Latest news with #weightedblankets
Fox News
21-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
9 weighted blankets that can reduce anxiety and help you sleep better
Weighted blankets are therapeutic and are often used to relieve anxiety and stress and promote better sleep. These heavy blankets, ranging from five to 30 pounds, are "weighted" with materials like plastic pellets or glass beads to achieve their weight. Some of these blankets, like the Bearaby, use the weight of the fabric itself instead of fillers or plastic pellets. The added weight can have a calming effect through deep touch pressure, mimicking the feeling of being hugged or swaddled. You can use these blankets to relieve anxiety. The extra weight is believed to help calm the nervous system, mimicking the feeling of being hugged and promoting a sense of security and relaxation. These blankets can also help with sleep problems like insomnia because they reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Weighted blankets can help individuals fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and experience better overall sleep quality. Choosing the correct weight for your blanket depends on your size. The Sleep Foundation recommends that adults choose a weighted blanket between 5% and 12% of their body weight for the best results. A proper blanket should allow for comfort and movement regardless of weight. Original price: $329 Bearaby's king-sized weighted blanket covers the entire bed so that you can share the calming effects of this beautiful weighted blanket. Bearaby blankets are weighted by their patented yarn. This yarn is layered upon itself to achieve the desired weight. This design also allows for a hand-knitted look and feel, with breathable fabric that encourages air circulation. You can also buy this blanket on Amazon. Original price: $230 Silk & Snow's Hand-Knitted Weighted Blanket is woven with natural cotton for easier care. It's hand-knitted with soft cotton yarns in an open-knit structure, which promotes airflow and prevents overheating. The weight is achieved through the layers of woven cotton and does not use glass or plastic pellets. This Luxome weighted blanket with a removable cover has a cotton interior shell filled with glass beads. The outer cover is made of Minky – a plush, microfiber fabric that feels soft and velvety – and lyocell from bamboo. The inner blanket is often made of 100% cotton percale weave. The Baloo blanket made by Baloo Living is designed to provide a deep pressure touch to melt away stress and anxiety and promote relaxation and better sleep. These blankets are made of eco-friendly and sustainable materials, including 100% cotton, lead-free glass beads, and plastic-free packaging. Original price: $219 Nolah Sleep's chunky knit weighted blanket's breathable open knit is soft and cozy so you can achieve your best sleep. The blanket features 100% polyester jersey-knitted fabric stuffed with breathable 100% polyester filling. This blanket has a tighter weave compared to some of the other knitted blankets on the market, so it looks chunkier. It only comes in cream. Original price: $169 Brooklinen's weighted blanket is made of textured cotton and weighted with a layer of tiny glass beads. It is a high-quality cotton blend that offers a soft, breathable, and comfortable feel. It gets high marks for its even weight distribution. Original price: $179 Casper's weighted blanket is filled with small glass microbeads that are evenly distributed for a comfortable and soothing feeling customers like. This blanket features a 100% cotton cover that is breathable and smooth, which helps regulate temperature. This blanket has three weight options (10, 15, and 20 pounds). Original price: $168 This weighted blanket features a two-toned cover design: one side is a bamboo-based pewter gray, and the other is a dark gray. It is weighted with glass beads to alleviate stress and anxiety, and premium rayon fabric made from bamboo helps keep you feeling cool. For more Deals, visit Original price: $149 The Tempur-Pedic Weighted Blanket is filled with glass beads evenly distributed across the entire body to calm you. It has a plush, washable cover and is available in a modest charcoal grey color and two weights.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
6 best weighted blankets you can buy right now, including Emma and Kuddly
