Many people have incorporated a weighted blanket into their self-care routine, and for good reason. Snuggling up with a weighted blanket feels like the best full-body hug you’ve ever received. The deep-touch pressure stimulation it offers calms the nervous system. As you relax, your brain releases serotonin and melatonin, reducing the stress hormone cortisol in the body. If you struggle with stress or anxiety, you may be considering investing in a weighted blanket.
Picking the best one mostly comes down to personal preference, though distributed weight and durability are also essential. Our team of sleep experts has tested almost every sleep product under the sun. From mattresses to blankets to sleep masks, we’ve assessed them all. We gathered the best weighted blankets on the market to compile this list, detailing the feel, fill, and quality of each option. Read on to find your perfect weighted blanket.
What is the best weighted blanket?
There are a lot of weighted blankets out there, all of which vary by their fill, price and feel. While testing, we found that the Luna weighted blanket is the best weighted blanket you can buy.
It’s the type of weighted blanket that anyone will like. It’s soft and breathable without falling trap that many weighted blankets do: being overwhelming to use. It’s made from 300-thread count cotton and has microglass beads. Not to mention, it’s by far the most affordable weighted blanket on the list. The best weighted blankets are notoriously expensive because of the added materials used to fill them. The Luna weighted blanket is the perfect balance between quality and affordability.
Best weighted blankets of 2023
Like
- Doesn’t shift around when you sleep
- Regulates body temperature
- Oeko-Tex 100 certified
- Hypoallergenic
- Budget-friendly option
Don’t like
The Luna weighted blanket is our pick for the best overall weighted blanket because it’s super soft and heavy without being overwhelming. The Luna weighted blanket is designed with a patented layer construction that promotes breathability. It’s not actively cooling, but that design is said to help regulate body temperature.
This blanket is made of 300-thread count cotton and filled with polyester, microfiber and micro glass beads. One of the most annoying things about some weighted blankets is that the beads inside shift around and clump as you shift when sleeping. The Luna doesn’t do that due to its microfiber filling and quilted design.
The weighted blanket market ranges in price, with many of the best falling on the more expensive side. It strikes a nice balance between quality and budget pricing.
Price: $
Care instruction: Machine washable
Material: Cotton
Weight: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 pounds
Filling: Microglass beads, polyester and microfiber
Like
- Cooling
- Made with moisture-wicking fabric
- Soft microfiber feel
Don’t like
- Expensive
- Not as warm as other options
- Insert not machine washable
The key to deep touch pressure stimulation is that the weighted blanket must touch as much of your body as possible. This can become problematic for hot sleepers who struggle with normal blankets. The added weight and materials of weighted blankets can be too hot for some.
During testing, we found that the Gravity weighted blanket is the best cooling weighted blanket. The soft microfiber fleece feels similar to the Luna weighted blanket. However, there is one key difference between the two. The Gravity cooling weighted blanket is the solution for hot sleepers who want to use a weighted blanket. It’s made with moisture-wicking fabric designed for hot sleepers who need extra breathability.
Price: $$$
Care instructions: Machine washable cover, insert hand-wash only
Material: Polyester blend
Weight: 15, 20, 35 pounds
Filling: Glass beads
Like
- Two-sided design: fuzzy or soft feel
- Affordable option
- Three weight options
- Machine washable
Don’t like
- Not for hot sleepers or people who live in hot climates
- Doesn’t have a weight option for petite people
- Only one color option
The Layla weighted blanket is our choice for the best weighted blanket for couples, thanks to its two-sided design. One side features a soft, plush material that is snuggly and warm. The other is a 100% cotton knit. Unlike some weighted blankets, it’s available in a king size, which is perfect for sharing.
We also think it’s one of the best weighted blankets for people with pets because it is so easy to clean. Fur can easily be brushed off without getting stuck in the fabric. The Layla is snuggly warm. So, we wouldn’t recommend it for warmer climates or extremely hot sleepers. If you still want to try the Layla weighted blanket and see if it works for you, there is a 120-night trial and a 100% money-back guarantee.
