6 Best Weighted Blankets in Australia for 2023

Once upon a time, being sent to bed early was the ultimate punishment. These days? Not so much. Some of us probably reckon bedtime is our favourite time of the day. Off we skip, with our mugs of caffeine-free tea and soul-nourishing books, ready to slip into the sheets and savour 8 blissful hours of the good stuff.

But these days, we’re also all about doing everything better. Which means there’s a whole industry devoted to getting better sleep. One of these ‘better sleep’ aids is a weighted blanket. They’re touted as the cure for most of society’s ills (which would be most likely achieved by finding Donald Trump’s mute button) and are an essential part of our obsession with a good night’s sleep. 

The idea is simple. Based on acupressure, a weighted blanket is filled with slightly heavy stuff, usually micro glass beads. You then snuggle underneath it and the weighted sensation makes you feel like you’re being hugged or held. In turn, this is supposed to calm your nervous system and flood you with happy chemicals, reducing anxiety and paving the way to sweet dreams. 

They’re not for everyone. The sensation of having something heavy resting on your chest might be more smothering than soothing. But if you’re keen to try one, check out our guide to the best weighted blankets. It’s been compiled from hours of research, including the opinions of real Aussies. What you won’t find is the marketing fluff.

How we picked the best weighted blankets

We started with CHOICE, Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group. Although they’ve done an excellent piece on whether weighted blankets work, they haven’t tested any. 

So, we visited the real experts – Australian consumers. We headed to ProductReview.com.au, Australia’s first consumer opinion website. We normally look for great reviews (at least 3 out of 5 stars) from a good number (at least 50). We found 2 strong contenders and a third option.

Next, we threw our web wider and turned to the internet. We searched for weighted blankets Australia to see what options came up – quite a few. Finally, we checked international review websites The Wirecutter and the Strategist to see what they thought. 

To narrow down our picks, we looked for certain things. This included price range, returns policy, Australian availability, suitability for Australian weather and a good range of sizes and weights to suit most bodies.

Are weighted blankets safe for kids?

Weighted blankets are marketed as ‘safe’ because they’re drug-free. Which is true, they are. But that doesn’t automatically make them safe. There have been cases around the world of children dying because of weighted blankets. 

The safety issues of weighted blankets for kids are:

• Risk of suffocation. This includes from the weight of the blanket as some are too heavy for a child to lift off themselves. Plus, having loose bedding in a cot isn’t recommended – it should be tucked in firmly and be lightweight material.
• Risk of overheating.
• Choking hazard from the beads inside it. 

During our research, we found manufacturers of our picks saying 2 things about using their blankets with kids:

1. Don’t use them with a child under 2 or 3.
2. Make sure the child can lift the blanket off themselves. 

We turned to Red Nose, Australia’s leading authority on safe sleep for children. They do “not promote or endorse any specific products including weighted blankets”. They also state “From the safe sleeping perspective there are a couple of issues of concern”. 

If you’d like your child to use a weighted blanket, be aware of the risks.

What's the best weighted blanket?

A weighted blanket is a lingering trend. Intended to feel like a giant hug, it’s meant to help soothe away stress and pave the way to a good night’s sleep. Although a lot of marketing focuses on ‘deep touch pressure stimulation’ or acupressure, evidence behind the claims is lacking. That’s probably because some manufacturers are going big with their claims. This includes that weighted blankets can treat things like anxiety, insomnia and PTSD. Currently, the science doesn’t back this up. But if you’re all about the hug-life a weighted blanket could be your ideal companion to fresh sheets and plush mattress.

We think the Calming Blanket is the best weighted blanket in Australia. Mainly because it’s so well loved by Aussies. It’s available in a good range of options, depending on whether you’re a cold or hot sleeper, and the covers are machine washable for easy care. It comes with a 30-day returns period, so you can try it for yourself, risk-free. With a starting price of $299, it isn’t the most affordable option we found.

If you’re after year-round use, consider the Therapy Adaptive Series Premium Weighted Blanket. It’s 2 blankets in 1, with 1 side soft, warm micro plush and the other side cooling, wicking bamboo. It also has a SmartZip design and micro pockets, which both help with even weight distribution and avoid bunching. Almost 150 Aussies love it too. At RRP $389, it’s expensive but at least you’ll enjoy it all year.

Keen to shop local? Try Calming Moments Weighted Blankets. They’re handmade in Western Australia from as many locally sourced components as possible. They’re all custom-made to your needs, with a huge range of fabrics, colours, patterns, weights and sizes to suit all budgets. They start at $149 for a single.

Do weighted blankets work?

The marketing spin will tell you that weighted blankets are a miracle cure for all kinds of things. This includes insomnia, stress, anxiety, PTSD and even autism. But do they actually work?

We’re not sure. For every study that backs up the benefits, there’s another that rips them down. The problem is, when it comes to the things that weighted blankets are supposed to help with – anxiety, insomnia, stress, etc. – there’s no scientific measure for that. Instead, we only have people’s opinions on whether they do or don’t work.

If you’re craving a good night’s sleep, a weighted blanket can be an attractive (but not exactly affordable) option.

Note: if you’re struggling with sleep issues, anxiety or more, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor to check for any underlying health problems.