We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Sleep Products After Testing Dozens of Options, These Are the Best Weighted Blankets for Calming Sleep Weighted blankets can provide soothing, anxiety-reducing benefits for more restful sleep. By Jaylyn Pruitt Jaylyn Pruitt Jaylyn Pruitt is currently an associate editor for Health.com, where she covers sleep products. health's editorial guidelines and Melissa Fiorenza Melissa Fiorenza Melissa Fiorenza is a writer with over 15 years of experience covering topics in health and fitness, parenting, beauty, and women's issues. Her work appears in publications including Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan, Time Out New York, and The TODAY Show. Melissa is also authored the book Twentysomething Girl. health's editorial guidelines Updated on November 29, 2024 Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO Jonathan B. Jassey, DO, is a private pediatrician at Bellmore Merrick Medical. Dr. Jassey also specializes in treating ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, autism and other mental health issues. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Reviews Our Top Picks How We Tested and Selected What to Know About Weighted Blankets Weighted Blankets That Didn't Make Our List Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Health / Dera Burreson Weighted blankets are known for their comforting touch, but research suggests these often hefty blankets may offer more than just comfort. Typically made with a soft fabric like cotton, fleece, or flannel on the outside and filled with materials like microglass or steel beads that help weigh it down, these blankets can help reduce certain symptoms of anxiety. Weighted blankets may offer a number of sleep and mental health benefits, and these may lay in a deeper biological reason. Peter Polos, MD, PhD, FCCP, FAASM, sleep medicine specialist and sleep expert for Sleep Number, says that the relief we get from weighted blankets is biological—we feel more comfortable with added body warmth and weight. If you’re looking to experience the benefits a weighted blanket can offer, you should keep a few things in mind during your search. Weighted blankets are typically sized differently than regular blankets and should weigh about 10 percent of your body weight, but Dr. Polos notes that anywhere between 5 percent and 12 percent will work. To find the best weighted blankets, the Health team tested 34 of the top products on the market in our lab, looking at quality, comfort, warmth, ease of cleaning, and how the blankets measured up to manufacturer measurements for weight and size. We also had a sleep expert/pediatrician on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Threshold Microplush Weighted Blanket Best Overall, Runner-up: Sleep Number True Temp Weighted Blanket Best Value: Waowoo Weighted Blanket Best for Cold Sleepers: Quility Weighted Blanket Best for Hot Sleepers: Degrees of Comfort Coolmax Weighted Blanket The Editor's Take As the sleep editor for Health, I'm always trying and testing new sleep products to find the best ways for readers to improve their sleep, which is one of the reasons I was so interested in writing about weighted blankets. I've used a weighted blanket nightly for years and knew how well it worked at improving my sleep, but I didn't know just how many benefits they had. While writing this article, interviewing sleep experts, and reading testing insights from our editors, I learned just how beneficial a weighted blanket can be, helping with restful sleep, anxiety, and even chronic pain, according to Dr. Polos. If you're not sure if a weighted blanket is right for you, we've rounded up options for anyone from cold sleepers to hot sleepers and a full range of blanket weights. Our favorite was the Threshold Microplush Weighted Blanket, available in multiple weights and comes with a removable, washable cover. — Jaylyn Pruitt, Associate Editor Best Overall Gravity Blanket PHOTO: Amazon $163 at Amazon View on Gravityblankets.com Why We Like It One of the first widely available weighted blanket brands, Gravity has been a mainstay in the market, even expanding its reach to other weighted products like weighted bedding, sleep masks, and robes. We found the Gravity Blanket held up to its competition, doing an impressive job of improving relaxation and soothing overstimulation in children and adults. Using this blanket helped us wind down before bed and fall asleep more quickly, feeling more calm and centered during use. While this blanket is one of the most expensive on our list, we found that its construction lived up to the price, loving its smooth fabric and comfortable feel. Its even weight distribution and smooth feel make it a great addition to any