Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket

Soft and fast-heating personal-sized heated blanket

In cold weather or other times of year, it can sometimes seem as if it'll never be warm enough. Even in fair weather, a person may feel cold if they're ill or have certain health conditions. In circumstances such as these, methods of heating a room such as space heaters may not provide an appealing solution in terms of comfort or energy economy. 

A heated electric blanket such as the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket is a simple and effective way to feel warm and comfortable with minimal effort and power use.

Testing the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket 

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim made by a brand or manufacturer about a product. For this article, the Testing Lab tested the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket on how quickly it heats, how safe it is to operate, its texture and feel and how easy it is to clean.

What is the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket?

The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket is a heated electric blanket that generates heat when plugged into a power outlet. It has six heating levels ranging from 95 to 118 degrees in five-degree increments. It measures 50 inches wide by 60 inches long and comes in several color and pattern styles. It weighs 4 pounds. The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket features two different fabric textures, with a 220GM microfiber flannel outer surface and a 220GM sherpa-lined interior for softness and warmth, even without the heat on. Its flexible heating elements are wrapped in resin, temperature sensors, plastic and PVC for added safety and insulation.

The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket has a detachable power cord with a simple three-button control and display. With the cord removed, the blanket is machine-washable. The blanket is flame-retardant and features overheating protection.

See how the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best electric blankets.

Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket price and where to buy

The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket costs $59.99 for the 50 x 60-inch throw size. It's available on Amazon.

How to use the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket

The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket is uncomplicated to use. Unfold the blanket. Plug the power cord into a convenient power outlet. Power on the blanket with the on/off switch on the controller. The blanket should begin heating immediately. Change the heating level with the + and - buttons on the controller to the desired number on the digital display. A timer shuts off power to the blanket after 4 hours. Avoid operating the blanket when it is folded or bunched up to prevent overheating. 

To clean the blanket, detach the power cord and run it in a standard washer. Line-drying or tumble drying on low is recommended.

Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket benefits

Soft and comfortable

Even without the heating elements powered on, the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket felt comfortable and warm during testing. The combination of microfiber flannel and tufted sherpa is sewn well and offers a cozy, snuggly feeling with or without heating. While the heating wires are palpable to the touch, they don’t weigh perceptibly on the body during use.

Fast and even heating

The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket heats up quickly. It only took a minute to grow hot and achieve maximum heat during testing. The blanket is designed to remember the most recently used setting within 15 minutes. The blanket heated evenly without spots of excessive heat or cold.

Simple controls

The on-cord control module is simple and intuitive to use. The controller has only three buttons: an on/off switch and + and - buttons to increase or decrease the heating level from the lowest level to a maximum level of 6. A large, bright, digital display showing the current heat level is integrated into the controller.

Easy to wash

In the past, electric blankets were not considered easy to clean, as water and agitation would damage their electrical components. However, the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket is machine-washable and may be safely washed without harm.

Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket drawbacks

Difficulty removing cord

The cord of the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket is removable and detachable for laundering. However, detaching the cord from the blanket proved somewhat difficult during testing. Two tabs need to be pressed firmly and simultaneously to disengage the cord from the blanket.

Can’t change timer

The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket has a timer that powers down the heating function after 4 hours. While this is a useful safety feature, there was no way during testing to change the duration of the timer to a lesser or greater amount.

Small size

Westinghouse electric blankets with the same or similar specifications are available in several sizes, including twin, full, queen and king. However, the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket is 50 by 60 inches and was designed for use as a throw, so it's not large enough to fully cover a bed.

Should you get the Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket?

The Westinghouse Electric Heated Throw Blanket is a comfortable, convenient and cozy solution to cold temperatures, body chills or cool weather. Quick to heat and soft on the body, it’s an enjoyable and energy-efficient way to increase personal comfort without heating an entire room or area. With only minor drawbacks and efficient, effective performance, it's a worthwhile choice among heated electric blankets.