When it becomes cold outside, nothing makes me feel better than my beloved blanket. The best blankets go above and beyond when you simply want to stay warm while on the couch, at work, or when playing a game outside. Comforters, duvets, and quilts complete a bed.
In light of this, I talked to textile specialists to find out more about the characteristics of a truly excellent blanket. I’ve broken down their buying advice below and included some well regarded choices along with suggestions from NBC Select employees.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? How did I choose the greatest blankets? The best blankets of 2024? How do I shop for blankets?
Our top picks
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Editor s pickAlpaca Brooklinen Windowpane Throw Blanket
$254.15$299.00Brooklinen
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Best faux fur blanketCozy Earth Cuddle Blanket
$undefined$360.00Cozy Earth
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Softest blanketQuince Mongolian Cashmere Throw
$undefined$129.90Quince
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Warmest blanketL.L. Bean Washable Plaid Throw Blanket
$undefined$169.00L.L.Bean
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How I picked the best blankets
I consulted textile specialists to determine the most crucial characteristics to consider in a quality blanket before compiling this list:
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Material:
As with any type of bedding, blankets come in many materials, with wool being the most traditional since it s very warm, according to Preeti Arya, a professor at theFashion Institute of Technology
. You can also find popular options made of natural materials (cotton, linen, cashmere), synthetic materials (acrylic) and polyester (fleece, microfiber, flannel). These materials have different textures, insulating properties, care instructions and price points. High-quality wool and cashmere, made from natural fibers, tend to be more expensive, while synthetic fabrics like fleece and microfiber are more affordable. I included blankets of the aforementioned materials and weaves on this list.
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Insulation:
According to Arya, the best blankets for warmth tend to be made from plants (like bamboo) or animal fleece. Organic, fiber-based blankets, especially woven and then felted wool blankets, are ideal for maintaining warmth. With that in mind, I made sure to include synthetic blankets and ones made from organic materials like cotton, wool and silk. -
Size:
Blankets don t always come in mattress sizes they often come with particular dimensions listed in the product description. Most of the blankets on this list come in at least two or more sizes. Keep in mind where you plan to use it as well as who will use it so you can find a proportionate one. -
Maintenance:
Arya also recommends keeping laundry cycles in mind when choosing a blanket, especially since many aren t machine-washable. Maintenance requires dry cleaning occasionally and storage in airtight bags when not in use, she says in regard to organic material. Synthetic materials tend to be easier to take care of and clean, but they aren t as eco-friendly as materials such as wool, according to Arya.
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The best blankets in 2024
Based on at least 500 reviews on Amazon or 100 reviews on their respective brand websites, all of the blankets listed below have an average rating of at least four stars. Items from brands we frequently cover or those that were specifically recommended by NBC Select staff were also featured.
Editor s pick:
Alpaca Brooklinen Windowpane Throw Blanket
Alpaca Brooklinen Windowpane Throw Blanket
- Lightweight
- Minimal pilling and shedding
- Only one size available
This windowpane-style wool throw blanket is now my go-to, comfortable blanket when I’m feeling cold at work. Brooklinen offered me a sample to evaluate. It’s a gorgeous shade of forest green with a subtle, plaid-like pattern that I adore. The best thing about it is how smooth and luxurious it feels against my skin. Because it’s made of alpaca wool, it doesn’t shed much, and the fringe at the ends gives it a timeless flair. It’s the perfect size for lounging on a sofa or ottoman next to a fire, but I use it to remain warm in the office.
Content: alpaca fibers; upkeep: dry cleaning only; dimensions: 50 x 70 in.
Best plush blanket:
Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket
Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket
- Super plush feel
- Thick texture
- May be too warm for some
The incredibly soft pile covering of this Cozy Earth Cuddle blanket makes it extra warm and cozy. This blanket, which has four colors and a regular and oversized design, has an average rating of 4.9 stars based on 177 reviews on Cozy Earth. For long-term care, the manufacturer suggests line drying or having it dry cleaned, even though you can machine wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle.
Size: 60 x 50 in., 80 x 60 in.; Material: polyester; Maintenance: machine wash in cold water.
