heated mattress topper

Best Heated Mattress Pads For A King Or Queen Bed: Top Picks & Buying Guide

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Shopping for the Best Heated Mattress Topper?

You’ve come to the right place!

When the world outside is freezing, a heated mattress pad is a true luxury, warming your bed to the temperature you want before slipping off your PJs.

A warming mattress pad can also reduce your utility bills a bit, because it's far more energy efficient than turning up the thermostat.

In this guide we'll take a look at some of the most comfortable heated mattress pads for king and queen beds.


What’s In This Buying Guide

This guide reviews some of the best-rated heated mattress pads for a king or queen bed and explains their unique features, drawbacks and best use.

We also provide a comprehensive buying guide and answer a few frequently asked questions to help you make the right decision for your particular situation.

So let's get started with our top picks for 5 common situations.


Best Heated Mattress Pads & Toppers

  1. Most Energy-Efficient: Perfect Fit SoftHeat Mattress Pad
  2. Best Value: Sunbeam Polyester Heated Mattress Pad
  3. Best for Year-Round Use: ChiliSleep Cube Sleep System
  4. Best for Quick Heat: Electrowarmth M60 Fld Heated Mattress Pad
  5. Best Waterproof Option: Sunbeam Water-Resistant Mattress Pad  

Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com

ProductAwardMaterialDual ControlsMachine-washableHeating elementWeight
Perfect Fit SoftHeat Smart Heated Mattress Pad
heated mattress pad

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Most energy-efficientPolyesterYesYesElectrical wires7 lbs.
Sunbeam Polyester Heated Mattress Pad
queen size heated mattress pad

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Best ValuePolyester YesYesElectrical wires5.99 lbs.
ChiliSleep Cube Sleep System
best heated mattress pad

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Best for year-round usePolyester, Polyester BlendYesYesWater-based31 lbs.
Electrowarmth Heated Mattress Pad
heated mattress pad review

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Best for Quick HeatPolyester YesYesElectrical wires 5.55 lbs
Sunbeam Water-Resistant Heated Mattress Pad
queen size heated mattress pad

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Best Waterproof OptionCottonYesYesElectrical wires 6.6 lbs

1. Most Energy-Efficient: Perfect Fit SoftHeat Mattress Pad

heated mattress pad

If you want a low-voltage unit, then the Perfect Fit SoftHeat Mattress Pad is a good option.

It features incredibly thin and hardly noticeable wires and consumes less than 25V of electricity.

Pros

  • Non-hazardous low-voltage technology keeps you warm even when the bed is wet
  • Micro-velour fabric top rejuvenates and warms up your bed
  • Machine washable
  • The large controller is simple to use with an on/off switch and easy-to-read numbers
  • No annoying cold or hot spots

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with an auto-off feature

Our Review

Boasting a soft plush fabric and the safest and easiest to use technology, this Perfect Fit model is very effective in warming you up.

The SoftHeat mattress is designed with a convenient pre-heat feature that warms up your bed before you snuggle in for the night.

Its easy-to-use dual controllers and zoned heating allow you to set the bed at your preferred temperature level without worrying about sacrificing your partner’s needs and comfort.

Its Safe and Warm low-voltage technology consumes less than 25 volts, which according to the manufacturer, is lower than the current needed to power a light bulb.

The low-voltage technology comes with a small power supply box that converts 120V AC home current into safe, low-voltage DC current to offer protection, safety, and warmth, even if your bed becomes wet.

This technology further allows you to snuggle in with your family members and pets without worrying about their safety.

The SoftHeat Smart Heated Mattress Pad has incredibly thin wires evenly spaced 3 inches apart from top to bottom. This design provides even heating to the entire bed without any annoying cold or hot spots.

While regular wires are bulky, uncomfortable, and thick, the SoftHeat boasts flexible, ultra-thin wires that lay flat inside the mattress pad.

They are hardly noticeable and offer the required warmth without the discomfort or bulkiness of traditional warming wires.

