Waking up feeling cold is one of the worst experiences while you are trying to sleep. You pile on the blankets, but it feels like you aren’t getting any warmer. Sticking your freezing toes under your partner’s side is often met with groans and frustration. But, there is a better way to get warm. Have you ever heard of a heated mattress pad? It can be the solution to your shivering cold problems.
What Is a Heated Mattress Pad?
A heated mattress pad is an electric covering for your mattress that needs to be plugged in. It generally has insulation by coated wires that are sewn into the pad. The wires are covered by several layers of fabric and/or plastic.
Benefits of a Heated Mattress Pad
Sleeping with a heated mattress pad can be a great option to get extra warm. But there are additional benefits as well.
Eases Tension
If you have ever been to a nice spa to get a massage, you know the warm comfort of a heated massage bed. Masseuses often warm the bed to a perfect temperature to provide the ultimate relaxation for you and your body. A heated mattress pad works in a similar way. Imagine climbing into bed and experiencing immediate warm and comfort. The daily tension you carry can be relaxed and released with the use of a mattress pad. One sleep philosophy is that we sleep much better when we feel calm and relaxed. Optimum sleep will provide great energy for the coming day. When polled, 49% of adults stated that they experience the physical and emotional toll of stress. Melt away body tension and stress with the use of a heated mattress pad.
Body Repair
Clinical trials have found that heat therapy is effective in reducing pain for issues such as low back pain. A heated mattress pad is an excellent way to get the heat therapy your body needs. Effective heat therapy includes warm, not hot temperatures. Heated mattress pads provide a low temperature that can help to loosen muscles throughout the night. This can help you and your partner to wake up with less pain.
Increased Blood Flow
A heated mattress pad can also assist with blood flow. Your body needs quality sleep to rest, repair, and recuperate its muscles. It also needs sleep to help combat illness and other body injuries. When you have increased blood flow, your body can repair these issues more quickly. A heated mattress topper is an excellent choice to help your physical body.
Budget-Friendly
The effects of inflation are no joke. In the Winter of 2021, U.S. households with natural gas were expected to pay 30% more on heating costs while those with electricity would pay 6% more. The additional cost to heat your home is something many can’t afford. A heated mattress pad will provide warmth while keeping your costs down. While you will pay for the initial investment of the mattress pad and the cost to run it, it will be much less than the cost to run your furnace Leave behind the temperature arguments with your family and find the best heated mattress pad for you.
Quality Sleep
Maintaining the perfect temperature throughout the night is a great way to get quality sleep. Using the consistent warming effects of an electric mattress pad will help you to stay asleep and get the rest you need. Getting consistent and quality sleep will help you to get sick less often, avoid gaining weight, lower your risk for heart disease, and improve your mood. Finding a comfortable heated mattress pad will help you achieve better sleep and help you stay healthy.
Features of a Heated Mattress Pad
An electric mattress pad can have a few different features. Here are some top options to consider.
Material
Mattress pads are most commonly made of polyester and cotton. Although some lesser quality options will include plastic. Cotton will give you a soft and breathable surface that is also moisture-wicking. Polyester is a durable choice that can be budget-friendly.
Size
You will need the right size for the perfect fit for your mattress. Some options may be selective in size so be sure to choose an option that will fit your bed.
Temperature
Electric mattress pads will offer various ranges of temperature regulation. This will allow you to choose the heat setting that is most effective for you. Just because you need a warm bed, doesn’t mean you like to sweat. Temperature regulation will allow you to be in control. Another option some electric pads provide is a comfort dual control with a cool and heat setting. This will allow you to have an effective mattress topper that you can use year-round. A separate cooling mattress pad is unnecessary with a dual electric blanket choice.
Noise
You will want to consider that some heated mattress pads can be noisy. It may make a noise when the heat turns off or there can be a soft humming from the electricity. If you are a light sleeper, you will want to opt for a quiet electric pad. Be sure to look at the reviews for each heated mattress pad to ensure it will meet your needs.
