6 Best weighted blankets you can buy right now, including Emma and Kuddly
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WITH plenty of people claiming that the best weighted blankets help reduce feelings of anxiety, it's perhaps no surprise that these sleeping accessories burst into the mainstream as the COVID-19 pandemic picked up.
Thankfully, those lockdown days are behind us, but weighted blankets? They're here to stay.
With plenty of sleep specialists getting in on the act, you're now spoilt for choice when choosing where to buy your weighted blanket.
There's a wide range of prices, weights and materials to choose from, so we've tested a number of the most popular models out there to see what's what and if they're worth the price tag.
Best weighted blankets at a glance:
- Best value weighted blanket: Kuddly
- Best premium weighted blanket:
- Softest weighted blanket:
- Easiest weighted blanket to wash:
Kuddly weighted blanket
Pros: Embraces like a comforting hug, super-silky material, added weight helps you relax
Cons: Quite bulky/ tricky to store,, can make you overheat (cooling option is available), takes a while to dry
Rating: 4.5/5
I’m no stranger to a good blanket. Over the years, my girlfriend and I have done a pretty good job of adorning our flat in a range of blankets, throws and quilts.
As a result, I’ve come to think of myself as a bit of an aficionado, but I have to admit the Kuddly weighted blanket was a real game-changer.
This weighted wonder, clocking in at 4.7kg, delivers an unparalleled sense of security and comfort. It's like wrapping yourself in a reassuring hug, creating a cosy cocoon that goes above and beyond your standard blanketing experience.
For those who prefer a larger option, there is a 7kg option available – perfect for sharing a relaxing night-in with your partner!
On the flip side, the heftiness might not be everyone's cup of tea. It's a personal preference; some might find the weight a bit much for their liking and the cosy embrace might be a bit too warm for those who overheat at night.
Personally, I don’t like to be weighed down so much while in bed, so the blanket is mostly used for chilly evenings on the sofa.
It’s crafted from a silky polyester that matches the softness of any plush throw I’ve owned to date. The easy-care material means maintenance is also a breeze – hand-wash or gentle machine wash, followed by air-drying, keeps it in top-notch condition.
Overall, I’d say if your run-of-the-mill blanket isn’t quite doing the job and you’re looking for something a little more heavy-duty, then you can’t go wrong with the Kuddly weighted blanket.
Review by James Hunt
Weight: 4.7kg, 7kg Dimensions: 122 x 198 cm Material: Glass micro sand beads, MicroCool™ Fleece shell
Simba Orbit weighted blanket
Pros: Provided restful sleep, available in multiple weights
Cons: Expensive, only one size
Rating: 4/5
The Simba Orbit is filled with thousands of glass beads to help you sleep.
As well as helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, I heard rumours that weighted blankets could improve your sleep.
Considering I sleep next to what I can only assume was the world's lightest sleeper, I was particularly excited to test the Simba Orbit blanket.
Prior to Simba's blanket entering my life, I'd regularly wake up my partner with tiny movements, like rearranging the covers or scratching my nose (yes, this actually happened).
As you can imagine, this was stressful for both parties involved; a lack of sleep doesn't go down well in our household.
However, after a couple of nights of my partner using the weighted blanket, I noticed that the deepness of their sleep improved significantly, resulting in both of us getting a much more pleasant night's sleep.
The Orbit blanket quickly became our go-to sleep aid and was used most nights throughout the cooler months (it's worth mentioning that we found it a bit too warm to be used in the summer).
The blanket's quilted pockets are filled with glass nano-beads, which are evenly distributed, and it has a breathable pure-cotton cover, which is super easy to pop in the washing machine with your other bedding.
It's only available in one size (single, 135cm x 200cm) but comes in two different weights 6.8kg/15lb or 9kg/20lb to suit different requirements.
The blanket isn't cheap though. It normally costs £169 which is at the higher end of the scale.
Simba regularly has deals, though, so if you're keen to get your hands on one, it's worth keeping an eye out for sales.
All in all, I'm a big fan of the Simba Orbit blanket and am even considering getting one as a gift for a light-sleeping relative.
Weight: 6.8kg Dimensions: 135 x 200 cm Material: Cotton, glass nano-beads, cotton cover
Review by Sianade Curry
Kally Sleep Weighted Anxiety Blanket
Pros: Super soft, multiple colours, varied weights
Cons: A little narrow
Rating: 4.5/5
Anyone who struggled with anxiety knows how hard it can be to get to sleep when your mind is racing. We were lucky enough to try out this 6.8kg weighted blanket from Kally Sleep in the lead-up to Christmas which we always find quite stressful.
