Are you looking for the best weighted blanket for anxiety? Well, look no further. Here at Sleepopolis, we test hundreds of sleep products to find the best ones out there, and we’ve compiled this list of ten weighted blankets that will work for a variety of people.
Weighted blankets can provide deep pressure stimulation, which can increase serotonin and melatonin levels, while decreasing cortisol levels. It’s similar to the sensation we get from hugging or cuddling. This can be helpful for folks dealing with anxiety, especially those who struggle with anxiety before bed.
Although weighted blankets may help with symptoms of anxiety or stress, they shouldn’t take the place of a doctor or medical professional for help. If you are struggling with anxiety, please consult with your doctor to find the best solutions for you.
Best Weighted Blankets for Anxiety
- Best Overall: Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
- Best Luxury: Saatva Weighted Blanket
- Best Minky: LUXOME Removable Cover Weighted Blanket
- Best Cooling: Nectar Serenity Weighted Blanket
- Best Eco-Friendly: Bearaby Tree Napper Weighted Blanket
- Best Dual-Sided: Layla Weighted Blanket
- Best for Sharing: Gravity Weighted Blanket
- Best Cotton: Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket
- Best Machine Washable: Puffy Weighted Blanket
Best Overall: Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
The Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit weighted blanket is soft, breathable, and available in two different weights.
Sleepopolis Score
5.00 / 5
Read Full Review
The Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit weighted blanket is made from thick polyester jersey yarn, hand-knit to form this chunky knit blanket. This blanket has no weighted fill — the weight comes solely from the weight of the yarn itself. The design on this blanket also makes it breathable, as there are wide openings between the strands of yarn which allow air to flow through the blanket.
This blanket is available in two different weight options: 10 or 15 pounds. It’s also available in two different colors: gray and cream.
Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit weighted blanket review to learn more.
Price: $219 for the 15-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Hot sleepers, sleepers who like a textured feel from their blanket, and sleepers who like a fairly thick blanket.
Best Luxury: Saatva Weighted Blanket
The Saatva weighted blanket features a cotton velvet cover and is filled with cotton and glass beads.
Saatva Weighted Blanket
The Saatva weighted blanket is a great choice for anyone looking for a luxurious experience. This blanket features a cotton velvet cover and is filled with glass beads. It uses a diamond quilted pattern, not only for an attractive look, but to keep the fill evenly distributed throughout the blanket. No worries about the beads pooling on one side or the other.
Saatva’s weighted blanket is available either in a 12-pound option or a 20-pound option. It also comes in two different colors, which are taupe vintage velvet and graphite vintage velvet.
Our full Saatva weighted blanket review is coming soon. In the meantime, check out our Saatva Latex pillow review or our Saatva Graphite mattress topper review.
Price: $345 for the 12-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Folks who love a soft and velvety feel, who want a luxury sleep experience, or want a high-quality product.
Best Minky: LUXOME Removable Cover Weighted Blanket
LUXOME Removable Cover Weighted Blanket
Fuzzy and plush, this weighted blanket from LUXOME keeps you comfy without making you overheat.
Read Full ReviewMinky fabric is a popular cover material in the world of weighted blankets — it basically means soft, fuzzy, fur-like fabric. The LUXOME Removable Cover weighted blanket is a great choice for anyone who loves a minky blanket. It’s actually available in a few different materials, but we tested the minky version and loved how fuzzy and plush it feels.
The LUXOME Removable Cover weighted blanket has a high-quality feel and is machine washable — both the cover and the inner blanket. It’s also available in three different weight options: 15, 18, and 30 pounds.
Read our full LUXOME Removable Cover weighted blanket review to learn more.
Price: $155 for the 15-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Those who value easy cleaning, those looking for a blanket large enough to share, and sleepers who love a plush and minky fabric.
Best Cooling: Nectar Serenity Weighted Blanket
Nectar Serenity Weighted Blanket
The Nectar Serenity weighted blanket has a Dual-Temperature design, meaning one side is cooling and one is warming. It's filled with glass beads and also has a removable, washable duvet cover.
Sleepopolis Score
4.90 / 5
Read Full Review
Many weighted blankets are prone to warming rather than cooling, because of their heavy nature and use of fuzzy and furry fabrics. However, the Nectar Serenity weighted blanket allows you to choose between warming and cooling by simply flipping the blanket over. The cooling side features Phase Change Material, which reacts in real time to adjust with your body temperature and maintain a cool temperature.
We were pleasantly surprised to see just how cool to the touch this blanket feels on the cooling side! Plus, the cooling side’s cover is made with a soft, T-shirt style material, while the warming side feels like crushed velvet. The Nectar Serenity comes in a standard or large size, each available in 15, 20, or 25-pound weight options.
Read our full Nectar Serenity weighted blanket review to learn more.
Price: $149 for the standard size, 15-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Hot sleepers and sleepers looking for both single-size weighted blankets and blankets large enough to share.
