'I got my hands on Silentnight's self-heating blanket - it's warm and costs zero to run'

The Silentnight Heat Genie Self-heating Blanket is my new essential for keeping warm this winter (Image: Lucy Addicott)

The chill is definitely in the air, but like many of us trying to keep our energy bills in check, I'm being mindful about when to crank up the heating. Money-saving experts advocate for warming the person, not the house, as a strategy to cut down on bills.

With this advice ringing in my ears, I was intrigued when I stumbled upon the Silentnight Heat Genie Self Heating Giant Blanket. There are plenty of electric blankets out there that are relatively inexpensive to run, but after an initial outlay of £37.99, Silentnight asserts that the Heat Genie doesn't cost a penny to operate as 'no electric power is needed'.

Described as luxuriously 'comfortable and cosy', the blanket operates by using a heat-reflecting foil layer that bounces your body heat back at you, providing an extra layer of warmth without the need for electricity. Available from Amazon, Sleepy People or Argos, I was eager to get my hands on it to see if it truly measures up to its electrically powered rivals.

You can get the Silentnight Heat Genie Blanket from various retailers including Amazon and Argos (Image: Lucy Addicott)

My first impression of the Heat Genie Blanket is its impressive size. It's truly oversized, with dimensions of 180cm x 240cm, making it large enough for multiple people or pets to cosy up in.

The blanket boasts a plush fabric exterior and a sherpa fleece interior that feels incredibly soft to the touch. It comes in an appealing grey and white colour scheme. While I would have appreciated more colour options, the neutral shade should blend well with most home decors.

Given that the blanket has a foiled inner layer, I was slightly apprehensive about whether I would be able to hear or feel this layer. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

To me, it felt just as soft, flexible, and quiet as any other blanket I've used, with no sign of the hard-working foil layer beneath the fabric. Then came the ultimate test: could it keep me warmer than a blanket without a self-heating feature?

I draped the blanket over myself for several hours to gauge how warm it would get and discovered that it traps heat remarkably well. When I lifted the blanket and slid my arms and hands underneath, I was greeted with a comforting warmth that surpassed that of my regular non-self-heating alternative.

Of course, unlike an electric blanket, you can't control the temperature of the Heat Genie, but it's worth noting that it costs nothing to operate.

Silentnight Heat Genie Blanket (Image: Lucy Addicott)

The true test came swiftly in the form of my heat-seeking cat, who immediately took a liking to it and has since made it his domain, choosing to lounge on it when it's folded or curl up inside it to create a cosy nest. The blanket's machine washable feature means I don't have to fret over it becoming hairy or dirty, and it dries relatively quickly post-wash given its size.

I've since abandoned my regular blanket for the Silentnight Heat Genie, which keeps me toastier without any extra cost. It doesn't provide that immediate warmth an electric blanket might as it relies on your body heat to warm up, but that's not what it promises, and it's a fantastic option if you're not keen on dealing with wires, cords, or controllers.

The Silentnight Heat Genie Self Heating Giant Blanket stands out as the sole blanket I've come across that harnesses this type of tech to warm the body sans electricity. That said, The Lyndon Company Supersoft Heavyweight Large Plush Throw Windsor is a charming substitute that boasts glowing reviews.

Currently discounted to £30.16 from £100 at Debenhams, a satisfied customer exclaimed: "Initially bought two of these throws for my sofa, just ordered three more because now everyone wants one! The throws are lovely and soft, don't shed and don't have the annoying shine of cheaper throws."

If you're keen to give an electric blanket a go, the StaySnug Sherpa Electric Heated Throw Grey, available at Lakeland, is a top choice priced at £59.99 down from £89.99. Customers have praised it for keeping them 'snug as a bug' and noted that 'even without the heat on you keep warm under the sherpa layer'.