Tips for Buying a Portable Heated Blanket
Choose the right power source
How and where you plan on traveling and your preferred activities will dictate which kind of power source you should choose. If you’ll be using your heated blanket to stay warm on chilly nights in your vacation rental or hotel room and will always have access to mains power, then a model with a wall plug makes the most sense. Just choose one with a generous cable and make sure you have the correct travel adapters and/or converters if you’re headed overseas.
If you want to use your heated blanket outside (to stay warm in the tailgating lot or on a camping trip), a battery-operated model is a better choice. Look for one with a decent battery life, an LED battery level indicator, and the ability to recharge via your car’s cigarette lighter or USB port. Detachable batteries are ideal, because this feature allows you to connect a backup battery if you’re out for an extended period of time without the ability to recharge.
Make sure the size is travel-friendly
Many heated blankets work beautifully in your own home but are too large or bulky to be a practical travel companion. To save precious suitcase space, either look for models that are specifically labeled as portable and designed for lightweight compactness or opt for a throw-sized version of a standard blanket. A drawstring carry bag or one with cinchable straps also helps to keep your blanket compact. Of course, size will be less of a concern if you’re driving to your destination than if you’re trying to remain within an airline luggage allowance.
Consider temperature, heat distribution, and settings
Different heated blanket models vary in terms of minimum and maximum temperature. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s description carefully to confirm that whichever one you buy is sufficient for your intended purpose. The ability to choose from a range of heat settings is a valuable feature that increases the blanket’s versatility.
We also love the ability to choose from a range of time periods after which the blanket automatically shuts off. This helps to prevent overheating and also avoids excess energy consumption. Finally, consider how many heating zones your blanket has and how well they distribute warmth across its full length and breadth to keep your extremities toasty.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Jessica Macdonald has been writing about travel gear for more than 10 years. Having recently emigrated from South Africa to Scotland, she has a new appreciation for the value of heated clothing and accessories. For this article, she conducted hours of product research. First she read reviews from trusted industry sources, then she chose her category winners by comparing the specifications, cost, and customer reviews of more than 20 different products. Priority was given to travel-sized blankets with battery or USB charging options.
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