If you ever have trouble sleeping, you may need a weighted blanket in your life. The best weighted blankets wrap you up in comfort that extends well beyond warmth: The mass of a heavier blanket simulates what researchers refer to as deep touch pressure stimulation—and that gentle, deep pressure can lead to the release of dopamine and serotonin, both of which fight stress and help you feel good.
In other words? It’s like getting a big hug.
“The data on weighted blankets has shown that for people who suffer from sleep-related anxiety or pre-bed anxiety, a 12- to 15-pound blanket can be an effective tool for helping people calm down and relax before bed,” says Michael J. Breus, PhD, a sleep expert who serves on the American Board of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
And restful sleep isn’t the only benefit. Weighted blankets have been reported to lessen anxiety, relieve pain, and improve overall mood. They can even provide comfort during social distancing and isolation. Sounds great to us!
Ahead, check out our top picks when it comes to weighted blankets. We rounded up plenty of styles to choose from, all with customer testimonials for additional insight. But first things first: figuring out the right weight blanket to get.
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Now, onto the best weighted blankets. All the blankets on our list are high-quality selects, but here are a few of the standouts:
Best Chunky Knit
Specs
- Materials: Fair-trade certified, organic long-staple cotton
- Weights: 15, 20, 25 pounds
- Colors: Driftwood, eggplant, evening rose, cloud white, midnight blue, asteroid gray, moonstone gray
- Care instructions: Wash alone on a delicate or permanent-press cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Tumble dry on low. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach.
The chunky-knit blanket is made of thick, woven loops of organic cotton, giving it more breathability than bead-filled blankets. It’s the kind of blanket you want to wrap yourself up in as soon as you see it and is a perfect gift for a wedding, a housewarming, or the holidays. “This blanket is a constant in my ever-evolving bedding rotation,” says commerce editor Audrey Lee. “I own two: A darker navy to break up lighter palettes or create a moodier bedscape, as well as a lavender that provides a nice pop of color.” And while they may seem seasonally inclined to the colder seasons, Lee promises the blanket is an evergreen staple. “They’re even great in the summer months. The loose weave allows great airflow and you’ll still get the benefits of the weighted sensation.” says Lee.
Best Quilted
Specs
- Materials: Cotton, spandex
- Weights: 12 pounds
- Colors: Deep navy, deep alpine
- Care instructions: Commercial machine washable and dryer recommended. Machine wash separately in cold water, and tumble dry on low. Use non-chlorine bleach only and do not iron.
You might recognize this blanket from our roundup of best gifts for men, but really, who wouldn’t enjoy the weighted comfort and rich jewel tones this quilted cover comes in? We’re keen on most of Brooklinen’s inventory of sleep essentials, and we like that the subtle texture and box quilt stitching doesn’t scream “weighted blanket,” especially if you plan on making this your main bed cover. This blanket is only available in a 12-pound version, but we think it’s the ideal weight, even for newcomers.
Best for Cuddling
Specs
- Materials: Polyester
- Weights: Medium: 50″ x 60,″ Large: 60″ x 80″
- Colors: Walnut, dove grey, creme, espresso
- Care instructions: Machine wash alone in cold water using liquid or powder detergent; do not use detergent pods, fabric softener, or bleach; hang to dry; do not iron or dry clean.
We’re longtime advocates of Cozy Earth’s cooling bamboo sheets, but for something with more heft and a fuzzy feel, the brand’s warming cuddle blanket in extra weight is the way to go. This layer was contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert’s introduction to the world of faux fur through blankets, enticed by the idea of how nicely the texture would contrast against smooth bedding. “While it is a bit of a splurge, the walnut colorway works as a neutral and pairs well with virtually every bedding combo I own,” she says. The blanket is formed by having one large piece folded over and sewn together for a seamless look. “As a result, ultra-soft fibers of the pile give it that decadent finish,” describes Alpert.
Best Cooling
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Specs
- Materials: Cotton, polyester
- Weights: 12, 20 pounds
- Colors: Dark blue
- Care instructions: Remove and wash cover before use. Machine wash separately in cold water with mild detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach. Tumble dry low. Do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets. Re-fluff or shake to maintain even distribution of fill.
There’s a lot to like about Sleep Number’s weighted blanket—namely that it’s a particularly smart option for hot sleepers. Tapping into the brand’s proprietary temperature-regulating sleep tech, the cooling cover features a specialized textile that’s designed to attract moisture, remove it, and prevent overheating. Its removable outer layer also makes Sleep Number’s one of the easiest blankets on this list to clean, by far (a great shout out for anyone who’s used to cleaning their covers more regularly).
Best Eco-Friendly
Specs
- Materials: Cotton
- Weights: 12, 20 pounds
- Colors: Graphite, taupe
- Care instructions: N/A
Saatva’s weighted velvet blanket is made from ethically-sourced cotton and glass beads that make it a natural choice for anyone in the market for a luxurious-looking design. While you could definitely use this as your primary sleep cover, we like how it looks draped at the foot of your bed, paired with some lighter tone linens to make it really pop. Given that the nature of velvet can be very warm, you might only want to reach for it on those extra cold nights.
