Weighted blankets are known for using gentle weight to promote a sense of calmness or relaxation using deep touch pressure stimulation. The sensation of being hugged, swaddled, or gently held may produce a sense of calmness. A weighted blanket may also help you feel safe, secure, or in a protected space, which can be a powerful agent for relaxation, especially before bed (it may make it easier to fall asleep).” The Cotton Napper is made primarily from organic cotton fabric and spandex. Due to this organic construction that doesn’t include artificial fillers or synthetic beads, this blanket is softer, more breathable, and more natural then the average weighted blanket. Sales of weighted blankets have soared in recent years. While the research behind the purported health benefits of weighted blankets is still fairly inconclusive, those who swear by them say that hunkering down under the added weight helps to reduce anxiety and, in some cases, relieve insomnia. You can also choose between two colors for the shell, taupe or graphite grey. The shell is non-removable, and dry cleaning is recommended if stains or smudges occur. Please note the blanket is designed with adults in mind, and Saatva does not recommend that children use it. Simba may be best known for its rolled-up mattresses, but the brand’s sleep-promoting expertise extends far beyond what we sleep on, it seems. The Orbit weighted blanket promises “better, deeper sleep”, and we found it delivered, allowing our tester to sleep soundly throughout the night.

Well, weighted blankets rely onsomething called deep pressure stimulationto help us calm down and fall asleep. And deep pressure stimulation or deep pressure therapy is known to stimulate the secretion of mood-boosting and sleep-inducing hormones called serotonin and melatonin. Furthermore, deep pressure therapy is also known to lower the levels of cortisol – a well-known stress hormone. Due to the hand-knit construction, the blanket should only be spot-cleaned as needed and never machine washed. Regardless of which weight you select, the blanket is designed for a throw size of 50 inches wide and 60 inches long. These dimensions make it best suited to single sleepers.Generally, if a weighted blanket has a lot of padding, you might not feel the filling coming through that much. For some this is ideal but others might prefer a slightly “rougher” approach. It’s generally safe for adults to sleep with a weighted blanket every night – in fact, our tester now sleeps under their Simba blanket at all times. Starting slow can be a good idea, though.

You can choose between four different sizes. The teen size weighs 12 pounds while the twin size comes in a 15- and 20-pound version. The queen is sold in 20- or 25-pound weight options and the king is sold in 30- or 35-pound options. The queen and king sizes cater to couples, while the twin and teen are better for single-person use. All blankets are available in white or gray.

FAQs about weighted blankets

As the weighted blanket that proved most effective at soothing our testers to sleep and keeping them in the land of the Nod until the alarm went off in the morning, the Simba orbit weighted blanket had to be our best buy. It’s not the cheapest blanket, but the quality and design warrant the investment.

Spot or dry clean only:Avoid using a household machine to wash or dry these blankets. This can permanently damage the outer and inner materials. Eco-friendly & biodegradable - while bamboo rayon manufacture has its problems, we do our best to source our fabric from suppliers that adhere to our strict eco-friendly policies. 100% bamboo rayon is 100% recyclable and, because the plant is easy and cheap to grow, its manufacture is not as detrimental to the environment as the manufacture of other textiles.Our testers judged how comfortable the blankets were to lie under and whether they felt too restrictive. They also considered whether their weight and size felt appropriate, if they helped them feel relaxed, and how easy the care guide was to follow. Weighted blankets can be problematic to clean due to their bulky builds and potentially delicate fill. Many cooling weighted blankets come with removable covers that can be washed and dried in a machine, but some weighted blankets can only be spot cleaned or dry cleaned. If you anticipate needing to wash your blanket regularly, ease of cleaning may be an important consideration. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines can help you extend the life of your blanket and prevent early wear and tear.

Their additional weight mimics a therapeutic technique called “deep pressure therapy”. Like a loving hug, this triggers the release of serotonin and dopamine, also known as the “happy hormones”. That's why many people find a weighted blanket helps to soothe anxiety and encourage a peaceful night's sleep. However, it's important to note that some weighted blankets also have their own “cooling system”. Usually, this means that the weighted blanket has multiple layers that are designed to maximise airflow. You can also use a duvet cover that's extra breathable if the weighted blanket itself has a stuffy cover.Many people will understand the frustration of nights spent tossing and turning, when counting sheep does little to take you into the land of Nod. Treatments are available for insomnia, but those looking for a non-medicated route to better sleep would do well to give weighted blankets a go. How to clean a weighted blanket depends entirely on that specific model. Weighted blankets generally fall into one of the following categories for cleaning and care: Distinguished by an innovative design and a breathable cotton construction, the Bearaby Cotton Napper is one of the most exciting weighted blankets on the market. Unlike most weighted blankets, which feature a more traditional duvet-style design with an interior filling consisting of weighted beads, Bearaby blankets feature a layer on layer fabric design that improves temperature neutrality and ensures an even weight distribution along the blanket.