The 10 Best Heated Mattress Pads
Special Honors
The Pod by Eight Sleep If you snooze both too hot and too cold, The Pod by Eight Sleep has got your back — and your sides, front, and everywhere else. You can control its temperature range, from 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, with your smartphone, so you'll always wake up rested, no matter the season. eightsleep.com
Ooler Sleep System The Ooler Sleep System is more expensive than typical heated pads, but it offers plenty of functionality to ensure that it's far from typical. Offering both cooling and heating, it comes in a "Me" version for singles and a dual-zone "We" version for couples, both of which are controllable via smartphone. chilitechnology.com
Editor's Notes
October 13, 2020:
For those who can't sleep when it's cold, the Sunbeam All Season Quilted still comes out on top, especially since it combines the convenience of a preheating feature with a soft cotton pad. In fact, Sunbeam, also known for producing heating pads, makes several models that can keep you toasty all winter long, including the Sunbeam SleekSet and the Sunbeam Therapeutic. The Therapeutic isn't the best for couples, however, because even the large sizes have only one controller — and sharing it can be frustrating.
If the budget is a concern, the Giantex Easy Set makes a good alternative to the aforementioned, although its cord really could be just a touch longer. There's also the Biddeford Blankets Polyester, which we added instead of the Biddeford Sherpa. Although choices from Biddeford are relatively popular, they aren't necessarily the most durable. Their simple polyester model is one of the least expensive choices out there, however, so it's one to consider for casual use.
Finally, we kept the AquaBed Warmer as an alternative for those who do not want to sleep on a typical, wired model. You can fill it with any drinkable water, although the maker recommends using bottled water. Fortunately, though, no matter where you get the water to fill it with, it's not that hard to set up.
October 31, 2019:
While many experts agree that there's no substantial danger caused by electromagnetic radiation from a heated mattress pad, we've added a couple of bed warming alternatives at this time, for those who worry about such things. These include the Iris USA BLW-C2, which blows heated air, and the AquaBed Warmer, reliant on heated water. But, overall, we still think it's hard to top a classic mattress pad when it comes to value for the price, especially since modern quality standards equal a safe sleeping experience.
For most, the Sunbeam All Season Quilted remains a go-to. In fact, we've kept it as the model to beat thanks to two zones with dual controllers and a soft feel. The Sunbeam SleekSet and MaxKare Underblanket are fine alternatives for those with a tighter budget, while the Electrowarmth M60 is a good choice for those with a non-standard bed size. Pair any of these with a top-notch set of organic sheets and you'll be bound for some quality rest. Just be sure never to place a heated mattress warmer on a waterbed, or to use one with an electric blanket, which could cause overheating.
The Benefits Of A Heated Mattress Pad
It’s far more efficient to sleep on a heated mattress pad during the winter than to heat the whole house.
Heated mattress pads don’t only keep you warm during the winter, they also offer several health benefits. Most people already know that putting a nice heating pad on any area of their body that’s sore can greatly reduce pain. People with chronic muscle pain can think of a heated mattress pad as a giant heating pad. Since they put their entire body weight on the pad, the heat can effectively penetrate sore muscles. Lying on a heated mattress pad also requires no effort from the user, unlike a heating pad, which may force the user to manually hold it in place or apply pressure.
People who suffer from fibromyalgia have reported a drastic decrease in the severity of their symptoms after sleeping on a heated mattress pad. Their warmth can relax muscle tissues, and reduce the occurrence of painful spasms that people with fibromyalgia experience.
Heat can also increase blood flow throughout the body, and circulation is very important for several reasons. One surprising reason is to manage one’s ability to handle stress. In addition, heated mattress pads can help you save money in the long run on climate control in your home. It’s far more efficient to sleep on a heated mattress pad during the winter than to heat the whole house.
Additional Features To Consider
Ideally, you’ll keep your heated mattress pad for years to come, but you may not always have the same bed, and you may want to bring the pad with you when you travel. To accommodate different sizes of beds or extra thick mattress, get a pad with an expandable skirt. For extra comfort, look for one with micro plush fabric that feels extremely soft on your skin.
On the topic of things cohabitating couples argue about, laundry is a major one.
If your regular mattress has an ultra slick surface, get a heated mattress pad with a non-slip bottom so you don’t slide around at night. Many people worry about sleeping on anything electric. If this is a concern of yours, you can buy a pad with safe, low-voltage technology since these eliminate your chances of electric shock. For added safety, some heated mattress pads automatically shut off after ten hours of use, so you can’t accidentally leave one on for days at a time. Since the weather doesn’t hold the same temperature all year round, you probably won’t want your mattress pad to either. Many have several personalized heat settings, so you can adjust them to your comfort.
It's also important to know why you have certain sleeping habits and how to change them if needed. If you have a partner, there is research that shows that adjusting to common sleeping habit may lead to a happier relationship in the long term. If you sleep with another person and have completely different sleep requirements and habits, you may be able to use a combination of an adjustable bed and a mattress pad with dual controls to make you both happy. This way you can both tailor the angle and temperature of your side of the bed, without disturbing the other person. On the topic of things cohabitating couples argue about, laundry is a major one. Make it easier on yourself and your partner by getting a heated mattress pad that can go in the washing machine for simple cleaning.
How To Design Your Room For Better Sleep
If you know firsthand about the consequences of sleep deprivation, then you are probably constantly looking for ways to get a better night’s rest. The answer could be in how you decorate your room. First, to get the most out of your heated mattress pad, you need the right base mattress. You might wake up constantly because your partner's movement makes the entire mattress bounce, which disrupts your sleep. A memory foam mattress can eliminate any bouncing, so when your partner moves, you don’t even feel it.
For most, that is somewhere between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Darkness is key to a good night’s rest, too. But in an age where shelves are covered with the blinking lights of gaming systems and routers, it can be hard to make your room entirely dark. Consider housing entertainment systems inside of armoires, so you can close the cabinet doors at night and block out any lights. One reason people feel restless at night is because they don’t get enough sunlight during the day, throwing off their internal clock. Adding a light therapy lamp to your desk or nightstand can help reset your clock.
Temperature plays a big part in your comfort at night, too. In fact, sleep experts have found that there is even an ideal temperature for sleep. For most, that is somewhere between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature in the room varies just a few degrees, it can activate systems in your body that want to counteract the temperature change. These systems can keep you awake. Adding a heated mattress pad or small portable heater to your room can help you achieve the perfect sleeping temperature, especially on cold winter nights.