There’s a specific kind of cold that settles deep into your bones on a winter evening. It’s the kind that central heating can’t quite touch, the persistent chill you feel when you finally sit down on the couch after a long day. For me, that moment often comes with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, but the relaxation is always hampered by an unshakable shiver. I’ve tried layering blankets, wearing thicker socks, and even resorting to a noisy, energy-guzzling space heater. Each solution felt like a compromise—either too bulky, too loud, or too expensive to run. What I truly craved was a cocoon of consistent, targeted warmth. This quest for the perfect cozy solution is what led me to test the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw Blanket 50×60 Grey, a product promising not just heat, but luxurious comfort.
- SOFT COZY AND THICK - Double layers 240GSM sherpa bring optimal sense of soft and comfort, both sides working efficiently to preserve...
- 6 HEAT SETTINGS FOR CUSTOM COMFORT & 2-10 HOURS AUTO OFF FOR CONVENIENCE & SAFETY - This Heated Blanket is controlled by cycling...
Before You Buy: A Guide to Choosing the Right Electric Blanket
An electric blanket is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for personal comfort, therapeutic relief, and even energy efficiency. It directly addresses the discomfort of a cold home, soothes sore muscles with gentle, consistent heat, and allows you to lower your thermostat a few degrees, potentially saving on heating bills. It’s a personal climate control system that transforms a chilly sofa or bed into a welcoming sanctuary. The primary benefit is achieving a deep, penetrating warmth that ordinary blankets simply cannot provide, creating an environment of pure, unadulterated coziness.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing perpetually cold feet, drafty rooms, or muscle aches that benefit from heat therapy, like arthritis. It’s perfect for the person who works from a home office and wants to stay warm without heating the entire house, or for anyone who loves to curl up for a movie night on a frigid evening. However, it might not be suitable for those with certain medical conditions that cause decreased skin sensitivity, very young children, or individuals who cannot operate the controls themselves. Furthermore, if you’re looking for a solution to warm an entire king-sized bed for two people, a personal throw blanket like this will be insufficient; you would be better served by a full-sized or king-sized electric blanket designed for bedding.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The 50″ x 60″ size of a throw blanket is designed for individual use. It’s perfect for draping over your lap and shoulders while on a recliner or couch, or for an extra layer of warmth in a twin bed. Measure your intended space and consider if you’ll be sharing. For full bed coverage, you must look for products explicitly sized as Twin, Queen, or King.
- Performance & Safety Features: Performance in an electric blanket is defined by its heating capabilities and safety mechanisms. Look for multiple heat settings (6 is a great number) to dial in your perfect temperature. An auto shut-off feature is non-negotiable for safety; a flexible timer, like the 2-10 hour range offered here, provides far more utility than a fixed 3-hour timer, allowing for all-night use if desired. Always ensure the product has a recognized safety certification, like ETL or UL.
- Materials & Durability: The material directly impacts comfort. Sherpa, like that used in the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw Blanket 50×60 Grey, is known for its plush, wool-like feel and excellent heat retention. Other options include fleece, flannel, and microfiber. A key durability factor is the imperceptibility of the internal wires; thick, plush fabric that completely masks the heating elements offers a far more luxurious experience.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A user-friendly controller with an easy-to-read display is essential, especially for late-night adjustments in the dark. For long-term care, machine washability is a must. A blanket with a detachable controller and clear washing instructions will last much longer and remain hygienic. Avoid products that are spot-clean only, as they are impractical for regular use.
While the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw Blanket 50×60 Grey is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- PREMIUM MATERIAL: 200gsm flannel + 200gsm sherpa.The fabric is very soft,thicker than normal blankets,and warmer than normal blankets...
- Cozy and Fuzzy Electric Throw Blanket - The ultra-soft and luxurious electric heated blanket is crafted from 100% polyester, offering 5...
- Premium Material: Crafted with two hundred twenty GSM flannel and two hundred GSM sherpa for an ultra-soft heated blanket; features a...
Unboxing the Westinghouse: First Impressions and Core Features
The Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw Blanket 50×60 Grey arrived in a sturdy, well-designed box that would be perfectly suitable for gifting. Upon opening it, the first thing I noticed was the sheer plushness of the blanket. This isn’t a thin, flimsy throw where you can immediately feel the grid of wires inside. The double-layered 240GSM Sherpa fabric is substantial, feeling thick and incredibly soft to the touch on both sides. The grey color is a neutral, heathered shade that should complement most decor styles easily. Setup was as simple as it gets: I unfurled the blanket, connected the controller cord to the port on the blanket itself with a satisfying click, and plugged it into the wall. The cord length is generous, easily reaching from my favorite armchair to the nearest outlet without needing an extension. The controller is lightweight and intuitive, with clear buttons for power, heat level, and timer duration, all displayed on a backlit screen. My initial impression was one of high quality and thoughtful design, far exceeding my expectations for its price point.
