The Best Weighted Blankets for Calm and Comfort
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There are a lot of reasons to love a weighted blanket. As someone who can't fall asleep without a little weight in her blanket of choice, a weighted blanket is a great option when I'm not looking for more warmth and instead just a blanket that can hug me back.
Touch releases oxytocin in your brain. This hormone contributes to our overall well-being and our ability to handle stress. It's one of the reasons why we swaddle newborns. But we don't always have someone to squeeze us. Weighted blankets use pressure to simulate the feeling of being gently held. It's similar to the hug machine, invented by Temple Grandin, that uses pressure to calm those on the autism spectrum who don't like physical touch from others. Full disclosure: A weighted blanket isn't a medical cure. If you suspect that you have a neurological or mood disorder, you should consult your doctor.
We've searched high and low to find the best weighted blankets to quell anxiety, and throughout our years of testing, we've found not only blankets but also robes, eye masks, and other calming accessories. Be sure to check out our other guides, including the Best Mattresses, Best Sheets, Best Pillows, Best Sound Machines, Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks, and some gadgets (or gifts) for people who just need to sleep.
Updated September 2024: We've added the YnM Cooling Bamboo Weighted Blanket as a new pick, and added the YnM Cooling PE-Nylon Weighted Blanket and Nuzzie Ice Knit Weighted Blanket as additional options to our picks.
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Consider the cost. Weighted blankets are usually expensive. We recommend a few affordable options, but there's a lot of junk out there. If you can get a prescription from a doctor, your insurance might cover the cost, but it might be a fight. Some health savings accounts can be used to purchase weighted blankets.
Think about the material. Do you sleep hot? You probably don't want a super-plush blanket. Opt for an open knit or cool cotton.
Choose your weight. Most companies advise that the weight should be around 10 percent of your body weight; for example, if you're 150 pounds, that would be a 15-pound blanket. But we often wanted a much heavier blanket. The 10 percent rule is just a guide. Do you like to be tightly cuddled while you sleep? You probably can go with a heavier blanket. Kids or elderly folks should go with something lighter.
What about the size? The bigger the blanket, the less heavy it feels because the weight is distributed over a larger area. So a 12-pound throw might feel more weighty than a 15-pound queen-size blanket.
Who shouldn't use a weighted blanket? Babies, animals, or anyone who can't physically remove it. If you or a family member has a motor impairment, compression shirts may give you the same result—consider talking to a physician.
- Photograph: Bearaby
Best Overall
Bearaby Tree NapperI love open-knit designs for weighted blankets. They allow air to circulate so you won't heat up, and they tend to look nicer draped over the couch or bed. They also don't typically use beads as filling to add weight, so if anything rips, you won't be cleaning up nearly invisible filling forever.
The Bearaby Tree Napper comes in three weight options and beautiful colors. The plant-based Tencel fiber it's made from is biodegradable, but you can opt for materials like velvet or cotton. Bearaby offers returns within 30 days, so long as the blanket hasn't been washed (it's machine washable).
Available in 15, 20, or 25 pounds
★ A Bamboo Option: The Nuzzie Ice Knit Weighted Blanket ($259) is a similar style to the Bearaby Tree Napper, but feels a little cooler to the touch since it's made of bamboo. It has lighter weights and smaller sizes, so I also appreciated it as a smaller person who doesn't need a big blanket. Available in 12, 16, or 20 pounds
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
Best Budget
YnM Bamboo Weighted BlanketYnM makes a nice range of weighted blankets, but its Cooling Bamboo Weighted Blanket is our favorite. It comes in a ton of sizes: twin, queen, king, and even kids' twin, with multiple weights for each size. It's made with bamboo viscose, has a cooling feel to the touch, and distributes weight nicely with its glass bead filling. And it's got a great price compared to the competition.
The hard part can be navigating size, color, and weight at the same time with this blanket. YnM offers lots of color options for both this bamboo blanket and its other weighted blanket options, but not every size and weight is available in each color. So if you have your heart set on a certain color and size, you might not be able to achieve the combination you want. If you're flexible on color, though, these weighted blankets are a great price and comfortable to lounge or sleep with. Similar to Bearaby, YnM offers returns within 30 days.
