Shopping for a heated mattress pad?
You’ve come to the right place.
During cold winter nights when a thick comforter is not enough, a heated mattress pad is an excellent and immediate way to stay warm in bed.
Even better, some heated mattress pads also make the mattress more supportive and more comfortable.
As long as you follow instructions, electric heated mattress pads are totally safe to use. With proper use and maintenance, they are not a fire or shock risk.
Our Top 3 Picks
- It is an affordable heated mattress pad
- It has 10 heat settings
- Sunbeam mattress pad is machine washable
- You can set different heat levels for each side of the bed
- Degrees of Comfort has five heat settings
- It is a bit pricier than other brands
- It has a child lock
- NEAT AquaPad is available in Queen, King, and Cal King sizes
- It has a programmable timer to set exactly when the AquaPad will turn off
What’s In This Buying Guide?
Table of Contents
In this guide, we review the best heated mattress pads sold in major retail stores and online.
We also explain how modern heated mattress pads work, the types available, and how to choose the best one for your bed.
If you are also interested in how to sleep cool, check out our reviews of the best cooling mattress pads and toppers.
Best Heated Mattress Pads
- 1. Our Top Pick: Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad
- 2. Best for Couples: Degrees of Comfort Dual Control
- 3. Best with No Wires: NEAT AquaPad Water Heated Mattress Pad
- 4. Best for Aches and Pains: Sunbeam Therapeutic Zoned Heated Mattress Pad
- 5. Best Water Resistant: JEAREY Heated Mattress Pad
- 6. Best Luxury: Sunbeam Premium Quilted Heated Electric Mattress Pad
- 7. Best With Cooling and Heating: ChiliSleep OOLER
Sunbeam
Our top pick
Material
PolyesterHeat levels
10Dual zone
YesAuto shut-off
Yes (10hrs)Programmable timer
No5yr warranty
Degrees of Comfort
Best for couples
Material
CottonHeat levels
5Dual zone
YesAuto shut-off
Yes (10hrs)Programmable timer
No5yr warranty
NEAT AquaPad
Best water heated
Material
Cotton & microsuedeHeat levels
50-149FDual zone
YesAuto shut-off
YesProgrammable timer
Yes5yr warranty
Sunbeam zoned
Best for aches and pains
Material
Cotton & polyester fillingHeat levels
10Dual zone
YesAuto shut-off
Yes(10hrs)Programmable timer
No3yr warranty
JEAREY
Best water resistant
Material
Cotton blendHeat levels
8Dual zone
YesAuto shut-off
Yes (1, 2, 10hrs)Programmable timer
Yes5yr warranty
Sunbeam premium
Best water resistant
Material
Cotton & polyester fillingHeat levels
10Dual zone
YesAuto shut-off
Yes (10hrs)Programmable timer
No5yr warranty
ChiliSleep OOLER
Best with cooling & heating
Material
PolyesterHeat levels
55-115FDual zone
YesAuto shut-off
YesProgrammable timer
Yes2yr warranty
Sunbeam is one of the best brands when it comes to heated bedding (which is why we feature a couple other of their products in this guide). The Sunbeam heated mattress pad offers 10 heat settings plus auto shut-off.
It’s one of the most popular heated mattress pads on Amazon, as well as one of the most affordable.
PROS
- Ten heat settings.
- Auto shut-off.
- Even heat distribution.
- Dual zone control for couples.
- 5-year warranty.
CONS
- The pad is a bit thin - you can sometimes feel the wires.
- Not suitable for those looking for a soft cushioned mattress pad.
- No programmable timer.
Our Review
This is one of the more affordable heated mattress pads Sunbeam sells.
It’s not as luxurious as pricier pads, but it’ll keep your bed warm without fail.
The Sunbeam mattress pad comes with 10 heat settings, which gives you plenty of control using the wired controller connected to one end of the pad.
We recommend turning the heat all the way up just before you get into bed. That way, you’ll enter the bed warm and toasty. You can then turn the heat back down to get it to the most comfortable level.
The Queen size pad comes with dual zone control, allowing couples to adjust heat separately for their side of the bed.
During the night, you can manually turn the heat off or wait until it automatically turns off after ten hours.
The Sunbeam mattress pad comes with a deep skirt that you tuck under the mattress to keep the pad from moving. The skirt can fit mattresses up to 16 inches tall.
As far as cleaning goes, the Sunbeam mattress pad is machine washable. You can dry it in your dryer, too.
