So consider wearing socks or keeping those nails short. Were not sure how it will hold up over time, but if youre looking for a linen top layer and want something cooler than a comforter with a linen duvet cover, this is what we would recommend. We also tested the light version and found it plenty warm but a little less bulky. They may be a good choice if you want something warm but less lofty than a comforter, or if you dont like the fuzzy backing of the Plush-Loft Blanket. This also makes the Riley much more durable than summer blankets weve tried made only of gauze andlighter than several coverlets weve tested. Three of our staffers have purchased Plush-Loft blankets in various sizes and found them warm and cozy, especially on their kids beds (one uses them under comforters for Maine winters). The Brooklinen is plumper and a little bit warmer, plus we love the modern, hotel-style look of its black, white, and navy color schemes. Frontgates Resort Egyptian Cotton Thermal Blanket felt very similar to the Restoration Hardware blanket but rougher, and we found a few more snags than with the other chunky knits we tested. We recommend blankets that work nicely on the bed as a top layer for summer or under a comforter for extra warmth in winter. Previously she was a school librarian, and shes been a quilter for about 15 years. How it feels: Thin yet weighty, with a slightly fuzzy back and a smoother, tightly woven front. A quilt is an investment piecesomething to elevate your bedroom and appreciate for its detailsso quilts tend to be more expensive than other blankets, bedspreads, and coverlets. This blanket would be a great option for someone who always runs cold; my feet warmed up faster under it than with almost all of the other blankets we tested. 
After the blanket was machine-washed and -dried, its fibers actually looked plumper and nicer. A family-friendly loft blanket: Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Blanket, A fluffy fleece blanket: L.L.Bean Wicked Cozy Blanket, An heirloom-quality quilt: Coyuchi Pebbled Handstitched Organic Quilt, A washable wool blanket: Faribault Woolen Mill Co. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. Also, if you dont throw in a dryer sheet, the static will zap you. Ive been training for this guide for a long time. After one wash it was bigger than it was out of the package, and we had difficulty taming it on a bed. Designed by the great-great-granddaughter of Captain Joshua Slocumthe first man to sail solo around the worldthe nylon blanket has a polyurethane coating that helps keep seafarers dry and warm from starboard splashes or blustery wet weather. Four of those original picks are still in this guide today: the L.L.Bean Maine-Made Cotton Twill, Boll & Branch Waffle Blanket, L.L.Bean Wicked Cozy Blanket, and Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Blanket. (L.L.Bean makes a throw size of the Wicked Cozy, but its made from a slightly different fabric than the blanket.) We initially chose to test Coyuchis Cascade Organic Matelasse Blanket in 2019 because we thought it would be a good lightweight summer option, but it weighed too much to be comfortable on hot summer nights yet didnt keep us very warm on cool ones. Pure & Simple Wool Blanket stands out for its gorgeous feel, machine washability, and warmth. As the bed and bath writer for Wirecutter, Ive spent hundreds of hours researching and testing home textiles, including sheets, bath towels, flannel sheets, and duvet covers. Blanketsmaking them and sleeping under themare one of my lifes passions. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, I researched an additional 76 blankets in a variety of fabrics and styles. The Restoration Hardware Chunky Waffle Weave Cotton Blanket was the runner-up to the Boll & Branch Waffle Blanket, but it didnt feel as lofty, and the finish and details werent as luxe. Availability: Weve fallen in love with several blankets, some more affordably priced than our current picks, only to see them discontinued. Blankets with a loose, open weave, like waffle weave or gauze, snag more easily than blankets with a tighter, more opaque weave. But its available in only one size (it roughly fits a queen-size bed), and the colors are more limited than for other gauze blankets weve tested. I have sensitive skin, yet it hasnt caused me any irritation. That said, were always on the lookout for lower-priced options, but we just havent found any that meet our standards yet (and the former budget blankets we loved have unfortunately been discontinued). The Macys Hotel Collection Premier MicroCotton Blanket performed about as well as the Wamsutta blanket, but after we began testing, we learned it was discontinued. One staffer also noted that the blankets are too bulky for smaller washing machines, so they may need a trip to the laundromat. *At the time of publishing, the price was $110. We used to recommend The Vermont Country Stores Constant Comfort Blanket, untilit was discontinued. It also produced a lot of lint in the dryer, even after several washes. The diagonal twill pattern on the front gives it subtle texture, and the back of the blanket has a flatter surface that showcases how soft and smooth the cotton is. Though many of our recommendations are pricier than some blankets you could buy, we consider each of these pickswhich you can use every night, likely for many yearsto be investments in comfy sleep. The Parachute Essential Quilt is linen on the front and softer cotton on the back, and it looks similar to the Brooklinen Linen Quilt. The edges of the quiltcalled the bindingare well constructed and did not twist or distort in the wash, giving it a polished finish thats made to show off on your bed. Its stitched like a quilt, but instead of having a layer of thin batting inside, its stuffed with fluffy fill (also called loft) like a comforter. I went to six big-box and department stores to see and touch every blanket they stocked, and I assembled a list of 104 blankets. The Maine-Made also looked more wrinkled on our bed than the airier cotton and wool blankets we tested, so its more important to grab this one from the dryer as soon as it finishes. Ive long-term tested it for three winters now, and its my favorite for layering. It isnt the softest waffle blanket we tried, but the open weave feels wonderful to run your hands and feet over, and we think it would also add great texture when used as a top layer. We also preferred the look of the Riley, which was a touch more modernthe texture on this bed topper stands out sharply. We prefer low-maintenance fibers: washable wools, sturdy fleece that holds up to lots of laundering, and cotton, which can be washed in hot water to eliminate germs. It kept its shape perfectly in testing, and it didnt pill or snag. In a 68 F room, this blanket kept us comfortable, but not extra-toasty, when layered on top of sheets. How it feels: Sturdy and cool for hot weather, with a slight crinkle. Its also a bargain compared with most handmade quilts, which can cost many hundreds of dollars more.
