We Tested These Heated Mattress Pads, and They'll Keep You Toasty (2024)

Our Top Picks

Of all the options we tested, the Reaks Zoned Electric Heated Mattress Pad impressed us the most. With ten different heat settings and a soft feel, we found it to be the best option for many different types of sleepers.

Off the bat, we were immediately impressed with just how effective the product was at keeping us cozy: The lowest setting provided a pleasant and comfortable warmth, while the highest setting felt hot enough for even the coldest of sleepers. The mattress pad features an adjustable timer which you can program to shut off automatically from anywhere between one and 12 hours. Plus, the queen and king sizes offer dual controls, so if you and your partner sleep at different temperatures, you can regulate the amount of heat on each side accordingly. We found the controls to be extremely straightforward and easy to use.

During use, we couldn't feel any of the wires through the material—an impressive feat, considering the fact that it's pretty thin. Once secured on top of our test mattress, the pad stayed put and was virtually unnoticeable under the fitted sheet. You likely won’t have any issues having to constantly readjust the product. We also appreciated that the heat was evenly distributed throughout the mattress pad, with no evident cold spots.

We noticed during our lab testing that the care instructions weren’t the easiest to follow, and spot-cleaning any stains proved difficult as the material was fairly absorbent. (Fortunately, washing the mattress pad proved easy in our long-term testing—more on that below.) Generally, considering its reasonable price point and impressive performance, we can’t recommend the Reaks Zoned Electric Heated Mattress Pad enough.

How It Performed Long-Term

After testing this mattress pad in a home for six months, the Reaks Heated Mattress Pad continued to impress us. The heat settings worked as effectively as when the mattress pad first arrived, with no deterioration in quality. Sleeping on it night after night, we found it to be super comfortable and hardly noticeable. We really enjoyed the dual controllers that came with our test mattress pad, as it made it easy for two people to adjust the heat comfortably when sharing the bed. We had no issues cleaning the product, and it held up very well in the washing machine. Even after laundering it a few times, there were no changes in texture or functionality.

_{Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash | Heat Settings: 10 | Controller Type: Dual (king and queen) | Automatic Timer: Yes}

If you’re looking to save a few bucks, the Sunbeam Restful Quilted Heated Mattress Pad is a reliable choice that won’t break the bank. This feature-packed product offers a whopping 12 heat settings, so users can easily customize their preferences and pick from a wide range of temperature options. The dual controls also allow you to adjust the heat on either side of the bed. And while you can’t adjust the timing of the 12-hour automatic shutoff, you can rest easy knowing that you can sleep with the mattress pad on without worrying about it overheating. However, we did have some trouble figuring out the controls, so a bit of trial and error may be necessary to use the product with ease.

We appreciated the effective, evenly distributed heat this product provided. We could barely feel the wires and heating element when lying on the mattress pad. The only complaint we had was that the electrical cords attached to the product were thick and bulky, making them a bit difficult to place and handle. Additionally, the mattress pad can accommodate mattresses up to 18 inches thick, so we found that it slid around a bit more than some of the other options we tested.

One of our favorite aspects of this mattress pad is how easy it is to care for: You can put it right in the washer and dryer when it’s time to clean, and it fits in a standard home machine, preventing the time-consuming task of spot cleaning. Post-wash, we found that the mattress pad held up nicely with no evident stains or signs of wear.

How It Performed Long-Term

Overall, we’re beyond impressed with how well the Sunbeam Quilted Heated Mattress Pad held up over time. After six months, it was still exceptionally comfortable, easy to use, and reliably cozy. We’ve laundered it a few times now, and we didn't notice any changes in functionality or comfort. We also loved how easy it is to remove, fold, and store whenever it's not in use. The dual settings made it easy to share with a partner, and there are so many settings to choose from that we’re confident you’ll find the ideal temperature for you.

Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash | Heat Settings: 12 | Controller Type: Dual (king and queen) | Automatic Timer: Yes

When it comes to sharing a bed, dual controls are key—especially if you and your bedmate have different sleep preferences. After lab tests, our favorite pad with split controls was the Sunbeam Restful Quilted Water Resistant Heated Mattress Pad, which has 12 heat settings and a 12-hour automatic shutoff feature in addition to the dual controls.

Whether you prefer to keep your side of the bed toasty or want to skip the extra heat altogether, you’ll be thankful you opted for a heated mattress pad that allows you to control each side separately. Additionally, we appreciated the light-up screen on the digital control, which allows you to choose the perfect setting even when the lights are off.

In terms of comfort, this mattress pad performed well: The quilted material added to the overall plushness and coziness of the product, and it did not shift on the mattress once it was in place. However, the wires were more noticeable than other options, which might be a dealbreaker for sensitive sleepers.

