Viewing this on a mobile device? Click here for the best viewing experience.Weighted blankets are the trendiest way to help you get a good night's rest. They were first introduced by occupational therapists as a treatment for behavioral disorders, but are now more mainstream for anyone who wants to relax. Experts refer to it as "deep-pressure therapy" – the idea is that the pressure from the blanket can increase serotonin, a chemical in your body that makes you feel happy and calm. It's not intended to cure any medical conditions, but it’s become a popular way for anxiety-suffers, insomniacs, and self-proclaimed "bad sleepers" to get some shut-eye.The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute review bedding and sleep-improvement products on a regular basis. To pick the best weighted blankets, the fiber scientists in the Textiles Lab considered the materials used, weight distribution (so the beads don’t just clump to each side), innovative features, and washability. We sent weighted blankets home with real consumer testers to try them out for added feedback. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about picking out your ideal weight, plus our top picks for the best weighted blankets.Do weighted blankets really work?Yes; experts advise there are real benefits to using a weighted blanket. "There is recent research suggesting they can help reduce or relieve anxiety," shares Christine Rocchio Mueller, Occupational Therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Rocchio Mueller also says they can help people who may not consider themselves anxious, yet still suffer from insomnia or sleep disturbances: "A weighted blanket might provide just enough physiological calm that it helps them relax to fall asleep."Many users describe the sensation of lying under a weighted blanket as feeling like a hug. According to Rocchio Mueller, "It is one of the most natural things to reach and hug a family member or friend when they are upset or anxious. While a hug might not solve all your problems, it often helps you feel better by calming your body which then allows you to think a little bit clearer."Weighted blankets have been around for a while, but they're now widely available with many options to choose from. Just keep in mind that they're pricier than regular throw blankets — most range from $100 to $200.How heavy should a weighted blanket be?For adults, the blankets themselves are heavy, but not so heavy that you’ll feel like you’re being crushed under them. The blankets are typically filled with tiny glass or plastic beads to provide the pressure. Glass beads are most popular because they're more dense than plastic pellets. Here's how to pick: Do the math. Most manufacturers recommend choosing a weighted blanket that’s roughly around 10% of your body weight. So if you weigh around 150 pounds, a blanket at 15 pounds is ideal. Don't worry about it being exact; within the 7-12% range is considered good.Avoid oversized blankets. The blanket shouldn't hang off the side of your bed: The weight can make it fall off during the night. Also, a larger size means the weight is more spread out so you'll feel less pressure. Even if you have a larger bed, you may want to use a twin or individual-sized weighted blanket.Caution: Weighted blankets shouldn’t be used by anyone that can’t move freely beneath the weight. Though they’re sometimes used as a therapeutic means for children, it’s important to speak with their pediatricians first.Best Overall Weighted BlanketThe Gravity Blanket "Gravity blanket" is often synonymous with weighted blanket since the brand's Kickstarter campaign went viral and made the category more mainstream. It has everything you need for a good weighted blanket: grid-like stitching to help keep the glass beads in place, a cozy microfleece cover that's machine washable and secure buttons and ties to make sure the blanket stays put in the cover. It comes in just one size for individual size, but you can choose from three colors (grey, blue and white) and three weights (15, 20 and 25 pounds). Best Value Weighted BlanketTranquility Weighted BlanketIf the hefty price tag that comes with most weighted blankets is a turn-off, consider Tranquility's option that's a fraction of the cost yet still has high-quality features. It's filled with glass beads and the outer cover's fabric has temperature-regulating properties to help prevent overheating. And while most of the less expensive weighted blankets don't come with a washable cover (you have to buy them separately), Tranquility's removable cover can be cleaned in the washing machine. It only comes in the grey color, but you can pick from 12, 15, 18 or 20 pounds for the weight.Best Weighted Blanket for CouplesBrooklinen Weighted ComforterMost weighted blankets are like heavier throws, but this unique offering from Brooklinen doubles as both a weighted blanket and a comforter