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Best weighted blankets of 2022: Calming weighted blankets to order in the UK

 (Eve Sleep)
(Eve Sleep)

Sleep has a huge impact on our overall health and well-being and if you’re not sleeping well, your body will certainly let you know about it.

In the aftermath of a global pandemic, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a cost of living crisis, we have plenty of things to worry about at bedtime - meaning more of us than ever are struggling to switch off and get a good night’s sleep.

Weighted blankets have massively grown in popularity in recent years and with good reason. There are claims that they can improve sleep patterns and lead to deeper, more effective sleep.

What is a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets use small weighted glass beads or ‘nano beads’ to create pressure that replicates a warm hug and thereby helping calm and relax the body for an improved night’s sleep. They’re also great for snuggling up with on the sofa too, which in the current energy crisis can help keep you warm and cosy without needing to fiddle with the thermostat.

What are the benefits of a weighted blanket?

Studies have shown many health benefits to using weighted blankets and whilst they’re not an alternative to medication or therapy, they have been proven to help reduce anxiety and insomnia.

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The science behind this is related to ‘Deep touch pressure therapy’ which can help your brain switch into ‘rest and relax’ mode. They can help regulate your heartbeat, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and help calm and centre your mind before bed. Weighted blankets have also been shown to increase melatonin, making you feel more sleepy and drift off into a deep slumber more quickly when it’s time for bed.

If you find yourself restless, unable to drift off or wake regularly during the night, a weighted blanket is certainly an option worth exploring.

How to choose the best weighted blanket

Here are some things to consider when choosing the right weighted blanket for you:

  • Weight - It is recommended that you pick a weighted blanket that weighs around 10 per cent of your body weight. If in doubt, you should opt for the lighter option, as a weighted blanket that is too heavy could feel restrictive or even claustrophobic.

  • Blanket size - It’s worth noting that most weighted blankets come in large single size only that are designed so that the user can move around and shift their body during the night, taking the blanket with them. Whilst most are generous enough for two to snuggle underneath on the sofa, if you are sharing a bed, you will need to invest in a weighted blanket each.

  • Do you have any medical conditions? - If you have any circulatory, breathing issues or diabetes you should avoid using a weighted blanket.

  • Adults only - Whilst some weighted blankets are suitable for children, the recommendations in this guide are based on adult use only.

  • Give them time - The first time you use a weighted blanket it can feel a little unfamiliar, particularly if you’re used to the ‘cloud-like’ sensation of a lightweight duvet. Initially, the pressure can feel quite strange, but after twenty minutes or so, it’s almost like the weight lifts and the calming sensation sets in. Most weighted blankets recommend it takes two weeks to fully adjust, but if it still feels too heavy, you may need to opt for a lighter weight.

All things considered, here is the ES Best round-up of the best weighted blankets you can buy for adults today.

Best weighted blankets at a glance:

  • Best weighted blanket for anxiety: Aeyla - The Mela Weighted Blanket, £89, Aeyla

  • Best affordable weighted blanket: Soak and Sleep Weighted Blanket, £53.54, Soak and Sleep

  • Best stylish weighted blanket: Simba Orbit Weighted Blanket, £169, Simba Sleep

  • Best thermo-regulating weighted blanket: Emma Hug Weighted Blanket, £112.50, Emma

  • Best hand-woven weighted blanket: Aeyla - The Chunky Weighted Blanket, £89, Aeyla

  • Best sustainable weighted blanket: Eve Sleep Weighted Blanket, £100, Eve Sleep

  • Best machine washable heated blanket: Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket, £69, Kudd.ly

Aeyla - The Mela Weighted Blanket

Best weighted blanket for: anxiety

Sizes: 190x100cm

Weight: 4 - 9kg

If you’re after a weighted blanket that feels soft to the touch, they don’t come much softer than the Mela Weighted Blanket from Aeyla - a product which has won the ES Standard’s best weighted blanket title for the last four years running.

Measuring 190 x 100cm and available in a choice of weights from 4 - 9kg, the Mela Weighted Blanket comes in two designs - the All in One (with a permanently attached cover) or a blanket with a removable cover that secures using ties and a zip.

We tested the All in One where one side is made from 100 per cent cooling cotton, and the other an insanely soft quilted fleece. Of all the blankets we tried, this was the one that had the most instant ‘ahhh’ moment - where as soon as we put it over our lap, we wanted to snuggle up and relax. It’s fair to say that on my partner, this one was pretty much like an ‘off’ switch after a busy day at work.

