A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Oct. 03, 2024
Love the idea of a weighted blanket but worried it will be too hot? No sweat! Here are a dozen cool options for the best sleep of your life.
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The idea of a cooling weighted blanket may seem contradictory—how can a weighted blanket be cooling?—but according to thousands of online reviews, they work so well that many self-described hot sleepers won’t sleep without them.
“Weighted blankets can help reduce anxiety and stress, acting like a hug and resulting in a better night’s sleep,” says sleep medicine physician Smita Patel, DO. “Plus, studies show that cooler temperatures improve sleep, so for many people who experience insomnia, or those who sleep hot, cooling weighted blankets can be a winning combination.”
In the past, hot sleepers had options including cooling sheets, cooling pillows, cooling blankets, cooling mattress pads, cooling mattresses and even bed cooling systems, but they couldn’t take advantage of the many benefits of weighted blankets because the extra weight just made them feel hotter. All they could choose from were lightweight comforters.
Now, as more and more companies add cooling weighted blankets to their collections, there are so many options available and so many routes to a solid night’s sleep. Here are the best options on the market.
Gravity introduced the world to the weighted blanket in 2017 and continues to lead the category. This new addition is as sleep-inducing as the brand’s bestselling original but, so much cooler. Redesigned in a soft, moisture-wicking fabric, it has a removable cover for easy washing and is a game-changer for hot sleepers.
User review: Reviewer Ariel B. shared, “I’ve heard so much good about Gravity blankets and have wanted one for a while but my husband is a night sweater. He wakes up drenched in sweat and I end up moving further away from him at night because of that. We bought this cooling gravity blanket and wow! We love it! My husband doesn’t wake up drenched in sweat and I can still cuddle with him the entire night.”
If you have a sweaty sleeper, you’ll want to know how to clean your mattress.
Why we love it:
Cooling weighted blankets can be expensive, so when we found one this affordable, we had to check out the reviews. With more than 18,800 five-star ratings, the ZonLi is hard to beat.
User review: “Never has a product so crucially changed my life as this blanket,” writes verified purchaser Ryan Senne. “I was very skeptical at first and figured that I would be wasting roughly $80 on just another stupid gimmick, but I would easily pay double and I can no longer go back to a traditional blanket. Plus, it breathes so nicely that I never get too hot under it.”
Why we love it:
Need a new mattress to go with that weighted blanket? These are the best boxed beds to get, according to sleep experts.
With more than 11,300 five star reviews, this ultra soft blanket is made from cotton and filled with premium glass beads.
User review: Verified buyer A. Hawley calls it “Well made, cool and comfortable,” and says, “In warmer-than-I-like sleeping conditions it’s been AMAZINGLY comfortable. It’s the most counter-intuitive thing that something so heavy and drapey could be so cool to sleep under.”
Why we love it:
Made with silky, 100 percent bamboo viscose fabric and premium glass beads, this Amazon’s Choice features more than 4,900 five-star reviews praising it for helping with better, cooler sleep.
User review: “This is perfect for hot sleepers, people with hot flashes, etc.,” writes JanRol. “I have struggled to find a weighted blanket that would not leave me sweating profusely. Returned 3 others, then I found this one. PRAISE BE! And the fabric is so soft and glass beads so even. Super kudos to YnM!”
For more silky sleep products, check out these silk pillowcases.
Why we love it:
Bearaby recreated the weighted blanket category by introducing the first chunky knitted weighted blanket—and it’s been a bestseller ever since. Not only is it good-looking enough to toss over a chair or your bed, but it’s perfect for hot sleepers because it’s naturally breathable, thanks to cool to the touch TENCEL Lyocell and the blanket’s airy, wide, handwoven weave.
User review: Five star reviewer Onjanique V. says it’s “extremely comfortable and the only weighted blanket I’ve used that doesn’t make me overheat!” Russell S. raves, “The blanket is very cool (hard to avoid the pun as it is both).”
