Heated throw running costs in the UK: how to work them out, and Beurer HD 75 vs Silentnight Comfort Control

Quick answer: A heated throw costs its rated watts ÷ 1000 × the hours you use it × your electricity unit rate. A 100 W throw such as the Beurer HD 75 (UK version) uses at most 0.1 kWh an hour, so a three-hour evening is at most 0.3 kWh; multiply that by the unit rate on your bill. Real use is usually lower because the throw cycles its heat on lower settings. Choose the Beurer HD 75 if you want a published wattage, a larger 180 x 130 cm throw and a 3-hour auto switch-off; choose the Silentnight Comfort Control if you want 9 heat settings and a shorter 2-hour switch-off, and check its rating label for the wattage, which its listing does not state.

The running cost method, step by step

You need two numbers: the throw's rated power in watts, and the unit rate you pay for electricity. The unit rate is on your bill or in your supplier's app. Ofgem explains that the unit rate is what you pay for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity, that the energy price cap sets the maximum a supplier can charge for each unit and for the standing charge, that it is reviewed every three months, and that it does not cap your total bill: the more you use, the more you pay.

1. Convert watts to kilowatts. Divide by 1000. A 100 W throw is 0.1 kW.
2. Multiply by hours of use. 0.1 kW for 3 hours is 0.3 kWh.
3. Multiply by your unit rate. 0.3 kWh × your unit rate = the cost of that evening at full power.
4. Scale up. For a season, multiply by the number of evenings. A 100 W throw used for 3 hours on 100 evenings is at most 30 kWh in total.

We deliberately do not print a pence figure. Unit rates change with the price cap each quarter and differ between tariffs, so a figure fixed in an article goes out of date quickly. The kWh figure does not.

Why the result is a ceiling, not a measurement

The rated wattage is the most the throw draws, normally while heating up on its highest setting. On lower settings the controller switches the heating element on and off to hold the temperature, so average draw over an evening is lower than the rating. Neither maker publishes the draw for each setting, so the honest way to compare is the ceiling. If you want real figures, a plug-in energy monitor between the throw and the socket will show what your own use costs.

The other lever is the timer. Both throws here switch themselves off: the Beurer HD 75 after 3 hours (Beurer), the Silentnight after 2 hours (listing). That caps a forgotten throw's use at 0.3 kWh for a 100 W rating, and it is a safety feature as much as a cost one.

What the listings actually publish

This is where the two throws differ most for a running-cost comparison.

• Beurer HD 75 (UK listing): the Amazon.co.uk listing names the model as the Beurer HD75UK Electric Throw (model number 42401) and gives 100 W and 6 temperature settings, at 180 x 130 cm. Beurer's own UK site lists the HD 75 with 6 settings, a 3-hour auto switch-off, machine washing at 30°C with the hand switch removed, and a removable switch; note that the Beurer page we read describes a Euro-plug version, so buy the UK listing, not an import.
• Silentnight Comfort Control: the Amazon.co.uk listing gives 120 x 160 cm, 9 heat settings (1 to 6 for slower heat-up and moderate warmth, 7 to 9 for faster heat), Heatsafe overheat protection, stitched channels to prevent hot spots, auto shut-off after 2 hours and machine washing. It does not state the wattage, so you cannot do the sum until you have it. Look on the rating label or in the instruction leaflet once it arrives, or ask the seller before ordering.

We left the larger Beurer HD 150 XXL out: Beurer's UK page lists it with a Euro plug, and the Amazon.co.uk listing we checked gives two different wattages (110 W in its specifications and 150 W in its description) without stating the plug.

Size, settings and washing

A 180 x 130 cm throw such as the Beurer covers one adult from shoulders to feet on a sofa. The Silentnight is narrower (120 cm) but similar in length (160 cm). More heat settings give finer control; they do not change the maximum running cost, which is set by the wattage. Both are machine washable: Beurer says 30°C with the hand switch removed. Follow the label on the Silentnight.

