Sunbeam Sleep Perfect Quilted Electric Blanket

Needed to replace the electric blanket on our Super King bed. However, being a Super King has limits with the range of brands that support this size. Previously had a Dreamaker Multi-zone Fleece-top which was serviceable but did not generate near the “heat” we had on our previous Sunbeam blankets. With a noticeable price difference in the two brands but wanting to get another Sunbeam we were able to source a Sunbeam “Sleep Perfect” Quilted electric blanket in a Super King size at a reasonable price. While not being a fleece and only a single zone, those previous options were not high on our list to be in a replacement.

Fitment Problem After unpacking the blanket and putting it on the bed, the first issue encountered was the fit. You really had to pull down hard on the sides to get the stretch mesh to reach down and be secured under the mattress. This left the quilted heating part well in from the edge of the bed (see photos at end of review). Our first thought was we had mistakenly been supplied with a standard “King” size blanket. However, the box and label on the blanket itself clearly stated “Super King”. It was only afterwards we notice the size shown below “Super King” was that of a “King” size.

After contacting the company that supplied the blanket, they investigated and found that Sunbeam had recently stopped producing “Australian” sized Super King blankets but were now supplying the Australian market with “New Zealand” sized Super King blankets. For some unknown reason, what New Zealand calls a “Super King” bed is what we call a “King” bed in Australia. The result is the Super King electric blanket that Sunbeam is now supplying in Australia was (apparently) designed to fit a NZ bed 20cm narrower (length stays the same at 203cm). The result is you have to stretch it wider width ways to get it to fit. While this is not a huge problem, what is more of a concern is that the hard plastic connecter where the electric cable joins the blanket is now a full 10cm closer in. The result being it tends to rub up against your shoulder while sleeping. One can only assume this was a choice by Sunbeam to reduce manufacturing costs through rationalisation of their product range. Sunbeam makes no mention of this on their site, however, the place I bought it from now does on their site.

Functionality Moving on from fitment issues, the quilt is comfortable to be lying on with no sense of the wiring contained within. Heat is good and met our criteria for what we wanted. Power lead/controllers are attached to the bed with a connector that is slightly difficult to align the prongs inside the blanket as well as being only able to be inserted one way due to locating “indents” (see photo at bottom of this review). Of more concern is the difficulty should you need to remove them (when storing away?). To remove the plug there are two prongs like harpoons and you have to put a couple of fingers through the narrow opening in the blanket to reach and squeeze the prongs together to release the connecter. The two controllers are easy to operate with a large mechanical toggle switch on the back which is easy to feel and operate without having to sight it. On the front are two square recessed buttons with one controlling the heat setting (1 – 6) and the other the operational time (1hr or 9hrs only). There is a blue light which then comes on to show the blanket has shut off after the preset time has expired. Sunbeam says the heat setting of “6” is for pre-warming only and should not be left on while sleeping. I can certainly echo that as after about 6 -8 minutes the bed simply becomes too hot for comfortable sleeping. Only issue is I felt the heating elements should come a bit higher up the blanket. They appear to stop below shoulder level.

I’d like to comment on reliability but it’s a little too early to tell. There is the reassurance of a 3 year full replacement warranty. Previous Sunbeam blankets I have owned made it more than 6 years with the only issue being having to replace a single controller (outside the warranty period).

What I liked * Good quality construction with both the blanket material and hand controllers feeling solid * Mechanical switch to shut off power to the blanket rather than the electronic one used on our previous blanket * Machine washable * Supplied 1.5m (approx) power cord

What I didn’t like so much * (Apparent) cost cutting by Sunbeam by selling Australian “King Size” blankets and labelling them as “Super King” with only the "cm size" of the blanket added to indicate otherwise. Who looks at the size when it is clearly labelled “Super King”? * Would have liked a 3hr timer setting too, rather than only being able to choose 1hr or 9hr

Overall, am happy with the blanket and its function. Would have given it 5 stars but for the size issue.