The Best Weighted Blankets for Adults

Last Updated June 29, 2023

Are you considering purchasing a weighted blanket but you’re not sure if it’s worth the investment? Good news, you’ve come to the right place. Weighted blankets seem to be all the rage as of late, and here at mattressrevdev.wpengine.com, we understand why.

While typically touted as a remedy for anxiety (weighted blankets were originally used therapeutically), the recent explosion into the market has seen them being hailed as a cure for many ailments and a way to fix sleep-related problems. But is it all a bit of a gimmick? Is it too good to be true? Will it help you sleep better and fix your anxiety? Let’s find out.

Do Weighted Blankets Work?

Gimmicky products claiming to be a magic cure for all your ailments are nothing new – they have been for yonks. Weighted blankets certainly have all the hallmarks of the world’s latest gimmick. However, weight blankets certainly aren’t just another gimmick. In fact, they’re genuinely useful for a range of things.

They can help you relax and reduce stress, which in turn allows you to fall asleep a bit easier and actually stay asleep as it prevents you from tossing and turning too much. However, what they don’t necessarily do is cure insomnia, relieve you from sleep apnea or help with your back pain.

So what are the real benefits of a weighted blanket and why might you consider buying one?

The Benefits of a Weighted Blanket

Reduced Stress

The main benefit of a weighted blanket is to reduce stress and anxiety. The reason they work is related to a process called deep touch pressure or DTP. Gently applying the pressure to the body leads to the release of serotonin, a chemical that reduces stress and induces a feeling of happiness. 

It’s the same reason why a light massage or a tight hug can relax you and why service dogs are trained to lie down on their owners. All of it triggers the same type of serotonin release. In turn, this also triggers a reduced production of cortisol, a steroid that we secrete in stressful situations, further reducing the levels of stress we’re feeling.

Better Sleep

While claims of weighted blankets ‘curing’ insomnia and similar conditions are false, it’s true that they have a beneficial effect on your sleep and a positive effect on insomnia.

A big factor is a two-fold effect that helps you sleep better. The first is deep touch pressure. By helping your body release serotonin and reduce stress, you in turn have an easier time falling asleep.

The reduced production of cortisol also helps, since it usually counteracts the effects of melanin and stops you from falling asleep. However, there’s more to it than just that. Optimal levels of serotonin also lead to the increased secretion of melatonin – the chemical that manages our sleep patterns. With the levels of melatonin increased our body feels sleepier and going to dreamland becomes much easier.

The other effect has to do with restricting your movement. It’s quite difficult to move under weighted blankets, even when you’re awake. If you’re restless while trying to fall asleep, a weighted blanket will help to keep you in one place, allowing you to fall asleep faster.

Moving while sleeping can also lead to a feeling of tiredness even after a full night of sleep – weighted blankets also help reduce that type of restlessness, thus improving the quality of your sleep.

Do Weighted Blankets Help Reduce Anxiety?

One major benefit that’s often touted when talking about weighted blankets is that they can help with anxiety disorders due to their calming effects. Is this just another fake marketing tactic? Well, yes and no. Its true weighted blankets can help with anxiety (I am quite an anxious person and my weighted blanket certainly helps me), but it’s not a golden ticket.

The overall effects of a weighted blanket, like the increased secretion of serotonin and reduced secretion of cortisol, certainly help with anxiety. The feeling of deep pressure stimulation can also help you feel subjectively better and more relaxed. It works both on people who have an anxiety-related disorder and those who just experience the feeling of general anxiety.

So yes, weighted blankets can help reduce anxiety but don’t expect them to make your anxiety go away or to produce noticeable effects overnight. It might take a while for you to see the benefits. Also, if you do suffer from anxiety it’s always best to talk about treatment with a professional health care provider.

And of course, there are cases where a weighted blanket might have the opposite effect – if you suffer from claustrophobia, for example, a weighted blanket might make you feel trapped in a small space. If you think you have a condition that a weighted blanket might worsen, avoid it.

Weight Blanket Buying Guide

Before we get into the best weighted blankets, let’s take a look at the features that make up a good weight blanket.

Weight

How heavy the weighted blanket is really depends on you and your body. While you can’t choose the exact weight, you do choose from a set of stock weights based on your body weight. The general rule is that your weighted blanket should be around 10% of your body weight.

It’s also normally one blanket for one person, depending on the size. But most importantly to remember is that when choosing your weighted blanket, make sure it offers a weight that suits your body weight because otherwise it will either be a) way too heavy for you or b) not heavy enough to give you the benefits.

Filling material

Weighted blankets typically are filled with micro glass beads. These are normally less than 1mm in diameter, and kind of look like grains of sand. Micro glass beads are eco-friendly, quiet, heavy, comfortable and wash and dry well.

