5 Best weighted blankets for you and your kids

This article focuses on helping you understand how weighted blankets can ease your anxiety and how to choose the best weighted blanket for you. But before we go into details, let us start from the beginning of the story. So, here it is…

Is there anything better than hugging your loved one after coming home from work? You instantly feel better, no matter how hard your day was. That hug helps you feel safe and secure, while also allowing you to focus on the present moment. Your muscles relax, and tension in your body decreases. Suddenly, the world feels like a much better place.

But even if you did notice how good hugs feel, you probably never thought about why is that. Well, hugs help to activate Oxytocin – which is a hormone that is activated when we’re attached to someone and we enjoy those precious moments with another person. This hormone helps us feel relaxed, calm and generally happy.

But, what does this have to do with weighted blankets?

The feelings that we get from hugging have actually served as an inspiration for research. According to studies, deep touch pressure therapy can boost the above-mentioned hormone and help people with anxiety, and autism.

So, the whole idea behind weighted blankets is to help ease the anxiety and symptoms of these conditions. In addition to that, weighted blankets have proven to be useful for conditions such as ADHD, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome. So if you or someone close to you suffer from any of these conditions, the weighted blanket could be perfect for helping them find comfort and peace, hence sleep soundly.

However, you don’t have to suffer from any above-mentioned medical conditions in order to use weighted blankets. Because of their benefits, they can help you sleep better and hence improve your wellbeing.

What are weighted blankets?

When I slipped under the blanket, I felt like I was wrapped in a cocoon, as if the blanket were hugging me.

Weighted blankets are just what their name implies – heavy blankets. They usually weigh 15 pounds or more and are filled with plastic pellets or glass beads. The pellets or glass beads are sewn into separate, small pockets/boxes that are evenly distributed throughout the whole blanket, so the blanket stays put all night and you don’t feel trapped under it.

The deep pressure you feel when you’re under the blanket helps you feel calm and protected. Plus, weighted blankets help you sleep better because it will be harder to toss and turn all night.

While weighted blankets are great, they are not perfect. Due to their weight, they’re not exactly easy to carry with you on your vacation, or a weekend trip. Also, most of them get hot, so hot sleepers should choose the weighted blanket that has cooling properties as well.

Lastly, this type of blanket can be dangerous for kids, especially for toddlers. Therefore, don’t leave your kid with this blanket and be sure to buy a weighted blanket for kids. A good piece of advice is to check if your child can get under the blanket and move it aside if needed. If your child doesn’t have the strength to do this, you shouldn’t buy them a weighted blanket.

Things to keep in mind when buying a weighted blanket

How hard choosing a blanket can be? Well, read through our short-but-sweet buying guide and you’ll see.

Size

When it comes to purchasing the weighted blanket, one of the first mistakes buyers make is picking the wrong size. When buying a regular blanket, you choose the one that will cover every inch of your bed, right? Well, this rule doesn’t apply when buying a weighted blanket. Instead of buying a full-size blanket, choose the one that will cover your body from chin to feet.

If you buy a large weighted blanket it will constantly slide to toward the end of your bed or toward the floor, due to its weight.

Now, if you looked into different weighted blanket models and sizes, you might be confused with all those size charts you’ve found online, thinking you’ll never find the perfect weighted blanket for you. But, our friend, there’s no need to be pessimistic here. These questions can help you choose the right size for you.

• Why do you want to buy a weighted blanket? Is it only to improve your sleep, or to reduce the symptoms of your disease/disorder?
• Are you going to share the blanket with your spouse?

Weight

Apart from choosing the right size, you also want to choose the right weight. If the blanket is too light for you, you won’t feel its benefits. On the other hand, if it’s too heavy, you will at least feel ‘uncomfortable’. Even though we’d say that the word ‘trapped’ would be a better fit here.

So, when selecting the best weighted blanket for you, the second step is to calculate the total weight of the blanket which is based on your body weight. A general rule of thumb is to multiply your body weight by 10% and add a few more pounds to that.

