The cheapest way to stay warm on the sofa is to heat yourself, not the room. A heated throw uses about 100 watts, a fifteenth of a space heater on high. The two throws Amazon shoppers buy most are the Bedsure Heated Blanket Throw, Amazon’s #1 best seller in electric blankets, and the Westinghouse Heated Throw. Both are 50 × 60-inch flannel-and-sherpa throws with six heat levels. Here is what separates them.
Either throw costs about 2¢ an hour at 18¢ per kWh, against 27¢ for a 1,500-watt heater. The Bedsure is the better pick for most people: a preheat mode, six timer settings from 1 to 10 hours and the most sales by far. The Westinghouse is a close alternative with timer settings of 2 to 10 hours, a slightly heavier feel and more colors and patterns. Buy on price, color and size; both do the job.
Affiliate note: As an Amazon Associate, The Low Bill Home earns from qualifying purchases. Buying through our links costs you nothing extra. We have not tested these products hands-on: this comparison is based on the makers' published specs, the Amazon listings and their review summaries as of October 18, 2026, and official energy and safety guidance, and we say where each one falls short.
Preheat mode, 6 heat levels, 1–10 hour timer, about 100 W. Amazon’s top seller.
Check price on AmazonWhy we picked it ↓6 heat levels, 2–10 hour auto-off, flannel to sherpa, machine washable.
Check price on AmazonWhy we picked it ↓Shopping on Black Friday? Add it to your Amazon cart now so it is ready when the deals start (Black Friday is November 27, Cyber Monday November 30, 2026).
Bedsure vs Westinghouse at a glance
| Bedsure Heated Throw | Westinghouse Heated Throw | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 50 × 60 in (other sizes available) | 50 × 60 in (other sizes available) |
| Heat levels | 6 | 6 |
| Auto-off timer | 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours (8 by default) | 2, 4, 8 or 10 hours |
| Preheat | Yes: 2 hours on level 6, then level 4 | No |
| Power | 100 W (listed) | Not stated on the listing; heated throws typically draw around 100 W |
| Fabric | Flannel top, sherpa back | Flannel to sherpa |
| Certification | ETL and FCC | ETL and FCC, overheat protection |
| Weight | About 3.3 lb | About 3.7 lb |
| Washing | Machine washable with the controller unplugged | Machine washable with the controller unplugged |
| Amazon rating (Oct 18, 2026) | 4.3 stars, about 10,000 ratings | 4.3 stars, about 9,400 ratings |
Throw vs space heater: the cost
| Per hour | 4 hours a night | A month of evenings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heated throw, about 100 W | 2¢ | 7¢ | $2.16 |
| Space heater on high, 1,500 W | 27¢ | $1.08 | $32.40 |
That is the whole case for a heated throw: around $2.16 a month instead of $32.40 for the same evenings, at 18¢ per kWh. It works best combined with turning the main thermostat down a few degrees; the thermostat setback calculator shows what that saves on your heating bill.
Calculator: your rate, your hours
Cost calculator: compare the two
Option A
Option B
| Cost | Option A | Option B |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | – | – |
| Per day | – | – |
| Per month | – | – |
| Per season | – | – |
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Full-power figures: the most each setting can cost. With a thermostat, a heater switches its element off once the room is warm, so real costs are lower. The rate starts at 18¢, close to EIA’s 2026 U.S. average.
The differences that matter
Preheat and timer
Bedsure’s preheat runs the throw on its highest level for 2 hours, then drops to level 4 for 6 hours, so it is warm when you sit down without staying on full heat. Its timer has six options from 1 to 10 hours, with 8 hours by default. Westinghouse offers 2, 4, 8 or 10 hours. If you often nap under the throw, a 1 or 2-hour setting is the one you will use most.
Feel and weight
Both pair a flannel side with a sherpa side. Bedsure lists 220 GSM flannel and 200 GSM sherpa; the Westinghouse is a little heavier at about 3.7 pounds, and owners describe it as large enough to cover them from foot to shoulders.
