The 8 Best Electric Blankets in NZ

The best electric blanket in NZ overall is the Giselle Bedding Queen Fleece Electric Blanket, thanks to its plush fleecy surface, nine heat settings and a fully fitted skirt that grips a queen mattress all night. This guide ranks eight electric blankets sold to New Zealand shoppers, from a budget double and a couch-friendly heated throw to premium wool, smart WiFi models and a 2-in-1 heated mattress protector. Each pick is a hands-on mini review with honest pros and cons, real specs and a clear best for angle, so you can match a blanket to your bed and budget. To compare whole-room options too, see our guide to the best heaters for winter.

Every electric blanket here uses overheat protection and detachable, washable controllers, and the picks are presented in ranked order. Prices change often, so check the linked retailer for the current price and stock.

Quick comparison

Electric blanket	Best for	Size	Heat settings	Standout feature
1. Giselle Bedding Queen Fleece	Best overall	Queen	9	Fleecy fitted underlay, dual controllers
2. Giselle Bedding Double Polyester	Best value, double	Double	3	Low-cost fitted underlay
3. Coral Fleece Electric Throw (Navy)	Best heated throw	Throw	Multiple	Plush couch warmth, portable
4. Sunbeam Sleep Perfect Wool Fleece	Best premium wool	Queen	6	Self-adjusting 100% wool
5. Goldair Bamboo WiFi	Best smart/WiFi	Queen	6 (4 zones)	App plus Alexa/Google control
6. Goldair WiFi Mattress Protector	Best heated protector	Queen	6	2-in-1 protect and heat
7. Sheffield Fitted Queen	Best budget buy	Queen	3	Deep 50 cm skirt, in-store backup
8. Bambury Premium	Best dual-zone for couples	Single to Super King	Multi-zone	Microplush dual-zone heating

1. Giselle Bedding Fleece Electric Blanket – Best Overall

Best for most Kiwi bedrooms, the Giselle Bedding Queen Fleece Electric Blanket balances cosy warmth, easy fitting and genuine value, which is why it takes the top spot. It works as a fully fitted underlay that sits beneath your bottom sheet, with an elasticised skirt that stretches over a standard queen mattress (about 152 x 203 cm) so it stays put instead of rucking up overnight. The surface is a soft polar-fleece weave that feels warm to the touch straight away, noticeably cosier under the hand than a plain woven underlay.

Nine heat settings give unusually fine control for a budget model, so a cold sleeper can run their side hot while the other stays gentle, and the dual detachable controllers let each person choose independently. Because the controllers unclip, the whole blanket is machine washable, and built-in overheat protection shuts the power off if it ever gets too warm. The fitted fleece design spreads heat evenly across the panel and pre-warms the bed within minutes rather than leaving a cold strip at the foot. The trade-offs: the fleece backing can feel slightly slippery on some mattress protectors, and as an underlay it only warms the bed, so it will not double as something to throw over you on the couch.

Pros

• Soft polar-fleece surface that feels warm immediately
• Nine heat settings for fine control on a budget
• Dual detachable controllers for couples
• Fully fitted elasticised skirt stays put overnight
• Machine washable with overheat protection

Cons

• Fleece backing can slip on some mattress protectors
• Underlay only, not for couch or lap use
• No timer or smart features

Key specs: queen fitted fleece underlay (about 152 x 203 cm), 9 heat settings, dual detachable controllers, machine washable, overheat protection; model PID 51657.

CHECK CURRENT DEAL

2. Giselle Bedding Polyester Electric Blanket – Best Value for Double Beds

Best for double beds on a budget, this Giselle polyester underlay delivers the essentials without the extras. It measures 193 x 137 cm with a 40 cm fitted depth, sized to hug a standard double mattress, and the 100% polyester surface is smooth and light rather than plush, which makes it quick to fit and easy to launder. Three heat settings cover the basics, from a low all-evening warmth to a hotter pre-bed blast, and despite being a double it ships with dual remote controllers so two people can set different levels.

