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The Daily Insight

What should I look for when buying a weighted blanket

Author

Rachel Hunter

Published Apr 01, 2026

The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a weighted blanket is weight. If you’re an adult, make sure you choose a blanket that is 10 percent of your body weight. If you’re shopping for a child, it’s recommended to find a weighted blanket that is 10 percent of their body weight, plus one to two pounds.

How do I choose the right weighted blanket?

The first step in buying a weighted blanket is determining the right weight for you. The general wisdom is to pick one that’s 10 percent of your bodyweight. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you’d get a 15-pound blanket. If you are closer to 200 pounds, a 20-pound blanket is a good fit, and so on.

What is a good quality weighted blanket?

  • Best Overall: Bearaby Cotton Napper Weighted Blanket.
  • Best Value: Brooklyn Bedding Dual Therapy Weighted Blanket.
  • Most Comfortable: Silk & Snow Knit Weighted Blanket.
  • Best All-Season: Helix Weighted Blanket.
  • Softest: Yaasa Signature Weighted Blanket.

What is the best weight to buy for a weighted blanket?

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. 25-60 lbs.

Is it OK to sleep with a weighted blanket every night?

Should Everyone Use a Weighted Blanket? Adults and older children can use weighted blankets as bed covers or for relaxing during the day. They are safe to use for sleeping throughout the night.

What happens if you use a weighted blanket that is too heavy?

The weight should be about 10 percent of your body weight. Additionally, while it may be tempting to get the biggest blanket you can find, one that’s too large is more likely to hang over your couch or bed. Because this type of blanket contains weights, an overhang can cause it to fall off while you’re sleeping.

Why weighted blankets are bad?

That being said, there are a few cons to weighted blankets, especially when it comes to having kids use them. They’re heavy, which makes them hard to travel with, they get hot, and it can prove difficult for children to use them on their own without parents there.

What if a weighted blanket is too heavy?

A blanket that’s too heavy may make it difficult for you to move. If it weighs enough, it may even make you feel like you can’t fully fill your lungs. People with certain health conditions may find that a weighted blanket puts too much pressure on their joints or other painful areas.

Do you use a duvet with a weighted blanket?

Tailor it to your sleep routine, ensuring it’s cozy and calming. Replace your current comforter or use both: A weighted blanket can replace the comforter or duvet you currently use, or you can use them both. If you choose to use both, the weighted blanket can be placed either on top or below your bedding.

Are weighted blankets good for side sleepers?

It is important to consider your sleeping position when choosing the most suitable weight for you. In general, the 20 lb weighted blanket may be just right when you sleep on your back, and the 15 lb weighted blanket, or any weight lighter, is generally best for side or stomach sleepers.

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What are the loops on my weighted blanket for?

Tie the loops on the duvet to the weighted blanket. Tying the loops keeps the weighted blanket from sliding around inside the duvet cover.

Is a weighted blanket worth it?

Weighted blankets are a type of at-home measure that can provide similar benefits to deep pressure therapy. These blankets have shown positive results for several conditions, including autism, ADHD, and anxiety. They can help calm a restless body, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve sleep troubles.

Who should not use weighted blankets?

As a general rule, weighted blankets are safe for healthy adults, older children, and teenagers. Weighted blankets, however, should not be used for toddlers under age 2, as they may pose a suffocation risk. Even older children with developmental disabilities or delays may be at risk of suffocation.

Can weighted blankets cause high blood pressure?

Another study published in the journal Occupational Therapy in Mental Health revealed that participants who used weighted blankets had lower blood pressure, pulse rates and pulse oximetry — all signs of reduced stress levels.

How long does it take for a weighted blanket to work?

As with anything, it takes 21 days to form a habit, so consistent use of weighted bedding will round out your sleep routine, resulting in overall benefits.

Are weighted blankets good for back pain?

To fight back pain, many people are turning to a natural solution to eliminate their pain: weighted blankets. Weighted blankets have a unique ability to use therapeutic pressure to reduce pain while improving our overall health.

Can weighted blankets be washed?

