Recommend me a quality electric blanket

[levdrakon]

I've had two in recent years. One was a supposedly fancy Sunbeam jobber which "senses" your body heat and adjusts accordingly. It lasted about six months and "decided" I must not need heat at all.

The second one I got wasn't quite so fancy, and only lasted about a year before the contacts melted and the controls started making scary popping noises. Not sleeping under that.

So, does anyone on the Dope have, or have knowledge of an electric blanket which will actually work for a few years, reliably? I'm tired of throwing my money away on disposable electric blankets.

[Lionne]

I currently have a Sunbeam jobber that I picked up about 4 years ago. I use it every winter with no problems. It was about $50.

I only wash it twice a year because it's in between a sheet and a comforter, and therefore doesn't come in contact with my skin. Maybe that's what caused your second one to short out?

[Lionne]

Here it is, only a full-size.

[Duke of Rat]

I think that Sunbeam is the same one I have. Did it come in a heavy, clear, zip-top plastic bag? Mine is 2 years old, always used between sheet and other blankets, and barely keeps me warm now at "H", used to roast me out on about 4.

So I'm also interested in the other replies. I sleep a lot better with cold room/warm bed and have really enjoyed the electric blanket (I bought a twin size to watch TV under, same brand as the one on my bed, haven't used it so far this year).

[levdrakon]

Originally Posted by Lionne

I currently have a Sunbeam jobber that I picked up about 4 years ago. I use it every winter with no problems. It was about $50.

I only wash it twice a year because it's in between a sheet and a comforter, and therefore doesn't come in contact with my skin. Maybe that's what caused your second one to short out?

I have a medium-weight down comforter/duvet, then the electric blanket, then a fleece over blanket, so no skin contact. Although, I sometimes wonder if my body is giving off EMPs at night or something.

Duke of Rat, sounds like it, but I have no idea how many models they have. I only washed it once, carefully following the instructions but it had started barely warming before that, until not warming at all.

[Lightnin']

I can't remember the model, but if you'd like, I'll look it up when I get home. Anyway, what I got wasn't an electric blanket, but an electric mattress pad. It's got two separate controllers (one for each side of the bed), a preheat mode, and an automatic shutoff. The thing pretty much rocks- I call it the best $140 I've ever spent.

[levdrakon]

Originally Posted by Lightnin'

I can't remember the model, but if you'd like, I'll look it up when I get home. Anyway, what I got wasn't an electric blanket, but an electric mattress pad. It's got two separate controllers (one for each side of the bed), a preheat mode, and an automatic shutoff. The thing pretty much rocks- I call it the best $140 I've ever spent.

Ouch, $140 is a bit more than I want. Plus, I don't really like the heat under me. I tried a thick feather bed for awhile but couldn't adjust to sleeping on top of it. I'll add that to my list of things to consider though. I do like the preheat & auto shutoff, but I think my Sunbeam had that.

[Atrael]

I'll second what Lightin' said. I bought an electric mattress cover instead of a blanket. We've had ours for about 4 or 5 years now, and it still works great. I like the two controls. I can turn mine just barely on to take the chill off the sheets, but my wife can crank it up to the sub-sahara temperature that she likes.

[romansperson]

Originally Posted by Atrael

I'll second what Lightin' said. I bought an electric mattress cover instead of a blanket. We've had ours for about 4 or 5 years now, and it still works great. I like the two controls. I can turn mine just barely on to take the chill off the sheets, but my wife can crank it up to the sub-sahara temperature that she likes.

I'll add another vote for the electric mattress cover. WAY better than a blanket - for one thing, it gives you a nice even, gentle heat. With a blanket, if it gets bunched up, you end up getting a hot spot where it's bunched, which I've never liked. I am sure that also helps to shorten the life of the blanket too.

The one I have can also be washed and it didn't cost anywhere near $140. I've had it for two years now.

This is the one I have - Sealy also makes a digital one for around the same price.

[Lionne]

Hmm...I like that particular cover. I'll have to remember this thread when mine gives out!