Design

The next thing to take into account is the design of a blanket. You probably wouldn’t like glass beads or pellets to fall out of their compartments, due to poor stitching. So, be sure to choose a well-made blanket that will last you a long time. Models that come with double stitching are especially reliable and durable.

Color

The good news is that weighted blankets are available in different colors, from those classic ones to more vivid ones. So, find the color that best matches your bedroom’s interior should be easy.  However, keep in mind that if you want to use a duvet cover, it usually comes in a white, plain design.

Duvet Cover

Duvet covers are great for protecting your weighted blanket and making it last longer (and definitely helping it to keep its new, neat looks for longer). When choosing a duvet cover, be sure to buy from the same manufacturer because that’s a sure way that the blanket will fit. Also, keep in mind that the duvet cover may retain the body’s heat and make you feel hot.

The good thing is that a duvet cover is removable and can easily be washed in the machine. Speaking of which, weighted blankets cannot be washed in the machine, because they will be too heavy for that. When you need to wash your weighted blanket, you should do so by hand.

Price

A weighted blanket is not exactly an investment to be taken lightly. They cost anywhere between $60 – $300, depending on the material quality, size, and weight. Of course, there are also affordable weighted blankets for adults that come at $100, which is a good price. What you want to do when choosing one of these, is to get a good value for the money provided. Take time to see what’s in store for you and choose the model that suits your needs AND your budget.

Weighted blanket reviews

Here’s an overview of best weighted blankets of 2022 that we’ll talk about. As you can see, some are for kids and some are for adults. Similarly, some are more affordable, others are pricier. We’ve compiled a diverse list because we wanted to make sure that everyone finds their perfect match. So, going through our weighted blanket reviews, you’ll certainly find what you’re looking for.

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YnM – Good weighted blanket for sleep

Made of super soft 300 thread count bamboo viscose and filled with polyfill and glass beads, this blanket feels cozy, plushy and comfortable – just what you need to fall asleep faster. Thanks to 4-5 inches small compartments, glass beads are equally distributed throughout the blanket. Meaning, you’ll feel just the perfect amount of pressure on your body that will soothe you and give you shelter at night.

What’s more, the SMART Fabric is highly breathable and will not retain the body’s heat as other blankets would. There’s also Moisture Wicking Management that helps hot sleepers feel less hot at night and stay dry. The cooling and soothing effect will help you sleep longer and wake up rested.

This model weighs 15 lbs. and its dimensions are 48”x72”, making it a good choice for twin bed and individuals that weigh anywhere between 90-150 lbs. The blanket comes in two colors – grey and sea grass, both of which are soothing. However, grey has tones of blueish, it’s not exactly grey.

What makes this model one of the best weighted blankets on the market in 2022, are two extra layers of cotton fabric that are placed between the bamboo face and the polyfill. Cotton is known to be highly durable and resistant material, and it also has breathable properties. This blanket is well designed, and the compartments are well stitched so there is no risk of glass beads leaking or coming out. You get a 3-year warranty, so we’d say this is a fantastic offer you have got!

As for the downsides, keep in mind that a duvet cover that it’s supposed to match the blanket doesn’t really match. Also, the blanket cannot be washed in the machine given its weight.

Sensadream – Best weighted blanket for anxiety

This blanket is a great choice for those who want to make a wise investment because it is extremely well-made. It’s made with 100% soft cotton fabric material that gives a soft and comforting feel. The blanket is filled with glass beads that are placed in 5-inches compartments. This helps distribute the weight evenly so that the blanket doesn’t make you feel trapped when you’re under it. In addition, the evenly distributed weight will place gentle pressure on your body and calm the nervous system. This way, your body will start to relax and your anxiety will fall asleep just like you will.

Compared to the first model on our list, this one has double stitching that completely eliminates movements of beads, so no need to worry about glass beads leaking. It also has reinforced edges that maximize the durability and resistance of the blanket. This model is a good choice for a queen bed. It weighs 15 lbs. and it is suitable for people between 130-180 lb.