Available in 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, or 30 pounds
★ A nylon version: YnM also has the Cooling PE-Nylon Blend Weighted Blanket ($70), which is similarly cooling to the touch, but uses man-made polyethylene nylon instead of bamboo. There are fewer colors, too, but that actually makes it a little easier to navigate shopping. Available in 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, or 30 pounds
- Photograph: Brooklinen
A Textured Runner-Up
Brooklinen Weighted Throw BlanketThis Brooklinen weighted blanket is a nice middle ground between the Bearaby and the Basics by Gravity. It's one of my favorite blankets because one side has a nice texture that I can only describe as a cat magnet. Seriously, my cats surrounded me the instant I put this on my bed (that's a good thing). It lulls me right to sleep and it cleans easily in the washer.
It comes in great colors to match whatever's in your bedroom or living room—the deep alpine color I tested is gorgeous. This weighted throw is slightly larger than the Baloo below, at 48 inches wide instead of 42. Brooklinen's return policy gives you an entire year to decide whether this blanket is for you, but you'll have to pay a $10 return fee.
Available in 12 pounds
- Photograph: Luna
Most Versatile (and Good for Kids)
LunaThe Luna is made of crisp cotton and has more weight options and sizes than any of the weighted blankets we looked at, not to mention nice colors. There are also several kid-specific weights and designs. The entire thing can be machine washed, but there are also separate covers you can take off and wash instead.
It's not expensive either and is frequently on sale. (You'll also see some price variation based on retailer or color.) And because there are so many sizes and weight options, you can pick what your budget allows. Luna takes returns, though it has a $15 processing fee, and the blanket needs to be in its original packaging.
Available in 10, 15, or 20 pounds
- Photograph: Bearaby
A Knitted Kids' Blanket
Bearaby NapplingLuna's kids' blankets are cheaper and have more size and weight options, but if you're drawn to the knitted style, Bearaby offers this cute Nappling version for children. It's also a good size for couch lounging or sleeping with a partner who doesn't like weighted blankets. It's made of organic cotton, there's good airflow thanks to the open-knit design, and it's machine washable too.
Available in 5 or 7 pounds
- Photograph: Baloo
A Weighted Throw
Baloo Weighted ThrowI love this throw blanket. The 12 pounds feel sufficiently heavy given its small size, and it's not too thick or too hot. It's perfect if you share a bed with someone who doesn't like weighted blankets because it covers just one of you. It's also good for moving around the house—some are not as easy to transport and store just anywhere because of how thick they are.
I like the crispy cool feel of its cotton, and Baloo Living has linen duvet covers if you want to avoid washing the entire blanket—though it can be machine-washed and dried. We tested the throw, but the company has other sizes and weights. You can exchange or get store credit for no additional cost, but regular returns incur an $18 shipping fee.
Available in 12 (throw), 15, 20, or 25 pounds
★ A mini alternative: Baloo's throw measures 42 by 72 inches, but if you want something a little lighter and smaller, its Mini Blanket ($156) comes in at 40 by 60 inches and weighs just 9 pounds. It's a pleasure to sleep with.
Photograph: NodpodMini Weighted Pads
Weighted Lap BlanketsSometimes I crave the weight, but when I'm in sensory overload, I can't deal with an entire blanket. That's where these mini weighted pads come in. Their compactness makes them feel perfectly heavy, and it means I can also bring them into the office or on road trips. They remind me of the lead aprons that dentists put on you while they x-ray your teeth, but in a good way.
- Nodpod Body for $88: This weighs 6.5 pounds, and one side is made of super-soft microfleece and the other is cotton. It's a great intro to weighted blankets if you aren't sure about them.
- Baloo Daydreamer Lap Blanket for $92: Baloo's lap blanket is 8 pounds and is even smaller than the mini blanket mentioned above, so it's perfect for these situations when I don't want a large blanket.
- Yogibo Ms. Bliss Aroma Weighted Blanket for $59: This is a 4-pound apron filled with rice, lavender, and peppermint. It offers a little weight, but the best part is that you can heat the blanket (sans cover) in the microwave to activate its aromatherapy scents.
