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Staying at a comfortable temperature overnight can help improve sleep quality. During colder months, a person may need help keeping warm in bed.

Heated mattress pads use electrical warming technology inside a mattress topper that fits directly on top of a mattress.

This article discusses some pros and cons of using a heated mattress pad and suggests a range of heated mattress pads that are available for purchase online.

A heated mattress pad uses electrically heated wires or heated water to increase the pad’s temperature. A person can sleep on the mattress pad placed on top of their mattress.

Wires (electric) or water tubes (hydronic) inside the mattress pad heat it to different temperature settings.

A heated mattress pad can benefit a person in several ways. It will help them stay warm and comfortable overnight, and the heat can also help relax muscles and ease pain. A 2015 review found that in randomized clinical trials, heat therapy reduced pain in the short term for participants with low back pain. The same study concluded that heat therapy was more effective than cold therapy.

Using a heated mattress pad also means that a person is only heating one particular area of their room. This way, they may not need to heat their bedroom or whole house overnight, which can reduce heating costs.

Materials

Mattress pads come in a varietyy of materials. These can include polyester, cotton, synthetic “sherpa” fleece material, or suede.

Mattress pads come in a range of sizes to fit different mattresses. Companies can make them for one or two people with single or double heating zones.

Power source

Most heated mattress pads run on electricity, including all the versions this article discusses. A person plugs a mattress pad into a power outlet.

People with arthritis may benefit from using heat on painful or stiff joints. Indeed, according to the Arthritis Foundation, heat can help ease the symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lower back pain.

A heated mattress pad applies heat to the whole body, so people with multiple affected joints may benefit.

Also, the Sleep Hygiene Index indicates being too cold as an environmental factor for poor sleep quality. So, using a heated mattress pad may improve sleep quality by keeping a person at a comfortable temperature through the night.

Although heated mattress pads are generally safe, a person should replace an old or damaged heated mattress pad to ensure that the wires are not damaged. This can help reduce the risk of fire.

A person should look for a mattress pad that a recognized agency, such as the Underwriters Laboratories, has tested.

People with certain health conditions may wish to avoid using heated mattress pads. Parents and caregivers should also not put them in the beds of children and infants, as they may be unable to change the settings or get out of bed easily.

Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that people with diabetes sometimes develop. People with diabetic neuropathy may not be able to feel how hot the mattress pad is, which may result in them sustaining accidental burns.

However, if a person with diabetic neuropathy wants to use a heated mattress pad, they can heat the pad before they sleep and switch it off overnight.

Also, heated mattress pads may not be suitable during pregnancy. Overheating during pregnancy can cause complications in the heart and neural tubes of the developing fetus.

Additionally, if a pregnant person’s waters break overnight, there may be safety risks if the fluid comes into contact with the electrical wiring.

A person should always check the condition of their heated mattress pad and replace it if it becomes damaged. Also, avoid buying a secondhand heated mattress pad because it may already have sustained damage.

Heated mattress pads are not suitable for use with water beds and may not be suitable for foam mattresses.

  • Company reputation. We checked the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) warning letter database and did our best to confirm the products haven’t faced recalls or lawsuits.
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Here are four heated mattress pads available for purchase online that can help a person keep warm in bed.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tested any of these products. All information presented here is purely research-based.

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Best for couples: Biddeford Sherpa Heated Mattress Pad

The Biddeford Sherpa Heated Mattress Pad is made from soft sherpa fabric that mimics the feel of sheepskin.

There are 10 heat settings that offer even heat throughout the mattress pad with thin wires.

The king and queen size mattress pads also come with two heating zones, so that individuals can heat their sides of the bed to their preferred temperature.

The system will turn off automatically after 10 hours of use.

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Best for precise temperature control: chiliPAD Sleep System

The chiliPAD Sleep System uses water to control the temperature of the mattress pad. The temperature range is 55–115°F (13–46°C).

The heating pad heats the water in a thermal regulating control unit then circulates it through the mattress pad. A person will need to refill the water reservoir occasionally.

The queen size mattress pad features dual controls, so individuals can set their preferred temperature for their side of the mattress.

The mattress pad is made from a soft, poly-cotton blend with a thread count of 150.

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Best thread count: Beautyrest Heated Mattress Pad

The Beautyrest Heated Mattress Pad features five temperature settings. A person can heat their bed with the dedicated preheating feature so that they do not have to wait for the mattress pad to warm up while they are in bed.

The mattress pad automatically turns off after 10 hours of use.

The quilt is made from a soft, poly-cotton blend with a thread count of 200.

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Best water-powered: NEAT AquaPad Hydronic Water Heated Mattress Pad

The NEAT AquaPad Hydronic Water Heated Mattress Pad uses water to heat the pad. Its outer layers are microsuede, and its inner layers are elastic cotton foam.

Users can set precise temperatures for a more customized experience, with a temperature display in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. There is also a dedicated sleep mode with three settings and timers.

There are no electrical wires inside the pad, which reduces the electrical safety hazard.

The mattress pad is self-cleaning, with a sterilization mode that uses 149°F (65°C) water circulation to clean the system.

Additional safety features include a child lock and an automatic shut-off function that switches the pad off after 24 hours of nonuse or if the system gets too hot or runs out of water.

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Using a hot water bottle is an accessible, affordable, and simple way to heat a bed before going to sleep or heat specific body areas, such as the feet or back.

Electric blankets are another alternative to heated mattress pads, but they come with the same or more safety risks as mattress pads.

Choosing a duvet or comforter made from warm materials can help keep a person warm overnight. Natural fillings, such as down or wool, are good insulators and can help regulate a person’s body temperature.

Using blankets and top sheets can help create layers of insulation that trap body heat in the bed. Layers are also easily adaptable if the person gets too hot.

Research has shown that the temperature of your bedroom is an important factor in how well you sleep and that people tend to sleep worse during the summer months when it’s warmer. Your best bet is to keep your room around 65°F (18.3°C).

While heated mattress pads may be beneficial for those who live in cooler climates, it is also important not to get too hot while you sleep. Some people may prefer to use a heated mattress pad when they first get into bed and are trying to warm up.

Choose a heated mattress pad with an automatic shut-off feature that does not go over 100°F.

Are heated mattress pads safe?

So long as you stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines, heated mattress pads are considered safe. Read all guidelines closely and always remove the control panel before washing the pad.

People should ensure that they cannot feel any electrical wires when laying on the mattress pad, as this could increase the risk of an electric shock.

Can you use a heated mattress pad on a memory foam mattress?

Yes. However, using any mattress pad on a memory foam mattress can impede any heat-wicking or body-molding effects of memory foam mattresses. Always check with the mattress manufacturer about compatibility with heated mattress pads.

How do you wash a heated mattress pad?

Each mattress pad may have different cleaning protocols, so always read the manual that comes with your product. Many are safe to put in the washing machine after disconnection from the control panel. It is usually best to air dry them, not machine dry.

Using a heated mattress pad is a convenient way to keep warm overnight during colder months.

They are typically safe to use, but they may not be suitable for people with certain health conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy.

They offer potential health benefits, such as improved sleep quality and pain relief.