What is a Weighted Blanket?
Research shows that weighted blankets use a therapy known as deep touch pressure stimulation which aids in the production of sleep-help hormones. In light of this, we decided to create a guide for the best-weighted blankets in 2022. In this guide, you will find a review of the four best-weighted blankets in the market today.
Best Weighted Blankets 2022
March Deals
Best Overall
Best Luxury
Best Knitted
Color Options
Heaviest Option
Sweet Zzz Organic Weighted Blanket
(Best Overall)
Best Overall
This organic weighted blanket made our #1 because it exceeds and surpasses the others by being natural and organic, cooler, sturdier, and better in quality and service.
The cover is made to suit both winter and summer with a comfortable fleecy side for cooler weather and a soft smooth side for warmer weather.
Bamboo being a natural material is a great absorbent and great at moisture wicking. Besides, it’s antimicrobial which makes it great for anyone who suffers from allergies.
Sweet Zzz guarantees the durability of this blanket by offering a 5-year warranty and guarantees its comfort by offering 50-nigh money back guarantee.
Overall this organic weighted blanket has pretty much everything that you need in a weighted blanket with a good company reputation, reviews and customer service.
We contacted Sweet Zzz customer service to go through the shopping process and asked our many questions and the customer service was good on both phone calls and chats.
And after we tested the blanket for quite some time, we wanted to see how easy it was to return it and Sweet Zzz took care of the return in under 24 hours and gave us 100% refund with no fees whatsoever.
Our readers get the best price on Sweet Zzz Products
Saatva Weighted Blanket
Best Luxury
Best Luxury
If budget is no issue the Saatva weighted blanket is a bundle of good features made by a very reputable company known for quality bedding.
The blanket comes with 7 breathable layers, featuring a 100% natural cotton on both sides of the blanket. Inside, it has non-toxic quiet glass beads.
It contains millions of non-toxic micro glass beads that stay put in their pockets without shifting thanks to its advanced stitching technology. This helps the blanket control temperatures and keeps the beads from leaking.
Overall, we loved using the Saatva weighted blanket alone and also their bundle with the duvets. This company also offers great services like Free Delivery & Return, 1-Year Warranty, and 45-day full money-back guarantee.
Our readers get the best price on Saatva Products
Bearaby Cotton Napper
(Best Knitted)
Best Knitted
Many have knitted weighted blankets but very few make them as good as the Bearaby Cotton Napper.
Made from a prewashed natural long staple cotton, the weighted blanket makes our best knitted choice for its amazingly soft feel and superb cooling. Because of the way the long staple cotton is structured, fabrics made from it are very soft.
Also because of the knitted style air circulation is not an issue here. That being said, when it comes to warmth, it may not perform as well as a 7 layered weighted blanket.
Since the fill is just cotton with no traditional glass beads, the weight distribution is very accurate and uneven weight distribution will never be an issue here.
Overall, the Bearaby knitted Cotton Napper though pricy, should be on your list if you are looking for a good knitted weighted blanket.
Our readers get the best price on Bearaby Products
Silk & Snow
(Color Options)
Best Color Options
Another amazingly knitted blanket that relies on the cotton fill to increase weight, The Silk & Snow Knit Weighted Blanket comes in so many colors that you are sure to find the one you like.
That being said, color options isn’t the only reason why this makes the list; This blanket actually also comes in 4 different weight options making it one of the most available weighted blankets on the market.
The blanket is very soft to the touch and feels very comforting. That being said, it is less for sleeping and more for relaxing.
This handmade weighted blanket comes with 100 days of free returns and ships for free.
Our readers get the best price on Silk and Snow Products
The Gravity Blanket
(Best Heavy Weight)
Best Heavy Weight
The Gravity Blanket was our best heavyweight pick because of its good quality 25lb throw size blanket. By math, when a weighted blanket is smaller it will feel heavier and so a throw size 25lb will feel quite heavy and perfect for heavyweight adults. If you are looking for a very heavy blanket, then the Gravity Blanket at 25lb is for you.
Another amazing thing this company has is their 90 x 90 queen/king size blanket. This is the biggest weighted blanket we could find anywhere, and it is essentially the same Gravity Blanket but much bigger and more suited for couples.
