A 12V heated blanket is the most efficient way to keep warm in a van at night. Running a diesel heater all night uses 0.5-1L of diesel and costs £1-2. A heated blanket uses 30-60W and costs pennies. Plus, targeted warmth (heating you, not the van) is more comfortable than heating the whole interior.
This guide covers the best 12V heated blankets available in the UK, power consumption, safety, and how they compare to other heating options.
How They Work
12V heated blankets contain insulated resistance wire stitched into the fabric. They plug into a 12V cigarette lighter socket (or hardwired 12V outlet) and have a controller that adjusts the temperature. Most draw 30-60W (about 2.5-5A at 12V).
They are not the same as 240V electric blankets (which are cheaper but need a mains inverter). 12V blankets are designed for the lower voltage and draw less power.
Power Consumption
| Setting | Power Draw | 8 Hours Use |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 15-25W (1.2-2A) | 10-16Ah |
| Medium | 25-40W (2-3.3A) | 16-26Ah |
| High | 40-60W (3.3-5A) | 26-40Ah |
Real-world usage: Most people run the blanket on high for 15-30 minutes before sleep (to warm the bed), then switch to low for the night. Total consumption: 12-20Ah per night. That's less than a fridge uses in summer.
Comparison with other heating:
| Heater | Power (kW) | Cost per 8-hour night | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel heater | 0.5-2kW (thermal) | £1.50-3.00 (diesel) | Heats the whole van |
| 12V heated blanket | 0.03-0.06kW (electrical) | £0.05-0.10 (battery) | Heats just the bed |
| Fan heater (inverter) | 1kW (electrical) | £3.00-5.00 (battery) | Destroys battery |
| Gas heater | 1-2kW (thermal) | £1.00-2.00 (gas) | Condensation risk |
The bottom line: A 12V heated blanket uses 1-2% of the energy of a diesel heater. If you're trying to stretch your battery in winter, a heated blanket is the most efficient way to stay warm.
Best 12V Heated Blankets (UK)
SnugFit 12V Heated Blanket (Single/Double)
- Price: £35-50
- Sizes: Single (130x70cm) or Double (150x120cm)
- Wattage: 40W (single) / 55W (double)
- Controller: 3 heat settings + auto-off (2 hours)
- UK supplier: Amazon UK (in stock)
Best for: Most van lifers. The SnugFit is the best-reviewed 12V blanket on Amazon UK. The single size is perfect for a narrow van bed (transverse bed in a Transit Custom). The fleece backing is soft against the skin. The 2-hour auto-off is useful (if you fall asleep on high, it switches off).
Issues: The controller clicks when switching settings. The 12V plug is a cigarette lighter type (replace with Anderson connector for permanent installation).
Evo 12V Heated Throw
- Price: £30-45
- Size: 130x80cm
- Wattage: 35W
- Controller: 3 heat settings + 3-hour timer
- UK supplier: Amazon UK
Best for: Budget builds. The Evo is cheaper than the SnugFit and works fine. The fabric is slightly thinner. The timer is longer (3 hours vs 2 hours). Same power consumption.
Issues: The cable is only 1.5m (may not reach from a 12V socket under the seat to your bed in the back). The controller gets warm during use (normal, but worth noting).
Van Heated 12V Overblanket
- Price: £60-80
- Size: 140x160cm
- Wattage: 70W
- Controller: 4 heat settings + digital timer
- UK supplier: Direct from Van Heated
Best for: Large beds (double/fixed longitudinal bed). The Van Heated blanket is designed specifically for campervans. It's larger, more powerful, and has a digital controller with memory function. The overblanket design means it goes on top of your duvet (not under the sheet), which some people prefer.
Issues: More expensive than the alternatives. The overblanket style is less efficient than an under-sheet blanket (some heat escapes). The digital controller is bulkier.
Silentnight 12V Electric Blanket
- Price: £45-60
- Size: Single (fits standard UK single bed)
- Wattage: 50W
- Controller: 3 heat settings + auto-off
- UK supplier: Amazon UK, Argos (online)
Best for: People who want a familiar brand. Silentnight is a trusted UK brand. Their 12V blanket is well-made, with a 3-year warranty. The fabric is high-quality.
Issues: Less commonly in stock than SnugFit. The single size is wider than a van bed (130cm vs typical 110cm van bed) — too much fabric to tuck in neatly.
Installation Tips
Hardwiring
The cigarette lighter plug that comes with most 12V blankets is the weak point. It's a bad connection in a moving vehicle and can arc, blow fuses, or stop working when you need it.
Do this: Cut the cigarette plug off, fit an Anderson PowerPole connector or a 2.5mm screw terminal, and wire directly to a fused 12V distribution point. Use a 10A fuse. 2.5mm² cable is sufficient for a 5A blanket.
Placement
- Under the sheet, not on top — the blanket is most efficient when it's directly under your bottom sheet (heat goes into you, not the room)
- Don't fold or bunch — folded sections can overheat. The resistance wire creates hotspots when folded
- Check your bed base — slatted bases (wooden slats on a frame) are fine. Solid plywood bases without airflow can trap heat and damage the blanket
- Weight limit — most 12V blankets are rated for 1-2 people at normal body weight. Sitting on the blanket (eating, reading, working) can damage the wires. It's for sleeping only.
Safety
12V blankets are safer than 240V electric blankets because the voltage is lower, but they still carry risks.
What to check:
- Overheat protection — the blanket should have a thermal fuse that cuts power if it gets too hot (most UK-market blankets have this)
- Auto-off timer — essential. You don't want the blanket running all day when you leave the van
- CE/UKCA marking — legal requirement for UK sale. Avoid cheap imports without markings
Don't:
- Use the blanket with a damaged cable or frayed fabric
- Run the cable under the mattress (creates a pinch point)
- Use an extension lead or daisy-chain multiple 12V sockets
- Leave the blanket connected to a 12V socket that's always live (some vans have always-live sockets — use a switched outlet)
Heated Blanket vs Diesel Heater
You don't need to choose one. Most van lifers in winter use both — the diesel heater provides background heat (keeps the van above freezing, stops condensation) and the heated blanket provides personal warmth (lets you sleep without the heater running all night).
Typical winter setup:
- Diesel heater: thermostat at 10°C (prevents freezing, reduces condensation)
- Heated blanket: on low-medium through the night
- Total overnight cost: £0.50-1.00 (diesel for heater) + £0.05 (blanket battery)
Without the blanket, you'd run the heater at 18-20°C all night, costing £1.50-3.00. The blanket saves you about £1 per night. Over a 4-month winter, that's £120-150 — enough to buy the blanket and pay for the extra battery capacity to run it.
Verdict
Best value: SnugFit 12V Heated Blanket (£35-50) — good size, reliable, widely available.
Best for large beds: Van Heated Overblanket (£60-80) — specifically designed for campervans.
Best for budget: Evo 12V Heated Throw (£30-45) — cheaper, works fine.
Skip the Silentnight unless you find it on sale — it's more expensive and too wide for most van beds.
