7 Amazing Weighted Blankets for Anxiety

When you need a hug but can’t make that happen, what’s a touch-starved human to do? Pile on a weighted blanket, of course.

Devotees say a weighted blanket’s cocoon-like swaddle can calm you and make you feel as snug as a bug in a rug. But these snugglers aren’t cheap. So before you shell out for a weighted blanket for anxiety, insomnia, or simply cozy nights on the couch, make sure you’re opting for a high quality one.

To save you time, we’ve rounded up the best weighted blankets for 2022.

First, how do weighted blankets help anxiety?

“Weighted blankets are the new craze in the world of wellness,” says Stephanie Wijkstrom, a nationally certified counselor and founder of Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh.

But unlike, say, a jade yoni egg, weighted blankets have some research to back them up. Exactly how these products soothe anxiety is TBD, says Wijkstrom. Here are a few possibilities:

• Impact on sleep. Weighted blankets have been shown to positively impact rest. “Some researchers speculate that it is the deeper sleep states that reduce anxiety,” Wijkstrom explains. “Rest unequivocally enhances mental health, and lack of rest can inversely accelerate mental health issues.”
• Applied pressure. Weighted blankets apply deep pressure stimulation, acupressure, or massage. “The act of sustaining deep pressure on the physical body results in the release of oxytocin and serotonin, which are highly relaxing and induce the feeling of well-being,” explains Wijkstrom.
• Protected sensation. Wijkstrom also believes weighted blankets appeal to our basic, primal need to feel safe. That “can be sated by the pressure of a weighted blanket, much like a dog who seeks the safety of a den, small enclosed spaces allow our bodies to relax into them,” she says.

How we chose the best weighted blankets

There are a lot of weighted blankets on the market. To find the best weighted blankets for anxiety or just good old-fashioned snoozing, we analyzed the bunch based on the following factors:

• Weight. OK, so this is a given, but we made sure every blanket on the list is *actually* weighted. There are oodles of weightless blankets, comforters, and throws on the market — and we love them too! — but you won’t find them here.
• Budget. We aimed to include a range of prices so that everyone can find a weighted blanket that works with their wallet.
• Coziness. Does the blanket’s outer layer feel nice to the touch? Is it soft? Yeah, we know coziness is a little touchy-feely, but this is a collection of blankets. Isn’t that the point?
• Vetted products only. We’re sticklers about high quality sleep products. That’s why we put every single one through a vetting process to ensure that it’s made by a company known for crafting high quality products. We also make sure each company doesn’t make any unsupported health claims, engage in any shady business practices, or have any lawsuits concerning their products.

7 weighted blankets to ease anxiety

Best weighted blanket overall

Gravity Weighted Blanket

• Price: $215+
• Weight: 15 to 35 lbs.
• Cover material: microfleece

Gravity snags our title for “Best Overall Weighted Blanket” because of the brand’s commitment to high quality materials, stellar user reviews, and a nifty system of ties, elastic button connectors, and a zipper to keep the blanket’s glass beads evenly distributed at all times. The plush microfiber cover is just the cherry on top.

Reviewers say this weighted blanket is great for folks who struggle with insomnia and anxiety.

It’s also a great living room accessory. According to one Greatist editor’s testimonial: “Pour a glass of wine, light a candle, turn on some Pixar, and mummify yourself in this bad boy. Observe as you transform into a buttery, limp, chill AF noodle by the time the movie ends.”

Fun fact: Gravity also offers weighted sleep masks, pillows, and sheets for a full-on cocoon experience in your bedroom.

Best knit weighted blanket

Bearaby Cotton Napper

• Price: $199+
• Weight: 10 to 25 lbs.
• Cover material: organic cotton

The Cotton Napper was in high demand while the world sheltered in place, and for good reason. These chunky knit blankets look lovely thrown over a couch and come in eight solid colors. (Stunning decor that also helps relieve anxiety? Yes plz.)

The blanket’s weight comes from the fabric, which the brand says is hand-knitted into those deliciously heavy chunks. No filler = no sifting weight back into place after each use. #winning

Reviewers say resting and sleeping under this heavy blanket makes them feel secure and calm. Sounds like an emotional and physical balm for anxiety!

Best cooling weighted blanket

Weighted Idea Cooling Weighted Blanket

• Price: $64.90+
• Weight: 20 lbs.
• Cover material: cotton

Weighted Idea blankets look a lot like comforters at first glance, which is a bonus if you’re keeping it on the bed. They also come with a removable cover — no worries about keeping it clean if you’re a late-night snacker!

But what makes this weighted blanket shine is the way it caters to hot sleepers. The cover is smooth and cool to the touch. Reviewers say the brand’s claims about fabric breathability are legitimate. Something about the silky cover seems to make this weighted blanket idea for sweaty, anxious sleepers.

According to one review: “The blanket not only helped me sleep but it was probably the best sleep I’ve ever had. The quality of the stitching is great and the duvet cover is silky soft!”