The Perfect Fit mattress pad also features an additional layer of soft fabric and fiberfill that provides extra support and comfort.

Plus, each wire is covered by a layer of fiberfill that transfers the heat down towards your feet, providing heating that keeps your entire bed warm for a long time.

However, this mattress pad doesn’t come with an auto-shut-off feature, so you might have to turn it off yourself before going to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night to power it down.


2. Best Value: Sunbeam Polyester Heated Mattress Pad

heated mattress pad queen

Offering impressive heating, the Sunbeam Polyester Heated Mattress Pad is an incredibly affordable option.

Although it’s available at a lower price than most other heated mattress pads, it still offers 10 heat settings, dual controls for larger units, a temperature range of 110oF-160oF, an auto-off safety function, and an efficient pre-heat feature.

Pros

  • 10 heat settings for each side
  • EasySet Pro Controller allows you to adjust heat levels easily
  • ThermoFine technology ensures heat consistency across the entire bed
  • Dryer-safe and machine washable
  • Backed by a 5-year limited warranty

Cons

  • Wires are slightly noticeable

Our Review

The Sunbeam Polyester Heated Mattress Pad boasts 100% polyester padding with a 140-thread-count. With a 5-ounce fill and quilted construction, its durable design offers warmth and comfort throughout the night.

It has a dual-zone control feature and comes with dual controllers for personalized heat settings. The mattress pad’s 10 heat settings are further designed with Sunbeam’s ThermoFine technology that ensures even heating across the bed by auto-adjusting the temperature.

You can also program it for up to 10 hours using the auto-off timer and sleep without worrying about overheating accidents.

Along with being dryer-safe and machine washable, this Sunbeam pad also comes with a 5-year limited warranty. Its controller is basically a simple dial, so it’s very easy to use as well.

However, the lower price means lesser padding (5-ounce fill instead of 9), so the wires might be slightly noticeable. It also features a polyester top instead of a cotton one, so it’s less breathable.


3. Best For Year-Round Use: ChiliSleep Cube Sleep System

best heated mattress pad

The ChiliSleep Cube System both cools and heats your mattress for faster muscle recovery, increased melatonin production, and deeper sleep.

The ChiliSleep Cube is a high-quality unit that allows for degree-by-degree temperature adjustments even as your sleeping temperature changes with the seasons.

It's definitely not cheap, but we love this product for year-round use – it's one of our top choices for cooling beds, too.

Pros

  • Easy to remove, clean, and install
  • Breathable mesh kit for greater cooling
  • Soft quilted side ensures comfort in every season
  • A wide temperature range enables you to get restful, improved sleep
  • An energy-efficient water-based system provides a comfortable sleeping environment

Cons

  • Noisy
  • Pricier than other models

Our Review

The ChiliSleep Cube is a luxury bed heating/cooling system that employs a different method to heat your bed. Instead of electrical wires, the mattress pad uses a silicone micro-tubes to circulate water that has been heated or cooled according to your preference.

This hydro-powered mattress pad comes with 2 thermal regulating control units and 2 remotes, making it ideal for 2 sleepers.

Utilizing water, the ChiliSleep Cube Sleep System offers a temperature range of 55oF to 115oF (13oC-46oC), helping you encourage restorative, quality sleep.

It also allows you to control the temperature in one-degree increments, so you can determine the sleep temperature that best suits your body and enjoy the productivity benefits of rejuvenating REM sleep.

Along with heating up your bed during the winters, the ChiliSleep Cube’s cooling capabilities offer several benefits as well.

The pad can help reduce sleeplessness from menopause, hot flashes, night sweats, and body pain, providing a more relaxing and comfortable sleep experience.

Each cube further has a power rating of only 80 Watts, which is significantly lower than an air conditioner, so you can easily use the cube without worrying about an exorbitant energy bill.

Perfect for both cold and hot sleepers, the ChiliSleep Cube boasts a thick cotton and polyester padding that easily disguises the tubes. It’s also easy to clean and fits almost any bed.

