Best weighted blankets for enhanced sleep and reduced stress
High-quality weighted blankets utilise a technique called 'deep touch pressure therapy' (DTP) to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Our curated list has best weighted blankets available in the UK for 2024, including top brands like Remy and Emma.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Widely known for their sleep and anxiety benefits, weighted blankets have become a staple in many of our lives, helping us to unwind in the evening and generally feel calmer and more relaxed – both crucial contributing factors to a good night’s sleep. The benefits are quite scientific, too. The key is something called Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) which, while sounding complicated, can be summarised as how applying small amounts of pressure across your body, through a dispersed weight, can lead you to feel calmer, more secure, and ultimately more likely to drift off to sleep. Think of it as a pressure stimulation hug in blanket form, with the added bonus that it can’t break up with you.
Naturally, it's not a magic fix-all solution (you'll want to make sure you've got one of the best mattresses and best pillows to give yourself every fighting chance of relaxation), but wrapping one of the best weighted blankets around yourself can go a mighty long way to improving your general mood and stress levels, transforming you into a bonafide easy napper.
Whether you want a weighted blanket for a good night's sleep, or one for simply lounging around in comfort on the sofa, we've rounded up some of the best weighted blankets below to help make your buying decision that little bit easier, whatever your style, age or budget.
Skip to: What is the best weighted blanket? | How we test weighted blankets: Our process for creating this guide | What is a weighted blanket used for? | How heavy of a weighted blanket is best? | Is a 9kg weighted blanket too heavy? | How does a weighted blanket work? | What type of weighted blanket is best? | Are more expensive weighted blankets better? | Shop GQ’s edit of the best weighted blankets in 2024…
What is the best weighted blanket for 2024?
We’ve outlined each of our favourite weighted blankets in detail throughout this guide, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and what you should be looking for. But if you just want a quick-fire rundown to the best, look no further than our top picks below.
The table below has a quick-glance look at the specs of some of our favourite weighted blankets to help you see how they differ.
| Brand of blanket | Weights available (kg) | Filling | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oodie | 4.5, 6.8, 9 | Glass beads | Plush outer cover |
| Emma | 7 | Glass beads, microfiber polyester pad | Bamboo |
| Aeyla | 4, 5.5, 7 | Rounded quartz glass micropelletswith a cotton shell | One side 100% cotton, one side recycled polyester |
| Simba | 6.8 | Weighted glass nano-beads | 100% cotton |
| Kudd.Ly | 4, 7 | Glass beads | MicroCool Fleece cover |
How we test weighted blankets: Our process for creating this guide
We've tried and tested some of the best weighted blankets around in order to help inform this guide, looking at how they all performed against a range of criteria. This includes the materials, how they felt, what the fillings and covers were made from, how easy to wash they were, the number of different weight options available and, ultimately, how they felt to lie under. We employed a team of contributing testers and experts on board to help with the process, meaning the recommendations below come from different GQ editors.
Of course, weighted blankets are pretty challenging to move around, meaning there were a few instances below where we haven't managed to lie under the blankets ourselves. In these cases, we informed our decisions on the specifications available to us and only included brands where we know and love the products they produce.
GQ's Senior Commerce Writer Daphne Bugler has tried and tested weighted blankets from nearly every brand on the market, having written extensively about sleep, mattresses and interior design for more than four years.
Her expertise has been combined with that of Britta O'Boyle, a journalist who has been working in sleep and interiors for the past 14 years. Working alongside experts in the sleep world, as well as insight from the wider GQ team of 30+ style experts on the trends and aesthetics that everyone is loving in 2024, they've made sure this guide has everything covered.
Weighted blanket FAQs
There's plenty to know about weighted blankets so we have detailed some of the most frequently asked questions to help you get to grips with them before you decide which is right for you.
Weighted blankets have a surprising range of uses that go beyond regular blankets and throw blankets or toppers. Sure, you can just use them for their snuggly and comforting extra weight to keep you warm, but the main reason you’d buy a weighted blanket — as opposed to just a normal throw — is for the extra benefits that the weight provides. Simulating the feeling of a hug, weighted blankets can be really useful for helping manage stress, reducing anxiety, and encouraging you to fall asleep faster by helping your nervous system relax. It’s all about how the pressure encourages your body to relax, which can be great for a whole range of different people.
