
From climate control to sneeze-free air, tips to feel comfortable and breathe easy at home.
When the winter sun goes down and the evening chill sets in, the prospect of crawling between toasty warm sheets is very appealing, but if your bed’s temperature is more frightful than delightful, it could be time to get an electric blanket. For starters, at just a few cents each night, they’re a lot cheaper to run than most heaters, because they don’t waste energy heating areas where you’re not, i.e. everywhere except your bed.
Sunbeam has become one of the most trusted brands of small household appliances in Australia over several decades, and there’s no danger of it being caught napping when it comes to fitted electric blankets. Also known as underblankets, electric blankets function more like sheets, fitting snugly between your mattress and your fitted sheet to warm you from beneath. If you’re looking for something to throw over yourself while you lay on the sofa, you’ll want a heated throw blanket, also known as an overblanket.
From basic warmth to plush, quilted luxury with antibacterial finishes, Sunbeam has an electric blanket to suit all budgets, preferences, and, of course, sizes, from single and king single to double, queen, king and even super king options.
Whichever Sunbeam blanket you go for, you’ll find a bunch of impressive features as standard:
Dual heat controls (on double size and up, for both sides of the bed)
6 heat settings
Rapid heat-up (as little as 5 minutes)
Auto-off timers for 1, 3, or 9 hours
Overheating protection
Machine washable designs with detachable controllers
Sleep Perfect Technology, which senses changes in room and body temperature and adjusts accordingly to maintain your selected setting so you’re never too hot or cold.
3 year warranty.
As you move up the range, you’ll find differences in fabric type (from standard polyester to plush quilted tops and high-gsm wool), antibacterial finishes and features like Cosy Feet heating zones. Let’s break down the options, from budget-friendly to luxe.
This entry-level underblanket is all about getting the job done without fuss. With six heat settings and a 10-minute warm-up time, it delivers reliable comfort and safety with built-in overheat protection. The fitted design keeps it in place all night, and it’s machine washable, making it great for everyday use.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers or guest beds.
A step up in hygiene and speed, this version heats up in just 5 minutes and includes an antibacterial treatment that helps prevent bacteria and mould. It uses Sunbeam’s Sleep Perfect Technology for constant warmth and is made from soft and durable 250g/m² polyester.
Best for: Faster warmth and a more hygienic blanket without a big jump in price.
If you want to get a little more comfy, the quilted cotton top on this model adds a new layer of softness under your sheet, doing away with any need for a mattress topper. You get all the inclusions of the entry-level model, plus the faster 5-minute warm-up and the Cosy Feet Design, which focuses warmth near your feet.
Best for: Sleepers who want extra cushioning or often get cold feet at night.
Combining the quilted comfort and antibacterial properties of the previous two models, this one helps you sleep easy both physically and metaphorically. As well as Sleep Perfect Technology and quick 5-minute heat-up, you get the added peace of mind of a cleaner sleep environment.
Best for: Families, allergy sufferers or anyone who wants a side helping of hygiene with their comfort.
If you want to really level up the luxe factor this could be the way to go. With a 500g/m², 100% Australian wool fleece top it gives you plush warmth and breathability. The wool naturally helps regulate body temperature, and the Cosy Feet Design delivers extra heat at the base of the bed.
Best for: Anyone who runs cold at night and prefers the breathable warmth of natural wool to hugging a hot water bottle.
At the top of the Sunbeam electric blanket range, this is the ultimate in luxury and hygiene. With 600g/m² Australian wool fleece, antibacterial treatment, and the bells and whistles of the other blankets, like Sleep Perfect tech, rapid heat-up and safety shut-off, it’s a genuine all-rounder.
Best for: Anyone who wants to sleep on the cosiest fleecy surface with the added benefits of natural breathability and antibacterial properties.
Here’s a side-by-side look at Sunbeam’s electric blanket range to help you work out which one suits your needs.
Model | Fabric | Antibacterial | Cosy Feet Heating | Heat-up time | Machine washable | Price range |
Sleep Express | 220g/m² polyester | ✘ | ✘ | ~10 mins | ✔ | Lower |
Sleep Perfect Anti-bacterial | 250g/m² polyester | ✔ | ✘ | ~5 mins | ✔ | Lower |
Sleep Perfect Quilted | 250g/m² quilted cotton/poly blend | ✘ | ✔ | ~5 mins | ✔ | Mid |
Sleep Perfect Quilted Anti-bacterial | 250g/m² quilted cotton/poly blend | ✔ | ✔ | ~5 mins | ✔ | Mid |
Sleep Perfect Wool Fleece | 500g/m² Australian wool fleece | ✘ | ✔ | ~5 mins | ✔ | Higher |
Sleep Perfect Wool Fleece Anti-bacterial | 600g/m² Australian wool fleece | ✔ | ✔ | ~5 mins | ✔ | Higher |
When buying an electric blanket, think about what’s most important to you:
Material and feel: Want that plush, padded comfort? Go quilted. Prefer natural fibres? Wool fleece is the go.
Hygiene: Antibacterial versions usually only cost a small amount more than their non-antibacterial counterparts, so they’re worth opting for if you prioritise hygiene.
Budget: Even the entry-level models come packed with features, so don’t feel like you’re missing out.
Washing: All of these Sunbeam electric blankets are machine washable (the controls detach), but quilted and wool options take longer to dry.
Size: Make sure you buy the right size for your mattress!
Timer features: You shouldn’t need the heat to run all night, so you can set it to cut off after a few hours and then sleep soundly with the residual heat.
Winter nights don’t have to be chilly. An electric blanket can turn bedtime into the best part of your day. In fact, with your sofa going neglected, you might want to invest in a new TV (with free delivery and set-up) for your bedroom so you can snuggle down and binge your favourite shows in blissful warmth!
Whether you're prioritising a cosy night’s sleep this winter or you’re hosting guests and want to give them a truly warm welcome, there's a Sunbeam electric blanket to suit your needs and your budget.
Need to heat the whole room? Check out 10 of the best column heaters and 5 of the best panel heaters in Australia 2025.
We deliver electric blankets, electric throw rugs, heaters, air con systems and water heaters to 95% of Australians with Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery - and we can usually get it to you by the next day (Mon-Fri) when it's in stock.
We even offer paid Same Day Delivery in metro NSW, Qld and Vic for in-stock items ordered by noon weekdays. Check out our range of heating and cooling appliances, and if you need any advice, call our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500 or message us via the chat icon at the bottom of your screen.
Oli is Appliances Online's editor and blogger, with almost two decades of lifestyle-related writing and editing to his name. With a mission to help you buy better and live smarter, his brand loyalty will forever belong to the appliance manufacturer that develops a self-emptying dishwasher.