Other Weighted Products to Try
There are a ton of other weighted products to consider (or even products that aren’t weighted but give a similar experience!) that aren’t blankets. Here are a few we’ve tested and liked.
Mini Weighted Pads
If you’re craving the pressure of a little weight, but don’t want an entire blanket hanging over you, try a mini weighted pad. The compact form makes them feel nicely heavy, and they’re easier to bring on road trips or even into the office. The experience is a bit like the lead aprons you’d wear at the dentist’s office, but in a good way. Here are a few we’ve liked.
Nodpod Body for $88: This weighs 6.5 pounds, and one side is made of super-soft microfleece and the other is cotton. It’s a great intro to weighted blankets if you aren’t sure about them.
Baloo Daydreamer Lap Blanket for $98: Baloo’s lap blanket is 8 pounds and is even smaller than the mini blanket mentioned above, so it’s perfect for these situations when you might not want a large blanket.
Yogibo Ms. Bliss Aroma Weighted Blanket for $59: This is a 4-pound apron filled with rice, lavender, and peppermint. It offers a little weight, but the best part is that you can heat the blanket (sans cover) in the microwave to activate its aromatherapy scents.
Baloo Mini Blanket for $179: Baloo’s throw measures 42 by 72 inches, but if you want something a little lighter and smaller, its Mini Blanket comes in at 40 by 60 inches and weighs just 9 pounds. It’s a pleasure to sleep with.
More Weighted Eye Masks
Luna Hot/Cool Minky Fleece Weighted Eye Mask for $36: This a solid mask for the price, and in addition to its being able to go in the freezer, you can take out the insert and microwave it for some nice heat therapy. It’s about 10.5 ounces, so slightly heavier than the other options.
Nodpod Sleep Mask for $34: It can go in the freezer but not the microwave. It’s not going to block out all the light, given that it’s much narrower. That didn’t bother me, but some people prefer total darkness. You can drape it across your face or loop one side through the notch in the back. I’ve tried both the original and the new silk version ($62), and I love the way the latter feels against my skin. Some reviews say it’s not as heavy, and when you hold them side by side, it does seem lighter than the original. I weighed them, however, and they’re both 9 ounces.
Weighted Blankets for Kids
Your standard weighted blanket is too heavy for most kids, since a weighted blanket is only supposed to be about 10 percent of your weight. A few brands do make kid blankets, though, with lighter weights (usually 5 pounds) to make it safe for little ones who want their blanket to cuddle them back. Here are two we liked.
Luna Dream Weaver Weighted Blanket (5 pounds) for $70: The Luna is made of crisp cotton and has more weight options and sizes than any of the weighted blankets we looked at, not to mention nice colors. For kids, you’ll want to choose the kid-specific weight (5 pounds), and there are kid-focused designs, too. The entire thing can be machine washed, but there are also separate covers you can take off and wash instead. Available in 5 pounds.
Bearaby Nappling Weighted Blanket for $139: If you’re drawn to the knitted style, Bearaby offers this cute Nappling version for children. It’s also a good size for couch lounging or sleeping with a partner who doesn’t like weighted blankets. It’s made of organic cotton, there’s good airflow thanks to the open-knit design, and it’s machine washable, too. Available in 5 and 7 pounds.
A Weighted Pillow
You might be questioning how a weighted pillow could help, but this isn’t for resting your head on (though it is incredibly comfortable). Quiet Mind’s pillow ($179) sits on your lap while you work or meditate, or just close to your body when you need a minute to relax. However you hold it, it produces the same deep-pressure therapy as a weighted blanket does to help you calm down.
The pillow comes in three sizes and weights. I tried the medium-sized 9-pound pillow, and it was perfectly heavy for my taste. Anything more in such a small package would have been too much. There is a size chart based on your weight on the product page, and the company recommends sizing down if you’re unsure. You can exchange it for another size should you need it. It’s available in 6, 9, or 12 pounds. —Medea Giordiano
A Compression Wrap
If you’ve ever looked at a swaddled baby and felt jealous, the Hug Sleep Sleep Pod ($100) is for you. It takes the idea of a weighted blanket—using deep-touch pressure therapy to comfort you—without the actual weight and heat associated with it. Instead, the stretchy material comfortably clings to you like a soft hug. It’s machine washable, and because it’s not as bulky and heavy as a blanket, you can take it with you when traveling. There’s a 30-day return policy if you want to try it before committing.
We tested the previous Sleep Pod model that kept your feet inside, but Hug Sleep has now made the previous Move version that lets your feet out to be the main Sleep Pod. They’ve also added a hooded version ($110) and a mini version ($70). We’re testing the updated Sleep Pod soon and will update this guide with our notes.
Honorable Mentions
Most of the weighted blankets we’ve tested are worth recommending—and there are a lot of them. However, these didn’t stand out as much as the picks above.
