5 Best Weighted Blankets of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
We ran 27 temperature cycles on blankets from Baloo, Gravity, Lola, Nodpod, and more to find the best options for hot and cold sleepers. Our faves are cozy, well made, and may help you fall asleep faster.
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A weighted blanket is the blanket equivalent of a cup of tea and a hug. Depending on its fabric, you can add a fluffy puppy to that list.
These heavier-than-usual blankets are designed to apply evenly distributed pressure to your body, and they achieve that by sewing items like glass beads, plastic pellets, or metal chains into the fabric. More modern versions of the blanket are chunky knits that lack internal weights and rely on the weight of their fabric to achieve the same result. CR tested nine weighted blankets in our labs and at home to determine which offer the best insulation, quality, and comfort.
But first: Why would anyone choose a blanket that gives their arms a workout just carrying it from bed to couch?
Weighted Blanket Benefits
People choose weighted blankets for two main reasons: to help reduce anxiety and to promote better sleep. In one small 2020 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 120 adults with insomnia and diagnoses such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, or ADHD were given either a weighted blanket or a much lighter blanket to use for four weeks. The weighted-blanket group reported larger improvements in insomnia and lower anxiety and fatigue.
What About Weighted Blankets for Infants?
Be aware that weighted blankets are not recommended for infants; the Consumer Product Safety Commission has cited multiple infant deaths associated with their use and with weighted swaddles. CR reported on some companies’ dangerous practice of marketing their weighted sleep products, despite warnings from pediatricians and product safety experts (including those at CR). In 2024, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced a bill that would ban weighted sleep products for infants and categorize them as “banned hazardous products” under the Consumer Product Safety Act. In April 2024, Amazon, Babylist, Target, and other retailers said they would no longer allow weighted baby products to be sold at their stores or online.
How to Wash a Weighted Blanket
Most of the weighted blankets that we tested are safe to wash in the washing machine (a gentle detergent is often recommended). Many are also safe in the dryer, unless the manufacturer indicates otherwise. Only one of the blankets needed to be spot-cleaned. Keep in mind that these are large, heavy blankets that will take up a lot of space in your washer and dryer. Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be?
The weighted blankets we tested came in a wide range of weights (one brand offered blankets ranging from 5 to 50 pounds). Researchers often use blankets that are 10 percent of the study group’s average body weight, and that appears to be a common starting point, but it is not a scientifically established idea. Comfort, your ability to remove and carry the blanket, and whether it interferes with breathing and movement matter much more.
We put these blankets to the test in our labs, focusing on their durability and heat retention—the perfect blanket for you will depend a lot on whether you’re looking to feel warmer or cooler when you relax and sleep. We then took them home, slept with them, and washed and dried them to see how they held up in a real-world scenario.
These are the weighted blankets we tested that were incredibly comfortable and performed well.
Sneak Peek: Gravity weighted blankets are popular, but when we tested them against the others in our labs, their performance surprised us. If you’re more tempted by the Lola weighted blanket—our most expensive pick by far—you’ll want to first see how well they performed in our tests before making the investment.
