1. Sleep
  2. Sheets and bedding

The Best Weighted Blankets

By Caira Blackwell and Joanne Chen
Updated
A pink couch with different brands of weighted blankets on it.
Photo: Marki Williams

Sometimes you just want a hug—or, at the very least, a big, fluffy cat to curl up in your lap. When neither is available, there’s the weighted blanket, a heavier-than-usual throw or comforter that’s meant to wrap the body in a soothing embrace.

We tested 20 weighted blankets by chilling out under them, heaving them into the wash, and hauling them out of the machine to dry—and we found six that are notably comfortable, well constructed, and easy to care for. We also have three recommendations for weighted blankets for kids.

How we tested


  • We inspected materials

    We evaluated every inch of the blankets, looking for soft, high-quality fabrics; strong seams; and well-distributed fill.

  • We checked the terms

    We gave points to blankets from companies that offer generous return periods, long warranties, and responsive customer service.

  • We tried them out

    We cuddled, lounged, and napped beneath each blanket in Wirecutter’s test space and in our homes.

  • We washed and dried them

    We put each blanket through a wash cycle, measuring how much water it retained and how long it took to dry.

Wirecutter has been researching and testing weighted blankets since 2019. For this guide, we did the following:

  • We spoke to doctors, therapists, and representatives of companies that specialize in bedding. We also scoured Amazon, bedding sites, and articles on weighted blankets to determine which models to call in for testing.
  • We tested 20 weighted blankets, feeling the material, texture, weight distribution, and heat retention of each before sleeping with the finalists at home.
  • We assessed the stitching and, if applicable, the beading of the blankets before machine-washing and -drying each finalist, noting how much water they retained and how well they emerged from the process.
A folded Nest Bedding Luxury Weighted Blanket.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

Our pick

This elegant, machine-washable comforter features polyester jersey on one side and bamboo-based rayon on the other. Its glass microbeads, which give it its heft, are nearly imperceptible.

Best for: This blanket will appeal to those seeking a cozy but elegant option for the bed or couch, as well as people who don’t sleep hot.

How it feels: The Nest Bedding weighted blanket feels like a smooth, slightly silky, heavy comforter.

Weight: 18 pounds (queen)

The Nest Bedding weighted blanket comes in one color combination: a deep indigo on one side and a gray-toned ombré on the other. Photo: Marki Williams

Why it’s great

It’s dual-sided. The Nest Bedding Luxury Weighted Blanket features polyester jersey on one side and bamboo-based rayon on the other, but the two materials feel very similar: smooth, soft, and slightly satiny to the touch.

The microbeads are nearly imperceptible. Like most weighted blankets, the Nest Bedding blanket gets its poundage from small glass microbeads sewn into “pockets.” But you really have to massage the quilted pockets to feel them, and they make no noise. Other weighted blankets we tested have more noticeable beads that rustle when they shift.

It has an elegant design. With its bold herringbone-pattern stitching and neutral color combination, this blanket has an understated look that is likely to blend well with various decor styles.

It’s both machine-washable and -dryable. We machine-washed it in cold water, as directed, and then tumble-dried it on low for 90 minutes. The blanket retained 5 pounds of water out of the wash and dried just fine after one cycle.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It doesn’t offer the most direct pressure. People who like a lot of direct pressure (say, in the 20- to 25-pound range) might find this blanket too light. Most of the weight is distributed around—not on—the body.

It’s not for people who sleep hot. Since polyester and rayon are less breathable than cotton, this blanket may not be a suitable choice for people who get hot easily.

It comes in only one color combination. The blanket’s understated hues (indigo on one side, gray ombré on the other) should work well with most decor, but if you prefer another color, you’ll have to add a duvet cover.

Key specs

  • Materials: glass microbead filling, polyfill batting, polyester jersey and bamboo-based rayon cover
  • Sizes: 15 pounds (twin, 48 by 72 inches), 18 pounds (queen, 60 by 80 inches), 25 pounds (king, 80 by 86 inches)
  • Kids blanket: none
  • Color: indigo and gray ombré
  • Return policy: Returns accepted within 30 days of receipt, in original packaging.
A person shown sitting up in bed reading a book.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

Our pick

This well-balanced, crisp, quilt-like blanket holds its own on a well-dressed bed, and it can go in the washer and dryer.

