Hard enough getting up! (Winterwarm Heated Single Underblanket)

Member Name: sirg0508

Product:	Winterwarm Heated Single Underblanket
Date:	02/11/06 (791 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Overnight setting so never cold rolling over

Disadvantages: Wires a litle uncomfortable

Although the branding of this electric blanket / heated underblanket is ‘Winterwarm’, it is actually a Morphy Richards Ltd product at a cheaper price than buying an MR branded one. Available in sizes Single and Double it can also be bought in both washable and sponge clean only form but with around £10 difference in price. I received the “Winterwarm Heated Single Underblanket” which is just sponge clean only. It was only £14.99 from Argos but still has 3 heat settings, overheat protection system and can be left on overnight while sleeping at a comfortable temperature.

For a single I was still surprised at how small it was (122 x 61cm). Even more so on my bed as I’m using a smaller than single mattress but it still does its job. It was neatly folded in it’s little bag which is ideal for travelling and storage as it doesn’t take up much space but the wires inside did mean it had to be flattened a bit before use or the folds could be felt. There are tapes at the side to secure the blanket on the bed and after just laying the blanket on the first night, I did have to tie it as I found it did move to the side which could eventually put strain on the wire.

The control is quite large but easy to find in the dark and the wire is a good length to reach the plug without being stretched. On the control it has the 3 settings which are just numbered 1, 2 and 3 which also lights up in orange to be easily read in the dark. It isn’t so bright that could cause sleeping problems though. The ‘Off’ switch is given twice: before number 1 and after number 3 so there isn’t much fiddling about trying to find it or thinking it was off when it could have been on the highest setting.

Heat up time is very quick. It says in the instructions that it should be put on numbers 2 or 3 for 60 minutes before going to bed but even after 30 seconds the heat can be felt. It is a little uncomfortable keeping it on this highest setting though so I tend to reduce it to number 2 which warms me up and then change it to number 1 which is perfect as it is just like body temperature but unlike staying in the same spot and rolling over during the night and finding that section is freezing, still heats up a good sized area for uninterrupted sleep. This setting can also be use for airing the mattress.

The blanket has another advantage than just keeping me warm, I found my bed was much comfier with the blanket and although it’s not thick, the fleecy material does feel more luxurious than the mattress itself. Unfortunately it is possible to feel the wires quite easily with your hands but doesn’t cause any problems while sleeping as they are flexible and where there is the wire joining from the blanket to the control can safely be hidden under the (fitted) sheet and not caught while sleeping. I do find that wire quite thick though as it’s a double wire so have it close to the edge of the bed so less chance of rolling onto it. It says that there is extra foot warmth but I don’t really see that there is other than the blanket should be 4 – 6 inches from the bottom of the bed, although probably depends on sleeping position. On this point a hot water bottle cannot be used at the same time as the blanket. Because of that positioning it means it is below my pillow at the head of the bed and I can feel the top edge under the sheet but didn’t take long to get used to.

The instruction booklet is just 7 pages long but does give all the dos and don’ts. It also gives what looks like a complicated picture of tying the tapes so it doesn’t move. Other than that it’s just common sense and the cleaning instructions which are very limited as this one can’t be machine washed, dry cleaned, ironed or tumble dried. I’m quite happy it does have the overheat protection system although hoping it never will have to use that but usually I’m in the same room anyway if I put it on. The blanket is BEAB approved and comes with a 3 year guarantee. It shouldn’t be used with those who are helpless or insensitive to heat.

Overall I love it. Not as comfy as it could be as I can still feel the wires but very effectively heats up my bed. I’m not sure what position I’m meant to sleep in to benefit from the extra foot warmth other than with my soles of my feet on the bed but I always find the lowest setting is perfect throughout the night. While the heat up time of an hour seems like a long time to wait I’d say even 10 minutes would be effective enough at the highest setting to heat the bed and then the lower settings to keep it warmed. The fleecy material also makes my bed comfier even if it doesn’t cover all of it.

At £14.99 it’s £10 cheaper than the Morphy Richards and £18 cheaper than the Dreamland underblankets. At least I’ll be nice and warm this winter. Only trouble will be getting out of bed into a cold room.

Summary: Cheap but still well known manufacturer and keeps me warm!