Proof of quality
Bedsure says the throw passed 74 safety tests in an Intertek-recognized lab and earned a Good Housekeeping Seal after the magazine’s 2025 lab test. Westinghouse lists ETL and FCC certification and overheat protection. ETL (or UL) listing is the one thing to insist on with any electric blanket.
What owners report
Amazon’s review summaries say owners of the Bedsure love its softness and warmth; size, heat distribution and durability are mixed, with some finding the throw small for a bed and a few saying it stopped working early. For the Westinghouse, owners like the even heat, the size and the simple controls; durability is mixed here too, with some units failing after a few months. Controller and wiring failures are the most common problem with every heated blanket brand, which is why we cover them in heated mattress pad problems.
The two throws in detail
Bedsure Heated Blanket Throw (50 × 60 in)
Amazon’s best-selling electric blanket, with six heat levels, a preheat mode and six timer settings. At 100 watts it costs a couple of cents an hour, and when it is switched off it is simply a soft flannel-and-sherpa throw. Comes in several colors and larger sizes.
- 6 heat levels, preheat mode
- Auto-off after 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours
- 100 W; ETL and FCC certified
- Flannel and sherpa, machine washable
Good: preheat mode, flexible timer, huge sales track record.
Watch out: some reports of uneven heat and early failures.
Skip it if: you want a heavier throw in more patterns: try the Westinghouse.
Westinghouse Heated Throw (50 × 60 in)
A well-reviewed throw from a familiar name, with six heat levels, auto-off after 2, 4, 8 or 10 hours and overheat protection. The controller unplugs so the blanket can go in the washing machine. A little heavier than the Bedsure, with plenty of colors and patterns.
- 6 heat levels
- Auto-off after 2, 4, 8 or 10 hours
- Overheat protection; ETL and FCC certified
- Flannel to sherpa, about 3.7 lb, machine washable
Good: even heat for most owners, generous size, easy controls.
Watch out: no preheat or 1-hour timer; some early failures.
Skip it if: you want a preheat mode or a 1-hour nap timer: get the Bedsure.
Which one should you buy?
- Bedsure if you want the preheat mode and the most timer choices, or simply the best seller.
- Westinghouse if you prefer a heavier throw or one of its patterns, or it is cheaper on the day you buy.
- For the bed rather than the sofa, a heated mattress pad heats you from below for about the same cost: see heated blanket vs space heater.
Safety and care
Treat it like any electrical appliance. Use the auto-off timer, do not use a throw that is wet, torn or has exposed wires, keep it flat rather than tightly folded or tucked while on, and do not use it for infants, anyone who cannot operate the controls, or anyone with reduced feeling in their skin. Unplug the controller before washing, follow the label, and let it dry fully before plugging it back in.
FAQ
Is Bedsure or Westinghouse better?
They are very close. Bedsure adds a preheat mode and a 1-hour timer option and is the bigger seller; Westinghouse is slightly heavier and comes in more patterns. Both have six heat levels and auto-off.
How much does a heated throw cost to run?
About 2¢ an hour at 18 cents per kWh for a 100-watt throw, or about $2.16 for four hours every evening for a month.
Is a heated throw cheaper than a space heater?
Yes, by a wide margin: about 100 watts versus 1,500 watts on high, so roughly 2¢ versus 27¢ an hour.
Can you wash a heated throw?
Both of these are machine washable once you unplug the controller. Follow the care label, use a gentle cycle and let the throw dry completely before you plug it in again.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Six simple steps to save energy and money this winter
- U.S. EIA: Short-Term Energy Outlook, electricity prices
- U.S. EIA: Average residential electricity price by state
Email me at hello@thelowbillhome.com. I read every message, and when a rate, a rule or a product changes, I update the guide. — Eugene
Affiliate Disclosure: The Low Bill Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product details and availability change, so check the listing before you buy.
