Electric Blanket vs Space Heater, which of these is the better one?

Which one is better; an electric blanket or a space heater? This debate has been going on for too long, and we are here to settle it. Even if you have central heating on, you will need one of these items a few times throughout the year.

But which one of these two is a better choice? This guide will explore it and see which one you should consider.

How Do Electric blankets and Space heaters Work?

Electric Blankets

Electric blankets are heated blankets (also check 8 amazing rechargeable heated blankets), and they look like their conventional counterparts at first sight. But if you have a detailed look, you will see that these blankets come with wires that heat up.

You will find a cord that you can plug in and alter the temperature with the control dial. You can keep your personal space warm if you tend to feel cold, and this can be easily achieved with an electric blanket, even if the room temperature is lower.

As they have wires, these blankets can keep you warm for longer, and you will have a remote control to alter the temperature according to your requirements or preferences.

Space Heaters

Portable heaters are pretty successful in warming up the concentrated area of a particular room. It means that you don’t have to heat the entire house. Just palace one of these devices when you are looking for extra warmth and enjoy the heat without spending too much.

These heating units are available in different sizes and types but are more expensive than those electric blankets. But these units are suitable for the entire household, not just for an individual or a couple.

Electric Blankets vs. Space Heaters – What is Better?

First of all, do you need any of them at all or not? You will be able to save a lot of money by just building up some extra layers to keep yourself warm.

Consider checking your home’s weather insulation and stripping to ensure that your home is not leaking any heat.

But there are times when you need that extra layer on, like going a warm blanket to snuggle on a cold night will give you an unmatchable feeling.

But a space heater is not that far to provide you with that feeling. Plus, it can keep the entire room warm and cozy for you.

So, it’s up to you to decide whether to have one or both in your home to stay warm.

Wattage – Electric Blanket is a Winner

Electric blankets

Traditional blankets use around 200 watts to 400 watts, based on where you live. That will cost you around 25 to 50 cents per night if you live it the entire time you sleep. This is something that you should be doing due to safety hazards.

Space heaters

The wattage of space heaters tends to vary from 750 watts to 1500 watts. This is approximately two to four times the overall wattage of a heated blanket. It means there can be a wide range of your spending bracket and what type of space heater you use in your home.

Winner

The winner of this round will be electric blankets because they consume less wattage and, therefore, are cheaper to run as carried to space heaters. But if you want more coverage, you should consider using space heaters.

Safety – Tie

Electric blankets

You must evaluate a few matters when looking at the safety aspect of these electric blankets. So, you need to check what a blanket is equipped with to deal with fire hazards.

Your blanket must be in good condition and should not expose frayed wires. Moreover, you need to consider your safety, and you might not notice your blanket is heating up.

Therefore, you have to be very careful with that. The last thing you must consider here is that you essentially cover your entire body with electricity.

There is conflicting evidence about this particular aspect, and no concrete evidence talks about any cancer development with this blanket. A wide range of other electric appliances is more hazardous than these electric blankets.

Space heaters

If you do your research, you will see a few stats that might creep you out about using these space heaters. But this household item has been a part of home fatalities and fires almost 80 percent. This is because, in most cases, people have left them turned on and unattended and gone to sleep.

But more upgraded and newer models are equipped with auto shut-off features. These newer models can turn themselves off if they stay on for a certain time.

You must keep anything flammable at least three feet away. These things can be your drapes, curtains, bedding, furniture, clothing, etc.

Winner

We would say it’s a tie here again because space heaters tend to be pretty dangerous even if they come with automatic shut-off features, and having such a feature doesn’t mean you can freely leave your heater unattended.

The same health issue is also associated with electric blankets, as you must wrap yourself in a cocoon of electromagnetic wires. It means you become exposed more and more to health-related issues from electromagnetism. There’s very little evidence to support this, but there is some evidence.