Heated Mattress Pads vs. Electric Blankets
A heated mattress pad is similar to an electric blanket. Both provide heat and can keep you warm during cool nights. But, there are some important differences to address.
First, many say that they do not want an additional blanket piled on top of them during the night. Several blankets can cause sleepers to be easily tangled. Additionally, as we know that heat rises. An electric blanket can be said to be less effective as it sits on top of you. An electric heated mattress pad will allow the heat to rise through your body. Another bonus of mattress pads is that they can act as a mattress topper and potentially add additional protection to your mattress. The downside to a heated mattress pad is that it cannot be easily moved throughout your house. With a heated blanket, you can carry your warmth to any room. Some also suggest that side sleepers will not get the same warming effects from an electric mattress pad as back sleepers and stomach sleepers. But, many electric blankets have a wide variety of heat settings. A higher setting is likely to provide plenty of heat. An electric blanket can be another great choice for your needs. But, the best heated mattress pad will likely provide much more benefit to your regular bed.
Why Is Temperature Regulation During Sleep Important?
If you have ever experienced waking up in the middle of the night, you know how hard it can be to get back to sleep. This can be especially difficult if you wake up cold. During your REM sleep, your brain stops regulating your body temperature. A fluctuation in temperature can affect your sleep cycle. Cold exposures are more likely to affect your sleep cycle negatively. When you experience disturbances in your sleep, you can often feel the effects the next day. Daytime sleepiness can cause major issues, especially if it happens frequently. Thermoregulation is imperative to falling asleep and staying asleep. Using products such as a heated mattress pad will help you to achieve the sleep you need.
Best Heated Mattress Pads
The best heated mattress pad will be a great addition to your sleep foundation. The ideal electric mattress pad will include features such as temperature control and soft fabrics. Here are some top selections for your new heating pad.
Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad
This awesome mattress pad by Sunbeam has 10 heat settings. It is made of 100% polyester. The best feature of the Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad is that it has dual side controllers. This allows you and your partner to choose different options for the 10 heat settings. The settings will help to soothe your muscles, your neck, back, shoulder, and legs. This heated mattress pad also has auto-shutoff to ensure your safety. The mattress topper is machine washable and safe for your dryer. It has a 140 thread count and will fit up to an 18-inch mattress. The mattress pad is rated ultra soft for your comfort. The company offers a 5-year limited warranty to ensure you are happy with your purchase. The Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad is a great choice and is rated 4.6 out of 5-stars. It is $94 for the queen size but is also available in a twin, full, or king.
Beautyrest Cotton Blend Heated Mattress Pad
Beautyrest offers a Cotton Blend Heated Mattress Pad. It is made of 60% cotton and 40% polyester. This blend will be wrinkle-resistant and avoids static build-up. The skirt of the mattress pad is reinforced with elastic to help it stay snug on the mattress. This electric mattress pad has 15-inch deep pockets that can fit a mattress up to 18-inches tall. It is engineered to give off the lowest electromagnetic field radiation for your safety. This mattress pad selection has five heat settings to allow you complete customization for the right amount of heat. It also has a one-hour preheat setting to make sure your bed is already warm when you enter it. The queen and king-sized options have separate controls for each side of the bed. You will not need to worry about overheating your partner. Beautyrest has a 5-year limited warranty as well. The heated mattress pad is $99 and is rated 4.4 out of 5-stars.
Beautyrest 3M Scotchgard Heated Mattress-Pad
A second Beautyrest option is the 3M Scotchguard Heated Mattress Pad. This product is made with microfiber fabric treated with Scotchguard. Scotchguard will help to keep your heated mattress pad stain-free and easy to wash. It will also provide moisture-wicking capabilities to keep your mattress pad dry. This option also fits mattresses up to 18 -inches thick. The skirt elastic will keep it from the slipping off your mattress. This choice is available in a Twin XL, Twin, Full, Queen, King, and California King sizes. It has 5 heat settings to help you find your perfect fit. It is rated 4.4 out of 5-stars. It ranges in price from $50 to $165 based on the size your select. This is a solid choice for your heated mattress pad.
