Quick answer
An electric blanket is cheaper per hour (just a few pence) but only warms you in bed or under it. The Ofenwerk K1 warms the whole room, so you can get up, read, dress or work in comfort. Many people use both: the K1 to warm the bedroom before bed, and a blanket overnight.
Quick checklist
- Do you want to warm the room or only the bed?
- How long will you use it each day?
- Who will use it, and are they comfortable with a blanket's controls?
- Do you need warmth when sitting, working or getting dressed?
Comparison
| Ofenwerk K1 | Electric blanket | |
|---|---|---|
| Warms | The whole room (up to 20 m²) | Only you, under the blanket |
| Typical cost/hour | About 16p | About 1–3p |
| Use while moving around | Yes | No |
| Portable | Yes, 0.5 kg | Fixed to the bed or sofa |
Which should you buy?
If you only need warmth in bed, a blanket is hard to beat on cost. If you want a warm room for reading, working or getting dressed, you need a heater.
What it costs to run (current UK prices)
At the Ofgem price cap of 26.32p per kWh (1 October to 31 December 2026), a 1200W heater like the K1 costs about 32p an hour at full power. Once the room is warm the thermostat switches the heater on and off, so in normal use it averages about 16p an hour.
| How long | Typical cost per day | Over 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 16p | £4.74 |
| An evening (4 hours) | 63p | £18.95 |
| A working day (8 hours) | £1.26 | £37.90 |
Your own price may be a little higher or lower depending on your region and tariff. See how we calculate running costs or try the running cost calculator with your own unit rate.
Running costs side by side
An electric blanket uses about 100W, roughly 3p an hour at today's UK price cap. The K1 uses 1200W, about 32p an hour at full power and about 16p in typical thermostat use. For warming only yourself in bed, the blanket is cheaper.
But a blanket can't warm the room you dress in, sit in or work in. Many people use both: the K1 to warm the bedroom for half an hour before bed, then the blanket overnight.
Safety of electric blankets
Fire services advise replacing electric blankets at least every 10 years, checking them for wear and never using one while wet or folded. Free blanket testing events are run by some councils and fire services each winter.
Which should you buy?
- Only cold in bed: electric blanket
- Cold getting up and dressing: K1 for 20–30 minutes
- Cold in the living room in the evening: K1
- Working from home: K1
- Best overall comfort at a low cost: both
How the K1 compares with other heaters
| Heater type | Warm in | Running cost | Safety and comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofenwerk K1 (ceramic) | About 2 seconds | About 16p/hour typical | Tip-over and overheat cut-off, cool-touch case, no glowing coil |
| Coil fan heater (2–3kW) | Seconds | 53–79p/hour at full power | Hot coil, can smell of burnt dust, often noisy |
| Oil-filled radiator (1.5–2.5kW) | 20–30 minutes | 39–66p/hour at full power | Surfaces get hot, heavy to move |
| Convector (2kW) | 10–15 minutes | About 53p/hour at full power | Heat rises to the ceiling first |
| Electric blanket (100W) | 10–20 minutes | About 3p/hour | Warms the bed only, not the room |
Full-power costs worked out at 26.32p per kWh. Thermostats lower all of these in real use.
Using any electric heater safely
These tips follow UK fire-service and Electrical Safety First advice and apply to any portable heater, including ours:
- Plug the heater straight into a wall socket. Don't use an extension lead or adaptor; they can overheat.
- Keep it at least 1 metre from curtains, bedding, clothes and furniture.
- Stand it on a flat, hard, stable surface where it can't be knocked over.
- Never cover it or dry clothes on it.
- Switch it off at the wall when you go out.
- Check the plug and cable now and then. Stop using it if either is damaged or feels hot.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor. Many UK fire services fit them free for older residents.
When the K1 is not the right choice
We'd rather you buy the right heater than return ours. The K1 is probably not for you if:
- You only feel cold once you're in bed. An electric blanket is the cheaper choice.
- You want to replace central heating for the whole house. The K1 heats the room you're in, not every room at once.
- You need total silence. The K1 has a gentle fan sound, a bit like a quiet laptop.
Our pick: the Ofenwerk K1 Heater
- Warm air in about 2 seconds (PTC ceramic)
- 1200W, heats rooms up to 20 m²
- Tip-over and overheat cut-offs, cool-touch casing
- Thermostat + remote, about 16p an hour typical
- Free UK delivery, 30-day money back, 24-month warranty
Frequently asked questions
Can I use both?
Yes. Warm the room with the K1, then switch to the blanket overnight.
Is an electric blanket cheaper than a heater?
Yes, per hour: about 3p versus about 16–32p for a 1200W heater. But a blanket only warms the bed.
Can I use an electric blanket and a heater together?
Yes. Keep the heater at least 1 metre from the bed and bedding, and switch the heater off before you go to sleep.
Is a heated throw a good alternative?
A heated throw is great for sitting still on the sofa. Like a blanket, it doesn't warm the room or other people in it.
Which is safer, an electric blanket or a ceramic heater?
Both are safe when used properly and in good condition. Old or damaged electric blankets are a known fire risk, so check them every year.
Sources and how we checked this guide
- Electricity price: Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges, checked 25 October 2026.
- Heater safety: UK fire and rescue service advice and Electrical Safety First guidance on portable heaters.
- K1 figures (1200W, about 2-second warm-up, room size up to 20 m², safety cut-offs) come from the product specification.
- Costs are worked out with the method on how we calculate running costs.