Have you ever found yourself piling blankets on top of yourself because the added weight made you feel cozy? It has been discovered that evenly distributed weight calms the nervous system through deep-touch pressure stimulation. The same principle is used for other calming textiles like thundershirts for pets and weighted plushes, wraps and weighted blankets, which are one of the best gifts under $50 you can get someone.
There are a ton of options on the market, but buying just any heavy blanket won’t help. There are a few factors to consider when buying a weighted blanket: weight distribution, durability, heat retention and, lastly, personal preference. Our team of sleep experts has tested almost every sleep product under the sun, from mattresses to sleep masks. After testing a bunch of weighted blankets, we put together this list detailing the feel, fill density and quality for each. Check out our top picks to find your perfect slumber sidekick.
As a small note before we dive into our favorite models, weighted blankets come in multiple weights for a reason, and while getting too light of a blanket can lessen its effect, getting a blanket that’s too heavy can actually hurt you. The general guideline is to choose one that’s about 10% of a person’s body weight — so a 120-pound woman like me should be using a 12-pound weighted blanket. You might adjust up or down depending on a few factors such as the size of the bed or whether you share a bed. Your body can also acclimate to the weight over time and desire a heavier blanket; I started with a 15-pound blanket and then went up to 17 pounds a couple of years later.
What is the best overall weighted blanket?
There are a lot of weighted blankets out there, all of which vary by fill, price and feel. If you want some expert help, we found that the Luna weighted blanket is the best overall weighted blanket you can buy.
The Luna is a weighted blanket that anyone can like. It’s soft and breathable without feeling overwhelming, a common issue with weighted blankets. It’s made from 300-thread-count cotton and is filled with micro-glass beads. It’s also the most affordable weighted blanket on the list by far — a welcome trait in a notoriously expensive category, thanks to the high cost of the filling. The Luna weighted blanket is the perfect balance between quality and affordability.
Best weighted blankets of 2024
Price: $
Care instruction: Spot clean
Material: Cotton
Weight: 10, 15 pounds
Filling: Microglass beads, polyester and microfiber
Return policy: 30 days
The Luna Luxe is our pick for the best overall weighted blanket because it’s super soft and heavy without feeling overwhelming. It’s designed with a patented layer construction that promotes breathability, and while it’s not actively cooling, the design can help regulate your body temperature. This blanket is made of 300-thread-count cotton and filled with polyester, microfiber and microglass beads. One of the most annoying things about some weighted blankets is that the beads inside shift around, clumping as you sleep. Thanks to its microfiber filling and quilted design, the Luna doesn’t do that.
Many of the best-weighted blankets are on the expensive side, but the Luna strikes a nice balance between quality and budget.
Pros:
- Doesn’t shift around when you sleep
- Regulates body temperature
- Oeko-Tex 100 certified
- Hypoallergenic
- Budget-friendly option
Cons:
- Not actively cooling