Amazon shoppers praise 'cosy' self-heating blanket that costs nothing to run as energy bills soar

Following Ofgem's new price cap which came into force earlier this week, households across the UK can expect to see their energy bills rise by almost £150 typically. With this in mind, many will no doubt be on the hunt for cost-efficient ways to stay warm without switching the central heating on.

Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert, recommends heating the person and not home through things like an electric heated blanket. While these typically only cost pennies an hour to run, there will be some that would prefer them not to cost anything at all.

Luckily, we've found a blanket that is self-heating, mimicking the warming effects of an electric throw without costing a penny after it's initial purchase. Silentnight's Heat Genie Self-Heating Giant Blanket is available on Amazon for just £37.99.

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Sumptuously 'comfortable and cosy', the blanket features a heat reflecting foil layer that reflects your body heat back on you, for an extra layer of warmth without the need for electricity, as Devon Live reports. Available from Amazon or Sleepy People, the plush fabric outer and sherpa fleece inner means you shouldn't feel the foiled layer and as it is super-sized, measuring 180cm x 240cm, it's big enough for more than one person to snuggle into.

Perfect for cosying up with on the sofa, staying warm in bed on chilly nights, or laying over your lap if you work from home, the Silentnight blanket is fully machine washable keeping it fresh throughout the season. This feature is ideal if you have a household with children or pets.

It's only stocked in one colour, a dark grey, however this should match most interiors if you plan on leaving it across a sofa or bed. Shoppers describe it as 'warm, cosy and worth the price', with one person saying: "The blanket is good quality, instructions say wash before use and it looks good on my bed. It is comfortable warm to sleep in with nothing else on the bed, as the weather gets colder I may have to put additional sheets on but for now all is good."

Another customer wrote: "Brilliant. I find the plug in blankets too much and a bit heavy. This is huge, but light and so cosy. Keeps you warm but not overheated. I bought one for my mum as well as she was worried about leaving blankets plugged in and tripping over leads. She absolutely loves this blanket and finds it much more cosy and cuddly than the others I have bought for her in the past."

The three layer construction should retain heat, but you don't have as much control over the temperature compared to an electric blanket. A similar sized Silentnight Electric Blanket on sale for £41.99 on Amazon has three heat settings, controlled by a sliding dial. It will also heat up quicker than the self-heating blanket.

Alternatively, Silentnight's Heat Genie Self-Heating Mattress Topper is £37.99 for a double size at Boots. Working in a similar way to the self-heating blanket, shoppers say it 'keeps you warm as toast all night' and is 'easy to fit' on the bed.

You could also consider wearing a blanket hoodie - Oodie have reduced a number of their original styles by £20 in a flash sale ahead of the autumn chill. You can browse the collection here.