2nd best weighted blanket for adults - ZonLi

Honorary mention - best weighted blanket for teens - Inyard Premium

With a user satisfaction of 93 % at the time of completing the last update of this guide, the runner-up comes from Inyard - a company that's famous for making specialized Therapy swings.

The product is primarily aimed at teens and, with the sizes and weights (5, 7 and 15 lbs).

The Inyard is top-to-bottom made in the US, and the craftsmanship and materials quality is nothing short of superb. If this reads like advertising, it's not; it's simply facts.

But we have to say that we liked the Inyard so much that it's the only weighted blankets for teens we're including here. The initial concept of the guide was to pinpoint the top products for adults. The fact that we deviated from that "rule" to mention Inyard speaks for itself.

What is a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets are therapeutic products designed to offer relief to people with anxiety and sensory response problems.

Why do they work?

They work because they calm down the "fight or flight" response, lower the cortisol levels and increase mood and sleep hormones like serotonin and melatonin.

A brief history

The products that we mention in this guide and label as best weighted blankets in their respective categories are significantly different from the product that kick-started the industry, both in design, materials used and a range of people they're intended for.

The origins go back to the mental health arena. Psychiatrists experimented with weight as means of calming down the sensory response for far too long and pinpointing one person as the inventor is not straightforward.

Initially, the experiments were just about adding weight. The approach proved to have a "red line" because, at higher weights, the response has a negative in fact, it can exacerbate the sensory response and make the person even more anxious because they feel trapped.

The discovery that caused the most significant shift in the industry and led to the designs we know today is the even weight distribution. That's when people stopped experimenting with (what now seems an obviously counterproductive practice) of attaching actual weights to the edges of blankets and lap pads.

Initial issues

Even the first modern designs had a similar issue because they relied on a one-chamber filling. This filling would move through the blanket and end up in the corners with prolonged use. The corners and edges would then become too heavy causing the blanket to slide or the used to feel trapped.

The evolution - DIY weighted blankets in the autism community

First attempts of addressing the issue were nothing to write home about because they relied on simply filling the blankets and pads with more of the same filling or adding other stuffing that was supposed to stop the beads from moving. It didn't work as expected - it only made the blankets bigger and more cumbersome.

Here, we're still talking about the DIY blankets, hand-made for kids and adults with special needs. There was still no standard for the filling and people used whatever provided a similar effect (from rice and corn to pebbles). None of these were a lasting solution - the seeds can sprout and cause issues ranging from the change in the way the blanket feels to allergic reactions while the pebbles proved to be too rugged and would wear down the materials of the cloth.

Chambered (quilted) design

It was only when chambered designed and tight stitches that hold the beads in place was introduced that things changed. It seems like an obvious change, but it took years to get there.

The sectional designs pair the calming effects of weight with deep sensory pressure. We could get into the nitty-gritty of the science here but, for the purposes of this guide, it's enough to explain as even weight distribution.

Modern designs

What we know as a weighted blanket today combined the sectional design (usually quilted squares) with poly-pellets and glass beads. Both are spherical, and the main difference is the density of the materials.

As we mentioned in one of the reviews, poly-pellets make for a more "aerated" feel while the fine glass, sand-like spheres make for thinner blankets.

What the future holds

We don't see any revolutionary changes happening in the designs anytime soon.

We do expect a more diverse market in terms of pellet and bead size. This would allow further personalization of the calming effect.

History and predictions aside, let us get back to where we are today and answer some of the frequently asked questions about weighted blankets.

How heavy should a weighted blanket be?

A weighted blanket should weigh about 10 % of your body weight plus 1-2 lbs.

This is the formula commonly used for kids and teens. For adults, this means that the weight goes as high as 25-40 lbs (Queen or King size designed for heavier people). Our research also shows that the weight adults found to be "just right" largely depends on the sensory condition. The final choice of the blanket you use should always be a combo of the advice you get from your therapist, and your preference, the information we provide here are for educational purposes and reference.

You can get a good sense of how the blanket will feel in term of weight by simply gathering the blankets you have laying around and pilling them on. If you try this, ignore the feeling of the heat and focus on how the weight feels. The actual weighted blanket will not be as warm; it should offer the calming effect of the added weight without heating you up too much.

Weights of over 30 lbs are outliers and studies about the impact of the added weight.

