Treating yourself to one of the best weighted blankets in 2023 could make a huge difference to your mental health; they can help relieve stress, ease anxiety and even improve the quality of your sleep. Weighted blankets are, essentially, just what they sound like: they're blankets with weights sewn into them (usually small glass beads) in order to provide a gentle, even pressure across the body. There are other features to look out for, though, and in this article we've picked out the options that are worth their weight in gold.
Weighted blankets were originally used as a medical aid, but they've come to prominence in recent years as a solution for stress and insomnia. The light pressure they provide can be soothing, like a full-body hug, which can aid relaxation and reduce restlessness.
If you shop around, you'll find that many of the brands behind the best mattresses have their own weighted blankets that can be used as an all-round relaxation aid. Beyond helping with stress and sleep problems, they can also be used as a substitute for one of the best duvets, or as an occasional replacement for a regular blanket. Find out more in our guide: what is a weighted blanket and how do they work?
But if you've already done your research and concluded that one of the best weighted blankets would be a good fit for you, we're here to help you pick the perfect option. Read on to see a selection of weighted blankets, in all manner of fabrics and at various price points, and you're certain to find just the thing you're looking for.
Best weighted blankets 2023 ranking
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It's a bit of an investment, but the Simba Orbit is the best weighted blanket we've found. Glass nano-beads provide even pressure, and you can choose between two different weight options, both at the same price. The 100% cotton cover is a pleasing dark grey, and the beads are evenly distributed, with no bunching or slipping around. The cover is machine washable, and attaches to the inner with a series of inner ties, which are easy to use (although holding the blanket up at the time is a bit of a workout). A zip fastener at the base keeps everything neat. In our Simba Orbit review, our tester found this blanket immediately soothing but not oppressive, the cover exceptionally soft to touch, as well as being nice and breathable. She also noted a much improved sleep quality when using it. We can't guarantee it'll be as life-changing for you, but this is certainly an excellent quality blanket that's worth checking out. And if you're lucky, you might find a Simba discount code to take the price down a bit. If you're not sure if this option is right for you, our Eve Weighted Blanket vs Emma Hug vs Simba Orbit face-off compares three of our favourite options.
If you're on a slightly tighter budget, the best weighted blanket for you could well be the Silentnight Wellbeing Weighted Blanket. The fabric has a nice, strokable feel without being either slippery or too plush and warm. Because it's all one piece, with the beads sewn into the cover in a grid pattern for even distribution, you won't find the inner slipping around when you're moving this blanket around. We were very impressed with it on test, and for general daily use it's an excellent option.
It is, surprisingly, machine washable (on a gentle 40°C cycle), beads and all. That said, if you're wanting to use it as a permanent duvet you might be better going with an option that has a removable cover, as we're not sure most washing machines are exactly built for this kind of thing. Another slight drawback is the lack of different options: you've got one size, one colour and one weight only on offer here. However, the 6.8kg weight is not the heaviest, nor the lightest available in this list, and is a good middle ground for most adults.
The Eve Sleep weighted blanket is a premium option in both quality, styling and price. Rather than using glass beads, the pressure here comes built-in, from the 100% cotton knitted design. It's no lightweight though: there's 7kg of pressure, and distributed completely evenly across the whole blanket. As well as looking like a smart, stylish traditional blanket, the Eve option is especially snuggly and cosy – which is great for cooler evenings, but might have you overheating when the weather is warm.
The main downside noted in our Eve weighted blanket review is that the all-in-one design means it's tricky to clean. It is machine washable, but you'd need a big drum to fit it all in, and you might prefer to leave it to the professionals. But as a sofa-bound option that both looks the part and is cosy as well as comforting, the Eve weighted blanket is an excellent, luxurious choice.
Note: As of October 2022, Eve Sleep has gone into administration, so weighted blankets and other sleep products from Eve will no longer be available in the near future. However, third party retailers like Amazon may still have Eve products for sale, so it's best to look there for any Eve mattress or sleep deals.