- Photograph: Brian Mundt/Hug Sleep
For Compression Instead
Hug Sleep Sleep PodIf you've ever looked at a swaddled baby and felt jealous, the Sleep Pod is for you. It takes the idea of a weighted blanket—using deep-touch pressure therapy to comfort you—without the actual weight and heat associated with it. Instead, the stretchy material comfortably clings to you like a soft hug. It's machine washable, and because it's not as bulky and heavy as a blanket, you can take it with you when traveling.
I loved every moment I spent fully cocooned inside—it was very soothing and comforting, much more than I thought it could be. Former WIRED reviewer Jaina Grey says it's too constricting for her, so, like with weighted blankets, it comes down to personal preference. The fabric quickly started to pill where my feet rubbed against it, which is disappointing, though I think getting a larger size might eliminate that issue. Since testing, the company has released a Move version ($75) with an opening to put your feet out. There's a 30-day return policy if you want to try it before committing.
★ Also consider: The newest Hug Wrap ($90) is a compression option more like a traditional blanket so you don't have to get in it like with the Sleep Pod. There's a hood and little handles to wrap it around yourself.
- Photograph: Amazon
Our Favorite Weighted Eye Mask
Baloo Weighted Silk Sleep Stone MaskBaloo’s Weighted Silk Sleep Stone Mask is my favorite of all the weighted eye masks I tested. The exterior is Mulberry silk, which feels luxurious and cooling against your skin—you can put the whole thing in the freezer if you want it even colder.
It's large enough to block out light and not feel like all 9 ounces are concentrated directly on my eyeballs, but it's also not so big that it bothers my nose. You affix the Velcro in the back, which feels slightly annoying if you sleep on your back, but it didn't bother me as a side and stomach sleeper. Baloo has a “hidden” crystal sewn inside for fun—either amethyst to “clear the mind” or rose quartz to “cultivate love and harmony.” I wish I could rely on a rock for those.
Available in 9 ounces
- Photograph: Quiet Mind
A Weighted Pillow
Quiet Mind The Original Weighted PillowYou might be questioning how a weighted pillow could help, but this isn't for resting your head on (though it is incredibly comfortable). Quiet Mind's pillow sits on your lap while you work or meditate, or just close to your body when you need a minute to relax. However you hold it, it produces the same deep-pressure therapy as a weighted blanket does to help you calm down.
The pillow comes in three sizes and weights. I tried the medium-sized 9-pound pillow, and it was perfectly heavy for my taste. Anything more in such a small package would have been too much. There is a size chart based on your weight on the product page, and the company recommends sizing down if you're unsure. You can exchange it for another size should you need it.
Available in 6, 9, or 12 pounds
- Photograph: Thera
The Best Weighted Robe
TherarobeYou know the feeling of getting into bed after a long, tiring day, and your body feels heavy in the best way—like you could fall asleep in a second? That's how I feel when I put the Therarobe on. It's not going to rival a super-soft blanket, but it feels incredibly calming to wear.
This thing is heavy. Don't put it on and expect to clean your house. Put it on, lie on the couch or your bed (maybe turn on a sound machine), and let your body relax. Like some blankets, the robe is sewn in a grid, with each square full of tiny glass beads. This way, the weight is evenly distributed and won't ball to one side and knock you over. There is a kids' version available. Like Thera's blanket, you can machine wash it, but lay it flat to dry (it's big, so it might take a while).
Available in 8 (kids), 12 (XS/S), 15 (M/L), or 17 (XL) pounds
★ A weighted hoodie we love: WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar uses Thera's weighted hoodie ($158). Like the robe, it's too heavy to wear while running errands, but it was nice for relaxing after a stressful day. She tested the super-soft version, but there is a fleece hoodie available too. We also like Champion's Reversible Weighted Hoodie ($168), which weighs 8 pounds and could easily pass as a cool fall jacket.
Photograph: Luna BlanketMore Eye Masks
Weighted Eye Masks We LikeI never used to be able to sleep with something on my face, but I've now used a few weighted eye masks that help ease my forehead tension and turn my brain off. The Baloo mask above is my favorite, but these two are in close competition.
- Luna Hot/Cool Minky Fleece Weighted Eye Mask for $36: This a solid mask for the price, and in addition to being able to go in the freezer, you can take out the insert and microwave it for some nice heat therapy. It's about 10.5 ounces, so it's slightly heavier than the other options.