THE best weighted blankets have evolved from fleeting trend to bedroom staple – and for good reason. These anxiety-busting bedding heroes are still winning fans for their ability to help you drift off faster and sleep more soundly. The good news? The market has seriously matured since those early days. Now, sleep specialists and mainstream brands are all competing for your attention, giving you more choice than ever before. From budget-friendly options to luxe premium picks, the weight, material and feel can vary dramatically. That's why we've done the heavy lifting for you (pun very much intended) by testing and reviewing the best weighted blankets on the market to see which ones are genuinely worth your cash. Whether you're looking to combat night-time anxiety, stop restless tossing and turning, or simply want to feel properly cocooned for a change, our tried-and-tested selection has something for every sleeper and budget. If you're really after a sleep upgrade, take a look at our guides to the best mattress, best pillows, and - if you want to save the pennies - mattress deals. These are the weighted wonders that impressed us most during our testing – no more counting sheep required. Best weighted blankets at a glance: 1. Weighted Blanket 6 Weighted Blanket £99 Cons: Quite bulky/tricky to store, can make you overheat (cooling option is available), takes a while to dry Rating: 4.5/5 We're no strangers to a good blanket. Over the years, we've done a pretty good job of adorning our flat with a range of blankets, throws and quilts. As a result, we've come to think of ourselves as aficionados, but we have to admit the Kuddly weighted blanket was a real game-changer. This weighted wonder, clocking in at 4.7kg, delivers an unparalleled sense of security and comfort. It's like wrapping yourself in a reassuring hug, creating a cosy cocoon that goes above and beyond your standard blanketing experience. For those who prefer a larger option, there's a 7kg version perfect for sharing those relaxing nights with your partner. Personally, we don't like to be weighed down so much while in bed, so the blanket is mostly used for chilly evenings on the sofa. It's crafted from a silky polyester that matches the softness of any plush throw we've owned, with easy maintenance - just hand-wash or gentle machine wash, then air-dry. If your run-of-the-mill blanket isn't quite doing the job and you're looking for something more heavy-duty, you can't go wrong with the Kuddly weighted blanket. 2. Kally Sleep Weighted Anxiety Blanket 6 Kally Sleep Weighted Anxiety Blanket £69.55 BUY HERE Pros: Super soft, multiple colours, varied weights Rating: 4.5/5 Anyone who struggles with anxiety knows how hard it can be to get to sleep when your mind is racing. We were lucky enough to try out this 6.8kg weighted blanket from Kally Sleep in the lead-up to Christmas, which we always find quite stressful. The pressure from the tiny glass beads within the blanket helped to soothe us into a slumber and was big enough to share with our partner. We got the light blue shade because that's what matched our decor, but they also offer white and light grey if that's a better fit for you. The blanket has quickly become our go-to for those nights when stress levels peak, creating an instantly calming effect that's almost like being wrapped in a gentle hug. If anxiety keeps you tossing and turning, this affordable option might just be the sleep solution you've been searching for. 3. Oodie Weighted Blanket 6 BUY HERE Pros: Super soft cover, comforting, easy to sleep with Cons: Not ideal to share with a partner, slightly narrow design Rating: 4/5 Made from a super soft, plush fabric and filled with eco-friendly glass beads that are evenly distributed, The Oodie's weighted blanket has quickly become a household favourite. The outer material is smooth to the touch, giving it a luxurious feel that also keeps you snug and warm, while the separately sewn pockets mean that the weight is equally spread, allowing the blanket to comfortably tuck around you. Our sleeping pattern - for the most part - is fairly consistent, and we're lucky that we can often drift off easily. However, we do wake up multiple times during the night and have done so for a long time. The Oodie's weighted blanket has been great for ensuring that we have a sound sleep, as it does (quite literally) function as a security blanket. The weight is enough to ease any tension or anxiousness but not enough to feel uncomfortable, creating that peaceful slumber we're all after. The only downside? At 121cm wide, it's perfect for solo use but not ideal for sharing. That said, this cosy wonder is an absolute steal for anyone looking to upgrade their sleep game. Weight: 4.5 kg, 6.8kg, 9kg Dimensions: 198 x 121cm 4. Simba Orbit Weighted Blanket 6 Pros: Provided restful sleep, available in multiple weights Rating: 4/5 Considering we sleep next to what we can only