Updated: August 2, 2020
The weighted blanket is proven to relieve stress, anxiety, fibromyalgia and improve sleep.
We tested 11 blankets available in the UK and narrowed it down to the 3 top weighted blankets based on effectiveness, quality and price.
TOP 3 Weighted Blankets (UK)
**Important: For Koala, there is an additional £20 Voucher. Add voucher ‘NEW20’ on the Koala Blanket cart page. As of today the voucher is still working.
5 out of 5 of our testers felt more relaxed and had improved sleep using their Koala Blanket.
BEST FOR:
- Breathablity (two sided cover)
- All year round cover
- Highly durable
- Includes weighted duvet and cover
- High quality
- Eco-friendly blanket
- Well priced
Features:
- Multiple choices of weight and size
- Double stitched extra strength thread
- Duvet fits securely in cover (no bunching)
- Machine washable
- BPA glass beads used for weight
- Made of eco-friendly silky bamboo and soft cotton
- Includes cover + weighted duvet
- Best priced & best quality
Shipping & Returns:
- Free next-day shipping
- 30-night no hassle returns
100% of our testers felt more relaxed, less anxiety and improved sleep.
Koala Reviews from Facebook:
Julia Stanbury: “I absolutely love my Kalmkoala blanket. It’s honestly the best sleep I’ve ever had and I’ve had it almost two months now. No more sleeping pills for me!! I’m literally asleep in no time and hardly wake throughout the night. I honestly can’t recommend this blanket highly enough. A definite 5 stars from me. Thank you team Kalmkoala!”
Victoria Nicholl: “My lovely mum bought me a blanket to help alleviate nerve pain down my left side, which has greatly disturbed my sleep for four years. The blanket has improved my sleep to no end, and I wouldn’t/couldn’t be without it now.”
Keith Calladine: “This is the 4th Kalmkoala blanket we have purchased…they are a good quality buy…very pleased with them!”
Andrea Greenhalf: “Love love love this, helped my anxiety at night and I’m sleeping great. Going to order another…”
Ann Ashbury: “My Koala has, honestly, revolutionized my nights sleep…it flowed around me like liquid gold and gives the best cuddle ever!”
**Important: We have found a Voucher Code (HUGS) for a £15 savings on a Kudd.ly Blanket!
4 out of 5 of our testers felt more relaxed and had improved sleep.
BEST FOR:
- Affordable price
- Great for beginners
- Soft touch fleece
- Durability
- Portability
Features:
- Made from soft-touch fleece
- BPA-free, non-toxic glass beads
- Machine washable
- Easily transported to each room in house
Shipping & Returns:
- Free, next-day shipping
- 30-day return window
Of all the blankets we tested, the Kudd.ly blanket ranked a close 2nd to Koala. 4 out of 5 had improved sleep.
(Use the Voucher Code “HUGS” on the Kudd.ly checkout page)
#3 Snuzi Weighted Blanket £169
3 out of 5 of our testers felt more relaxed and had improved sleep.
BEST FOR:
- durable
- includes weighted duvet and cover
- using on sofa or bed
Features:
- made of cotton
- includes cover + weighted duvet
- machine washable
- BPA glass beads used for weight
Shipping & Returns:
- free shipping
- 30-day return window
Overall the Snuzi was the 3rd ranked blanket of the 11 we tried.
(We have not found a voucher code for the Snuzi)
Review Team
Jack Rey – Combo Sleeper | McKenzie Fredricks – Combo Sleeper |Christison Gomez – Back Sleeper | Jon Jack – Side Sleeper | Jill Daily – Back SleeperIn conclusion our 5 testers all agreed that the Koala Therapeutic Weighted Blanket is hands down the winner in the UK for the top weighted blanket. Based on effectiveness, quality and price the uk based team at Koala have done a fantastic job.
Weighted Blanket Benefits
Weighted blankets help people sleep better in the following ways:
Reduces cortisol levels: Grounding reduces the production of cortisol, a steroid hormone triggered by stressful situations. While cortisol is not necessarily bad, nighttime cortisol production can counteract the production of melatonin, which can in turn have a negative effect on sleep quality.
