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We tested the best weighted blankets to find the most calming and comfy ones out there

Just in time for hibernation season.

We tested the best weighted blankets to find the most calming and comfy ones out there

Just in time for hibernation season.

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We tested the best weighted blankets to find the most calming and comfy ones out there

Just in time for hibernation season.

Weighted blankets are having a moment. These have never been more popular or trendy (as the countless TikToks and memes about them suggest), but they are certainly not new.

The weight in a weighted blanket usually comes from its interior fill — even if they look just like normal or , many of them contain plastic or glass microbeads inside of their stitching. At first touch, a weighted blanket may feel a little odd, like it’s a large, flat beanbag, but when you put it on, you may be surprised by the instant calm this weightiness imparts.

How Do Weighted Blankets Work?

Weighted blankets provide a gentle, hug-like sensation to the wearer that’s known as . According to Steve Carleton, LCSW, CACIII, and executive clinical director at , “This pressure puts the autonomous nervous system in a state of relaxation, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.” Although deep pressure can be applied in various ways (you may have felt it putting on the lead apron before an X-ray at the dentist’s office), this sensation has been shown, in some cases, to have an immediate beneficial impact.

Carleton continues, “Those with anxiety, insomnia, and other disorders or conditions that involve difficulty regulating the nervous system may experience relief from the pressure of a weighted blanket. This can activate the release of serotonin and dopamine, leading to a sense of calmness and relaxation.”

Weighted blankets have traditionally been used as therapeutic tools to calm children on the autism spectrum or those with developmental issues — found that the deep pressure that weighted blankets impart may help quell overstimulation, restlessness, and insomnia in some children. It may be no surprise, then, that they’re gaining popularity with anxious adults as well. A found that weighted blankets can help improve sleep maintenance and reduce daytime symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and depression in people living with psychiatric conditions.

While they’re not a cure-all, weighted blankets can help provide enhanced physical secureness and peace of mind 
 and even if you’re not super stressed out, they simply feel really nice to cozy up with.

What to Consider

Weight and Size

The most practical considerations before you buy a weighted blanket are its weight and size. Dr. Sony Sherpa, a holistic health practitioner and writer at , advises, “A good tip is to choose a blanket that is 10% of your body weight. This will ensure that the blanket is not too heavy or too light and can give you the most comfortable and relaxing experience.”

There are a few health-related exceptions, however. Sherpa said, “Those who aren't recommended to use weighted blankets are usually those who have certain medical conditions, like claustrophobia, respiratory problems, or circulation issues.” Also, for children over 2 years of age, many health professionals advise that weighted blankets should never be used unsupervised and should only weigh at most 5% of the child’s body weight.

Also, take note of the blanket’s measurements before you buy. While some are throw-sized to be enjoyed on the couch, some are specifically made for sleeping under, so you may be able to buy blankets that are the same size as your comforter. Comforter-sized weighted blankets also tend to run a little heavier since the weight will be distributed over a larger surface area, with the implication that it’ll cover two people. Size is an important spec to note since you don’t want to be surprised upon unboxing that you have a weighted blanket that’s way oversized or undersized for your needs.

Style and Loftiness

In years past, weighted blankets all looked very much the same: bland and gray with the same quilted-square pattern. Now, there’s a whole rainbow of options. Most notably, there’s been a surge of weighted blankets that don’t use any microbead fill at all — their thick braids are made of layered fabric that imparts impressive weight while looking impressively Scandi-chic.

Dustin Fenstermacher

Even the traditional, slim, quilt-like weighted blankets have upped their style game, whether it’s through color options, ultra smooth or cooling cover materials, or intriguing dual-sized textures that offer you different ways to enjoy the blanket.

We’ve noted throughout this piece how lofty the weighted blankets are because this seemed to have a big impact on our testers’ enjoyment. Many chunky-knit or loftier blankets had a much cozier look, but when testers tried them, they said they felt heavier than slimmer, quilt-style blankets.

How to Wash

The question that nearly every tester asked during our test was, “How do you wash these?” The answer is that every product is different. We've denoted for each blanket featured here whether you should add to your regular laundry load, remove its outer cover for washing, or spot-clean it.

How We Tested

We tested the 15-pound version of all 10 of these weighted blankets in our office with the help of 14 volunteers. Without knowing the brand name or cost of the blankets, all testers were asked to rate the blanket on a five-point scale based on the following criteria: Comfort of cover texture, the comfort of the internal microbead fill texture (if applicable), the noisiness of the blanket’s fill, aesthetics, and general enjoyment overall. Along with numerical ratings, testers also submitted written feedback on all products and specified which blankets were their most and least favorite. We ranked these blankets in this guide based on their responses.

