Casper Just Launched a New Weighted Blanket That Can Fit Inside Your Duvet Cover
If you suffer from stress and anxiety, you’re not alone: Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the U.S., and about half of Americans say they're stressed out. That’s a big deal, considering the majority of adults dealing with anxiety experience sleep problems, like insomnia.
While there are plenty of natural remedies for anxiety, one med-free treatment that has been getting a ton of buzz recently is weighted blankets. Also known as gravity blankets, these quilts are stuffed with glass beads to produce a "grounding" effect, making them heavier than your average comforter. Fans of weighted blankets claim that the added pounds help them fall and stay asleep throughout the night.
But will sleeping with some extra weight really make a difference? Or is this just another self-help gimmick picking up short-lived momentum? We tapped some experts to explain.
Do weighted blankets work for anxiety and insomnia?
Some experts have claimed to witness weighted blanket benefits firsthand, like Tennessee-based therapist Donna Durham, MMFT, who started using them with her clients. (Full disclosure, she ended up designing and selling her own weighted blankets.)
“They [her clients] would be able to go from having trouble sitting still to ‘Hey, would you mind turning off the lights and letting me just sit here for a few minutes?’” she says. “I had some clients who just then started incorporating it into their self-care, to where they would have a weighted blanket in their car, or in a special bag, so if they had panic attacks, they would use them to interrupt those attacks.”
That said, the science is limited in showing that gravity blankets can ease anxiety. Only preliminary research suggests that sensory treatments like weighted blankets help manage anxiety, explains Sandy Capaldi, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist, and associate director for Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania. More studies with large sample sizes need to be done to truly determine how effective they are, she adds.
Preliminary study results are promising, though. A small study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that “grounding” the human body, or pushing it downward with deep pressure touch (DPT)—similar to the experience of using a weighted blanket—reduces the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that brings about symptoms commonly associated with anxiety.
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
There isn't much research around how heavy a weighted blanket should be, but ultimately, it's based on your personal preference. Most weighted blankets typically range between 15 and 30 pounds, and the makers of the Gravity Blanket recommend sticking to one that's equal to 10 percent of your body weight. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you'd use a 15-pound blanket.
One small study published in the journal Occupational Therapy in Mental Health might point toward benefits of heavier models: It concluded that 30-pounders can make you feel at ease, as 63 percent of the 32 participants reported feeling less anxious after sleeping with one. But again, it's best to choose a weight that feels good to you.
Are weighted blankets safe for children?
As a parent, it may be hard to get a full night's rest, especially for those with newborns and toddlers. While it might be tempting to do anything to help your child get some sleep, weighted blankets may be a risk for young children and even older children with developmental disorders.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conducted a study on children with autism and found that weighted blankets were not effective in helping them fall asleep faster, sleep longer, or wake up at night any less frequently. Currently, the AAP's safe sleep guidelines recommend that parents and caregivers do not use blankets of any kind for infants.
As for adults with anxiety, you may be looking to give one of these weighted blankets a try. Here are the best weighted blankets to consider if you’re tossing and turning all night.
1. Best Overall: Quility Premium Weighted Blanket
4.8 out of 5 stars
9,000+ Amazon customer reviews
Designed with seven layers of comfort, this weighted blanket has a breathable exterior made with 100 percent cotton that's lined with a polyester padding. The micro glass beads are encased in another two layers of polyester, which helps with preventing leakage and temperature control. Each blanket also comes with a minky duvet cover for additional warmth. Choose from blankets that weigh five to 30 pounds and come in six different color combinations.
One Amazon reviewer raves, "This blanket is amazing! I suffer from anxiety and it flares up a lot at night. I was a little worried about buying this because I am not a fan of being held too tight or being restrained, but I must admit I love it! The cover that comes with the weighted blanket is perfect. It has two sides: a soft, cozy side and a minky fabric on the other, so you can use whichever side you prefer."
2. Best Value: Amy Garden Weighted Blanket
4.5 out of 5 stars
1,000+ Amazon customer reviews
The Amy Garden weighted blanket has seven layers of warmth and comfort: There are three layers on each side around the beads. Two of the layers are made with thick yet breathable material, while the third layer is soft filling fiber. Because the layers are so dense, you won't feel the beads at all. The weighted insert and duvet cover are sold separately, but purchasing both will make it easier to clean—just be sure to choose matching sizes! Choose from 10 different colors and five, 10-, 12-, 15-, and 20-pound inserts. One Amazon reviewer wrote: “I was skeptical about buying this product, but I have to say that it really does help with my anxiety, and does help me fall asleep, and have a deeper sleep at that.”
3. Best Cooling Weighted Blanket: YnM Cooling Weighted Blanket
4.4 out of 5 stars
500 Amazon customer reviews
A great option for hot sleepers, this weighted blanket relies on moisture-wicking, breathable bamboo viscose to help you stay cool as you snooze. The two layers of breathable cotton fabric between the bamboo and thin polyfill help ensure that the glass beads don't leak after several washes. One Amazon reviewer wrote: “I got it for my husband’s birthday, who suffers from occasional mild anxiety, and often slept with pillows on his body. I debated for a while as it’s not cheap, but it is WORTH the price. Thanks for the quilting, the weights don’t shift around. It conforms perfectly to the body.”
