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These Cooling Weighted Blankets Are Designed To Chill Out Hot Sleepers
If you run hot while sleeping, the thought of draping a heavy, weighted blanket on top of you might sound like a nightmare. At the same time, sleeping fully exposed without a blanket nearby can also be disconcerting. So what's a comfort-seeking, hot sleeper to do? Enter: cooling weighted blankets.
If it sounds too good to be true, don't take our word for it: We spoke to sleep experts to find out exactly how cooling weighted blankets work, what to look for when buying one, and then rounded up 10 of the best options on the market.
A peek at the best cooling weighted blankets:
Do cooling weighted blankets really work?
The short answer is, yes: Cooling weighted blankets help chill you out, both mentally and in terms of temperature.
"As far as how they work, it's thought that weighted blankets provide deep pressure stimulation, which activates the parasympathetic, or 'rest and digest' part of the nervous system," says Nishi Bhopal, M.D., a psychiatrist specializing in sleep medicine. "When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it reduces the heart rate and calms the muscles, which helps you feel more calm and relaxed."
In terms of the cooling aspect, certain weighted blankets are made with temperature-regulating technology and/or breathable materials, designed to keep heat from staying trapped under the covers.
What to look for in a cooling weighted blanket.
"When choosing a cooling weighted blanket, it's important to take into account the fabric," Bhopal says. "Synthetic fibers usually trap heat, while natural fibers, like bamboo or cotton, are more breathable." Blankets without fillers will naturally allow more airflow through the holes (think chunky knits). When fillers are included, look for evenly distributed glass beads, which promote air circulation better than plastic or other synthetic beads.
When choosing the weight of your blanket, naturopathic sleep doctor Catherine Darley, N.D., says it should be no more than 10% of your body weight. If you're buying the blanket for a child, make sure they are older than 2 and they can easily lift and maneuver the blanket by themselves.
To help you take the guesswork out of it, we rounded up 10 of the best cooling weighted blankets out there, based on fabric, price, and more:
Our picks for the best cooling weighted blankets:
Pros:
- Three weight choices
- Lightweight & breathable
Cons:
- Only one size available
Materials:
CottonGlass beadsFleeceSheared microfiberSizes available:
48" x 72"Weights available:
10 pounds15 pounds20 poundsWarranty:
1-year limited warrantyWashability:
Cover: Machine washableHelix's weighted blanket can keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter with its double-sided design. The cooling blanket is made of 100% breathable cotton and filled with glass beads to promote airflow. When you need it, the outer blanket is made of a soft fleece on one side and a sheared microfiber fabric on the other.
Pros:
- Three weights available
- Breathable
Cons:
- Spot-clean only
- Only one size
Materials:
PolyesterCottonSizes available:
50" x 70"Weights available:
10 pounds15 pounds20 poundsWarranty:
1-year limited warrantyWashability:
Spot-clean onlyWith three different colors and weights to choose from, this Casper weighted blanket is certainly versatile. The outer cover is made of 100% cotton, designed after performance outerwear, to circulate air away from your body—keeping you comfy and cool.
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Pros:
- 100% organic cotton
- No potentially messy beads
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- Knit design may not be warm enough for some
- Only two size options
Materials:
100% organic cottonSizes available:
36” x 48”Weights available:
8 pounds6 poundsWarranty:
1-year limited warrantyWashability:
100% Machine washableThe knit design keeps this otherwise heavy blanket lightweight and breathable, perfect for kids who tend to run hot. What's unique about the design is that there are no beads involved. The blanket gets its weight from the hand-knit cotton itself, which is 100% organic and more environmentally friendly than many other models.
While a great pick for hot sleepers, this blanket isn't going to be super warm on its own, so your child may want to use a second blanket for warmth.
Pros:
- Handmade in New York
- Expert recommended
- Natural, chemical-free materials
Cons:
- Beads can gather in one spot
Materials:
Glass beads100% natural cottonSizes available:
60" x 80"80" x 87"Weights available:
12 pounds15 pounds20 pounds25 poundsWarranty:
1-year limited warrantyWashability:
100% Machine washableWhether you want it as a throw blanket, or perfectly fitted to your full- to king-size bed, there is a Baloo weighted blanket for you. The comfortable and cooling cotton fabric is filled with glass microbeads and, unlike most weighted blankets, can be thrown in both the washer and the dryer for an easy clean.
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Pros:
- Cooling to counteract added weight
- Hypoallergenic & OEKO-TEX 100 certified
- Multiple weights & sizes available
Cons:
- May not be cool enough for some
Materials:
PolyesterGlass beads100% lyocell bambooWeights available:
5 pounds7 pounds10 pounds12 pounds15 pounds20 pounds25 pounds30 poundsWarranty:
2-year limited warrantyWashability:
Cover: Machine washableThe cooling weighted blanket from Luna is made of 100% lyocell bamboo, which helps to regulate temperature and wick moisture (read: sweat) away from the body. The inside is filled with medical-grade glass beads to cool you down and evenly distribute the blanket's weight. It comes in seven color options, with sizes ranging from Kid to King.
