Best weighted blanket 2021: from Silentnight, Simba and more
Today’s best weighted blankets could ease anxiety, relieve stress and even help you sleep better. In essence, a weighted blanket is exactly what it sounds like: a blanket with weights sewn in (usually in the form of tiny glass beads) to create a gentle, even pressure on the wearer’s body. But beyond that there are extra features to look for – this article separates the blankets that are worth their weight in gold, and the ones that are just lightweights.
As well as having specialist uses, weighted blankets have hit the mainstream as a solution for anyone who has trouble sleeping, or suffers from stress in general. The slight pressure is meant to be soothing, almost like a full-body hug, to reduce restlessness and aid relaxation.
The idea of a weighted blanket began life as a medical aid, but since around 2017 it’s shifted into the mainstream. Now the brands behind many of today’s best mattresses have their own version, and they are used as an relaxation aid for all kinds of people, including those struggling with stress or insomnia. They can be used as a replacement for one of the best duvets, or for occasional use, like a regular blanket. You’ll find more information in our guide to ‘what is a weighted blanket and how do they work?’
Assuming you’ve done your research and decided one of these would be a good option for you, we’re here to help you find the best weighted blanket for your needs. There are all kinds of models in all kinds of fabrics at all kinds of prices, and the most well-known names may not be the right choice for you. Read on for our pick of the best weighted blankets 2021.
The best weighted blanket 2021
(Image credit: Simba)
It’s a bit of an investment, but the Simba Orbit is the best weighted blanket we’ve found. Glass nano-beads provide even pressure, and you can choose between two different weight options, both at the same price. The 100% cotton cover is a pleasing dark grey, and the beads are evenly distributed, with no bunching or slipping around. The cover is machine washable, and attaches to the inner with a series of inner ties, which are easy to use (although holding the blanket up at the time is a bit of a workout). A zip fastener at the base keeps everything neat. In our Simba Orbit review, our tester found this blanket immediately soothing but not oppressive, the cover exceptionally soft to touch, as well as being nice and breathable. She also noted a much improved sleep quality when using it. We can’t guarantee it’ll be as life-changing for you, but this is certainly an excellent quality blanket that’s worth checking out. And if you’re lucky, you might find a Simba discount code or deal to take the price down a bit.
(Image credit: Silentnight)
If you’re on a slightly tighter budget, the best weighted blanket for you could well be the Silentnight Wellbeing Weighted Blanket. The fabric has a nice, strokable feel without being either slippery or too plush and warm. Because it’s all one piece, with the beads sewn into the cover in a grid pattern for even distribution, you won’t find the inner slipping around when you’re moving this blanket around. We were very impressed with it on test, and for general daily use it’s an excellent option.
It is, surprisingly, machine washable (on a gentle 40°C cycle), beads and all. That said, if you’re wanting to use it as a permanent duvet you might be better going with an option that has a removable cover, as we’re not sure most washing machines are exactly built for this kind of thing. Another slight drawback is the lack of different options: you’ve got one size, one colour and one weight only on offer here. However, the 6.8kg weight is not the heaviest, nor the lightest available in this list, and is a good middle ground for most adults.
(Image credit: Eve)
The Eve Sleep weighted blanket is a premium option in both quality, styling and price. Rather than using glass beads, the pressure here comes built-in, from the 100% cotton knitted design. It’s no lightweight though: there’s 7kg of pressure, and distributed completely evenly across the whole blanket. As well as looking like a smart, stylish traditional blanket, the Eve option is especially snuggly and cosy – which is great for cooler evenings, but might have you overheating when the weather is warm. The main downside noted in our Eve weighted blanket review is that the all-in-one design means it’s tricky to clean. It is machine washable, but you’d need a big drum to fit it all in, and you might prefer to leave it to the professionals. But as a sofa-bound option that both looks the part and is cosy as well as comforting, the Eve weighted blanket is an excellent, luxurious choice.
(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)
Another great choice is the John Lewis & Partners Specialist Synthetic Weighted Blanket. Although there’s only one colour to choose from, we think the design here is especially stylish, with a nicely textured 100% cotton cover and all-in-one design that give it the appearance of a regular blanket. There’s a slight down-side here – as there’s no removable cover, and the blanket itself isn’t machine-washable, this option is spot-clean only. There’s a wide range of weights and two different sizes to choose from, so you can pick one to suit your exact needs.
(Image credit: Gravity)
The original pioneers of the weighted blanket trend, Gravity Blanket still makes some of the most popular options around. These blankets are designed to be super-cosy, with one plush side and one velvet side. They’re hypoallergenic and available in a wide range of weights and two different sizes.
The cosy cover is separate from the weighted inner, and attached to the outside edges using ties. This means it can be removed to be washed (cover is machine washable at 40 degrees), but it can mean the inner slips around a little as you’re maneuvering it. These weighted blankets are incredibly well reviewed, with an average of 4.72 out of 5 stars across over 600 ratings. If you’re not sure it’ll be for you, you can take advantage of the 28-day trial period.
(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)
John Lewis & Partners sells a range of kids’ weighted blankets in different prints. As well as this Marvel Spider-Man design, there’s a Pixar Toy Story blanket, a Disney Frozen blanket, and a more subtle star print option, so you can pick one depending on your child’s preferences. The blanket is made from breathable cotton on the top side, with a micro plush underside. A word of warning though, it’s spot-clean only, so you’ll need to be wary of spillages and accidents.
All of these designs are available as either 2kg, 90x120cm blanket, designed for younger children, or a 3kg, 25-40kg blanket for older and bigger children. Remember, weighted blankets are not suitable for children aged 3 or under, and make sure you read through the guidelines on the John Lewis website before purchasing.
(Image credit: Nectar)
Nectar makes some of the best mattresses around right now, and a newer addition to its sleep accessory offerings is the Sumo Weighted Blanket. This eco-friendly option has a natural bamboo cover, and comes with Nectar’s 100-night trial, so you can make absolutely sure it’s the right choice for you.
The design of this weighted blanket comes in two parts: the weighted inner section can be taken out of the cover. There are pros and cons to this. On the plus side, you can easily strip off the cover to wash it in the washing machine, which is great if you want to use it as a permanent duvet. On the down side, it does mean the weighted section can slip around a bit when you’re maneuvering the blanket – an issue that’s exacerbated slightly by the silky texture of the cover. Overall, we’d say this is best suited to someone who’s planning on having their weighted blanket out on their bed the whole time, rather than for occasional use as a blanket.
Published at Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:58:25 +0000