Many of us have grown up with the belief that an electric mattress pad is uncomfortable and dangerous. Today's electric mattress pad is safe, durable, and best of all, so efficient that you can easily turn down the thermostat at night. Here are some things to look for when buying an electric mattress pad.

The first think to decide is the size you need. Just get the same size electric mattress pad as the bed that it will go on. You do need to consider the depth of your mattress though, an electric mattress pad secures like a sheet and is pulled over the mattress. Make sure the electric mattress pad is deep enough for your mattress.

Power source. The best electric mattress pad, such as the Sunbeam convert the 120 coming out of the wall into a safe 14-18 volts. Choose an electric mattress pad with this feature, you can never skimp on safety. Also make sure the power cord is long enough.

Wiring. The power unit should be easily detachable from the pad, allowing you to put the electric mattress pad into the washer for easy cleaning without damaging it.

Heating elements. Today's electric mattress pads use heating elements of very fine wire woven directly into the fabric, called micro-wire, these micro-wires are practically undetectable. Look for this feature as it also ensures even heating with no hot or cold spots. This is an important feature of a quality electric mattress pad when it comes to the ultimate comfort level.

Material. As the electric mattress pad will be under you, the material is not as important as it is for an electric blanket. Nonetheless, to get the best electric mattress pad, look for good quality polyester/cotton material.

The combination of quality material and micro-wiring will allow most high quality electric mattress pads to be machine washable and tumbled dry without shrinkage or damage. Make sure the electric mattress pad you are considering specifically says machine washable.

An additional feature to look for are many power level settings so you can set your electric mattress pad to exactly the temperature you like.

For safety, the electric mattress pad should have auto-off after 10 hours or so. Another nice feature to have is a quick warm up setting.

A great feature to have, especially for queen or king size electric mattress pads is a separate temperature control for each side of the bed. Some like it hot, some don't, avoid conflict!

Here's a great electric mattress pad available on Amazon, it has all the best features.

Sunbeam Imperial 140-Thread-Count Polyester Cotton Blend Comfort Heated Mattress Pad