Is a heated blanket cheaper than a space heater?
Short answer: A heated blanket is far cheaper. A 150-watt blanket (the rating of one Australian Sunbeam model) running 8 hours uses 1.2 kWh, about 22 cents at the EIA's forecast 2026 U.S. average of about 18 cents per kWh. A 1,500-watt space heater on high uses 12 kWh in the same 8 hours, about $2.16. That is 10 times the power and 10 times the cost.
Heated blanket vs. space heater: cost per night
Both use the same formula:
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh
A typical plug-in space heater draws 1,500 watts on high. Heated blankets draw far less. The only wattage figure we could verify is from one Sunbeam queen fitted electric blanket (model BL5151, an Australian model listed by an Australian retailer), which lists 150 watts. It is not a U.S. product, and U.S. models vary, so check the wattage on your own blanket’s label and redo the math.
Here is an 8-hour night at full power, using 150 W for the blanket and 1,500 W for the heater:
| Electricity price | Blanket, per night | Space heater, per night | Blanket, 30 nights | Space heater, 30 nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12¢ per kWh | $0.14 | $1.44 | $4.32 | $43.20 |
| 15¢ per kWh | $0.18 | $1.80 | $5.40 | $54.00 |
| 18¢ per kWh | $0.22 | $2.16 | $6.48 | $64.80 |
| 25¢ per kWh | $0.30 | $3.00 | $9.00 | $90.00 |
| 30¢ per kWh | $0.36 | $3.60 | $10.80 | $108.00 |
The EIA expects the 2026 U.S. average residential price to be about 18.2 cents per kWh. Use the rate on your own bill for a real number.
Both columns are worst cases. A space heater with a thermostat cycles off once the room is warm. A blanket on a low setting also draws less than its rated wattage. Lower settings cut the cost of either.
What if my blanket uses more or less power?
Blankets and mattress pads differ by size and design. Here is the math at other wattages, for 8 hours at 18¢:
| Blanket wattage | kWh per night | Cost per night | Cost for 30 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 W | 0.4 | $0.07 | $2.16 |
| 100 W | 0.8 | $0.14 | $4.32 |
| 150 W | 1.2 | $0.22 | $6.48 |
| 200 W | 1.6 | $0.29 | $8.64 |
Even at 200 watts, a blanket uses less than one-seventh the power of a 1,500 W heater. To plug in your own numbers, use our appliance electricity cost calculator.
Why is a heated blanket so much cheaper?
It heats you, not the room. A space heater has to warm all the air in the room and replace heat lost through walls and windows. A blanket puts a small amount of heat right against your body, under insulation.
The trade-off is that the room stays cold. A blanket works for sleeping or sitting still. It does not help when you are moving around the house.
When a space heater still makes sense
- You need the whole room warm, for example while working at a desk or getting dressed.
- Several people share the room and not everyone is under a blanket.
- You are using it to zone-heat one room while turning the central thermostat down.
For the full space heater math, see how much it costs to run a space heater.
Electric blanket safety
The safety guidance we found comes from State Farm, which points to the CPSC recall database:
- Don’t tuck it tightly under the mattress.
- Don’t fold or bunch it while it is on. Folds can trap heat.
- Keep it flat and don’t put heavy or folded items on it while heating.
- Plug it straight into a wall outlet. No extension cords or power strips.
- Keep cords out from under the mattress, rugs and furniture.
- Use one heated bedding product at a time, unless both makers allow combining them.
- Stop using it if you see fraying, exposed wires, a cracked plug or a damaged controller. If you notice a burning smell, smoke, sparking or buzzing, unplug it right away.
- Check for recalls by searching the CPSC database for your brand and model.
- Look for certification from a nationally recognized testing laboratory on the label.
- Unless overnight use is clearly allowed, preheat the bed and turn the blanket off before you sleep.
State Farm lists young children among people who need extra precautions, and says heated bedding may not suit anyone who can’t reliably sense temperature changes. Many blankets include an auto-shutoff; the Australian Sunbeam model above offers a 75-minute or 12-hour timer.
Space heaters carry their own fire risks. Fire departments say to keep them 3 feet from bedding and to turn them off before sleeping.
Quick answers
Is it cheaper to use an electric blanket or a space heater? An electric blanket. At 150 W it uses about one-tenth the power of a 1,500 W heater, roughly 22 cents a night versus $2.16 at 18¢ per kWh.
How much does it cost to run a heated blanket all night? About 7 to 29 cents for 8 hours at 18¢ per kWh, depending on whether it draws 50 or 200 watts.
How much does a heated blanket add to a monthly bill? About $6.48 for a 150 W blanket used 8 hours a night for 30 nights at 18¢.
Is it safe to sleep with an electric blanket on? Only if the manufacturer clearly allows overnight use. Otherwise, warm the bed first and switch it off before sleeping.
Can I use a heated blanket during a power outage? Yes, on a portable power station, because it draws so little. A 150 W blanket uses about 1.2 kWh in 8 hours.