However, the sleep system makes some noise, so it might not be suitable for light sleepers. It’s also a bit expensive.


4. Best for Quick Heat: Electrowarmth M60Fld Heated Mattress Pad

heated mattress pad review

Available in almost 20 sizes, the Electrowarm Heated Mattress Pad is a quilted, dual-sided model that comes with a plush polyester cover and 10 different warming settings.

You can uniquely program each side of the pad with a different temperature setting, making it the perfect option for couples.

Pros

  • 10 different heating settings for personalized comfort
  • Energy-efficient design
  • Safe to use
  • Machine washable for easier care and maintenance
  • Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty
  • Quick heat-up feature
  • ETL-approved for greater safety

Cons

  • Buttons are a bit flush, making the controller difficult to use
  • The controller lights up for only a few seconds

Our Review

The Electrowarmth Heated Mattress Pad boasts a fast-heating feature that ensures you won’t have to lie down in the cold for long.

The unit will heat up your bed on the highest temperature setting as soon as you turn it on and will then automatically go down and maintain the temperature you originally chose.

It will automatically turn off after 10 hours for energy and safety purposes, and it will remember and maintain the last heating setting you chose when you switch it back on.

Also, its 2-control design allows you and your partner to separately adjust the temperature setting for each side of the bed. This pad offers 10 different heat levels and comes with a fitted skirt that securely holds the mattress pad in place.

The Electrowarmth Heated Pad is designed with 100% polyester, which adds a bit of stretch and flexibility for easy assembly.

It also comes with a money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty and can easily fit mattresses measuring up to 13 inches in height.

The mattress pad is dryer-safe and machine washable as well. While it can be a bit difficult to find the perfect-sized mattress pad, this is not a problem with the Electrowarmth, as it’s available in almost 20 sizes.

However, the controller is a bit difficult to use. The buttons are very close to each other, and the controller lights up for only a couple of seconds, so you might have to keep pressing buttons to properly read the setting it’s on.


5. Best Waterproof Option: Sunbeam Water-Resistant Heated Pad

queen size heated mattress pad

If you’re concerned about night time accidents or spilling a cup of water, the Sunbeam Water-Resistant Heated Pad is a great choice.

Designed with a water-resistant backing and 200-thread-count cotton, it provides extra security and warmth at the same time.

Pros

  • Dryer-safe and machine washable for easy care and maintenance
  • The water-resistant design ensures safety
  • 10 different heat settings
  • Excellent heat distribution throughout the night
  • Extremely soft and comfortable quilted hourglass design

Cons

  • Wires may be slightly noticeable
  • Quality control issues

Our Review

This Sunbeam pad boasts all the features and strengths of the budget-friendly Sunbeam Polyester Heated Mattress Pad discussed above, but with an additional layer of protection against stains and spills.

This traditional wire-based mattress pad is designed with ThermoFine technology to provide even heating across the surface of your mattress. It comes with an intuitive and easy-to-use controller that allows you to choose from 10 different heating options.

The Sunbeam Water-Resistant Heated Pad also features an auto-off function and a pre-heat setting for additional safety.

Like most Sunbeam mattress pads, this unit offers standard dual controllers and two heating zones for queen size and larger models, allowing you to control the heat levels of each side individually.

In addition, this Sunbeam Heated Pad is designed with 100% cotton. The top of the mattress pad boasts a quilted construction and a 200-thread-count.

Its simple design further allows you to slip the pad over your bed like a fitted sheet, while its skirt is suitable for high-end mattresses measuring up to 19 inches in height.

This mattress pad is available in 5 sizes and is dryer-safe and machine-washable. However, the wires can be noticeable for heavier sleepers.


Heated Mattress Pad Buying Guide

heating mattress cover

What is a Heated Mattress Pad – and how does it work?

A heated mattress pad is a thin layer of padding that goes on top of a mattress for additional protection and cushioning.

Mattress pads are usually designed with elastic bands or elastic straps similar to fitted sheets to secure and hold them in place.

