Heating pad vs. electric blanket: running cost
A heating pad is cheaper to run: about $2 a year versus $11 for an electric blanket at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $9 difference.
| Heating pad | Electric blanket | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 50 W | 100 W |
| Watt range | 20–120 W | 60–200 W |
| Typical use | 1 hour a day | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year |
| Energy per year | 13 kWh | 62 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.6¢ | 0.9¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.6¢ | 7.3¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.19 | $2.23 |
| Cost per year | $2 | $11 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $6 | $27 |
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What drives the difference
- Heating pad: A typical heating pad uses 20-120 W. Even used daily it costs well under a dollar a month.
- Electric blanket: Electric blankets draw 60-200 W depending on size; controllers pulse the heating wire so average draw on a mid setting is about half the rated watts.
Ways to cut either cost
Microwavable heat pack
Uses about 0.02 kWh per 2-minute heat-up in the microwave.
See options on Amazon Heated mattress pad
Heat rises from beneath you so lower settings feel warmer.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a heating pad or an electric blanket?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric blanket costs about $11 a year versus $2 for a heating pad. That's $9 more, or 4.9× as much.
How many watts do heating pad and electric blanket use?
A heating pad typically draws 50 W (range 20–120 W). An electric blanket draws 100 W (range 60–200 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.