Designed to evenly distribute weight across the body, the best weighted blankets promise to help promote feelings of calmness, soothe anxiety, and act as a catalyst for a good night’s sleep. Typically filled with thousands of tiny glass beads that apply pressure to your body, weighted blankets mimic a therapeutic technique called “deep pressure therapy”. Basically, it’s just like receiving a big hug. They've been around since the late nineties when they were more commonly used by occupational therapists.

A weighted blanket is an extra heavy blanket that can be used to help you get to sleep and reduce feelings of anxiety. My DD and I both have the Kudd.ly one. We love them and use them every night. I would recommend them.” (Rated by Mumsnet user PawPrintsInMyPansies) Our verdict Size: H120 x W1.50 x D90cm | Weight: 2 or 3kg | Filling: 160gsm polyester wadding and glass beads | Removable cover: No Reasons to buy Size: 48"x78” or 60"x80” | Weight: 5 and 7kg | Filling: Glass micro sand beads | Removable cover: No Reasons to buy It's only available in one size (single, 135cm x 200cm) but comes in two different weights 6.8kg/15lb or 9kg/20lb to suit different requirements.

10. Best superheroes weighted blanket: Marvel Spiderman Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets work in the same way massage does, with deep pressure touch, which calms the mind, very much like swaddling. They’ve been found to boost oxytocin levels and lower heart rate as well as help improve concentration levels. Many occupational therapists recommend the use of weighted blankets for children with anxiety. What is the best weighted blanket for a toddler? The NHS offers more advice on how they can be safely used for children. How heavy or big should a weighted blanket be for kids? Weighted blankets are more expensive than standard blankets and prices vary depending on the weight, size, fabric and manufacturer.

This pretty but neutral weighted blanket comes in a calming shade of grey, with white stars and would look as at home in a kids’ bedroom or downstairs on the sofa. It’s made of five layers, which give it a super-soft, comfy feel: a layer of hypoallergenic microbeads, two layers of polyester wadding, a cotton top layer and a 100% microplush bottom layer. The weighted feel and tactile surface gives a feeling of calm and restfulness to help your child relax and sleep more easily. It comes in two weights - 2kg and 3kg - to cater for both younger and older children. The popularity of weighted blankets has been growing over the last few years and the choice on offer has naturally increased to cater. If you’re looking for a bit of a luxury feel and a standard of craftsmanship that will stand the test of time, the Kids Weighted Blanket from Gravity Blankets is handmade in Europe from 100% certified cotton and features a weighted filling of fine, evenly distributed glass beads. The blanket comes with a cover that’s designed to be either ‘summer’ or ‘year round’ so you can choose which you prefer, and the fact that this is removable makes it a more practical choice for laundering.

What is the best weighted blanked to buy?

My daughter has one as she is very anxious right now and wasn't sleeping. It's definitely helped.” Circleorsquare Our verdict From the studies that have been done, there is a common theme that weighted blankets may be a useful tool to help with anxiety symptoms,” says Henderson. “There have been various studies in different scenarios, from patients in a psychiatric facility to patients receiving chemotherapy. Results have shown that anxiety levels were reduced by up to 60 per cent with the use of the weighted blanket.” However, experts agree more research is needed. How do I choose the right one/weight for me? We didn’t like: The cover doesn’t come as standard, so if you’d like one, you’ll have to shell out extra. They're heavy because they have plastic or glass beads stitched inside, which compress the body gently. This helps to reduce restlessness and promote feelings of calm. The lowdown: From the mattress-in-a-box company comes its signature weighted blanket. It’s available in two different weights and comes in grey. The beads are made from glass and, while not necessary for use, there’s a removable 100% cotton cover you can add for hygiene purposes.

The perfect choice for any budding astronauts or tiny star-gazers, this 2kg weighted blanket has a gorgeous planets and constellations design on it which makes it ideal for bedtimes (or for throwing over your shoulders while you gaze into your telescope). The top is made from breathable cotton and the bottom layer from a soft-to-the-touch polyester plush that feels really cosy.

Are weighted blankets OK for children?

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. The general rule is to start with a weighted blanket that is about 10 per cent of your body weight, says Henderson. “So, someone of 11 stone, 154lbs, would use a blanket with a weight of around 15lbs. This is recommended only as a guide; preferred weights can vary between 5 per cent to 12 per cent of a person’s weight. Most weighted blankets are designed for use by one person or, even if it’s a particularly big one, they usually won’t cover the whole bed. But the Baloo weighted comforter is designed to be large enough for sharing, snuggling and sleeping soundly under. You’re even likely to find one that will cover your entire bed, so long as it’s no bigger than a superking. The cotton is super-soft next to the skin and breathable for ultimate comfort, which our tester found helped them sleep much better than without the blanket. And we particularly like that this weighted blanket works just as well draped over the bed as it does in the living room on a chair or sofa. The design is gorgeous and comes in a range of colours, including a berry red, green, grey and blue. We were also impressed by the ethical production process that ensures every worker at each stage is paid a fair wage.

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. Textures can play a big part in soothing our senses, which is why we liked the TheaWellbeing blyss weighted blanket. The velvety cover included in the box feels wonderful next to skin, and we often found ourselves running our hands along the dimpled detail throughout. Although you’re unlikely to use the weighted blanket without the cover, it is also beautifully smooth and silky.Read on to find out what to look for when choosing the best weighted blanket for your needs. What to look for in a weighted blanket The blankets are typically filled with tiny glass or plastic beads to provide the pressure. Glass beads are most popular because they're more dense than plastic pellets. Weighted blankets aren’t just for bedtime either – lots of people like to use them to snuggle up on the sofa too. Are weighted blankets OK for children? If you can't get a blanket exactly the right weight, that's ok – if in doubt, choose an option on the lighter side. Yes, but not for babies or toddlers. Weighted blankets are fine for children over three years of age and you should only use the recommended weight for your child (see below) as they need to be able to easily remove the blanket themselves if they get too hot. Its Karma switch blankets come with removable covers in various colours, including indigo, olive green, peachy petal and, of course, grey. And if that’s not enough choice, the covers are reversible to offer an additional option, and they can be bought separately to give so much more choice. Karmara’s weighted blankets are also available in a wide range of weights, including 6kg, 8kg, 10kg and 12kg.