Heated mattress pads provide the comfort of a typical mattress pad but take it one step further by adding an electrical or hydropower heating element to offer additional warmth, making them perfect for people who live in climates where the evenings are cool.

It’s important to remember that mattress pads are different from mattress covers and mattress toppers.

Although both toppers and pads can increase your mattress's comfort level, toppers offer a thicker and more substantial adjustment.

This is because mattress toppers are typically designed with latex or memory foam, while pads use polyester or cotton for less cushioning.

Heated mattress pads warm the bed's surface using heated water or electrically heated wires.

Pads with a metal wire-based system use electricity to generate heat and then transfer it to your body through a system of flexible, thin wires.

On the other hand, a water-heated pad uses electricity to cool or heat a small amount of water to your preferred temperature. The unit then pumps the heated or cooled water into silicone tubes that are evenly distributed throughout the pad’s interior surface.

Why Buy a Heated Mattress Pad Over Other Kinds of Pads?

Most people use the terms ‘heated blanket’ and ‘heated mattress pad’ interchangeably, but these are 2 different accessories that vary greatly in features, construction, functionality, and price.

One of the biggest differences between the two is the way they’re placed on the bed.

Heated blankets are placed over your body and can even be carried to a reading nook, a sofa, or in the car for long drives. On the other hand, heated pads are placed on top of a mattress but underneath the comforter and bedding.

A heated mattress pad offers more stable heating than other toppers and can certainly last through the entire winter season.

Unlike heated blankets and other toppers, mattress pads are put in only one place, offering consistent warmth throughout the night.

What to Look for in a Heated Mattress Pad

Purchasing new bedding can be overwhelming due to the many options available.

To help you make the right choice, we’ve highlighted important features that will affect a heated mattress pad's performance.

Fit

Most heated mattress pads offer a full range of sizes, including king-size, queen-size, and twin-size. Along with ensuring that the unit you choose is the perfect fit for your mattress, make sure you consider the length of your bed as well.

A heated pad should fit securely around the corners of your mattress so it doesn’t overheat in areas where it bunches up. If the heated pad is not a tight fit, it can pose a serious safety risk.

Safety

mattress heating pad

Although heated pads are generally safe, it’s still important to consider the safety features before making a purchase. Choose a unit with certification, like the UL certification, as this shows that an independent, third-party organization has tested it for safety.

It’s also advisable to look for features like overheating protection and auto-shut-off after a certain number of hours. Heated pads should also ideally have low-voltage designs for additional safety.

Waterproofing

Some units feature water-resistant or waterproof construction, like water-resistant backings or fabrics that easily wick moisture.

They are the perfect choice if you sleep hot and frequently sweat in the middle of the night or need a mattress pad for your kid who is prone to spills and accidents.

Durability

Heated mattress pads should have durable wires that don’t fray and circuitry that’s always in top working order. The quality of the materials used will also affect the overall durability of the pad and determine how well it will stand up to regular cleaning and use.

Material

A heated pad is made from different materials. Most pads feature polyester, cotton, or cotton-polyester blends, but some are designed like mattress toppers with materials like microfiber and Sherpa.

Cotton covers are famous for their softness and are excellent at absorbing moisture. Polyester mattress pads are a bit more breathable and stretchier than cotton, while microfiber is a type of polyester that feels plusher than traditional polyester units.

While blended mattress pads offer the advantages of both cotton and polyester to sleepers.

Heating Element

Heated pads work with either water or wires. Wired models are designed with a system of electrical wires that are usually so thin that you won’t be able to feel them through the mattress pad.

Meanwhile, more advanced models use water to heat up your bed. These models have a unique control unit that works by heating up water and pushing it into a system of tubes spread within the mattress pad, giving you better control over the bed’s temperature.

Control & Settings

Heated mattress pads usually include a handheld controller for controlling the heat level. High-quality models often have more adjustability and a more comprehensive range of heat settings.

