The temperature has dropped, the evenings are darker, and I'm not alone in doing everything I can to avoid switching on the central heating. The best electric blankets promise to keep you warm for pennies – just what I need when Christmas is approaching, and household bills are already high enough.

Swapping my tumble dryer for a heated clothes airer has made a difference to our electricity bills, so I was interested to see whether an electric blanket could save me money too.

Read more: Best heated airers, tried and tested for drying laundry indoors

I work from home, and putting the heating on for just one person seems such a waste. There are two main types of electric blankets: underblankets sit on your mattress beneath the sheets, while heated throws are designed to wrap around you, making them useful for everything from working at your desk to watching TV.

Most have adjustable heat settings and timers, and because they warm you rather than the entire room, they generally cost much less to run than a portable heater.

With prices ranging from £19 to £150, I tested 10 heated blankets to find out which ones are genuinely worth the money.

I used each blanket for two weeks while working from home and in the evenings. Noting how warm it kept me without turning the central heating on, I also assessed how comfortable each design was and how quickly they warmed up. I considered any temperature settings and the spread of the heat. When it came to the design, I looked at how soft the fabrics felt, whether I could feel the heating wires and whether the blankets were large enough to tuck around my feet. Finally, I checked the washing instructions, whether the controllers were removable and how practical each blanket was to care for.

What we love: Super-soft fabric, thick and luxurious feel, heats up in five minutes, and is economical to run

Take note: More expensive than some alternatives, darker colourway won't suit every living room

Dreamland has really got the balance right between a luxurious throw and something that actually keeps you warm. The Café Collection all come in barista brew shades. I opted for chocolate mocha, which is beautifully thick and soft, with a deep colour that looks lovely on the sofa. It's the sort of blanket I'd happily use even without the heating switched on.

Taking just five minutes to fully warm up, it’s large enough to cocoon yourself in, and I didn't have to keep adjusting the temperature to stay comfortable. At £69.99, it's more of an investment than the Silentnight and Dreamcatcher throws, but it feels noticeably more substantial. Running costs are another bonus, with 0.15 kW working out to around 1p per hour, making this one of the more economical blankets to use to keep warm.

• Temperature settings: Six
• One, three or nine hours
• Energy consumption: 0.15 kW

What we like: Excellent price, wearable design, handy for working from home, and no need to stay near a plug socket

Take note: Only the middle section heats up; ankles can stay cold, and a power bank is needed separately

The OHS heated hoodie is a more practical alternative to a traditional electric blanket, allowing you to type, move between rooms, and make a cup of coffee with ease. And at just £19, this one is a no-brainer.

It's wonderfully oversized, reaching well below my knees, and I found myself wearing it around the house as well as at my desk. The sleeves left my hands free to work, while the separate power bank meant I wasn’t tied to a plug socket. Another bonus was that it heated up in just three minutes – a lot faster than traditional blankets.

The main drawback is that only the middle section heats up. My body stayed lovely and warm, but my ankles could still feel the cold, despite the extra-long design. You'll also need a power bank, which isn't included in the price. It's not going to replace a traditional heated throw for snuggling up on the sofa, but for working from home and getting things done around the house, I think it's a brilliant buy.

• 116cm long, 86cm chest, 65cm sleeves
• Polyester with sherpa lining
• Temperature settings: One
• Energy consumption: USB power bank of min 15W required
• Wipe clean with a damp cloth

What we like: Very economical to run, soft fleece, noticeable difference between heat levels, machine washable

Take note: The highest setting was too hot for me, and it's smaller than some alternatives

If softness is your priority, Silentnight’s heated throw features a fleece design that feels wonderfully gentle against the skin. I found myself snuggling into it even before switching the heating element on. I can see myself using it in summer like this, covering myself in a lightweight layer of softness to take the edge off the day.

There’s a real difference in temperature between the nine heat settings. The lowest was perfect for taking the chill off, while the top levels were actually a little too warm for me. If you're someone who really feels the cold, though, you might appreciate that extra heat. It’s also good for impatient people like me, as I timed that level four heated up in approximately four minutes.

At 160 x 120cm, it's a good size for one person, although the Beurer is 10cm wider and the Bedsure Bubble is much more generous at 180 x 200cm. It doesn’t have a timer, so it's more suited to sofa evenings than nights in bed.

• Temperature settings: 9
• Energy consumption: 0.1 kW

What we love: Thick and cuddly, recycled materials, six heat settings, and generous size

Take note: The highest heat setting can feel too hot, and it has a three-hour automatic shut-off

The Beurer HD 75 keeps you cosy without compromising on sustainability. It’s wonderfully thick and luxurious; the top is slightly furry, and the underside is a soft velour. Both sides are made from 100 per cent recycled fabric, while even the plastic temperature controller contains 50 per cent recycled material.

I particularly liked the automatic three-hour shut-off. It's reassuring to know the blanket will switch itself off without me having to remember to go back to it. Unlike some of the others I tested, though, you can't choose a shorter or longer timer. After five minutes, there was a decent amount of warmth, although the higher settings took a bit longer.

At 180cm long, there was plenty of fabric to tuck around my feet without leaving my shoulders cold. Some of the other blankets I tested were 160cm, and I hate having freezing toes, so those extra centimetres were very welcome.

• Temperature settings: 6
• Energy consumption: 0.1kW

What we like: Extra-large 180 x 200cm size, cloud-like bubble fabric, automatic heating programme, and fast heating

Take note: Takes up more space when folded, only available in white or cream

If you’re tall and want a blanket that reaches from shoulders to toes, you'll love the Bedsure Bubble. At a whopping 180 x 200cm, it's easily one of the biggest I tested, with enough fabric to tuck around my toes while keeping my shoulders covered. There's even room to share it in bed.