Key Benefits
- Exceptionally thick and plush double-sided Sherpa fabric
- Six distinct heat settings provide a wide range of warmth
- Flexible 2-10 hour auto-off timer for enhanced safety and convenience
- Heating wires are virtually undetectable, ensuring maximum comfort
- Machine washable for easy, long-term care
Potential Drawbacks
- Significant user reports of melted wires raise safety concerns
- Heating elements do not extend to the very edges of the blanket
Performance Under Pressure: A Detailed Analysis of the Westinghouse Throw
A heated blanket can have all the right specs, but its true value is revealed in its day-to-day performance. Does it heat up quickly and evenly? Is it comfortable to actually use for hours on end? And most importantly, is it safe? We put the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw Blanket 50×60 Grey through weeks of rigorous testing, from chilly mornings in the office to long, cold nights on the couch, to find out.
Fabric and Feel: A Double-Sided Sherpa Dream
The single most outstanding feature of this blanket is its texture. Westinghouse’s use of a double-sided, 240GSM Sherpa construction is a game-changer. Many heated blankets have a soft top side but a slick, less comfortable reverse side. This one, however, is equally luxurious no matter how you wrap it around yourself. The material is dense, with a deep pile that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm cloud. This was confirmed by numerous users, one of whom described it as “so cozy against your skin” and “like the rabbit’s hair.” We wholeheartedly agree. The thickness of the fabric serves a dual purpose: it provides significant warmth on its own, even before the power is turned on, and it completely insulates you from the internal heating elements.
This is a critical point of differentiation. With lesser quality electric blankets, you are acutely aware that you’re lying on a grid of wires. It can feel stiff and unnatural. With the Westinghouse throw, we had to physically search and press down to feel the wires; during normal use, they are completely imperceptible. This transforms the experience from a functional heating appliance into a genuinely luxurious comfort item. It’s what makes it feel, as one user put it, “not thin and cheap.” The blanket’s four-pound weight adds to this premium feel, giving it a comforting heft that won’t easily slip off the couch or your shoulders. For sheer tactile comfort, it’s one of the best we’ve ever tested. You can explore the premium fabric specifications and see why it stands out.
Customizable Warmth: Navigating the 6 Heat Levels & Timer
The control system for the Westinghouse throw is both simple and effective. The controller features a backlit LCD screen that’s easy to read in a dim room. It offers six distinct heat levels, which we found to provide a fantastic range of temperatures. Level 1 offers a barely-there, ambient warmth perfect for taking the edge off a slightly cool room. By the time you get to level 3 or 4, you’re experiencing a very pleasant, noticeable heat that’s ideal for relaxing. Levels 5 and 6 are where this blanket truly shines. It gets genuinely hot—powerfully, soothingly hot.
Our findings align perfectly with feedback from users, many of whom were surprised by its heating power. One reviewer noted, “This blanket can get really hot. I started at highest temperature and it was to hot… I use it at 3 and it’s perfect!” This is the sign of a well-engineered product; the highest setting is potent enough that most users will find their perfect comfort zone in the mid-range. The heat-up time is also impressive, reaching a noticeable warmth in under five minutes. The heat distribution is generally even throughout the core of the blanket, providing consistent warmth from your shoulders to your feet.
The adjustable auto-off timer is another standout feature. Many throws on the market have a fixed 3 or 4-hour shut-off, which can be frustrating if you fall asleep. The Westinghouse’s 2-10 hour timer (adjustable in 2-hour increments) provides incredible flexibility. You can set it for a short, two-hour session while reading, or for a full eight or ten hours to keep you warm through the night without having to wake up and reset it. This level of customization is a premium feature that elevates the entire user experience.
The Elephant in the Room: A Serious Look at Safety and Durability
No review of this product would be complete without addressing the most serious issue raised in user feedback: safety. While our test unit performed flawlessly through dozens of hours of continuous use with no signs of overheating, scorching, or malfunction, we cannot ignore the troubling reports from a number of consumers. Several users have posted photographic evidence of internal wires melting through the fabric, accompanied by a distinct burning smell. One user stated, “This is the second blanket I’ve ordered and the second time the interior cord has melted…the blanket is no longer safe to use.”
This presents a major dilemma. The product is ETL certified, which means it has been tested by an independent laboratory and meets applicable safety standards, including overheat protection. In theory, the blanket should shut itself down long before it reaches a temperature that could cause wires to melt. However, the existence of multiple, similar reports suggests a potential quality control issue in at least some manufacturing batches. It’s a significant risk that any potential buyer must seriously consider. While the vast majority of users report positive, incident-free experiences, the severity of this potential defect is a major red flag.