Premium Mattress Heating Pad
Hyde Lane offers the next selection of a Premium Mattress Heating Pad. This mattress pad has twenty different heat settings. It gives you and your partner a very large variety of sleeping temperature options. It also has an adjustable auto-shutoff timer that can run from one to ten hours based on your preferences. This pad also protects your skin from the power cords with thick durable fibers. The cover is machine washable and will not pill or get matted. The Premium Mattress Heating Pad will heat to your desired temperature within 5 minutes. It is rated a 4.3 out of 5-stars. It is available in Twin to California King sizes. The queen size selection is $129.
King Size Electric Zoned Heated Mattress Pad
The Reaks store King Size Electric Zoned Heated Mattress Pad is another popular choice. The adjustable heat range can warm your bed for up to 12 hours. It also offers a cooling ventilated top surface to provide a cooling mattress pad when you need it. This option will fit mattresses up to 15 inches. It is also a great waterproof mattress pad option and is machine washable. The cord reaches up to 6 feet and the controller cord will reach up to 13 feet. It is available in twin, queen, and king sizes. The king size is $107 and is rated 4.6 out of 5-stars. 77% of reviewers gave it a 5-star rating. One reviewer states, “I like having my room cold when I go to bed but not a fan of cold sheets. Hubby wanted to try this as we have not had good luck with electric blankets and he visited a friend who had an electric mattress cover, which he raved about. Never, ever will I go back to cold sheets!”. If you hate cold sheets too, this is one of the best heated mattress pads.
Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad
The Sunbeam store also offers a second option for your Heated Mattress Pad. This mattress pad offers ThermoFine technology for consistent heat that is evenly distributed throughout your blanket. It also offers 10 heat settings to fit your needs. The waterproof mattress pad is machine washable and safe for your dryer. It is 50% cotton and 50% polyester to give you a soft feel while remaining durable. It has a 9-ounce fill and a 145-thread count. It is highly rated at 4.6 out of 5-stars. This option is $99 and is a top pick for your mattress pad.
Find the Right Heated Mattress Pad for You: Our Top 5
Finding the right heated mattress pad can be complicated. If you share a bed with your partner, but do not enjoy the same type of temperature it can cause frustration. Looking for options with dual controls will be essential to your satisfaction. You will also want to consider which options are best for your mattress type. Most mattress pad options will be a great addition to your memory foam, hybrid, or latex mattress. You may also want to consider an option that will act as both a heated mattress pad and a cooling mattress pad. Additionally, a machine-washable option will help you to keep your mattress clean. Finally, keep in mind the heat settings that will be most beneficial for you. Each of the following options is great for a mattress review of heated mattress pads. Here is the best option for the following categories.
Best Temperature Options
The Premium Mattress Heating Pad by Hyde Lane has 20 different heat settings. This mattress pad will provide premium comfort for any heat setting you need. It is the perfect fit for those with varying needs and heat preferences.
Best Budget-Friendly Choice
The Beautyrest Cotton Blend Heated Mattress Pad. This option is only $99 but is still highly rated. It offers a solid 5 heat settings and has dual controls. The five-year warranty also helps to ensure you get the best value for your money.
Cleanest Electric Mattress Pad
The 3M Scotchguard Heated Mattress Pad was specifically created to stay clean. Protected by Scotchguard, this mattress pad will easily avoid stains.
Most Convenient
The King Size Electric Zoned Heated Mattress Pad is the best heated mattress pad for convenience. It is great to be able to set your electrowarmth heated mattress pad to one hour or twelve. No need to wake up to reset your timer. This option is a great heated pad that will be the perfect fit for your foam or other mattresses.
Best Overall Pick
The Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad is the top overall pick of mattress pads. The heating capabilities are great with 10 heat settings. The Sunbeam mattress pad will give you a complete refresh and reset after a long day. This quilted heated mattress pad is also machine washable for your best and cleanest sleep.
No matter which option you select, you will find a perfect fit for your next heating mattress pad.
