Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I wanted to know if anyone had advice on electric blankets. It seems like every time I buy one they say 1 or 2 year warranty, but after a couple weeks it seems like they are not hot like when your first use them. Just wondering if anyone knows why.

Thanks.
Sherry from Portland, ME

Answers:

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I have a SunBeam electric blanket that was bought in October and it is still working. My mom actually just bought one for both of my sisters and my niece.
We bought them at Wal-Mart, but I am sure they have them other places too. (12/31/2005)

By Ashley

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I've had no trouble with Sunbeam either. However, There is a brand out there that has a 10yr warranty I believe, I don't remember the name though, sorry.

http://www.frugalforlife.com
(12/31/2005)

By Dawn

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I discovered something years ago that I like even better than an electric blanket. It is an electric mattress pad! Mine have lasted over 10 years of continuous winter use. Use one and I'll bet you'll never go back to an electric blanket! They are somewhat expensive, but I have found them on clearance between Christmas and Easter.

When they last as long as mine have they are well worth the price even paying full price. My job (21+ years) kept me mostly outdoors year round. In the winter it took hours for my body to "thaw" especially from the waist down. My
cozy warm bed, heated by my mattress pad, was sheer delight each night! (12/31/2005)

By Grandma Margie

Sunbeam doesn't work

We bought Sunbeam last year 2005. Failed to work when we brought it out for winter 2006. Replaced it and bought 3 more for the kids at Christmas. All 4 not working after 2 months!

Searching this problem on the web, found everyone is having same problems. I just emailed Sunbeam, but clearly replacing the blankets is only going to result in more non-working blankets.
Do not buy Sunbeam. I can't imagine how they're getting away with this! (03/10/2007)

By Mark

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I would not recommend Sunbeam. I bought a Sunbeam about 2 years ago from Target and I had to return it to the manufacturer about 2 months later because it was shedding a lot and I had to vacuum almost everyday. Sunbeam sent me another one and I am still having the shedding problem. However, it still gets hot just like it did when I bought it 2 yrs ago. Just a problem with shedding. I just keep vacuuming. (05/24/2007)

By Onesummer

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I think that polar fleece blankets are warmer than electric ones plus don't cost money to run. They reflect back your body heat.

Susan at ThriftyFun (09/27/2007)

By ThriftyFun

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I was told at one store that Sunbeam is the only company still making electric blankets/throws. I checked one store and on every brand, I found Sunbeam's name. If that's the case, I guess I'll buy a hot water bottle. Their products just aren't reliable anymore. (11/25/2007)

By Kathy

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I bought a Sunbeam blanket and it broke after about a year, but I returned it to the company. Just call the number located on any box currently in the store and the automated phone message says things like "press one if the blanket won't heat" and "press two if the light blinks" (mine did both). A few weeks later it was returned working perfectly, no fees! It appears the manufacturer knows about the problem and is willing to take care of it! (01/21/2008)

By M

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

After the same rotten luck as everyone else with Sunbeam blankets, and unresponsive customer service, my research led to a Sealy Diamond at JC Penney's. It has a super jacquard knit, undetectable wires, great weight, no lumps, wash and dry in machine, and silent controls. I love it! The $200 king size is on sale for $120. (10/29/2008)

By Cliff D.

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

For those of you not in the know, heat rises, and that is why you should put a light blanket or your bedspread or comforter over your electric blanket when you first turn it on. This will keep the heat down and warm your bed up very nicely. Once you crawl in, your body heat can basically take over, so you can then shed the extra coverings. I, too, have a Sunbeam from the late 50's/early 60's, that still works like a charm.

The newer ones are not made as well and do not hold up as in days of yore (no surprise there), but I just keep sending them back to Sunbeam (keep your receipt!) and get new replacements. Some things you just have to learn to deal with as aggravating as that may be. Good luck out there, folks. I'm getting lots of good info from this forum and appreciate all of your input.
(11/09/2008)

By Mary

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

Another possible manufacturer to try is Biddeford. I have an electric blanket made by them; half of the blanket stopped working after 3 years (it's one of those digitals) and started flashing 6/E. I called the company and they were extremely polite and helpful. I am to send the blanket in for a replacement.

