The 15 Warmest Blankets to Stock Up on This Winter

There’s a funny thing that happens in New York during wintertime: One day, everyone’s breezing through the parks wearing slim camel trenches, and the next, people are buttoned up in puffer coats, darting toward the subway like the next Great Appalachian Storm is upon us. Nevertheless, colder temps are here—and whether you live in the Northeast or are rolling your (icicle-filled) eyelashes from somewhere in the Midwest—we share a mutual interest: the desire to curl up in a warm, cozy blanket. Picture thick, puffy duvets and electric/heated numbers to cult-classic throws like Jenni Kayne's Alpaca Basketweave and Barefoot Dreams’ CozyChic blanket.

Yet, before we get into our picks for the 15 warmest blankets (peep: the faux fur in number two, which doubles as eye candy for your sofa), you need to ask yourself: How warm do you need this thing (i.e, for extreme cold)? And what kind of feel do you prefer (like a thick, faux fur or breathable bamboo for sensitive skin)? If you need a little guidance on that front, head to the bottom of this article for a breakdown of the warmest blanket types and materials, according to a sleep doctor and textile expert.

Meet the Experts

• Dr. Whitney Roban, Ph.D. is a sleep expert, author and the founder of Solve Our Sleep. She is the author of the Devin & Evan children's book series, and founder of the first-ever School Healthy Sleep Curriculum. She offers these various sleep supports via her family sleep private practice, her educational sleep consulting and her corporate sleep programs.
• Ada Onuoha is the founder of Green Nettle Textiles, a blog that’s dedicated to fabrics and fibers. She’s spent more than a decade sewing apparel, and in the last eight years, she’s dedicated time to researching fabrics while educating readers.

At the bottom of this article, you can find a breakdown of what to consider when looking for a warm blanket. After scouring the web for the warmest blankets we could find—we tested the top five we came across, sharing our honest thoughts. Since you may want more options (we all have different needs, after all), we selected our top 10 customer-reviewed blankets. Across the board, we curated this list to make sure each one:  a) was made of comforting materials, like wool, fleece, sherpa/faux fur and down, b) possessed above-average insulation, weight or electric warming properties, c) was durable and d) easy to clean.

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• Wool and Fleece Designs: “Wool fabrics are warm because they have low heat conductivity, which makes them suitable for cold weather. They are water-repellent as well and are highly absorbent—wool fibers can soak up to 20 percent of their weight in water before leaking. However, wool has poor dimensional stability; hence it shrinks easily under mechanical action, friction or pressure. Also, prolonged exposure to UV radiation tends to discolor the fabric,” Onuoha explains. “While wool can be a bit itchy, fleece is not and has a softer feel. However, fleece is lighter in weight than wool and does not insulate when it is wet…wool is capable of insulating even when wet.” She also adds: “Fleece, on its own, is resistant to water and moisture because of the combination of polyester. This property makes it easy to dry out after washing the fabrics and is also ideal for extreme weather conditions. It is also breathable and wrinkle resistant.”
• Electric and Heated Options: Naturally, if you live in a location where wind chills can reach up to 9.9 miles per hour, you’ll want something ultra-warm. Electric/heated blankets are about as warm as you can get, where they plug into the wall and draw electricity from small, thin wires that run through the fabric. “Electric blankets work best when used sparingly, and lightly,” writes Nectar experts in a blog post. “[Your] body is a good natural source of heat, and [incremental], small steps are always best when using any sort of artificial heating device.” They also warn: “This is a biggie: Most electric blankets come equipped with a timer. It’s important to use it! [Leaving] an electric blanket on can create [serious injury, and you want to] utilize the timer function [to] make sure that you have a safe night’s sleep…You also may be surprised to know that you don’t need much time for an electric blanket to do its job. As little as ten minutes usually is enough to warm a bed.”
• Weighted Blankets: Weighted blankets (aka gravity blankets) are stuffed with heavy materials such as plastic pellets or glass beads to evoke a calming effect on the body. “It [pulls from] the principles of [deep pressure stimulation] and [are] used by occupational therapists [to] elevate the problems of anxiety, depression, autism, and sensory processing disorder,” Dr. Roban says. To that end, she adds: “In order to create that effect, the general rule of thumb is that weighted blankets should equal approximately 10 percent of your body weight. So let’s say you’re 135 pounds of pure insomnia; in that case, a 15-pound model would be the closest of the standard 10, 15 and 20-pound iterations for you to sleep under.”
• Down Comforters: “If sleeping underneath a big cloud sounds preferable, a comforter is the way to go,” says Onuoha. “A comforter is the perfect bedding for colder nights, where they are typically stuffed with down or down alternative fill. Since down and its alternatives are excellent heat trappers, comforters are great for a fluffier, warmer sleep experience.” She also adds: “The amount of insulating fill should keep most sleepers warm through the winter.” (Read more about that here.)
• Quilts: “A quilt comprises three layers; top, batting and bottom. The top layer makes the quilt stand out. With a classic quilt, the top layer includes different pieces of fabric sewn together in a grid or a more complex design. The inside batting is made of materials like wool, down, or polyester making a quilting fill, while the bottom layer is usually a single piece of fabric,” Onuoha says. “People who sleep hot and want something light to provide just a touch of insulation would most likely prefer a quilt. Comforters make sleepers overheat so much—and unlike bulky comforters, quilts fit easily inside most washing machines. Their compact design makes it easy to transport and style them anywhere, from the bedroom to the couch.”

As mentioned above, you want to narrow down which type of blanket you’re looking for. If it’s a throw blanket, for example, stick with wool, fleece and microfiber blends. If it’s a comforter, you want to opt for duck down or goose filling that’s RDS-certified (this ensures that the down comes from animals who weren’t subjected to unnecessary harm). For weighted blankets, you want to choose something that weighs approximately 10 percent of your body weight. And, of course, if you’re looking for the warmest possible option, you’ll want to go with an electric/heated blanket that plugs into the wall and draw electricity from small, thin wires that run through the fabric. 

According to Onuoha, “Sherpa fabric is made from synthetic fibers, while fleece is made from natural fibers. Fleece is softer and more insulating than sherpa, making it better for colder weather. Sherpa is better at wicking away moisture, however, making it a good choice for warmer weather.” She also adds: “While both blankets offer warmth and comfort, there are some key differences…Sherpa fabric has a soft, brushed surface that feels similar to wool, while fleece fabric has a smooth surface. Sherpa is also (typically) more expensive than plush fleece. Overall, sherpa is warmer than plush fleece, making it a better choice for cold-weather items.”