sleep routine. We also liked that, despite the same tight fabric and lack of airflow that most weighted blankets have, this blanket didn’t trap heat. It's Worth Noting While the cover is washable, we found it difficult to get the blanket itself back inside the cover after a quick cleaning. Product Details: Size: 48 x 72 inchesWeight: 15 pounds; also available in 20 poundsCover Material: MicrofiberMachine Washable: Cover is washable (wash cold, tumble dry low); blanket is hand wash only PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Overall Runner-up Sleep Number True Temp Weighted Blanket PHOTO: Sleep Number View on Sleepnumber.com Why We Like It Known for its sleep gear, it’s no surprise Sleep Number also created one of our testers’ favorite weighted blankets. While many weighted blankets have a rougher fabric exterior that can be difficult to move, this blanket’s polyester cover had a “quality sheet feel” that moved around easily without getting stuck, according to our tester. The cover was so well-integrated that our tester didn’t even realize it was separate from the blanket, meaning there’s no dragging or pulling or any need for constant fixes during use. Our favorite part of the True Temp blanket is in its name—the blanket uses Sleep Number’s 37.5 Technology to adapt to your temperature, which our tester noted, saying it’s “warm and cool all at the same time, which is lovely.” It's Worth Noting We followed the washing instructions for each blanket as part of testing and noticed that while washable, the True Temp blanket does shrink a little in the wash. Product Details: Size: 48 x 70 inchesWeight: 12 pounds; also available in 20 poundsCover Material: PolyesterMachine Washable: Cover is washable PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson Best Value Waowoo Weighted Blanket PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon Why We Like It Experiencing the benefits of a weighted blanket doesn’t have to be expensive. While Waowoo’s Weighted Blanket is a budget pick, our tester was impressed with how well its construction stood up to even more expensive options, noting the even weight distribution and how well everything stays in place. We thought the blanket was heavy enough to feel pressure from it but light enough to move on our own. Weighted blankets can also be a little noisy, but this one was almost silent when we moved around the bed. It's Worth Noting Take note: if you’re shopping for blankets based on your bed size—which you might want to think twice about—Waowoo’s categories may not match up as expected. Product Details: Size: 60 x 80 inchesWeight: 15 pounds; also available in 4, 10, 12, 17, 20, and 25 poundsCover Material: CottonMachine Washable: Yes PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson Best Splurge Saatva Organic Weighted Blanket PHOTO: Saatva $345 at Saatva Why We Like It While weighted blankets are available at more budget-friendly prices, if you're willing to invest, we loved the Saatva Organic Weighted Blanket during testing. The luxe price came through in the high-quality, textured feel of this blanket, which we thought trapped heat in well for cozy sleep without being too much for a hot sleeper. Even better, the fabric is easy to clean, with liquids beading on the surface for easy wipe-up. While the fabric is textured, we were surprised by how quiet this blanket was during sleep. We also found ourselves waking up in the same position we fell asleep in thanks to the relaxing comfort the Saatva Weighted Blanket provided. It's Worth Noting While it was easy to clean up spills, the manufacturer suggests dry clean only for complete clean-up jobs; this blanket isn't machine washable. Product Details: Size: 92 x 86 inchesWeight: 20 pounds; also available in 12 poundsCover Material: VelvetMachine Washable: No PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Saatva Best Fleece Luna The Dreamland Delight Sherpa Fleece Weighted Blanket View on Lunablanket.com Why We Like It Instead of the plasticky feeling that many fleece blankets have, his blanket's shearling fleece felt like the real deal. It was so soft and comfortable that we had a hard time getting out of bed (or off the couch or out of our desk chairs) when using it. While the blanket was plenty warm when it needed to be, it was also great at regulating heat, providing an airy, temperature-regulating comfort at all times. The blanket is topped off with a "minky" suede-like top side, making it easy to flip and use comfortably on either side. While this blanket was a little lighter than the one we were used to using, we still felt all of the deep-touch benefits we experienced with other heavier blankets. It's Worth Noting We didn't have any complaints about this blanket, but note that it