Best blanket under $50:
Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Blanket
Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Blanket
- Dual materials
- Many sizes available
- Machine washable
- Nothing to note at this time
Nothing noteworthy to report at this time.You can sleep with either side facing outward, depending on your preference, because this reversible blanket includes sherpa on one side and fleece on the other. It comes in sizes that fit twin, queen, king, or California king mattresses, as well as a smaller one that can be kept on a sofa. It comes in over 20 different colors. Additionally, it has an average rating of 4.7 stars based on 86,987 Amazon reviews.
Material: fleece and sherpa-based polyester; upkeep: machine washing; dimensions: 50 x 60 in., 60 x 80 in., 90 x 90 in., 108 x 90 in., and 112 x 98 in.
Best cashmere blanket:
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Throw Quince
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Throw
- Ultra soft cashmere
- Fringed ends
- Two sizes available
- Hand-wash only
Since I frequently write about bedding and textiles, I can state that cashmere—which is created from goats’ rather than sheep’s fleece—is the caviar of woven fabrics due to its exceptional softness and velvetiness. This Quince alternative is available in two sizes and features four inches of fringe on the ends. The company advises simply hand washing with a gentle detergent and letting it air dry.
Cashmere is the material. Hand wash only in cold water. Measurements: 50 x 60 in., 60 x 80 in.
Best design-forward blanket:
Dusen Dusen Striped Throw Blanket
Dusen Dusen Striped Throw Blanket
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Have to be gentle with it
- Heavy
“This blanket is my obsession,” says Lindsay Schneider, editor of NBC Select. It is my apartment’s pride and joy. I adore it, even though the stripes of various colors make a strong style statement. Because of its weight, it occasionally seems nearly like a weighted blanket. I feel warm and cuddly the moment I put it on. My only gripe is that it’s really annoying when my fingernails get hooked on it. When I use it, I just make sure to be extremely cautious.
100% cotton material; machine wash and tumble dry for maintenance; 50 x 70 in.
Best plaid blanket:
L.L. Bean Washable Plaid Throw Blanket
L.L. Bean Washable Plaid Throw Blanket
- Many colorways
- Fringed ends
- Machine washable
- Multi-color
With a three-inch fringe on the ends, this wool plaid throw is available in four different colorways and has an average rating of 4.6 stars based on 247 reviews on L.L. Bean. It also makes a wonderful present because it is machine washable and may be monogrammed with a single letter, initials, or a whole first name.
Wool material; machine washing for upkeep54 x 60 inches in size.
Best waffle-knit blanket:
Boll & Branch Waffle Bed Blanket
Boll & Branch Waffle Bed Blanket
- Pre-shrunk
- Made from durable cotton
- Many colors
- Less soft than other materials
Take into consideration this throw blanket, which has a 4.7-star average rating from 2,428 reviews from Boll & Branch, if you like the texture and appearance of waffle-knit fabric. The blanket’s long-staple cotton, which contains longer fibers than regular cotton, makes it supple, breathable, and long-lasting. The brand advises machine washing it in cold water with comparable colors because it is pre-shrunk.
Long-staple cotton; machine wash in cold water for maintenance; available in twin, full/queen, and king/California king sizes.
Best cotton blanket:
Brooklinen Grid Knit Cotton Throw Blanket
Brooklinen Grid Knit Cotton Throw Blanket
- Gets softer over time
- Medium thickness
- Breathable
- Textured
No matter the time of day, this grid-knit throw blanket from Brooklinen is ideal for staying warm and comfortable, as suggested by NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. “I use this Brooklinen blanket every day and I’m really in love with it,” she says. It’s not too thick or heavy, so it never overheats, and I appreciate that it’s textured, which adds some visual appeal when I drape it over my couch. Over time, it has also gotten softer and softer. According to Brooklinen, it can be machine washed in cold water with comparable colors.
Cotton material; machine wash in cold water for maintenance; 50 x 70 in.
