Martin Lewis-backed 3p-to-use Lidl 'stay warm and cut bills' gadget out Thursday

Martin Lewis-backed 3p-to-use Lidl 'stay warm and cut bills' gadget out Thursday The new gadget, as part of Lidl's 2026 Black Friday sale, will be landing in stores next week - and experts recommend such a device in winter Lidl has launched a major discount on a popular winter essential designed to keep households warm without skyrocketing energy bills. As part of the store's upcoming "biggest ever Black Friday sale", customers will be able to get their hands on an array of winter warming gadget for less than usual. The sale will land in the Middle Aisle of stores across the UK from Thursday, November 12. In the sale, the budget supermarket has cut the price of the Silentnight Luxury Heated Throw from its recommended retail price of £44.99 down to just £24.99, saving shoppers £20 upfront - and it costs pennies to use. As temperature drops across the UK, energy costs remain a top concern for families. The 'super-soft' fleece throw offers a highly practical alternative to turning up the central heating. What are the key features of the gadget? - Lidl says: "Heated fleece throw from Silentnight for ultimate luxury". - "The super soft fleece is great for taking the chill away - stay cosy and warm whilst curling up on the sofa or in bed," it adds. - "Fast" heat-up and nine heat settings. - Overheat safety protection and auto shut-off after two hours. - Machine-washable - "keep your blanket feeling fresh and hygienic", Lidl says. - Power consumption: 100W. - Size: 120 x 160cm. - Three-year warranty. What does Martin Lewis and his MSE team say about electric blankets? Experts, like Martin Lewis, and his team of specialists at Money Saving Expert (MSE), often advise consumers to "heat the human, not the home" - a term Martin Lewis coined - which encourages people to use targeted, low-energy gadgets to stay warm instead of wasting money blasting central heating across empty rooms. And, Lidl's blanket does exactly that by trapping warmth right where it is needed. On the MSE website, the team put forward using electric blankets as a key part of their winter cost-of-living strategy. While he and his MoneySavingExpert (MSE) team maintain a strict policy of never endorsing specific commercial brands, Lewis has frequently praised the technology behind electric blankets as an excellent, low-cost way to survive cold weather. His team's official guide ranks electric blankets as one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to survive cold weather on a tight budget. The MSE team calculated that a standard 100W electric blanket costs just 2.6p per hour to run, which amounts to roughly £1.29 per week if used for seven hours every day. By wrapping yourself directly in a heated throw, you can comfortably lower your home's main thermostat by a few degrees. Because lowering a thermostat by just 1°C can chop around 10% off an annual gas bill, using a blanket instead of the boiler can lead to household savings. Commenting on the MSE's "Heat the human, not the home" guide, Martin Lewis said: "We're trying to help provide some options and information for those that may need to drastically cut down on energy usage due to financial desperation and some help for others who may want to do it out of a commitment to green issues". Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings How does Lidl's throw keep you warm while cutting bills? With a power consumption of 100W, Lidl's heated throw does indeed cost approximately 2.6p per hour to run on its highest setting. This means a person could wrap themselves up in the blanket for a full eight hours during a cosy evening or a workday from home for just 21p. The blanket comes packed with features to keep usage safe and simple. It boasts a fast heat-up time and nine different temperature settings so users can easily adjust the warmth. To prevent wasted electricity, it also features a built-in timer that automatically shuts the power off after two hours. It is completely machine-washable, making it hygienic and easy to maintain over time. The deal is available at Lidl stores nationwide while stocks last. While Martin Lewis and his MSE team heavily promotes such money-saving tricks, like using an electric blanket at home, his team does include a couple of important safety warnings. They advise shoppers to buy blankets with built-in timers and overheat protection to prevent accidents. Why is still keeping your home warm important? They also remind households not to leave their homes completely unheated during freezing temperatures. Letting a house get too cold for too long can eventually lead to frozen pipes, dampness, or structural mould. The NHS advises heating your home to at least 18°C (65°F) during the winter months. The health service says this is to help protect your health, as indoor temperatures below this threshold can significantly increase the risk of respiratory illnesses, heart attacks, and strokes. While healthy and active adults can safely keep their homes slightly cooler if they dress in warm layers, this 18°C baseline is considered vital for vulnerable groups, people over the age of 65, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. For households with infants, health guidelines recommend a slightly lower range of 16°C to 20°C in the rooms where babies sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).