas an electric blanket typically costs under 4p per hour.
Do electric blankets save money?
They can save money if they allow you to reduce how often you use central heating. Turning your thermostat down by even 1°C can reduce heating bills by around 7–10%, according to industry estimates.
What is the cheapest electric blanket to run?
The cheapest electric blankets to run are lower wattage models (under 120W). Heated throws are often cheaper to run than large king-size underblankets because they use less power.
