I’ve had this same style throw that I’ve been using for the past 5-6 years. I love it! Even in the winter, it’s the only blanket I use besides a sheet on my bed. (I’m 100 lbs, 4’11.) Most of the time, I keep it on low. If I click it to high, I soon wake up sweating. I personally like that it automatically turns off after 3 hours for this reason and because I don’t have to worry about whether I left it on. This is a great feature for kids whom forget everything. I wish the controller wasn’t so prone to accidentally changing levels of heat. It doesn’t take much but the gentlest tap to change the setting. It’s not a big deal because the controller usually isn’t kept where I’d accidentally hit it but this issue should be remedied. I have sat on my bed and heard the click from accidentally turning it on. My only issues are that the cord connects towards the bottom of the throw but not ALL the way at the bottom which would’ve made it lie flat a bit more, and that the cords both come out of one side of the controller. This also makes it lay funny with one end toward the wall, and the other toward the connector on the throw. But this is how most heated throws are made with the exception of a few brands that didn’t have great reviews. I did thorough research and tried to think cost, quality, etc. I also prefer micro plush as fleece will eventually pill after repeated washings. Sherpa also collects pilled balls & lint of other fabric and tends to look yellow and dingy after awhile. Micro plush looks newer longer if taken care of. Make sure not to pull the blanket because the wires are sewn between the layers of plush. These might be the small “holes” people have complained. I noticed them when the blanket was brand new but assumed that’s exactly what they were. I had an electric blanket as a child and remembered I’d seen holes like that on it. So be mildly gentle. I’ve been so very pleased with my throw the past 5-6 years I decided to buy 9 more as Christmas gifts. It’s so hard to figure out what to buy people sometimes especially if you don’t know them well. Or even if you do, it’s still a wonderful AND USEFUL gift. They really are the perfect gift everyone can use. I keep one extra on hand each Christmas as an emergency gift. I wouldn’t let toddlers use the throw without supervision but a child that can use anything plugged in should be fine. (As long as they know and are responsible with sockets and such.) I’m writing this review based on this exact throw but probably an older version. The box looks the exact same but the controller in the picture looks different. Some people commented that they received a different looking controller but unless I open the boxes, I cannot see what it looks like to compare in any way. I will update according to the responses of the recipients after the holidays. If you find this helpful, please hit the thumbs up button. I hear by doing this, companies may choose to send customers free products for detailed reviews. Since honest reviews are a huge part of our decision making process, let’s help each other out so we don’t waste our hard earned $ on junk. Thanks. Update: I ended up giving 12 of these throws of various colors to my family for Christmas. I bought the Cabernet (burgundy), navy blue & walnut (brown). I like the darkness of the navy but all are nice colors. I did notice the boxes used different wording (plush, microfiber & velveteen) though the throws were all the same fabric when examined closely. Again, stay away from fleece as it will eventually pill, collect lint (often in those pilled balls which you have to pull out w your fingernails) and will grow thin after repeated washings. You can just lightly brush w hand/shake this throw and any lint will easily come off. The boxes were packaged in various ways depending on whom was working at the time I placed the orders. I was unhappy w 1 shipment because it was sent with no packing box, or even some sort of plastic over the original box to keep it from dirt/oil that would no doubt be collected during transit on the delivery trucks, in the warehouse, etc. The employee literally slapped a shipping label on the outside of the original box. Because 2 sides of the box are open so the customer can feel the throw, this means it’s susceptible to getting dirty & dingy. Anyone with common sense would’ve packaged inside another box to keep it from the elements which most did, although a few came w plastic protecting the throw. People passing by my home could easily see that an electric throw was sitting on my front porch too. The second issue I had with another throw was that the person whom glued the box the throw is packaged inside did not pay attention and glue was stuck to the throw after unboxing. (Or maybe it was a machine? Who knows?!??) I removed most but was unable to get it all off. Had I tried, I would’ve made a hole in the fabric. I noticed that while all the boxes were closed using glue, only a couple came with a clear plastic bag protecting the throw. This plastic should be mandatory to protect from both glue and grime. I ended up having to return it and purchased another so the recipient was unable to use the Christmas gift until Jan 8th. I did receive feedback from every person gifted one and they ALL absolutely love them. These make wonderful gifts. No one else had a glue problem either although upon looking at my own older throw that gave me the idea for the gifts, I noticed it had a tiny spot of glue on it. Then I vaguely remembered that mine also had glue when I opened it (years ago) but I didn’t want to tell the person whom gave me the gift because they’d have to go through a lot of trouble to return it and I didn’t want them to feel bad for giving me a defective throw. It hasn’t made a hole but I don’t clean this throw in a regular washing machine. It is machine washable but use delicate cycle. I prefer to soak in light detergent for 15 min then rinse and spin. After that, I lay it out to dry overnight. READ THIS: If your throw doesn’t work or fails to get warm, unplug it from the wall and disconnect the connector. Wait a few minutes. Then connect the controller to the throw FIRST, then plug into the wall outlet. Then turn it on and wait until it gets warm. This resets the blanket in case of issues. I read this in another review and think it’s VERY important to pass along. Why it’s not included in the directions?…I don’t know? (Maybe I missed it or maybe it’s better for consumers to think it’s broken and buy another?) Also tell those you’re gifting in case they think it’s broken and inadvertently throw it out. Most people won’t tell someone if their gift broke. I have used this “reset” method once when it wouldn’t heat and it restored it to normal. That was over 2 years ago and no problems since. I’ll continue to update if they’re any issues! 12/2021: All throws are doing fine and holding up well including the one I initially got. Not one issue. 12 purchased. Zero problems. Very happy customer. Also, there are 2 different controllers, one being round and the other rectangular. The original rectangular version has a metal wire type clip on the back that I found very useful. The newer version does not. I’d also recommend (as does the company) to not use it between other blankets. Either put it on top or on the bottom. For best results (and perhaps safety), the heat must be able to escape a little. 12/2022: Unfortunately I’ve probably given as many throws as I can but it’s still my go to gift for those that I haven’t gifted one. I just pulled mine out after the hot summer and it works as good as day 1. The people whom received them lived all over CA and found them very useful even in SoCal so don’t think someone may not find it beneficial.