The controllers detach, so the blanket is hand or machine washable, and overheat protection guards against runaway heat. Sold through TSB Living as a dropship item from Australia, it typically takes around 15 working days to arrive, so it suits planners rather than anyone needing warmth this weekend. The polyester weave does not feel as immediately cosy as a fleece blanket, and three settings give less nuance than nine, but for a spare room, a flatting setup or a first electric blanket it covers the fundamentals at a low price. Anyone wanting a thicker, softer hand should step up to a fleece or wool model.

Pros

• Low price for a double-size blanket
• Dual remote controllers despite the double size
• 40 cm fitted depth and fitted skirt
• Hand or machine washable with overheat protection

Cons

• About 15 working-day dropship from Australia
• Only three heat settings
• Light polyester feel, not plush
• No timer or smart features

Key specs: double, 193 x 137 cm, 40 cm fitted depth, 100% polyester, 3 heat settings, dual detachable controllers, machine washable, overheat protection; SKU PR10252.

CHECK CURRENT DEAL

3. Coral Fleece Electric Throw Blanket Navy – Best Heated Throw

Best for the couch rather than the bed, this navy coral-fleece electric throw is made to drape over your lap and shoulders while you read, work or watch TV. Coral fleece is the deep, fuzzy pile you find on premium throws, and the dark navy colour hides everyday marks better than a pale blanket. Unlike the fitted underlays elsewhere on this list, a throw lies on top of you, so the warmth reaches you directly and it travels easily from the lounge to a cold home office, or over a guest setup like a sofa bed.

It plugs into the wall, runs through multiple heat settings and includes overheat protection, and the controller detaches so it can be washed. The obvious trade-off is the cord: a heated throw keeps you tethered to a power point, so it is less suited to moving around than an unheated wrap, and it warms one person under it rather than an entire bed. It is also a single-person size, not a duvet replacement. For one person who feels the cold on the sofa, though, the plush coral-fleece face and quick, direct heat make it the most useful heated throw of the group.

Pros

• Plush, deep coral-fleece face
• Portable from couch to home office
• Warms you directly on top, not just the bed
• Detachable controller for washing
• Dark navy colour hides marks

Cons

• Cord tethers you to a power point
• Single-person size only
• Not a bed underlay or duvet replacement

Key specs: navy coral-fleece heated throw, multiple heat settings, detachable controller, machine washable, overheat protection; model PID 51658.

CHECK CURRENT DEAL

4. Sunbeam Sleep Electric Blanket – Best Premium Wool

Best for anyone who wants natural, breathable warmth, the Sunbeam Sleep Perfect Wool Fleece is the most premium pick here. The heated surface is 100% Australian wool at a substantial 600 g/m2, so it feels dense and lofty under the hand, finished in a clean Polar White. At 153 cm wide and 200 cm long it fits a queen mattress as a fully fitted underlay, and at 3.92 kg it is noticeably heavier than the polyester blankets, which is the wool talking.

The headline feature is Sleep Perfect technology: rather than a fixed output, it continuously senses and adjusts to hold your chosen setting as the room cools, across six heat levels and twin detachable controllers. It heats up in about five minutes, draws 150 W, and offers auto shut-off at 1, 3 or 9 hours, while an antibacterial treatment helps keep the wool fresher between washes. It carries a three-year warranty. Owner reviews average 4.3 out of 5, with several praising the thick, genuinely warm fleece; one reviewer, though, felt it only warmed comfortably on the top setting and expected more for the price compared with an older Onkaparinga. It is also the priciest option and, being wool, the heaviest to handle when washing. For hygienic, all-night comfort that adapts as you sleep, it is the standout.

Pros

• 100% Australian wool at 600 g/m2, breathable and antibacterial
• Self-adjusting Sleep Perfect temperature technology
• Heats in about five minutes
• Dual controllers and 1/3/9-hour auto-off
• Three-year warranty

Cons

• Most expensive blanket here
• Heaviest to handle and wash at 3.92 kg
• One reviewer found it warm only on the top setting

Key specs: queen, 153 x 200 cm, 3.92 kg, 100% Australian wool 600 g/m2, 6 heat settings, dual controllers, 1/3/9-hour auto-off, 150 W, 3-year warranty; model BLW6651.

