Just like that, the temperatures have plummeted to single digits overnight and just mid-teens during the day. Winter has announced her arrival with an intensity that is going to sting Aussies already struggling with rising cost of living.
A recent national survey commissioned by Stoov of 1801 Aussies surveyed, shows almost two-in-three say their homes are either “far too cold” (10%) or “a bit cold” (50%) during winter months. Despite the chill, more than half (53%) do not have a central heating system installed, leaving millions reliant on portable heaters, blankets, and piling on the layers.
Stoov offered me a Ploov for review and I was not going to turn it down. Last year I review the Big Hug which is a heated blanket solution for individuals. You can drape it over your chair and just let the long-wave infrared technology work to warm you up.
I covered off the technology in quite some details in my review of the Big Hug. If you are interested then hop on over here to have a read.
First Impressions
The Ploov, being a heated cushion, is also an individual solution. It comes in two sizes: 45x45cm or 45x60cm, and a variety of coverings.
I opt for the 45x60cm in velvet, because it is pink and my newly minted seven year old daugher is probably going to hijack it.
The Ploov comes deconstructed and requires some assembly. In that you have the cushion part which will self inflate when freed from the confines of it’s sealed shipping bag. Then you have the sleeve which is the heating element part.
The battery, which comes in standard (2.5 to 5 hours of heat) or plus (4.5 to 9 hours of heat) is essentially a powerbank but with a fixed barrel type port on a short cable coming out of it. The connecting wire has a simple twist locking mechanism to prevent the circuit from disconnecting.
On the inside of the sleeve is a pocket to slip your battery into.
Lastly is the cover which comes in original, woolly, velvet or knitted finish in a variety of colours.
Once the cover is on, the only thing that indicates this is anything but an ordinary cushion is the bright orange tab that says Stoov and doubles as the controller.
Take note when you are putting the cover on, there is an opening to allow the controller to come through so you want to align the cushion correctly beforehand. This also helps the heating element face the right direction – only one side of the cushion gets heated up.
In Use
The operation of the Ploov is the same as the Big Hug. And it is consistent across all the Stoov product lines.
The large orange tab is hard to miss. On the back of it is an on-off switch. Turn it on and if you have juice in the tank, an orange status light comes on. Press the power symbol next to the logo and the cushion will turn on at the highest setting. Press it again to dial it down to medium, and again to lowest. Press it one more time and it cycles to standby.
It’s a cushion, you throw it on the couch or a chair.
On those rare nights I get to sit in front of the TV (Adolescence anyone?(, it’s nice to feel the heat radiating out of the cushion to keep me warm. It does not take long to feel the warmth start to seep into me.
I find that for me, the Ploov at the highest setting gets a bit too warm once I get past the initial stage. The minimal heat is a happy spot which also means the battery will last a bit longer too.
And it seems, it did not take long for my cats to figure out there is a nice warm spot that doesn’t wriggle or move to disturb their rest. Ah yes, Tapioca and Mochi have very quickly taken over the Ploov as their favourite spot at night.
One usage scenario that definitely got me smiles and cuddles is turning the Ploov on a few minutes before getting Miss A into the car on a cold morning. She can hug it whilst the car cabin is still warming up. It has instantly stopped the chatter about how cold it is in the morning on the ride to school.
Other Research Findings
Even without the cost of living crisis, being frugal means trying to avoid heating or cooling the whole house when there is usually me or two people there. Putting on another layer, or taking it off and “sucking it up” seems to be the way to go – not unlike 53% of Aussies.
There are other factors at play. More than half of Aussies (64%) said they feel happier when they are warm, and three-in-ten reported experiencing significant loneliness or symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), with younger Aussies aged between 25-44 (40%) being hit harder than older Aussies aged 66 and above (19%). Physical discomfort from being cold affects mental health too.
Cold Homes, High Bills, and Poor Insulation
When it comes to the cost of trying to stay warm, the reality is sobering: 79 percent believe eating their homes are “far too expensive” (38%) or “a bit expensive” (41%). In fact, less than a quarter (16%) feel their heating costs are fair, reflecting widespread concern about soaring energy bills as high cost of living pressures continue to weigh on Aussies.
Poor insulation compounds the issue, with one-in-four saying their homes are inadequately insulated and nearly half (42%) saying their homes are moderately insulated. Unsurprisingly, one-in-two (54%) plan to switch to energy-saving alternatives this winter, including the use of heated cushions, heated blankets, and only warming one room at a time.
Cold Weather, Cold Feet
Despite the cold, seven-in-ten stick to plans that they’ve made to go out on dates or to hang out with friends, although cancellations are higher in the colder winter regions (32%) compared to the warmer winter regions (22%) of Australia, with discomfort, fatigue, and a strong desire to stay indoors cited as reasons for cancelling plans.
Outdoor activities take a hit as well, with 55 percent saying they are “much less likely” to engage in winter camping or hiking despite being an “outdoors” person. Instead, 58 percent are “more likely” to prefer relaxing indoors with a book or having comfort food and warm drinks (60%).
Seasonal Changes Inside and Out
Winter also sees Aussies switching up their daily habits, with one-in-three (33%) stating they will change their skincare and personal hygiene routines, including showering less often or switching to richer products. More than half (66%) will also be moving to their winter wardrobe featuring thermals, heavy fabrics, and winter-specific footwear.
At home, changes to décor are common. Nearly half (47%) make adjustments for winter, with most adding warmer bedding (83%), adding rugs or carpets (18%), and thicker curtains (10%).
When it comes to staying warm at home, Australians favour clothing layering (69%), followed by consuming warm foods & drinks (58%) and blankets on sofa/armchair (54%).
Gripes
Just the two.
The first one is a much easier fix for Stoov. The pocket for the battery could do with a strip of velcro to keep the battery from slipping out. It’s a minor thing that will go a long way.
The second one is the charging port. Stoov is sticking with the old school DC charging port. It means you really don’t want to lose the original charger because you can’t just grab any USB charger to go.
Conclusions
As I have mentioned in the previous review, the Stoov products are not a cheap option on face value. The Ploov has a starting price tag of $189 for the smaller size with a standard battery. The review unit which is the larger dimension starts at $204. And if you want to upgrade the battery it is an extra $40.
Compared against running a central heating over the colder months, where you are literally just burning money, the Ploov can be reused again and again over a long period of time. I particularly like how portable it is, and little Miss A loves that I have it ready for her for the school run now.
In the words of Teun Van Leijsen, founder and CEO of Stoov, “This winter, Australians will not just be battling the chill — they’ll be battling the costs, the emotional toll, and the shortcomings of homes that aren’t built for real winters. With the cost-of-living crisis still biting hard, finding affordable and sustainable ways to stay warm will be more crucial than ever.”
DRN would like to thank Stoov for providing the review unit.
Survey methodology: The Stoov research was conducted from April 17- April 18 2025 through a quantitative online survey targeting a nationally representative sample of 1,801 Australian respondents aged 18 years or older.