Price: $
Care instructions: Machine washable
Material: Side one: Cotton; Side two: Polyester and mink
Weight: 15, 20, 25 pounds
Filling: High-density micro glass beads
Like
- Machine washable
- Soft cotton cover
Don’t like
Older kids shouldn’t use just any weighted blanket on the market. Kids’ weighted blankets are designed specifically for the weight and size that kids can handle. The Mini from Baloo is the best weighted blanket for kids with its soft, quilt-like design. It’s made from natural cotton for breathability and has a glass microbead filling.
The Baloo kids weighted blanket is only available at 9 pounds, making it a good choice for a kid over 90 pounds. This blanket is machine washable, but note that it dries quickly in the dryer, so if you leave it in too long it can damage the blanket.
Weighted blankets are not safe for children under 4. Older children should only use weighted blankets that are at most 10% of their body weight.
Price: $$
Care instructions: Machine washable
Material: Cotton
Weight: 9 pounds
Filling: Glass microbeads
Like
- Customizable
- Three weight options
- Machine washable
Don’t like
- Not the best choice if you don’t care about customization
- Beads shift around in the blanket
The product of a family-owned and operated company, Mosaic weighted blankets are the best customizable weighted blankets you can get. They come in three weights, multiple fabrics and various patterns. If you’re someone who values the chance to create your ultimate weighted blanket experience, then you’ll like the Mosaic.
If you don’t want to deal with customization, there are better options. The Mosaic is not the best weighted blanket we tested. We found that the weighted beads shift when you move, which can result in the weight pooling in one area.
Price: $$
Care instructions: Machine washable
Material: Cotton
Weight: 5, 8 and 10 pounds
Filling: BPA-free, hypoallergenic, FDA-compliant plastic pellets
Like
- Great value
- Machine washable cover
Don’t like
- Lightest weight option is 15 pounds, which is too heavy for some
- Better for lounging on the couch
- Inner blanket is not machine washable
Weighted blankets can get expensive — upwards of $250 for some brands. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the Blanquil weighted blanket, which retails for $149. We found it to be more of a lounge-around-on-the-couch type of blanket than a bed comforter, but that’s what some people are looking for. That’s why we ranked it as the best weighted throw blanket. It features a removable outer blanket that is machine washable.
Price: $
Care instructions: Machine washable
Material: Poly-blend
Weight: 15, 20, 25 pounds
Filling: Eco-friendly glass
Like
- Machine washable
- Soft, velvet feel
- Four weight options
- Two-sided design
Don’t like
- 15 pounds is the lightest option
- Expensive
You want your weighted blanket to feel good and look just as good. The SensaCalm Plus weighted blanket is the best-looking weighted blanket. It has a quilted pocket design and an almost crushed velvet look and feel. The other weighted blankets we tested look great, but SensaCalm is a step above. This looks like it could be displayed on your bed or couch all year.
The all-weather version of this weighted blanket features two sides, a warm fleece side and a cool cotton side. So you can use the SensaCalm Plus weighted blanket all year. It’s one of the warmest weighted blankets for cool weather. This is one of the most expensive weighted blankets on the list. The high-quality materials and luxury look will cost you around $265.
Price: $$$
Care instructions: Machine washable
Material: Cotton
Weight: 15, 20, 30, 40 pounds
Filling: Hypoallergenic, non-toxic glass beads and poly-fil
How we tested the best weighted blankets
Our sleep experts carefully curated this best weighted blanket list based on their experience testing the products. We tested weighted blankets exactly as you expect — we snuggled with them, noting how they helped the experts sleep and relax.
Each weighted blanket is evaluated on its performance, cost and materials during testing. The fill materials, weight and cleaning instructions were also considered when writing this list.
