Stoov Big Hug Cordless Heating Blanket Review

It is not the best time of the year to be reviewing a heated blanket, but with the cost of electricity and gas, heated blankets are one of the best buys you can make in the colder weather. My partner and I used our plug-in heated blankets extensively during winter, which helps keep heating costs down.

Stoov is a bit different from the plug-in blankets that are popular on Amazon. Their product range consists of heated blankets and cushions, and these are all battery-powered, giving you much more flexibility where you can use it.

I was sent the Big Hug XL, which is a cordless heating blanket with infrared technology and a rechargeable battery. It comes in two variations, the original, which I was sent, and the woolly, which has a sherpa/sheepskin style material.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Stoov Big Hug Original Heat Pad - Infrared Heating...	No ratings yet	£139.99	Buy on Amazon

Specification

• Heat source: 2x 16x23cm 9W FIR carbon fiber with overheat protection
• Heat levels: 34ºC / 38ºC / 42ºC (@20ºC)
• Battery: Li-Ion 10.8V – 2600mAh or 4500 mAh
• Dimensions inner cushion: 40×135 cm
• Weight: 1500g
• Outer cover material: 80% Polyester / 20% Acrylic

Fabric

The original is the classic in our fabric collection: the fabric is made of high-quality, recyclable synthetic fibres (Polyester, Acrylic). The fabric is pleasantly soft, wrinkle-free and retains its pure beauty even after intensive use.

There is then a woolly option which has a structure reminiscent of a sheepskin and has a woolly feel. The Woolly is made of recyclable synthetic fibres (polyester, acrylic). This makes it wear-resistant and fluff-free, and easy to clean.

Washing

I wouldn’t normally cover the washing instructions of a  product, but this is battery-powered, after all. You can wash the outer cover, but you shouldn’t wash the inner pad (with the heating elements) and obviously, don’t wash the battery.

Battery / Charging / Controls

The battery fits into the pocket at the top of the blanket, and the zip running down the back allows you to easily fit and remove it. It has a relatively long cable which then attaches to the charge port and locks into place so you don’t accidentally disconnect it when in use.

One of the first things I thought when I started to charge the battery was that this could do with a spare battery, allowing you to swap them over to charge. Stoov does sell a replacement battery; however, due to the way the battery clicks into the connector, you can’t charge it externally as the DC plug doesn’t fit into the hole properly.

As far as battery life goes, I would estimate the 1.5 to 3 hours of heat figure is correct. Due to the warm weather, I haven’t had much need to use this for extended periods of time, but I have used it for maybe an hour a couple of times when I sat outside without needing to recharge.

This is designed with safety in mind, there is built-in overheating protection, and it will switch off automatically.

Design / In Use

The design of this is less like a blanket and more of a seat cover, but I think it works perfectly like this.

During colder months, I normally sit on a plug-in electric throw on my office chair, but it just flops over the sides and gets caught on things. With this, it fits perfectly, covering the seat and back. The battery holder is thoughtfully placed at the top of the blanket so this hangs over the back of the chair, avoiding the discomfort of sitting on it.

The control button and charging port are also conveniently located to the right and halfway down the blanket, so I do not have to shuffle around to find the controls.

The blanket seems to have two heating elements, and the part where you are sat on provides the most warmth. The element in the back feels like it is a bit lower down and perhaps could do with being elongated to provide move coverage.

Even though it has been too warm to use regularly in my office, I have found myself using it in the garden quite a bit. While the weather has been warm, it gets a bit chilly in the evening, and this is ideal for taking the edge off the chill if you want to continue enjoying sitting outside.

My partner was looking for a heated car seat cover during the colder months, and most of these have poor reviews. The Stoov Big Hug is a perfect alternative and will almost certainly live in her car in the winter months.

Price and Alternative Options

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Stoov Big Hug Original Heat Pad - Infrared Heating...	No ratings yet	£139.99	Buy on Amazon

The Stoov Big Hug has dimensions of 40×110 cm, and the original design costs £119.95, while the woolly model is £129.95

You then have the  Stoov Big Hug XL, which is £129.99 and £139.99, respectively.

It is then possible to buy these with a larger battery which will extend the life to between 3 and 6 hours, and this costs an additional £20.

Stoov also sells a range of heated pillows and a cordless electric bottle.

You can buy the range of products from Stoov directly.

There is very little competition out there. The handful of options on Amazon has such bad reviews I refuse to list them.

The.Plaid by Nikki.Amsterdam seems to be the best alternative option. This is a throw-style blanket with a soft fleece material that measures 150 x 130 cm. It uses a powerbank for power, and the included powerbank has 20000mAh, which they claim gives 10 hours of heat. The powerbank fits inside a pocket in the blanket, but I would it still seems like it would be prone to getting disconnected easily. This then has three heat settings going from  35˚C to 45˚C. This blanket is priced at €149, which works out at £129, and this excludes shipping costs/VAT. For UK buyers, this would end up being €168.95 (£145.62).

Overall

The Stoov Big Hug is an excellent cordless heated blanket mainly due to the fact is one of the only decent options out there.

While Stoov is positioning this as a product to save energy and, therefore, money, it does feel more like a luxury product, considering there are cheaper ways to reduce your heating costs.

If you want a heated blanket for your couch or bed, then a plug-in option would likely be a better buy, as they are much cheaper and provide more heat.

If you need the flexibility of a cordless blanket, this is the way to go.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.

Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API