Best for: This blanket should appeal to people who want a weighted blanket with a bedroom vibe as opposed to a living-room feel, as well as those who prefer the easiest possible upkeep.

How it feels: The Baloo weighted blanket feels like a cross between a quilt and a comforter.

Weight: 15 or 20 pounds (full/queen)

Photo: Sarah Kobos

Why it’s great

It’s thoughtfully designed. Similar to the Nest Bedding blanket, the Baloo blanket gets its weight from small glass microbeads sewn into “pockets.” The Baloo’s pockets are a mix of three geometric shapes, including smaller squares that keep the beads from pooling. The result is a crisp, smart-looking weighted blanket that resembles a quilt.

It feels high quality. Our testers liked the smooth feel of the blanket’s covering, and we appreciated that the stitching is sturdy and close compared with that of cheaper options.

It’s easy to care for. We put it through one full wash-and-dry cycle, and it emerged in good shape. You can curtail how often you wash this blanket by covering it with a compatible duvet cover. Baloo offers a machine-washable and machine-dryable linen duvet cover, but it’s expensive.

It’s withstood the test of time. The Baloo weighted blanket has garnered some of the most enthusiastic reviews among testers who have tried it for an extended period of time. Guide co-author Caira Blackwell has used the Baloo blanket with its duvet cover for two years now, and the blanket has held up nicely. The company also offers a lifetime guarantee on materials and workmanship.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This blanket doesn’t hug you. The cotton batting in all of Baloo’s weighted blankets prevents the weight from enveloping your body as closely as that of blankets without such filler. However, the filler can help keep the blanket from feeling like a beanbag, a common complaint our testers had about other bead-filled options.

The quilt style traps heat. Compared with knit-style weighted blankets, this blanket can feel less breathable and even hot.

Key specs

  • Materials: glass microbead filling; cotton lining, batting, and cover
  • Sizes: 12 pounds (throw, 42 by 72 inches), 15 or 20 pounds (full/queen, 60 by 80 inches), 25 pounds (king, 80 by 87 inches)
  • Kids blanket: 9 pounds (40 by 60 inches)
  • Color: white; kids blanket available in peach, aqua, indigo
  • Return policy: Returns accepted within 30 days of delivery, even if you’ve used the blanket. (An $18 return-shipping fee applies to refunds; you pay nothing for store credit.)
The best woven weighted blanket, Bearaby The Napper, shown in dark blue, folded on a couch.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

Our pick

The Bearaby blanket is stylish and well balanced. But it’s not exactly warm (which you may find to be a good thing), and it’s more cumbersome to wash and dry than our other picks.

Best for: This blanket should appeal to design lovers and people who run warm.

How it feels: The Bearaby weighted blanket feels like a chunky, loose-knit cotton sweater.

Weight: 15 and 20 pounds (queen)

More of a throw than a blanket, the 15-pound Bearaby Cotton Napper is 2 inches narrower than a twin-size mattress. Photo: Sarah Kobos

Why it’s great

It looks as soothing as it feels. The Bearaby Cotton Napper’s weight comes entirely from its fat cotton yarn, which is knit loosely, like a chic oversize sweater. With five color options, this hefty throw is an Instagram-worthy accent on a well-appointed couch. (Also, a tester half-jokingly pointed out that the blanket’s open weave allows you to poke your fingers through and type on your phone from underneath it.)

It won’t make you hot. Because it’s so loosely woven and made from cotton, the Bearaby blanket is less likely to trap heat than bead-filled, comforter-style throws.

It distributes weight evenly. Because the weight comes from the layers of cotton yarn, rather than from pouches of glass microbeads or plastic pellets, this blanket exerts pressure more equally across the body. One long-term tester has been using the Bearaby both as a lap blanket while lounging and at bedtime, and they love that the weight doesn’t feel like it’s crushing them.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It has a chemical smell out of the box. This blanket has a faint synthetic smell when first removed from its packaging, which dissipates when aired out or washed.

It retains a lot of water out of the wash and dries slowly. Because the blanket is 100% cotton, you can machine-wash it with zero fear that tiny pellets or beads will get loose. But it soaks up lots of water during the wash cycle; our 20-pound blanket turned into a 36-pound one when wet. It took some muscle for us to heave the blanket into the dryer, where we tumble-dried it on low (per Bearaby’s instructions) for three cycles before it thoroughly dried.

