Blanket, per hour2.6p
Blanket, 8 hrs on low11p
2 kW heater, per hour53p
Your region
Live Direct Debit rates for UK average since 1 October 2026.
The short answer
Electric blankets use very little power: typically under 200 watts on the highest setting, and much less on low. At today's electricity price of 26.32p per kWh:
| Setting | Typical power | Per hour | Per night (8 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| High (warming up) | about 150 W | 3.9p | 32p |
| Medium | about 100 W | 2.6p | 21p |
| Low (all night) | about 50 W | 1.3p | 11p |
Power varies by model, so check the label. Most people warm the bed on high for 30 minutes, then switch to low or off, which costs just a few pence.
Compared with heating
- Electric heater in the bedroom: a 2 kW heater costs about 53p an hour, roughly 20 times more than a blanket on medium.
- Gas central heating: a typical home uses about £2.07 of gas a day on average, and much more on cold days.
Heating you, rather than the room, is the cheapest way to stay warm in bed. You could turn the heating off earlier in the evening, or lower the thermostat overnight.
Staying safe
- Check it for scorch marks, frayed wires or loose connections before each winter. Replace it if you see any.
- Don't use one more than 10 years old.
- Don't fold it or use it with a hot water bottle, unless the instructions say it's designed for all-night use.
- Some local fire services run free safety checks. It's worth asking yours.
More on heaters: what an electric heater costs and heater vs central heating.
Sources: National Energy Action, Octopus Energy tariff data.