The Mela Weighted Blanket is filled with glass quartz pellets which are ‘anti-rustle’ meaning you can find your perfect sleeping position without the noise of the beads moving around inside.

An ethical choice too, Mela is Oeko-Tex certified (free from harmful chemicals or synthetics) and for each order, the brand protects five trees in the rainforest through its partnership with charity 1Tribe.

Buy now £89.00, Aeyla

Soak and Sleep Weighted Blanket

Best weighted blanket for: affordability

Sizes: Single, Double, King Size, Superking, Emperor

Weight: 5g to 10kg options available

Soak and Sleep are a leading online bedding retailer with years of experience creating products that cater for individual sleep needs, so they certainly know their stuff when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.

The Soak and Sleep Weighted Blanket is one of the more affordable weighted blankets on our list, although the cover is available separately, so you’ll need to factor this into the cost of your purchase.

Whilst you can use the blanket without the cover, you’ll be very aware of the beads, so for additional comfort without the slightly coarse sensation, we’d recommend that you pay the extra.

Filled with glass beads and polyester and measuring a generous 120 x 183cm that ensures even distribution across the body, the Soak and Sleep Weighted Blanket is available in a range of weights from 5kg - 10kg, making it a practical choice for all. It moulds to your body shape whichever way you lie, creating a noticeable yet pleasant pressure that gently pushes against your sides.

The cotton casing is moisture-wicking to ensure that you don’t overheat on warmer nights, whilst the treated top layer prevents the build-up of bacteria that can trigger unwanted allergies.

With a practical dark grey shade (with a light grey fleece cover), the Soak and Sleep Weighted Blanket is ideal as an extra layer on top of your duvet or as a stand-alone blanket for sleeping or lounging - just make sure you choose the right weight.

Buy now £63.00, Soak and Sleep

Simba Orbit Weighted Blanket

Best weighted blanket for: style

Sizes: 135x200cm

Weight: 6.8kg - 9kg

From the moment you unpack this product from its stylish and sturdy packaging, you can tell that the Orbit Weighted Blanket from Simba is going to be something pretty special.

In a modern dark grey design with a simple branded tag, the Simba Orbit Weighted Blanket promises you a better, deeper night’s sleep, and uses weighted glass nanobeads that shape to your body to help you feel safe and relaxed.

Unlike many other weighted blankets, the Simba Orbit comes with a removable breathable cotton cover, which makes keeping it clean an absolute doddle.

The cotton cover feels super soft to the touch and with a cushioned layer between you and the beads, you don’t notice them moving around inside. Whilst getting the cover on can take a bit of practice, it doesn’t slip around and holds securely in place thanks to ties located across the sides and corners.

When you need to wash it, you can simply unzip the cover and throw it in the washing machine at 30 degrees. It dries quickly too, so it’s ready to use and back on the blanket in no time.

Suitable for adults only, the Orbit measures a generous 135 x 200cm and is available in a choice of two weights - 6.8kg and 9kg. We had a 6.8kg and found this was ideal - creating a gentle pressure without feeling too heavy or restrictive.

Is it relaxing? Well, I snuggled up to work on this article, only to spend a good few hours in a semi-comatic state of relaxation - so I take that as a win. It’s certainly not cheap - but a great investment and one of our favourites for sure.

Buy now £84.50, Simba Sleep

Emma Hug Weighted Blanket

Best weighted blanket for: thermo-regulating

Sizes: 150x200cm

Weight: 7kg

Unlike some weighted blankets which can feel quite hot on warmer nights, The Emma Hug Weighted blanket prides itself on being thermoregulating, coming with seven premium layers including a silk-like bamboo cover to help wick moisture and keep your temperature stable during the night.

Measuring 150 x 200cm. it comes in one weight choice of 7kg, which is suitable for most adults. The filing is extra fine weighted glass beads that due to their small size can spread around more evenly and distributes the weight across the entire body. With a removable blanket cover that can be washed at 40 degrees, it’s easy to look after and maintain.

There’s microfibre and polyester padding inside too for extra softness, so whilst the blanket moulds and rests against your body, you won’t be aware of the beads rustling around inside.

