What Weight Weighted Blanket Do I Need? A Complete Buying Guide
By Dormea · 2 October 2026 · 3 min read
Weighted blankets have found their way into a lot of bedrooms, and it is easy to see why: the evenly spread weight creates a cocooning sensation that many people find reassuring. But you need to choose the right one. Weight, size, filling, cover: here is what to check before you buy, plus our tips for settling in.
How a weighted blanket works
A weighted blanket is a blanket with small beads sewn into stitched squares. The weight is spread across your whole body and applies gentle, even pressure, a bit like a hug. It does not have to be warmer than a regular blanket: what makes the difference is mostly the weight.
What weight should you choose?
The most widely quoted rule of thumb is around 10% of your body weight. It is not a strict rule, but it is a good starting point:
- 50 to 60 kg (8 to 9.5 st): a 5 to 6 kg blanket
- 60 to 80 kg (9.5 to 12.5 st): a 7 kg blanket
- 80 to 100 kg (12.5 to 15.5 st): a 9 to 10 kg blanket
If you are torn between two weights, go for the lighter one. You will still enjoy the cocooning feel, and you will be able to turn over easily. Our 7 kg weighted blanket (about 15 lb) suits adults of roughly 60 to 80 kg.
Getting the size right
Unlike a duvet, a weighted blanket should not hang far over the sides of the bed. If it drapes over the edges, the weight pulls it towards the floor and it slides off during the night. It should cover your body from shoulders to feet.
- For one person: 150 × 200 cm, perfect on a single, a small double or a 140 cm double bed
- For couples: two individual blankets work better, so each of you can pick the weight that suits you
Glass microbeads or plastic pellets?
The filling affects comfort and bulk:
- Glass microbeads are denser, so the blanket is thinner for the same weight, more flexible and quieter.
- Plastic pellets are cheaper, but bulkier and can rustle slightly when you move.
Check the size of the stitched squares too: squares of around 15 × 15 cm keep the beads evenly spread.
A cover for every season
The cover makes all the difference to how the blanket feels. A minky cover, soft and slightly fluffy, is ideal for autumn and winter. If you tend to run hot at night, choose a more breathable cotton cover, or use the blanket without a cover in summer. Either way, pick a removable cover: that is the part you will wash regularly.
Getting started: the first few nights
Not everyone gets used to the weight on night one. For a smooth transition:
- Use it for 20 to 30 minutes on the sofa first, while reading or watching a film.
- Then pop it on at bedtime, even if you take it off in the middle of the night.
- After a few evenings, keep it on all night if you feel comfortable.
For a truly calm evening, pair it with a steady background sound, such as our white noise machine set to gentle rainfall.
Care made easy with a removable cover
- Machine wash the cover at 30 °C every two to three weeks.
- Stick to spot cleaning or dry cleaning for the inner blanket: it is too heavy for most home washing machines.
- Air it regularly and let it dry flat.
Precautions worth knowing
A weighted blanket is not suitable for young children: whoever uses it must be able to remove it easily on their own. If you have a health condition, particularly a respiratory or circulatory one, check with your GP before using one. And never double up the weight by layering two weighted blankets.
The bottom line
Choose a weight close to 10% of your own, a size that covers your body without draping over the edges, glass microbead filling and a removable cover to suit the season. Give yourself a few evenings to adjust, and your weighted blanket will soon become part of your bedtime ritual.
