I tested the Stoov Huge Hug heated blanket, here's my verdict

Price on writing: £190 | Buy now from Stoov

How we tested

I tested the Stoov Huge Hug during cold weather in October and November, working at my desk and relaxing on the sofa at my home in Sussex. During testing, I carefully rated it on its warmth, design, battery life and ease of use.

• Tested over the course of 4 weeks in chilly autumnal weather

• Tested sitting in a desk chair, relaxing on the sofa and walking around the house

• Cross-compared with other heated products I've tested, including the Dreamland Hygge Days Faux Fur Heated Throw

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Stoov Huge Hug: our verdict

Mumsnetters have strong opinions on what makes the best heated throw, and I've tested a whole host of them. The major drawback of a heated throw, in my opinion, is the power cord - with a heated gilet like the Ororo Heated Vest, you can wander around to your heart's content. So, I was curious to test the new Huge Hug from Stoov (pronounced 'stove') - a cordless heated throw.

Made from soft and stylish borg-style fabric, it's a great looking throw and definitely the most tasteful one I've seen.

Using infrared technology, the two heating zones, which are located in the centre of the throw, heat up quickly. With the heating zones where they are, this is very much a throw for one. Whereas other throws can be draped over two or three people snuggled together on a sofa, the Huge Hug is designed to be wrapped around one person for best results and optimal heating.

The Huge Hug lends itself to draping over my WFH desk chair and wrapping around myself while I work, and I love that I can get up and make a cup of tea without having to leave its cosy clutches.

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What's the Stoov Huge Hug like to use day-to-day?

The Huge Hug comes with a standard battery, which lasts 2.5-3.5 hours, or there's the option to buy a Plus Battery at £25, which stores 4-6 hours of heat. The battery comes with a charger which plugs into the mains. It's pretty quick to charge up, and there are three heat settings ranging from 38°C to 58°C.

The heat is controlled via a chunky red tab (pictured below), with three simple heat settings and an on/off switch. The battery is zipped away in the corner of the throw, which does weigh down that corner a bit, especially as the rest of the throw is so soft and flexible.

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How warm is the Stoov Huge Hug?

Thanks to its infrared technology, the Huge Hug delivers effective heat without the stiff wires you'll find in other heated throws. It's cosy wrapped around one, but due to the heat being concentrated only in the centre of the throw, it's less versatile than other heated throws and can only really be used by one person at a time.

Infrared heating works by emitting infrared rays which are absorbed by objects nearby, so the Huge Hug works best when in direct contact with your body.

Having tested lots of the best heated throws, the Huge Hug is quite different in design and heat distribution. It's versatile for wearing draped around your shoulder like The Snuggler, but as a throw it's not as cosy as a wired model like the Dreamland Herringbone Heated Throw. In fact, I almost want the Huge Hug to have arm holes, so it can be more easily worn.

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Does the Stoov Huge Hug offer good value for money?

At £190, it's one of the most expensive heated throws out there. Its Scandi design and high quality materials explain the high price, and in my opinion it is the most stylish heated throw I've tested.

The cordless feature is a definite plus, too - I love that the Huge Hug can come with me to make a cup of tea, or into the garden to sit and read a book in a bright but chilly day.

However, if you're looking for a throw to help save money on your heating bill during the winter, a cheaper, wired option like the Mia&Coco Heated Blanket Throw will give you more bang for your buck.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.

With an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCert in Lifestyle Journalism, Poppy's written about parenting topics for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun. She's a best-selling, award-winning author, and her books for children and parents have been translated into 12 languages.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

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