The best electric blankets

If you want an affordable way to stay warm this winter without cranking the thermostat, the Sunbeam Microplush Electric Throw Blanket gets the job done.

The Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw is made of 100%, extra soft, plush polyester. The throw measures 50 by 60 inches and is machine washable and dryer safe. Like our top pick, this Sunbeam blanket features the ThermoFine warming system which adjusts the temperature to provide consistent warmth.

There are only three heat settings (Low, Med, High) on this blanket, and the auto-off feature turns off after three hours, which does not make it ideal for staying warm through the night.

Consumer Search awarded the Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw the title of "Best Heated Throw Blanket" because it heats quickly, has a three-hour automatic shut-off, features soft material, and is a convenient size. Check What's Best loved the affordable price of this throw blanket and its three heat settings. Your Best Digs also ranked this throw highly because of its easy-to-use controller and excellent performance.

For the most part, Amazon buyers like the plush, soft fabric and the fact that the blanket heats up evenly and quickly. We did not find complaints about cold spots or dead zones. However, there have been a few reports of the controller overheating and melting. In the instances we found, the overheating happened at around the one-month mark of ownership. Be aware of this issue and contact Sunbeam if you experience overheating.

Pros: Heats up quickly and evenly, soft

Cons: Potential overheating hazard, only comes in one size

The Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Heated Blanket comes in twin, full, queen, and king sizes so you can stay warm no matter what size bed you have.

What sets the Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa blanket apart from the competition is the amount of control you have. First of all, it comes in twin through king sizes (but not California king). There are also nine colors to choose from, including cream, sage, brick, and denim.

The king- and queen-sized blankets come with two controllers, which allow for two different heat settings. There are ten heat settings to pick from, too, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs. The auto shut-off lasts for ten hours, which should get you through the night.

The blanket itself has a 100% polyester MicroPlush top and Sherpa bottom. The Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa is machine washable and comes with a five-year warranty in case of problems.

The Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Blanket was included in Warm Electric's look at the best heated covers. The reviewer was impressed with the multiple heat settings and how the blanket would stay at the temperature you select. Top Electric Blankets performed a thorough review of this model and liked that the larger models come with multiple controllers, it heats up quickly, has a wide range of settings, and is energy efficient. However, they found the controllers are not durable and the blanket may be too thick for temperate climates.

Around 53% of reviewers on Amazon gave it five stars. Buyers commented that they like that the temperature range goes from slightly warm to roasting. They found the fabric soft. One user commented that their blanket arrived with a defect, and the seller fixed the issue immediately. The biggest complaint was that the auto shut-off was too short, though it is one of the longest on our list at 10 hours. One workaround is to turn the blanket off and then on again right before you drift off to sleep.

Pros: Wide temperature range, illuminated digital display, five-year warranty

Cons: Controller has some durability issues

If you like to cuddle up on your recliner or couch and take in a movie, the Sunbeam Reversible Heated Throw will keep you comfy.

Sunbeam has created its own softness rating scale that goes from Soft to Extra Soft to Ultra Soft and maxes out at Premium Soft. The Reversible Sherpa/Mink Heated Throw has the highest rating, Premium Soft. The top is made of faux mink, and the bottom is Sherpa. The entire product is washing machine and dryer safe.

Sunbeam makes a big deal about the "EliteStyle II Controller," but it isn't necessarily more impressive than any of the other controllers out there. It has three settings (Low, Medium, and High) and features a three-hour shut-off, which means it is better for staying warm on the couch rather than providing heat all through the night. As with the other Sunbeam blankets on this list, the Sherpa/Mink Throw uses the heat-sensing and auto-adjusting ThermoFine warming system.

The Sherpa/Mink Heated Throw is second to the Sunbeam Microplush on Consumer Search's list of the best heated throw blankets. Your Best Digs calls this blanket the best heated throw because of the unparalleled softness found on both sides of the blanket. One of the negatives is that it only has three temperature settings.

More than 1100 reviewers on Amazon gave the Reversible Sherpa/Mink Heated Throw a positive review. Buyers are impressed with how soft the materials are and that the blanket has some heft to it.

There are a few complaints, though. One user didn't like that the Sherpa side started to get nappy over time. They also found the blanket did not give off enough heat. Another buy had trouble getting the power to connect correctly. Fortunately, there is a five-year warranty that covers you if your blanket is defective.

Pros: Features ThermoFine warming, extremely soft, five-year warranty

Cons: Questionable durability, only comes in one size

If you want a low-voltage blanket that doesn't get too hot, the Soft Heat Micro-Fleece Low-Voltage Electric Blanket by Perfect Fit is your best bet.

The Soft Heat Luxury Micro-Fleece blanket is made of 100% polyester with ultra-soft micro-fleece fabric that is safe for the washer and dryer without stretching, shrinking, or pilling. Most blankets are marketed as energy-saving because you can turn your thermostat down, but this blanket offers further savings by operating on less than 25 volts. The thin wires are spaced around five inches apart for even heating.

The blanket comes in natural, beige, chocolate, grey, and slate blue. Each color is available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. For the queen and king sizes, there are dual controls for individual comfort. The controllers also feature an auto shut-off after ten hours of use. All of the styles come with a limited five-year warranty.

Consumer Search rated the Soft Heat Luxury Micro-Fleece Blanket highly because of the easy-to-use control, thin interior wires, preheat function, and low-voltage heating. However, this model lost points because the reviewers found the connector doesn't last and it's slow to heat up.

Around 1,800 of the reviewers of the Soft Heat Micro-Fleece Blanket on Amazon gave it five stars. Users like that the heat is subtle. This blanket is not burning hot. Buyers were also impressed with how responsive the brand's customer service is. There were a few complaints from a few years ago about the wiring overheating and starting to burn. It appears that the manufacturer has addressed this problem because there are no recent complaints about this happening.

Pros: Low-voltage, simple controls, no dead spots

Cons: History of electrical issues, slow to heat up

The best comforters

Comforters keep you extra warm and cozy at night and they can also add a fun splash of color or pattern to your bedroom. These are the best comforters you can buy:

• Best comforter overall: Topsleepy Luxurious All Size Goose Down Comforter
• Best from new bedding brand: Brooklinen Real Goose Down Comforter
• Best colorful comforter: The Company Store LaCrosse Down Comforter
• Best affordable comforter: LinenSpa All-Season Down Alternative Quilted Comforter
• Best luxury comforter: Highland Feather Carmel Hutterite Goose Down Comforter
• Best hypoallergenic alternative down comforter: Superior Solid White Down Alternative Comforter
• Best goose down comforter: Puredown Real Goose Down Comforter
• Best 1,200 thread count comforter: Egyptian Bedding 1200 Thread Count Goose Down Comforter

The best mattress toppers

Although a mattress topper isn't a must-have for your bed, it's one of the easiest ways to up your sleep quality and comfort. We researched dozens of mattress toppers and determined that these are our favorites:

• Best overall: DreamFoam Bedding Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• Best featherbed: Super Snooze Baffled Featherbed Set
• Best wool: Overstock's Lambswool Mattress Pad
• Best luxury: Sleep Innovations Dual Layer Mattress Topper Set