Issues & Complaints
The heating performance of the Sunbeam mattress pad is fine, but the pad itself is not the most comfortable.
It’s made with polyester and has no filling, so it can make your mattress feel a bit stiffer. Because of how thin it is, if you sleep in thin clothing you may be able to sense the wires.
If this is an issue for you, place a microfiber mattress pad on top of the Sunbeam mattress pad to add some cushion.
Another issue we found with the Sunbeam mattress pad is the timer. There’s no way to program it to turn the heat off after a specific number of hours. It only turns off after 10 hours. So if you like to turn the heat off in the middle of the night, you’ll have to wake up and turn it off manually.
Bottom Line
The Sunbeam heated mattress pad is best for:
Anyone looking for an affordable, proven, and reliable heated mattress pad.
Avoid if: You need a cushioned heated mattress pad to make your mattress softer.
For couples who share a bed, we recommend a heated mattress pad with dual heat control. One of the best is the Degrees of Comfort heated mattress pad.
The Queen, King, and Cal King sizes come with two controls allowing each person to set how warm their side of the bed is.
PROS
- Great for couples.
- Smooth and soft cotton fabric.
- Comes with plush padding for added comfort.
- Convenient preheat setting.
- 5 heat settings.
CONS
- Pricier than other heated mattress pads.
- Requires two outlets.
- No programmable timer.
Our Review
Most couples have varying sleep comfort preferences, especially when it comes to temperature. That’s why we recommend a dual control heated mattress pad for couples.
Not only can you set different heat levels for each side of the bed, you can have one side of the bed warm and the other one unheated.
The Degrees of Comfort heated mattress pads come with two controls for each side of the bed. Each control is attached to a 6ft long cord for easy access and storage.
The power cord that plugs into the wall outlet is also pretty long – 12.5ft.
The Degrees of Comfort has five heat settings plus a handy preheat button that gets the bed ready for you before you sleep.
The Degrees of Comfort mattress pad is a bit pricier than other brands, but that’s because it’s more luxurious. Unlike many heated mattress pads that consist of just a thin cover, the Degrees of Comfort mattress pad has a softer and more breathable cotton cover with padding inside.
The padding makes the pad more comfortable and ensures you don't feel the wires inside.
Setting up the Degrees of Comfort heated mattress pad is easy. Simply lay it on the mattress and tuck the skirt under the mattress. The skirt can fit under any mattress that’s 15 inches or less thick.
Issues & Complaints
The Degrees of Comfort mattress pad has two separate power plugs for each side of the pad, meaning you’ll need two outlets to power it. Not a biggie, though.
The other issue is one that is common with many heated mattress pads: the Degrees of Comfort mattress pad has a timer, but it is not programmable. It’s a 10-hour auto switch off timer. You cannot set it to turn the heat off after a specific number of hours.
Plugging it into an external timer or smart plug to automatically control when it turns on and off doesn't work since you also need to press the power button on the control to turn on heat.
Bottom Line
The Degrees of Comfort heated mattress pad is best for:
Couples looking who want dual zone control for each side of the bed.
Avoid if: You are shipping for a budget heated mattress pad. This one’s a bit pricey.
If you have reservations about sleeping on a pad with electrical wires inside, the NEAT AquaPad is a great alternative.
Instead of wires, it uses heated water to keep you warm. It works a lot like the Chilipad system, but it only heats; it doesn't cool.
PROS
- No wires inside the pad.
- Auto-off & programmable timer.
- Pump in the main unit is silent.
- Even heating.
- Easy digital temperature control.
CONS
- Pricey.
Our Review
If you are not a big fan of heated mattress pads with wires inside, the NEAT AquaPad is one of the best alternatives.
Instead of wires inside the mattress pad, it contains thin silicone tubes. These tubes are connected to the main unit that sits next to your bed.
The main unit contains a water reservoir, a ceramic heating element, and a silent pump. It heats water and pumps it through tubes in the pad.
The NEAT AquaPad water heating mattress pad doesn't heat as quickly as a pad with wires. It takes about 10 minutes for it to reach the set temperature.
But it does an outstanding job of heating evenly. Mattress pads with wires tend to have uneven hot spots. The AquaPad maintains an even temperature from head to toe.
Another advantage it has over traditional heated mattress pads is precise temperature control.
The AquaPad comes with a digital thermostat, allowing you to select a specific temperature between 50 and 149 degrees.