There are other filling options, but they’re not as good. These include plastic poly beads, which normally aren’t eco-friendly and can melt in the washing machine. There are also steel shot beads which certainly give you plenty of weight but won’t survive the washing machine. There are also natural fillings like small pebbles, rice and sand. But these aren’t ideal as you can’t wash them without rushing mould, yeast or bacteria growing.

Machine washable

If you’re using your weight blanket every day, you want one that’s machine washable. Some weight blankets come with covers, and if that’s the case, you can simply wash the cover and then spot clean the actual weight blanket bit.

Cover material

If you want to use your weighted blanket throughout the year, the cover material plays an important part. Many weighted blankets come with a soft, mink-like fabric. While these are plush, they don’t breathe so well and you’ll find it too hot in summer. If you sleep hot, you’ll want to choose lightweight and cooling fabrics, like cotton or bamboo.

The Best Weighted Blankets in Australia

1. Ecosa Weighted Blanket ($220)

Crafted from ultra-soft 100% pesticide-free and organic bamboo, the outer layer of the Ecosa weighted blanket is soft and very breathable. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial, odour-resistant, and is one of the most sustainable commercially available materials. The blanket comes in 3 weight options: at 7, 9, and 11kg – all costing $220. There is only one size (140x210cm).

Filled with eco-conscious glass microbeads, these beads are quiet, hypoallergenic, and washable. Naturally hypoallergenic and moisture wicking, the all-natural organic bamboo keeps you cool, as well as calm.The Ecosa weighted blanket only comes in dark grey, though there are plenty of bamboo covers to purchase that come in different colours.

2. Calming Blankets Bamboo ($299)

Calming Blankets Bamboo Blanket comes in 2 colours and 3 weights – Maldives and Midnight and 4.5kg, 6.8kg and 9kg. Bamboo is excellent for the summertime as it has excellent cooling properties. The unique ultra-high quality bamboo fibres have thermo-regulating properties — which means they can help keep you cool for a more restful sleep. The glass beads, which provide the soothing weight, also help disperse heat.

Its standard size measures 198x121cm. Their blankets are filled with unique non-toxic microbeads and are antibacterial, anti-static, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and biodegradable. However, the only downside is you cannot wash the weight insert blanket, but you can wash the outer cover. They also offer a 30 day trial period so if you don’t love it, you can request a refund.

3. Therapy Adaptive Weighted Blanket ($319)

The Therapy Blanket is probably the best weighted blanket on the market. They have three different types: Adaptive Bamboo and Woven. Therapy’s Adaptive Series weighted blankets are made from 100% long staple premium cotton. Filled with high density glass dura-beads sewn into individual 10 x 10 cm pockets, the weight is evenly distributed across your whole body. The micro-beads are non-toxic, food-grade and odourless.

Each weighted blanket comes with an incredibly soft two-sided removable cover. One side is made from cosy micro plush fabric and the other is made from cooling bamboo lyocell fabric, giving you the chance to pick the side that best suits your temperature preferences at any given time. Featuring a SmartZip design along with internal fasteners attaching your cover and weighted blanket, you can say goodbye to bunching and sagging!

Available in four sizes, there is a ‘child’ size at 102x152cm, a ‘queen’ size at 152x203cm, a ‘king’ at 205x223cm, and ‘super king’ at 205x256cm. The weights available are 5, 7, 9, and 11kg. Therapy Blanket also offer a 30-day return window.

4. Oodie Weighted Blanket ($159)

The Oodie Weighted Blanket is like a big hug that helps with sleep and anxiousness. A weight blanket filled with non-toxic glass beads, separately sewn pockets and is hand washable. Using the relaxing principles behind deep pressure stimulation therapy, it will take your sleep to the next level. It only comes in one size which is 198 x 121cm. In terms of weight, there’s a 4.5kg, 6.8kg or 9.0kg blanket.

5. Neptune Weighted Blanket II ($349)

The Premium Neptune Weighted Blanket® II is the atest sensory therapy weighted blanket for kids and adults. Featuring 7 layer construction with the industry’s smallest pocket squares for even weight distribution, and ULTRASONIC stitching on the minky cover means a better tactile feel, no fraying, no bunching and a cleaner, more calming pattern.

Features of the Neptune II include 100% natural cotton; microfibre bead barrier; cotton fill; hypoallergenic, odourless, non-toxic and quiet beads; and micro inner pockets and smaller compartments for evenly distributed, consistent comfort.

The Neptune II comes in 3kg, 4.5kg, 5kg, 6.5kg, 7kg, 9kg, and 11kg. You can also choose from grey, blue, pink, white or black! Neptune offers a 30 day guarantee and a one year warranty to boot.

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Ally Burnie
Head Dreamer Ally Burnie
Journalist, presenter and host based in Sydney with a passion for cooking, outdoor adventures, hiking, humanitarianism, and travel.
Ally Burnie Head Dreamer Ally Burnie
Journalist, presenter and host based in Sydney with a passion for cooking, outdoor adventures, hiking, humanitarianism, and travel.

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