It’s important to note that many of the medical claims made by manufacturers of weighted – or “gravity” – blankets should not be taken as fact, and rather treated the same as we would the claims made by makers of things such as supplements and essential oils. Society has a sleep problem, but the best weighted blankets may help you nod off at night as well as relax during the day. Whether it’s caused by a hectic life schedule, work stress or too much screen time, it can be hard to switch off when you need to. A heavy, weighted blanket may be just what you need. This one can also be hand-washed or dry-cleaned and it comes with a drawstring storage bag to help keep the blanket clean and in good condition. Because the warmer cover is removable, the blanket needs to be tied to the cover to stop it from sliding around or falling to one side; the ties are located in all four corners and on all four edges, so it can be quite a mission to attach. But once it’s in, the blanket’s not going anywhere. Weighted blankets are increasingly popular with sleepers battling insomnia or nighttime anxiety. To be effective, a weighted blanket needs to provide enough pressure to have a calming effect, without providing so much pressure that the user feels trapped or uncomfortable. We’ll examine the top considerations when choosing a weight for your weighted blanket. We recommend talking to your doctor before using a weighted blanket if you live with one of the following:

Losinski M, Sanders SA, Wiseman NM. Examining the Use of Deep Touch Pressure to Improve the Educational Performance of Students With Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. 2016;41(1):3-18. doi:10.1177/1540796915624889 McCall WV. Paying attention to the sleeping surface and bedclothes. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020 Sep 15;16(9):1427-1428. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8704

Looking to ease the stress and strain of daily life? Enhance your bedtime routine with the best weighted blankets

Key features – Size: Single-king size; Weight: 5.5-11kg; Material: Cotton and polyester/glass bead filling; Suitable for kids: No Recommended weights for a weighted blanket can vary between 5% and 12% of their body weight, with most people preferring a weighted blanket that weighs approximately 10% of their body weight. Regardless of its weight, a proper blanket should allow for comfort and movement. Body Weight Range Weighted blankets usually contain either plastic pellets or glass microbeads designed to add pressure to the body. These beads or pellets are often accompanied by batting of some sort to provide warmth and reduce the feel and sound of the fill shifting. Most weighted blankets weigh between 5 and 30 pounds, significantly heavier than most comforters and duvets. Some weighted blankets come with a removable cover for ease of cleaning.

Baumgartner JN, Quintana D, Leija L, Schuster NM, Bruno KA, Castellanos JP, et al. Widespread Pressure Delivered by a Weighted Blanket Reduces Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pain. 2022 Jan;23(1):156-174. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2021.07.00 Vinson J, Powers J, Mosesso K. Weighted Blankets: Anxiety Reduction in Adult Patients Receiving Chemotherapy. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2020 Aug 1;24(4):360-368. doi:10.1188/20.CJON.360-368 As a rule of thumb, the weight of a weighted blanket should be about 10% of your body weight. Of course, the ideal weighted blanket weight depends on what feels right to you. Preferred weights can vary between 5% and 12% of the sleeper’s weight. Look for a blanket that provides a feeling of comfort, but that still feels safe when you are resting beneath it. You may need to try a few different weights before settling on one you find comfortable. Weighted blankets may not be suitable for sleepers who tend to feel claustrophobic. Weighted blankets are believed to stimulate production of “happiness” hormones like dopamine and serotonin and reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. This helps the user enter a more relaxed state, which is conducive to sleep. However, these health claims are the subject of ongoing research.Eron K, Kohnert L, Watters A, Logan C, Weisner-Rose M, Mehler PS. Weighted Blanket Use: A Systematic Review. Am J Occup Ther. 2020 Mar/Apr;74(2):7402205010p1-7402205010p14. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2020.037358

We tested the 7kg Mela weighted blanket in a double size, and found it to be very comfortable and snug, if a little too warm for our personal tastes. Before using the blanket for the first time, you will have to attach the cover, which can be a bit fiddly since it involves turning the cover inside out, securing a number of ties before turning the cover the right way round again. Weighted products are not suitable for people with certain conditions such as epilepsy, heart conditions, breathing difficulties or circulatory problems. The person using the weighted product should be able to remove it at all times; this is essential to prevent them from becoming uncomfortable or overheated. Do not roll someone up in a weighted blanket under any circumstances. Hjort Telhede E, Arvidsson S, Karlsson S. Nursing staff's experiences of how weighted blankets influence resident's in nursing homes expressions of health. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2022 Dec;17(1):2009203. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2021.2009203. Chen H-Y, Tang H, Chi H-J, Chen H-M. Parasympathetic effect of deep pressure input on third molar extraction in adolescents . J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118(9):1317-1324. doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2019.05.026For most people, weighted blankets are completely safe to use, but there are a few groups who should be more cautious. For example, if you are pregnant or suffer from respiratory or circulatory problems (such as asthma or type 2 diabetes) you should always consult with a doctor before purchasing. The same goes for children, as they can potentially become trapped underneath a weighted blanket. How heavy should weighted blankets be? Always consult with an Occupational Therapist or health professional before using a weighted blanket or other weighted product. Weighted products should be used with suitable supervision at all time. Youngstedt SD, Ito W, Passos GS, Santana MG, Youngstedt JM. Testing the sleep hygiene recommendation against nighttime exercise. Sleep Breath. 2021 Jan;25(1). doi:10.1007/s11325-020-02284-x By nature, blankets are supposed to keep you warm. However, if you rely on using a weighted blanket to de-stress, you will want one that won’t make you uncomfortably hot in the summer. That’s why the Blyss weighted blanket is great: it comes with a warm polyester winter cover that’s machine washable, while the weighted blanket itself is made from cotton, which is a much more breathable material. Admittedly, even the most breathable cotton blanket will struggle to keep you cool when it’s sweltering hot, but it’s still a much better option than its synthetic rivals. For those who need the blanket for sensory relief, the dimpled pattern on the removable cover adds another soft sensory element too.

Weight is provided by plastic beads sewn into an inner lining for additional strength and comfort. Can be used on a bed or perfect for draping across shoulders. The Weighted Blanket is CE marked and registered as a class 1 medical device. Made in the UK from a durable polycotton outer with an inner lining. Sarah Silverman, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and holistic sleep wellness consultant who treats patients in New York and Florida.For added convenience, the cover can be removed and machine-washed at 30°C. It’s one of the most expensive blankets on our list, but if you’re prepared to pay a bit of a hefty price for a weighted blanket, you can’t really go wrong here. Recommendations for each body weight range are based on current users’ general opinions and preferences. Sleepers should not interpret these estimates as an exact science, as what feels right to one person may not feel right to another. You may also find that the material and fill of the blanket play a role in how comfortable it feels and how hot it sleeps. For example, the average weight of a 5-year-old is around 18kg, so a weighted blanket should be no heavier than 1.8kg. While standard weighted blankets are unlikely to be harmful to teenagers and above, it’s essential to choose something such as the Anjee Kids blanket (listed below) or an alternative to ensure that younger children can easily lift the blanket off themselves without needing help. Will I get too hot with a weighted blanket? Key features – Size: 135 x 200cm; Weight: 6.8kg/9kg; Material: Cotton/glass bead filling; Suitable for kids: No