Helps produce more melatonin: Natural light triggers melatonin, causing us to feel more tired at night and more wakeful the next morning. People with insomnia tend to produce less melatonin, leading to problems with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. As a result, those who use weighted blankets for insomnia and other disorders linked to low melatonin production often experience notable sleep improvements.
Triggers happiness hormones: Grounding triggers the release of serotonin, and other ‘happiness hormones’ that calm the nervous system and make people feel more relaxed.
Reduces sleepwalking episodes: Interrupted or inefficient sleep can cause in adults and children. Weighted blankets cause people to feel more relaxed before falling asleep, which often leads to deeper sleep and more restful nights. As a result, weighted blankets can be very helpful for sleepwalkers – particularly toddlers and young children.
In addition to benefits for sleepers, weighted blankets can also alleviate stress and anxiety for many. Dentists often provide weighted blankets to patients in order to alleviate their stress before exams. Physicians have also noted that adults and children with certain disorders and medical conditions may benefit from using a weighted blanket for anxiety. These include:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A weighted blanket for autism can be effective for several reasons, particularly among children with ASD. Individuals with ASD often have below-average serotonin and melatonin levels, which can lead to sleep difficulties. Additionally, children with ASD tend to experience anxiety, especially at night.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Poor academic performance is a common issue among children with ADHD, and this problem may be compounded by lack of restful sleep. When used correctly, a weighted blanket for ADHD can not only improve the child’s sleep but also sharpen their focusing abilities in the classroom and boost their grades.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Like ASD, PTSD is a condition that can reduce serotonin production levels. By boosting these serotonin levels and alleviating stress – a common symptom of PTSD – weighted blankets can help people with PTSD improve their overall sleep quality.
Pros of Using a Weighted Blanket:
- Boosts melatonin and ‘happiness hormone’ production
- Alleviates anxiety and stress
- Improves sleep quality for people with ASD, ADHD, PTSD, and other mental health conditions and disorders
- Wide weight selection available
Cons of Using a Weighted Blanket:
- May not be suitable for travel (especially very heavy models)
- Children under eight should not use them without a prescription
- Blankets may cause stress for claustrophobic people
- Price-point often exceeds £100
Important Tips for Weighted Blanket Shoppers
When shopping for a weighted blanket and comparing different brands and models, here are a few factors to keep in mind.
What is your weighted blanket budget? Keep in mind that most weighted blankets cost at least £100 when sold through companies. Private sellers on sites like Etsy may price their weighted blankets lower, but they do not come with warranties and the quality is usually lower.
How much do you weigh? Use your body weight to calculate the most suitable weight for your blanket. Surveys have found that people generally feel most comfortable under a blanket that weighs 7% to 10% as much as they do, but testing out different models is considered the best way to find the right fit. Also keep weight loss/gain in mind, as the most suitable blanket may change if your own weight fluctuates.
Do you have a medical or psychological condition that may lead to discomfort under a weighted blanket? Certain individuals may feel less comfortable under weighted blankets, such as people with claustrophobia, women who are going through menopause, and people with respiratory and/or circulatory issues.
What is your preferred blanket size? Some sleepers like blankets with minimal coverage while others enjoy wrapping themselves in longer, wider blankets. Keep in mind that weighted blanket size is usually tied to weight; the less a blanket weighs, the narrower and shorter it will be. You may have to compromise your width and length preferences in order to find a blanket that weighs the right amount.
Do you sleep warm? Many people sleep excessively hot or warm, either due to their own body temperature regulation or the composition of their mattress (foam and latex sleep hotter than springs). Weighted blankets with covers made of natural fibers like cotton and wool tend to sleep cooler than synthetic fabrics like polyester. For this reason, people who sleep warm are urged to pick a weighted blanket with a natural fiber cover.
Does the blanket come with a cover? Be sure to scope out the product specs. In some cases, weighted blanket covers are sold separately from the blankets themselves.
What is your color preference? Cover color choice is purely aesthetic, although some models are available in dozens of colors for people with different tastes and decor arrangements.
Does the weighted blanket come with a trial or warranty? Companies that sell weighted blankets often offer trial periods, which allow purchasers to return the blanket for a refund within a certain time-frame, and/or product warranties that protect the blanket from defects. Weighted blankets sold through private merchants usually come with neither.
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