Best Eco-Friendly: Bearaby Tree Napper Weighted Blanket
Bearaby Tree Napper Weighted Blanket
The Bearaby Tree Napper is a great choice for those looking for an eco-friendly weighted blanket!
Sleepopolis Score
5.00 / 5
Read Full Review
If you’re looking for a weighted blanket made from eco-friendly materials, take a look at the Bearaby Tree Napper weighted blanket. Bearaby makes a variety of hand-knit weighted blankets, but this one is made with Tencel, a viscose derived from eucalyptus wood pulp. The Tree Napper uses no weighted fill — the chunky yarn alone provides the weight of the blanket.
Additionally, thanks to the cooling nature of Tencel and the open-weave of the blanket, the Tree Napper is a great weighted blanket for hot sleepers. Plus, it comes in some great color options, like Rosewood, Amber, and Maple. It’s also available in three weight options: 15, 20, and 25 pounds.
Read our full Bearaby Tree Napper weighted blanket to learn more.
Price: $269 for the 15-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Hot sleepers, eco-conscious shoppers, or anyone who likes the cozy, chunky texture of a hand-knit blanket.
Best Dual-Sided: Layla Weighted Blanket
Layla Weighted Blanket
Like Layla's mattresses, this weighted blanket has two sides with two different feels.
Sleepopolis Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full Review
Layla is known for their flippable mattresses, so it makes sense their weighted blanket is flippable too. This weighted blanket features a dual-sided cover, with one side made from minky polyester and the other from smooth cotton. The fill is micro glass beads with polyester batting fill.
This blanket provides a warm and cozy feel. We love how the tiny beads and batting fill mask the beads’ presence in the blanket — no noise or discernible rolling around within the blanket. Plus, this entire blanket is machine washable, making it super easy to keep it clean. This weighted blanket is available in three weight options: 15, 20, and 25 pounds.
Read our full Layla weighted blanket review to learn more.
Price: $189 for the 15-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Sleepers who want both a smooth and minky blanket, cold sleepers, and those who value easy cleaning.
Best for Sharing: Gravity Weighted Blanket
Gravity Weighted Blanket
The Gravity weighted blanket is available in 15, 20 and 35 pound weight options and features a plush cover.
Sleepopolis Score
4.48 / 5
Read Full Review
Looking for a blanket that delivers on not just being functional, but shareable? Check out the Gravity weighted blanket. Gravity is well known in the sleep industry for its flagship weighted blanket, available in several different sizes such as 15-pound, 20-pound, and 35-pound. The 35-pound model is easily big enough for two people to share. Color options include gray, oat, navy, teal, plum, and more.
The Gravity has a removable outer cover, which makes for easy cleaning in a washing machine. However, the inner blanket is only washable by hand and should be air-dried. In terms of filling, the blanket contains fine-grade glass beads, with stitching around each one to ensure that they don’t clump together. And the plush cover is extra-snuggly for when you share it with a partner or friend.
Read our full Gravity weighted blanket review to learn more.
Price: $300 for the 35-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Couples, siblings, or anyone who wants to share their blanket.
Best Cotton: Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket
Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket
The Brooklinen Weighted Throw blanket features a dual-sided cotton cover and is filled with glass beads. It's available in four different colors.
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
The Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket is an ultra-cozy option. It features a dual-sided cover, with one side made from 100 percent cotton with a smooth texture and the other side made from a 99 percent cotton and 1 percent spandex crepe fabric, which is more textured. This gives the blanket a chic but homey look. Being made primarily from cotton makes this a breathable weighted blanket, as cotton is a natural fiber that allows for lots of airflow.
This weighted blanket weighs 12 pounds and is available in four different colors: deep navy, deep rose, deep alpine, and terracotta. Additionally, this blanket can be washed in a commercial-grade washing machine — think the washers at the laundromat. But at home, you can always spot clean for small stains.
Read our full Brooklinen Weighted Throw Blanket review to learn more.
Price: $169 for the 12-pound blanket.
Perfect For: Shoppers looking for a single size blanket, those who love natural fibers like cotton, and shoppers looking for a functional and attractive blanket.
Best Machine Washable: Puffy Weighted Blanket
Puffy Weighted Blanket
The Puffy weighted blanket features a minky cover and is filled with glass beads.
Sleepopolis Score
5.00 / 5
Read Full Review
Machine washability is a big pro when it comes to weighted blankets. Luckily, the Puffy weighted blanket can easily be washed in the washing machine at home. Plus, it features a washable duvet cover and the inner blanket is machine washable. So you can just wash the duvet cover for an easy clean or you can wash both to get the whole blanket squeaky clean.
The Puffy weighted blanket’s cover is a minky polyester, which provides a soft, cuddly vibe. Additionally, the Puffy weighted blanket is available in two different weight options: 15 and 20 pounds. The 15-pound blanket is available in a twin or queen size and the 20-pound blanket is available in a king size.
Read our full Puffy weighted blanket review to learn more.
Price: $149 for the 15-pound twin blanket.
