Last year during the Black Friday sale, I made a single purchase that turned out to be the best buy of the year for me. This item has kept me warm and cozy every day since I got it, saving me a significant amount of money in the process. And no, it's not a cat. I wouldn't recommend buying one unless you enjoy being woken up by claws at 4 am – in that case, you can have mine. The item I purchased is a plug-in Dreamland heated throw that I bought at a discounted price. Surprisingly, the price is just as low now as it was during Black Friday. While the RRP is £94.99, you can get it directly from Dreamland for £59.99. Alternatively, it's available on Amazon, although the current price there is £69.99. I opted for the mustard velvet with a chevron pattern variant, but there are various materials and designs to choose from on different online retailers. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can go for a plain velvet in black or pink, which is priced at £39.99 from Currys. Additionally, Dreamland's Amazon store offers a wide selection, including faux fur and even a Stranger Things-branded blanket. Wondering why it's worth the investment? Let me break it down for you. Firstly, the blanket operates at 150W, costing me a maximum of 4p per hour on my current energy tariff. Even on a low setting, it keeps you warm in a chilly room, resulting in lower actual energy consumption. In fact, I was able to request a refund from my energy supplier in January as my winter energy usage was significantly lower than their initial estimate. Emma Rowley / Foundry The blanket features \"Intelliheat,\" a technology that adjusts to your temperature needs. While the specifics of how it works are unclear, I can attest to its consistent performance without overheating, even during extended use. With six heat settings, I rarely need to surpass level three even on the coldest days. Additionally, the built-in timer (one, three, or nine hours) ensures you never leave it on unintentionally when stepping out. You can even set it for an hour for your pet when heading to bed. The control pad is user-friendly, with buttons for temperature and timer settings, along with a simple power switch. The controller, cable, and plug can be detached from the blanket for easy washing. As per the manufacturer, it's safe for tumble drying, although I haven't personally tested this. Emma Rowley / Foundry Dreamland's heated blankets undergo Kema-Keur safety testing, ensuring they comply with European safety standards for low-voltage electrical products. Additionally, they come with a two-year warranty. If you're looking for more ways to stay warm until spring, don't miss our comprehensive guide to the best portable and plug-in heaters we've tried and tested.