Because the mattress pad is water-resistant, the product will repel most spills, eliminating the need for constant cleaning or tedious maintenance. In the lab, we poured apple juice on the surface of this mattress pad, and it never sunk into the material. When it comes time to clean the product, you can simply throw it in your home washer and dryer. Post-wash, the product held up nicely with no visible signs of wear.

How It Performed Long-Term

If you’re looking for a heated mattress pad that will keep both you and your partner comfortable throughout the night, the Sunbeam Water-Resistant Heated Mattress Pad is a must-have. It continued to perform effectively while we used it at home for six months, and we still think it’s a great option with plenty of heat settings.

We observed virtually no signs of damage or wear and tear. However, there were a few times when the mattress pad took slightly longer to warm up than usual. This was rare, and it would only require a few extra minutes, but it is still worth noting. We also noticed this mattress pad tends to bunch up in the areas where we slept. This may be because of its deep pockets, which can accommodate an 18-inch mattress. Just note you may have to secure the mattress pad underneath the corners if it’s too loose. All things considered, this has been a minor issue considering its overall performance and value.

Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash | Heat Settings: 12 | Controller Type: Dual (king and queen) | Automatic Timer: Yes

If you prefer a heated mattress pad that offers an uncomplicated but highly effective performance, the Biddeford Blankets Quilted Electric Mattress Pad is a great pick, based on our lab testing. This mattress pad comes with all of the features you’d want from a basic model, including dual controls, a ten-hour automatic shutoff, and ten heat settings, without the bells and whistles that may come with more expensive models.

We found the controllers to be very straightforward and easy to use, with large, illuminated buttons and a digital display. However, it’s important to note that there is no way to turn the display off, which may bother some sleepers sensitive to light. Additionally, the mattress pad has a slightly uneven heat distribution, offering more warmth on the bottom than toward the top. While this can be beneficial for those with cold feet, we wish there was a way to adjust the heat spread.

This mattress pad is relatively thin and lightweight, so it doesn’t add or detract much from the overall feel of the mattress itself. Because it's on the thinner side, we could slightly feel the wires while lying down on top of it, but not so much that it would disrupt our sleep. When placed on the bed, the mattress pad stayed somewhat secure but slipped off with heavier movement. We appreciate that this product can be put into the washing machine and dryer, and it held up nicely with no signs of wear post-wash. For extra peace of mind, it comes with a five-year warranty.

_{Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Material: 50% cotton, 50% polyester| Care: Machine wash | Heat Settings: 10 | Controller Type: Dual (king and queen) | Automatic Timer: Yes}

If you’re worried your extra-deep mattress won’t be able to accommodate a heated mattress pad, your best bet is this Woolrich mattress pad. Fitting mattresses up to 17 inches deep, this option offers five heat settings, dual controls, and a ten-hour automatic shutoff.

The heating element worked well in our lab tests, although the difference between the lowest and highest settings wasn’t as perceptible as other options we tested, including the best waterproof Serta Waterproof Heated Mattress Pad. However, we found the controls to be straightforward and easy to use, and the illuminated screen has an automatic shut-off—a great feature for sensitive sleepers.

What really puts this heated mattress pad above many of its competitors is its comfort factor: The fabric is a fleecy, cozy faux shearling that really impressed us and effectively concealed the feeling of wires underneath. For the most part, the heated mattress pad did not shift other than some slight bunching underneath the fitted sheet; however, this extra roominess may be what you need if you own a larger mattress.

During our spill test, we noticed that the mattress pad initially repelled liquid, but it soaked through after around five minutes. If you can wipe up any messes quickly enough, you won’t have to worry about immediate staining. However, we noticed that post-wash, the stain worsened. All things considered, this mattress pad from Woolrich is a great choice for anyone who prioritizes comfort or wants to ensure their pick will fit around their larger mattress.

How It Performed Long-Term

While this heated mattress pad generally performed well while using it for six months at home, we would only recommend it for those who require extra deep pockets. We used it on a 14-inch mattress, and we found it needed to be readjusted often due to constant shifting and bunching. However, if you do require the extra depth, we’re confident you’ll like this mattress pad, as it warmed up evenly and worked well.

The remote controls were very user-friendly, and we enjoyed the dual settings. Even as temperatures rose and we stopped using the heat settings, we still opted to keep the mattress pad on the bed since the faux-shearling material is so comfortable. While we noticed some slight pilling, we think the mattress pad held up well over the six-month testing period, even with weekly cleaning.

