7 Best Weighted Blankets to Sleep Better and Ease Anxiety, According to Editors

Personally, I feel like I’m at my most powerful when wrapped in a blanket. You’re basically in a cocoon, protected from the outside world. Even better if it weighs, say, 15 glorious pounds. Yup, weighted blankets are a thing, and those hefty boys not only make you feel swaddled like a baby but are also said to calm your nervous system.

How do they work, you ask? The concept is pretty simple: These types of blankets mimic healing touch—something that reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and boosts oxytocin (the feel-good hormone), Heidi Hanna, PhD, author of Stressaholic and advisory board member for the American Institute of Stress, explains.

Best Weighted Blankets

• Best Overall:Bearaby Cotton Napper
• O.G. Weighted Blanket:Gravity Weighted Blanket
• Best Value:ZZZhen Weighted Blanket
• Best on Amazon:YnM Weighted Blanket
• Best Faux Fur:Lola Weighted Blanket
• Best Cotton:Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket

“While there isn’t much research to verify, the theory is that a weighted blanket works much like a hug,” adds Leisha Cuddihy, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist board-certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Hugging lowers blood pressure and stress hormones, which she says can help you snooze soundly. So, if you’re looking for some much-needed relief in the p.m., a weighted blanket is worth a try for sleeping.

What to Consider

Weight

It’s no surprise that this is the most important consideration. There’s no one perfect weight. Rather, it’s essential to get a blanket that’s right for your body type. Weighted blankets typically range from 5 to 30 pounds, and many experts suggest picking one that’s around 10 percent of your body weight. This will ensure you don’t experience any discomfort as you sleep. Ideally, you want the right amount of pressure without putting so much weight on your body that you feel “trapped” or suffocated.

Fill

You’ll want a blanket that offers uniform pressure to feel the calming effect, says Cuddihy. Look for quality stitching, layers of material, and glass-bead fill. Some lower-quality weighted blankets will have plastic pellets instead of glass beads, so keep an eye out when shopping.

Material

Depending on the time of year and if you run hot or cold, the material your weighted blanket is made from matters. If you’re a hot sleeper, look for blankets made with breathable fabrics like bamboo or cotton. A removable cover can be helpful, too, for easier machine washing. If you like to be bundled in warmth under your blankets, look for materials like fleece or microfiber.

How We Tested

Our editors test dozens of blankets and bedding throughout the year. We spent many nights at home snuggled under weighted blankets comparing weight, texture, and performance. When testing, we also took into consideration which blankets were best for the sofa versus actually sleeping under for the night.

Weighted blankets come with a heftier price tag than your usual throw, but the self-care investment is definitely worth it. Below, check out our top weighted blankets, and you’re sure to feel as snug as a bug in a rug.