When shopping for a weighted blanket, it’s important to consider your options.
Weighted blankets have been known to help with insomnia, falling asleep, and staying asleep. The right weighted blanket can also help with anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and more. With so many offerings on the market, finding the right product can seem overwhelming.
When selecting the weighted blanket that best matches you and your lifestyle, there are a host of factors to consider. From researching the proper weight to selecting the best fabric, we break down how to shop for the perfect weighted blanket.
Calculate the Proper Weight
Weighted blankets typically weigh between 7 to 25 pounds. The ideal weighted blanket weight is between 8 and 15 percent of your total body weight, with most sources suggesting a blanket that is 10 percent of your weight. If you are between weights, experts suggest that it’s best to start with a lighter blanket rather than a heavy-weight blanket.
It’s important to consider personal preference and mobility issues as well. For safety reasons, the blanket should not be too heavy to the point that the user cannot kick it off. This concern is especially important when shopping for a weighted blanket for kids. Most children’s blankets weigh between 5 and 10 pounds.
If two individuals are similar in size, they may wish to share a weighted blanket — whether it’s with a travel-sized blanket or one intended for everyday use, such as a queen-sized or king-sized weighted comforter. Calculate the couple’s average weight and use the 10 percent rule to choose the ideal weighted blanket.
It is typically not recommended that family or friends share weighted blankets with those who differ dramatically in size. However, BlanQuil’s Royale Weighted Comforter — available in King and Queen size — was designed to be shared so the blanket’s 36 pounds are evenly dispersed.
Determine the Right Size
Rather than shopping based on bed size such as Twin, Queen, or King, it’s best to shop for the individual. A weighted blanket for adults should cover the entire body from the neck down. The width should be wide enough to comfortably cover the entire body.
Some experts suggest sizing down from your mattress, so the extra material does not cause the blanket to slide off the bed during the night. However, BlanQuil’s Royale Weighted Comforter has a centered weight to prevent the comforter from falling off the bed.
You may opt for a smaller blanket if you are only looking to cover a portion of your body. Covering your upper body — from the chin to the knees — can calm your nerves and help to improve symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and circulation. Meanwhile, others may choose to cover their lower body — from the feet to the abdomen. A heavy blanket over the lower body can increase circulation and help manage symptoms related to Restless Leg Syndrome.
Smaller calming blankets are ideal for travel, and can be a good option for individuals who experience anxiety on planes or long car rides. The BlanQuil Passport is sized perfectly for trips, overnights, and even spontaneous naps on the go.
Select Your Prefered Material — While Keeping Temperature in Mind
Choosing a fabric usually depends on preference, whether you favor fleece, satin, microplush, or cotton. Although your preference is likely due to whether you are a warm or cool sleeper.
If you are cold-natured and love to bundle up, you may prefer a fabric that holds in heat — such as fleece, flannel, or microplush. The original BlanQuil Premium Weighted Blanket has a removable, machine washable micro-plush duvet system — ideal for chilly nights. When sleeping on warmer nights, the blanket’s outer cover can be removed.
A lot of consumers want to experience the therapeutic benefits of a weighted blanket while sleeping without the extra heat. Cooler materials include satin, coton, and linen. Perfect for spring and autumn, the BlanQuil Chill uses cutting-edge fabric designed to usher away and disperse body heat to create a cooler, personally adjusted experience.
Another component to consider is filler. Most weighted blankets are filled with plastic pellets, glass beads, or sand. Higher-quality options are usually filled with glass beads, which are smaller to allow for a thinner design. Each BlanQuil blanket is filled with eco-friendly, high-density glass micro-beads.
Figure Out Your Price Point
When shopping for a weighted blanket, cost becomes a factor. Most weighted blankets cost between $100 and $400. A lighter, smaller weighted throw blanket may cost less. Blankets intended for travel or children may also cost less. Meanwhile, a heavier and larger blanket is likely to cost more. A blanket built with high-quality materials will also mean a greater cost.
Consider Your Options & Make a Final Decision
When shopping for a weighted blanket, it’s important to consider all of the factors — the weight and size of the blanket, as well as the material and price point that works best for your lifestyle. Don’t forget to consider your typical body temperature while sleeping and the climate you live in.
When selecting the best weighted blanket, ask yourself what you hope to get out of the purchase. There are endless weighted blanket benefits, whether you are shopping for a weighted blanket to help with anxiety, ADHD, or autism — or looking for a calming solution that will help you sleep better.