It doesn’t exactly cuddle. If you’re looking for a fluffy blanket to keep you warm, the Bearaby isn’t it. The texture of the cotton almost feels like a T-shirt, so it’s not an ultra-soft, fluffy blanket some people might prefer to snuggle up with.

It’s less durable than more expensive blankets. After three months of using the Bearaby weighted blanket, one long-term tester reported that it had stretched out, though the effect was subtle. Another tester noted fuzzing after the first wash. In our wash test, we noticed that the midnight-blue Bearaby blanket we tested lost a bit of its luster.

Key specs

  • Materials: organic cotton
  • Sizes: 10 pounds (40 by 72 inches), 15 pounds (40 by 72 inches), 20 pounds (45 by 72 inches), 25 pounds (48 by 72 inches)
  • Kids blanket: 6 pounds (36 by 48 inches), 8 pounds (40 by 60 inches)
  • Colors: asteroid (dark) gray, midnight blue, moonstone (light) gray, cloud white, evening rose (pink); kids blanket available in midnight blue, moonstone (light) gray, evening rose (pink), confetti (multicolored)
  • Return policy: Returns accepted within 30 days (a $20 processing fee applies to refunds; exchanges are free).
A person reading a newspaper while using the best budget weighted blanket, the Luna Weighted Blanket.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

Budget pick

Smooth against the skin, the affordable Luna blanket looks and feels more balanced than most weighted blankets, especially with the duvet cover (sold separately).

Best for: This blanket should appeal to people seeking an affordable, lightweight weighted blanket for the bedroom.

How it feels: The Luna blanket feels like a standard comforter but heavier.

Weight: 15, 17, or 20 pounds (queen)

The Luna blanket’s matching duvet cover, sold separately, has a soft cotton feel, but we wish it had a better-quality zipper. Photo: Sarah Kobos

Why it’s great

It’s inexpensive but decent. At $72 or so for a 60-by-80-inch, 15-pound blanket, the Luna Weighted Blanket is one of the least expensive weighted blankets we’ve found, yet many testers preferred it over more expensive options. Although its glass microbeads aren’t as evenly dispersed as those in the Nest Bedding and Baloo blankets, they don’t pool as much as those in other cheap weighted blankets we’ve seen. One tester said she liked the Luna best because “it seems more like an actual blanket.” She continued, “The weights didn’t jiggle around, and yet the blanket didn’t feel stiff.”

It doesn’t get heavy with water weight. We machine-washed and air-dried the blanket, as the label instructed, without too much effort. It retained only 3 pounds of water, which made the transition from washing to drying and then back to the bed an easy task. The company says the blanket can be infrequently tumble-dried, too.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The fabric is thin. Although the cotton fabric on the surface of the Luna blanket and the duvet cover (sold separately for about $45) is soft, it also feels thinner than the fabric on the Baloo blanket. “It feels like a nice but inexpensive shirt you get from Target,” said a tester, and indeed, in our tests it dried a little wrinkly like a shirt, too.

It isn’t as well made as our pricier picks (but it comes with a lifetime warranty). The Luna blanket’s stitching isn’t as precise and tight as that of the Nest Bedding blanket or Baloo blanket, and the duvet cover’s zipper felt cheap. After covering and uncovering the Luna weighted blanket a few times, we found that the duvet cover’s zipper had already begun to detach from the seams. A couple of Amazon customer reviews complained of glass beads leaking out at the seams, but the company said that the blanket is covered by a lifetime warranty and eligible for replacement at no cost if this happens. We found Luna’s customer service to be responsive.

The return policy is restrictive. If you buy the blanket from the Luna site and then want to return it, keep in mind that it must be in new condition and its original packaging, and you must pay a shipping fee, which is typically around $10 for a 15-pound blanket. Blankets bought from Amazon can be returned within 30 days, even if opened.