Garnet Hill offers unlimited returns and exchanges. Why its great: Of the four chunkier-knit blankets we tried, our testers couldnt get enough of the Boll & Branch Waffle Blankets springy feel, sumptuous appearance, and overall warmth. These bedding items will help keep you cool on summer nights, but theyll also liven up your bed with color and prints. Quilts like the whole cloth Coychi are often made with subtle solid colors (the Coyuchi comes in white, gray, dark blue, and light blue), which helps to showcase elaborate surface stitching. It smelled strongly of wet animal and took half a day to dry. So you dont get the same punch of contrast that makes the other quilts stand out. Its a 70/30 blend of cotton and wool, which meant it was heavier than other wool blankets we tested, but it didnt have the wool fuzz that sometimes sheds from blankets and tickles the nose. The edges distorted after one wash, though. Ive washed it many, many times, and it doesnt have any major pilling or wear, but the plush looks more well loved. The care instructions say to tumble dry with no heat, but we didnt have a no-heat setting, so we went with the lowest heat, and the blanket survived. Its still plenty soft. We think this is the blanket to grab for extra comfort on a sick day. Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is not the softest wool blanket weve tested, so if you want something thats fuzzier, consider a wool-blend blanket, like those in our Competition section. A quality gauze blanket feels pleasant and a little springy, with a crinkly texture and lots of breathability, so its perfect for hot weather. Cision Distribution 888-776-0942 The Boll & Branch Waffle Blanket feels more lofty than other cotton blankets, with a pleasant spring to the fabric. Its more than durable enough to withstand kids and pets. I also put them through wear testing with my then-6-year-old and my dog roughhousing, jumping on the bed, playing puppy tug-of-war, and rubbing the fabrics together. Our testers loved the two textures of the Garnet Hill blanket. After two winters of using the Plush-Loft, we agree that, due to its heavy weight, it tends to slump toward the floor in the night. Both types of quilts have a layer of material sandwiched in the middle (called batting, it can be made of cotton, wool, or polyester) that adds warmth and texture. Owner reviews for this blanket are excellent, with just a couple of comments noting that it slides off the bed overnight. Flaws but not dealbreakers: In our sleep tests this blanket made me overheat, but my husband thought it was very breathable. Hammacher Schlemmer's innovative offerings are available through its catalog and online at www.hammacher.com. We tested the Black Lorimer pattern, which wrinkled so severely after a wash that it affected the lovely, crisp design.
After wrapping ourselves in thirteen different puffy blankets, we found the Rumpl Down Puffy is the best insulated blanket to take outside. Blanket designs come and go, but our picks are the blankets that have been consistently available over the years, or the ones companies have assured us will remain steadily in stock. Durability: The blankets we recommend should withstand years of regular wear and tear, and many, many washeswithin reason. For updates to this guide in 2018, 2019, and 2020, I measured, washed and dried, and re-measured 20 additional blankets and three new versions of previously tested blankets. The Coyuchi is no exceptionits the priciest pick on our list. The stitching on the Coyuchi is the real star. After lounging on 13 top-rated picnic blankets, we found that the Nemo Victory Blanket offers the best combination of comfort, durability, and easy cleaning. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. You can drape it over your sheets on cool summer nights and pair it with a comforter for extra warmth in winter. The cotton fabric on the Brooklinen quilt is thinner than that of the Coyuchi, though, so it wasnt as durable in our wear testing. The Coyuchi quilt is the most functional year-round blanket on our list, especially if you dont live in an extreme climate. hammacher softest It also shrank the least of the heavy cotton blankets we tried. After a run through the washer and dryer, the fabric bunches and puckers in a beautiful way that adds another layer of character to its appearance, while maintaining its softness. The Threshold Gauze was a particularly budget-friendly favorite with our staff, and it does sometimes come back in stock. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The Hay Crinkle Bedspread is lovely and breathable, and it was a former pick in this guide. It was warm to sleep under, and it felt soft. But its so comforting that we dont mind tugging it up once in a while. The top of the Garnet Hill is made of quilted sateen, the thin middle layer consists of polyester fill, and the back is a super-soft polyester plush that feels more plump and luxe (like a great stuffed toy) than L.L.Beans velvety Wicked Cozy Blanket. Piped with Boll & Branchs Signature Soft sheet material, they feel smooth and have a crisp appearance (although they do ripple just a bit after you wash them). The IKEA Vareld Bedspread is the least expensive blanket we tried in 2020. A good return policy and solid customer support: Bedding is an individualized preferenceyou may get a new blanket only to discover that its style or texture is not for you. One of our staffers has used her Wicked Cozy through a New England fall and winter, and its very warm and has held up well. In our original testing, in 2018, I spent about four weeks testing 21 blankets, measuring and examining each one out of the package, washing and drying them, and measuring them again to calculate shrinkage.