The Silentnight Heat Genie Self Heating Giant Blanket is an energy saving warm blanket that keeps you toasty this winter with no electricity costs and no running costs whatsoever
It might already be October, but like many of us trying to keep energy bills in check, I’m delaying switching on the heating for as long as I can manage, despite the dropping temperatures. With Ofgem announcing a 4% rise in the price cap, finding ways to cut electricity costs has become even more crucial.
Money-saving guru Martin Lewis has previously backed the concept of warming the person, not the property, encouraging us to depend on everything from hot water bottles to oversized jumpers to stay snug without turning to radiators when looking to reduce expenses. With that guidance in mind, last year I managed to get hold of the Silentnight Heat Genie Self-Heating Giant Blanket, and it proved to be a game-changer for keeping me toasty while saving cash.
While there are loads of budget-friendly electric blankets available, this one offers something even superior: after the initial £34.99 to £39.99 outlay (depending on the colour), Silentnight maintains it costs absolutely nothing to operate since it needs zero electricity. When I purchased mine, it was only obtainable in grey, though shoppers can now buy it from Amazon in leopard print, khaki, natural and burgundy.
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Marketed as “comfortable and cosy,” the blanket boasts a built-in heat-reflecting foil layer engineered to reflect your natural body warmth straight back at you. My initial reaction upon unwrapping it was its enormous size; measuring a substantial 180cm x 240cm, it’s large enough for several people – or pets – to cuddle beneath.
The outer material is a smooth plush fabric, combined with an ultra-soft sherpa fleece lining on the interior that fits effortlessly into most lounges or bedrooms. Despite the foil layer within, I was concerned it might feel rigid or produce an irritating rustling noise, but it feels every bit as supple, pliable, and silent as any ordinary blanket, reports the Mirror.
Silentnight Heat Genie Self Heating Giant Blanket
It now comes in several colours and prints.
To give it a proper trial, I snuggled beneath the blanket for several hours and discovered it retains heat exceptionally well, generating a distinct, cosy barrier of warmth that’s notably warmer than a regular throw. Obviously, unlike an electric blanket, you can’t control the temperature with a switch, but given it operates without cost, that seems like a reasonable compromise.
It’s important to mention that it won’t deliver that immediate warmth you experience with an electric blanket. If you’re considering alternative choices, StaySnug Sherpa Electric Heated Throw from Lakeland (£54.99) continues to be an excellent option if you still favour plug-in warmth.
Customers report it leaves them ‘snug as a bug’ and ‘even without the heat on you keep warm under the sherpa layer’.There’s also the Slumberdown Comfy Hugs Electric Blanket Heated Throw, currently reduced to £27.58 from £45.99 at Debenhams. It features nine temperature settings and can be tossed in the washing machine.
The Silentnight Heat Genie even earned the ultimate stamp of approval from my warmth-obsessed cat, who instantly claimed it as his personal property — and since the whole blanket can go straight in the washing machine and dries quickly, pet fur isn’t an issue.
I’ve officially ditched my old throw in favour of the Silentnight Heat Genie because it keeps me considerably toastier without adding a penny to my electricity bill, and I’ll be doing exactly the same this year.