Safety checklist from Electrical Safety First

Electrical Safety First's advice on electric blankets says:

• All electric blankets must have a UK 3-pin plug. If the plug fuse needs changing, fit a 3 amp BS 1362 fuse.
• Check the blanket and cable for damage before use, especially after summer storage. Frayed fabric, scorch marks, visible wires, a damaged cable, or a control that buzzes, smells or overheats mean it needs replacing.
• Do not use it folded, rucked or creased; over-blankets should lie flat. Do not hold it in place with pins.
• Do not use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket.
• Replace it after ten years, or sooner if it shows wear.
• If young children use one, a parent or carer should set the controls.

The page covers electric blankets and mentions heated throws without saying whether every point applies to them, so treat it as the best general guide. Silentnight's listing also recommends switching the throw off before you go to sleep and avoiding constant use on the highest setting; Beurer's Amazon.co.uk listing for the HD 150 XXL says it is not suitable for infants, young children or people who are insensitive to heat; check the HD 75 leaflet for the same warnings.

Buying decision

• Choose the Beurer HD 75 (UK listing) if you want to know the running cost before you buy (100 W on the listing), a 180 x 130 cm throw that covers you from shoulders to feet, a removable switch for 30°C machine washing and a 3-hour auto switch-off.
• Choose the Silentnight Comfort Control if you prefer finer control with 9 settings, a 2-hour auto switch-off for shorter sessions, and a UK bedding brand. Get the wattage from the label before you rely on any running-cost figure.
• Skip both if you want to heat a room for several people (a throw warms the person under it, not the room), if the listing does not show a UK plug, or if the person using it cannot feel heat properly.

Before you order

• Check the listing names a UK version or UK plug. Electrical Safety First says all electric blankets must have a UK 3-pin plug; Beurer's own UK site shows Euro-plug versions of its throws.
• Find the rated wattage in the listing or manual before using any running-cost figure. If it is missing, ask the seller.
• Check the size against your sofa and whether one or two people will share it.
• Look up your unit rate on your latest bill so you can do the sum yourself.
• Register the throw with the maker so you hear about any safety recalls.

FAQ

How much does a heated throw cost to run per hour?

At most its rated watts ÷ 1000 kWh, multiplied by your unit rate. For the 100 W Beurer HD 75 that is at most 0.1 kWh an hour. On lower settings it uses less, because the controller cycles the heat.

Is a heated throw cheaper than turning the heating up?

It heats you rather than the room. Check the wattage of both and compare them with the same sum; whether you save money depends on whether you actually turn the heating down. Keep the room warm enough to avoid condensation and damp.

Does a higher heat setting cost more?

Yes, up to the rated wattage. More settings give finer control but do not raise the maximum.

Can I sleep under a heated throw?

Silentnight's listing recommends switching the throw off before you go to sleep. Electrical Safety First advises unplugging an electric blanket when you get into bed unless it has temperature controls, automatic shut-off and overheat protection designed for overnight use.

How long does a heated throw last?

Electrical Safety First recommends replacing electric blankets after ten years, or sooner if they show wear or damage.

How we researched this

On 2026-10-10 we read Ofgem's explanation of the price cap and unit rates, Electrical Safety First's advice on electric blankets, Beurer's UK product pages for the HD 75 and HD 150 XXL, and the Amazon.co.uk listings. We did not use either throw or measure its power draw, and the running costs here are worked from rated watts, not measured. We first planned to include the Beurer HD 150 XXL and a Slumberdown throw; the HD 150 XXL was dropped over the plug and wattage questions above, and we could not find the Slumberdown Cosy and Snug throw on Amazon.co.uk or open its maker page, so the Silentnight throw is included instead. Buying links and any commission relationship are disclosed on this page.

Sources

• Ofgem: energy price cap and standing charges explained
• Electrical Safety First: electric blankets
• Beurer UK: heated overblanket HD 75
• Beurer UK: heated overblanket HD 150 XXL
• Amazon.co.uk listing, ASIN B075LG1P79
• Amazon.co.uk listing, ASIN B0DDTQXG9G