If you tend to run hot, you perhaps won't always want to sit under a weighted blanket. Emma has come up with a solution: the Hug comes with an optional bamboo cover that turns it into a cooling weighted blanket. While the outer of the blanket is cotton, this extra cover is made from 100% bamboo, which is soft and silky to the touch, if easy to crease. One big benefit of this removable cover is that you can pop it into the washing machine and wash it at 40C. Internal ties on the four corners keep it in place, although getting everything attached can be a bit of a workout. The other major benefit is its cooling properties – our Emma Hug review put it to the ultimate test (a 38-degree Covid fever), and it came out the other side very favourably.
Special cover aside – and note, this is an extra you'll need to pay for – the Hug is pretty similar to the offerings from Simba and Silentnight. There's a smart grey outer and tiny glass beads to create the pressure, and only one weight (7kg) and size option. Here, the beads are sandwiched between seven layers of breathable fabric that provides some very effective cushioning.
A new name to the sleep and wellness community, Owl + Lark are focused on improving sleep quality in a sustainable way. The Owl + Lark Weighted Blanket measures at 135 x 200 cm and is available in 7kg (15lbs) or 9kg (20lbs) and comes in three different colours. It's made up of 7 layers, using a combination of bamboo, polyester and glass micro-beads. The bamboo is sustainably sourced and ethically produced, and gives this weighted blanket a luxurious silk-like feel.
While the glass bead placement and price could be better, the Owl + Lark Weighted Blanket is immensely comfortable and soothing. The weight is heavy but once it's on you, the weight feels like it melts away. It's also incredibly breathable and doesn't run too hot. See our full Owl + Lark Weighted Blanket review for all the details.
Like the Eve weighted blanket, Nectar's Cloverlane weighted blanket brings the pressure thanks to a knitted cotton design rather than glass beads. And if you want your blanked to be one that's kind to the environment, the Cloverlane's well worth investigating. It's crafted in Portugal using organic cotton, and it's made without any chemicals or dyes, making it a strong eco-friendly option.
It's a bit lighter than the Eve, too; at 5kg it's a little more versatile, making it ideal for snuggling on the sofa before spreading it out over the duvet when you go to bed. It's machine-washable, and when the warmer months return you'll appreciate the fact that it comes with a heavy cotton bag for storage. The Cloverlane's one of the more expensive options, but it's always worth checking for discounts at Nectar; right now you can get it with 30% off, making it an even better deal.
Another great choice is the John Lewis & Partners Specialist Synthetic Weighted Blanket. Although there's only one colour to choose from, we think the design here is especially stylish, with a nicely textured 100% cotton cover and all-in-one design that give it the appearance of a regular blanket. There's a slight down-side here – as there's no removable cover, and the blanket itself isn't machine-washable, this option is spot-clean only. There's a wide range of weights and two different sizes to choose from, so you can pick one to suit your exact needs.
Make sure you use one of our John Lewis discount codes to save on your order.
The original pioneers of the weighted blanket trend, Gravity Blanket still makes some of the most popular options around. These blankets are designed to be super-cosy, with one plush side and one velvet side. They're hypoallergenic and available in a wide range of weights and two different sizes.
The cosy cover is separate from the weighted inner, and attached to the outside edges using ties. This means it can be removed to be washed (cover is machine washable at 40 degrees), but it can mean the inner slips around a little as you're maneuvering it. These weighted blankets are incredibly well reviewed, with an average of 4.72 out of 5 stars across over 600 ratings. If you're not sure it'll be for you, you can take advantage of the 28-day trial period.
John Lewis & Partners sells a range of kids' weighted blankets in different prints. As well as this Marvel Spider-Man design, there's a Thomas and Friends blanket, a Disney Frozen blanket, a Magical Unicorn blanket and an Outer Space option, so you can pick one depending on your child's preferences. The blanket is made from breathable cotton on the top side, with a micro plush underside. A word of warning though, it's spot-clean only, so you'll need to be wary of spillages and accidents.
All of these designs are available as either 2kg, 90x120cm blanket, designed for younger children, or a 3kg, 25-40kg blanket for older and bigger children. Remember, weighted blankets are not suitable for children aged 3 or under, and make sure you read through the guidelines on the John Lewis website before purchasing.
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