Without further ado, check out our guide to the 10 best weighted blankets to help take the pressure off.

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Dustin Fenstermacher
Best Overall

Weighted Blanket

amazon.com
$249.99

The Nuzzie Weighted Blanket was the highest numerically rated blanket that we tried, and it was also denoted as the favorite of the bunch by our group of testers.

While it does look very similar to the other chunky-knit blankets we evaluated, the slinky, jersey-like feel is completely different. Nearly every tester said, “ooh!” upon touching this blanket — its polyester material is stretchy, cool, and soft, and the fiber itself comes from recycled water bottles. There are no internal beads in this weighted blanket, either, so although the size is quite big, the blanket itself feels surprisingly lightweight. As one reviewer summed up, “This is my favorite weighted blanket of the bunch. Nice and soft, [and it has a] cool knit aesthetic. Very pleasing to the touch.”

However, the material does have its quirks. Many reviewers noted that it wrinkles easily, so it doesn’t look as high-quality as it feels. The weave is also quite loose, which could be an issue if you are worried about pets or children pulling on it. One reviewer simply noted, “My cats would destroy it.”

Despite this, the Nuzzie Weighted Blanket is the best choice overall because its feel just can't be beaten. The large-scale knit allows air to flow through, but the ample size provides the gentle, de-stressing press that you want from this type of product. It's one to keep on your bed or couch as decor and enjoy throughout the seasons. Plus, you can toss it in your washer/dryer to clean (if it’ll fit!).

More:

Dustin Fenstermacher
Neatly Knit

Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket

brooklynbedding.com
$199.00
$149.30

It became very apparent over the course of our in-office test that blanket aesthetics are just as important as the comfort it provides — which may be why the chunky-knit blankets were so popular. While the Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket lacks the dreamy silkiness of the top-rated pick, it has a definitively neater and less wrinkled weave.

While some reviewers called the blanket “unwieldy” to adjust because of the large knit loops, the comforting bed-throw look and polyester-jersey fabric won people over in the end. Says one person, “I looooove a T-shirt feel! It’s a bit heavier than I like, but satisfyingly squishy.” The lack of internal beads and “sandy texture” also was noted as a plus with our testing group.

Dustin Fenstermacher
Decor-Worthy Colors

Tree Napper Weighted Blanket

bearaby.com
$269.00

The Bearaby Tree Napper Weighted Blanket is made from eucalyptus-derived Tencel material that stretches and squishes so satisfyingly. This blanket and the previous pick had almost exactly the same rating — it came down to texture preference in the end since the weight distribution and aesthetic between the two are almost identical.

Many liked the Tree Napper’s tight weave (the polar opposite of the Nuzzie blanket’s loose knit), but some felt it was a bit bland or even stiff. Says one person, “It feels heavier than some others. Can’t really see myself snuggling with this one on the couch, but it would be a good desk option.”

It’s worth noting that Bearaby has a gorgeous spectrum of colors to choose from, including cornflower blue, emerald green, and dreamy lavender — the subtlety in these shades is a lot more style-forward than either of the two aforementioned brands. And if you want to up the luxe factor, even more, this weighted blanket comes in a velvet version, too.

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Dustin Fenstermacher
Warm and Cuddly

Weighted Blanket

gravityblankets.com
$250.00
$174.00

Many of our testers expressed concern with how to wash a weighted blanket — however, the Gravity Weighted Blanket makes this a nonissue by including the blanket and removable cover in one for total convenience and enjoyment.

The cover has a discreet zipper that opens up to reveal the internal blanket, which is fastened in place with corner ties and elastic-button connectors. The cover itself also has a soft and furry micro-plush texture that feels “luxurious,” according to one tester.

The Gravity Blanket contains glass beads that are held in place by gridded and cross-shaped quilting, offering a feel that is not as stiff as other bead-filled weighted blankets. Some people loved this, while others felt it was a bit too floppy and heat-retentive. This weighted blanket is one that's built intentionally for comfort and ease of use, and even if it’s on the warmer side, we think it succeeds at this.

Dustin Fenstermacher
Satisfyingly Cool

Layla Weighted Blanket

laylasleep.com
$199.00
$85.00

The Layla Weighted Blanket was one of the most texturally intriguing blankets of our test. It’s dual-sided with impressively smooth, 300-thread-count quilted cotton on one side and furry polyester on the other. The glass bead-filled blanket is slim and not unwieldy at all — it feels like one that you can easily fold up and neatly put into storage without having to wrestle with any bulky or slippery material.

