The Best Heated Mattress Pads for 2026: Sunbeam, Beautyrest, Chilisleep and More
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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A heated mattress pad warms the bed from below, which is where you lose most of your body heat on a cold night. It’s more even and less bulky than a pile of blankets. And because it sits under the fitted sheet, it is generally considered safer than an electric blanket. With dual controls, each partner gets their own temperature, which can end a lot of thermostat arguments.
Our picks draw on Bob Vila’s hands-on testing, which slept at least one night on each pad and washed every one, plus Mattress Clarity, BestReviews, and Wirecutter’s 2026 electric-blanket testing. We haven’t tested these pads ourselves. Prices change seasonally and tend to rise as winter approaches.
Quick answer: the Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad is the best all-round pick, with 10 heat settings, dual controls and a 10-hour auto-off. Upgrade to the Beautyrest Cotton Blend for a plusher feel and wires you can’t feel. Choose the Chilisleep Cube if you want both heating and cooling year-round.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Heat settings | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad (water-resistant) | Best overall | 10 | Dual controls, 10-hr auto-off |
| Beautyrest Cotton Blend | Best luxury feel | 5 | Preheat, wires nearly undetectable |
| Chilisleep Cube | Heating and cooling | 55 to 115 °F | Water-based, 1-degree steps |
| Perfect Fit SoftHeat | Low voltage | 10 | 25-volt system |
| Degrees of Comfort Dual Control | Couples, fast preheat | 5 | Separate plugs each side |
| Serta Waterproof Electric | Waterproof protection | 10 | 1- to 12-hr timer |
Specs from Bob Vila’s testing and manufacturer listings.
The best heated mattress pads
1. Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad (Water-Resistant): best overall
Best for: most couples and anyone who wants fine control over warmth.
Bob Vila’s top pick has a 200-thread-count quilted cotton top and a water-resistant backing, and it’s machine washable. Sunbeam’s ThermoFine system offers 10 heat settings and adjusts warmth as you move during the night. On queen and king sizes, dual controllers let each sleeper set their own side, and the pad shuts off after 10 hours.
In testing it was “toasty” with plenty of settings, and the auto-off prevented it from being left on all day. It also washed well on gentle and dried on low. The one gripe is that both controllers are on a single cord, so if your outlets are in awkward places you may end up reaching across the bed. Mattress Clarity also rates Sunbeam’s quilted pad highly, with up to 12 settings on some versions.
Pros
- 10 heat settings
- Dual controls
- 10-hour auto shut-off
- Water-resistant, machine washable
Cons
- Controllers share one cord
- Not as plush as Beautyrest
2. Beautyrest Cotton Blend Heated Mattress Pad: best luxury feel
Best for: sleepers who want warmth they can feel but wires they can’t.
Bob Vila’s luxury pick has two digital controllers, five settings per side, and a preheat that warms the bed before you get in. Testers loved being able to switch it on, get ready for bed, and climb into a warm bed. The quilted cotton-poly cover is water-resistant and anti-static, and the ultra-thin wires were undetectable. “All we felt was warmth (sometimes a little much) and comfort.”
Each controller has its own connector, so they can’t get mixed up. The 10-hour maximum auto-off adds peace of mind. BestReviews also rates it highly. The downsides are that it needed several low-heat dryer cycles to dry fully, and the controller’s buttons are hard to find in the dark.
Pros
- Preheat setting
- Wires you can’t feel
- Separate controller connectors
- Plush quilted top
Cons
- Slow to dry
- Controls hard to use in the dark
- Only five settings
3. Chilisleep Cube Cooling and Heating Mattress Pad: best for heating and cooling
Best for: hot-and-cold sleepers who want one pad for every season.
The Chilisleep pad pumps water through thin silicone tubes from a bedside unit. You can set anywhere from 55 to 115 °F in 1-degree steps, with separate zones on larger sizes. Bob Vila’s testers called it one of their favorites, with a “gentle, permeating warmth that electric pads just don’t have,” and it can cool you in summer too.
It’s the fussiest pick here. Filling it was tricky even with the instructions, it needs distilled water and a monthly cleaning flush, it heats slowly (preheat before bed), the control unit is bulky, and the pad must be air-dried. It’s also far pricier than an electric pad. For hot sleepers who want year-round control, though, it’s worth it.