Perfect For: Shoppers who value easy cleaning, sleepers with allergies, and anyone who loves a soft, fuzzy blanket.
How Weighted Blankets Can Help With Anxiety
If you are shopping for a weighted blanket to help with anxiety, you might be wondering how exactly weighted blankets can be beneficial for alleviating anxiety. Weighted blankets utilize deep pressure therapy to calm the nervous system.
Deep Pressure Therapy for Anxiety
Deep pressure therapy is a form of stimulation through firm pressure, commonly applied through hugging, holding hands, or cuddling that promotes production of serotonin and melatonin, while reducing production of cortisol. Essentially, the deep pressure therapy tells your body to physically calm down through regulating hormones. Weighted blankets can trigger this same effect, which is what makes them so popular among people with anxiety.
To learn more, check out our guide on deep pressure therapy.
Who Else Can Benefit from Weighted Blankets?
Weighted blankets were actually originally developed as a therapeutic tool and were used for years in therapy for kids with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and more. They have since become a popular, mass-market tool for anyone who struggles with anxiety, who needs help calming down for bed, and those who simply find the extra weight cozy.
Are There Risks to Using Weighted Blankets?
While weighted blankets are generally considered to be safe, there are some risks to consider.
Weighted Blankets and Children
One of the main concerns around weighted blankets is small children. Babies and toddlers should never be placed under a weighted blanket, as the blanket is likely too heavy for them to move out from underneath — this presents a risk of suffocation.
If your child is older and you think they might benefit from a weighted blanket, talk to their doctor first to be sure it’s safe. You will also want to be sure to buy a lightweight blanket for your older child if you do end up purchasing one. The recommendation for adults is a blanket close to 10 percent of their body weight, but for a child 5 percent is a better rule of thumb.
Another concern for children are the small plastic pellets or glass beads frequently used to make weighted blankets heavy. If the blanket ever tears, the small beads could spill out, presenting a choking hazard.
Weighted Blanket Safety for Adults
For adults, weighted blankets are generally considered safe. However, if you have sleep apnea, breathing problems, or any chronic health conditions, it’s likely best to consult your doctor before using a weighted blanket.
Additionally, if you are physically incapable of moving the blanket on your own, it’s likely best not to use a weighted blanket.
How to Choose a Weighted Blanket
As you are deciding which weighted blanket is best for you, here are a few things to consider. We take all of these factors into consideration when we review weighted blankets here at Sleepopolis.
Material
There are a variety of different materials used in weighted blankets’ construction. There are two main types to consider: what fabric the blanket is made of and what is used to make the blanket heavy.
For fabrics, there are many different types with different textures, levels of breathability, and different looks. Some common ones include:
- Polyester faux fur or minky fabrics
- Microfiber
- Cotton
- Bamboo viscose
- Tencel
When it comes to weight, common fills include:
- Glass beads
- Plastic pellets
- Sand
- Chains
Some weighted blankets have no fill and instead utilize chunky yarn, so the blanket’s weight comes from the weight of the fabric alone.
Weight
As mentioned above, the recommendation for adults is to choose a weighted blanket close to 10 percent of your own body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, then a 15-pound blanket would be ideal for you. If you plan to share the blanket with a partner, then you will want one that is close to 10 percent of your combined weights.
Care Instructions
Because weighted blankets are a specialized product, many of them are not machine washable. There are definitely some out there (including some mentioned in this article!), but it is rare. However, many weighted blankets do feature duvet covers that can be washed separately. That can be a big help in keeping them clean.
Aesthetics
Unlike a mattress or pillow, which will be covered by your other bedding, aesthetics are important when it comes to weighted blankets. Texture, color, design, and patterns can all play a role in whether a weighted blanket fits with your space and aligns with your vibe.
Cost
As with any purchase, cost is an important factor to consider when choosing a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets do tend to be more expensive than a regular throw blanket, because of the added material and weight. Generally, weighted blankets range in price from $50 to $250.
Weighted Blanket FAQs
Is it okay to use a weighted blanket every night?
It is generally considered safe to sleep with a weighted blanket every night. However, it may take some time to adjust to it.
Are weighted blankets good for people with anxiety?
Yes, they can be. If you struggle with anxiety, a weighted blanket might help you calm down before bed and get ready for sleep. However, a weighted blanket is no replacement for seeking treatment for an anxiety disorder. A weighted blanket is a good tool to have in your toolbelt to deal with anxiety, but be sure to talk to your doctor about anxiety if you find it impacting your day-to-day life.
Who should not sleep with a weighted blanket?
Small children, like babies and toddlers, should not sleep with a weighted blanket, as they might be trapped and suffocate under the heavy blanket, since they are not strong enough to lift it off themselves. For older children, consult a doctor before giving them a weighted blanket. Adults with sleep apnea, breathing problems, or chronic health conditions should also consult their doctor before using a weighted blanket.
What is the rule for weighted blankets?
For adults, a weighted blanket should be close to 10 percent of your own body weight.