As one reviewer sums up, “This one has a really great fuzzy texture on the inside. The smooth outer material is nice to the touch as well. It has quiet fill material and a nice dark aesthetic. Definitely a favorite.”

Speaking of the dark aesthetic, the black-and-gray colorway is the only one that Layla currently offers. So, if you prefer something a little more colorful or decor-matchy, this may not be the best for you. But if you are going all-in on a comfortable, soft weighted blanket that doesn’t feel too hot or heavy, and you don’t have a strong color-scheme preference, the Layla Weighted Blanket is one of the very best you can buy.

Dustin Fenstermacher
Ombre Elegance

Luxury Weighted Blanket

nestbedding.com
$168.00
$129.60

The Nest Bedding Weighted Blanket fits twin-, queen-, and king-sized beds, but it is far lighter and breezier than the label “weighted comforter” implies. Made of polyester and bamboo-derived rayon and detailed with a calming ombre color scheme and herringbone quilting, it contains a blend of glass beads and polyester fiber, so it’s a little more plush and less bean-baggy.

While some testers who preferred the cushier blankets said that this one was a little too thin, others adored it. One person touted its “silky and expensive-looking fabric,” and another said, “Love the cooling feel of this one and how portable it is; feels like this is one I could easily carry around with me.”

We felt as though this one had great weight distribution, and even if the beads could be felt (and heard) through the material, the cooling, smooth fabric feels appropriately high quality.

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Dustin Fenstermacher
Best Budget

Weighted Blanket

amazon.com
$69.90
$39.99

Proof that a cheap weighted blanket doesn’t have to feel that way, the YnM Weighted Blanket is a best-selling blanket on Amazon that’s impressive in a lot of ways. Its quilted squares are filled with a glass bead and fiber blend, and the cotton cover material is a bit plain but very soft with no trace of roughness.

Testers who felt that most weighted blankets would be too hot to enjoy really liked this one. As one person said, “This one has the best inner fill material, in my opinion. Has really small beads that are more satisfying than some of the other fill materials. Less sandy feeling. I also like the aesthetic, it’s just a simple pinstripe, but it’s better than just a solid color for me.”

This weighted blanket comes in a substantial number of sizes and colors. It’s also available in weights ranging from 5 to 30 pounds, so it’s a better fit for more body types.

Dustin Fenstermacher
Best Duvet Insert

Weighted Blanket

balooliving.com
$179.00

The Baloo Living Weighted Blanket is available in bed or throw-blanket sizes (though it’s shorter than a regular comforter to prevent overhang). The whole piece is covered in 100% cotton with glass microbeads inside of its unique gridded quilting.

It was surprising to see this one come in on the lower end of our test results since its quality of materials, intentional sizing, and smart design details that evenly distribute the weight all offer something special in this product category.

The main critique is that this one lacks personality. One person even called it “too pancakey.” As a throw blanket, it’s true — it doesn’t look particularly special. But as an alternative duvet insert, we think it ticks all of the boxes of coolness and comfort that you’d want in a bedding product.

We also appreciate the addition of the corner loops — unlike other blankets in this list, this blanket was clearly made to be covered (the brand sells to use with it), though it's also machine-washable and dryer safe.

Dustin Fenstermacher
Minimalist Aesthetic

Weighted Throw Blanket

brooklinen.com
$135.20

We have to hand it to Brooklinen for making their weighted blanket completely different from the pack — even if it is a bit polarizing. This quilted-square, glass microbead-filled blanket has a smooth cotton underside and a textured cotton-and-spandex top.

Many of our testers liked the aesthetic of this one (with one person calling it “Muji-minimalist”), but they felt as though the material was very rough. Says one person, “While the fabric isn’t the softest of the bunch, I did like how warm this one was. Has a decent amount of inner fill, so it felt a little cozier than other flat weighted blankets.”

Its subtle loft and cover design gives it a little more decorative appeal than a flat quilted blanket — plus, you can toss this one in the washer/dryer to clean.

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Slim and Simple

Casper Weighted Blanket

casper.com
$219.00
$99.00

The Casper Weighted Blanket is an understated pick for those who want something that looks and feels just like a regular bed quilt ... with a little something extra. This dual-sided blanket is lined with cotton on the outside and polyester on the inside, and its glass microbead fill is held in place by slim channels. As one tester summed up, “I liked that this was a thinner, cooler option. Also, I love the color and design.”

What’s nice about the Casper Weighted Blanket is that there’s nothing bulky or unwieldy about it. It feels easy enough to slip onto your shoulders and venture from the couch to the bed with it. However, the material is just not as smooth as the other products we tested. Many people said the beads were too noisy and noticeable to the touch, and machine-washing the blanket is not recommended.