As Ofgem’s new price cap comes into effect today, energy bills are set to rise by nearly £150 for the average household. With this in mind, consumers are seeking cost-effective ways to stay warm this winter without resorting to turning on the heating.
Silentnight’s Heat Genie Self-Heating Giant Blanket is a perfect alternative to an electric blanket – after the initial £37.99 price tag, it costs nothing to run. Described as ‘comfortable and cosy’, the blanket features a heat-reflecting foil layer that bounces your body heat back onto you, providing an extra layer of warmth without the need for electricity.
Available from Amazon or Silentnight (though it is so popular it’s sold out), the plush fabric exterior and sherpa fleece interior means you won’t feel the foiled layer and as it’s super-sized, measuring 180cm x 240cm, it’s large enough for more than one person to snuggle into. Ideal for curling up with on the sofa, keeping warm in bed on cold nights, or draping over your lap if you work from home, the Silentnight blanket is fully machine washable, making it ideal for households with children or pets.
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The product is available in a versatile dark grey shade, which should complement most home decor schemes, whether draped over a sofa or laid on a bed. Customers have praised the blanket for its warmth and comfort, with one shopper commenting: “The blanket is good quality, instructions say wash before use and it looks good on my bed. It is comfortable warm to sleep in with nothing else on the bed, as the weather gets colder I may have to put additional sheets on but for now all is good.”
Another satisfied buyer remarked: “Brilliant. I find the plug in blankets too much and a bit heavy. This is huge, but light and so cosy. Keeps you warm but not overheated. I bought one for my mum as well as she was worried about leaving blankets plugged in and tripping over leads. She absolutely loves this blanket and finds it much more cosy and cuddly than the others I have bought for her in the past,” reports Devon Live.
While the three-layer construction is designed to retain heat effectively, it doesn’t offer the same temperature control as an electric blanket.
For comparison, a similarly sized Silentnight Electric Blanket retails at £41.99 on Amazon and features three adjustable heat settings via a sliding dial, plus it heats up faster than the non-electric version.
Alternatively, Silentnight’s Heat Genie Self-Heating Mattress Topper is available for £37.99 for a double size at Boots. Functioning similarly to the self-heating blanket, customers have praised it for its ability to ‘keep you warm as toast all night’ and its ease of fitting on the bed.
Another option could be donning a blanket hoodie – Oodie has slashed prices on several of their original styles by £20 in a quick sale ahead of the autumn cold. You can check out the collection here.