Weighted Blankets – Comprehensive Guide

How heavy the weight blanket should be for you or your child & what you should consider before buying, read in this review. In addition, my 3 TOP recommendations.

A weight blanket can help relieve anxiety and help people who are nervous, or those with ADHD or Asperger’s, have a healthy, comfortable sleep.

There are a few things to consider before buying:

  • The right weight plays a crucial role in the effect.
  • There are different fillings and sizes for weight blankets.
  • You will receive blankets for adults and special ones for children.

In this comprehensive article, I explain how weighted blankets work and for whom they are suitable.

In addition, during my research I noticed three models that I find particularly recommendable in terms of the price-performance ratio:

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Function & purpose of weight blankets

Weighted blankets are an interesting innovation that is primarily intended to help you relax and fall asleep peacefully.

The blankets are characterized by a higher weight, which is distributed over your whole body and hugs you very closely. This triggers a sensory feeling, similar to a hearty hug or a cuddle session with your partner.

People react to this closeness with a feeling of security. Existing stress decreases and the brain releases serotonin, which gradually lifts your mood.

Note: This is not a simple blanket made of down , but a specially developed blanket in which the weight is perfectly distributed over the entire body surface.

The light pressure of the blanket, which is felt to be pleasant, helps you slide into the deep sleep phase more easily.

Use weight blankets as “therapy blankets”

The positive effects of weighted blankets have been demonstrated primarily in people and children who suffer from ADHD , Asperger’s , Down’s syndrome , autism and other psychophysical diseases.

 

  • The pleasant feeling of the weighted blanket gives these people a place of retreat where they can wrap themselves up and feel good.
  • The effect of weighted blankets is also noticeable in everyday life in people who only have problems falling asleep or are plagued by severe stress.

Sleep researchers have looked at weighted blankets and were able to confirm the therapeutic effect. Here weighted blankets are mainly used for occupational therapy (more precisely: DTPT – Deep Touch Pressure Therapy).

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is another problem that therapy blankets have been able to help with. The weight blanket prevents unwanted movements of the legs and thus helps those affected to a restful and lasting sleep.

The special filling of weighted blankets

Weight blankets use a very special filling to achieve the weight and, above all, the precise distribution of this weight on the body.

For this purpose, many small glass beads are sewn into a fabric that is often made of cotton.

The glass beads adapt to your body and surround you evenly. That promises optimal comfort.

Some suppliers use other fillings instead of the standard glass beads, such as a patented ceramic granulate (SCM), which differ only slightly in terms of comfort. For the most part, these are manufacturing differences.

In fact, a weighted blanket feels completely unfamiliar at first. It weighs more than a normal blanket and continuously exerts light pressure on the body.

Even if it’s hard to describe, I think it’s a very comfortable feeling.

How to choose weight & height

A weight blanket should be around 10% of your own body weight. Experts promise a pleasant feeling and a positive effect here.

  • So if you weigh 70 kilograms, the weight blanket should ideally weigh 7 kilograms.
  • If the ceiling is too heavy, it will only hinder you. If it is too light, it just looks like a normal blanket.

Weight blankets from different manufacturers are available in different weight classes. So you are sure to find the most suitable blanket for you.

 

In addition, a weighted blanket should not be the same size as your usual blanket, so that the weight can be better concentrated on your body instead of dangling from the edge of the bed.

Tip: Many manufacturers provide information on the right blanket size depending on the bed dimensions.

3 worthwhile weighted blankets

In the following section you will find three weight or therapy blankets that I think are worth your money.

Weighted blanket from SCM with removable fleece

I already mentioned SCM briefly in the chapter on filling, as the manufacturer dispenses with traditional glass beads and instead uses a specially patented ceramic granulate.

The weighted blanket offered is relatively heavy with a weight of 9 kilograms compared to other weighted blankets. This makes it particularly suitable for heavier people who otherwise often have problems finding a suitable blanket, mattress or other things.

The two removable covers make the blanket comfortable all year round:

  • The fleece cover scores especially in winter, because it is a lot cozier than the usual cotton covers.
  • The summer cover is very airy and helps you sleep cool and comfortable even at high temperatures.

The blanket from SCM offered above is not optimized for children due to its weight.

Weight blanket for children from SCM

If you are looking for a blanket for children, SCM offers you the following alternative:

With this, SCM offers a great weight blanket for young and old. The price is quite high for a blanket, but is still in the lower mid-range for weight blankets.

Saving offer: Costway weighted blanket

The Costway weighted blanket is available in 3 sizes as well as 3 weight classes.

In addition, this blanket is the cheapest offer, which does not compromise on quality.

Although this weighted blanket does not have 2 removable covers like the SCM, it is made with a single cover made of breathable cotton.

The advantage: If necessary, you can stuff the entire blanket into the washing machine and wash it in a low gear without hesitation.

The four variants offered offer you the right blanket for every height and weight:

  • 104 x 153 cm, 4.5 kg
  • 122 x 185 cm, 5.5 kg
  • 122 x 185 cm, 7.0 kg
  • 153 x 203 cm, 7.0 kg

When it comes to weight, you can choose between 4.5 kg, 5.5 kg and 7.0 kg. Even the heaviest blanket cannot match the weight of the SCM blanket (9.0 kg).

So if you are looking for a blanket with 10% of your body weight as described above, the Costway weight blanket is suitable for children and adults between 45 and 70 kilograms.

The blanket initially a lot to me because of the price, but also showed no defects in quality. For the price asked, it offers sufficient comfort.

Luxury weighted blanket from Rocabi

Rocabi has weighted blankets in 5 weight classes and therefore the largest selection – regardless of whether you are looking for a blanket for small children or very stout adults.

Only the weight in pounds (lbs.) Caused a little confusion for me. So that you don’t have to struggle with this problem, you will find both the weight in lbs and the equivalent in kg below.

The weight blanket is available in the following weight classes:

  • 10 lbs. – ca. 4.5 kg
  • 15 lbs. – ca. 7 kg
  • 20 lbs. – ca. 9.1 kg
  • 25 lbs. – ca. 11.3 kg
  • 30 lbs. – ca. 13.6 kg

With a weight of 13.6 kg, the Rocabi range is also suitable for people weighing up to 130 kg.

For some people, the recommended weight classes can be too light or too heavy. Then it makes sense to use a heavier or lighter blanket. The variety offered allows you to do this without any problems.

Only the price could not fully convince me here. Since you can buy many comparable blankets much cheaper, this offer seems rather unsuitable for bargain hunters.

In terms of quality, the blanket convinces with a high-quality and durable workmanship.

Both the cover and the inner cover are machine washable. However, the manufacturer recommends washing only the cover regularly. A cold wash at 30 degrees did not cause any problems.

If you are ready to spend a little more, the Rocabi blanket is a satisfactory offer that you will enjoy for a long time.

Conclusion: useful for sleep disorders and as a sleep aid

Weight blankets are a great thing and a great alternative to drug treatment for sensory or psychophysiological diseases.

If you or your child suffer from insomnia, such a therapy blanket can help.

  • When choosing, pay particular attention to the correct weight (approx. 10% of your body weight).
  • Use the size of the bed as a guide when measuring the blanket.
  • When buying, note that the blanket has a removable cover so that you can wash it.

If you can sleep wonderfully even with a normal blanket, buying a weighted blanket is not recommended.

My favorite is the Costway weighted blanket, which you can get in many sizes and with different weights:

 

If you enjoyed the article, please also take a look at the following topics:

I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.

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