Best blanket under $100:
Ugg Whitecap Plush Reversible Throw Blanket
Ugg Whitecap Plush Reversible Throw Blanket
- Reversible
- Machine washable
- Available in earthy tones
- Only one size available
According to the brand, the Ugg Whitecap blanket is constructed of polyester and feels soft. Bianca Alvarez, an NBC Select associate reporter, suggested this blanket, which comes in a variety of earthy hues, can be machine washed in cold water, and is safe to tumble dry on low. It has flannel on one side and a soft, cuddly material on the other because it is reversible. Since receiving it in 2019, Alvarez has used it the most. She claims that after wearing it for years, its soft and fluffy feel has held up incredibly well and that she will never want to use anything else.
Fabric: polyester; upkeep: cold water machine wash; dimensions: 50 x 70 in.
Best weighted blanket:
Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket
Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket
- Helps with sleep
- Extra-soft feel
- Made of sustainable cotton
- Knitted texture
According to NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who has previously written about the advantages of weighted blankets, they can help you unwind before bed since their mild pressure raises your levels of melatonin and serotonin. According to the brand, this textured choice from Bearaby helps reduce anxiety and avoid waking up unexpectedly in the middle of the night. According to Bearaby, it is composed of pre-washed long-staple cotton, which gives it a very soft texture, and it exclusively employs sustainable fabric to add weight to the blanket. There are choices weighing 10, 15, 20, and 25 pounds.
• Dimensions: 40 x 64 in., 40 x 72 in., 45 x 72 in., and 48 x 72 in. • Care: machine wash in cool water and lay out to dry.
Most giftable blanket:
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw Blanket
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw Blanket
- Available in muted tones
- Ultra soft
- Wrinkle resistance
- Only available in one size
Leah Ginsberg, managing editor of NBC Select, suggested this blanket and purchased two of them because she and her cats can’t resist cuddling with it. Made from 100% polyester, this blanket resists shrinking, pilling and wrinkling, according to the brand, and it comes in muted tones.
Polyester material; machine washing is required for maintenance.Size: 54 x 72 in.
Best blanket for kids:
The Company Store Company Kids Plush Character Throw
The Company Store Company Kids Plush Character Throw
- Has unique characters
- Machine washable
- Doesn t ship to some states
This fun throw blanket is ideal for kids who love themed bedding, especially ones with animals. The blanket, which has a 4.9-star average rating from 256 reviews at The Company Store, works as a blanket and a hoodie with three-dimensional appliqu s resembling lions, bears, cats and foxes. This way, they can wear it while sitting or sleeping.
Material: polyester fleece| Maintenance: machine wash in cold water| Size: 45 x 60 in.
Related
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How to shop for blankets
There are a few important factors to remember when deciding on a blanket, whether you plan on getting it for yourself or someone else. The experts I spoke with recommend you consider the following before buying:
Determine sleep type
Similar to choosingbed sheets, picking a good blanket means considering what type of sleeper you are, particularly whether you tend to run hot, cold or somewhere in between, according toDeborah Young, an author, educator and textile consultant. Some materials, while soft, insulate more heat than others, so if you re a hot sleeper, a blanket made entirely of wool may not be as good of an option for you as something more breathable like cotton. Conversely, if you re a cold sleeper, you might benefit from something heavier, such as a weighted blanket, according to Young.
Choose amaterial
Wool is by far the most common material for blankets, according to Young. That said, wool has its inherent issues, like shrinkage, itching and scratching, she says. And it depends on the quality of the wool. Because of this, wool blankets are commonly not machine washable and are more labor-intensive to take care of. This is something to consider if you want warmth without demanding care. Synthetic materials (such as fleece) are better if you want something machine-washable.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Preeti Arya
is an assistant professor of textile development and marketing at the
Fashion Institute of Technology
in New York City.
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Deborah Young
is the author of the textile science textbook
Swatch Reference Guide for Fashion Fabrics,
and a clinical professor of Arizona State University s
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
.
Why trust NBC Select?
I m acommerce editorat NBC Select, where I write about bedding, including electric blankets,bamboo sheetsand the bestmattresses for side sleepers. I spoke with multiple textile experts for their guidance on blankets for this story and included direct recommendations for blankets NBC Select editors have tested themselves.
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