Heated Blanket vs. Space Heater Cost
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The idea is simple: heat the person, not the room. A space heater warms air that leaks out through windows and gaps. A heated blanket puts heat right where you are. Here's how to compare the cost yourself, using your devices' labels and official electricity prices.
The comparison method
- Find the watts on each device's label or in its manual. Heated blankets and throws list their wattage, often by setting.
- Multiply watts by hours and divide by 1,000 to get kWh.
- Multiply by your electricity price.
Our calculator does this for you, with EIA state prices built in.
A worked example
Use your own blanket's wattage. We're using a placeholder number here because wattage varies by model:
| Space heater | Heated throw (example only) | |
|---|---|---|
| Watts (from label) | 1,500 W on high | Check the label (we use 100 W for illustration) |
| kWh for 4 hours | 6.0 kWh | 0.4 kWh |
| Cost at 18.31ยข/kWh (EIA U.S. avg., July 2026) | about $1.10 | about $0.07 |
The heated throw figure is illustrative. Read your blanket's actual watts and recalculate. Even if a blanket is rated at several times that, it's typically still far below a 1,500 W heater.
When a heated blanket makes sense
- You're sitting still: reading, watching TV, or working at a desk.
- You're the only person who's cold.
- You want to keep the thermostat lower.
- You need warmth during a long evening.
Heated throws with auto shut-off → Amazon · Heated mattress pads → Amazon
When a space heater makes sense
- Several people share the room.
- You're moving around, cooking, or exercising.
- You need to take the chill off a cold room quickly.
Follow the CPSC's rules: three feet of clearance, plug directly into a wall outlet, and turn it off when you sleep. See the buying guide.
Combine them
A common low-cost approach: warm the room briefly with a heater, then switch to a heated throw for the evening. Use the calculator to compare an hour of heater plus three hours of blanket against four hours of heater.
Heated blanket safety basics
These are general product-safety points. Always follow your blanket's manual:
- Read the manual for washing, use, and storage instructions.
- Use the auto shut-off if it has one.
- Don't fold, bunch, or tuck it in ways the manual warns against, and don't pile heavy items on it while it's on.
- Inspect it for worn spots, scorch marks, or damaged cords before each season. Stop using a damaged blanket.
- Don't use it for anyone who can't operate the controls or feel heat properly, such as an infant, unless the manufacturer specifically allows it.
- Check for recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls (the CPSC recommends checking for recalled products).
Other low-watt warmth
- Heated mattress pad to pre-warm the bed. Check its watts too.
- Microwavable heat packs (follow the instructions).
- Layering: warm socks, a hat, and a fleece. Zero watts.
- Seal drafts around your favorite chair. See cheap draft fixes.
Gift idea: see heated throws as gifts.
FAQ
Is a heated blanket cheaper than a space heater?
Usually, because heated blankets and throws are typically rated at far fewer watts than a 1,500 W space heater. Check the wattage on the label and compare with our calculator.
Can I sleep with a heated blanket on?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Many have auto shut-off timers. Don't use a heated blanket on anyone who can't operate the controls or feel heat properly, and check the manual.
Related guides
- Space Heater Cost Per Hour Calculator
- Heated Throws as Gifts: How to Choose a Good One
- Space Heater Buying Guide: Safety Features, Sizing, and Cost