Which is the Softest Electric Blanket? Award Winner
Choosing the softest heated blanket is a difficult task because outer fabrics are
forever changing and the manufacturers bring in models and take out models each year. Each manufacturer produces some models that are soft and two of the three major manufacturers produce some models that are rough and scratchy.
Nevertheless there are several things you should consider when searching for the softest or most comfortable warming blanket. There are essentially two varieties of outer fabrics on today’s electric blankets:
- Knitted Microfleece and Plush Polyester are the current softest and best all around outer fabrics and generally will be found in the better stores.
- The old Acrylic, Acrylic-Cotton, Polyester-Acrylic Woven products are still available, especially in the mass discount outlets. They will be scratchy to the touch and will pill and shed. Some of the worst ones will shed and shrink even after multiple washings.
SOFTNESS RATINGS BY MANUFACTURER:
Sunbeam also produces the Slumber Rest, Therapedic and Imperial brands of electric blankets. They make many models of both kinds of fabrics so you will need to determine whether the one you are looking to buy is the kind for you. See the description on the package or read it on the store’s website. If the website is unclear, choose another web store. Generally their more costly units are the softest and will shed/pill the least. Another problem to be aware of with all Sunbeam warming products is that their heater wires are the largest and the stiffest in the industry which will reduce their comfort considerably even with their best fabrics.
Biddeford Blankets also makes the Cannon, Sealy and Delightful Nights brands of heated blankets. They also sell models in both kinds of outer fabrics so you will need to determine which model is the right one for you by reading the details on the website or on the package. As with Sunbeam generally their more costly units are the softest and will shed or pill little or not at all. Their heater wires are smaller in size and more flexible than Sunbeam’s so that adds to their comfort and softness.
Perfect Fit makes the SoftHeat Low Voltage, the Select Comfort and the Chattam & Wells brands also. All of their heated blankets are premium ones which are soft and which will not pill or shed or shrink after laundering. Additionally Soft Heat’s heater wires are far smaller and more flexible than all others which further adds to their softness and comfort.
Basically you get what you pay for.
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