Pros
- Heats and cools
- Precise 1-degree control
- No electrical wires in the pad
Cons
- Expensive
- Setup and monthly upkeep
- Slow to warm
- Bulky bedside unit
4. Perfect Fit SoftHeat: best low-voltage pad
Best for: people concerned about voltage and EMF, and temperature-sensitive sleepers.
Most pads run on 120 volts. SoftHeat runs on 25, which Bob Vila notes uses less power and gives off no electromagnetic field. Its plush polyester top feels like fleece, the ultra-thin wires disappear into the padding, and queen and king sizes have dual controls with 10 settings. It washed well without pilling. The downsides are that it’s slow to warm, and the lowest settings are barely noticeable, which may actually suit people who run hot or live in mild climates.
Pros
- Low voltage
- Fleece-soft top
- Dual controls
Cons
- Slow to heat
- Low settings very mild
5. Degrees of Comfort Dual Control: best for couples
Best for: partners with very different heat preferences.
Each side has its own controller and its own port on the pad, so you can plug in on either side of the bed. Testers found that its preheat warmed the bed comfortably in about 10 minutes, faster than the 30 minutes advertised, and the top two of its five settings were hotter than they’d ever use. Setting the timer is fiddly because there’s no dedicated button.
Pros
- Fast preheat
- Separate plugs each side
- Easy to wash
Cons
- Awkward timer setup
6. Serta Waterproof Electric Mattress Pad: best waterproof
Best for: kids’ rooms, older adults, and anyone worried about spills.
A waterproof barrier and stain-repellent finish protect the mattress, while closely spaced wires, about 3 inches apart, heat quickly and evenly. Temperature changes took only a couple of minutes in testing. You can set the auto-off anywhere from one to 12 hours, and it dried in a single cycle. The cord is shorter than most.
Pros
- Truly waterproof
- Fast, even heat
- Adjustable 1- to 12-hour timer
Cons
- Short cord
Heated pad or electric blanket?
Heated pads warm you from underneath, stay put, and are less likely to bunch up or trap heat. Bob Vila calls them safer than heated blankets and better at spreading heat evenly. Electric blankets are portable for the sofa, but quality varies widely. In Wirecutter’s 2026 electric-blanket testing, Sunbeam and Beautyrest blankets didn’t make the cut, mainly because of weak heat, noticeable wires and shedding. That makes us prefer these brands’ pads to their blankets.
How to choose a heated mattress pad
- Dual controls. They’re essential for couples, and usually standard on queen and king sizes.
- Auto shut-off. Look for a timer of 10 hours or less, plus overheat protection.
- Safety certification. Choose pads listed by UL or ETL.
- Fit. Measure your mattress depth. Fitted-sheet-style skirts stay put better than elastic straps, and deep mattresses and toppers need deep pockets.
- Fabric. Cotton breathes and absorbs sweat. Polyester and fleece feel cozier but run warmer.
- Controller design. Backlit, easy-to-read controls help in the dark. Check that each controller can reach the outlet on its own side.
- Washability. Unplug the controllers and follow the care label. Most can be washed on gentle and dried on low.
Safety tips
- Lay the pad flat under the fitted sheet, never tucked or folded.
- Don’t use it with an adjustable base unless the maker approves it, since bending damages the wires.
- Don’t put heavy toppers or extra pads on top. Layers trap heat and weaken the warmth.
- Retire any pad with frayed cords, scorch marks or uneven heating.
- Never use one with infants or young children. Ask a doctor first if you have diabetes or reduced sensation, or are pregnant.
FAQ
Can you feel the wires?
On good pads, hardly at all. Testers couldn’t feel the wires on the Beautyrest, SoftHeat, Degrees of Comfort or Serta pads.
How long does it take to warm up?
Most take about 30 minutes to reach full heat, according to Bob Vila. Preheat settings, like the Beautyrest’s and Degrees of Comfort’s, can warm the bed in 10 to 30 minutes.
Can I use a heated pad with a memory foam mattress?
Generally yes, but check both manufacturers’ guidance. Foam can soften with heat, so use a low setting.
Does a heated pad replace a mattress protector?
Not entirely. Water-resistant pads help, but for full protection put a waterproof protector under the heated pad, as long as the manufacturer allows it.
The bottom line
The Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad is the one to buy for most beds, with 10 settings, dual controls and an easy wash. Upgrade to the Beautyrest Cotton Blend for a plusher, wire-free feel and a warm bed waiting for you. The Chilisleep Cube is the splurge for anyone who wants precise warmth in winter and cooling in summer.
