Electric blankets are integrated with an electrical heating device which has a control unit, adjusting the amount of heat that the blanket produces. Usually placed above the bed sheet, electric blankets respond to the warmth of both, the room and body temperatures.

Electric blankets use thin grids and insulated wires which generate heat within the blanket area. These blankets can sense the amount of heat required by the body, sending more heat to one's cold feet and less to the head. Electric blankets were invented sometime in the 1900s; these blankets bore little resemblance to the ones used today. These blankets were huge and bulky devices which were dangerous to be used as household commodities. Initially, electric blankets used adaptable thermostats for temperature control, which also served as safety devices, turning off when hot spots occurred in the blankets.

Thermostats were replaced by rheostats in 1984. Rheostats measure the heat generated by the blanket as well as body heat, resulting in even heating and prevention of hot spots on the blanket. Blankets for large sized beds usually have separate controls on each side of the bed and can be used to pre-heat the bed before being occupied. Electric blankets gained popularity in the 1970s and 80s, among the lower income and elderly people of society, as a single blanket could replace expensive cover sheets and could be easily placed on wheelchairs too.