Is your electric blanket safe? This may not be the case, according to which?

British Consumer Protection Organization Which? found dangerous electric blankets for sale by third-party sellers on online marketplaces such as AliExpress, Amazon, eBay and Wish.

Electric blankets are an energy efficient way to stay warm. But in a bid to save even more money, people may be tempted to splurge on extremely cheap electric blankets and throws. But a new warning says these products are not only shoddy, they can be dangerous.

“Electric blankets have grown in popularity as people look to save money during the cost of living crisis, but our latest research shows that buying these products at low prices from online marketplaces can put your safety at risk,” said Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy. which?

In November and December 2022, Which one? tested 11 cheap electric blankets, heated throws and shawls priced between £13 and £21 and found eight of them were poorly made and some potentially dangerous. Only two of the low-cost products passed all the tests Which one? trials.

Three of the blankets posed a risk of electric shock, one had wires that could easily be removed and others were poorly made, with no safety markings, clear English instructions or safety warnings.

Additionally, two of the products weren’t likely to keep you warm at all, with only 5% of their surface area actually heated.

Although the poor quality covers identified by Which? have been removed from sale (meaning we cannot link them) If you purchased any of the following products from AliExpress, you should stop using them immediately and request a refund from the seller:

• Heated Heated Blanket (£13)
• 220v electric blanket body warmer (£21)
• 22V [sic] Electric Heated Sheet (£18)

With no very generic brands and names, it can be hard to know for sure if you have an affected model, but if you’ve purchased something similar recently, check it out and be on the safe side.

If you’re considering buying an electric blanket, we recommend reading our electric blanket buying guide, which has links to safe, yet still budget-friendly products we’ve tested and reviewed.

In the meantime, here are some quick tips for shopping safely:

• Choose a reputable seller (don’t just consider the website itself)
• Check product reviews before you buy (and watch out for fake reviews)
• Avoid generic unbranded products
• Don’t try to save more by buying something that is suspiciously cheap
• Look for a CE or UKCA mark. The product must also contain safety information and washing instructions
• If you are buying from the UK, please ensure the product has a standard three pin plug, not an adaptor.
• Check for loose threads and fraying before use

For safe shopping options, take a look at our reviews of the Glamhaus heated throw, Cosi Home heated blanket and Silentnight Comfort Control heated blanket.