From thermal clothing to electric blankets, two fifths of homes will be kitting themselves out this winter, according to a survey by USwitch.

While three in 10 households already own heated slippers, after years of high cost energy bills.

Hot water bottles (61%), thermal clothing (48%) and draught excluders (40%) were among the top-ranked 'cheap warmth' options Britons already own in the survey.

When it came to items people would be stocking up on this year, heated throws, weighted throws and thermal clothing were top of the shopping lists.

Read more: Central heating cost

The investments come as the cost of electricity cost of energy rose in Q1 2026 (but note, the cost of energy is set to fall 6.7% for a typical household for Q2 2026).

This means plug-in gadgets start to look appealing. NimbleFins research comparing central heating and electric blanket costs to run shows central heating for a well-insulated 4-bed detached home at 5°C outside would cost around 25p per hour, or 67p an hour for a poorly insulated one. But it costs just 2.7p an hour to run a 100W heated blanket.

Note, NimbleFins has updated the data in the table above to reflect the Q1 2026 Energy Price Cap, which runs through 31 March 2026. At the time of update, the Q2 2026 figures are known, but we did not use those figures because by April, hopefully we won't need as much heating!

NimbleFins has a number of articles with tips on how to reduce your energy bills or what to do if you're struggling to pay.

We've included a few below:

• What to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills

• 11 ways to save energy in the home

• The ‘vampire devices’ you need to unplug to save up to £150 on energy bills

• Is it cheaper to dry clothes with a heated airer or a tumble dryer?

In addition, Octopus Energy is giving away thousands of heated electric blankets this winter, for those most vulnerable.