It’s perfect for overnight use as it starts at level six for two hours before dropping to level four for another six. I loved having plenty of heat initially without overheating midway through the night. For such a big blanket, it heated up within four minutes, reaching the higher temperatures in six and a half minutes.

The bubble texture is gorgeous, too. It's almost cloud-like, and I loved how soft and luxurious it felt without being too heavy or stuffy. For the price, I thought it was a real treat. The only downside to having such a huge blanket is that there's quite a lot of fabric to fold up and put away. I’d give it five stars if it were available in darker colours, as it’s not very practical in a home with four kids and two guinea pigs.

• Temperature settings: 6
• Energy consumption: 0.1 kW

What we like: Incredibly soft, heats in two minutes, nine heat settings, and generous width

Take note: 2.15m power cable isn’t the longest

The VonHaus heated throw comes in an uplifting, bright blush pink colour, reminding me of the summer while in the depths of winter. The fabric is incredibly soft, while the design heats up super fast. I could feel it working after exactly two minutes on the lowest setting, just as VonHaus claims. This was quicker than all the other blankets I tested

At 160 x 130cm, it's not the longest blanket I tested, but it is 10cm wider, so I could tuck it underneath me and recline on the sofa like a snug caterpillar. There are nine heat settings to choose from, so it's easy to increase the warmth, and I thought the controller was really simple to use, making it a great gift for elderly friends or relatives. For £36.99, it offers a lovely balance of comfort, warmth and practicality.

• Temperature settings: 9
• Energy consumption: 0.16 kW

Electric blanket for controlled heat

What we love: Beautifully soft, warms up quickly, heating wires barely noticeable, generous timer settings, and lots of colour choices

Take note: Heating doesn't extend to the edges

Bedsure’s blanket is surprisingly luxurious for just £37.99. The ribbed flannel is lovely and velvety, with a plush lining that gives it nice weight. It's also a generous 180cm length, so you get a lot of fabric for your money.

What makes this blanket particularly good is how much control you have over the temperature. There are six heat settings, each increasing the temperature by three degrees, so I could make small adjustments rather than going from slightly chilly to far too hot. I also loved the smart preheat function, which starts on high for two hours before dropping to a medium setting for another six. It was especially handy at night when I wanted to get warm quickly but didn't fancy waking up feeling roasted.

The only drawback is that the heating doesn't reach right to the edges, leaving a fairly wide cooler border. It also took around 10 minutes to feel warm during my testing, so I'd switch it on before getting comfortable rather than waiting underneath it.

• Temperature settings: 6
• Energy consumption: 0.12 kWh

What we like: Weighs just 1.4kg, soft fabric, nine heat settings, affordable, and machine washable

Take note: Thinner than luxury alternatives; 160 x 120cm feels small

After testing some really thick, heavy heated blankets, the Dreamcatcher was noticeably thin and lightweight at just 1.4kg. This design has its advantages, keeping you warm and cosy without feeling too weighed down or claustrophobic.

At just £21.67, I wasn't expecting the fabric to feel quite so soft, either. It took five minutes exactly to warm up, and with nine heat settings I found plenty of choice between gentle warmth and something toastier. The controller has a large screen with a bright LED, which I could easily read in the middle of the night. Its golden yellow design also makes it easy to spot where you’ve left it.

It's not as luxurious as the Lakeland or White Company throws, and the 160 x 120cm design felt a little small, but it’s great value for money.

• Temperature settings: 9
• Energy consumption: 0.12 kW

Electric blanket for thickness

What we like: Thick sherpa lining, traditional knitted design, comes in a gift box, and soft sherpa fleece lining

Take note: 120 x 160cm feels small and quite bulky to store

This thick, traditional knitted throw gives off a calming hygge vibe when draped over my sofa, and with four kids, I need as much calm in my life as I can get. Weighing 1.7kg, it’s very comforting and soothing to snuggle under, especially with its soft sherpa fleece lining.

It gets lovely and warm, too. During my heating test, I could feel the warmth coming through after six minutes, and with nine temperature settings, I had plenty of choice over how cosy I wanted to be. What really impressed me was that the controller was so well positioned in a corner that I barely noticed it when I was wrapped up watching TV.

A minor niggle is that at 160 x 120cm, it's smaller than some of the others I tested, and the thick fabric makes it a little bulky to store, but it's good value for money. It also comes with a gift box, and I don’t think the recipient would guess the price, as it looks more expensive than it actually is. For the thickness, I’m surprised it’s cheaper than the much thinner Silentnight heated throw.

• Temperature settings: 9
• Energy consumption: Not specified

Faux fur heated blanket

What we like: Cheap to run, comes with a storage bag and gift box, and a luxurious faux fur design

Take note: Expensive to buy, heavier than some fleece alternatives

The White Company blanket felt more like wrapping myself in an expensive faux fur coat than sitting under an electric throw. It's easily the softest of all the blankets I tested, and I felt like a princess curled up on the sofa. In fact, I fell asleep under it a couple of times, which is very unlike me. I can't decide whether it was the lovely weight or the gorgeous fabric, but I found it incredibly relaxing.

What surprised me was how economical it was. At just 85W, it had the lowest power rating of all the mains-powered blankets I tested, despite feeling like one of the most luxurious. It heated up in a time-efficient six minutes, while six heat settings and nine timer options mean you can adjust that warmth.

At £150, it's certainly an indulgence, but I think it would make a gorgeous Christmas present. It comes beautifully packaged in a gift box with a storage bag, so you don’t even need to wrap it.

• Temperature settings: 6
• Energy consumption: 0.085 kW