Best Mixed Material
Specs
- Materials: Bamboo lyocell, minky fabric
- Weights: 15, 18, 25 pounds
- Colors: Lattice, grey, navy, ocean, clay, truffle, dune
- Care instructions: Cover: Machine wash alone in cold water on a delicate cycle with a mild, liquid detergent. Tumble dry on a delicate cycle on low heat. Do not iron. Do not dry clean. Blanket: Machine wash alone in cold water on a delicate cycle with a mild, liquid detergent. We suggest using an extra rinse cycle after the main wash cycle. Tumble dry on a gentle cycle with low heat, preferably with two to three dryer or tennis balls to help maintain weight distribution and to prevent any bunching that may occur during spin cycles.
“My whole family fights over who gets this blanket during movie nights, and I think that says something,” says Alpert, who keeps this on her family couch. Luxome’s weighted blanket brings together layers of breathable bamboo lyocell and an ultra-plush material the brand describes as “minky,” bringing balanced comfort to whoever’s underneath. “The minky fabric is so soft that it is perhaps more plush than my cat (and he is just a decadent ball of fur!). I also love the luster of the bamboo lyocell lining, it makes me think that I live in a mansion,” Alpert adds. As for its weighted effects, Alpert promises you’ll retreat to this cover whenever you’re looking for a bit of respite. “The sensation of having it on is grounding and puts me at ease, even if I have a looming deadline late into the night—I may just start calling it my security blanket.”
More AD-Approved Weighted Blankets We’re Browsing
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Specs
- Materials: Polyester
- Weights: 3, 8, 10 pounds
- Colors: Surfside, London fog, sandstone, black, cappuccino, desert sky, white, grey
- Care instructions: Machine wash alone in cold water with regular liquid detergent. Do not use fabric softener. Hang to dry. Briefly tumble dry on the "air" setting to restore fluffiness.
This weighted version of Lola Blankets’ best-selling faux fur blanket delivers the look and feel of something we might see draped on the sofa in a cozy upstate cabin. While most of the blankets on this list start at five or ten pounds, the entry three-pound weighted design here is a nice option if you’re looking to dip your toes in. It’d make an excellent bed cover—in fact you might not even need an extra comforter—but we also picture cold nights spent snuggled up in this fuzzy throw with a glass of wine and your current TV obsession.
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Specs
- Materials: Cotton, microfiber
- Weights: 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 pounds
- Colors: Beige, green, grey, pink
- Care instructions: Spot clean when needed, commercial machine washable.
Here’s a weighted blanket designed to replace your regular comforter. With a classic box stitched silhouette, you can feel good about letting it show as is, or you could even dress it up in a trusty duvet cover (and smart choice if you’re hoping to avoid more regular washes). Starting at 15 pounds, this blanket is available in up to a 50-pound design at its heaviest, so if you’re in the market for something with extra heft, look no further.
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Specs
- Materials: 100% organic cotton
- Weights: 6 or 9 pounds
- Colors: Confetti, moonstone gray, and midnight blue
- Care instructions: Wash separately in cold water on a delicate or permanent-press cycle with a mild detergent. Tumble dry on low—the blanket may more than one drying cycle to dry completely. Do not hang.
Composed of 100% organic cotton, the Bearaby nap-friendly blanket clocks in at either six or nine pounds, depending on your preference. Just be sure to choose the appropriate weight for your little sleeper—the blanket should weigh no more than 10% of a child's body weight. (Weighted blankets are generally considered safe for children three and older who weigh at least 50 pounds. The Sleep Foundation offers a helpful chart on weighted blanket limits for kiddos.) Evenly weighted, the blanket contains no fillers, and its hand-knitted chunky knit loops are tighter than the brand's other offerings, designed to better cuddle kids.
Specs
- Materials: Mulberry silk, quartz glass beads, bamboo fiber
- Weights: 8 kg
- Colors: Midnight blue, dusty gold, moonlight shadow
- Care instructions: Do not bleach, iron, or tumble dry; spot clean or clean professionally; use silk detergent.
Drowsy’s weighted blanket is in a class of its own, being the first fully silk-covered design on the market. The weighted sensation is created by .8mm non-toxic glass beads surrounded by an eco-friendly bamboo fiber filling. The silken outer layer is made from hypoallergenic mulberry silk, crafted to be soft to the touch and look exceedingly posh draped across your sofa or bedspread. Priced at over $1,100, it’s the most expensive blanket on this list, but Drowsy offers a 100-night satisfaction guarantee to ensure you’re in love with your purchase.
Specs
- Materials: 100% upcycled eco-velvet
- Weights: 15, 20, 25 pounds
- Colors: Rose quartz, tourmaline, white opal, jade, silver topaz
- Care instructions: Dry cleaning recommended
Can you tell we’re Bearaby fans? This option from the GRS- and Oeko-Tex certified brand will also up your bed’s glam vibes when you top it with this velvety dream. It's perfect for all occasions: bedtime, naps, movie nights, and cuddles. And anyone worried the velvet material might be too insulating need not fret since reviewers love that the blanket is still a cooling option that lulls them to sleep.
FAQs
These blankets come in a variety of sizes and weights. The rule of thumb is to get a blanket that’s around 10% of your body weight: A 120-pound person should choose a 12-pound blanket, a 150-pound person a 15-pound blanket, and so on (if your weight falls in between blanket sizes, go with the lighter one). It’s all a matter of personal preference, of course, but this formula should give you a blanket that feels just right. (With children, however, take this rule literally—if the blanket is too heavy for them, they could struggle to get out from under it, as can pets.)