for your bed so you don't have to use two. It has a fluffy down-alternative fill, quality cotton outer fabric and convenient loops on the corner so you can attach it to your duvet cover. It gets its weight from glass microbeads that are evenly distributed throughout and it's available in a total of five weights for Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen and King/California King bed sizes.Most Versatile Weighted BlanketQuility Premium Weighted BlanketThis one's an Amazon bestseller with over 17,000 reviews from users who say it feels incredible to sleep under. Like others, the inside blanket has a cotton fabric and it comes with a synthetic outer cover that's removable and machine washable. It stands out in particular for having so many options to choose from, whether you want to use it at bedtime or as a throw blanket for naps. There are five sizes, six colors and eight weights ranging from 5 to 30 pounds.Most Stylish Weighted BlanketBearaby Cotton NapperThis one's your best bet if you don't love the look of a fuzzy fleece fabric. Unlike other styles, it's knit so it looks more like a trendy throw instead of a typical weighted blanket. It's also unique because it gets its weight entirely from the organic cotton fabric instead of a beaded fill. Just note that because of its open structure, you feel more evenly-distributed weight when you layer it over another blanket.Best Sustainable Weighted BlanketSaatva Organic Weighted BlanketNot only does Saatva check off the boxes for a quality weighted blanket – i.e. dense glass beads for pressure and quilting to keep the fill spread out – it's also made using an organic cotton velvet for the outer cover. Most cozy covers are made using synthetic fleece, so this is ideal for anyone who prefers more natural fibers. Plus, the blanket is made at facilities that are Fair Trade Certified, which focuses on ethical factories like wages and working conditions.Best Weighted Blanket on AmazonYnM Weighted Blanket Another Amazon bestseller, this one has over 16,000 five-star reviews and is more affordable than others on the market. It doesn't come with a washable outer cover, but you can purchase it separately if you prefer to have it. Choose from 14 weights and sizes (ranging from 5 to 30 pounds), plus dozens of color options. Materials include a cotton cover, glass beads for the fill and additional fiberfill and fabric layers with pocketed quilts to stay evenly distributed.Best Washable Weighted BlanketLayla Weighted BlanketWhile most weighted blankets seem the same, this one's unique thanks to its innovative features, like its reversible design. One side has a cotton fabric that feels like a traditional bed sheet, while the other side is a cozy fleece that feels more like a throw blanket. And while most weighted blankets come with a cover because they're not washable, this entire blanket can be machine washed (just make sure the machine can handle a heavy load). Layla also offers a free 120-night return period, so you can get your money back even if you've used it and don't love it. It comes in three sizes: a 15-pound twin, a 20-pound queen and a 25-pound king.Best Weighted Blanket for Hot SleepersSleep Number True Temp Weighted BlanketIf you want to use a weighted blanket but worry about waking up with night sweats, this one has 37.5 technology built into the cover, which helps regulate body temperature. It won't feel cold when you touch it, but it works all night long to help prevent you from overheating. Choose from three colors and two weights: 12 or 20 pounds. The cover is machine washable and the inner blanket has channels that help keep the glass beads evenly distributed. Best Cooling Weighted BlanketBlanQuil Chill Cooling Weighted Blanket It's a favorite among Instagram influencers, but we love this version in particular for its cooling capabilities. It comes with a cover that instantly feels cool to the touch. Though it doesn't have temperature-regulating benefits throughout the night, you'll get that icy sensation as soon as you climb underneath. Like others, it's made with glass beads and the outer cover is safe to put in the washer and dryer. Some online reviewers noted that the beads do tend to shift, but that it wasn't anything they couldn't easily redistribute before snuggling up for the night. The blanket is available at 15 or 20 pounds and only comes in a white frost color.Best Personalized Weighted BlanketSensaCalm Custom Weighted Blanket You get to pick the fabric, size, weight and finishing details for this customized and made-to-order blanket. You can even choose to include poly-fill to make it feel more like a fluffy comforter. (If you don't, it will lay more like a quilt.) Unlike the most other styles, this entire blanket is machine-washable. It's filled with glass beads and you can choose between five sizes, a weight between 3-45 pounds and nearly 50 colors and fabrics.