We want to buy additional blankets for other beds and I am going to try the Biddeford Delightful Nights electric blanket. I am trying to buy only analog controllers this time in hopes that this will provide more longevity. (11/11/2008)

By Kris

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I second Grandma Margie's mattress warmer/electric mattress pad idea. Our king sized warmer is still working after 10 years. I bought it at Target, but have also seen them at Walmart. Turn it on when you go into your bedroom to get undressed, and in about 5 minutes, the bed is toasty. I turn mine off, but you can leave it on all night. Ours has dual controls, and I find that 2 on a scale of 10 works well for me. (11/11/2008)

By Jean

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

We have a queen-size Biddeford electric blanket on our guest bed now. It works quite well and supplies plenty of fast heat to preheat the bed. I just hope that it lasts for several years, unlike the Sunbeam blankets. As far as Sunbeam is concerned, they can keep their products, all of them. After $800 worth of useless "fluff", I'll not do business with them again.
(11/17/2008)

By Joe Cyr

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

My wife and I just purchased a Queen size Biddeford from Meijers (they're less expensive on Amazon). I read all the comments before checking the brand name and I was assuming it was a Sunbeam since, well, Sunbeam seems to be bad. The blanket doesn't get nearly as warm as I had expected, but every time I crawl under it I can only laugh with pleasure.

Someone asked about how safe blankets from the 1950s are and I'm surprised nobody responded. Here's a start:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-electric-blankets.htm.
Blankets manufactured today are definitely safer than those from the 50s. They may not be as warm, but seriously, an electric blanket is nothing more than a human toaster. The "burnt toast" setting alone has its share of issues aside from the technological differences we have today. Please throw them away and suffer with the safer blanket (if you are concerned about your life and the lives of anyone else living in the building the blanket is used in, at least).

As far as company liability is concerned, I would expect today's manufacturers to be more concerned with safety than warranty issues. Sunbeam probably chose wisely when deciding to repair blankets instead of paying for lawsuits. The Pinto didn't destroy Ford, but they did think it would be better to simply pay for the lawsuits, bad ideas in my opinion.

Regardless of money, I'd rather see people complaining about "it's not warm enough, my butt was cold" instead of "it was not safe, my relative is dead."

If this "gas-discharge" device is indeed what fails on the Sunbeams, I do question why they haven't engineered a user-replaceable cartridge or something. Maybe they've been working on it. Don't want to release that before it is certified safe!
(11/22/2008)

By Tech

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I have a Raschel Queen Size electric blanket by West Point Home. The first failed because I plugged the controller into the wall before plugging it into the blanket. But the second blanket has now worked for two years and still gets really hot. My kids have Sunbeams blankets that are a year old and no longer work. Spend the extra money and get a West Point Home. (11/30/2008)

By Warren

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I have used many different brands, and all were inferior to Sealy. It gets very warm and has lasted for 3 years and counting. (12/28/2008)

By Melissa

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

Well, we have a Biddeford and we have the same problem, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend them above Sunbeam. This is our second winter and it's barely warm, even after a few hours on high. I would also appreciate feedback on a blanket that doesn't go cold! (11/03/2009)

By Kris

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

Sunbeam and Biddeford are both terrible! I have to have an electric blanket in the winter because I have pet chinchillas and they are most comfortable at around 68 degrees. I had a Sunbeam and that lasted 6 months before it stopped working. Then I bought a Biddeford. That one lasted longer at almost 2 years, but it finally kicked the bucket last night. I am sick of having to look for a blanket that does what it is supposed to for a reasonable amount of time. I can see replacing one every 8 or 10 years, but every year or so is not what I would call reasonable. (03/01/2010)

By KenW

Finding a Good Electric Blanket

I have been researching electric blankets for over a week. I have found 2 websites that have been helpful. They are:

http://electricblanketinstitute.com

and
http://www.sleeplikethedead.com

However, I am still looking to find a brand that can be both washed and dried and will still work. I have found precious few reviews regarding the durability after laundering. Does anyone have any experience with brands that still perform well after being washed? Thanks. (12/03/2010)

By mOo