Cost – Electric Blanket is a Winner

Electric blankets

These blankets don’t cost much, and it’s just a nominal price that you will have to pay when it comes to staying cozy and warm throughout the winter.

They are significantly less costly than space heaters, central heating systems, and gas fireplaces. The price of these blankets tends to vary from one model to another, and they all come with different features and other brand qualities.

Space heaters

Space heaters are not expensive, but high-end units can be pretty expensive. But that is only a one-time payment, and you must consider electricity usage here.

Even an energy-efficient unit might come with a level that how much this unit will consume. However, you must remember that a modern unit will be a less expensive option than your central heating system or built-in wall heater.

Winner

Electric blankets have a clear advantage over space heaters because they are much cheaper than these heaters. However, there are different models of these space heaters that you can find on the market that are less expensive than electric blankets. These cheaper units would be smaller in size in most cases.

Construction – Tie

Electric blankets

The internal design is almost standard across the industry, with a few variations here and there. You will see wires within these blankets, which feature a heating element that can evenly disperse through the layers of the blanket’s fabric.

These words tend to heat up when you turn on the blanket. However, the outside material tends to vary, and it is made of different materials ranging from soft fleece or wool, acrylic, or some other fabric.

Space heaters

The overall construction of these space heaters tends to vary a bit across the industry. Some heaters are as small as a toaster, while others can be as big as a fridge.

High-end devices come with a wide range of temperature controls and different heat settings. But usually, more bells and whistles in the units are expensive ones.

Winner

We would say it’s another tie because these items serve different purposes. Electric blankets are designed for single people or couples. Space heaters are ideal for an entire room. They both are important in their regard.

Pros and Cons of an Electric Blanket

Pros

• Most of them are energy efficient.
• They provide you with uniform warmth.
• Some of these models come with automatic times and other features.
• You can focus entirely on yourself, cocooning yourself into your blanket and not making others feel hot.

Cons

• There are some concerns about electromagnetic fields, but very limited evidence supports this claim.
• Older models can be a safety risk as they are prone to fire and burning.
• You have to be very careful when using these blankets.
• Your pets can easily damage these blankets.

Pros and Cons of a Space Heater

Pros

• They are somewhat energy efficient.
• Multiple people can benefit from it at once.
• A good alternative to the central heating system.

Cons

• Fire hazard risk is higher.
• It’s more expensive to run.

Key Takeaways

How They Work

Electric Blankets: These resemble traditional blankets but come equipped with wires that heat up. Users have control over temperature settings, ensuring personal warmth even in colder room temperatures.

Space Heaters: These devices are adept at warming a concentrated area within a room, negating the need to heat the entire house. They come in various sizes, providing warmth to larger spaces compared to electric blankets.

Efficiency and Cost

Electric Blankets: Consuming between 200W to 400W, electric blankets are more energy-efficient, costing roughly 25 to 50 cents if left on throughout the night. Their purchase price is also relatively lower.

Space Heaters: Depending on the model, these heaters can consume between 750W to 1500W, making them potentially pricier in terms of energy costs.

Safety Concerns

Electric Blankets: Users must ensure that the blanket is in good condition, with no exposed or frayed wires. Older models can pose safety risks due to potential fire hazards.

Space Heaters: Newer models come with auto shut-off features to mitigate fire risks. Still, users must ensure that nothing flammable is placed near the heater and that the device is not left unattended.

Pros and Cons

• Electric Blanket Pros: Energy-efficient, uniform warmth, features like timers, personal warmth without affecting others.
• Electric Blanket Cons: Limited evidence suggesting potential health risks, older models can be a fire risk, potential damage by pets.
• Space Heater Pros: Beneficial for multiple people, a potential alternative to central heating systems.
• Space Heater Cons: Higher fire risk and comparatively more expensive to run.

Conclusion

Both these items are pretty good in their regards. Electric blankets are suitable for personal warmth, while space heaters are better for more coverage. Space heaters are more powerful, while electric blankets are more portable and convenient to store.