is only available in white and in two weights—10 and 15 pounds—so try our next pick if you prefer a heavier fleece blanket. Product Details: Size: 60 x 80 inches or 50 x 60 inchesWeight: 15 pounds; also available in 10 poundsCover Material: Microfiber and fleeceMachine Washable: Machine washable (wash cold, tumble dry low) PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Less-Expensive Fleece Uttermara Sherpa Fleece Weighted Blanket PHOTO: Amazon $85 at Amazon Why We Like It Most weighted blankets arrive with a rougher cotton cover that can be uncomfortable if you’re not using it on top of sheets or another blanket. Uttermara’s Fleece Weighted Blanket is a complete package, with a weighted blanket wrapped in a fleece and faux shearling cover for easy cuddling on the couch or in bed. We thought the blanket had a luxe feel and construction that felt more expensive than its price point. “I cannot get over how soft and plush the fleece is. Even the topside fabric was soft and pleasant to the touch,” our tester said. “Overall, the blanket was cozy and comfortable. I didn't want to take it off!” We thought the fabric was “warm without being suffocating,” noting that the shearling side was perfect for cold nights, but even the fleece topside wouldn’t be too hot for warmer weather. It's Worth Noting While we were also impressed by how well-constructed the blanket was, the only negative we found during testing was that the fleece side was a little difficult to remove stains from. But the blanket is machine washable, which we found removed the stain entirely. Product Details: Size: 60 x 80 poundsWeight: 15 pounds; also available in 12, 20, and 25 poundsCover Material: Fleece, faux shearlingMachine Washable: Yes Health / Dera Burreson Best for Hot Sleepers Degrees of Comfort Coolmax Weighted Blanket PHOTO: Amazon $73 at Amazon Why We Like It Dr. Polos notes that one of the most important factors in getting quality, restorative sleep is the temperature of your environment—something hot sleepers are likely familiar with. While weighted blankets seem like they might not work for hot sleepers, the good news is that hot sleepers have plenty of options. Our pick for the best weighted blanket for hot sleepers was Degrees of Comfort’s Coolmax Weighted Blanket, which impressed us with its two-in-one cover. We were pleasantly surprised by how well this blanket handled temperature; we thought its polyester cover would be too warm, but instead, it was comfortable without being too hot. It comes with a soft, mink-like cover that’s perfect for staying warm during colder weather, but all you have to do is remove the cover for a comfortable, cooling sleep experience if you’re prone to sleeping hot. It's Worth Noting The only drawback we found with this blanket was a minor one—it can be a little loud during use, so it could be disruptive for light sleepers. Product Details: Size: 48 x 72 inchesWeight: 12 pounds; also available in 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 18, 20, 25, and 30 poundsCover Material: PolyesterMachine Washable: Cover is washable PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson PHOTO: Health / Dera Burreson Best Comforter Baloo Weighted Comforter PHOTO: Baloo View on Baloo Why We Like It If you're sharing a blanket with a partner or just want your weighted blanket comfort to extend to your entire bed, we appreciated the size options available in the Baloo Weighted Blanket, from throw all the way up to king size for full mattress coverage. This blanket works more like a traditional duvet, with added loops at the corners making it easy to add to a duvet cover or other blanket. We found ourselves sleeping deeper while using the Baloo Weighted Blanket. While the blanket is large, we never found it unwieldy even when we dragged it from the bed to the couch for TV watching. It's Worth Noting We had a hard time cleaning this blanket because of its weight. Product Details: Size: Full/Queen (60 x 80 inches); also available in throw, Full, and King sizesWeight: 15 or 20 poundsCover Material: CottonMachine Washable: Yes; wash cold and dry on low heat PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Kids TOPCEE Weighted Blanket PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon Why We Like It Weighted blankets don’t just work for adults. TOPCEE’s weighted blanket is available in eight different weights, including three under 10 pounds, which makes it easy for kids to experience the benefits of a weighted blanket. While weighted blankets can be great for kids, caregivers should exercise caution while using them with children. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use weighted blankets for very small children, especially ones less than a year old, and blankets should only be about 10 percent of a person’s body weight. It's Worth Noting The only drawback we found was that the blanket is hand-wash only, which can be difficult while kids are using it, but they mentioned that the blanket wipes down easily following spills. Product Details: Size: 36 x 48 inchesWeight: 5 pounds; also available in 3, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, and 25 poundsCover Material: MicrofiberMachine Washable: No Health / Dera Burreson Best Knit Bearaby Tree Napper PHOTO: Bearaby $279 at Nordstrom $279 at Bearaby.com $239 at West Elm Why We Like It When weighted blankets were first introduced, they were only available in solid, quilted grays that, while effective, were best left under a comforter for use. If you're looking for a different texture or fabric that won't leave you sweating at night, home brand Bearaby's line of knit weighted blankets bring something newer to the market. The brand's signature weighted blanket—the Bearaby Tree Napper—is knit from TENCEL lyocell eucalyptus for a cool-to-touch feel that was breathable all night. While the knit design made weight distribution a little different than traditional weighted blankets, we appreciated that it kept us cool even on the warmest nights.We found ourselves falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer while using this blanket, giving us more energy throughout the day. It's had such an impact on our sleep, we have a harder time falling asleep without it. It's Worth Noting We found this a better option for the couch or over a comforter in bed, with fingers and toes sometimes getting caught in the gaps and distracting from sleep. Product Details: Size: 40 x 64, 40 x 72, 45 x 72, or 48 x 72 inchesWeight: 10, 15, 20, or 25 poundsCover Material: Eucalyptus TENCELMachine Washable: Yes; wash cold and tumble dry low PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best With Cover Luna Cooling Minky Weighted Blanket & Duvet Cover Bundle View on Lunablanket.com Why We Like It The Luna Cooling Minky Weighted Blanket Bundle impressed us with a luxurious relaxation experience, largely due to its removable cover. The blanket—not quite comforter size, but large enough to spread across a bed—features a soft top side and sleek, cool-to-the-touch bottom layer. The blanket arrives with the cover attached, but it's easy to remove.The blanket was easy to maneuver, whether over our legs or across a comforter, which isn't always the case with weighted blankets. It's Worth Noting While the underside was cool to the touch, it did begin to warm up against skin after about 30 minutes of use. Product Details: Size: 48 x 72 inches or 60 x 80 inchesWeight: Available in 12 or 15 poundsCover Material: Microfiber and polyethylene cooling fabricMachine Washable: No; hand wash, dry clean, or spot clean only PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health How We Tested and Selected We tested 45 of the most popular weighted blankets in our lab and at home, looking at comfort, quality, and warmth. To start the test, our testers measured and weighed each blanket to see how well they stood up to manufacturer measurements, deducting points for ones that were off. We also put each blanket through a coffee spill test to see how easy they were to clean. Following the spill test, our testers laundered each machine-washable blanket and noted any shrinking. Our testers laid under each blanket to note its warmth and comfort, identifying if the blanket was cool to the touch if it claimed to have cooling properties. They also turned over under each blanket to see how easy they were to maneuver. During this test, they also shook the blanket to note how noisy it was as the filling moved. In addition, we consulted with Peter Polos, MD, PhD, FCCP, FAASM, sleep medicine specialist and sleep expert for Sleep Number. What to Know About Weighted Blankets Sizing A general rule of thumb is that your weighted blanket should be around 10% of your weight, but anywhere between 5% and 12% should allow you to feel the benefits of the blanket. When it comes to the blanket’s dimensions, it might feel natural to use the same sizing you would for other blankets or comforters, you might not be getting the full benefit of a weighted blanket if you shop this way. Because of how weight is distributed in weighted blankets if you shop for a larger blanket, the most weight will end up unused or on the floor as the blanket slides around at night. Many blankets are available in smaller dimensions even at higher weights, so you might want to consider buying a smaller size—like 48 x 72 inches, which is considered a “single” size by most blanket manufacturers. Filling Material There are three fillings most common in weighted blankets: Poly pellets are plastic beads