Other features we love include:
- A programmable timer. Unlike most heated mattress pads, you can set exactly when the AquaPad will turn off.
- Child lock.
- Sleep mode.
- Sterilization mode that turns heat to the highest setting for two hours to kill mites and bugs on your bed.
All these features are available on the included wireless remote control.
As for the pad itself, it’s pretty comfortable. You won’t feel the tubes at all, since they are sandwiched between two layers of cotton foam and an outer cover of microsuede.
The NEAT AquaPad is available in Queen, King, and Cal King sizes.
Issues & Complaints
The only issue we have with the NEAT AquaPad is the price. It’s significantly more expensive than a similar size heated mattress pad with wires.
Bottom Line
The NEAT AquaPad is best for: Anyone looking for an alternative to heated mattress pads that contains wires.
Avoid if: You are shopping on a budget.
Heated mattress pads are helpful for reducing aches and pains.
And a heated mattress pad that provides targeted heat in specific areas is even better.
The Sunbeam zoned heated mattress pad lets you choose where on your body you want to apply heat.
It’s a great choice for those who find that heat helps with back or joint pain.
PROS
- Great for pains and aches.
- Six heat zones to choose from.
- 10 heat settings.
- Dual side heat control.
- Soft padded mattress pad.
- Extra-deep skirt for tall mattresses.
CONS
- Many couples don't like the single wireless remote control.
- Some people find it too warm even on the lowest setting.
Our Review
The Queen, King, and Cal King sizes of the Sunbeam zoned heated mattress pad have six heated zones – three on each half of the bed.
There's a zone for your upper body, another in the middle of the bed, and another under your feet. Your partner's half of the bed has similar zones.
Using the included wireless remote control, you can turn individual zones on and off as you wish. You can turn all of them on if you want to feel warm everywhere.
You can turn on just the middle one if you want to ease back pain, just the upper one to ease neck and shoulder pain, or just the lower one if your feet tend to get cold at night.
You can adjust how warm each zone is. There are 10 heat levels for each zone.
Unlike other Sunbeam heated mattress pads, this one comes with just one remote control – and it's wireless. It controls heat on both sides of the bed and includes a backlit display for easy operation at night.
The mattress pad itself is really comfortable. It has a soft and breathable cotton cover and polyester filling inside. The padding ensures you don't feel the wires inside, and adds a nice touch of softness to your mattress.
The mattress pad comes with an extra-deep skirt that fits mattresses up to 24 inches tall.
Issues & Complaints
The single remote control works well, but we prefer individual wired controls other Sunbeam heated mattress pads come with.
The other complaint we have about the Sunbeam zoned heated mattress pad is that the 10 heat settings are not well differentiated. The lowest setting may still be too warm for some people.
Bottom Line
The Sunbeam therapeutic zoned heated mattress pad is best for:
Anyone who wants targeted heat therapy to ease pain. It’s also great for people who get cold feet.
Avoid if: You don't need zoned heating. A traditional heated mattress pad is easier to operate and cheaper.
Looking for a heated mattress pad that doubles up as a mattress protector? We recommend the JEAREY heated mattress pad.
The pad’s water resistant backing protects your mattress from liquids and stains.
PROS
- 2-in-1 heated mattress pad and protector.
- Dual heat control for couples.
- Auto shut-off with programmable timer.
- Deep elastic skirt for tall mattresses.
- 8 heat settings.
CONS
- Controller cords are too short.
Our Review
The JEAREY heated mattress pad is made with a cotton blend cover. The bottom of the cover is water resistant, which protects your mattress from stains and liquid damage.
That said, we do not recommend using the JEAREY heated mattress pad as a mattress protector for someone who is bedwetting.
For one, it’s dangerous to expose a plugged-in heated mattress pad to a lot of liquid. Two, the JEAREY heated mattress pad is only water resistant, not waterproof.
But for small spills and stains, the JEAREY mattress pad works great as a mattress protector.
It also does a great job keeping you warm in bed. It has eight heat levels and you can cycle through them using a wired controller.
Like other heated mattress pads, the JEAREY mattress pad has separate heating for each side of the bed. Each half has its own controller.
In addition to adjusting heat levels, you can also set a timer on the controller, an uncommon feature in heated mattress pads. Timer options are 1hr, 2hrs, and 10hrs.
The JEAREY heated mattress pad also has a deeper skirt than most other pads. It can fit mattresses as tall as 21 inches.