Best weighted blanket on a budget

YnM The Original Cotton Weighted Blanket

• Price: $38.24+
• Weight: 5 to 30 lbs.
• Cover material: cotton/polyester blend

YnM offers a whole line of weighted blankets. Their cozy blankets are crafted with seven layers that include beads, thin fiberfill, and outer material options in a wide array of colors.

Reviewers say it limits tossing and turning, which helps them sleep more deeply through the night. Some also say that the outer polycotton blend makes this one of the more cooling, breathable weighted blankets on the market.

Best weighted blanket for travel

BlanQuil Passport Travel Weighted Blanket

• Price: $129+
• Weight: 10 lbs.
• Cover material: micro-plush

Some frequent flyers carry their pillow on board. Others pack their weighted blanket. If you’re in love with the idea of quelling nighttime anxiety and snoozing soundly even when you’re far from home, a travel weighted blanket might be your ticket to bliss.

Reviewers say this 10-pound blanket is great for hotel stays and long flights. They also say the included travel case makes packing it up a cinch.

Best weighted blanket for kids

Luna Kids Weighted Blanket

• Price: $39.99+
• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Cover material: cotton

This breathable cotton blanket is designed for kids, but it would also make a cozy couch blanket for grown-ups. Either way, it’s 36 by 48 inches of glass bead-filled comfort. The Oeko Tex-certified cotton cover comes in several fun patterns or solid covers — and best of all, it’s removable for easy washing.

Reviewers say it’s the perfect thickness for cold weather warmth, so turn the thermostat down a few degrees if you’re a sweaty sleeper. Other reviewers comment on the blanket’s calming powers for folks with anxiety or restless leg syndrome.

Best eco-friendly weighted blanket

Bearaby Tree Napper

• Price: $269+
• Weight: 15 to 25 lbs.
• Cover material: Tencel (cellulose fiber from eucalyptus)

Similar to Bearaby’s Cotton Napper, the Tree Napper is 100 percent free of fillers. All the weight comes from the chunky knitted Tencel, a soft performance fiber. Tencel is made from the cellulose in eucalyptus. That matters because cellulose-based textiles are known to be more sustainable — a win for our planet!

Reviewers say this weighted blanket’s material is super breathable. They suggest that this sleep product strikes a good balance between cozy and cooling. What’s not to love about that?

How to buy the weighted blanket of your dreams

Here’s what you should consider when choosing your new weighted blanket.

• Price. Keep your budget in mind when shopping around for weighted blankets. There are dreamy options for less money — you just might sacrifice longevity or durability after a wash or two. Always look to reviews to see what real customers have to say about the product’s value for the price.
• Materials. Nubby, plush polyester will feel cozy when you’re cold. Breathable tencel will help keep hot sleepers cool. Weigh the materials’ quality and breathability against your sleep needs and preferences.
• Weight. Heavier doesn’t always = better. In general, opt for a blanket that is 5 to 10 percent of your body weight. When in doubt, go lighter. Fortunately, most brands offer their blankets in a variety of weights.
• Size. Weighted blankets aren’t usually designed to cover the whole bed. They’re basically a smidge bigger than your body. But if your partner wants to get in on the cocooning action too, opt for a double-sized weighted blanket.

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefit of weighted blankets?

“It helps me to wind down after work,” says Amy Beth Gardner, a mental health provider in New Hampshire, of her weighted blanket. “Sometimes it’s just an extra way for me to ground myself and transition from ‘work mind’ to home. It helps me to feel balanced.”

Some other science-backed benefits?

• reduced anxiety
• better sleep (including sleep issues associated with ADHD or depression and anxiety)
• support for individuals with autism

How heavy should your blanket be?

Most brands recommend choosing a weighted blanket that’s 5 to 10 percent of your body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, for instance, choose a blanket that weighs between 7.5 and 15 pounds.

Older adults and folks with mobility issues might want to choose lighter, smaller blankets. They’re also not recommended for pregnant peeps.

How do you sleep with a weighted blanket?

For best results, use the blanket to cover your whole body from the shoulders down. Try lying on your back to get used to the sensation, then move into your favorite sleep position. Breathe deeply and enjoy!

Can you sleep with a weighted blanket every night?

Sure!

Some folks take a few days to get used to sleeping with a weighted blanket. If that’s you, try taking shorter naps at first, then adjust to using it for the whole night.

Can you wash a weighted blanket?

Always follow the washing instructions from the manufacturer.

Many weighted blankets have removable, washable covers. Most brands recommend hand-washing or dry cleaning the blanket itself.

The bottom line

A weighted blanket might be your ticket to dreamland if you deal with restlessness or anxiety. The gentle pressure of a weighted blanket feels like a calming, warm embrace. Even scientific research backs up the benefits of these snuggly sleep products.

Weighted blankets come in a variety of weights, fabrics, sizes, and prices. Some — particularly those intended for medical use — have weighted chains or balls embedded in them for deeper pressure.

Our list is an amazing start, but make sure you do your research to choose the best weighted blanket for anxiety, insomnia, restless legs — whatever you need to sink into the deep sleep your body craves.

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