Key specs

  • Materials: glass microbead filling, polyester fill, cotton cover
  • Sizes: 12 pounds (48 by 72 inches), 15 pounds (48 by 72 inches or 60 by 80 inches), 17 pounds (60 by 80 inches), 20 pounds (60 by 80 inches), 22 pounds (60 by 80 inches), 25 pounds (60 by 80 inches or 80 by 87 inches)
  • Kids blanket: 5 pounds (36 by 48 inches), 7 pounds (41 by 60 inches), 10 pounds (41 by 60 inches)
  • Colors: dark gray, light gray, dark blue, white, blue stripe, gray stripe, light blue, pink, ivory, lavender, mint green, various prints; kids blanket available in dark gray, light gray, white, various prints
  • Return policy: Returns for purchases from the Luna site are accepted within 30 days of delivery (a $15 processing fee applies; there are no exchanges). If bought on Amazon, free returns are accepted within 30 days.
A folded Casaluna Weighted Blanket.
Photo: Marki Williams

Budget pick

If you like the style of the Bearaby blanket but not the price, the Casaluna blanket is a more affordable option. It feels sleek and looks great draped on a bed or couch. But it comes in only a 12-pound weight, so it’s not suitable for those who want a lot of pressure.

Buying Options

Best for: This blanket will appeal to those who are seeking a more affordable knit weighted blanket, who prefer a lighter-weight option, or who want to try a low-cost (and easily returnable) blanket.

How it feels: The Casaluna blanket feels like a smooth, drapey, chunky-knit sweater.

Weight: 12 pounds (queen)

A close-up of the Casaluna Weighted Blanket's texture.
The Casaluna blanket’s chunky weave feels limber and soft. Photo: Marki Williams

Why it’s great

It’s surprisingly luxurious for the price. The inexpensive Casaluna Knit Weighted Blanket surprised us straight out of the box; it felt soft and sleek, and its chunky knit looked almost handmade. When we lined it up next to the other knit-style blankets in our test group, including the much pricier Bearaby blanket, we had difficulty differentiating between them. Plus, it didn’t emerge with an overwhelming synthetic smell, like other options.

The weight is evenly distributed. As with the Bearaby blanket, we found that the weight of the Casaluna blanket was very balanced. But at 12 pounds for a 50-by-70-inch blanket (it comes in just one size), it’s much lighter in weight. (Depending on your needs and preferences, this may be a good or bad thing.)

It’s easy to wash. We easily tossed it into the washer on a light cycle, and it air-dried quickly when we laid it on a flat surface. It weighed a manageable 18 pounds when wet.

It has a generous return policy. Because the Casaluna is made by Target, it’s subject to the company’s forgiving return policy: 365 days, even if opened.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It has limited sizing and weight. As noted above, the Casaluna blanket is available in just one size (50 by 70 inches) and weight (12 pounds). If you prefer more pressure from a weighted blanket, consider one of our other picks, which come in heavier weights.

The materials make it more prone to retaining heat. Whereas the Bearaby is made of 100% cotton, the Casaluna is made of a blend of 80% polyester and 20% cotton. Because polyester is less breathable, the Casaluna blanket may not work well for people who run hot when they sleep, though its loose-knit design may help.

Key specs

  • Materials: polyester, cotton
  • Size: 12 pounds (50 by 70 inches)
  • Kids blanket: none
  • Colors: blush, natural, dark gray
  • Return policy: Returns are accepted within 365 days of purchase.
A folded Layla Weighted Blanket.
Photo: Marki Williams

Budget pick

Cotton on one side and faux mink on the other, the honeycomb-stitched Layla Weighted Blanket is perfect for those who want a super-comfy weighted quilt for cooler weather. But it might be too warm for some people.

Buying Options

Best for: This blanket should appeal to people who want a warm, fuzzy weighted blanket to burrow under.

How it feels: The Layla blanket feels like a heavy, velvety quilt.

Weight: 20 pounds (queen)

The Layla Weighted Blanket features furry faux-mink material on one side and breathable cotton on the other. Photo: Marki Williams

Why it’s great

It’s ultra plush at a low price. At $70 to $80 (on sale, which it always is) for a 48-by-72-inch, 15-pound blanket, this blanket is one of the least expensive models we’ve found. It features soft faux mink on one side and breathable cotton on the other. The furry material is perhaps the most pleasingly buttery kind we’ve felt on a blanket.

The beading is less noticeable than that of similarly priced options. The honeycomb stitching keeps the beads from pooling to one side of the blanket, which also helps it stay in place instead of slinking its way off the bed. The beads of this blanket are more noticeable than those of the Nest Bedding blanket and about on a par with those of the Baloo blanket; they don’t make a lot of noise during movement, but they’re not entirely undetectable, either.

