We tried Aldi's £30 electric blanket and it's a game-changer for your home (but it won't be around for long)
I love exploring the Aldi middle aisle for random bargains you never knew you needed (anyone for a blow-up paddle board?), but does it really deliver on those more essential everyday buys or is it a false economy?
When I spotted an electric blanket on sale for just £29.99 as part of the supermarket's February Specialbuys, I was intrigued. Could it genuinely compete with the most luxurious, premium designs on the market (many of which we've tested in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab?).
Well, spoiler, it's a bit of a game-changer. Here's my honest verdict.
Aldi's heated blanket at a glance
Heated Blanket
Set-up and ease-of-use
I couldn’t wait to get my new electric blanket out of the box. I’ve always wanted one – who doesn't want to be cosy on command – but other expenses have always taken precedence. Now I wish I’d invested sooner.
The blanket's super easy to set up – just plug it in and customise to your preference using the control pack. There are three buttons: an on/off switch, one that controls the temperature, and a clock that adjusts the timer.
Numbers appear on the display screen as you cycle through the settings. There are nine heat levels and nine timer durations, ranging from 20 minutes to 180 minutes (in 20 minute increments), to choose from. Once the clock has run down, the blanket shuts off automatically and starts to cool. (Not that I’ve ever really let it cool down. I’ve been swiftly turning it back on to enjoy another three hours of blissful warmth…)
If I’m being picky, I would have liked the cable to be slightly longer. At 2.5 metres, it’s just long enough to reach from the plug socket to my sofa. An extended cable would allow a bit more wiggle room.
Design
Despite being made of a soft micro fleece, this blanket wasn't as velvety-soft as some of the more premium designs I've run my hands over. But, it's smooth and cosy enough, especially given the bargain price tag.
And it's hard to fault the blanket's overall quality. I didn't spot any loose stitching, the cable seemed well-made, and I loved the poppers around the edge that let you transform it into a foot warmer (just when I thought I couldn’t be more obsessed!).
Safety
With its auto-shut off functionality, I felt very safe snuggling up under this blanket. If I ever fell asleep while watching Netflix (which happened a lot), I knew it would turn itself off after the set time. It’s also marked with the CE label to indicate it meets European Union safety, health and environmental protection standards.
Cleaning
I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I’m a little messy, so I was relieved to see the blanket can be popped in the washing machine when you inevitably drop your movie night snacks down it.
The instructions on the care label are in German – not ideal – but it's easy to follow the standard symbols, which recommend washing at 30°C on a gentle cycle but not to bleach, iron or tumble dry.
The final word
I'm an electric blanket convert – these cosy, cost-efficient gadgets are a brilliant way of staying warm over winter.
Sure, Aldi’s version isn’t the most premium design out there, but it’s fleecy, versatile and, most importantly, reliably warm. Since using it, I haven't felt the need to turn up the heating, keeping me warm and toasty while I save – a win, win.
For £30, you can’t really go wrong. The only con? It's a Specialbuy, so when it's gone, it's gone.
Can't get hold of Aldi's Specialbuy? Try these GHI Approved electric blankets instead
We're currently testing Aldi's blanket in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab and will update this article once the results are in, but if you can’t find it in-store, we recommend checking out our experts' top-rated electric blankets instead, all available to shop now.
Komfort Heated Mattress Cover
Score: 92/100
This blanket took just five minutes to heat up and has built-in foot warmth for tackling chilly toes. For snug bedtimes, it's a great choice.
Cosy Up Silky Soft Faux Fur Warming Electric Blanket
Score: 91/100
With a safety shut-off time of up to nine hours, you can stay snug all night long with this Dreamland throw. It boasts Intelliheat tech that adjusts to body and room temperature to keep you cosy.
Cosy HD75 Heating Blanket
Score: 89/100
This cosy blanket drapes beautifully and had one of the best scores for even temperature distribution on test. It’s sure to keep you toasty when temperatures drop.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
Megan Geall, the Good Housekeeping Institute's homes writer, has written hundreds of product review and loves hunting down the bargains that are actually worth buying. She tested Aldi’s heated blanket for a week at home to give her unbiased review.
Our GHI Approved blankets have been rigorously tested in our lab, based on strict protocols developed over 100 years of testing. Our team of experts analyse, pull apart and push every product to its limit to ensure it delivers on its claims.
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