You'll never guess who makes the most versatile electric blanket on the market - it's a welcome surprise

When it comes to the colder months of the year, I don't have to be told twice to get cosy. With the help of the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector, I'm actually quite excited for chilly evenings.

You probably know Zanussi better for making large appliances, I know I did. So, when I was researching the best electric blankets on the market and their name kept coming up, I was intrigued. The brand offers a slightly different take on electric blankets and I really like it.

The Zanussi Double comes with two zones of heating, so each sleeper can have their part of the bed at a different temperature. This is a luxury, but it's not uncommon to see in electric blankets. Zanussi took it one step further though. They've created different zones, for your feet and your main body, offering even more precise temperature control. After sleeping on it, I can confirm, it's a treat.

Specifications

Unboxing the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector

Some electric  blankets will come in dust bags, for storage over the summer, but the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector comes in a big carboard box. Once you've got the protector out of the box, you're unlikely to be able to get it back in, so just pop it in the recycling and you can forget about it.

Once it's out and spread over the bed, you'll see that the Zanussi is vast. It reached all four corners of my kingsized bed wonderfully. The blanket itself feels pretty basic (it's designed to go under your main sheet). There's an elasticated skirt that will wrap around the corners of your mattress like any good protector. It's plush, quilted, and wonderfully soft, which is a nice surprise, because lots of electric blankets can feel wiry and stiff.

Who would the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector suit?

The Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector is perfect for couples with very specific heating needs. I've never tested an electric blanket that offers four zones of heat, especially around this price point. It's also, rather usefully, a mattress protector as well as an electric blanket, so, if you wanted, you could keep this on all year round, another way in which this is unlike any other models on the market.

If you're not bothered by more elaborate features on an electric blanket and you just want a model warms up quickly without breaking the bank, this is still a good option. It's one of the cheaper models that I've tested (a kingsize currently retails under £60) and it costs pennies to run.

The only people I wouldn't recommend this for are people who don't want fuss. If you want a (pardon the pun) blanket temperature across the whole bed, you will need a model with one controller and basic settings. Who would have thought that there's such a thing as too much luxury?

What is the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector like to use?

The Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector comes ready to go. As I mentioned earlier, this is a mattress protector and an electric blanket in one, so you can just loop the skirt around the corners of your mattress, peel the protective label over each controller and plug it in on both sides.

Each remote comes with a shut-off timer (that you can let run for up to 9 hours) as well as temperature settings that can work across all of the bed, just the foot of the bed, or just the body of the bed. There's a helpful outline of a person to show you what you're setting on the screen of each remote.

I started testing the versatility across both sides of the bed, leaving one half on full strength and the other half on nothing. After five minutes, I could feel a little warmth on the side of the bed that I asked to be hot, but I would have liked it to be warmer. I kept checking at five minute intervals and between fifteen and twenty minutes, I noticed the bed getting properly hot. Cool sleepers will be pleased to know that the other half of the bed remained unaffected, but the hot half kept getting hotter.

I also experimented with a low heat on the feet of the cool side. I didn't notice any mentionable heat until about half an hour of the feet heaters being on, but once the heat was there, it was a consistent burner. None of the bed felt patchy or inconsistent, so it's a neat feature to have.

How do you clean the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector?

You can pop the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector in the washing machine and the tumble dryer, which is good news, since this is supposed to be a mattress protector too. Experts generally recommend cleaning these every couple of months and I'd also add that it's a good idea to wash them with Ecover's Laundry Detergent. If you need help, we've got plenty of advice on how to clean an electric blanket over here.  

How does the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector compare?

I've mentioned already that the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector is one of the most versatile electric blankets that I've tested. If you like the idea of dual zones, this is the cheapest model on the market that will still deliver good results. If you're not bothered about having different zones for your feet and body, there are more premium options that you could choose. For example, the Dreamland Snowed In Electric Blanket doubles up as an electric blanket and mattress protector, it also offers dual zones of heat transfer too. The reason that it's more expensive is that the Dreamland is crafted from 200-thread-count organic cotton, so you know that you're giving your skin a wonderfully breathable fabric to sleep on, rather than polyester, which can be a little stifling for your skin.

If you're not fussed about having a mattress-protector-cum-electric-blanket, you could opt for the Dunelm Teddy Electric Blanket. This still offers dual controls, but rather than sitting under your sheets, it sits on top of it. The naturally plush material keeps you cosy, even when it's not running, and it warms up just as quickly as the Zanussi. It's also one of the only blankets that I've found which can rival the Zanussi on price.

Should you buy the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector?

As far as budget electric blankets go, this is one of the best out there. The features, speed, and efficiency of the Zanussi Double Electric Mattress Protector are almost unbelievable. Except, I've slept on all of them, so I know they're true.

How we test

I'm our dedicated expert for testing electric blankets, which means that I'm always on top of the latest releases and trends. They're really useful for lots of reasons: you can use them to stay warm; they don't cost much to run; and they're an easy way to make your house feel cosy.

 I’m always on the lookout for new products that seem cozy, innovative, or functional, and once I find one, I bring it in for a hands-on test. I use each blanket for several weeks, sometimes months, to evaluate it across different aspects.

I begin by looking at the packaging. In an ideal world, all of the product and its packaging will be made from eco-friendly, recyclable materials that keep the blanket compact during shipping. Ideally, the product should be ready to use right out of the box, but if it requires any assembly or setup, I make note of that.

The next step is testing the heat settings, which I usually assess in intervals of five or two and a half minutes. If the product is wearable, like a heated throw or poncho, I’ll wear it throughout the test. For a heated mattress pad, I’ll stay in bed to properly evaluate its performance. It’s tough work, but someone’s got to do it!

I then focus on checking how evenly the heat is distributed, whether there are any cool spots, if it has areas designed for cooler pillow placement, and how energy-efficient it is. If the blanket features dual controls or separate heating zones, I ensure they work as intended, often with the help of another person.

After I’ve gotten a feel for how the blanket performs, I’ll test how easy it is to clean. Some blankets require hand-washing, others can be machine-washed, and a few can even be tumble dried. It’s important to understand the cleaning process before purchasing, especially if it could be a hassle.

Throughout my testing, I compare the blanket to others I’ve reviewed, considering its performance, cost, feel, energy efficiency, and overall versatility. I’ll also highlight similar models and do the research for you. In the end, I offer my honest opinion on who the blanket would be best for and whether it’s worth buying. My reviews are completely unbiased, so when I recommend a product, you can trust it’s based on my personal experience.