It’s particularly easy to wash. In our testing, the Layla blanket was one of the easiest blankets to wash; it took on only an extra 2 pounds of water, and it went back to its normal, smooth state after one cycle in the dryer.

It comes with a good warranty, return policy, and customer service. Layla’s customer service is helpful and easy to navigate. The company offers a five-year warranty and a 120-day free trial, at the end of which you can return the blanket free of charge if you don’t like it.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The texture isn’t for everyone. Although our testers said the faux-mink fabric on one side was a nice, cozy touch, some people may not like the feel—or the look—of it.

It comes in only one color. The Layla blanket comes in only a silvery gray color, which may not go with everyone’s decor.

It might be too warm for some. The synthetic mink material is more likely to trap heat during sleep than more breathable cotton. The blanket’s sleek, smooth texture may offset some of the heat retention, though.

Key specs

  • Materials: glass microbead filling, cotton, polyester
  • Sizes: 15 pounds (48 by 72 inches), 20 pounds (60 by 80 inches), 25 pounds (80 by 87 inches)
  • Kids blanket: none
  • Colors: gray
  • Return policy: Layla offers a 120-night free trial to try a blanket and return it for a full refund. (Shipping fees are nonrefundable in Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.)

The Luna Weighted Blanket comes in several kid-appropriate sizes.

Buying Options

This 9-pound weighted blanket, a small version of our Baloo pick, comes in three kid-friendly colors.

This kid-size version of our chunky-knit weighted blanket pick comes in 6- and 8-pound weights.

Buying Options

Long before weighted blankets became trendy, occupational therapists used them with kids with autism, ADHD, and sensory issues. Children without any of those conditions may find weighted blankets comforting, too.

There are no hard-and-fast rules about the appropriate weight of a weighted blanket for kids. “Ten percent of a kid’s weight is a general guideline and a good place to start, but you may have to play around with that,” said occupational therapist Teresa May-Benson, the executive director of the Spiral Foundation at OTA The Koomar Center in Newton, Massachusetts, at the time of our interview.

Most weighted blankets designed for adults tend to weigh 15 to 20 pounds, which is too heavy for most kids. For kids under 50 pounds, we suggest lighter versions of our top picks from Luna (5 to 10 pounds), Baloo (9 pounds) and Bearaby (6 to 8 pounds). Experts also recommended avoiding weighted blankets for infants or kids under 5 and supervising blanket use for children under 7. For children 7 and younger, take off the blanket once they’re asleep, especially if they tend to get wrapped up in their covers, said May-Benson. When in doubt, ask a pediatrician or an occupational therapist to determine whether a weighted blanket is appropriate for your child.

Graphic showing the silhouette of a 5' and 6' person, surrounded by the outside of throw vs. queen size blankets, for size reference.
Illustration: Sarah MacReading

A weighted blanket should feel comfortably heavy—not so heavy that you have a hard time crawling out from under it. For most healthy adults, that’s around 15 to 20 pounds. Here’s what to consider:

Poundage: Weighted-blanket makers often advise that you choose a blanket of a weight equivalent to 10% of your body weight. Really, the correct weight is what feels comfortably heavy to you.

Type of weights: To add heft, most companies fill their weighted blankets with plastic pellets or glass microbeads—tiny spheres the size of sand grains. These particles are stitched, in various ways by various makers, into smaller compartments to help distribute the weight evenly across the entire blanket. The smaller the compartments, the more even the weight distribution tends to be.

Batting and added fibers: These materials give the blanket more shape, making it look, feel, and sound less like a wearable beanbag.

Duvet covers: Some blankets come with a duvet cover, while others have none (or the cover is sold separately). You may not need a cover, especially if the blanket itself is machine-washable (all of our picks are). But using a cover is likely to reduce how often you need to wash the blanket.

Dimensions: Weighted blankets have conventionally been designed to cover the body, not the bed, so the typical dimensions tend to be around 42 by 72 inches—enough to cover you and still provide room for you to shift around. Usually these blankets are promoted as single-person throw blankets. However, many companies, particularly bedding companies, now sell weighted blankets according to standard bed sizes (twin, full, queen, king); these generally cover the top of the bed but don’t drape over it like a regular blanket does. Larger blankets can change the feeling of how the weight is distributed: A 12-pound twin-size blanket, for example, can feel heftier than a 15-pound queen-size one because the weight of the former is more concentrated on the wearer’s body.