assume is the world's lightest sleeper, we were particularly excited to test the Simba Orbit blanket. Prior to Simba 's blanket entering our life, we'd regularly wake up our partner with tiny movements, like rearranging the covers or scratching our nose (yes, this actually happened). As you can imagine, this was stressful for both parties involved; a lack of sleep doesn't go down well in our household. However, after a couple of nights of our partner using the weighted blanket, we noticed that the deepness of their sleep improved significantly, resulting in both of us getting a much more pleasant night's sleep. The Orbit quickly became our go-to sleep aid for cooler months (it's definitely too warm for summer use). Its glass nano-beads are evenly distributed in quilted pockets, with a breathable cotton cover that's machine-washable. While it's only available in a single size (135 x 200cm), you can choose between 6.8kg/15lb or 9kg/20lb weights. 5. Aeyla Weighted Blanket 6 Aeyla Weighted Blanket £99 BUY HERE Cons: Single size is not ideal for sharing Rating: 4/5 If you're new to weighted blankets, the Aeyla weighted blanket is an ideal choice to sleep with. There's an option to buy it with a removable cover, and we'd recommend doing that as the cover is super-soft and made from fleece, which adds a cosiness to the blanket. While our first time using it felt a bit strange, we relaxed into it better than we thought we would and found that it was surprisingly easy to sleep with. We used the 5.5kg blanket and felt that it was the perfect weight for us as it ensured that we felt snug without feeling restricted. Its underlayer is also made from cooling cotton, so we didn't feel too hot sleeping underneath it. We often suffer from restlessness throughout the night and found that sleeping with the Aeyla weighted blanket helped us stay in bed for longer, which improved our sleep efficiency. The best part? It's completely machine washable - making this the most low-maintenance option on our list. Perfect for those who want the benefits of a weighted blanket without the cleaning hassle that comes with most other models. 6. Emma Hug Weighted Blanket 6 Emma Hug Weighted Blanket £104 BUY HERE Pros: Optional bamboo cover has a lovely cooling effect, perfect for warmer months, plenty big enough for two people to sleep under, perfect weighty at 7kg Cons: Doesn't come with a cover by default, bamboo cover sometimes comes detached from the blanket Rating: 3.5/5 The interesting thing about Emma's weighted blanket is that it doesn't come with any sort of cover by default, which for a wincing £198 is pretty poor form, if you ask us. Although the blanket functions perfectly well without the bamboo cover, we would recommend investing in the optional extra; as well as protecting the blanket itself (which is too heavy for household washing machines), it provides a super silky texture and a cooling effect that makes this the perfect replacement for a thick duvet during the summer months. There's only one weight option, 7kg, but we'd say this is the perfect level of heft; it's weighty without suffocating, with glass beads smaller than 1mm distributing pressure evenly throughout the blanket. Our only gripe with the bamboo cover is that its silky nature means the blanket can sometimes shift inside, requiring occasional rearranging - but it's a minor inconvenience for what's otherwise the perfect summer sleeping companion. Weighted blanket FAQs How do you use a weighted blanket? If you're new to the weighted blanket game, getting the most from your anxiety-busting bedding hero isn't rocket science – but there are a few insider tricks worth knowing. First up, choosing the right weight is crucial. The golden rule? Go for roughly 10% of your body weight. Too heavy and you'll feel trapped rather than comforted; too light and you'll miss out on that signature deep-pressure magic that makes these blankets so effective. When it comes to actually using your weighted wonder, start slowly. Try it for short periods first – perhaps during an evening Netflix session before committing to a full night. This gives your body time to adjust to the sensation. Temperature management matters, too. Most weighted blankets trap heat brilliantly (fantastic in winter, less so in summer). If you're a hot sleeper, look for options with cooling covers like Emma's bamboo version, or save your weighted blanket for cooler months. For maximum benefit, ensure the blanket covers your body evenly without hanging off the bed – the pressure should be distributed across your body rather than pulling down on one side. What are the benefits of a weighted blanket? Weighted