The pressure from the tiny glass beads within the blanket helped to soothe us into a slumber and was big enough to share with our partner. We got the light blue shade because that's what matched our decor, but they also offer white and light grey if that's a better fit for you.
Weight: 7.2kg Material: Cotton, glass beads
Review by Jessica O'Donnell
Oodie
Pros: Super soft cover, comforting, easy to sleep with
Cons: Not ideal to share with a partner
Rating: 4 / 5
Made from a super soft, plush fabric and filled with eco-friendly glass beads that are evenly distributed, The Oodie’s weighted blanket has fast become a household favourite.
The outer material is smooth to the touch, giving it a luxurious feel that also keeps you snug and warm, while the separately sewn pockets mean that the weight is equally spread, allowing the blanket to comfortably tuck around you.
My sleeping pattern - for the most part - is fairly consistent, and I’m lucky that I can often drift off easily. However, I do wake up multiple times during the night and have done for a long time.
The Oodie’s weighted blanket has been great for ensuring that I have a sound sleep, as it does (quite literally) function as a security blanket. The weight is enough to ease any tension or anxiousness, but not enough to feel uncomfortable, paving the way for an uninterrupted and peaceful slumber.
My partner is also a big fan, using it on the evenings when it’s taking a little longer to drift off.
The only thing that I’d change about this beloved blanket is the size - it’s great for one, but as someone who really likes to feel engulfed by any type of cover, it is a little too narrow.
But, my criticism begins and ends there as this really will level up your sleep game.
Weight: 4.5 kg, 6.8kg, 9kg Dimensions: 198 x 121cm
Review by Zoe Bennetts
Aeyla
Pros: Removable cover, improved sleep, multiple sizes and weights
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 4/5
If you’re new to weighted blankets, the Mela weighted blanket is an ideal choice to sleep with. There’s an option to buy it with a removable cover and I'd recommend doing that as the cover is super-soft and made from fleece, which adds a cosiness to the blanket.
While my first time using it felt a bit strange, I relaxed into it better than I thought I would and found that it was surprisingly easy to sleep with.
I used the 5.5kg blanket and felt that it was the perfect weight for me as it ensured that I felt snug without feeling restricted. In addition, its underlayer is made from cooling cotton so I didn’t feel too hot sleeping underneath it.
I often suffer from restlessness throughout the night and found that sleeping with the Mela weighted blanket helped me stay in bed for longer, which improved my sleep efficiency.
The only downside is the single I tested is not designed to be used with a partner as its weight is based on individual sizes, which is tricky if you share a bed. However, you can buy a larger size.
Plus, it’s machine washable and super easy to care for.
Review by Natalie Chui
Emma Hug weighted blanket
Pros: Optional bamboo cover has a lovely cooling effect, plenty big enough for two people to sleep under, perfect weighty at 7kg, weight distributed evenly throughout the blanket
Cons: Doesn't come with a cover by default, bamboo cover sometimes comes detached from the blanket
Rating: 3.5/5
The interesting thing about Emma's weighted blanket is that it doesn't come with any sort of cover by default, which for a wincing £198 is pretty poor form, if you ask us.
The good news is that the Hug blanket is regularly on sale, and if you time your purchase right, you can get both the blanket and Emma's bamboo cover for less than £150. It's still not cheap, but it's a dramatic saving on the usual combined price of £278.
Although the blanket functions perfectly well without the bamboo cover, we would recommend investing in the optional extra; as well as serving the obvious function of protecting the blanket itself (which is too heavy to be washed by household washing machines), it provides a super silky texture and a cooling effect that makes this the perfect replacement for a thick duvet during the summer months.
There's only one weight option, 7kg, but we'd say this is the perfect level of heft; it's weighty without being suffocating, and as the weight comes from glass beads that are less than 1mm in size, pressure is evenly distributed throughout the blanket.
Our only other gripe, if you do happen to go for the bamboo cover, is that the fabric's silky nature means that the blanket can get a bit detached and lost, which calls for the occasional bit of rearranging.
Weight: 7kg Dimensions: 150 x 200 cm Material: Cotton, microfibre, polyester, silica glass beads, optional 100% bamboo cover
Review by Kieran Ahuja