This model comes with a dual-sided removable cover. So, you’ll use the blanket all year round. One side features soft Minky dot fabric that helps your body to stay warm during cold winter nights. And the other side is made of 100% bamboo which means it is designed to keep you cooler at hot summer nights. If you’re not a hot sleeper, you’ll definitely love this cover. But, if you are, the blanket still gets hot. However, this is generally a problem with most blankets, both regular and weighted ones. The cover is easy to attach and remove when you need to wash it. Thanks to the cover, your blanket will stay clean for much longer. And of course, this contributes to its durability.

LUNA – Another good cheap weighted blanket for adults

The LUNA weighted blanket is a great choice if you’re on a budget but want to sleep better. Made with 100% organic cotton, the blanket feels great on the skin. You’ll enjoy its comfortable, soft and calming touch. Cotton is also a breathable and light material, so you’ll get just the right kind of pressure. Speaking of which, a weighted blanket provides instant relaxation and helps you sleep for longer and wake up fresh and energized. This is thanks to deep pressure stimulation, which is similar to a hug. The blanket weighs 15 lbs. and it’s 60×80 inches.

Filled with odorless, hypoallergenic and non-toxic glass beads, the blanket will give you peace of mind at night. Plus, you’ll know that you made a good decision when you invested in the LUNA blanket. Oh, and with a 365-night money-back guarantee, there’s really nothing to worry about! Did we mention that the blanket also comes with a free cover? Well, that’s another plus.

The blanket is available in white and light grey, being a great choice if you love simplicity. Thanks to its elegant and classic design, it will certainly be a nice addition to your bedroom. And since we’re talking about the design, we just want to mention it features double stitching, ensuring durability and reliability.

As for the downside, the weight doesn’t seem to be evenly distributed as with the other two blankets we’ve reviewed. However, this is not alarming, because you can still move it around until you get perfect weight. As most weighted blankets, this one gets hot and cannot be washed in the machine, but by hand.

Quility – Best weighted blanket for kids

The Quility weighted blanket is made with comfort in mind. Only the best materials were used to make this blanket, offering a soft touch and cozy feel to your child. The outer layer is made of 100%-cotton, and hence it’s breathable and comfortable. This layer is lined with two extra polyester layers that contain micro glass beads. For added comfort, glass beads are padded with non-glue polyester so your child can sleep soundly. Thanks to this impressive structure, the blanket provides optimal temperature control whereas glass beads stay in place. Moreover, the blanket is durable and will last you for a long time.

But, the best part about the blanket is that it feels like a comforting hug, helping a child to fall asleep fast and sleep the whole night. Your child will feel protected and safe, being able to have a good night’s sleep.

The manufacturer offers the size chart, so you can easily choose the blanket that will best fit your child. You also get a premium removable Minky duvet cover that makes caring for the blanket simple and easy. Another thing is that the blanket comes in various colors. So, choosing the perfect color for your kid won’t be an issue.

All in all, this is one high-quality weighted blanket that offers just what your child needs to sleep tight.  However, the price is a bit higher. And also, the blanket cannot be washed in the machine. Dry clean or hand wash are recommended.

YnM – Affordable weighted blanket for kids

The reason why this is one of the best weighted blankets for kids out there is a 7-layered construction. This model is designed to provide optimal comfort and weight to your child and ease their anxiety. 100% cotton fill allows for better body temperature control so your child won’t get hot. In addition, breathable fabric, and new sewing technology maximizes comfort and durability, whereas hypoallergenic, non-toxic glass beads add the weight to the blanket. Speaking of which, the downside is that the compartments are slightly bigger than they should be so the weight isn’t evenly distributed.

Nonetheless, the blanket offers a soothing and soft touch.

Compared to the previous product we’ve reviewed, this one is machine washable, which is a big plus. It’s also affordable, yet the quality is great, given the fact YnM is one of the leading companies in this field. You get a 3-year warranty, which is another bonus.

The bottom line

The weighted comforter can help you sleep much better, and ease your anxiety or the symptoms of your medical condition. Just be sure to pick the right size and weight so you can really enjoy that ‘hug’ and feel the benefits of this unique product.