blankets aren't just another bedroom fad – there's serious science behind why these hefty sleep accessories have become a permanent fixture in bedrooms nationwide. The deep pressure stimulation these blankets provide triggers the release of serotonin and melatonin (your body's natural sleep regulators) while reducing cortisol (that pesky stress hormone). This powerful combination creates a genuinely therapeutic effect that goes beyond simple comfort. For anxiety sufferers, the gentle, distributed pressure acts like a full-body hug, creating an immediate calming effect that can reduce those racing thoughts keeping you awake. Insomniacs report falling asleep faster and experiencing fewer night-time wake-ups – a game-changer for those who've tried everything else. They're not just for troubled sleepers, either. Many users find weighted blankets transform their everyday relaxation time, making evening TV sessions more restorative and helping create a clearer boundary between work and downtime. While they won't solve every sleep issue overnight, the growing body of evidence supporting their effectiveness explains why weighted blankets have graduated from a wellness trend to a bedroom essential. How heavy is a weighted blanket? Weighted blankets come in a range of heft options, and choosing the right one is crucial for reaping those sleep-enhancing benefits everyone's raving about. The golden rule most sleep specialists recommend? Your weighted blanket should be approximately 10% of your body weight. This means a 70kg person would ideally opt for a 7kg blanket – exactly what Emma offers with their Hug Weighted Blanket. Most adult weighted blankets on the market fall between 4kg and 11kg, with the sweet spot typically being 6-8kg. Kuddly, for instance, offers a comfortable middle ground at 4.7kg, while Simba's Orbit comes in at a slightly weightier 6.8kg option. For children, it's essential to go lighter – around 2-3kg – and always consult with a doctor first, as weighted blankets aren't recommended for very young children or babies. Remember, too heavy and you'll feel restricted rather than relaxed; too light and you'll miss out on that deep-pressure effect that triggers all those calming hormones. Finding your perfect weight is the difference between just another blanket and a truly transformative sleep experience. What are weighted blankets used for? These cleverly designed covers serve multiple purposes beyond just keeping you warm at night. For anxiety sufferers, these hefty blankets work wonders by mimicking deep pressure stimulation – essentially giving your entire body a gentle, consistent hug that triggers the release of serotonin and reduces cortisol levels. This biological response explains why so many users report feeling instantly calmer after wrapping themselves up. Insomnia fighters swear by weighted blankets for their ability to reduce tossing and turning, leading to faster sleep onset and fewer night-time wake-ups. The gentle pressure keeps you more still throughout the night, potentially increasing overall sleep quality. They're brilliant for sensory processing disorders too, offering steady, consistent pressure that can help regulate sensory experiences. Many adults with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders find them particularly effective for creating a sense of security and groundedness. Beyond medical applications, countless users simply love the cocooning comfort these blankets provide during everyday relaxation. How do you clean a weighted blanket? Cleaning your prized weighted blanket requires a bit more care than your standard bedding – but don't let that put you off investing in one of these sleep-enhancing wonders. First, check the care label. Many weighted blankets come with removable covers (like Aeyla's), which can be machine-washed separately – making life considerably easier. These outer layers are designed to take the dirt, sweat and occasional spill, protecting the weighted inner section. For the weighted portion itself, weight is your determining factor. Blankets under 7kg can typically handle a gentle machine wash with cold water and mild detergent. Use the delicate cycle and skip the spin – the extra weight can damage your machine if it gets unbalanced. Heavier options (like Emma's 7kg blanket) usually require hand washing or professional cleaning. For spot cleaning, a simple solution of equal parts warm water and vinegar works wonders on most stains. Drying is where patience becomes essential. Most manufacturers recommend air drying – drape it evenly across a washing line or lay it flat, flipping occasionally to ensure even drying.