Two stacks of weighted blankets.
Photo: Marki WIlliams

The science on weighted blankets is iffy. In a 2015 Occupational Therapy in Mental Health study (PDF), in which researchers tested 30-pound weighted blankets on 30 adults admitted to the hospital for mental-health-related issues, 60% of the study participants self-reported a “significant” reduction in anxiety when using the weighted blanket, although physiological markers (based on the assessment of sweat-gland activity) were inconclusive. A March/April 2020 American Journal of Occupational Therapy review paper suggested that more evidence supports weighted blanket use for anxiety over insomnia, though the authors also noted that more research was needed overall. A small 2022 study in the Journal of Sleep Research suggested that using a weighted blanket at bedtime may increase the amount of melatonin released but cautioned that more investigation was needed to determine whether this could have a therapeutic effect on insomnia.

All of the above doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try a weighted blanket—just be aware of their limitations. “People need to be clear about what to expect from a product,” said Susan L. Hyman, MD, division chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “If you think you’re sleeping better with a weighted blanket, even if it’s a placebo effect, then it may be worth it for you.” But you won’t know unless you try one, which is why we focused on weighted blankets from companies that allow for a trial period or have a generous return policy.

The corners of four weighted blankets we tested, shown next to each other for comparison.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

In evaluating weighted blankets, we looked for:

Machine-washable: Washing a 15-pound blanket can be a daunting endeavor. Hand-washing it? Impossible. We focused only on blankets that are machine-washable. This meant that blankets from many popular mattress brands, including Casper, Helix, and Saatva, did not qualify.

Water retention: We weighed each contending blanket straight out of the wash to measure how much they weighed when wet. While it may seem superfluous, you’d be surprised how heavy a 15-pound blanket can get when it gains an extra few pounds in water weight.

Good customer service and return policies: We contacted each company to assess the responsiveness of customer service, should anything go wrong with your order. All of the blankets we picked have a return policy of at least 30 days.

Quality craftsmanship: We assessed each blanket’s stitching, weight distribution, texture, and, when applicable, beading. Because we realize that the true durability of a blanket reveals itself only over time, we’ll be long-term testing our picks and updating this guide as necessary.

We’ve been testing weighted blankets since 2019. Since then, we’ve called in 20 blankets, assessing their quality, stitching, and washability before inviting panelists to evaluate the most promising contenders in the office. We then tested the finalists at home, sleeping with them for at least one night each.

Cleaning instructions vary widely across brands. Follow the care instructions on your blanket’s label; if the instructions are confusing (we often found conflicting directions between the FAQ, the product blurb, and the label for the same blanket), contact customer service. The blankets often come with duvet covers that you can throw in the washer and dryer, which cuts down on how often you need to clean the blanket itself.

If you want a dedicated kids blanket that will survive daily wear and tear: The Sommerfly Sleep Tight Weighted Blanket is a durable, thoughtfully designed blanket co-created by occupational therapist Kristi Langslet, who has worked with children and adolescents for 30 years. Although the large beads in the large blanket size felt distracting to most of our adult testers (one likened the blanket to a bunch of beanbags stitched together), they were less annoying in the smaller version for kids. Customers can return the blanket within 30 days but are responsible for the shipping costs.

If you want a less bulky version of the Nest Bedding blanket with a machine-washable duvet cover: More than half of our testers gravitated toward the Gravity Weighted Blanket’s soft fleecy/velvety cover and balanced feel, but this blanket isn’t machine-washable. The blanket is well constructed, with glass microbeads and fabric-lined squares with tidy stitching and a button-tie-and-zipper system to keep it from bunching inside the duvet cover. Customers have 30 days from delivery to claim a refund (with the blanket in its original packaging) but are responsible for the shipping charges.

If you’re looking for a budget option with a machine-washable, dual-sided duvet cover: The Tranquility Weighted Blanket is a good value at $50 for a 15-pound, 48-by-72-inch blanket. The blanket itself is spot-clean only, but the removable duvet cover (with a faux-mink side and a smooth side) feels adequately soft against the skin. The beads shift more noticeably inside the pockets of this blanket compared with others we’ve tried; some owners complain that it’s too heavy and awkward to move around under as a result. The Tranquility blanket is refundable within 90 days of the ship date or in-store purchase at Target.

