Best Heated Mattress Pad

When the winter season arrives and the glass begins to fog on chilly mornings and nights it’s hard to escape the cold. How can we get some respite from old Jack Frost? Well we could just pile on the layers and hoard as many comforters and blankets as possible. But layering is tiresome, and storing multiple blankets and comforters is inconvenient and annoying (who has time for folding anymore?). A great way to stay warm is to get yourself a heated mattress pad. This will give you two benefits: 1. Provide warmth, and 2. Give you extra cushioning. It will also protect your mattress from wear and tear, prolonging the life of your mattress.

What are heated mattress pads? You might ask. Well they are electric heating appliances (not the kitchen type) that are placed directly on top of your mattress, with the sole purpose of keeping you warm at night. If you live in a place that gets very cold during winter you may be familiar with this type of bedding, and if you haven’t it should soon become a staple of your winter bedding. Heated mattress pads come in various sizes (twin, full, queen, and king), they are made of various materials, and come with a variety of features which will be discussed in more depth if you continue reading below.

The majority of people buy heated mattress pads for one of three reasons:

Now that we’ve covered what heated mattress pads are, and why people decide to get them, we will point out some important features to consider when looking for the right heated mattress pad for you. Here are a couple basics before we jump in: A heated mattress pad should cover the entire top of your mattress, they produce heat through resistive wires heated by a heating element. These wires are weaved into the mattress pad. Most mattress pads will operate using AC power, and some work on DC power. Things such as thermostats (temperature control) and heating timers are very common on heated mattress pads. Here is a comprehensive list of key features to considering when selecting a heated mattress pad:

Heated mattress pads will be made using different materials to provide warmth, comfort, and functionality. 

Heating element

The heating element on a heated mattress pad will be embedded in the pad and will heat the pad to the temperature levels controlled by the control unit. You ideally want thinner wires, as there is less likelihood that you feel them. Having evenly spaced wires will ensure for optimal heat distribution across the mattress pad. So keep an eye out for small wires and evenly spaced wires. Most wires in heated mattress pads will be electrical, however there are some products that have small tubes that heat utilizing hydropower (e.g. chiliPAD™ Sleep System).

Controller

The controller is how you set the temperature of your heated mattress. If you want a mattress pad with two heating zones you should look for products with this capability and two controllers. Controllers are generally connected to the mattress pad using a wire/cord, if you do not like this then there are some heated mattress pads that have wireless remote controllers.

Cover/Pad

The actual pad (soft material) can be of a few different types of materials. Here is a list of the most common materials used:

• Cotton: which is known for being a soft and absorbent material, this is great for moisture wicking. If you have a tendency to get sweaty at night then cotton is great as it will absorb water and dry out quickly. 

• Polyester: tends to be less absorbent than cotton, but it has more stretch to it, and is more fairly breathable. Microfiber is a type of polyester, which is composed of smaller strands, which makes the mattress pad feel more plush (softer).

• Blends: there are many heated mattress pads that use blends of polyester and cotton to get some of the benefits that both of these materials have.

Skirt

The skirt is the part of the mattress pad that goes around the sides/corners of the bed to hold it in place (similar to your fitted sheet). Skirts will be made out of polyester due to its ability to stretch, making it compatible with most beds.

The size and fit of your mattress pad is an important consideration when buying a heated mattress pad. You need to know the dimensions or size of your bed, and consider the depth (height) of it as well. You want your heated mattress pad to fit nice and snug with your bed, so it does not bunch up and cause overheating (potential safety risk).

It is much more preferable to get the size suited to your bed, instead of a standard size heated pad. If you get the correct size it should fit great on your mattress, and will stay still under you as you toss and turn throughout the night.

With anything electronic, you want to have reliable and durable circuitry. Most often you can tell if a manufacturer stands behind its product if they have a good warranty period. Try and aim for products with at least a 1 year warranty if possible. 

We touched on material earlier, but it is advised to consider the thread count of the pad, as you will be laying on it for countless hours (the more threads the better typically). The higher thread count along with the quality of the pad, can make it easier to fold, lay down, and handle the mattress pad. Which is handy when it comes to storing it or cleaning it.