Because of the heavier construction of weighted blankets, they cannot be washed as easily as a regular blanket. … If the blanket only needs to be spot cleaned, then use a gentle soap, detergent, or stain remover to treat those stains, rinse with cold or warm water, and let your blanket air dry.

Do weighted blankets help poor circulation?

People with certain health conditions should also avoid weighted blankets. These include diabetes, circulation problems, and chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obstructive sleep apnea.

How do you determine the weight of a weighted blanket?

You calculate the weight for the blanket by using 10 percent of the person’s body weight plus three pounds. In many cases, we recommend adding a few pounds beyond 10 percent. When you order your custom weighted blanket, you’ll see a handy weight chart, which makes it easy to select the right weight.

Is a weighted blanket good for elderly?

Weighted blankets for dementia promote calm Alzheimer’s and dementia often cause older adults to feel agitated, anxious, or have disturbed sleep. A weighted blanket or lap pad is a simple, non-drug option that can be used day or night. They promote deep sleep, reduce anxiety, calm nerves, and provide comfort.

Is 20 lb weighted blanket too heavy?

Young adults and teens who weigh about 100 – 160 pounds can use a weighted blanket that’s 10-15 lbs but for adults weighing from 165 – 200 pounds, a 20 lb weighted blanket works the best. However, for adults weighing above 200 pounds, a 25 lbs (or higher) weighted blanket is perfect.

What is the difference between a weighted blanket and a heavy blanket?

A heavy knit blanket is not the same as a weighted blanket because, rather than using pellets that can shift and conform to you as you move, it just uses a thicker thread that actually makes the blanket less malleable than a normal blanket. And the ability to mold to the user’s body is important.

What is the best weighted blanket for anxiety?

  • Casper Sleep Weighted Blanket. Weight: 10–20 pounds (lbs.) Price: $$ The Casper weighted blankets are designed for relaxation. …
  • YnM 2.0 Weighted Blanket. Weight: 5–30 lbs. Price: $ …
  • Weighted Idea Cooling Weighted Blanket. Weight: 5–30 lbs. Price: $

Do weighted blankets make you feel hot?

While weighted blankets are heavy by definition, they’re not necessarily hotter than an average blanket. Unlike an electric heated blanket, weighted blankets don’t have heat settings or any way to generate heat.

Why are weighted blankets so small?

Its weight, your movements, and the force of gravity will inevitably cause a queen size weighted blanket to fall off a smaller size bed during the night. If you’d like to enjoy the rejuvenating effects of a peaceful night’s sleep in a really big way, you could try a king size weighted blanket for adults.

Does a weighted blanket need a cover?

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make when choosing weighted blankets is choosing the wrong size. You don’t need a queen or full-size blanket to cover your entire bed. Unlike a regular blanket, a weighted comforter should cover your body from chin to feet, that’s it.

Can you put a weighted blanket in a duvet cover?

If you’re one of the people who have embraced the use of weighted blankets in an effort to get better sleep, a duvet cover can also be used to safeguard your weighted blankets from spills. It will also save you from having to lug a super heavy blanket all the way to the washing machine and back.

Do weighted blankets help with tossing and turning?

Calm your nerves. Pressure from the blanket may trigger nervous system responses that lower your heart rate and breathing when you’re anxious. This can help you calm down and sleep. Weighted blankets could also help you stop tossing and turning in bed, so you lie still and go to sleep.

Can a dog sleep under a weighted blanket?

“Some dogs may panic underneath the blanket and this can cause a heightened sense of stress,” warns Dr. … Similar to the weighted blanket recommendation for us humans, any blanket or weighted product your pet sleeps beneath should be less than 10 percent of their body weight.

When should you not use a weighted blanket?

Some sleepers should take extra precautions and speak to their doctor before using a weighted blanket. A weighted blanket may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions, including chronic respiratory or circulatory issues, asthma, low blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and claustrophobia.

Do weighted blankets help anxiety?

The pressure of weighted blankets puts your autonomic nervous system into “rest” mode, reducing some of the symptoms of anxiety, such as a quickened heart rate or breathing. This can provide an overall sense of calm.