According to the science, however, there's limited evidence that weighted blankets will definitely help with anxiety. In a 2019 piece published by Harvard Medical School, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry explained that “there are really no reputable scientific studies to back up the claims” that this could reduce anxiety. In 2024 however, a study conducted in Sweden "provided primary evidence for weighted blankets' efficacy in relieving insomnia and daytime fatigue" in patients with psychiatric disorders", ultimately leading to a recommendation that more research is carried out. Just remember to consult a medical professional if you have an underlying medical condition or are unsure if it is right for you.
Split across our team, we tried out a whole selection of weighted blankets to see if they were actually worth the hype when it comes to improving sleep and anxiety levels. The response was overwhelmingly positive from everyone that tried them, and while many of us did struggle to find space in our flats to keep them, it was well worth it. Our sleep improved, we managed to unwind and stay calmer in the evenings, and overall, we'd recommend the experience.
As much as it's important to think about size, material and filling when you're shopping for a weighted blanket, nothing is as crucial as what weight you pick. While some brands only offer one lightweight option, there's a lot to be said for personalising your weighted blanket to your body and preferences. According to the Sleep Foundation, “as a rule of thumb, the weight of a weighted blanket should be around 10 per cent of your body weight,” with preferred weights being between 5 and 12 per cent. It also depends on what kind of weight you find the most comfortable, but do bear in mind that if you're shopping for a child, it's even more important to pay close attention to the guidelines of the brand you're buying from before making a purchase.
As detailed above, the right weighted blanket for you depends on your body weight, as well as your personal preference on how heavy you like it to feel. Given that the general recommendation is that a weighted blanket comes in around 10 per cent of your body weight, if you weigh 90kg or above, a 9kg blanket should be a good fit. For anyone below or significantly above that weight however, you might need to look for a lighter or heavier option. If you're really unsure, speak to a healthcare professional.
Weighted blankets work using a technique called 'deep touch therapy', also known as DTP. By placing pressure on the body through the additional weight (normally in the form of plastic pellets or glass beads), this can lead to the happy hormone serotonin being released in the brain, in a similar way to a warm hug or cuddle. Through applying even pressure and the right weight to your body, weighted blankets have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress levels and help you feel more relaxed, all of which can contribute to a restful eight hours of snuggling.
According to Dr. Cristina Cusin, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, “weighted blankets have been around for a long time, especially for children with autism or behavioural disturbances.” Dr. Cusin does say that “while some people swear by these blankets, concrete evidence is unfortunately lacking,” but she also adds that “blankets may be of help for anxiety or insomnia.”
Scientific support for using weighted blankets may be inconclusive, but there are studies that find deep pressure therapy to be helpful and beneficial in improving sleep and anxiety levels. According to a study conducted by Remy, out of 300 participants, 83 per cent found the company’s blankets helped them sleep and 90 per cent felt less stressed.
While a very simple item, weighted blankets actually vary in two areas. The cover is the first thing you want to pay attention to, the best of which will be made from cotton or bamboo to make sure they're soft enough to be used with or without a duvet cover on top. Next, look at the filling of which we'd say glass beads are the most common. If you want something that has no beads in it, brands like Sommio might also be a great choice. For practical reasons, it's often best to go for one with a washable cover as well – let's not get into the time we tried to haul our weighted blanket to the laundrette…
As with anything, more expensive doesn't always mean better, but it does mean you'll often find better quality materials and that it might last that extra bit longer. We've tried to include a range of weighted blankets below with the best options for every budget.
For more interiors, fashion and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.
Shop GQ's edit of the best weighted blankets…
These are our top picks for the best weighted blankets to help you get the rest you deserve.
Best overall weighted blanket
1/11Aeyla
Mela Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 4.7kg, 5.5kg, 7kg
- Cover: One side 100 per cent cotton 300-thread count, one side recycled polyester
- Filling: Rounded quartz glass micro pellets with a cotton shell
- Other features: Removable, washable cover
Chances are you'll have heard of Aeyla's four-times award-winning blankets, and for good reason. With an incredibly luxurious minky feel to them, the Mela weighted blanket is one of the more comfortable options on the market, made with a 100 per cent cotton shell that feels soft to the touch, and anti-rustle glass pellets that are designed to add weight while moulding around your body, mirroring the sensation of being hugged. Easy to wash with a removable cover, and with a double-sided design that has warm, quilted fleece on the top and cooling cotton on the bottom, it's a weighted blanket that you can use all year round.
