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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 stress-relieving products 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 throw blankets or bed quilts, 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.
The Best Weighted Blankets
How Do Weighted Blankets Work?
Weighted blankets provide a gentle, hug-like sensation to the wearer that’s known as deep pressure. According to Steve Carleton, LCSW, CACIII, and executive clinical director at Gallus Detox, “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 — a 2017 study 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 2020 study 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 Nature’s Rise, 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. Dr. Sherpa continues, “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 over- 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 chunky knit-style 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.
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 washing machine 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.
Melanie Yates is the senior service editor of Best Products, where she writes and reports pieces pertaining to the etiquette, dilemmas, and how-tos of gift-giving for different occasions. Previously, she was the site's senior home editor, covering all things decor- and bedding-related since 2015. Her digital byline can also be found on Bustle, House Beautiful, and Elle Decor. A longtime classical-music enthusiast, Melanie spends her off-hours enjoying performances big and small across New York City.
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