Yes, you really do need a weighted blanket — and these ones are the best

Weighted blankets have recently joined the pack as one more tool in our “sleep better” arsenal. We’ve explored which mattresses are best, have waded through the online reviews to source the best pillows, and have even tracked down the best sheets. It’s time to top things off with a weighted blanket.

A weighted blanket is exactly what it sounds like: A comforter-style blanket that has a layer of heavy pellets (usually glass micro beads) sewn into it.

One of the most recognized names in the space is Gravity, a blanket which racked up more than $4 million worth of donations (!!!) on Kickstarter back in 2017 and is our pick for napping (although it may be hard to justify the high price).

While the idea of a weighted blanket may be alluring as a cure-all — many product listings claim they help relieve things like insomnia, anxiety, and the like — it’s likely that many of the benefits could be the placebo effect at work. In fact, Gravity had to to retract a few of their marketing statements after Kickstarter raised concerns.

SEE ALSO: Weighted blankets have a cult following for a reason

That said, there’s no denying that a few minutes under one will likely make you feel like you’re in a loving hug. Online reviewers are seriously obsessed with these things. And science or not, we don’t need a study to tell us that being wrapped up in a blanket just feels nice. (Read more about our love for weighted blankets here.)

When choosing a weighted blanket, you’ll want to consider a few things. First of all is the weight. It’s generally recommended that people only use a weighted blanket that’s about 10% of their total body weight. So that means if you weigh between 140 and 190 lbs, your weighted blanket should be around 15 lbs. Keep in mind that the bigger and heavier the blanket, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also want to decide whether or not you want a blanket that comes with a duvet cover, as not all of them include one. Finally, while some weighted blankets are machine washable, others are not. So if this is an important factor for you — or you’re purchasing one for your kid — this is something to consider.

If you’re in the market for a weighted blanket but aren’t sure where to start, don’t fret — that’s where we come in. We’ve read through hundreds of Amazon reviews to come up with this list of our top picks. Here are 9 of the best weighted blankets to help you get super cozy.