UK's Best Weighted Blankets Tested: From Anxiety Relief to Cosy Sleep
Weighted blankets are often promoted as solutions for everything from anxiety to insomnia, but can lying under seven kilograms of fabric truly help you unwind? We put these hefty quilts to the test to find out. Anyone who has ever dozed off under the weight of a purring cat or snoring dog already understands the basic principle. The warmth, softness, and substantial pressure that limits fidgeting can make worries fade, nudging you towards slumber.
Studies have shown some success for weighted blankets as sleep aids, but where these heavy covers seem to excel is in alleviating anxiety – and not just according to social media influencers. Scientists, medical professionals, and the NHS are trialling them to comfort dementia patients, soothe neurodivergent children, and even relieve chronic pain. As someone long intrigued by weighted blankets, I decided to investigate their claims firsthand. The list of issues they are said to soothe mirrors my own experiences, including anxiety and restless legs, and I am always open to drug-free remedies. However, being pinned down never struck me as relaxing, and weighted blankets can be dangerous for certain individuals, such as children with learning difficulties or mobility problems, as NHS guidelines caution.
How We Tested the Weighted Blankets
To determine what these blankets could or couldn't do for me, I assembled 10 bestsellers and embarked on a cocooning mission in the name of research. Weighted blankets are less diverse than mattresses or heated clothes airers; they generally perform the same function, with most being 150 x 200cm in size and often a uniform light grey shade. Ranking them required careful attention to detail.
I was surprised by how heavy the blankets were, each weighing about 7kg, totalling 70 kilos of bedding to haul upstairs. My husband and testing partner, Alan, joined me to rate samples on factors like fabric softness, warmth, and construction quality. We tested weight distribution by pulling each blanket over us while lying on our backs and sides, noting how easily we could turn over. We also used a smudge of compost to test spot cleaning ease, as some blankets are machine washable but risky for home machines. Over three cosy evenings on the sofa and several nights of sleep in September and October, we evaluated each blanket's ability to aid falling asleep, regulate temperature, and reduce fidgeting. After testing, I donated the samples to Southampton Hospitals Charity for dementia patients, where they were warmly received.
Top Picks for Weighted Blankets in the UK
Best Weighted Blanket Overall: Emma Hug
Priced from £104, the Emma Hug stood out for its generous, evenly spread weight, making it an instant favourite. Its soft, breathable cotton shell contains over 7kg of glass microbeads, encased in microfibre and distributed among finely stitched squares. The effect is like being hugged by cosy cotton pyjamas, offering warmth without overheating. Despite its heft, it allows easy movement while discouraging fidgeting, proving soothing and soporific. An optional bamboo cover adds extra comfort, though it increases the cost. The cotton surface may crease more easily and be less warming than polyester alternatives, but it justifies the price for those needing sleep help, especially with temperature regulation issues.
Best Budget Weighted Blanket: Silentnight Wellbeing
At £35 from Morrisons, this charcoal-coloured comforter is a superb value option. It feels wonderfully soft, is machine washable, and was easy to spot clean in our test. Weighing 6.9kg, it provides satisfying pressure to calm anxiety and aid sleep. However, its jersey-like fabric may be too warm for hot nights, lacking cooling properties.
Best Warm Weighted Blanket: The Oodie Weighted Blanket
Priced at £65.40, this Australian-made blanket is the warmest in our test, with silky fleece fabric and high-quality stitching. Available in various weights and colours, it is smaller than most at 125 x 196.5cm, making it easier to store and carry. For larger individuals, heavier versions up to 9kg offer gratifying pressure. However, at full RRP, it is one of the more expensive options, though discounts are common.
Best Weighted Blanket for Kids: OHS Minecraft
Costing £19, this single-size blanket weighs 3kg, ideal for children weighing about 30kg or more. It spreads weight evenly, ensuring safety as per NHS guidelines, and features beautiful padding and stitching with non-toxic microbeads. Available in patterns like space print, it has a tactile silky feel and is easy to wash. Its limitation is that it is too light for adults, so children may outgrow it.
Other Notable Weighted Blankets
OHS Fluffy Faux Fur: Priced at £18, this budget blanket offers luxurious fluffiness and tactile pleasure, but it is difficult to clean and may not stay fluffy long-term.
Slumberdown Sleepwell: At £56 from Argos, it provides good temperature control for summer, with silky fabric that melts evenly across the body, though it lacks cosiness for winter.
OHS Waffle Fleece: From £18, this incredibly warm blanket is ideal for winter, but at nearly 8kg, it may be too heavy for some sleepers and challenging to wash.
Allure Bath Fashions Slumber: Starting at £40, it comes in various weights and sizes, with a 2.5 tog rating for temperature regulation, but the fabric is less soft against the skin.
Lifemax Microwave Weighted Blanket: From £29.99, this shawl-like blanket offers targeted comfort when warmed, but it is too small for serious therapeutic benefits.
What You Need to Know About Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets are designed to exert gentle-but-firm pressure evenly across the body, a form of deep touch pressure therapy that mimics being hugged. This can boost serotonin production, potentially alleviating anxiety. They use safe materials like glass microbeads and are endorsed by health organisations for conditions such as ADHD and insomnia. However, they may not suit everyone, especially those who prefer more movement in bed.
For optimal use, choose a blanket that is about 10% of your body weight, with most adult sizes being 150 x 200cm. Washing can be challenging; while many are machine washable, heavier blankets may require commercial machines or hand washing. Using a cover or spot cleaning is often recommended to maintain the blanket. Always check care instructions to avoid damaging the product.