Controls are typically wired to the mattress pad, but some units boast a wireless controller or a smartphone app that allows you to control the temperature with your phone.

Some models also come with split or dual control, allowing you to adjust both sides separately. This feature is perfect for couples with varying temperature preferences.

Timer

It’s better to look for a unit with a timer, as it will allow you to set your mattress pad to turn off automatically after a designated number of hours.

Pros and Cons

queen heated mattress pad

To help you decide whether you should purchase a heated pad, we’ve listed some of its pros and cons. In our opinion, the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages but make sure you go through this section and make the decision yourself.

Pros

Less Exposure to EMF Waves

A heated pad keeps you warm by using lesser electric heat than heaters and HVAC systems. It is an excellent option for those concerned about their exposure to EMF waves when using heated blankets.

Relaxes Your Body

When you’re comfortable and warm at night, you’re less likely to become stressed. Heat widens your blood vessels, relaxing your brain and muscles and allowing you to drift off to sleep faster.

Improves Health

Getting the right amount of sleep is essential for your health, as your body recovers and heals itself while you’re sleeping. If you feel cold during the night and cannot get enough sleep, your immune system might be negatively affected.

Customizable Heat Settings

It’s very difficult to find two people who agree on the room's temperature or bed should be. If you frequently disagree with your partner over this, it would be better to get a unit that allows you to adjust the temperature for each side separately.

With a heated mattress pad, you won’t need to bury yourself under a pile of heavy blankets as well.

All in all, these pads enable you to set a temperature that best suits your needs, helping you sleep better.

Cons

Difficult to Clean

queen size heated mattress pads

Although most models are machine-washable, you still have to be careful. Make sure you use a gentle detergent and a delicate wash cycle. You should also dry them on the lowest heat setting or with no heat at all.

Plus, you should be careful not to melt or crimp the wires inside the pad.

Not Suitable for All Ages

Heated mattress pads are not suitable for people suffering from serious medical illnesses. They’re also not recommended for infants, smaller children, and those who wet their beds frequently.

These pads can pose a safety risk if the wires are not checked regularly. Thus, it’s advisable to take extra precautions if you have small kids or pets at home.


Frequently-Asked Questions

heating mattress pad

Can I run my heated mattress pad throughout the night?

While modern, well-maintained pads are unlikely to pose a safety risk, it’s still not advisable to keep them on all night. You can heat up your bed by using the mattress pad before you sleep and then turn it off overnight.

Can I cover a heated mattress pad with a fitted sheet?

Heated mattress pads are so slim that you can easily fit them under a fitted sheet. You can also use them over mattress protectors.

Are heated mattress pads bad for your health?

These pads are safe to use as long as you keep the manufacturer’s instructions in mind.

That said, it is still essential to look for only high-quality units from well-known and trustworthy brands. It’s better to opt for models that have a certification from an independent, third-party electrical safety organization, like the UL certification or the ETL certification.

Although heated pads are relatively safe, they can pose a safety risk in some circumstances. They are not safe for waterbeds, as they can cause a leak.

It’s also advisable to avoid using your mattress pad with a pull-out bed or an adjustable bed frame, as they might damage the pad’s heating wires.

Do heated mattress pads work with memory foam?

Although heated pads work with memory foam, it’s usually not recommended. While it won’t pose a safety risk, it can damage your memory foam. The pad’s heat might soften the memory foam, affecting the feel of your bed and making it more uncomfortable over time.


Final Verdict: What is the Best Heated Mattress Pad?

With such a wide range of options available, choosing the best-heated mattress can be quite tricky.

But, if you’re more likely to spill water or are choosing a mattress pad for your kid, go for the Sunbeam Water-Resistant Heated Mattress Pad.

While if you’re worried about your electricity bill, the Perfect Fit SoftHeat Mattress Pad would be more suitable.

And if you’re willing to spend a bit of money, opt for the ChiliSleep Cube Sleep System, but if you have a small budget, then the Sunbeam Polyester Heated Mattress Pad is definitely the way to go.


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