Are you perpetually cold? Does constant heat help you fall asleep quicker or ease those achy muscles and joints? I know quite a few people who swear by heated mattress pads and those who have spend hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect one. Unfortunately, not all of them are going to seem like they aren’t even there. By this I mean a lot of heated mattress pads have bulky wires that can be felt under the sheets. If you want something that’s inconspicuous, let me tell you about a heated pad that I tested called the Serta Damask Stripe Electric Heated Mattress Pad.
Breakdown Of The Serta Heated Mattress Pad
The Serta heated mattress pad is a non-hazardous, low voltage piece of bedding that claims to be safer than any other on the market. If you’re one that likes to save money on your electric bill, then you’ll love how you can turn up the thermostat on the heating pad and turn down the heat in your home. The low-voltage thin wires warms and rejuvenate your bed while giving your body a soft and soothing feeling thanks to the 233-thread count 80% poly and 20% cotton dobby shell while allowing you to choose from 11 settings-Low, 1-9, and Hi. It also comes in 5 sizes such as twin, full, queen, king, and california king.
This mattress pad consists of ultra thin wires that are virtually impossible to feel. I notice things very easily and in this instance, I could not notice the wires. They are placed three inches apart and evenly distribute the heat throughout the pad so that there are no cold spots to be felt. The best part is that if you want your sheets to be warm before you get into bed, there’s a handy preheat setting on the dial and if you’re like me and tend to forget things, it has an automatic 10-hour shutoff.
The Serta heated mattress pad is definitely for those who enjoy just a little, or a lot, of warmth while they’re sleeping. It’s also great for those who enjoy getting into a warm bed at night rather than a cold one. It’s equally good for people who find heat to relieve their pain. I don’t suggest that those who have a heat intolerance use it, however, due to the possibility of overheating. It definitely should not be used with:
- Anyone who is immobile or cannot operate the controls right way
- Anyone who cannot understand the directions
- Anyone who has poor circulation
- People with disabilities
- Infants & small children
Features & Benefits
The Serta heated mattress pad is supposed to make your life easier by eliminating the need for a bulky heater. Not to mention, it’s supposed to help lower your heating costs because it allows you to turn down the heat in your home while still keeping you warm and toasty. It has two different control units, one for each side of the bed so you and your partner can sleep on different heat settings, which I think is pretty awesome. One of the other neat benefits is that the wires are virtually hidden.
The only issue here that I am seeing is that it’s designed for a bed with a space under it. So what do we do with platform beds? What I did with mine was placed the power box on the side of the bed and ran the wires down the side of the bed.
Quick tip on how to setup:
The connectors are hidden and kept away from your head, hands, and arms. You then place the controllers near the head of the bed and attach the connectors cords at the head of the pad. You NEVER want to stick the cord between the mattress and box springs. You then plug it into a power supply and you can use a properly rated UL listed extension strip is needed.
Construction
The Serta heated mattress pad is constructed of a soft 233-thread count poly/cotton blend of 80/20. The attractive dobby stripe adds a touch of character to your bed rather than it being a plain, boring white pad. The shell is soft to touch and it was definitely pleasant to lay on, even being under the sheets. My favorite part about the whole thing is that it is a fitted sheet style, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping and sliding around under the sheets.
The backlit heating controls are connected to the pad by three prong hook up and the power is supplied through a low-voltage DC current that is exchanged from the 120-volt AC home current it is plugged into. This current is very similar to a battery and even if it gets wet, it’s still safe to sleep on and will protect your bed. The heating controls also conveniently dim on their own for nighttime sleeping comfort.
Inside of the pad you will find thin wires that are three inches apart and evenly spaced from head to toe to ensure there are no cold spots. I did not feel the wires while I was sleeping on this mattress pad, which is rather impressive considering the amount of heat that was coming out of it, in a relaxing and gentle way of course. You can feel the wires if you’re looking for them, but if you aren’t thinking about it, you won’t even notice.
–The picture below shows how the unit attaches to the pad–
Heating Features
The first thing that I had tested with this heated mattress pad was how well it maintained heat function. Each unit has 11 heat settings- Lo, 1-9, HI. If you want to preheat the pad, all you have to do is turn it on and it will adjust to the HI setting until it reaches the temperature that you preset your dial on and then it will adjust itself. It should not feel hot to touch. I did experience a relaxing and constant heat throughout the night and did notice a subtle difference between each setting on the dial.
The other thing that I tested to ensure that it was working properly was the 10-hour shutoff. I left the heating pad on while I was at home for 10-hours and can confirm that the auto shutoff does work. For those who have never used a heating pad before, it’s suggested that you start off at the HI setting for the first use and then adjust it to your liking. Overall, the heating of this mattress pad was rather relaxing and I didn’t experience any hot or cold spots.