that are most common in budget-friendly weighted blankets. They're machine washable, but they tend to trap heat.Microglass beads are more expensive but tend to be denser, giving microglass bead blankets a flatter, less bulky appearance. They also typically make less noise during movement.Steel beads are another filling that’s become more common, especially as they’re as easy to wash as poly pellets while still being environmentally friendly. Something else to look for is whether your blanket has an additional filling. Some blankets are filled with a polyester fiberfill, which is sometimes inserted to help keep the weighted fillings in place, but it also makes weighted blankets warmer; if you’re a hot sleeper, look for blankets that don’t use this filling. “Increased temperature can impact our ability to fall and stay asleep, so a weighted blanket with breathable materials and cooling components can help promote sleep even more,” says Dr. Polos. Weighted Blankets That Didn't Make Our List Bearaby Cotton Napper: Our tester thought that this blanket was soft and high quality, but it should have weighed more for the price.Sunday Citizen Snug Crystal Weighted Blanket: Our tester thought this blanket performed well in all of our tests and was incredibly well made, but at almost $300, it was more expensive than other blankets that performed just as well in our tests.Ella Jayne Reversible Weighted Blanket: Our tester liked the weight and material of this blanket, but they found that the removable cover made it a hassle to use. Your Questions, Answered Can weighted blankets help with anxiety? Deep-pressure touch can help relieve symptoms of anxiety. Weighted blankets can provide DPT, which may help people with anxiety in the following ways: Help minimize repetitive behaviors like foot tapping or fidgetingLower impulsive behaviors, such as engaging in potentially harmful activitiesIncrease attention and focus Improve performance of fine motor tasks Boost oxytocin levels One study published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine found that using weighted blankets significantly reduced anxiety for adults at an inpatient facility. Participants who used either a 14-pound or 20-pound weighted blanket for at least 20 minutes reported feeling less anxious and had a lowered heart rate. Another study followed 120 adults with anxiety or depressive disorders who also experienced insomnia. Researchers found that 92% of participants reported better sleep and lowered anxiety after using a weighted blanket for one month. Are weighted blankets good for sleep? “[I]f anxiety plays a role in your sleep disturbance, a weighted blanket may help,” Dr. Polos says. “The pressure of the blanket can alleviate anxiety and promote a sense of comfort. This can have a significant impact on insomnia.” In one study, adult participants with insomnia used a weighted blanket to see if it would improve their sleep. Researchers found that the weighted blankets helped participants fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night. The same study also investigated whether weighted blankets could improve daytime fatigue. The majority of study participants who used weighted blankets for sleep felt more awake during the day, had more energy, and could stay active for longer periods. Who We Are Jaylyn Pruitt is an associate editor for Health who oversees sleep content. She has tested over 50 mattresses, helped to oversee mattress testing in our lab, and even toured a mattress factory to learn more about how mattresses go from raw materials to your bedroom. Melissa Fiorenza is a writer for Health with over 15 years of experience covering topics in health and fitness, parenting, beauty, and women's issues. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 5 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Nationwide Children's Hospital. 4 things parents should know about weighted blankets. Noyed D. How heavy should a weighted blanket be? Sleep Foundation. Ekholm B, Stefan S, Adler M. A randomized controlled study of weighted chain blankets for insomnia in psychiatric disorders. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2020;16(9):1567–1577. doi:10.5664/jcsm.8636 Champagne T, Mullen B, Dickson D, Krishnamurty S. Evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the weighted blanket with adults during an inpatient mental health hospitalization. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health. 2015;31(3), 211-233. doi:10.1080/0164212X.2015.1066220 Becklund AL, Rapp-McCall L, Nudo J. Using weighted blankets in an inpatient mental health hospital to decrease anxiety. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2021; 19(2): 129-134. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2020.11.004.