Weighted blankets have long been employed by the special needs community as a form of pressure therapy, providing comfort and calm to many. In recent years they have also become a readily available and popular home aid for kids and adults, helping with anxiety, troubled sleepers and more, but how do you know which blanket is right for you?
Depending on whether you're buying for hot flashes, hot weather or chilly winter evenings, you'll need to decide on a weight, size, and material. Which is where we come in! As well as a useful buying guide, we'll share our recommendations from Amazon, John Lewis and eBay. And hopefully, we can help to ease some of those difficult days and sleepless nights.
Quick List - Top Weighted Blankets
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Weighted blankets are made up of several layers, namely fabric and either glass or plastic poly-pellets, and distribute gentle pressure on the nervous system to soothe and calm. In professional terms, this is called Deep Pressure Therapy, or DPT.
DPT activates the release of serotonin, which regulates brain functions such as anxiety, stress and mood. And when anxiety is low, factors such as blood pressure and pulse are well-maintained which leads to more restorative sleep. They have also been proven to help sufferers of physical disorders, like Fibromyalgia.
In order to fully absorb the benefits of your weighted blanket, it's important to choose one that offers the right weight, size, material and filling for your personal needs, so before we share our recommendations we'll get you up to speed on these points.
The first and most important factor when choosing a weighted blanket is to ensure it exerts the appropriate amount of pressure on your body for it to work its magic. To do this, you will have to pick your blanket based on its weight.
It is recommended that you go for a blanket that weighs around 10% of your own body weight. So, a 10 stone/140 lb person could go for a blanket of 14 lbs or 6 kg. If you're between measurements and new to weighted blankets, perhaps start lighter, but if you know you need or like strong pressure, try the heavier of the two.
You can also take your build into account. For instance, petite frames could afford to go down a little, but petite heights who are also muscular builds will better feel the effects of a heavier weight.
Need help figuring out which blanket is perfect for you? Here are our top bathroom scale picks.
Besides their inner materials and padding, weighted blankets can either be made from synthetic or natural materials, and some have covers you can remove or switch around depending on the season. Let's look into the main varieties.
Hot sleepers, those inflicted with hot flushes or night sweats, or anyone looking for a weighted blanket to use in warmer weather should go for blankets with an outer material made from a natural fabric such as cotton or bamboo.
They are both breathable, soft, light and cool against the skin, which can make a big difference if the weight of the blanket is causing you to overheat. Organic cotton is especially recommended because it's higher in quality, longer-lasting, and ensures a greater level of comfort.
Try out our best personal fans if the summer heat gets too much.
One of the most popular fabrics for the outside of a weighted blanket is known as minky or plush, which is made from synthetic polyester, as they are warm, fluffy and great for those winter months.
These faux-fur style blankets will keep you extra toasty whether you're relaxing on the sofa or trying to fall asleep in bed, plus you can also opt for a design with a textured or bobbled surface for a pleasing sensory experience.
If you love a warm and toasty bed, how about an electric blanket?
For a weighted blanket that offers the best of all seasons, you may like to find one that can be used with or without a cover. That way you can have a cool, breathable natural fabric in warmer weather, or add on a plush cover in colder months for when you're in need of a cuddlier blanket.
Having a removable cover also allows it to be machine washed, even if it does not offer the option to be used without. If there is no removable cover at all, you may still like to check if it is washable at home.
As we've mentioned, the weight of the blanket predominantly comes from a filling of either glass or plastic beads or pellets. Small ceramic or glass pellets are heavier, less noticeable and give the blanket a thinner feeling, whereas plastic pellets are lighter and make for a thicker blanket but they can feel bulkier.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Odyseaco Weighted Blanket | ![]() | Firm Pressure That Stays Put During Restless Nights | |
2 | Soporis Deluxe Weighted Blanket | ![]() | Huggable Warmth and Comfort on a Budget | |
3 | YnM Bamboo Weighted Blanket, Sea Grass | ![]() | Stay Extra-Cool With Natural Bamboo | |
4 | Rocabi Weighted Blanket and Luxury Cover Set | ![]() | Two Sensory Experiences to Satisfy Your Needs | |
5 | Keeptop Weighted Blanket | ![]() | Drift Off to Sleep in No Time With This Blanket | |
6 | Brentfords Teddy Weighted Blanket for Children | ![]() | Snuggly, Soft and Comforting Like a Teddy Bear | |
7 | Amazon Basics All-Season Cotton Weighted Blanket | ![]() | A Lighter Cotton Blanket for All Seasons | |
8 | SCM Weighted Blanket With 2 Removable Covers | ![]() | Interchangeable Covers for Year-Round Comfort | |
9 | BUZIO Cooling Weighted Blanket | ![]() | A Summer Blanket With Attachable Ties | |
10 | John Lewis & Partners Specialist Synthetic Weighted Blanket | ![]() | A Heavyweight, Good Quality Investment |
With its internal clasps and a generous 8 security loop ties, this breathable and hypoallergenic pure cotton blanket will stay put, even if you're prone to restless tossing and turning.