Issues & Complaints
The main complaint we have about the JEAREY heated mattress pad is the short length of the controller cords. The situation is made worse by the location of the plug where the cord plugs in. It’s at the corner instead of the center like in most mattress pads. Once you tuck in the skirt, the cord shortens even further.
So if you have a thick mattress, the controller hangs on the side of the mattress and it’s hard to reach.
Bottom Line
The JEAREY heated mattress pad is best for:
Anyone looking for a heated mattress pad that protects against small spills, night time accidents, and stains.
Avoid if: You have an extra thick mattress (14” or more). The controller will be hard to reach.
If you want a heated mattress pad that also softens your firm mattress, we recommend the Sunbeam quilted heated mattress pad.
It comes with plush microfiber padding and a breathable cotton top cover.
PROS
- Soft and plush - great for too-firm mattresses.
- 10 heat settings + preheat.
- Extra-deep skirt.
- Dual heat control.
- Machine washable.
CONS
- No programmable timer.
- Pricey.
Our Review
The Sunbeam premium heated mattress pad has more padding compared to other Sunbeam pads, making it softer and more luxurious.
It’s particularly ideal for anyone who finds their mattress uncomfortably firm. With the Sunbeam quilted mattress pad, you can soften your mattress while also staying warm.
The padding consists of microfiber filling while the cover is cotton at the top and polyester at the bottom. The elastic skirt fits mattresses up to 21 inches tall.
The Sunbeam quilted mattress pad has 10 heat settings that you can cycle through with the wired controller. There’s also a preheat button that quickly warms up the bed just before you get under the covers.
The Sunbeam quilted heated mattress pad comes with two controllers, one for each side of the bed.
Issues & Complaints
The Sunbeam quilted heated mattress pad has a fixed auto-off timer for 10 hours. You cannot program it to turn off after a custom number of hours.
It’s also pricier than other Sunbeam mattress pads, likely because of the plushier padding.
Bottom Line
The Sunbeam quilted heated mattress pad is best for: Anyone looking for a soft and plush heated mattress pad.
Avoid if: You don't want to make your mattress any softer. Also not ideal if you are looking for a budget heated mattress topper.
ChiliSleep OOLER is another good choice if you don't want a mattress pad that has wires inside.
Similar to the NEAT AquaPad, OOLER uses water to warm the bed. It can also cool the bed, making it a great choice for hot sleepers, cold sleepers, and year-round comfort.
PROS
- Heats and cools the bed.
- Digital temperature control.
- Sleep scheduling.
- Warm awake alarm.
CONS
- Pricey.
- Noisy when the fan is set on high.
Our Review
ChiliSleep OOLER is a complete bed climate control system that doesn't just warm the bed, it also cools it. In our home testing, it did a fantastic job of maintaining precise temperatures throughout the night and operated very quietly.
The greatest thing we like about the Ooler is it is an all-season bed climate control solution. You can use it in winter and summer. It's also great for hot sleepers and people who experience night sweats.
The setup is pretty similar to the NEAT AquaPad mattress pad. There's a mattress pad (Chilipad) with tiny tubes inside connected to the main unit that sits beside your bed. Heated water circulates through the tubes underneath your body to keep you warm.
Unlike the NEAT Aquapad, however, the OOLER system also has a fan to cool the water before it reaches your body, providing relief during hot summer nights..
You can select a temperature between 55F and 115F on the Bluetooth app and set up a temperature schedule that adjusts your pad to different temperatures at various times of the night.
The other thing we love about the OOLER is the 2-person option that comes with two main units, one for each half of the bed.
The pad itself is not plush, but ChiliSleep has done a remarkable job making sure sleepers don't feel the tubes. Your mattress will feel as comfortable as ever.
Issues & Complaints
If you are shopping on a budget, the ChiliSleep OOLER is probably not what you are looking for. It’s significantly more expensive than a basic heated mattress pad.
Because it heats and cools, it has a fan that can be a bit noisy. But you can adjust fan speed down to make it quieter.
Bottom Line
ChiliSleep OOLER is best for:
Anyone looking for an all-season mattress pad that can heat and cool their bed.
Avoid if: You only need heating. Heat-only mattress pads are way cheaper.
Heated Mattress Pad Buying Guide
What’s a Heated Mattress Pad - And How Does It Work?
A heated mattress pad is a thin pad (with or without filling) that you place on top of your mattress. It produces heat to keep you warm while in bed.