The blanket is also filled with small glass beads sandwiched between two layers of poly which makes the weighted blanket completely silent. This glass beads are odorless and hypoallergenic meaning they won’t rile up your allergies.
To maintain a proper weight distribution, the blanket is quilted in square shape boxes which ensure the glass beads are evenly distributed. The box quilting plus the choice of material makes this a rather beautiful blanket.
To add to this, Gravity Blanket offers add-on duvets that you can choose from. Their weighted blanket comes with a 30-night sleep trial and free shipping everywhere within the contiguous United States.
Our readers get the best price on Gravity Products
Weighted Blanket Buying Guide
How to Get the Best Weighted Blanket for You?
With the recent revolution in the bedding industry, more and more bedding is purchased online. This means you don’t get a chance to test out a product beforehand. And with the cost that weighted blankets come at, you cannot afford to make a mistake in your selection. That’s why it’s important to find out what to look for before you spend your hard-earned money.
That’s what the buying guide below aims to help you do
The Right Materials
As mentioned before a weighted blanket is made by filling a blanket with various small objects such as plastic pellets, glass beads or discs. To add weight to the blanket for needed sleep benefits. When it comes to choosing a weighted blanket, the materials used to make it matter a lot.
The materials used, dictate whether the blanket is washable or not. They dictate whether you sleep hot or cold. They can interfere with your sleep if you have sensitive skin or are sensitive to noise.
So, what are the best materials to use in a weighted blanket? Let’s look at the three most common infillings and outer lining fabrics.
Poly Plastic Pellets: are commonly used. They are good but can be a bit rough and produce a bit of noise. So, you want to avoid this if you have auditory or sensory problems.
Glass beads : are much smoother than plastic pellets, they resemble fake sugar in appearance. They are heavier than plastic pellets. Their smooth texture helps them spread out evenly. Glass beads are more silent than plastic.
Steel shot beads: these are heated smooth round steel beads. They are heavier than glass beads and less likely to spill through the seams. They are easy to wash, but just like plastic pellets, they can be a bit noisy.
Cover Fabric
Flat or Dot Minky: This is a plushy soft fabric commonly used in blankets. It’s good for people with sensory issues. It helps minimize the roughness of the inner fillings of the blanket. The main drawback of this fabric is its lack of breathability. If you sleep warm, you want to avoid a weighted blanket featuring only this fabric.
Cotton or Wool :This is the other commonly used weighted blanket cover fabric. Cotton is smooth and more breathable than Minky. It’s, therefore, a great choice for people who tend to sleep warm, or in warm regions. Cotton fabric is also good for people who are sensitive to touch.
There are other materials used in making weighted blankets, such as sand, dehydrated foods, and flannel or Bamboo fabric as covers.
- Sand is a cheap option but also less durable and a nightmare to wash.
- Dehydrated food is not a good choice at all. When washed, it would become soggy. A weighted blanket made of dehydrated food is also susceptible to mold and bacteria.
- Flannel is a good material for outer lining, it’s a bridge between cotton and mink.
- Bamboo is a great cooling material for its moisture-wicking abilities.
Weigh your options, but ensure you choose the best material for your weighted blanket, to enjoy its full benefits. Also, ensure your weighted blanket comes with a removable cover, for easy washing.
The Right Weight and Weight Distribution
A general rule of thumb for when picking out a weighted blanket is to consider your weight or the weight of the person you are purchasing it for. You are recommended to always go for a weighted blanket that is 10% of your weight.
If you are picking one for a child, pick one that is 10% of the child’s weight plus 1-2 pounds more. The same applies to adults who are in-between weights, always pick the next higher weight. It’s more effective.
Proper weight distribution:
While checking for the right weight, also ensure that the blanket will have a proper weight distribution. Earlier on we looked at different types of fillers. Please note, that the type of infilling can affect weight distribution.
However, how the blankets are made, largely determines the weight distribution. You want to go for a blanket that has pockets with an equal amount of filling for proper weight distribution. For example, all the recommended weighted blankets on this list have excellent weight distribution.
Cooling Factor
Are you a hot sleeper? You want to consider this before choosing a weighted blanket. The last thing you want is to throw off the blanket meant to keep you asleep, in the middle of the night, because you are waking up hot.
