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- A high-quality weighted blanket applies uniform pressure all over your body like a nice hug, doesn't bunch up, and helps soothe anxiety.
- I like the Quility Premium Weighted Blanket because the weight is well distributed, the materials are breathable and keep me from overheating, and it helps me to fall asleep quickly.
- It's priced similarly to comparable products (currently starting at $69.70 on Amazon), is available in seven weights and six colors, and is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
There's no shortage of articles touting the benefits of sleeping under a weighted blanket - we have written reviews of a few weighted blankets already here, here, and here.
This relatively new product allegedly helps with everything from autism and anxiety to ADHD and depression. The problem is there aren't any independent studies of these blankets that are peer-reviewed and published in reputable scientific journals. This doesn't mean weighted blankets won't work for you. There just needs to be more research before any definitive claims can be made.
That said, Quility recently reached out to us to see if we wanted to test their Premium Weighted Blanket. Below are my experiences with it, including a description of how it helped my wife cope with her anxiety disorder.
Style
Amazon
The Premium Weighted Blanket comes with a soft removable minky cover made of 100% polyester. The blanket has a grey cotton exterior and layers of polyester padding. The weight comes from millions of tiny, lead-free glass beads encased in two more layers of polyester to prevent leakage.
The blanket comes in four sizes, six cover colors, and seven weights meant to suit both kids and adults. Quility offers a useful infographic that can help you determine what size and weight are right for you. But, a good rule of thumb is that you want a blanket that is 10 to 12% of your body weight. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, your ideal blanket weight would be about 20 pounds.
The blanket sizes range from 36 inches by 48 inches for toddlers to 60 inches by 80 inches for adults. The weights range from 5 pounds to 25 pounds. You can pick from six different minky covers, including navy blue, gray, and patterns.
I weigh 240 pounds and my wife is significantly less. So, we decided to split the difference and go with a 20-pound blanket in the 60 inches by 80 inches size. We chose the navy blue minky cover since it's the most popular option.
Set-up process
The blanket arrives in a big, clear-plastic, zip-up bag commonly used for comforters. The duvet isn't already on the blanket so you need to do that yourself. It took me about five minutes to get it tied in. I weighed the blanket with the cover on to see if it was indeed 20 pounds, and it turned to actually be 22.8 pounds.
Read more: The best mattresses you can buy online
What makes the blanket stand out
First of all, the weight of the blanket is well distributed. There aren't pockets where it's heavier than in other spots. Yet, it's still breathable providing a good amount of warmth without overheating. I sleep hot so this was a major bonus. The blanket reminds me of the lead vest they put on you at the dentist office when you get your teeth X-rayed.
The first couple of times I got under the blanket, I was asleep within two or three minutes. This included an unplanned nap. I never have trouble falling asleep with the Quility blanket. Instead, between the weight and the super soft and luxurious minky cover, I find it's so cozy that don't want to get out of bed.
The cover's zipper has a small, unobtrusive pull tab that never poked me. The cover is held in place with string ties along the perimeter of the blanket. Though it is a bit of a hassle to take the cover off and put it on, it was easy to wash and much better than trying to put the whole thing in the washer. You can put the duvet in the washing machine and dryer, but Quility doesn't recommend putting the actual blanket in there. Instead, you should hand wash it with a mild detergent and lay it flat to dry. I have used the blanket and washed it regularly for four months now, and it doesn't show any noticeable wear.
When it came to coping with her anxiety, my wife said, "This blanket is everything." It helps her to stop fidgeting at night so she can sleep. She still has some nights where sleep is rough, but they are less frequent and pronounced when she uses the weighted blanket.
Read more: Putting your comforter into a duvet cover is simple with our foolproof method - here's how to do it
Cons to consider
If you don't do a good job of really tying down the ties on the duvet, the blanket will bunch up, which is a real pain to deal with in the night. Of course, it's better than having no ties at all. So, just be sure to tie the cover down good.
At 60 inches by 80 inches, this blanket should be plenty long enough to cover my 6-foot body from neck to toe, but oddly enough, I find I have to sleep with it on a diagonal to get the coverage I want. This didn't make sense to me so I took out a tape measure to see if Quility was trying to pull a fast one on me.
My first measurement showed that the blanket was at least 6 inches short. But, once I really stretched it out, the blanket was in fact 60 inches by 80 inches. The problem is you don't sleep with the blanket perfectly flat on your body. It settles to fit your contours. This is why I couldn't get it to cover my whole frame. Even my 5-foot-9 wife noticed she had to adjust the blanket. I'd like to see Quility create a longer blanket.
Lastly, this blanket definitely gets in the way of intimacy. Since it isn't ideal for two people, either my wife uses it or I do. If we want to hold each other while sleeping, we must "tunnel" our way under the blanket. This takes some work. In fact, when you want to change positions in the night, like moving from one side to the other, it requires effort. Since using this blanket, my wife and I cuddle less.
The bottom line
Overall, I like the Quility Premium Weighted Blanket for lounging, especially when I'm lying down and reading a book. It makes me feel comfortable, almost like I'm back in the womb. For sleeping, I prefer not to use this blanket. However, I don't suffer from anxiety. Based on how much it has helped my wife, I would strongly recommend this blanket to anyone looking for another weapon to add to their anxiety-fighting arsenal.
Pros: Can calm anxiety so you can get a good night's sleep, cozy minky cover, easy to clean
Cons: May be too small for taller people, can get in the way of intimacy
Buy the Quility Premium Weighted Blanket on Amazon starting at $69.70
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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.