The awesome thing about quality heated mattress pads is that they often allow for personalization and adjustability. Look for mattress pads that have the following qualities:

• Heat settings: look for heated mattress pads with heat settings range from 1-10. There are others with more basic settings, however try not to limit your comfort control. Some options also allow you to control the heat with temperature in degrees.
• Dual heating zones: If you’ll be sharing your heating pad with someone else, it’s highly likely you’ll have different heat preferences. An easy fix for this is getting a heated pad with dual heating zones, controlled by dual controllers. This is a common feature of Queen and King sized pads, it is rare in twin and full size beds. 
• Heating and Cooling options: in some seasons it may get very hot where you live, and some seasons very cold. Some pads offer cooling features as well! So if you live in a place with extreme temperature changes (I’m looking at you Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado) then consider a heating and cooling mattress pad.
• Preheating: lots of pads have a preheat function, so you don’t have to get into a cold bed. So if you think that it would be nice to have a mattress pad that heats your bed and then holds it at your ideal temperature make sure it has this feature.
• Timer and auto shut-off: having these features will allow you to set turn on and turn off times for your convenience and comfort. It will also allow you to customize when you would like the auto-shut off to kick in (e.g. 5 hours). These features are practical as you don’t want to wake up from being too hot, and these features also have safety in mind.

Why would you buy something just to have it frustrate you? You ideally wouldn’t. We want this guide to help you purchase a heated mattress pad that will be user friendly. When you’re half asleep and reach to turn down the temperature, the controls of your heated mattress pad should be easy to use, and respond immediately. Therefore two considerations for controls should be taken into account:

1. Digital controls: which will make it easy for you to control settings, making sure you have it on the ideal temperature/level.
2. Instructions: should be simple, you shouldn’t need a masters degree to understand the instruction booklet. Look for a pad with a simple controller, and easy to use buttons.

Heated mattress pads should be considered as an electronic device first, and bedding second when it comes to safety. Your body will be in close contact with the mattress pad for long periods of time, so it is important to familiarize with manufacturer safety guidelines. You want the power cord to be located in a non-invasive part of the mattress pad, so you don’t accidentally knock it. In addition auto-shut off and timer features are always recommended as they provide that extra level of protection of the pad has been left on, or gets too warm. You should continually inspect your heated mattress pad to make sure no wires become exposed, and there are no dark spots forming (burns). 

By and large, heated mattress pads are extremely safe to use, if manufacturer instructions are followed. There are some people that need to use caution when using a heated mattress, especially pregnant women. Pregnant women do not want to have their body temperature raised too high, however heated mattress pads are unlikely to raise the body temperature to a heat that could cause any adverse health effects, however take this into consideration and be cautious. Pregnant women’s body temperatures should not exceed 102°F (38.9°C) for more than 10 minutes, the elevated heat can cause problems with the fetus. If you are using a heated mattress pad when pregnant, it’s advised to remove the mattress pad at around 36 weeks, just in case your water breaks when you are in bed. 

People with circulatory systems or other health issues should consult with their doctor before making a heated mattress purchase.

To ensure your are buying a quality heated mattress with adequate safety features look for products that have the following:

• UL Certification: UL is a world leader in product safety testing and certification. They use stringent standards targeted at the manufacture and design of consumer products, including heated mattress pads. UL 964 is the code for heated bedding. If the product is UL certified, it shows that it has passed their strict safety testing standards.
• Auto shut-off (covered above)
• Overheating protection (covered above)

You want bedding that’s easy to wash, it’s plain and simple. So choose a mattress pad that is machine washable. If you have more patience than me, you can opt for a pad that requires spot-cleaning. Make sure you follow manufacturer cleaning instructions to avoid damaging your heated mattress pad.

With anything, you want to have the option to return in if you aren’t satisfied (especially if buying online), or be covered if your purchase is faulty or gets damaged. 

Some heated mattress pads are sold with a “sleep trial return window”, which lets you try out the mattress pad at home, and if you’re not satisfied, you can return if for a full refund. If you are hesitant to buy a heated mattress pad this is a great option. 

Always pay attention to the length of the warranty, and the details of it as well. Typical warranties range from 1 to 5 years. Because heated mattress pad electrical components can be more susceptible to damage than a regular mattress pad, it is a good idea to have a decent warranty.

If you aren’t sure about getting a heated mattress pad, there is an alternative in heated blankets. There are benefits to both heated mattress pads and heated blankets. 

Heated blankets (link to heated blankets page) are meant for use on top of your body, in contrast to the mattress pad which is underneath you, and emits heat upwards. Mainly it will come down to personal preference (budget, use, decor) of what heated item to get. Here we will briefly compare heated mattress pads and heated blankets:

If you are considering a heated blanket, check out our comprehensive guide on heated blankets.

Heated mattress pads are a great way to keep warm in the winter months, they are an affordable product, and safe for consumers thanks to strict testing guidelines. If used appropriately it should last you season after season. It will save you money as well, by reducing your reliance on heaters in the winter months.