Promising to help with everything from poor sleep and stress, to tossing and turning, anxiety, restlessness and even overthinking, it touts itself as the ultimate tool for better sleep and stress relief. Naturally, your results may vary, as everyone reacts to things differently, but there’s no denying the comfort provided by its range of weights which, coupled with that delightful velvety finish and cooling layer, makes for one of the best weighted blanket experiences around. Oh, and it’s machine washable too, for an added dash of convenience. From
£139£89. At aeyla.co.ukPros & ConsPros- Luxurious feel
- Anti-rustle pellets
Cons- Not as aesthetic as the knitted options
Best temperature-regulating weighted blanket
2/11Emma Sleep
Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 7kg
- Cover: Bamboo
- Filling: Glass beads, microfiber, polyester pad
- Other features: Removable, washable bamboo cover
Emma has been one of our go-to brands for anything and everything relating to sleep for quite a while, mainly thanks to its expertise in the mattress world. Memory foam comfort aside, it's the brand's weighted blanket that has been captivating our attention as of late. While there's only one weight option available, it's the removable, washable cover that gives this blanket its edge. Oh and the impressive 10-year warranty is a rather tempting feature as well, especially for those who want long-term peace of mind.
Rather than cotton or synthetic materials, it's made from 100 per cent bamboo fibre which helps to regulate temperature while you sleep, something which can be beneficial when you're sleeping with 7kg of weight on top of you. The bamboo material also has the luxurious feeling of silk, only easier to maintain and clean. Despite this, it can be machine washed at 30 degrees, before being spread out to dry. You’ll want to double-check that it doesn’t exceed your washing machine’s weight limit, mind. All in all, it’s probably just easier to wash the (sold separately) blanket cover instead, which can handle 40 degrees in the machine. £119. At emma-sleep.co.uk
Pros & ConsPros- Removable cover and a blanket made with temperature-regulating bamboo
Cons- Only one weight option
Best beaded weighted blanket
3/11Simba
Orbit Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 6.8kg
- Cover: 100% cotton
- Filling: Weighted glass nano-beads
- Other features: Removable, washable cotton cover
Given how much we love Simba's hybrid mattresses, pillows and duvet, it's no surprise that we're also obsessed with the brand's weighted blanket. Made with nano-bead technology, thousands of glass beads are fitted into evenly filled quilted pockets, meaning there won't be any issues with uneven weight distribution. Elsewhere, the cover is both breathable and washable, made from 100 per cent cotton, so you can keep the blanket clean and hygienic, while also being confident that it will keep you from overheating if you decide to use it overnight.
Designed to move your body from the fight or flight mode we experience when stressed, to a state of relaxation, you'll feel calmer and much more grounded with each use. There’s also a comfort fill layer, which is an extra layer of cushioning between you and the glass nano-beads, making for an additional layer of luxury. The only downside? Available in just the one grey colour, you may want to put it in a duvet cover to help it match your bedding and soft furnishings a bit better. £99. At simbasleep.com
Pros & ConsPros- Breathable and very calming
- Removable, washable cotton cover
Cons- Glass beads can be annoying
Best fleece weighted blanket
4/11Kudd.ly
Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 4.7kg, 7kg
- Material: MicroCool Fleece cover
- Filling: Glass beads
- Other features: Lightweight, kingsize option available, 30 day trial period
Kudd.ly’s weighted blankets range from just under 5kg to 7kg, making them slightly lighter than some of the other options on the market where the weights may start at 7 or 8kg, making them perfect if you want to see if a weighted blanket is for you. Weight aside, it's the fleece material of these blankets that makes them so appealing, with a soft, cosy finish that's perfect for keeping you warm in the winter, and a MicroCool fabric finish which means you won't overheat.