Size

Sizes range from smaller (dedicated sizes) to Queen and King weighted blankets.

The size is another important factor because the bigger the blanket, the more of it will be on the surface on the not directly pressing your body. For example, a Queen size weighted blanket will press you more than a Twin and less than a King (of the same weight). It is common sense and pretty straightforward, but we found it to be a commonly overlooked aspect.

King size weighted blanket

King size weighted blanket with the highest satisfaction ratings (84/100) comes from YnM. It measures 80 x 87 inches and weighs 25 pounds.

The filling is sand pellets while the finish is 100 cotton. It comes in a range of colors and patterns but the "issue" we've seen here is that not all of them are available in King size.

King weighted blankets are scarce. They cost a peg more, which is to be expected, especially of this quality. They're made for adults, and that's one of the reasons the YnM in King size is not available in all colors and patterns (because some of the patterns are playful, colorful and obviously intended for kids).

The sand pellets used are certified to be free of any odor and completely non-toxic. Compared to the standard plastic, they offer a distinctly soft feel.

Queen size weighted blanket for adults

With Queen sized linen being more popular (thank King), the choices you have in the size are similar to our top overall picks.

ZonLi Queen size weighted blanket is the runner-up overall and out top pick in this size category.

The Queen is 60" wide, 80" long and weighs 20 pounds. The pellets are standard (poly) and are packed inside a cotton "chambers" (square quilt stitching). It comes in 4 colors: Black, Navy Blue, Dark Gray and Brown.

Weighted lap pads

Besides the standard sizes used for sleeping, the product is also available in specialized sizes, like weighted lap pads for adults and kids. We found the former to be scarce and only a few high-quality products in this size category had a satisfaction rating if over 80% in user reviews.

Our top pick in the category is Sensory Goods weighted lap pad.

Sizes and weights available:

It's available in 7 neutral colors with no patterns (green, blue, burgundy, pink, navy, tan & denim). The sizing, weight and colors make it an option for adults and kids both.

An issue that we've seen with other similar products is uneven weight distribution of the filling (usually glass/sand beads). They tend to shift and move around if the stitching of the parts is not deep or tight enough.

The filling in this weighted lap pad is deep and tight, and the beads can only move within their "section" and not throughout the lap pad.

Filling (Pellets)

In case you are the kind of buyer that likes to understand all about the product they're buying of you want to make a DIY weighted blanket, you might want to know what kind of filling is most commonly used.

Poly pellets

No. 1 filling are poly-pellets. When we say "no.1," we're primarily referring to how frequent the filling is used in the best weighted blankets we reviewed.

The poly-pellets are made from non-recycled, toxin-free pieces and look like round bits. The texture resembles that of a small pebble. If this is one of your concerns and you want something that feels more uniform, you'll probably prefer glass beads of sand filling.

Glass beads

The glass-bead filling sounds different than it is. If you didn't know it was glass-based, you'd have the impression that it's sand. In fact, some of the glass beads feel even finer than the finest sand.

Because the weight is distributed more evenly and less likely to move to the corners of the blanket or cover, we've seen people reporting that the subjective feeling of glass-bead or sand filling "feels" like it has more weight that one filled with plastic pellets.

Volume of the filling

You'll probably need about two times as much (in terms of volume) of plastic pellets than glass beads to fill a "pocket" of the same weight.

This means that the plastic filling will feel more "rackety" and uneven and will be thicker, while glass or sand makes for a thinner weighted blanket.

In our experience, we've seen that people preferred the "aerated" feel of the poly to sand or glass and most of our top have this type of feeling. The exception is the category of a king size weighted blanket, for a few reasons.

We found the glass-bead / sand filling to be superior in King size weighted blankets.

Besides the most important factor (the user satisfaction) we found that King size is too big of a surface to keep the filling in place. As a result, most of the products in King size we looked at had the issue of too much movement inside the quilting.

Where can I buy a weighted blanket?

In our research for this guide, we had numerous sources we looked at. It's our opinion that (for the ones that available on the site) getting a weighted blanket on Amazon has a few advantages. The main one is that you can read the reviews users shared and look for the ones that closely match your circumstances or condition.

