If you ever have trouble sleeping, you may need a weighted blanket in your life. The best weighted blankets wrap you up in comfort that extends well beyond warmth: The mass of a heavier blanket simulates what researchers refer to as deep touch pressure stimulation—and that gentle, deep pressure can lead to the release of dopamine and serotonin, both of which fight stress and help you feel good.
In other words? It’s like getting a big hug.
“The data on weighted blankets has shown that for people who suffer from sleep-related anxiety or pre-bed anxiety, a 12- to 15-pound blanket can be an effective tool for helping people calm down and relax before bed,” says Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., a sleep expert who serves on the American Board of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
And restful sleep isn’t the only benefit. Weighted blankets have been reported to lessen anxiety, relieve pain, and improve overall mood. They can even provide comfort during social distancing and isolation. Sounds great to us!
Ahead, check out our top picks when it comes to weighted blankets. We rounded up plenty of styles to choose from, all with customer testimonials for additional insight. But first things first: figuring out the right weight blanket to get.
These blankets come in a variety of sizes and weights. The rule of thumb is to get a blanket that’s around 10% of your body weight: A 120-pound person should choose a 12-pound blanket, a 150-pound person a 15-pound blanket, and so on (if your weight falls in between blanket sizes, go with the lighter one). It’s all a matter of personal preference, of course, but this formula should give you a blanket that feels just right. (With children, however, take this rule literally—if the blanket is too heavy for them, they could struggle to get out from under it, as can pets.)
- Bearaby Cotton Napper
- Bearaby Tree Napper
- Bearaby Velvet Napper
- Bearaby Travel Blanket
- YnM Velvet Knitted Weighted Blanket
- L’Agraty Knitted Weighted Blanket
- California Design Den Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
- YNM Bamboo Weighted Blanket
- ZZZhen Weighted Blanket
- ZonLi Weighted Blanket
- Baloo Weighted Blanket
- Baloo Kids Weighted Blanket
- Joybest Faux-Fur Weighted Blanket
- UnHide Marshmallow Weighted Blanket
- Sensory Own Weighted Blanket with Hoodie
- DreamLab Crystal Reversible Weighted Blanket
- DreamCloud Serenity Weighted Blanket
- Room Essentials Sherpa Weighted Blanket
- Yaasa Weighted Blanket
- Sunday Citizen Personal Weighted Blanket
- Weighted Hummingbird Blanket
- Luna Cotton Weighted Blanket
- Brooklyn Bedding Dual Therapy Weighted Blanket