Electric blanket vs mattress pad heat

sdnapier · #1 12/09/14, 07:10 PM

I just read that it is cheaper to use an electric mattress pad cover than an electric blanket. I have the blanket not the mattress pad and now I am wondering if I am throwing money out the window.

Anyone know the truth about this sort of thing?

Belfrybat · #2 12/09/14, 07:16 PM

Heat rises, so it makes sense that a mattress pad would be economical. You could probably get the same effect by using a blanket on top of the electric blanket if it is one that can be covered. I understand some can't.

I don't use either. I prefer a flannel bottom sheet and a nice thick goose down comforter (duvet).

Buffy in Dallas · #3 12/09/14, 07:48 PM

I have an electric blanket that I put another blanket on top of on really cold nights. Works great. I don't think I would want to sleep on top of an elect. mattress pad. I've tried sleeping on top of the elect. blanket and the wires were uncomfortable. Like sleeping on lumps. Hmm... makes me think of that "princess and the pea" story.

Danaus29 · #4 12/09/14, 07:52 PM

I checked into electric mattress pad heaters once. Decided I couldn't sleep on the wires. Yeah, I'm the princess that could feel a pea under 40 mattresses. Wool socks, fleece pajamas, thick blankets and flannel sheets. Heating pads could be used just to warm the bed then unplugged and laid off to the side.

Poolboy44826 · #5 12/09/14, 07:54 PM

Go with a heated mattress pad. Doesn't have wires like electric blanket but is more expensive and I don't think gets as hot but is warmer. I know that doesn't make all the sense in the world but that how I can describe it. I suggest one with dual zones if you don't sleep alone.

BlackFeather · #6 12/09/14, 08:02 PM

We have the pad, as heat rises it seemed better to me. We have had blankets in the past but I prefer the pad. We only use it when quite cold. It is nice to get into a warm bed on a cold night.

northergardener · #7 12/09/14, 08:07 PM

I've had both, and I don't like the mattress pad because I only feel warmth where my skin is in contact with the pad. With the blanket I feel warm all over.

Tana Mc · #8 12/09/14, 08:31 PM

I love my mattress pad! My sore joints rest better with this warmth. I never used a blanket.

Paumon · #9 12/09/14, 08:39 PM

I've tried both and I prefer the blanket. On the mattress pad I can feel the wires, and as northergardener mentioned, I could only feel the warmth where I was in contact with the pad, so the whole bed wasn't warming up and the upper part of my body was not getting warmed. Where as with the blanket the whole bed including the mattress under it gets nice and cozy and you can lightly tuck the blanket around you in places if you wish. I do put a light weight throw or a flannel sheet over top of my electric blanket and that little bit of extra weight on it makes the whole bed feel so much cozier and warmer even when the heat setting is on very low. I didn't notice any difference in the electrical costs between the mattress pad and the blanket, if there was a difference it was negligible. I only noticed a difference in my personal comfort and lack of pain - and my physical comfort and how well I get a good night's sleep is more important to me than saving a few pennies.

MO_cows · #10 12/09/14, 10:07 PM

We had a waterbed for years, got spoiled on sleeping on warm water. The heated mattress pad was similar, plus it was in "zones" so the feet were warmer and no heat wires under your head. I thought it was very comfortable and more effective than an electric blanket.

cfuhrer · #11 12/09/14, 10:32 PM

We have an electric blanket that we use as a pad. It's great.
We sleep under separate blankets so the electric blanket doesn't work for us. We had it under a padded mattress cover so we didn't feel the wires.

mvick · #12 12/10/14, 05:20 AM

I have both. I am soooo cold natured.
Like the blanket best, but in extra cold weather I put the pad on the bed, turn both on. Like an "Oreo": )

bergere · #13 12/10/14, 05:21 AM

I have a heated blanket, with a blanket and bed spread over that. Its perfect....

ginny63 · #14 12/10/14, 06:07 AM

This year we got a heated mattress pad. I love it. I turn it on about an hour before we go to bed. Bedroom is cold. I swear that I don't have the aches and pains I had before. Good for arthritis. Can't feel the wires.

7thswan · #15 12/10/14, 07:09 AM

Elec. blankets give me horrible nightmares,

elec. mattress pads do not. something to think about.

7thswan · #16 12/10/14, 07:11 AM

One is not supposed to sleep on an elec blanket, check it out. Things might have changed.

littlebitfarm · #17 12/10/14, 08:24 AM

I have had both. I now use the heated mattress pad. The real reason? Because it is harder for the pets to get to the wires and damage them. Also as a pad, it stays clean and doesn't need washing as often as the blanket did so it lasts longer.

I crank it up about an hour before bed and then turn it down. Love slipping into a warm bed!

parrotman · #18 12/10/14, 08:34 AM

Heavy flannel sheets, electric blanket, down comforter...I look forward to bed. Can't say I see an appreciable increase in electric usage.

susieneddy · #19 12/10/14, 08:42 AM

We have a heated mattress pad that has dual controls. Susie will turn hers on and I leave mine off. We have never felt the wires at all.
Yes they can be expensive but we got lucky and found one at Aldi a few yrs ago for 29.99. Knock on wood it is still working

punchiepal · #20 12/10/14, 09:03 PM

Had an electric blanket for years and loved it! It died, finally, a few years ago. Found a mattress pad on an "end of the season" sale. Put it away for the next year. Last that winter and 1/2 the next. Stopped heating as well and the day I swore I smelled something hot it came off. Next time will be a blanket.

btw - our mattress pad said not washable.