Pros:
- Cover is machine washable
- Science-backed
- Large size
Cons:
- May not be cooling enough if you run very warm
Materials:
PolyesterCottonMicrofiberSizes available:
48" x 72"90" x 90"Weights available:
15 pounds20 pounds35 poundsWarranty:
None mentionedWashability:
Cover: Machine washableThis blanket has a 2019 SleepScore study to back up its claims, which reports that roughly 3 in 4 product users fell asleep faster while using it. More than half of the people in the study said they felt less anxious, too.
Choose from three weights and two sizes—one of which is the largest weighted blanket size we've seen yet.
The blanket has a zipper closure, which turns out to be *a lot* easier than a typical button and tie style. While this option is a bit on the expensive side, it gets a lot of praise from shoppers for its effectiveness and durability.
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Pros:
- Heavy but breathable
- High quality
Cons:
- Only one size
Materials:
PolyesterCottonGlass beadsSizes available:
48" x 70"Weights available:
12 pounds20 poundsWarranty:
1-year limited warrantyWashability:
Inner blanket: Spot clean onlyCover: Machine washableThe top fabric of Sleep Number's cooling weighted blanket is made with 37.5® active particle technology, designed to maintain your body's ideal temperature. The other 80% is made with breathable cotton, and the inside is filled with glass beads, so you stay well ventilated under the covers.
Pros:
- Extremely soft material
- Machine-washable cover
- Very durable
Cons:
- Only one size
- Only one weight
Materials:
PolyesterGlass beadsSilicon tubingSizes available:
48" x 84"Weights available:
15 poundsWarranty:
1-year limited warrantyWashability:
Inner blanket: Spot clean onlyCover: Machine washableDon't let the fleece fabric fool you—when paired with the chiliPAD control unit, this 15-lb. weighted blanket will certainly keep you cool. Simply attach the electrical cooling device to the blanket, and choose your ideal temperature: This will propel air to blow through the rubber tubes lining the blanket, keeping you AC-level cool all night. Since the chiliPAD is sold separately, this blanket duo is definitely a splurge—but depending on the type of climate you live in, it just might be worth it.
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Pros:
- 100% machine washable
- Very soft fabric
- Multiple sizes and weights
Cons:
- Too heavy for some
Materials:
100% lyocell bambooMinkySizes available:
60" x 80"42" x 56"54" x 72"100" x 85"Weights available:
8 pounds15 pounds30 pounds18 poundsWarranty:
None mentionedWashability:
100% Machine washableLuxury is literally in the name of this Luxome cooling weighted blanket. The silky fabric (made of bamboo lyocell) feels like butter on the skin, and the light 1-mm glass bead filling is barely detectable. The blanket is made with fewer layers than other brands to reduce excess heat. Plus, it's 100% machine washable.
Pros:
- Multiple weights and sizes
- Lightweight & breathable
Cons:
- Too thin for some
Materials:
Glass beads100% bamboo viscoseSizes available:
41" x 60"48" x 72"60" x 80"80" x 87"Weights available:
7 pounds10 pounds12 pounds15 pounds20 pounds25 pounds30 poundsWarranty:
1-year limited warrantyWhile most weighted blankets are designed as throws, this cooling option from YNM comes in standard bed sizes, from twin to king. The outside is made of bamboo fabric, and the inside is filled with glass beads, both designed to keep air circulating for a cool night's sleep.
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Other tricks for staying cool at night.
"Being too hot definitely interferes with sleep," Darley tells mbg, so instead of sweating it out, try these expert-approved tricks for keeping cool:
- Use a natural fiber mattress pad or cover instead of a synthetic one, Darley suggests.
- "Make sure your room is well ventilated and use a fan if needed," Bhopal says. (The optimal sleep temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit.)
- "Avoid vigorous exercise within an hour of bedtime, as this can raise your body temperature," Bhopal adds.
- Try sleeping naked.
FAQ
What is the most cooling fabric for blankets?
Materials like bamboo lyocel, linen, silk, and natural cotton tend to be most breathable. Some brands use additional technology to enhance the cooling properties, but high-quality lightweight materials can provide natural cooling benefits.
What blanket is best for hot sleepers?
This depends on what kind of blanket you are looking for. There are plenty of cooling sheets, cooling comforters, cooling pillows, and cooling pillowcases. We've even found some great cooling pajamas. Silk, linen, bamboo, eucalyptus, pine, supima cotton, and tencel are a few of the most cooling materials for sheets and blankets.
The takeaway.
Weighted blankets can actually keep you cool, while providing additional benefits like easing stress, soothing you to sleep, and deep pressure stimulation. Some options on our list use special cooling technology, while others rely on lightweight, breathable fabric to regulate your temperature more naturally. Keep in mind, a weighted blanket won't solve all your hot sleeping woes—but it can certainly help. To keep improving your sleep conditions, check out our picks for the best cooling mattress toppers.
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