The filling is made from micro-glass beads, which we wouldn't rate as highly as other knitted options, but Kudd.ly’s option has been designed to be breathable, with a 30-day trial that allows you to assess if it's the right option for you. It’s available in both standard and king size versions, though it might be a better idea for you and a partner to stick with two smaller ones — especially if you both want to use different weights.
£99£49. At kudd.lyPros & ConsPros- Comfortable fleece cover
- Good in winter
Cons- Warm for summer
Best cosy weighted blanket
5/11Oodie
Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 4.5kg, 6.8kg, 9kg
- Cover: Plush outer cover
- Filling: Glass beads
- Other features: Hand washable
If you have somehow managed to miss the massive hoodie blanket trend that’s taken over throughout the past few years, it’s about time you got to know Oodie. As ultra-soft as the Oodies themselves, the brand's weighted blankets are some of the most plush and comfortable weighted blankets we’ve come across (plenty of which are actually quite harsh and rough to the touch). The weight is our less preferred glass bead style design, which means while you might hear some rustling, you will get a nice and evenly distributed pressure thanks to the separately sown pockets which are each filled with a measured amount of beads.
Unlike some of the other offerings on our list, the Oodie weighted blanket isn’t machine washable. It is hand washable though, letting you spot clean for precision freshness. Choose between three different sizes (there’s plenty of guidance on the Oodie website about how to select the right one for you), and two colours (grey or blue), and prepare for cosy evenings. From £95. At theoodie.co.uk
Pros & ConsPros- Super soft
- Multiple weights available
Cons- Might be too warm for year-round use but great in winter
Best luxury weighted blanket
6/11Espa
Grey Cotton Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 4.5kg, 7kg, 9kg, 11.5kg
- Cover: 100% cotton
- Filling: Glass beads
- Other features: Spot clean only
Weighted blankets aren't the easiest to move around – honestly, just try moving one off the bed to fold it away and you'll feel like you've done your workout for the day. It's a good idea, then, to invest in one that you're happy to have on display, even if you don't use it every day, and Espa's is just that. Made with a 100 per cent cotton quilted cover, this option looks great and the embroidered logo in the bottom corner is a nice touch.
The cotton cover will keep you cool during warmer months, while the quilted finish suits the chillier months, too. There is only one colour option available but the Espa Grey Cotton Weighted Blanket comes in four weight options, with the heaviest being 11.5kg – heavier than most others on our list. Do remember you should only go up to 10 per cent of your body weight, however, so keep that in mind when you're making your choice. From £90. At espaskincare.com
Pros & ConsPros- Luxury finish
- Various weights
Cons- Only one colour
Best soft weighted blanket
7/11Brentfords
Teddy Fleece Heavy Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 4kg, 6kg, 8kg
- Cover: 100% Teddy Fleece Polyester
- Filling: Glass beads
- Other features: Evenly stitched pockets for even weight distribution
Teddy Fleece isn't everyone's cup of tea (because it can be on the warm side), but if you like being snuggled up, it's a great material for making it feel like you're getting a soft and cosy hug. Brentford's Super Soft Teddy Fleece Weighted Blanket has options suitable for both kids and adults, and it comes in a choice of colour options so you should be able to find a suitable option to match most bedroom or living room colour schemes.
Equally stitched 6-inch pockets keep the weight evenly distributed, with micro glass beads providing the filling. You may find it too warm in the summer months, but for those cold autumn and winter evenings, this weighted blanket will keep you comfortable and snuggled under its 4kg, 6kg or 8kg weight. From
£20£18. At amazon.co.ukPros & ConsPros- Good colour selection
- Cosy material
Cons- Might be too warm in some months
Best weighted blanket for kids
8/11Silentnight
Wellbeing Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 3kg, 6.8kg, 9kg
- Cover: Polyester
- Filling: Glass beads
- Other features: Designed for kids, machine washable
It's not just adults that can benefit from weighted blankets – they can be great for the small people in your home, too. It doesn't promise to stop bedtime tantrums, but the Silentnight Wellbeing Blanket has been designed with little people in mind, offering a 3kg weight, whilst also being machine washable at 40-degrees. The cover is super soft for extra cosiness, while the filling is comprised of undetectable beads sewn within the quilted material.
