Best weighted blankets – tried and tested for warmth, cosiness and comfort

Despite having been invented over two decades ago, weighted blankets are something of a new phenomenon. In recent years they’ve been growing in popularity. But because they’re quite a recent trend, it’s hard enough figuring out whether you need one, let alone which is the best weighted blanket to buy.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Not only have we tried out some of the leading weighted blankets, but if you scroll down further, we answer some of the most common questions. Like how to figure out the weight you need and what features to consider when buying a weighted blanket.

So whether you’re simply intrigued about how weighted blankets work, or you’re looking for the best blanket to soothe you off into a blissful sleep on your perfect mattress, this guide should give you all the information you need. 

The quick list

Best weighted blanket overall

The Kudd.y blanket earned the top spot because it’s affordable, washable, cosy, and comes in a range of size and colour options. During testing the Kudd.ly weighted blanket was the one I automatically reached for when lounging on the sofa. I tried the 4.7kg blanket which is a nice comfortable weight to keep you feeling warm, snuggly, and relaxed while bingeing a Netflix series on a chilly autumn evening.

The fleecy fabric is super soft and cosy, yet I didn’t find it too warm during the night. It’s washable and the 4.7kg blanket came out of the washing machine pretty much exactly the same as it went in. It dried on an airer within 24 hours. But be aware that the 7kg blanket may be too heavy for your machine.

This affordable blanket is ideal if you’re looking for a blanket with a soft and cosy feel. However, if you’re planning to use it on your bed at night, pay attention to the dimensions. The smaller size might not provide enough coverage - it’s a little smaller than the average single duvet.

Best duvet replacement

As the second most expensive weighted blanket on this list, the Simba Orbit feels very good quality. It’s about the size of a single duvet and only comes in one weight. But, unlike the pricier blanket from Emma, this one comes with a removable cover included.

What I didn't expect is that the removable cotton cover makes this blanket feel the most like a duvet. It just felt a bit more familiar having this on the bed at night than a fleecy blanket or one of the ones without a cover on. 

However, the catch is that the cover is somewhat of a pain to put on and take off. This is partly due to the weight of the blanket making it a bit of a workout. But also because to keep the cover properly positioned, you have to tie it to the blanket - in seven places! But it’s worth noting that this is the case for most weighted blanket covers.

Notwithstanding, since the blanket isn’t washable, you really do have to put the washable cover on. And because it’s just like a cotton duvet cover it washes well and doesn’t make you feel too hot or sweaty.

Best premium weighted blanket

The Emma Hug blanket comes with a hefty RRP, but it’s worth checking the website as it’s often discounted. The blanket has a satin feel cotton outer layer and it feels very good quality, the glass beads don’t tend to bunch up within the pockets like they do with some cheaper blankets. 

The dimensions put it somewhere between a single and double duvet which is a good size, but there’s no choice of weights. And while it’s a nice, premium fabric, it doesn’t have the cosy, snuggly feeling that you get from some of the other blankets. 

Despite the care label on the blanket saying hand wash only, the website says it can be machine washed which is confusing. My washing machine has a 9kg capacity, so I gave it a gentle machine wash on a cool cycle and happily, it washed well. It took about 24 hours to dry on an airer.

Since the Emma Hug blanket is washable, there’s no pressing need to buy the cover. That said, washing a 7kg blanket frequently in your washing machine probably won’t do the machine much good. And at this price point, we would have liked it if the cover was included as is the case with its rival, the Simba Orbit. 

Best budget weighted blanket

The Silentnight Wellbeing weighted blanket is the budget choice on paper, but in practice it’s comparable to most others on the list, which makes it a great buy. It’s a large blanket available in two weights, both very reasonably priced. 

At this price bracket though, you don’t get a removable cover, nor is it made with a breathable cotton fabric. The exterior of the blanket is 100% polyester which might make it less breathable and a bit too warm for summer. But it’s very soft, and on chilly days it felt warmer and cosier than the Emma Hug or the Simba Orbit.

The care instructions say to spot clean only, which is a downside if you intend to use it on your bed. Silentnight doesn't sell a removable cover for it but the blanket has loops on the corners and sides to tie a cover on if you can find one to fit it. I was impressed with this blanket given the price, the beads do bunch together within the pockets, but that didn’t make it any less comfortable.

Best choice of weights

Sadly we weren't able to get our hands on the Oodie in time for this review so we can only compare this one in terms of specs. However, it’s the only blanket on this list that’s available in three weights, giving you ample opportunity to get the right weight for you.

Surprisingly, the RRP of £99 is the same for all three weights and like most blankets on this list it’s frequently discounted, so is actually a close second to the Silentnight in terms of affordability. But if you’re planning to use it at night, keep in mind that the dimensions mean it’s slightly smaller than a single duvet.

It’s not machine washable, so it might be tricky to keep clean if you have to hand wash it. Online reviewers praise it for being soft, cosy and snuggly. They like that the weight helps keep in body warmth, with many people saying it feels like a nice hug. 

How to choose the best weighted blankets

There are four main points to consider when choosing a weighted blanket. The first is choosing the right weight for your body size and you can read more on that below. Secondly, it’s important to choose the right size blanket. They come in a variety of lengths and widths so if you intend to use it at night, make sure you get the right size for your bed or your side of the bed.

A very important consideration is cleaning, especially if you plan to use it as a bed cover. It either needs to be washable or come with a washable cover. And remember, if it’s washable but too heavy for your washing machine, that’ll be a problem.

Lastly, cost will inevitably come into your decision making process. Some weighted blankets have very high RRPs but we regularly see them discounted, so if there’s a pricey one that takes your fancy, it’s always worth a look to see if it’s on sale.

How we tested the best weighted blankets

Helen tested four of these blankets in her own home. She tried sleeping with each one and also sat with them covering her on the sofa to get an understanding of how they felt in real life scenarios, like a cosy evening in watching TV.

For the washable blankets she machine washed them as per the care instructions to see how they fared in the washing machine and how easy they were to get dry afterwards.

She took into consideration the price, quality, and the available options when putting together the final review for each blanket.

FAQs

We'll do our best to keep this piece updated as we test more weighted blankets to make sure you find the perfect one for you.