Why we love it:
With one side made of cool bamboo lyocell and one side made of plush, fleece-like minky, this super soft double-sided blanket’s got you covered, whether you’re warm or cold. Hot sleepers rave about it.
User review: Five-star reviewer Chris M. writes, “This is the first weighted blanket I’ve tried out and I loved it immediately. The biggest impact it’s having on my sleep is the cooling effect, because I am an absolute FURNANCE when I sleep and this is the only cooling blanket I’ve used that maintains a balanced, comfortable temperature throughout the night. Bonus points for having that nice cooling cuddly sensation when you first slip into bed.”
Why we love it:
Filled with 100 percent recycled material, this great-looking blanket is as good for the planet as it is for you. A king size blanket keeps 1,200 water bottles worth of plastic from polluting the oceans—and, thanks to its open weave, keeps you cool and comfortable all night. Handwoven from proprietary, OKEO-Tek-Certified, hypoallergenic weighted yarn, it comes in nine beautiful colors.
User review: Verified buyer Omar R. calls it the “best weighted blanket, period!” And five-star reviewer Cynthia Y. says, “Absolutely love! It provides just the right pressure, and I don’t overheat. Definitely my new favorite blanket.”
Why we love it
This 15-pound weighted blanket takes cooling to a whole new level, thanks to water-based technology that offers up to 15 degrees of physical change from ambient temperature. Connect it to Chili’s Cube Control unit or the OOLER Control unit and customize the temperature, which can be programmed all the way down to a chilly 55 degrees, depending on how you like to sleep. Although this system is more expensive and the water chamber means it requires more maintenance, serious hot sleepers say it’s worth it.
User review: “The only downside,” according to verified buyer Forest K., is that you cannot live without it once you discover how much it helps.”
Why we love it:
Handwoven from 100 percent natural cotton, this weighted blanket is beautiful. Soft and cool (it’s named Silk & Snow, after all), it feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket someone lovingly made for you. But it’s not all about its looks, as hundreds of five-star reviewers point out.
User review: “I love these blankets!” writes reviewer Meghan M. “The comfort of a weighted blanket without as much heat and with a lot more style.” Reviewer Melanie M. adds, “This blanket is lovely. Great weight, looks gorgeous on my bed, and I can actually use it on my menopausal body at night without dying of heatstroke, because it breathes. Was definitely worth the investment.”
Why we love it:
When selecting the best cooling weighted blanket, Dr. Patel advises considering the following factors:
As an award-winning lifestyle, shopping and travel writer for Reader’s Digest and other notable publications, I have extensive experience in crafting informative and trustworthy product roundups. I understand the importance of combining expert advice with real customer experiences.
For this article, we also consulted Dr. Smita Patel, the Founder and Medical Director of iNeuro Institute. With two decades of experience as a neurologist and sleep specialist, Dr. Patel brings a wealth of knowledge in managing neurological and sleep conditions. We tapped into her expertise to understand the key factors that contribute to an excellent cooling weighted blanket, helping us offer practical insights for better sleep choices.
To find the best cooling weighted blankets, we started by researching recommendations from sleep experts. We then examined user reviews to see which blankets real people found most effective. Ultimately, we gave more weight to the opinions of those who actually slept under them, as they could give us the best insights into each blanket’s pros and cons. Additionally, we also looked into product details, including the materials and cooling technologies used, to further narrow down our selection.
“Cooling weighted blankets pair the psychological benefits of added weight with the physical comforts of a temperature-regulating blanket,” explains Dr. Patel. They weigh anywhere between 5 and 35 pounds and use a variety of fabrics and technologies to keep you cool.
Yes, weighted cooling blankets can be effective for many people. The combination of weight and cooling properties can provide a calming effect, helping to reduce stress and anxiety while promoting better sleep. However, individual experiences may vary, so it’s essential to find the right weight and cooling level that works best for you.