There are weight options for adults, too – we can't let the kids have all the fun now, can we? – and the sizes change as you go up in weight. If you're looking for a weighted blanket for you and your partner to go atop your king size bed, for example, the 9kg is the one you should buy. For the kids, though, snap up the 3kg option. From
£55£34. At amazon.co.ukPros & ConsPros- Good weight selection
- Simple style
Cons- Only comes in grey
Best chunky knit weighted blanket
9/11Sommio
Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 6kg, 7kg, 8kg, 9kg
- Cover: N/A
- Filling: 100% cotton
- Other features: Hand knit, includes a 30-night trial
We won’t sit here and pretend that all of the weighted blankets in this guide are chic enough to earn a regular place on your sofa. That isn’t to say they aren’t great, or worth purchasing to roll out of the closet whenever you need that extra comfort. But what if you could find one that actually looks like a normal blanket, rather than somewhere between a duvet and a sleeping bag? Enter Sommio. Made without the use of glass beads, the weight from the Sommio blankets actually comes from the fabric itself. Each blanket is made from 100 per cent cotton and has been hand knit, layering the cotton in order to create weight. The result? A soft, comfortable, rustle-free blanket that looks like it actually belongs on your sofa.
This isn’t to say this blanket is without downsides. It is impressively hard to wash (we used one during the pandemic and it had to go firmly away whenever there was a risk of contamination around). And it does take up plenty of space if you do ever want to store it in a closet. That being said, most weighted blankets are similar so we wouldn’t say any of this is a reason not to invest. £190. at Sommio.co.uk
Pros & ConsPros- Looks like a traditional blanket
- Hand-knitted
Cons- Difficult to wash
Best weighted blanket for sleep
10/11Remy
Airy Sleeper
- Weight: 6kg, 8kg, 10kg
- Cover: 100% bamboo
- Filling: Not specified
- Other features: Removable bamboo cover that zips on and off
Remy is arguably one of the best known brands when it comes to weighted blankets and for good reason – its weighted blankets, or weighted duvets as they are known by the brand, are excellent and we say that from first-hand experience. The Remy Airy Sleeper duvet is offered in three different weights and it comes with a 100 per cent bamboo cover that will keep you incredibly cool in warmer months. We've used it even 30-degree heat and it's felt wonderful.
Rather than a blanket over your traditional duvet, the Remy Airy Sleeper is designed to replace your duvet thanks to its premium and breathable materials. For the colder months, you can buy a separate warmer cover that will zip on and off easily thanks to the unique 360-degree Dreamzip Tech zipper system, which also makes cleaning the covers or switching between colours easy. The covers are machine-washable, while the weighted duvet itself is not recommended to enter the washing hole due to their weight. The covers come in a range of colours however and there's a 100-night trial. From
£159£119. At remysleep.comPros & ConsPros- Clever cover system with plenty of colour options
- Good weight options
Cons- Quite expensive
- Sells out a lot
Best machine washable weighted blanket
11/11Cosi Home
Weighted Blanket
- Weight: 3.2kg, 6.8kg
- Cover: 100% cotton outer layer
- Filling: Glass beads
- Other features: Eye-catching dimpled design
Featuring a nine-layer structure with stitched pickets for even weight distribution, Cosi Home’s cotton weighted blanket is available in weights as low as 3.2kg, making it an ideal choice for those looking for something on the lighter end of the scale. Better yet, it’s machine washable too, adding extra practicality, and it can even be dry-cleaned and hand-washed for minor stains as well. There’s even a convenient carry bag for comforting sleep away from home, if you simply can’t sleep without the soothing weight of a blanket cocooning your body.
Made from 100 per cent cotton, it comes with a delightfully soft, fleecy cover that’s gentle and soothing to the touch. One side is also textured with raised circles, similar to bubble wrap (though only in appearance). This is a very welcome accessory, as it means that you can attach the weighted blanket itself (using specially placed ties) inside of the cover, so you don’t have to pop the heavy blanket itself in the washing machine. This makes it more practical than many of its rivals, offering an extra layer of protection against accidental spills and/or snuggling pets. From £55. At amazon.co.uk
Pros & ConsPros- Soft cover
- Machine washable
Cons- No heavy weight available