5. Goldair Bamboo WiFi Electric Blanket – Best Smart Blanket

Best for smart-home households, the Goldair Bamboo WiFi blanket is the most connected option on the list. The heated layer is a 100% bamboo quilted topper, naturally breathable and antibacterial, which helps regulate temperature whether you sleep hot or cold. It fits a queen as a fitted-skirt underlay measuring 1530 x 2030 mm and sips just 65 W.

The draw is the control: it links to the Goldair app over 2.4 GHz WiFi and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can warm the bed from the couch or with your voice. Four heating zones give separate body and feet control on each side, there are six heat settings, and the auto-off timer offers 2 and 12-hour options. Detachable controllers make it machine washable, and it is backed by a three-year warranty. Consumer NZ found the basics, turning it on and off and setting temperatures and timers, work reliably through the app, and rated the convenience of heating the bed remotely. They were less impressed by the scheduling function for the money, and noted the cable connectors can sit awkwardly if you sleep with your arms up under the pillow. You also need a 2.4 GHz network, as the app will not pair over 5 GHz. For tech lovers who want voice and app control plus zoned warmth, it is the clear pick.

Pros

• App control plus Amazon Alexa and Google Home
• Four heating zones (body and feet each side)
• Six heat settings and 2/12-hour timer
• Bamboo topper is breathable and antibacterial
• Low 65 W draw, machine washable, three-year warranty

Cons

• Needs a 2.4 GHz WiFi network to pair
• Consumer NZ found the scheduling function underwhelming
• Connectors can sit awkwardly near the pillow

Key specs: queen, 1530 x 2030 mm, 100% bamboo topper, 6 heat settings, 4 zones, WiFi with Alexa/Google, 2/12-hour timer, 65 W, machine washable, 3-year warranty; model GPBMEB-Q.

6. Goldair Heated Mattress Protector – Best Heated Mattress Protector

Best for two-in-one protection and warmth, this Goldair SleepSmart product combines a zip-off mattress protector with a built-in electric blanket, so it guards the mattress and heats the bed in one fitted layer. Like the bamboo model it is WiFi-enabled through the Goldair app, with six heat settings, a timer, and body-and-feet multi-zone control via two LCD controllers, so each side of a queen runs to taste. The protector zips off for washing and the LCD controllers detach, making the whole thing machine washable, and a 200-micron quilted topper adds a little cushioning over the mattress. It pairs well with a good mattress topper for extra plushness.

It draws around 75 W and carries a three-year warranty. Because it doubles as a protector, it is the tidiest way to add warmth without layering a separate blanket and pad. The catch is that the product page is a little muddled, defaulting to the king variant and a recycled description, so it pays to confirm you are selecting the queen at checkout. As with the bamboo blanket, the smart features need a 2.4 GHz WiFi connection, and the app scheduling is more basic than the price suggests. For anyone who wants protection, washability and heat in a single smart layer, it is a clever buy.

Pros

• Two-in-one mattress protector and electric blanket
• Zip-off washable cover and detachable LCD controllers
• Six settings with body and feet multi-zone control
• 200-micron quilted topper adds cushioning
• WiFi app control and three-year warranty

Cons

• Product page defaults to king, confirm the queen variant
• Needs a 2.4 GHz WiFi network
• App scheduling is basic for the price

Key specs: queen heated mattress protector, zip-off washable cover, 200-micron topper, 6 heat settings, multi-zone with 2 LCD controllers, WiFi app control, about 75 W, 3-year warranty; model GPSQ-Q.

7. Sheffield Fitted Electric Blanket – Best Budget Buy

Best for a no-fuss buy from a big-name store, the Sheffield Fitted Queen is the straightforward choice, stocked at Noel Leeming with click-and-collect and in-store backup. It is a fully fitted polyester underlay measuring 152 x 203 cm with a generous 50 cm skirt depth, so it fits deeper queen mattresses that shallower blankets struggle with. Three heat settings keep things simple, two detachable controllers let couples set their own warmth, and the blanket is machine washable once unclipped.

Overheat protection is built in, and it comes with a 24-month manufacturer warranty. There is nothing flashy here: no app, no wool, no nine-step dial, just an easy-fitting blanket that warms a queen bed and is simple to live with. The polyester surface is functional rather than plush, and three settings give less fine control than the Giselle fleece or the wool Sunbeam, but the deep fitted skirt and the convenience of buying from a national retailer with local support count for a lot. For a reliable, low-cost queen blanket you can collect the same day, it is the easiest recommendation.