- Nodpod Sleep Mask for $34: It can go in the freezer but not the microwave. It's not going to block out all the light, given that it's much narrower. That didn't bother me, but some people prefer total darkness. You can drape it across your face or loop one side through the notch in the back. I've tried both the original and the new silk version ($62), and I love the way the latter feels against my skin. Some reviews say it's not as heavy, and when you hold them side-by-side it does seem lighter than the original. I weighed them, however, and they're both 9 ounces.
Photograph: Gravity BlanketMore Weighted Blankets We Love
Honorable MentionsMost of the weighted blankets we've tested are worth recommending—and there are a lot of them. However, these didn't stand out as much as the picks above.
Quince's Knit Weighted Blanket for $150: This open-knit blanket costs less than Bearaby's but is as high-quality and uses a recycled polyester fill. There's just one 15-pound weight option, and it's a bit more rigid than what Bearaby offers. I like both models, but if you want a drapey blanket, go with Bearaby. (Quince makes some of our favorite sheets.) Available in 15 pounds
Luxome Weighted Blanket for $125+: Luxome makes a pair of my favorite sheets, and now I also love its blanket. I tried the one-piece blanket with one side made of bamboo lyocell and the other a plush minky fabric, but there are a few options including those with a separate cover. Lying under the bamboo was extra cooling in the best way. It comes in an impressive amount of weight options. Available in 8, 15, 18, or 25 pounds
Sleep Number True Temp Weighted Blanket for $200: This blanket comes with a cover that's meant to stay cool throughout the night, and this was pretty accurate in my experience. I found the polyester material to be just slightly scratchy, so I wouldn't want to sleep directly under it, but I typically layer a weighted blanket over a sheet and comforter anyway. Available in 12 or 20 pounds
Luna Sherpa Throw for $70: We love Luna’s many options linked above, and this sherpa throw is incredibly soft and just heavy enough for its size. It's machine washable too. Available in 10 pounds
Basics by Gravity Blanket for $80: This affordable blanket is one of our all-time favorites, but it hasn't been available for months. If you can find it, it's a great option that's cheaper than the competition but feels the same. Available in 15 pounds
Gravity Weighted Blanket for $250 to $300: The Basics by Gravity is our first pick, because it's a great blanket for a great price. This original blanket from the brand is also stellar and is available in more weights, sizes, and pretty colors, but you'll have to shell out for it. Available in 15, 20, or 35 pounds
Thera Weighted Blanket for $28 to $129: This blanket might be the softest thing I've ever touched, like petting a furry animal. After my first few weeks with it, however, it ripped and let glass beads take over my bed like sand. I think kitty claws got the best of it, so keep that in mind and treat it carefully. Available in 10, 12, or 15 pounds
Aricove Weighted Blanket for $170 to $290: This is a fantastic cooling blanket to sleep with solo. It's nice and thin, so you won't feel trapped or too hot underneath. Available in 10, 12, 15, 17 20, or 22 pounds
Casper Weighted Blanket for $169 to $189: Casper is another popular bedding brand whose blanket is classic cool cotton rather than knit or plush, which can get hot. About the size of a throw blanket, it's dense enough that even the lightest model gives you that comfortably squished feeling, while the heaviest is like a Thundershirt for humans. Casper has frequent sales too. Available in 10, 15, or 20 pounds
Layla Weighted Blanket for $199 to $239: Our tester loved snuggling with a partner under Layla's massive king-size blanket. It's double-sided with one cotton and one plush side. Available in 15, 20, or 25 pounds
Yogibo Calm Antimicrobial Weighted Blanket for $159: The actual blanket is cool cotton, but the real draw here is Yogibo’s famous cotton-and-spandex blend it uses for its covers. The company says it's insanely soft, and it isn't lying. It's stretchy, smooth, and machine washable (the actual blanket is not). I found that pet hair clings to it though, which is common with softer fabrics. Available in 15 pounds
Gravid Weighted Blanket for $176 to $240: This blanket comes with a plush or cooling cover (or both), and this is where it shines. There's nothing worse than a blanket cover with only a few attachment points so that after a few minutes underneath it, everything is twisted and off to one side. Gravid's cover attaches with a zipper that goes the entire length of the blanket. Why other brands don't do this is beyond me. Available in 15 or 20 pounds
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