We have already seen some great reasons to buy a weighted blanket on this blog, but now it is time to talk about things you really need to consider before buying one. You might be thinking all weighted blankets are cut from the same cloth (pardon the pun), but that is not true at all. So before you even consider getting yourself one why not skim through these ten things and have a little think before making that all-important purchase…
Weight
Without a doubt, this is THE most important thing when it comes to buying a weighted blanket. As a general rule, you should be trying to get one that is 10% of your total body weight and while that is not always possible for those of us who are big-boned there is another way to reach this goal in the next buying tip…
Size
Unlike a normal blanket, the size of a weighted blanket is also linked to its size. So you can usually get blankets in set weights like 6, 8 & 10 KG, but that weight is the same across the size of the blankets, so a king-size 10 KG blanket will feel a lot lighter than a single-sized 10 KG blanket. So even if you can’t get one heavy enough to cover the general rule of 10% of your body weight you should get the heaviest you can in the smallest size to counteract it.
Insides
If there is one thing people often don’t consider when it comes to buying a weighted blanket it has to be what is INSIDE the blanket. Some have glass beads, some have plastic beads and some even have polyester fiberfill. This is something to consider as beads tend to fall to one side unless there are hundreds of individual pockets and polyester fiberfill pockets tend to feel a lot heavier than they really are. Also, what the insides are really effects how thick the blanket is. As a general rule the cheaper they are the cheaper the filling so do find out what makes it so weighty.
Blanket Cover
One very important thing to consider is if the weighted blanket has a removable cover. This is important as you can’t wash a weighted blanket due to its weight, it would literally break your washing machine. It’s not just whether or not it has a removable cover, but how easy it is to remove it. Some even have internal zips as well as external zips and can be a real pain to get off.
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Weight Lifting
Its all well and good getting the heaviest blanket you can, but you really need to consider if you can even lift it. Believe me, even a 5KG blanket can be hard to pull onto the bed in the middle of the night and the weaker you are feeling the less you will be able to lift, especially if you are ill. This is essentially important when you live on your own as you will be the one lifting that folded blanket out of the box when you buy one which is always the hardest part.
Outsides
It’s not just what is going on inside the blanket you need to think about, it is the outside as well. What texture does have, what colour, is it fire retardant and does it have any allergy protection? While you could always remove the cover in most instances you might want to buy one with a nice cover so there is no need to swap it moments after you buy it.
Thickness
As a general rule, the cheaper the blanket is thicker it will be as the cheaper ones will mostly use beads as the insides meaning they have to be larger, but you can get weighted blankets that are super-thing and can easily slip inside a duvet-cover. But maybe you want that big and cuddly feel so the cheaper ones will be better for you. Thickness is definitely something to consider as it can really affect how hot they will make you feel when you are laying under them.
Brand
While some sites will try and tell you their weighted blanket is the best you can buy the real truth is there is no ‘Must-Buy’ brand of them as a lot of quality factors are simply matter of personal opinion. I wouldn’t say my own weighted blankets are “premium” but I like them and wouldn’t swap them for the world. Would I pay more for a more premium weighted blanket? No, I don’t think I would as it is the “weighed” part of if that gives me the benefit, not so much the quality (or lack of) of the blankets build quality.
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Price
This is definitely important as a quick look online release prices that range from the affordable to the super expensive and there seems to be no real way of working out if the more expensive of them are better for you. The best advice I can give you is to buy one you can afford without worrying so much about its quality, that way you will know if you get any benefit from using one in the first place. Then, if it is something you enjoy using, but would like a heavier, more premium weighted blanket it will then be worth paying the extra for it.
They Are Not A Cure
The last thing you really need to consider is if they are right for you personally. They are not a cure for anything and indeed some people simply can’t sleep with then. In fact, there is no scientific proof of the efficacy of weighted blankets at all. So if you are hoping for it to help your lack of sleep or reduce all your anxiety you really need to speak to a medical professional rather than buying a blanket. I personally love mine and found it does indeed reduce my stress and anxiety, but that is a personal opinion, not a factual one.
