Baloo Living Weighted Blanket Review: Does a Heavier Blanket Equal Better Sleep?

I take sleep seriously. I love mouth tape, have two side-sleeper pillows, use a sleep mask when I need to really shut down, and use magnesium enhanced lotion for deeper sleep. Adding a weighted blanket into the mix just made sense — enter the Baloo Living Weighted Blanket.

Baloo Living Weighted Blanke

$218.00 from Amazon

Baloo offers Throw, Full/Queen, and King size weighted blankets in 12 lb, 20 lb and 25 lb weight options, depending on the size you choose. I have the 20 lb in Moss, but you can choose from Pebble White, Silver Sage, Luna Blue, Midnight, Cocoa, Spruce, Lavender and Dusk, depending on the size.

I’ve been a fan of Baloo products since their Stonewashed Linen Sheets and sleep mask became staples in my bedtime setup, so when I was offered the opportunity to test the weighted blanket, I was obviously very excited. Because bedding is a shared product between my husband and myself, I’m always sure to get his take on the bedding I test. We’re opposite sleep types, so it helps to get his perspective. 

First Impressions of the Baloo Weighted Blanket

Baloo nails the packaging every time, and the weighted blanket comes in its own carrying bag with handles. The package also came with a little pillow mist spray and a free sound bath download to get into a state of relaxation before bed.

After opening the package, I pulled the bag out of the box and was immediately surprised by how heavy it was. This is the first weighted blanket I’ve tried, and true to its name, it is definitely heavier than any blanket I’ve ever used. When I got it into the bedroom, I took it out of the bag, and muscle memory had me trying to throw it across the bed. (It didn’t go far.) That’s when I realized that the weighted blanket really does have weight to it.

I took a different approach and pulled on each corner to get it into position, and then I crawled underneath even though it was mid-afternoon. I instantly loved the weight of it, but when bedtime came it did take some getting used to (more on that later).

The blanket is designed to be equal in size to the top of the mattress, which makes sense because otherwise the weight might pull it down off of the bed. Baloo has duvet covers available for the weighted blankets, including a French Linen Duvet Cover that looks lovely, so the blanket includes the loops for securing it to the cover.  

What Makes It Heavy?

This is the part that I was really excited about. The blanket gets its weight from tiny, clear glass beads and not plastic pellets, making it better for the environment and for those of us using it. The beads are sewn into three differently sized pockets which keep them distributed and the weight even across the blanket. 

Despite being heavy, it’s designed to keep you cool while you sleep. It’s made with breathable cotton and there’s no fill inside. We usually use a top sheet, a blanket, and a duvet with a duvet cover, so I swapped out the blanket for the weighted blanket and put the duvet on top

Sleeping with It Took Some Getting Used To

While I loved the weight, it did take a little bit of getting used to. As noted earlier, I’m a side sleeper, and I switch between sides once or twice before falling asleep and then a few times during the night. To move under the weight of the blanket, I needed to lift it up a bit with whatever arm was on top, and then turn under it before letting it settle back down onto me.

This doesn’t bother me a bit, and I liked the feeling of the weight settling back down. I’m not sure if it kept me from turning over while I slept — I was asleep, after all — and since I’m a good sleeper anyway, I’m not sure if I got better or deeper sleep, but the coziness factor was high.

For me, the weight felt really good as it rested on my side, cocooning me deeper into the bed. My husband, a back sleeper, didn’t love the weight on his feet, which were sort of smushed by the blanket. (We’re using smushed as a technical term, here.) I’ve never been a stomach sleeper, so I can’t vouch for how it works for that sleep position. After a few nights, my husband did get used to it, but he still noted that it pulled on his feet a bit.

Throw and Queen Size Are Machine Washable

The weighted blanket is machine washable, but the King size should be washed in a commercial washer because of the size. I layer mine on top of a sheet and under the duvet cover, so it’s pretty protected, and I’m in no rush. The Throw and Full/Queen size can be washed with cold water and put in the dryer to tumble dry on low. 

Baloo Living Weighted Blanke

$218.00 from Amazon

In My Expert Opinion

If you’re looking for a great weighted blanket option, this is it. In addition to larger blankets that fit on your bed, Baloo offers a few other options. The Throw is 12 pounds and designed for individual use. The Mini is 9 pounds and can be used by kids as young as five, and as a lap blanket. And the Daydreamer Lap Blanket is perfect for using at your desk or on the couch, comes with a travel tote, and has the option of a cover. 

This is the part that I was really excited about. The blanket gets its weight from tiny, clear glass beads and not plastic pellets, making it better for the environment and for those of us using it. The beads are sewn into three differently sized pockets which keep them distributed and the weight even across the blanket. 

Despite being heavy, it’s designed to keep you cool while you sleep and is made with breathable cotton and there’s no fill inside, just the beads. We usually use a top sheet, a blanket, and a duvet with a duvet cover, so I swapped out the blanket for the weighted blanket and put the duvet on top. Since I’m a pretty good sleeper in general, I never truly know how some of these products affect my sleep. I will say that the weight was noticeable without being too heavy, and I definitely felt more snug as I sunk into sleep.