Aricove Weighted Blanket for $175 to $330: This is a fantastic cooling blanket to sleep with solo. It’s nice and thin, so you won’t feel trapped or too hot underneath. Available in 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30, and 32 pounds
Avocado Weighted Blanket for $159: This blanket has a great drape to it and is weighted down by fabric fill. There’s both a recycled polyester and cotton cover option, and the cotton has a nice smooth feel to it. It’s a sweet spot between the light weight of Helix’s similarly weighted blanket and the silky feel of the Nuzzie Ice Knit blanket. It’s a great option for something soft and weighted without being too heavy. Available in 12, 15, and 20 pounds
Casper Weighted Blanket for $179 to $189: Casper is another popular bedding brand whose blanket is classic cool cotton rather than knit or plush, which can get hot. About the size of a throw blanket, it’s dense enough that even the lightest model gives you that comfortably squished feeling, while the heaviest is like a Thundershirt for humans. Casper has frequent sales too. Available in 15 or 20 pounds
Gravity Weighted Blanket for $149: The Basics by Gravity above is our first pick because it’s a great blanket for a great price. This original blanket from the brand is also stellar and is available in more weights, sizes, and pretty colors, but you’ll have to shell out for it. Available in 15, 20, or 35 pounds
Layla Weighted Blanket for $199 to $239: Our tester loved snuggling with a partner under Layla’s massive king-size blanket. It’s double-sided with one cotton and one plush side. Available in 15, 20, or 25 pounds
Luna Classic Weighted Blanket for $85: This was a previous pick in this guide, but it fluctuates in availability. You can find it on Luna’s website right now, though. Available in 10, 15, and 20 pounds
Saatva’s Weighted Blanket for $345: This weighted blanket comes in a 12-pound throw size and a 20-pound queen size. It’s one of the more expensive blankets we’ve tested, costing over $300 for just the throw size, but it’s impressively soft and cozy with a cotton velvet texture and glass beads to weigh it down. The 12-pound throw feels a little heavier than other 12-pound blankets I’ve tried, likely due to the glass beads. Available in 12 or 20 pounds
Sleep Number True Temp Weighted Blanket for $200: This blanket comes with a cover that’s meant to stay cool throughout the night, and this was pretty accurate in my experience. I found the polyester material to be just slightly scratchy, so I wouldn’t want to sleep directly under it, but I typically layer a weighted blanket over a sheet and comforter anyway. Available in 12 or 20 pounds
Thera Weighted Blanket for $48 to $128: This blanket might be the softest thing I’ve ever touched, like petting a furry animal. After my first few weeks with it, however, it ripped and let glass beads take over my bed like sand. I think kitty claws got the best of it, so keep that in mind and treat it carefully. Available in 10, 12, or 15 pounds
YnM Cooling PE-Nylon Blend Weighted Blanket for $69: Similar to the YnM bamboo blanket recommended above, this weighted blanket is cool to the touch, but uses man-made polyethylene nylon instead of bamboo. There are fewer colors, too, but that actually makes it a little easier to navigate shopping. Available in 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, or 30 pounds
Yogibo Calm Antimicrobial Weighted Blanket for $159: The actual blanket is cool cotton, but the real draw here is Yogibo’s famous cotton-and-spandex blend it uses for its covers. The company says it’s insanely soft, and it isn’t lying. It’s stretchy, smooth, and machine washable (the actual blanket is not). I found that pet hair clings to it though, which is common with softer fabrics. Available in 15 pounds
FAQs
What’s The Right Weight and Size?
Most companies advise that the weight should be around 10 percent of your body weight; for example, if you’re 150 pounds, that would be a 15-pound blanket. But your sensory preferences could differ. Some of our testers prefer a heavier blanket and go above the 10 percent recommendation, while I tend to like a lighter blanket that’s under the 10 percent rule. Kids or elderly folks should go with something lighter.
When it comes to size, the bigger the blanket, the less heavy it feels because the weight is distributed over a larger area. So a 12-pound throw might feel more weighty than a 15-pound queen-size blanket. Some companies will make their blankets larger when upping the weight to keep that weight distributed, so make sure to check dimensions as well as weight when choosing a model.
Who Shouldn’t Use a Weighted Blanket?
Babies, animals, or anyone who can’t physically remove it. If you or a family member has a motor impairment, compression shirts may give you the same result—consider talking to a physician.
How Hot Are Weighted Blankets?
Weighted blankets come in a variety of textures and designs, all of which can contribute to how warm they’ll keep you. Open-knit designs are popular for the nice airflow they provide, and I especially liked using the Nuzzie for its bamboo material that kept it feeling icy cool. If you’re a hot sleeper, I recommend an open weave, or at the very least avoiding super plush options. A cooling cotton could also keep you cool enough without needing a full open weave.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