The Luxome Cooling Weighted Blanket and Removable Bamboo Cover wasn’t soft or inviting straight out of the box. It took a few washes to soften the lyocell-bamboo duvet cover and cotton blanket, and we had to dry it with tennis balls (per the company’s recommendation) to undo the bunching that happened to the batting in the washing machine. If you purchase on Amazon, you can return this blanket for a refund within 30 days of receipt. (Luxome’s own site requires that you pay the shipping costs for returns.)

Both the chenille and cotton versions of the Magic Weighted Blanket suffer from the uneven sandbag feel and noise that are characteristic of blankets containing plastic pellets stitched into pockets without fabric batting. (The thicker texture of the chenille covering masks these issues somewhat.) Our long-term tester stopped using the blanket because she felt overwhelmed by it.

We tested a cotton version of the Mosaic Weighted Blanket. Testers gave this blanket low marks for overall feel, noting that it was too beanbag-like, similar to the adult-size Sommerfly blanket. But if you don’t mind that, you have dozens of designs in cotton and “minky” (a fleecy fabric) to choose from; all are machine-washable and machine-dryable.

We were disappointed to see the Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket’s stitching (which anchors the end of the “yarn” to the blanket itself) loosening up over the course of the few weeks we tried it. We also noticed a bit of T-shirt–like fuzzing after drying this blanket. The blanket held 9 pounds of water weight from the wash, and it took nearly three full cycles in the dryer (and even then it still had some damp spots here and there). You can return it within 30 days of arrival for a refund; a $20 processing fee applies (but is waived if the packaging is unopened).

Our testers found that the SensaCalm Weighted Blanket  felt “fluffy … like a normal comforter, only heavier.” But other panelists found it too narrow. The company’s return policy is less generous than most: Customers can return a SensaCalm blanket within 30 days, but if the company “determine[s] the blanket has been used,” it will refund no more than 80% of the cost, depending on the blanket’s condition.

The inexpensive YnM Weighted Blanket is a best seller on Amazon and comes in more than a dozen design options. In our tests, its weight felt nicely distributed (more so than that of our budget pick, the Luna blanket), and it emerged from both the washing machine and the dryer in decent shape (though it required a second drying cycle). But YnM’s customer service never answered our attempts to reach out, and testers preferred the overall feel of the Luna blanket, which is typically less expensive than the YnM blanket.

We chose not to test weighted blankets from Brooklyn Bedding, Casper, and Saatva, which required either hand-washing, dry cleaning, or spot-treating.

This article was edited by Courtney Schley and Ingrid Skjong.

  1. Alexis Clare and William LaCourse, professors, Alfred University, Alfred, New York, email interview, October 21, 2019

  2. Teresa May-Benson, occupational therapist and executive director of the Spiral Foundation at OTA The Koomar Center in Newton, Massachusetts, phone interview, October 17, 2019

  3. Susan L. Hyman, MD, professor of pediatrics and division chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, phone interview,, phone interview, October 15, 2019

  4. Chris Winter, MD, president of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and author of The Sleep Solution, phone interview, October 10, 2019

Meet your guides

Caira Blackwell

Caira Blackwell is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering sleep and mattresses. Her work has previously been published in Okayplayer, The Knockturnal, and Nylon magazine, and her book A Lullaby for the End of the World is available on Amazon.

Joanne Chen

Joanne Chen is a former senior staff writer reporting on sleep and other lifestyle topics. Previously, she covered health and wellness as a magazine editor. After an assignment forced her to sleep eight hours a day for a month, she realized that she is, in fact, a smarter, nicer person when she isn’t sleep-deprived.

Further reading

  • The Best Puffy Blanket

    by Hannah Weinberger

    After wrapping ourselves in thirteen different puffy blankets, we found the Rumpl Down Puffy is the best insulated blanket to take outside.

  • Several throw blankets in various colors and textures staged using a wicker stool and a mug of tea.

    The Best Throw Blankets

    by Jackie Reeve

    We spent hundreds of hours researching and testing more than 50 throws. Here are 11 throws we think are the best to curl up with for a nap.

  • Food and drink arranged on a striped blanket laid on the grass.

    The Best Picnic Blanket

    by Kit Dillon and Dorie Chevlen

    After lounging on 19 top-rated picnic blankets, we found that the Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket offers the best combination of comfort, durability, and easy cleaning.

Edit
Dismiss