More often than not, our customers ask us how heavy should their weighted blanket be. It’s understandable - this is a life-changing product, and people don’t have too much experience with it. So we thought, why not put the question to rest once and for all? We dug deep to find the weight recommendations put forward by licensed occupational therapists. These professionals work with deep pressure therapy tools every day, so who better to ask?
The weight of your weighted blanket is what ultimately decides if you will get any use out of it. Get a blanket that is too heavy, and the pressure might just be too much to comfortably handle. Also, carrying the blanket from the bed to the couch becomes an issue. On the other hand, get one that is too light, and you won’t get any benefits associated with deep pressure therapy.
A lot of weighted covers manufacturers just can’t seem to get a knack for the weight of their product. It’s either too heavy or too light, which means that you can’t use as intended. After doing a lot of research and first-hand testing, we decided to go with 9kg, 6.8kg and 4.5kg blankets (while providing a 2.2kg for our kids’ version) because they are optimal for most of our customers.
How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be?
Before we get into the ideal weight for a weighted blanket, it’s important to note that we all have different preferences. In much the same way that we choose different lifestyles, haircuts, and clothes, we also react differently to weight applied to our bodies during sleep. Still, we worked out a table that should prove helpful when it comes to choosing the weight of your blanket.
When purchasing your weighted blanket, aim for approximately 10% of your body weight.
| Users Weight | Weighted Blanket |
| Less Than 25kg | 2.2kg Kids Blanket |
| 25kg to 55kg | 4.5kg Blanket |
| 55kg to 80kg | 6.8kg Blanket |
| 80kg + | 9.0kg Blanket |
| Please consider the user when picking your weight. If the user struggles with heavy objects, consider a lighter blanket. Our kids blankets are designed for small children only. | |
We believe weighted blankets should be used 1 per person as partners can disturb your weight distribution. If your partner wishes to also use a weighted blanket, purchase 2 adult blankets (this is common practice with quilts in many countries).
Calming Blankets recommendations regarding the heaviness of weighted blankets are just that - recommendations. Your body might react differently, which can mean that you either need a lighter or a heavier version.
Of course, we do accept returns of unopened products - simply ship the blanket back to us, and we will exchange it. However, please keep in mind that we are not able to cover your return shipping charges. To avoid this unnecessary cost, we recommend piling a couple of covers and comforters that you have laying around the house on top of yourself. That way, you will get an approximate feel for the weight and get the right blanket on your first order. We also recommend you strongly consider your own strength - if you aren't confident with heavy objects, pick the 6.8kg blanket!
When it comes to weight and heaviness, weighted blankets haven’t been subjected to too much research. However, a lot of occupational therapists recommend using blankets that are between 8 and 15 % of your body weight, with the most common recommendation being around 10%. These recommendations are based on research done on weighted vests. Our own testing here at Calming Blankets also suggests that most people are comfortable with blankets that are not too heavy.
Still, don’t worry if you like a slightly heavier weighted blanket. Tina Champagne, an occupation therapist based out of Massachusetts, looked closely into the effectiveness of weighted blankets and found that even using a blanket that’s 20% of your body mass isn’t too much if you can handle sleeping under it.
If you’re unsure about the heaviness of the weighted blanket you want to purchase, we strongly recommend the ‘pile up’ trick - covering yourself with 3-4 blankets will give you a feel for our 6.8 kg blanket. For most people, we’d recommend aiming for 8 - 10 % of body weight, at least until the body gets used to sleeping under a bit of added pressure.
After a while, if you think you can handle it, you can order our 9kg blanket and really dial up the benefits of deep pressure therapy. Please keep in mind that this product might be too heavy for you, especially if you weigh less than 75 kg. Now that we've cleared up how heavy should a weighted blanket be, let's move on to the size!
What Size Weighted Blanket Should I Get?
Now, this is the second most common question we get asked! For this one, we decided to keep the answer simple - an ideal size of a weighted blanket is exactly the size that the Calming Blanket comes in - 198 cm x 122 cm. Yes, this is an adult single. This size allows optimal pressure to be applied to the body. We also have a kids size, which is 121 cm X 91 cm which is a much more cost effective option if your child is small. Lastly, queen blankets are available if the user is over 6ft 2 or a renowned restless sleeper...
What makes this the best size for a weighted blanket?
First of all, we believe that a weighted blanket is a product for single use. Put two people under the covers and you get a lot of tossing and turning, and the blanket inevitably ends up crumpled or on the floor. Also, dual use creates problems with weight distribution, which means that neither sleeper gets the full benefit of deep pressure therapy. Secondly, we chose this size because it’s perfect for the majority of the population - the whole body is covered, including the feet and the hands.
When it comes to the size of your weighted covers, what’s important is that they cover you, not your bed. A very wide blanket could hang over the sides of the bed, often sliding down or distributing the weight awkwardly and unevenly.
Ready to Order Your Calming Blanket?
Now that you know exactly how heavy should a weighted blanket be, and what size is the perfect size, you’re more than ready to become a proud owner of one. Remember, sleeping with a bit of added weight can help you deal with stress and improve sleep, but only if you get a thoroughly tested product that hundreds of happy customers have vouched for. So, hop on over to our products page and treat yourself. Oh, and don’t forget - we now have 100% cotton covers available, in case you find minky snuggly, but just a tad too hot!