Luckily, there are weighted blankets made with cooling materials. Some of these materials include cotton and Bamboo, like the recommended YnM Bamboo weighted blanket in this list.
Cotton, especially 100% organic cotton is a natural cooling material. It’s breathability and moisture-wicking properties make it a good fabric for your weighted blanket. Cotton will absorb excess moisture as you sleep dissipating it away from your body.
Bamboo is widely known for its cooling properties. This natural material has far superior moisture wicking abilities than cotton. Its ability to remain cool throughout the night ensures you get a good night’s essential rest, especially if you are a hot sleeper.
The Right Size
Now that you have picked a weighted blanket that is 10% or so of your weight, also ensure that it’s the right size. You want to pick a blanket that will cover you from your chin or neck to your feet.
Don’t choose a weighted blanket by bed size. These blankets work best by fitting the individual snuggly. You want to avoid a large blanket because it can simply slide off. The other reason you not to pick a weighted blanket for bed size is that people sharing beds will seldom be the same weight.
You, therefore, want to pick a twin size blanket for an individual and not a king size for these reasons.
The Right Value
Weighted blankets are expensive. Their price tends to vary with the material used to make the blankets. For example, a weighted blanket containing plastic poly pellets will be a bit cheaper than one containing glass beads or steel shot beads.
You have to compare the prices of the blankets you are considering with the materials used to make them. The same applies, with the fabric used, a 100% pure cotton or Bamboo weighted blanket will cost more than other options.
Be realistic with your expectations, this type of blanket will be much more expensive to make than a normal blanket. Consider the cost of the materials used. It will also be expensive to ship because of its bulky nature. Weighted blanket prices tend to range from $60- $300
Easy Cleaning
We need to clean our beddings regularly for a fresh sleep and to deter pest infestation. However, this might prove a bit difficult with a weighted blanket. It’s therefore very important to look out for anything that might make their cleaning easier for you.
As mentioned before, the materials used to make the weighted blanket will largely determine its ease of washability. The first thing you want to ensure is that your weighted blanket comes with a removable cover. This way, you can easily remove the cover and throw it in the wash as many times as you prefer.
Washables
You also need to keep the materials used in mind. Plastic, steel and glass beads are easily washable. However, weighted blankets made from sand or dehydrated foodstuff, are a nightmare to clean.
Not washable
Sand is known to expand, once it absorbs water, causing it to clump. This can result in a lumpy mess. It would also take an insanely long time to get the blanket completely dry. But it’s a great budget choice.
Dehydrated food like rice, beans or barley could end up a soggy mush when washed. You probably don’t want to cover yourself with soup. So, this is would only be good for a short term solution.
Good Company and Product Reputation
In this day and age, where the bedding industry is operating majorly online. You rarely get a chance to test out a product before you purchase it. It’s therefore very important to check a company’s reputation.
A good way to do this is by reading reviews of the company’s products from trusted review sites.
Also, determine whether the company imports the materials it uses in the weighted blanket or if they are made in the United States.
Products made in the country and approved by FDA tend to be safer than those imported elsewhere.
Free Returns with a Good Warranty
Since most of the weighted blankets are purchased online. One doesn’t get a chance to test them out before purchasing. This is why it’s important to find companies that give good warranties and free return policies. You don’t want to keep a product you hate and will probably never use.
Besides, having these policies in place only shows that a company is confident enough in its products. All the weighted blankets in our list have free returns for at least 30 days.
Benefits of a Weighted Blanket?
Improves Sleep
Weighted blankets use a technology called Deep Touch Pressure to help you sleep better. This is a firm but gentle pressure, that feels like a hug.
The deep touch pressure stimulation provided by the weighted blanket helps boost serotonin and melatonin. These hormone/brain chemicals are necessary for aiding you to fall and stay asleep.
Serotonin aids in the production of melatonin. Melatonin, otherwise known as the sleep hormone sends signals to your body that it’s time to sleep. Helping your body adjust its activities to sleep based ones.
Besides this, serotonin releases feelings of well-being and happiness which are necessary for a comfortable sleep.
The ability of the blanket to keep you in place without too much movement allows you to calm down enough for a night of deep sleep. Helping you wake up truly restful and restored.
