Updated: January 10, 2020
Important Edit: We have found a “Christmas Discount Code” for the Koala Blanket and for the Kudd.ly Blanket. We added them to the blanket review section below.
Important Edit: We have found a “New Year Discount Code” for the Koala Blanket and for the Kudd.ly Blanket. We added them to the blanket review section below.
Important Edit: We have found a Black Friday Discount Code for the Koala Blanket and for the Kudd.ly Blanket. We added them to the blanket review section below.
The weighted blanket is now the #1 ranked household item in the USA to relieve stress and anxiety and improve sleep. It seems the word has spread across the pond as sales in the UK have spiked over the past 3 months.
We tested 11 blankets available in the UK and narrowed it down to the 3 top weighted blankets based on effectiveness, quality and price.
**Important: For Koala, there is a £17 Discount Code for Chistmas (XMAS17). Use it instead of 17OFF since that code may no longer work. (On mobile it can be difficult to find. Click “order summary” after the cart page to find the voucher code field). We don’t know how long this code will be active but as of today it is still working.
**Important: We have found a Chistmas Discount Code (XMAS10) for a £10 savings on a Kudd.ly Blanket. Use it instead of UK10 (which is an old code)
**Important: For KOALA, there is a £25 OFF voucher (25BLACK). Use it instead of the 17OFF to save even more. They have Guaranteed this is the lowest price of the year. We are not sure how long it will last for. As of today it is still working.
**Important: We have found a Black Friday Discount Code (BLACK15) for a £15 savings on a Kudd.ly Blanket.
**Important: For Koala, there is a £17 OFF coupon (17KIP) you add after the cart page (On mobile it can be difficult to find. Click “order summary” after the cart page to find the coupon code field).
A GOOD Weighted blanket will mimic the feeling of a hug and help to soothe everyday stress and anxiety and improve sleep. Scientific studies have found that weighted therapy can help to increase levels of serotonin and melatonin (happiness), while decreasing cortisol levels (stress).
But not all weighted blankets are made equal. Many weighted blankets are poorly made and are of low quality. Our team tested 11 weighted blankets. Most were low quality but we found 3 that actually do what they say.
Here are our reviews on the TOP 3 blankets currently on the market in the UK.
**Important: For Koala, there is a £20 Discount Code for New Year’s (NEW20). (On mobile it can be difficult to find. Click “order summary” after the cart page to find the Discount Code field). We don’t know how long this code will be active but as of today it is still working.
**Important: For Koala, there is a £17 Discount Code for Chistmas (XMAS17). (On mobile it can be difficult to find. Click “order summary” after the cart page to find the Discount Code field). We don’t know how long this code will be active but as of today it is still working.
**Important: For Koala, there is a £17 Discount Code for Chistmas (XMAS17). Use it instead of 17OFF since that code may no longer work. (On mobile it can be difficult to find. Click “order summary” after the cart page to find the voucher code field). We don’t know how long this code will be active but as of today it is still working.
**Important: For KOALA, there is a £25 OFF Discount Code (25BLACK). Use it instead of the 17OFF to save even more. They have Guaranteed this is the lowest price of the year. We are not sure how long it will last for. As of today it is still working.
4 out of 5 of our testers felt more relaxed and had improved sleep.
BEST FOR:
- Breathablity (two sided cover)
- Cooling bamboo side for the summer
- All year round cover
- durable
- inludes weighted duvet and cover
- high quality
- eco friendly blanket
- using on sofa or bed
Features:
- made of eco friendly silky bamboo and soft cotton
- includes cover + weighted duvet
- double stitched extra strength thread
- machine washable
- BPA glass beads used for weight
- best priced & best quality
Shipping & Returns
- free shipping
- next day shipping
- 30-day return window
Overall we were very impressed with the Koala Blanket. According to their website the team behind Koala is located in the UK and they worked 18 months on this blanket. Their goal was to create a blanket that solved all the issues with other weighted blankets such as bead spillage, ripping and uneven weight distribution…while providing it at the best price.
80% of our testers felt more relaxed and had improved sleep. Plus it works well for the summer and winter this is a big plus.
This blanket is made out of organic cotton and the cover is two sided. It has smaller pockets to keep the weighted beads in place. They also use extra strong thread and double stitching to ensure the blanket doesn’t break and spill beads. This is a big complaint with weighted blankets so it is nice to see feature.
The beads did not shift during our tests and the duvet stayed in place within the cover. This is a big plus as most duvet and cover weighted blankets move around making it uncomfortable when using.
Important: There is a £17 OFF voucher (17KIP) you add after the cart page (On mobile it can be difficult to find. Click “order summary” after the cart page to find the voucher code field). We don’t know how long this code will be active but as of today it is still working.
**Important: We have found a New Year’s Discount Code (HUGS2020) for a £15 savings on a Kudd.ly Blanket!
**Important: We have found a Chistmas Discount Code (XMAS10) for a £10 savings on a Kudd.ly Blanket!
**Important: We have found a Chistmas Discount Code (XMAS10) for a £10 savings on a Kudd.ly Blanket. Use it instead of UK10 (which is an old code)
**Important: We have found a Black Friday Discount Code (BLACK15) 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
With great pricing often comes poor quality. This WAS NOT the case with the Kudd.ly blanket. Knowing the market was extremely competitive, this UK owned and operated company sought to create a product that found a balance between high quality and affordability.
The result is the eco-friendly, sustainably-made, 100% vegan-friendly Kudd.ly Blanket that has been improving the sleep and relaxation for thousands across the UK.
The blanket comes in two great colours (blue or grey) and contains extra strong stitching so that the beads stay evenly distributed within the pockets. It is a very nice looking blanket that has a great feel to it. It works well on the sofa while watching TV or in the bed. One of our reviewers brought it to the office and used it while on the computer.
It is quickly growing in popularity and they seem to be gaining a “cult” like following in the UK.
Our testers felt secure and comfortable under the blanket without feeling claustrophobic.
Of all the blankets we tested, the Kudd.ly blanket ranked a close 2nd to Koala. They loved the fact that it can be machine washed and looks great on the sofa.
(Use the Coupon Code “SAVE10” on the Kudd.ly checkout page)
#3 Snuzi Weighted Blanket £159
3 out of 5 of our testers felt more relaxed and had improved sleep.
BEST FOR:
- durable
- inludes 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
(We have not found a voucher code for this the Snuzi)
Review Team
Jack Rey – Combo Sleeper McKenzie Fredricks – Combo Sleeper Christison Gomez – Back Sleeper Jon Jack – Side Sleeper Jill Daily – Back Sleeper In 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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 timeframe, and/or product warranties that protect the blanket from defects. Weighted blankets sold through private merchants usually come with neither.