Pros

• Easy buy from Noel Leeming with click-and-collect
• Deep 50 cm fitted skirt suits thicker mattresses
• Two detachable controllers for couples
• Machine washable with overheat protection
• 24-month manufacturer warranty

Cons

• Only three heat settings
• Polyester is functional, not plush
• No app, timer or wool option

Key specs: queen, 152 x 203 x 50 cm, polyester, 3 heat settings, 2 detachable controllers, machine washable, overheat protection, 24-month warranty; model PLA0546.

8. Bambury Premium Electric Blanket – Best for Dual-Zone Couples

Best for couples who argue over the thermostat, the Bambury Premium is built around proper dual-zone heating. Each side has its own illuminated detachable controller, and within each side you can warm the body and feet zones separately, so one partner can run toasty feet while the other keeps it mild. The heating elements sit under a soft foam core topped with a luxurious Microplush coral-fleece cover, which makes it comfortable to lie on rather than something you simply feel through the sheet.

It is fully fitted with fabric side walls rather than just elastic straps, so it stays square on the mattress; the queen measures 152 x 203 cm with a 40 cm depth, and sizes run from single to super king. Detachable controllers allow safe washing, an overheating safeguard is built in, and it meets Australian and New Zealand safety standards with a two-year warranty. Owner reviews are strong at 4.8 out of 5, with buyers singling out the dual-zone control, the slim three-button controller and the four preset auto-off timers; one noted it only felt just warm when placed under a thick bamboo mattress protector, a reminder to put the blanket closest to you. Stock can be patchy, the entry single size was showing as out of stock at the time of writing, so check your size is available. For dual-zone comfort and a plush feel, it is the couples pick.

Pros

• True dual-zone body and feet heating on each side
• Plush Microplush coral-fleece over a foam core
• Fabric side walls keep it square on the mattress
• Four preset auto-off timers
• Meets AU/NZ safety standards; 4.8/5 owner rating

Cons

• Two-year warranty is shorter than Goldair or Sunbeam
• Stock can be patchy (single size was out of stock)
• Best results need the blanket placed closest to you

Key specs: queen 152 x 203 x 40 cm (single to super king available), Microplush coral-fleece over foam core, dual-zone body/feet heating, twin illuminated detachable controllers, 4 preset auto-off timers, AU/NZ safety approved, 2-year warranty; SKU SPEBS.

How to choose an electric blanket in NZ

Start with where you want the warmth. A fitted electric blanket sits under your sheet as an underlay and pre-warms the whole bed; a heated throw lies on top of you and is portable for the couch or office; and a heated mattress protector combines warmth with mattress protection in one layer. Match the size to your bed (single, double, queen, king) and check the fitted skirt depth so it fits your mattress.

Then think about the surface. Wool is breathable, naturally antibacterial and feels dense and warm, but costs more and is heavier to wash. Fleece and polyester are lighter, softer to the touch and cheaper, and heat up fast. Bamboo sits in between, breathable and antibacterial with a quilted feel. More heat settings (nine versus three) give finer control, and dual controllers or multi-zone heating matter if two people share the bed.

Safety and convenience round it out. Look for overheat protection, an auto-off timer and detachable controllers so the blanket is machine washable, and check it meets New Zealand electrical safety standards. Smart models add app and voice control but usually need a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. Electric blankets are cheap to run, so they pair well with other targeted winter gear; if damp, cold air is also a problem in your home, our guide to the best humidifiers is worth a look, and for guest rooms a heated throw works nicely alongside one of the air mattresses we recommend.

Verdict

For most New Zealand bedrooms the Giselle Bedding Queen Fleece Electric Blanket is the best all-rounder, with plush fleece, nine heat settings and a secure fitted skirt at a low price. Spend up for the Sunbeam Sleep Perfect if you want self-adjusting 100% wool, choose the Goldair Bamboo WiFi for app and voice control, or the Bambury Premium if you and your partner never agree on the temperature. On a tight budget, the Giselle Double Polyester and the Sheffield Fitted Queen cover the basics, while the navy coral-fleece throw is the one to add for the couch.

FAQs