a queen heated blanket costs a few cents a night to run, while turning your thermostat down 7–10°F for 8 hours can save up to 10% a year on heating, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Pick the Sunbeam Royal Luxe if you want the long 5-year warranty and 12 heat settings; pick the Bedsure Dual Control if you want two controllers and a softer price. Couples with different temperature needs should buy dual control either way.
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Why a heated blanket makes sense this winter
The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects homes that heat mainly with electricity to spend about 4% more this winter, with residential power averaging roughly 18 cents per kilowatt-hour, and heating oil spending to jump about 21%. A heated blanket warms you instead of the house, so you can run the thermostat lower at night.
In my rentals I have installed heat pumps, and I see the same thing every winter: the bill moves with the thermostat, not with the gadgets. The blanket is just what makes a cooler bedroom comfortable.
Cost-per-night calculator
What does a heated blanket cost per night?
Bedsure vs Sunbeam at a glance
| Bedsure Dual Control (queen) | Sunbeam Royal Luxe (queen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Controllers | Two, one per side | Two, one per side |
| Heat settings | Several levels per side (check the listing) | 12 settings |
| Auto shut-off | Selectable timer | Selectable, up to 12 hours |
| Washable | Yes, controller detached | Yes, controller detached |
| Warranty | Shorter; check the listing | Limited 5-year |
| Best for | Lower price, soft flannel feel | Long warranty, fine temperature steps |
Both are among Amazon’s best-selling electric blankets this fall; the Bedsure dual-control queen roughly doubled its sales from summer to early fall, according to seller-data estimates.
Which one to buy
| Pick | Why | What owners complain about |
|---|---|---|
| Two controllers, lower price Bedsure Dual Control Heated Blanket, Queen | Separate controllers for each side, soft flannel and a machine-washable cover once the controllers are unplugged. The best-seller of the two this fall. | Some owners report a controller failing or uneven heat after a season. Keep the receipt and register the warranty. |
| Long warranty Sunbeam Royal Luxe Microplush Heated Blanket, Queen | 12 heat settings, a selectable auto shut-off up to 12 hours and a limited 5-year warranty from a brand that has made heated blankets for decades. | One owner noticed the heated wires do not reach the middle of the bed, and some had a blanket stop within months; the 5-year warranty covers it. |
| Sofa or desk instead Bedsure Heated Throw Blanket | If the bed is not the cold spot, a throw for the sofa or desk chair lets you lower the daytime thermostat too. | Throws are small; tall people may want the larger size. Some owners had the controller stop working. |
Prices change often and heated blankets are a classic Black Friday deal. I haven’t owned these two blankets; my comparison is based on specs, warranty terms and owner reviews.
Safety basics
- Do not fold or bunch a blanket while it is on, and never use one with a damaged cord.
- Keep it away from pets that chew, and do not use one for infants or anyone who cannot work the controller.
- Have an older Sunbeam queen? In 2023 Sunbeam recalled about 43,000 queen heated blankets (model 32810027, sold September 2022 to January 2023) for overheating. Check the label.
- Stopped working? Our heated blanket troubleshooting guide covers the usual fixes.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run a heated blanket?
A queen blanket drawing about 120 watts for 8 hours uses roughly 1 kWh, about 17–18 cents at the 2026 average U.S. electricity rate, and less on lower settings.
Is Bedsure or Sunbeam better?
Sunbeam has the longer limited 5-year warranty and 12 heat settings. Bedsure is usually cheaper and has been selling faster this fall. Both have two controllers on the queen size.
Does a heated blanket save money?
Yes, if you lower the thermostat. The Department of Energy says turning it back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating.
Can I sleep with a heated blanket on all night?
Many people pre-warm the bed and switch to the lowest setting or off. Use a model with an auto shut-off timer and follow the manual.
Should I lower the thermostat if I have a heat pump?
Use a smaller setback or a thermostat with a heat pump setting, so the system does not use backup electric heat to recover in the morning.
Sources
- EIA: Winter Fuels Outlook 2026–27
- U.S. Department of Energy: Programmable thermostats
- News report on the 2023 Sunbeam heated blanket recall (CPSC)
Email me at hello@thelowbillhome.com. I read every message, and when a rate, a rule or a product changes, I update the guide.
Affiliate Disclosure: The Low Bill Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some links on this page are affiliate links; if you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