Helps with Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory processing disorder is a sensory issue which occurs when the brain has trouble receiving, processing, and sending information. This happens when signals sent from the brain are stuck creating a sort of traffic jam situation which leads to feelings of anxiety.
Having information jumbled up and clogged in your mind, makes it’s processing difficult leading to anxiety and breakdowns.
Weighted blankets help provide a calming effect that helps with this disorder. The deep touch stimulation therapy works to calm the body and mind.
Helps fight stress
Life has its share of stresses. When you are stressed, the brain releases the hormone cortisol to help. Cortisol is meant to keep you in an alert mode, to fight off any threat. At high levels, it can hurt your body by keeping you awake and tense.
Weighted blankets help fight off stress through the deep touch pressure stimulation therapy. This therapy helps produce serotonin and melatonin, the hormones necessary for relaxing, falling asleep, and staying asleep.
When released serotonin and melatonin actively reduce cortisol.
Helps with ADHD
The main trouble experienced by many ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity syndrome) patients is lack of focus. People suffering this condition have been known to be restless, have trouble completing a task, and are impulsive.
Weighted blankets produce a soothing, calming effect that minimizes anxiety. The blanket’s weight pushes the body downwards, a process called grounding or earthing. Grounding keeps you in one position, helping fussy sleepers stay still and sleep soundly.
Helps the elderly
Our sleep cycle is affected as we age. Some older people stay up until late in the night and usually sleep for short stretches. Older people sometimes suffer chronic insomnia. They also tend to have higher stress levels and may experience bouts of depression or anxiety from time to time.
Weighted blankets help them settle in much easier, get a night of better sleep, and wake up more refreshed in the morning.
Reduces insomnia
People suffering from Insomnia have trouble sleeping or staying asleep. Weighted blankets have been shown to help with this condition. A research done in 2015 by the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders discovered weighted blankets helped reduce insomnia.
They studied 31 participants for four weeks. The participants slept with a normal blanket for one week, then slept with a weighted blanket for two weeks. After this, they then slept with a normal blanket for one week again.
It was discovered that the participants were able to fall asleep easily and sleep longer with a weighted blanket. The study also showed they tended to wake up more refreshed.
The researchers concluded that the deep touch stimulation effect of the weighted blanket helped produce hormones and brain chemicals that soothe the nervous system. Hence reducing anxiety and providing better sleep.
Thus, the weighted blanket is considered a non-drug approach to improving the quality of sleep in insomnia cases.
Reduces symptoms of restless leg syndrome
Restless leg syndrome is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move one’s legs, especially during the night. When this happens, one only gets relief by moving their legs to ease the uncomfortable sensation.
This condition causes its victims to suffer insomnia. But patients suffering this condition find that weighting down their legs helps with the condition.
A good method to do this is to wear compression socks. However, these socks can be too tight and restricting. This can add to one’s discomfort at night.
A weighted blanket helps reduce this condition without the said restriction.
Improves Moods
Weighted blankets are not only being used in bed, but people are using them on the couch or after a long tough day. According to extensive studies, touch is extremely healing.
It can reduce the emotional pain. Since to touch, some sort of pressure must be applied, studies show that deep pressure is a positive key to well-being. We derive this kind of pressure from hugs, massage or embraces.
This deep touch therapy produces hormones that promote calm and peacefulness. Weighted blankets have a similar effect. People using weighted blankets have testified of healing much quicker from heartbreaks. Others have praised the blanket for calming them down during depressive times.
To sum up, a weighted blanket is used to calm an individual into a peaceful state that can allow them to fall asleep and stay asleep easily.
In this guide of the best-weighted blankets in 2019, we have seen that there are plenty of benefits of using a weighted blanket. Not only does it improve your sleep and mood, but it also fights off stress and reduces certain condition’s symptoms such as ADHD and restless leg syndrome.
We have also looked at the top 5 weighted blankets in the market today and what made us choose them. With the winner being the Layla weighted blanket.
From the accompanying buying guide, you can tell that the most important factors to look out for are weight, the material used, the company selling the blanket, and whether or not there is a trial period.
When you have an answer to these questions, then you will find the perfect weighted blanket for you.
Enjoy your new journey of better rest.
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