Most mattress pads have thin wires inside. These wires get hot, which makes the entire pad feel warm.
Other mattress pads use water. The pad contains thin tubes that carry heated water from the main unit next to the bed.
Benefits of a Heated Mattress Pad
The biggest benefit of a heated mattress pad is obvious – it keeps you warm.
It’s handy for cold nights when you don't want to sleep under a heavy pile of blankets. You can use a light blanket while staying toasty.
A heated mattress pad is also helpful for sleepers who naturally get cold at night. It’ll help maintain the right body core temperature for sleep.
The heat from a heated mattress pad can also be therapeutic for people with aches and pains.
A heated mattress pad can also save you money. Instead of heating your entire home just to keep the bedroom warm, you just heat your bed. A heated mattress pad is even more efficient than a space heater.
What To Consider When Buying a Heated Mattress Pad
1. Type of Mattress Pad
There are two main types of heated mattress pads: those with wires and those without.
Heated mattress pads with wires heat up faster and can get quite warm, making them ideal for harsh winters.
On the downside, they tend to heat unevenly, which creates hot and cold spots. They also don't have the same fine heat control water heated mattress pads provide.
Water heated mattress pads are pricier but they provide even heating. You can also select a specific temperature, rather than just a heat level.
2. Heat Settings
Next, check the kind and number of heat settings the mattress pad comes with. Most heated mattress pads have heat levels, usually 10, though some have just 5.
More heat levels gives you finer control over your comfort.
Water heated mattress pads usually offer digital temperature control. You can select a specific sleep temperature, giving you even finer control over how warm you sleep.
3. Controls
Most heated mattress pads come with wired controllers that you use to adjust heat and other settings.
If you are buying a Queen, King, or Cal King pad for you and your partner, make sure it has dual zone control. This lets each of you control heat level on your own half of the bed.
Another feature to look for is a timer. Most mattress pads have a fixed auto-off timer of 10 hours. But some mattress pads let you program the auto-off timer either to preset options or your own custom number of hours.
4. Safety
While heated mattress pads are generally safe, it’s important that you buy one that’s well made and certified safe.
In addition to buying from well known and trusted brands, check that the mattress pad is UL certified for safety.
It’s also essential that the heated mattress pad have overheat protection.
5. Materials & Comfort
Different mattress pad materials provide varying levels of comfort.
The cheapest mattress pads typically consist of a simple polyester cover with no padding inside. They are ideal if you don't want to change how your mattress feels.
On the downside, there’s a risk you’ll feel the wires or tubes inside the pad.
Premium heated mattress pads usually have a cotton cover with microfiber padding inside to add comfort and keep you from feeling the wires inside.
When going over the materials of a particular mattress pad, check how deep the elastic skirt is to make sure it’ll fit your mattress.
6. Machine Washable
Machine washable heated mattress pads are easy to keep clean and hygienic. Thankfully, virtually all heated mattress pads are machine washable.
Just make sure you have a machine big enough to fit the pad and that you follow the washing and drying instructions.
How to Use A Heated Mattress Pad
- Read the user manual, and especially the section on safety.
- Set up the heated mattress pad as instructed in the user manual. Make sure you tuck the skirt well under your mattress to keep the pad secure.
- To get the best out of the heated pad, turn it on to the highest setting about 10 minutes before you get into bed. Keep the bed covered with bedding to trap the heat underneath. This will allow the bed to get warm quickly.
- Once you get into bed, turn the heat low to a comfortable level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do heated mattress pads use a lot of electricity?
No, they do not. Most heated mattress pads consume less than 200 watts of power to heat both sides of the bed. If it’s a twin or full size pad, it’s less than 100 watts.
Can you feel the wires inside a heated mattress pad?
Unless the mattress pad is very thin, you shouldn’t feel the wires. If you can feel the wires, place a microfiber mattress pad on top to provide extra cushion.
Is a heated mattress pad safe for memory foam mattresses?
Generally, yes. But because of how memory foam reacts to heat, the mattress may feel softer and you’ll sink deeper.
Can I wash my heated mattress pad?
Most heated mattress pads are machine washable. You can also dry it in the dryer.
As a degreed engineer, I love new technology as much as you do (perhaps more). I also understand how to sort the best products from the rest. My team and I spend dozens of hours each week reviewing the best & latest products for your bedroom. Many are tested in-house, and others we break down based on our technical understanding. Whether you need a bed-cooling system, an adjustable bed, or a new CPAP machine – we've got you covered.