Weighted blankets have become increasingly popular in recent years as an aid for reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and providing comfort. With weighted blankets available at a wide range of prices, how do you know how much you should spend to get a high-quality blanket? Here is a guide to help you determine the right budget for a weighted blanket that suits your needs.
What is a weighted blanket and who can benefit from using one?
A weighted blanket is a thick, heavy blanket that provides gentle pressure stimulation across your body when you use it. The extra weight comes from plastic or glass beads that have been sewn into separate compartments throughout the blanket. The weight gives the feeling of being hugged or held, which can have calming and therapeutic effects.
Weighted blankets are commonly used as a safe complement to anxiety treatment, though they also promote better sleep and can just provide a calming comfort. People who may benefit from using a weighted blanket include:
- Those with anxiety, stress, or depression
- People with sensory processing disorders, such as autism
- Individuals with restless leg syndrome or sleep disorders
- Anyone wanting a calming, comforting blanket
The gentle pressure stimulation of a weighted blanket can help relax the nervous system by releasing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. The pressure also stimulates production of melatonin to support sleep. Using a weighted blanket essentially helps your body feel more grounded and secure.
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
Experts typically recommend choosing a weighted blanket that is 10-12% of your body weight. So if you weigh 150 pounds, the best weight for your weighted blanket would be between 15-18 pounds. Here are some general weight recommendations based on body weight:
| Body Weight | Recommended Blanket Weight |
|---|---|
| 100 lbs or less | 10-15 lbs |
| 100-150 lbs | 15-20 lbs |
| 150-200 lbs | 20-25 lbs |
| 200-250 lbs | 25-30 lbs |
| 250 lbs+ | 30-35 lbs |
Choosing a weight in the recommended range will allow you to fully experience the benefits of deep touch pressure stimulation without being uncomfortable. If you share the blanket with a partner, add together your weights and choose a blanket weight about 10% of the total.
What size weighted blanket should you get?
In addition to selecting the right weight, you also need to choose the right size weighted blanket based on your height and your bed size:
- For single beds, a twin or queen size weighted blanket is best.
- Full/double beds work well with queen size blankets.
- Queen and king beds need a queen or king size weighted blanket.
- The blanket should cover your body without hanging too far off the sides of the bed.
- Any size works for using while on the couch or chair.
Some manufacturers offer custom sizing, which can be useful if you need an extra large or small blanket. But standard sizes, especially queen and king, work well for most people and beds.
How are weighted blankets constructed?
There are a few common ways weighted blankets are constructed, which impacts the price:
Type of filling
Blankets are filled with plastic poly pellets or tiny glass beads. Glass beads have a more luxurious feel and conform to your body better. Plastic beads are an affordable alternative with a similar soothing effect.
Type of outer cover
Covers are usually made from cotton, minky, or other soft woven fabrics. Premium materials like Egyptian or long staple cotton with very soft textures cost more but are worth it for added comfort.
Compartment style
The filling beads/pellets may be in:
- Small square stitched pockets throughout
- Long horizontal tubes or channels
- Large tied sections inside the blanket
More compartment sections allow the weight distribution to conform better to your body shape. Channel or tied designs cause more shifting of the fill though.
Outer appearance
Many weighted blankets have a basic solid color on both sides. Some have patterns or material textures on one or both sides for added visual appeal.
dual-sided designs and more detailed compartment construction require more work and will increase costs. But they do not necessarily make the blanket more effective if the overall weight is right for you.
What features to look for in a high-quality weighted blanket?
Here are some ideal features to find in a weighted blanket regardless of price:
- Evenly distributed weight throughout
- Breathable, cool outer material
- Soft, cozy fabric
- Durable stitching and design
- Easy to care for and machine washable
- High user ratings and positive reviews
- Trial period and satisfaction guarantee
- Certification from reputable testing organizations
Paying more typically means those features are executed with higher quality materials and craftsmanship. But less expensive weighted blankets can still meet all those criteria as well.
Weighted blanket pricing
Weighted blankets range widely in price from $50 to $250 or more. Here is an overview of what you can generally expect at different price points:
$50-$100
Entry level weighted blankets at this price have:
- A basic, no frills design
- Plastic pellet fill
- Smaller compartment pockets
- Cover fabrics like microplush fleece or cotton
They perform the basic function of a weighted blanket well despite simpler construction and materials. Great for trying out at low cost.
$100-$150
Mid-range weighted blankets offer:
- More premium outer cover materials
- Glass bead filling
- Improved weight distribution
- Better quality construction and durability
- Wider range of sizes including custom
This price range hits the “sweet spot” for balancing cost and quality for most shoppers. You get noticeable improvements for comfort without big jumps in price.
$150-$250
Luxury weighted blankets feature:
- Top-notch materials like long staple cotton
- Very intricate quilting and bead pocket designs
- Thick, plush fabrics
- Two-sided color and texture options
- Stylish patterns and appearance
- Generous return policies and warranties
Paying more gives blankets with exquisite fabrics that feel great against your skin and stand out visually. These make nice gifts or treats just for yourself.
$250+
At the highest end of around $300+, weighted blankets offer:
- Hand-tailored construction and unique designs
- Heirloom-quality materials like silk, cashmere, alpaca wool
- Artisan details
- Custom monogramming
These become functional works of art taking weighted blankets to the limit of luxury. The price tag gets very steep, so most people do fine with mid-range and lower blankets.
How to choose the best weighted blanket within your budget
Focus first on getting the right blanket weight and size for you. Then consider what added features or materials may be worth paying more for or what corners could be cut to meet your budget. It also helps to have realistic expectations – a $100 blanket likely won’t have the same quality as one 4 times the price. Here are some tips for choosing the best weighted blanket for your needs and budget:
- Decide the highest price you can comfortably afford or want to pay
- Look for the highest rated blankets you can find in your price range
- Compare materials and construction used in blankets at different prices
- Look for sales, promotions, and coupon codes to maximize value
- Consider increasing your budget if it will get you significant more quality
- Don’t pay extra for more “features” you won’t really benefit from or notice while using the blanket
Setting a budget cap and sticking close to it helps narrow the options. Going up about 10-20% can sometimes get you better results. Just don’t overspend stretching too far past your ideal budget.
What’s the bottom line on weighted blanket pricing?
Weighted blankets don’t have to be expensive to be useful and comfortable. You can find great options under $150 that suit most people’s needs. Moving up in price does get you blankets made with better materials that feel more luxurious against your skin. It also accesses custom sizing and unique visual designs.
But more money does not necessarily mean more effective therapeutic benefits. You mainly want an appropriate weight and size for the best experience. Focus first on getting those fundamentals right for you before paying up for premium details and materials you may not fully benefit from.
Conclusion
Determining how much to spend on a weighted blanket largely comes down to your budget limit and personal preferences. Any high-quality weighted blanket around 10% of your body weight can deliver calming, comforting effects you’ll appreciate, whether it cost $50 or $250. Paying more buys you incremental upgrades in materials used and construction quality – but even budget blankets meet most people’s needs just fine. Weigh your budget, sleep goals, and desired features carefully to choose the weighted blanket providing the ideal value to aid your wellbeing.