Having tried several different types of weighted blanket, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what they feel like, and how to use them. I have 3 criteria for how to choose a weighted blanket that is the right one for you:
- Weight
- Covering
- Practicalities (ease of washing, durability)
Once you’ve nailed down exactly what you need from your blanket, you can go about choosing the one that will work best for you. Let me explain each of the 3 criteria in detail to show you exactly what you’re looking for. I’ve also got a handy Q&A section at the bottom of the article along with weighted blanket brand recommendations for you.
How To Choose A Weighted Blanket: 3 Considerations
1. Weight
The general rule of thumb is to choose a weighted blanket that is about 10% of your body weight.
Weighted blankets come in weights from 5lb/2kg right up to 28lb/13kg so there will be something that is close enough to 10% for you. Here’s a real life example for you: my weight is in the 60kg range, and my 7kg weighted blanket works great for me. My husband is about 82kg and he likes a 9kg weighted blanket.
Why 10%? Because weighted blankets work on “deep touch stimulation” and this is the weight that’s safe and optimal for you to get these benefits.
I’ve got some handy weighted blanket weight charts you can refer to, and save yourself whipping out your calculator.
2. Covering
There are 4 common weighted blanket styles you’ll come across in your search for the perfect one. You’ll find them in a wide range of colors and patterns, but grey is the best seller and therefore the color you’ll come across the most in your search.
- Bamboo: this has a beautiful silky feel and is breathable. Bamboo is a natural fiber.
- Cotton: this is also breathable, but doesn’t have as much of a light silky soft feel as bamboo. Cotton is a natural fiber.
- Mink: popular with those looking for a very soft and cozy blanket, this has a fleecy feel. As you can see in the image above, the mink can also be changed to add things such as sensory dots (which are great for kids). This fabric is a man made material and is going to sleep/feel hotter than bamboo or cotton and be less breathable.
- Knit: cotton chunky knit is a popular look for those looking for a weighted blanket for their living room. A knit blanket like the one shown above does not have a cover that zips off like the others, nor will it come with a beaded insert. The weight comes from the knit and the strong polyester filling inside it (kind of like what you find in soft toys, but more dense).
3. Practicalities
A couple of things to consider here:
- Sleeping: do you sleep hot? Do you want cozy or breathable? If you sleep hot or you want a breathable blanket, bamboo is my top recommendation. If coziness and softness are your top priorities, then a minky feel one will be your favorite.
- Laundry: can your washing machine handle washing an entire weighted blanket? Most machines can take up to 7kg so I’m going say probably not. If you want to clean your blanket regularly, I recommend one with a removable cover.
- Feel: do you want a blanket that’s got weighted beads inside, or do you prefer the idea of a blanket that is just like a traditional blanket but just really heavy (like the chunky knit above).
Of all the styles of weighted blanket I have tried, my favorite is my blanket with a removable bamboo cover and glass bead weighted inner.
Weighted Blanket Q&A
Can a weighted blanket be too heavy?
Yes. The recommended weight for you to get the benefits of a weighted blanket is around 10% of your body weight. While it’s okay – for example – to round up to a 15lb blanket if you weigh 140lb or a 9kg blanket if you weigh 78kg, please make sure your blanket is not more than 15% of your body weight.
Can you sleep with a weighted blanket every night?
Yes, I do myself! I tried out my regular duvet again recently, but it didn’t feel right and I went back to my weighted blanket! As long as you are using a weighted blanket that is the correct weight for you and you don’t have any health concerns that make a weighted blanket unsuitable, there’s no reason why you can’t use it every night (I even take mine on road trips so I can use it while I’m away from home).
I’m between weight sizes. What do I do?
As long as the next size up doesn’t put you over that 15% of your bodyweight threshold, I’d go UP in weight. I’ve shown two examples of this above under “can a weighted blanket be too heavy”.
If the next size up is MORE than 15% of your body weight, round down.
Are weighted blankets safe for kids?
Yes for children where a health professional has recommended it.
No for toddlers and babies: NEVER use a weighted blanket with toddlers and babies
Do weighted blankets make you hot?
This depends on the fabric used for the cover. I started using my weighted blanket, which has a beautiful silky feel bamboo cover, in the summer with no issue. I wouldn’t use a minky feel one in the winter as it’s a thicker fabric that is less breathable.
If you tend to be a hot sleeper anyway, you may find you get hot using a weighted blanket in the summer. After all, they are heavy blankets. If you want to keep using your blanket through the summer and this is a concern for you, look to other ways to keep yourself cool such as combining the blanket with breathable bedding and controlling the temperature of your bedroom.