At Bed Bath and Beyond

For some of the brands (like Brookstone) were not available on Amazon. In the case of Brookstone, you could get one through their website or at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Some brands can be found both on Amazon and at Bed Bath and Beyond. In our research, we were left with the impression that the main benefit of getting one through Amazon is the wider range of the products offered as well as more user reviews shared.

Some honorary mentions and reference info

Gravity blanket review

After the launch through Kickstarter, Gravity blanket became one of the most popular brands.

It's so popular, in fact, that there's even a confusion in the terminology and we've seen many people confusing the name of the brand with the product (weighted blanket).

At the time of the last update to this guide, the Gravity blanket was not readily available on Amazon but only through their website and only for pre-order (one that will be fulfilled when the blankets are available).

How to wash a weighted blanket?

Most weighted blankets can be machine washed on a gentle cycle, separately from other items, without using softeners, bleach or chlorine. For a majority of brands, the recommended washing temperatures are in the range from cold to lukewarm.

Drying

The best practice when it comes to drying is wither to hang it or tumble dry on low. In the section below we'll get more specific about how to wash, dry and remove stains from weight blankets of different weights and fabrics.

Is it rated for the dryer?

While the filling is not an issue when it comes do drying (both pellets and beads can usually handle it), the fabric is a different story. The companies usually recommend gentle washing and drying practices to prolong the shape and feel retention of the fabric.

If you are hanging it dry, try to spread it over two laundry lines to avoid sagging and shape changes, especially with the softer materials like fleece.

The weight - home washing vs. Laundromat

We recommend washing any weighted blanket of 15 lbs or more at the Laundromat. While they can be machine washed, the weight can prove to be too much for home washing.

Why no chlorine bleach?

Because chlorine is aggressive and can change the fiber of the fabrics.

Why no softeners?

You shouldn't use softeners because they can "stick around" the pellets or beads and build up. In the long run, this will change the soft feel and make the blanket more rugged.

No ironing

It's common sense, but let us mention it anyway - you shouldn't iron your weighted blanket.

The plastic beads can melt and most of the materials used are too sensitive for ironing. If you have a cotton-based cover with glass filling, it might be an option because the beads are resistant to high temperature and cotton is iron-friendly.

Again, while it might be possible in some fabric-filling combos, we don't see the need to do it. Most brands will come with a no-ironing label.

Specific materials

All of the best weighted blankets (including our top 5) come with recommendations on how to wash the product. So, the following analysis is included more for reference purposes than anything else, to help you in the initial process of choosing and if you to make a diy blanket and have dilemmas about the materials.

Fleece

Fleece is a sensitive material, but we feel that there is misconception about washing it. The changes in texture and shape are, more often than not, a result of aggressive detergents or washing cycles.

To prevent fleece losing its "fluffy" quality, you'll want to wash in using warm (not hot) cycles on your washing machine and go with low-heat drying cycles.

It's a good idea to rinse it twice before drying it. This will remove any remaining detergent that might change the texture in the long run. Finally, fleece is one of the few materials used that handles softeners well.

Cotton

If the weighted blanket is all-cotton (both the backing and finish), you have a bit more leeway when washing it.

The important part when washing cotton weighted (gravity) blanket is what we like to call "load control." It comes down to not overburdening your washing machine and washing it separately.

The reason is two-fold - it's gentler to the washing machine and the tear and wear of the blanket are lower.

Flannel

Flannel is sub-type of cotton. Proper maintenance comes down to a few main rules:

Rayon and linen

Some of the best weighted blankets are made using a combo of rayon and linen because it has superb shape retention properties while remaining "on the soft side."

These fabrics include cellulose which doesn't respond well to bleaching. You might not see it when washing, but in the long run, it will affect the lifespan of the fibers.

Updates of the guide on best weighted blankets for adults

Our standard update schedule is quarterly for the parts of the ratings that are data-driven (like the satisfaction ratings and user reviews). You can always see when this guide was last updated under the table of TOP 5 (click here to skip back to it) as well as at the very end of the guide (below).

Finally, we encourage you to ask any question that comes to mind in the comments below. We respond within 24 hours, but since we consulted 3rd party experts for this guide, it might take us a day or two to answer some questions. In other words, if we don't know the answer, we'll let you know, find out and get back to you.

Sleep well and stay calm,

The Sleep Studies review team

The following blog post Best Weighted Blanket for Adults was first published to The Sleep Studies