When it comes to ensuring your bed’s temperature is exactly to your liking, you’ll want to make sure you choose a heated mattress pad with a wide variety of heat settings and easy-to-use controls. The Perfect Fit SoftHeat Smart Heated Electric Mattress Pad provides many customization options so you can get as much or as little heat as you want.

This product offers ten heat settings, dual controllers, and a ten-hour automatic shutoff. It's also easy to use: The controller has a straightforward knob that you can turn both ways to switch between settings as well as a backlit interface with an automatic dimming feature. We noted that the product did an excellent job of heating up the bed, but we wished the highest settings got a bit warmer.

The mattress pad earned a perfect score in our lab testing for comfort, and we appreciated that we couldn’t feel any trace of wires or the heating element when lying on top of it. We found the overall texture of the mattress pad to be cozy, although we noted that the terry cloth-like material on top wasn’t the most luxurious. The product, which features a non-slip bottom, did not slide around after being placed over the mattress. During our spill test, we noticed that the mattress pad looked as good as new after the spot treatment. Overall, this mattress pad impressed us on just about all fronts, making it a great pick (especially if you’re picky about your heat settings).

How It Performed Long-Term

We tested this mattress pad for six months, and we’re happy to report that we continued to love the exceptionally user-friendly controls. We appreciated that the dial was easy to adjust and the display was clearly visible, even in the dark. We found the mattress pad to be very comfortable, and all the settings performed as expected. Laundering the product did require slightly more care than your average load of laundry, as the care instructions are a bit specific. However, it still worked as good as new afterward washing.

_{Sizes: Queen, king | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash | Heat Settings: 10 | Controller Type: Dual | Automatic Timer: Yes}

If you think you’ll need a waterproof barrier along with your heated mattress pad, check out this option from Serta. It has a waterproof barrier to protect your mattress from spills, pet accidents, and more. It also has many top features of a great mattress pad, including dual controls, ten heat settings, an auto shut-off that you can set for anywhere from one to 12 hours, and virtually zero EMF emissions. We noted in lab testing that the controls were user-friendly and easy to navigate, with a screen that lights up when activated and turns off when not in use.

We also rated this product a perfect score in terms of comfort, as the wires were not evident at all, and the mattress pad fit securely on the bed. We did note that the material has a bit of a filmy finish because of its waterproof quality, but this did not make the product less cozy. During our spill test, we loved that the product repelled any liquids poured over it, as there were virtually no stains to clean when we put it in the wash. You can wash the heated mattress pad either by hand or in the washing machine on a delicate cycle, and when you’re done, you can tumble dry it on medium or low for five minutes and then hang it dry. Other than slight shrinkage, there were no visible signs of wear post-wash.

How It Performed Long-Term

Although this heated mattress pad continued to work decently well after months of testing, we’ve come to notice a few minor flaws in its general design. While we initially had no issues fitting the Serta Waterproof Heated Mattress Pad securely around the mattress, we did notice that over time, the mattress pad’s elastic seemed to weaken. Around the two-month mark, it seemed to get looser and shift around a bit underneath the fitted sheet. Additionally, we've found that there is a slight learning curve in terms of controlling the heat settings since the buttons aren’t clearly labeled. However, in terms of functionality, the mattress pad definitely did its job and warmed up the bed evenly and without any issues.

_{Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Material: 80 percent polyester, 20 percent cotton | Care: Machine wash | Heat Settings: 10 | Controller Type: Dual (queen, king, and California king) | Automatic Timer: Yes}

Final Verdict

Of all the options we tested, the Reaks Zoned Electric Heated Mattress Pad earns our best overall pick because of its user-friendly and extensive features, overall comfort, and effective heating. For a more affordable option, our best budget pick is the Sunbeam Restful Quilted Heated Mattress Pad. Its reliable performance and evenly distributed heat bring a ton of value to this relatively low-cost option.

Testing Heated Mattress Pads for Heat Settings and Quality

FAQ

• Who is a heated mattress pad best for?

  If you tend to feel cold while you sleep, a heated mattress pad may be a great investment for you to consider. Dr. Grandner says that heated mattress pads can be a useful tool for staying at a comfortable temperature at night and may help improve your sleep quality: “Temperature regulation is an important part of maintaining healthy and restful sleep throughout the night,” he says. “During the night, our body cools off and then warms back up a little before waking up. Being too cold can make it difficult to maintain sleep.”
  

• How long do heated mattress pads last?

  Heated mattress pads can often work for years with the correct care. Make sure to follow the manufacturer instructions when laundering your mattress pad. ​Not washing mattress pads on a delicate cycle or drying them too long in the dryer are common reasons they fail.

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