11 best weighted blankets that’ll guarantee a good night’s sleep
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Weighted blankets abound in today's wellness era, each coming with plentiful promises of warmth, anxiety reduction, and improving sleep troubles. So, if you're already shunning screens thirty-minutes before bed, cutting caffeine after lunch, spritz your pillow in a gorgeously scented sleep spray and listen to a Headspace meditation pre-kip, it might be time to add a weighted blanket to your bedtime routine.
Designed to evenly distribute weight across the body, the best weighted blankets promise to help promote feelings of calmness, soothe anxiety, and act as a catalyst for a good night’s sleep. Typically filled with thousands of tiny glass beads that apply pressure to your body, weighted blankets mimic a therapeutic technique called “deep pressure therapy” to boost your mood. Basically, it’s just like receiving a big hug.
So, if you’re up for being swaddled like a baby, we've tried and tested the best options on the market to help you spend your money wisely. A good night's sleep is incoming.
Meet the experts:
- James Higgings, Sleep Expert & CEO of Ethical Bedding.
What are the benefits of a weighted blanket? | Who should not use a weighted blanket? | How heavy should a weighted blanket be? | Do weighted blankets help with restless leg syndrome? | How we tested | Our full reviews
Best weighted blankets at a glance:
Best Weighted Blanket Overall : Simba Orbit Weighted Blanket, £169, Simba
Best Weighted Blanket Runner-Up: Mela Weighted Blanket, £74.25, Aeyla
Best Machine Washable Weighted Blanket: Weighted Blanket, £49, Kudd.ly
Best Affordable Weighted Blanket Overall: Grey Oodie Weighted Blanket, £69, Oodie
What are the benefits of a weighted blanket?
Great for promoting an overall sense of security and grounding, weighted blankets essentially have the same effect on adults that swaddling has on a baby. Both swaddling and weighted blanket use are forms of Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) therapy, which researchers claim has a "calming effect on the alleviation of anxiety", and can also benefit those with autism and other medical conditions.
Studies have also shown that this gentle application of even pressure can reduce the body's levels of the stress hormone cortisol, while also boosting the production of both mood-boosting serotonin, and sleep-inducing melatonin.
Who should not use a weighted blanket?
Despite their benefits, there are some groups of people who wouldn’t be well-suited to sleeping underneath a weighted blanket. “Elderly individuals, older adults with reduced mobility, those with conditions such as sleep apnoea, and pregnant women should consider avoiding weighted blankets, as the added weight could make it difficult for them to change positions in bed,” says James Higgins, CEO & Sleep Expert at Ethical Bedding.
“Individuals living with neurological conditions, sensory disorders, or claustrophobia should also carefully consider whether a weighted blanket is the right choice for them, as the confined feeling of the blanket may increase anxiety," he adds.
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
Most retailers suggest that you should pick a weighted blanket that’s roughly 10% of your body weight. So, a 4kg option for body weight of between 30 and 40kg, a 5.5kg option for a bodyweight of between 40 and 60kg, and a 7kg weighted blanket for a body weight of between 60 and 90kg.
Do weighted blankets help with Restless Leg Syndrome?
Weighted blankets definitely don’t cure Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), but they can help lessen the effects of it — particularly if you find stress a common trigger for a flare-up. "Weighted blankets provide gentle and even pressure across the body, offering sensory stimulation and a deep touch pressure sensation. This stimulation has been suggested to have a calming effect on the nervous system that could potentially reduce anxiety symptoms,” explains James Higgins.
How we tested:
To earn a spot in our best weighted blankets round-up, a GLAMOUR tester had to give the product-in-question their stamp of approval. Each weighted blanket in this edit performed well against our testing criteria, demonstrating even weight distribution, offering a variety of weights, and effectively soothing anxiety year-round while keeping reviewers warm. We also scored the best weighted blankets on their filling (from glass microbeads to plastic pellets), whether they had a removable cover, and how well each weighted blanket elevated their bedroom decor.
After more sleep content? Read about the best duvet covers, the best mattresses for every personal preference, and the best duvets for non-stop nappers. For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
Below, the very best weighted blankets to try out in 2024:
1. Best single weighted blanket
Specifications:
- Size: 200cm x 135cm.
- Removable cover? Yes, it can be removed and machine washed.
- Filling: Nano glass beads.
- Weights available: 6.8kg.
The Simba Orbit weighted blanket relaxes you with its comforting weight of glass nano-beads that guide away any restlessness. Feeling like a gentle, full-body hug, it stimulates a calming process known as 'deep pressure therapy,' which helps counter stress by encouraging your nervous system to regulate and relax.
With its breathable, uber-soft cotton cover, this blanket feels incredibly gentle against the skin and is an excellent choice for hot sleepers, as it is designed to help you maintain a cool temperature throughout the night thanks to its temperature regulation abilities.
It's only available in a single size, so if you sleep with a partner, it might be better used as a throw blanket for naps on the sofa. There aren’t multiple weight options either, and it's worth noting that it's not suitable for children.
Save money when shopping for a weighted blanket with these Simba discount codes.