Over a hundred 5 star reviews can attest to its premium quality build, with double stitched edges, extra padding, and non-toxic glass pellets that spread to gently provide just the right amount of pressure for the size.
Huggably soft, extremely cosy and great-looking, this very reasonably priced blanket is your best bet for winter nights, older folk, or those of you who can just never seem to get warm. There are no less than 7 layers of comfort padding and leakproof filling, and the outer is 100% cotton for breathability too.
And if that wasn't enough, the dual-sided half tactile, half smooth plush cover has a zipped closure for swift removal and easy machine washing. Choose from child-suitable weights of 3 kg or up to 9 kg.
This weighted blanket is as cool as it gets, utilising sustainable, antibacterial, ultra-breathable bamboo viscose for an uninterrupted nights sleep. A separate cover will have to be purchased if you need one, however, there are corner loops fitted and the colour choices are so smart you probably won't mind!
It's very well made, from the smaller sized pockets for optimum dispersion of the glass beads, to the anti-leak stitching and 300 thread count material. A helpful size and weight chart are also provided, with this one in particular being suitable for a queen bed.
There are 2 washable and tumble dry-suitable covers included with this blanket, a breathable, organic, lightweight cotton and a gorgeous fleece plush with a raised texture, both stylish enough for the chicest of homes and both with corner ties to prevent slipping.
The large size is definitely big enough for enveloping you and will easily cover a queen-sized bed. Because of its size, you can wrap yourself up and make a secure 'sleep cocoon', which will no doubt leave you feeling wonderful. It's a real treat!
Filled with glass beads of the best quality, this blanket offers just the right amount of stimulation so you can slip into a deep slumber. The blanket is made from 100% cotton, a wonderfully breathable material that is also very soft to the touch.
The blanket is split up into 10x10 cm smaller compartments which helps to maintain weight distribution. Optimising this even further are the 12 internal loops. These hold the filler in place within the cover, so it won't bunch up at all as you rest. Its cover isn't removable, but you can get one to make it easier to wash.
The super-soft, snuggly teddy fleece cover on this blanket is much less sweaty than you'd think; it's made from microfibre which is light and wicks away heat and sweat even though it's made from plastic.
A good balance of glass pellets makes for a noticeably comfortable and evenly dispersed pressure, and it's available in multiple weights from 4 to 8 kg, making it great for children. This blanket requires hand washing and doesn't have a removable cover, and with this heavy blanket, this will be quite a task to undertake.
Ideal for the heat-sensitive or for petite frames, younger users or as a leg blanket, this very highly praised product is on all the best buy lists. The natural cotton is designed to not only let your body breathe, but to effectively ventilate, cool and wick away moisture.
Again there is no included cover, but there are perimeter loops and ties that you may use with the brand's own selection of covers. You'll have to purchase them separately, but there's a brilliant range including textured fleece in various colours and lighter cottons.
A great buy for those wanting a value blanket that won't get thrown in the cupboard for half the year, SCM include one warm and cosy fleece cover and one lighter microfibre option for use during summer, both of which can be removed and washed at home.
The filling is made from innovative nano-ceramic beads, which the company promises provide a "silky" therapeutic blanket experience with perfect distribution and no bunching. This blanket is lighter and smaller, better for being used on your lap or by kids.
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With it's eco-friendly filling, organic cotton fabric and non-toxic glass beads, this is a safe, summer-friendly blanket that's cool and breathable and won't bring on the sweats.
It may not have a cover, but there are some handy ties that allow attachment to your own bed linens, so you can keep your decor matching and wash both the cover and the blanket as you like. This blanket is large but lighter, which might not add enough pressure for you.
John Lewis' own brand weighted blanket stays true to tradition with this luxurious blue colour, and surprisingly offers one of the heaviest weights on the market (11.5 kg), making it suitable for those at or over 100kg.
It's on the pricey side for the size, but the quality is high as you'd expect, and it uses almost entirely glass beads for even pressure distribution. There's a cover that can be machine washed, but the inner can only be spot cleaned or aired, so you'll have to put it on top of your own sheet or duvet to keep it fresh.
Weighted blankets are a natural way of relieving pain, anxiety and stress, promoting healthy sleep and treating all kinds of neurological and physical disorders. Choosing the right weighted blanket comes down to multiple factors but we hope you've found the best for you amongst our picks!
Author: Natasha Dziubajlo
No. 1: Odyseaco|Weighted Blanket
No. 2: Soporis |Deluxe Weighted Blanket
No. 3: YnM|Bamboo Weighted Blanket, Sea Grass
No. 4: Rocabi |Weighted Blanket and Luxury Cover Set
No. 5: Keeptop|Weighted Blanket
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