4. Best Reversible Weighted Blanket: CALMFORTER Blanket
4.6 out of 5 stars
800+ Amazon customer reviews
This reversible weighted blanket has multi-functional uses for relieving anxiety. One side of the blanket has textured dots, which is designed to help keep those with fidgety hands calm, while the other side is smooth and will keep you warm. Not only does it come in a variety of color combinations, but you can zip off the outer cover to make it easier to wash and dry.
According to one Amazon reviewer who is a mental health therapist, she recommends this weighted blanket to his patients for its long-lasting effects. "I have had many patients purchase low-cost blankets of poor quality that have not sustained the test of time. This blanket uses small glass weights and the beads do not shift so you do get consistent weight."
5. Casper Weighted Blanket
Available in 10, 15, and 20 pounds, this weighted blanket is the latest addition in Casper's line of premium bedding. Because it's not too bulky and easy to fold, you can fit it into a duvet cover. The lining and fill are made with 100% durable polyester, while the outer shell is designed with 100% soft and breathable cotton. The outer shell also boasts a 205 thread count, so it won't cause you to overheat at night. Cuddle up to this weighted blanket while watching TV or reading a book to help you alleviate insomnia and stress.
6. ZonLi Weighted Blanket
4.5 out of 5 stars
2,000+ Amazon customer reviews
Made with two layers of 100 percent cotton, ZonLi's weighted blankets are easy to clean and will fit into any duvet cover easily. Each blanket has two layers of microfiber to give it a smooth and cooling touch and is filled with odorless glass beads. The filling also has a hypoallergenic polyester padding to keep dust, mold, and other allergens at bay.
With 12 colors and designs to choose from and blankets ranging from five to 30 pounds, there's sure to be something that matches your bedroom vibe and sleep needs. An Amazon reviewer writes, "I like to sleep with the weight of multiple blankets so I thought I would try this blanket. I absolutely love it. I originally bought the 20-pound blanket but found it to be too heavy for me, so I exchanged it for the 15-pound one. I sleep so much better with it that I brought it on vacation with me."
7. Gravity Blanket
3.9 out of 5 stars
100+ Amazon customer reviews
Gravity Blanket went viral after raising close to $5 million on Kickstarter in 2017, and there's a good reason for it. The Gravity blanket has a velvety micro-fleece exterior and a super-soft cotton interior filled with fine-grade glass beads. The blanket is held in place by ties and elastic button straps in the duvet cover, so it never slips. Plus, the gridded stitching in the filling ensures that the glass beads stay evenly distributed. Choose between 15-, 20-, and 25-pound options.
Amazon reviewers applaud how well the blanket helps them sleep. "I really like this blanket. You can use it every day. Whether you are on the couch, sitting on a chair or about to hit the hay on your bed. It is the best blanket created for sleeping. It’s as if someone is just caressing your body. Hugging you," a reviewer wrote.
8. Baloo Weighted Blanket
4.7 out of 5 stars
100+ Amazon customer reviews
Meeting the Oeko-Tex Standard for textile products, this weighted blanket by Baloo is free of harmful chemicals and toxins. Although this blanket is weighted, it's made with breathable cotton that won't cause you to overheat at night. It's available in 12, 15, and 20 pounds. The 12-pound blanket makes a great throw that you can use to snuggle on the couch while Netflixing, and the 15- and 20-pound blankets are perfect for sharing in bed. They have six hooks that you can use to connect the blanket to a comforter too.
Amazon reviewers rave that the blanket actually helps them relax, including this mom with a newborn: "For the first time in months, I simply went to bed and fell asleep. The weighted blanket adds a layer of physical comfort that finally allowed me to relax. I have had my blanket for just over a week and my sleeping habits have drastically improved."
9. Layla Weighted Blanket
4.5 out of 5 stars
200+ Layla customer reviews
Layla's weighted blankets are made with 300-thread count, 100% cotton for an ultra-lux experience that'll make you want to hop into bed. Thefleece-like top layer keeps you warm and lends a comforting touch to anxious hands. The micro glass beads are also much finer so they're quieter than other fillings. One Layla reviewer says, "With multiple weigh options and even distribution, the Layla weighted blanket hugs your body with a grounded pressure that eases your mind and body to sleep." Sign us up!
10. Melissa’s Weighted Blanket
4.3 out of 5 stars
10+ Amazon customer reviews
This fleece and flannel blanket has earned nearly five perfect customer review stars on Amazon for its comfortable and soothing fabrics. It has hidden pockets weighted with glass beads that are evenly distributed throughout the blanket. It also features a smooth finish and doesn't have any quilting or stitching that would detract from its soft feel. Choose from a range five- to 25-pound blankets, but if you're new to the weighted kind, it's best to go with one that's 10 percent of your weight. It comes in 12 gorgeous colors, so you can easily find one that fits your decor."This is an amazing blanket. It is made with high-quality material that doesn't pull or feel rough on dry skin.
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