What to consider when shopping for a weighted blanket
If you’re looking to improve your sleep or ease your anxiety, one the best weighted blankets can help. So how do you choose the right one for you? There are a lot of weighted blankets on the market, so sorting through the brands can be tough. Keep these things in mind when shopping:
Fill and material
The magic of weighted blankets comes from the fill. Common fill materials include glass beads, plastic pellets and polyester microfill. This comes down to preference. Plastic beads are larger, making the blanket a little bulkier. Glass beads usually bump the price. Also, consider what material you want the outside of the blanket to be.
Weight
Weighted blankets can be too heavy. Getting a weight appropriate for your needs and body type is important. It’s recommended that your weighted blanket should be 10% of your body weight for optimal comfort. So if you weigh from 160 to 190 pounds, you want a 15- or 20-pound weighted blanket. Typically, 35 pounds is too heavy for most people.
Price
The price range of the best weighted blankets is really wide. Some are as affordable as $35 or as expensive as $250 or more. Many cheaper options are just as soft as the expensive ones, while some more luxury options have special technologies for cooling. No matter your preferences, there is a weighted blanket at every price point.
What is a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets use deep touch pressure stimulation; a therapy meant to calm the nervous system. When we get stressed or are experiencing anxiety, our sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear, our hearts start to race, our muscles contract and our body is flooded with cortisol and adrenaline.
Studies have shown that deep-pressure stimulation can reduce cortisol levels in the body while increasing serotonin and dopamine levels. Then the body relaxes, and our parasympathetic nervous system takes over. Weighted blankets are essentially big hugs that promote relaxation and reduce anxiety symptoms.
What are the benefits of a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are helpful tools we can use to sleep better at night. But the benefits don’t stop there. Benefits of weighted blankets include but are not limited to:
Best weighted blanket FAQs
Is it safe to use weighted blankets for kids?
You should never use a weighted blanket on infants and small children (age 4 and under) as it increases suffocation risk. Weighted blankets are not safe at this age.
Weighted blankets designed for older children appear safe thanks to their reduced weight and size compared to ones for adults. Weighted blankets should only be 10% of a person’s total weight. This means most weighted blankets aren’t suitable for older children; they will be too heavy. It’s best to choose one specifically designed for older children to ensure they’re correctly sized and weighted.
Here are a few key things to consider when letting older children use weighted blankets:
- Only purchase weighted blankets that are suitable for their weight. This information will be found in the product’s weight guidelines. It should only be 10% of your child’s weight. Do not round up.
- Start with supervised use to ensure your child can move around and lift the blanket off without assistance.
- Remember, weighted blankets are tested for adults. As such, it’s recommended that you speak to your child’s doctor to see if a weighted blanket is appropriate for them. There may be other things you can do to remedy your child’s sleep disturbances.
Do weighted blankets really work?
Weighted blankets aren’t a magic pill to cure anxiety and interrupted sleep. However, weighted blankets do work. They use deep pressure stimulation to calm the nervous system and relax you enough to sleep soundly. Weighted blankets are for adults, like swaddling blankets are for babies.
More research is needed to fully investigate how weighted blankets work and their benefits; however, various studies show they do work in triggering the parasympathetic nervous system.
How do I wash a weighted blanket?
Depending on the brand and blanket, care instructions will vary for weighted blankets. Some of them are easier to wash than others.
A lot of the best weighted blankets are machine washable — in some way. Some have a removable cover, while others are fully machine washable on cold without a dryer cycle. However, others are spot clean only. Always read the label on your blanket for the exact details.
Read more: How to Wash A Weighted Blanket in 3 Easy Steps
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
Weighted blankets are available in several different sizes and weights. But you shouldn’t just pick any weight. The general rule is to choose a weight close to 10% of your body weight, not more than that. You can choose less than that if that’s your preference, but not over. For reference, if you weigh 150 pounds, you’re suited for a 15-pound weighted blanket. If you weigh 200 pounds, then opt for a 20-pound blanket.
Do the best weighted blankets make you hot?
Given that they work by lying across your body, weighted blankets can get hot for some. Brands combat this with knit materials or special cooling technology. If you’re a particularly hot sleeper, stick to a brand that focuses on cooling, like the Gravity Cooling weighted blanket.