A less critical but still notable issue pointed out by one user is that the heating elements don’t extend to the absolute edges of the blanket. We confirmed this in our testing; there’s a border of about 3-4 inches around the perimeter that contains no heating wires. While this is a common design in electric blankets to protect the seams and wiring connections, it’s worth noting for those who expect edge-to-edge heat.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing the wider pool of user feedback provides a clear, albeit polarized, picture of the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw Blanket 50×60 Grey. The overwhelmingly positive sentiment centers on its luxurious feel and powerful heating. Reviewers consistently use words like “amazing,” “plush,” “thick,” and “cozy.” One happy customer exclaimed, “I’ve only had it an hour …it’s AMAZINGLY thick & soft, I can’t feel the wires and it gets nice and TOASTY!” Many users, including pet owners, report that their animals gravitate towards the blanket, with one noting, “My dogs approve!” and another saying their shih tzu “often steals it.” The therapeutic benefits are also highlighted, with one user suffering from Arthritis and RA calling it their “go to” blanket for relief.
However, the negative feedback, while less frequent, is far more alarming. The reports of melted wires and burning smells represent a critical safety failure. One user documented the issue after “less than four months of light use,” expressing shock at the “huge fire risk.” This stands in stark contrast to the positive reviews and suggests an inconsistency in manufacturing quality. Other minor complaints include colors not matching their online descriptions—for example, a “yellow” blanket being described as looking like a “tortilla”—and the previously mentioned unheated border.
How Does the Westinghouse Compare? A Look at the Alternatives
No product exists in a vacuum. To truly understand the value proposition of the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw, it’s helpful to compare it against some notable competitors in the market.
1. JET’S HOME Heated Throw 50″x60″ 5 Levels
- Certification & Security Measures: Our heated blankets are ETL and FCC certified.This 50"x60" size heated blanket with fast heating and...
- Fast Heating and 5 Heating Levels: Our electric blanket can work quickly to provide warmth.This 50"x60" electric blanket has 5 heating...
The JET’S HOME heated throw is a direct competitor in the personal throw category. Its main differences lie in the material and feature set. It uses flannel fabric instead of the double-sided Sherpa of the Westinghouse, which some users may prefer for its smoother texture, though it may not feel as thick or plush. It offers one less heating level (5 vs. 6) and has a much more restrictive 3-hour auto-off timer. This makes it less suitable for those who want to use their blanket for extended periods or overnight. The JET’S HOME is a solid choice for someone looking for a more basic, budget-friendly option for short-term use, but it lacks the luxurious feel and advanced timer flexibility of the Westinghouse.
2. Westinghouse Heated Throw Blanket 50×60 Inch
- 【SOFTNESS & ENHANCED DURABILITY】 The 280 GSM luxury ribbed flannel top and 200 GSM thick sherpa both provide soft touch on each...
- 【SAFETY COMMITMENT】 Westinghouse electric throw are ETL and FCC certified and features a robust overheating protection system that...
This alternative from Westinghouse itself presents an interesting choice. It features the same excellent 6-level heat settings and 2-10 hour auto-off timer that we love in our main review model. The primary difference is the fabric: this version uses a soft flannel top with a Sherpa reverse. For users who find double-sided Sherpa to be too heavy or warm, this flannel-sherpa combination offers a slightly lighter-weight alternative while retaining the core high-performance heating technology. It’s an excellent option for someone who trusts the Westinghouse brand and its superior controller features but wants a different textural experience than the all-encompassing plushness of the double-sherpa model.
3. Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Blanket King
- Customizable Warmth: 12 personalized heat settings let you adjust your perfect level of comfort
- Smart Controller: Digital controller remembers your last setting and dims after 10 seconds for a better night’s sleep
The Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece is in a different league entirely, designed for a different purpose. As a King-sized blanket (90″ x 100″), it’s meant for full bed coverage, not for personal use on a sofa. It boasts an impressive 12 heat settings and a 12-hour auto-off timer, offering even more granular control than the Westinghouse throw. The material is an ultra-soft fleece, which is lighter than Sherpa. This is not a direct competitor but rather the correct choice for a customer whose primary need is to pre-heat a large bed or stay warm all night with a partner. If you need a personal throw, the Sunbeam is overkill; if you need to warm a king-sized mattress, the Westinghouse throw is inadequate.
The Final Verdict: Is the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw a Safe Bet?
After extensive testing and analysis, the Westinghouse Heated Sherpa Throw Blanket 50×60 Grey emerges as a product of frustrating contradictions. On one hand, it is, without a doubt, one of the most comfortable and luxurious-feeling heated throws we have ever used. The double-sided Sherpa is exceptionally soft and thick, the heating is powerful and quick, and the highly customizable 6-level heat and 2-10 hour timer are top-tier features that provide outstanding user control and convenience. For pure comfort and performance, it’s a home run.
On the other hand, the credible and repeated user reports of melted wiring are impossible to dismiss. While our unit was safe, the potential for such a dangerous defect in any given unit introduces a level of risk that gives us serious pause. Therefore, our recommendation comes with a strong caveat. We recommend this blanket for users whose absolute top priorities are fabric plushness and powerful, customizable heat. However, we strongly urge any buyer to inspect the blanket carefully upon arrival, to never leave it unattended while on, and to immediately discontinue use if any unusual smells or hot spots develop. If you’re willing to accept that potential risk for its outstanding comfort, you can check the latest price and secure yours today.
Last update on 2025-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API