We loved the Emma weighted blanket for snuggling whilst watching a movie, but the neutral light grey colour looks great in modern bedrooms too. For peace of mind when investing, it even comes with a 30-night free trial, allowing you to return the product at no cost if you aren’t entirely happy with your purchase.

Buy now £87.50, Emma

Aeyla - The Chunky Weighted Blanket

Best weighted blanket for: a hand-woven option

Sizes: 120cm x 180cm

Weight: 6kg

If you’re looking for a weighted blanket that looks both luxurious and modern and focuses on daytime comfort rather than simply improved sleep, the Chunky Weighted Blanket from Aeyla is a really unique choice. It’s not only incredibly cosy but looks super stylish too.

Handwoven, the chunky open wave velvet fabric moulds to your body whilst you rest, distributing the weight evenly and wrapping you in a ‘comforting hug’. Whilst relatively light for a weighted blanket at 6kg, it’s still fairly heavy to lift and you do need to carry with care.

Measuring a substantial 120cm x 180cm, it’s the ideal movie night addition, but also looks great as an additional weighted layer for the end of your bed.

Our only critique? The cost is fairly significant, especially as you may find the odd toe attempting to poke out of the open weave. That said, it’s quite a statement piece and officially my new best friend on chilly winter evenings.

Buy now £199.00, Aeyla

Eve Sleep Weighted Blanket

Best weighted blanket for: a sustainable option

Sizes: 120x220cm

Weight: 7kg

Unlike other weighted blankets, the Eve Sleep Weighted Blanket doesn’t include glass beads, making it look and feel much more like a traditional blanket - only weighted.

As a result, it’s more aesthetically pleasing than some, with a choice of grey or beige shades that look great on display in any modern, minimal interior aesthetic.

Made from premium 100 per cent woven cotton and using recycled yarns, it creates an even spread across the body. It’s fairly substantial in size, measuring 120 x 220 cm and comes in just one weight - 7kg, which we found relaxing and calming without feeling restrictive or overpowering. If you prefer a heavier sensation, you can fold it over to create more pressure.

Due to its unique design, it’s a little more challenging to clean than some and as such, is possibly better suited for use on top of a lightweight duvet than as a stand-alone sleep aid.

The Eve Weighted Blanket is also one of the more expensive options on our list, but if you’re after a decent-sized weighted blanket that serves as well on the sofa as it does for your evening slumber, it’s certainly a popular choice.

Buy now £199.00, Eve Sleep

Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket

Best weighted blanket for: being machine washable

Sizes: 48"x78” or 60"x80”

Weight: 5-7kg

Home to a popular range of hooded blankets and with a claim of being the number one ranked weighted blanket in the UK, the Kudd.ly options comes at a budget friendly price without sacrificing on quality or comfort. It is offered alongside a handy carry case, which is ideal for travel.

One of the lightest choice weighted blankets on our list, it comes with a weight of 5-7kg, making it suitable for use by both adults and children. Its MicroCool fleece lining is super soft and cosy to the touch, but feels less pressured than others on this list to encourage sleep. It’s also available in two sizes (single or king).

The filling in the Kudd.ly weighted blanket is made from anti-rustle, glass micro sand beads placed in double-stitched inside pockets, helping them mould to your body’s shape as you move, without unwelcome noise or movement.

Whilst many weighted blankets are too heavy to go in the washing machine, the entire Kudd.ly weighted blanket is machine washable at 40 degrees - making the maintenance and cleaning of your blanket simple and stress free.

It’s also worth noting that Kudd.ly offer bulk discounts, so the more you buy the less you pay per blanket - an affordable choice if you’re looking to buy more than one. Gift the whole family the benefit of a restful night’s sleep.

Buy now £69.00, Kudd.ly

Verdict

We’re not going to lie, we struggled to find significant criticisms of any of these weighted blankets on this list - with each one offering a comfortable and calming option to help relax at the end of a busy day. We tested them for both lounging and sleeping and all had a genuinely positive impact on sleep with less tossing and turning and less overnight trips to the loo.

For me personally, however, there were two front runners - the Mela blanket for its almost instant soothing effect and the Simba Orbit, for the ease of the removable cover and it’s ability to calm me even when I am awake.

If you’re unsure about the benefits of a weighted blanket, I can confirm I am officially a covert. As someone who suffers from anxiety and regularly has racing thoughts at night, anything that helps me switch off and relax gets a big thumbs up from me!