Once you've decided on that, make your choice based on the weight that's appropriate and safe for your body (normally this is a maximum of 10% of your body weight, but be sure to read through the product details carefully, as it differs by brand) and the size you need. Who shouldn’t use a weighted blanket? We prioritize safety during our weighted blanket tests. As a rule, the weight of each tester must represent at least 10% of the blanket’s weight for all testing stages. If we are evaluating a blanket for couples, both participants must meet this weight threshold. If you have a hard time relaxing and falling asleep, then you might be an excellent candidate for a weighted blanket. However, these products are not for everyone. While many sleepers report more relaxation and less anxiety sleeping under a weighted blanket, others feel too claustrophobic and pinned down. A weighted blanket may not be suitable if you are a hot sleeper, either – though some models promote temperature control better than others.

If you've never tried a weighted blanket before, you may be wondering if it's for you. We asked sleep expert James Wilson (aka The Sleep Geek) to share his advice. Spot or dry clean only:Avoid using a household machine to wash or dry these blankets. This can permanently damage the outer and inner materials. Due to the hand-knit construction, the blanket should only be spot-cleaned as needed and never machine washed. Regardless of which weight you select, the blanket is designed for a throw size of 50 inches wide and 60 inches long. These dimensions make it best suited to single sleepers.What I didn't expect is that the removable cotton cover makes this blanket feel the most like a duvet. It just felt a bit more familiar having this on the bed at night than a fleecy blanket or one of the ones without a cover on. The yarns are composed of polyester in a soft jersey knit, so the blanket glides gently over the skin and shouldn’t cause any irritation. Polyester fibers also make up the fill. You can choose between two weights. Using the “10% rule,” we recommend the 10-pound blanket if you weigh 80 to 120 pounds, and the 15-pound blanket if you weigh 130 to 180 pounds. The blanket is also available in two colors, cream and gray.

Although this is not always the case, some heavier weighted blankets are wider and/or longer than their lighter counterparts. Most weighted blankets are designed for single person use, so twin is the most common size offered by manufacturers. A common size for larger weighted blankets is 60 inches wide by 80 inches long, which corresponds to a queen size mattress.

With a soft duvet cover made from polyester microfiber, this weighted blanket offers a very plush and fleecy feel. The cover is removable, and can be washed and dried at home. Grid-stitching ensures uniform weight distribution. For added stability, the inner blanket is equipped with corner ties and elastic buttons that secure it to the duvet cover and prevent uncomfortable bunching. Gravity Blanket offers seven cover colors, ranging from neutrals to bold blue, purple, and yellow. The inner blanket should only be hand-washed and air-dried. Some blankets also promote more airflow than others due to how they are constructed. Knitted blankets have an openwork design that allows air to pass through freely, and this can help you keep cool – even if the blanket is exceptionally heavy. Quilted blankets cannot circulate air as well and often sleep hot as a result. The blanket is machine-washable, ideally in front-loading washers on a delicate, cool water cycle. Due to the chunky knit, the product should not be hung to dry. Instead, place the blanket on a flat surface or tumble dry on a low setting for two or three cycles. Sarah Silverman, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and holistic sleep wellness consultant who treats patients in New York and Florida.

A weighted blanket can help you to feel safe and reduce restlessness, but it really does depend on the individual. We delve a bit further into the topic and talk to some experts in this article.If your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far, the TheaWellbeing blyss weighted blanket with cover is a fantastic value for money buy. For children, we love the Snoozzzy dinosaur weighted blanket. Within the cover is an inner blanket filled with fine glass beads that make minimal noise when they shift. The beads also retain very little heat and they should help the blanket stay cool. The fill is encased in a shell made of 100% cotton in a percale weave, a breathable fabric that further enhances the blanket’s cooling properties. Machine wash and dry:Every component of the blanket – including the inner shell that contains the weighted materials – can be washed and dried in a household machine. These models usually come with detailed laundering instructions about water temperature, acceptable cleaning agents, and drying heat level.