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Comfort
I’m honestly overly impressed with how comfortable this heated mattress pad was to sleep on. When I took it out of the package, I thought that it was going to feel like one of those weird neoprene waterproof pads that sound crinkly. I put it on the bed and laid upon it with my opinion completely changed. It was very soft and barely noticeable under the covers.
I turned on the heat with the easy to use dials and was wrapped in a blanket of warmth. It kept me warm and relaxed through the entire night and it actually helped me with my lower back pain from a recent car accident. I can’t say for sure that it will help you with any pain that you may have, but if heat does have a positive effect on a painful area, then this may be a good option for you.
Protection
Protection, you ask? Since this is a mattress pad, it does happen to protect your bed from moisture other bodily fluids. Your mattress is an important part of your room and a big investment. If it’s still within its warranty frame, you won’t want anything getting into it. This pad doubles as a mild protector and if something does happen to get on it, you can simply toss it in the washer with a mild detergent.
Maintenance, Care and Warranty
In this section, I’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about how to care for, maintain, and use your warranty benefits. It’s important to pay close attention to this part because one mistake could cost you that protection.
Maintenance
Maintaining your Serta heated mattress pad is rather simple. One of the first things you always want to do is turn off the electric current when the pad isn’t being used. You can turn it off on the controller or simply by unplugging it from outlet.
-Don’t wrap your cord around the cord around the controls too tightly as it could damage it, wrap loosely.
-DO NOT IRON YOUR PRODUCT
-NEVER use dry cleaning fluid or bleach when washing
Care
Caring for your pad is just as simple for maintaining it. You may machine wash it by first disconnecting all the cords. NEVER wash the pad with the cords attached. Place the textile part in the washing machine and use warm water. You can add a small amount of detergent and then soak it for 5 minutes. You can run the agitator on a delicate or gentle cycle for two minutes and spin on normal speed. Rinse with cool water and agitate for one minute and spin dry.
If you choose to hand wash your pad, you can do it in a tub of 100 degree water using a small amount of mild detergent. Soak for 5 minutes and gently work it up and down for five minutes. Do not scrub or rub. Rinse with cold water until all the soap is gone. Squeeze out the water by hand, ensuring not to twist.
When you dry your heated pad, you can put in right in the dryer, but never in laundromat dryer because they may be too hot and damage the wires. Place the dryer on low heat and tumble dry freely. You can also line dry it with the head and foot ends down. Always wait until the product is completely dry before plugging it back in.
Warranty
Serta gives you a 5-year limited warranty with your heated mattress pad. They will replace or repair or replace the product or any component of it if it is found to be defective during the period of the warranty. If you need a warranty service, you can call them directly or visit their website given in the handbook.
How Easy Are Returns
In order to return your product, you have to provide them with your pad model number, control model number, and the receipt. You cannot return it without an authorization number and will not be accepted, furthermore, it will be returned at your expense.
Consumer Reviews & Feedback Of The Serta Heated Mattress Pad
Here’s what everyone else had to say about their Serta heated mattress pad. Hey, you can’t always take just one person’s word for it, can you?
Protection
- Great protection from moisture getting into the mattress
- Protects well against small spills
Durability
- Few complaints of melted cords
- Complaints of faulty wires
- Others praise how well it has held up
- No complaints of decomposing fabric
Ease Of Use
- Extremely easy to use
- Dial is easy to turn
- Easy to put on the bed
- Easy to wash
Warming Features
- Warms evenly
- Does not get too hot
- Some complaints of faulty heat settings
- Does not feel hot to touch
Comfort
- Very soft
- Cannot feel the wires
- Some reports of eased pain
- Very few reports of a crinkly sound
Customer Support
- Friendly customer support team
- Replies were quick
- Some complaints from disgruntled customers about warranties
Feedback On Features
- Most users praise the dual heat zones
- A lot of people enjoy the preheat setting
- Some were dissatisfied with the placement of the cords
- Most were impressed with the fact that it is machine washable
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Conclusion
As far as I can tell, the Serta heated mattress pad is definitely something that I would consider keeping on my bed for a long period of time. There was nothing that I really didn’t like about it. It performed well, it did not get too hot, the controls were easy to use, it has a convenient 10-hour shutoff for forgetful people such as myself, and it’s fitted so it won’t slip and slide as you move around. I suggest this for those who want to stay warm throughout the night without having to turn the heat up in the house and for those who have partners who enjoy a different level of heat than you do.
Serta Damask Stripe Heated Mattress Pad Specs
| Material | Sizes | Odor | Warranty | Shipping Weight or Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80% polyester 20% cotton | Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | None | 5 Year Limited | 5 pounds |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this soften or harden the feel of my sleep surface?
It’s too thin to make much of a difference in how you experience your sleep sufrace.
Is it easy to store?
Yes, it’s very thin and easy to fold up.
Does it include features to help keep it in place like corner anchors?
Yes, it attaches like a fitted sheet.
How long is the warranty?
5 years limited.
Is there offgassing?
Barely noticeable.