Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want to cuddle up and watch your favorite show, a throw blanket is the ultimate soother. It’s like the whipped cream on top of a sundaeโsure, you couldย read your book, or sip your tea, or doze off on the couch completely exposed to the world (I, a throw-blanket-lover, shudder at the thought). But just like that sweet, fluffy whip, a moment of much-needed R&R is made so much better with a soft, comfortable throw. Plus, when you’re not burrito’d up in it, you can toss one of your favorite cozy throw blankets over your couch, or drape it at the foot of your bed to make your home decor feel even more homey. I’d call that a win-win.
So, what are the best throw blankets out there, and what makes them so special? To compile this list I asked my friends and coworkers for their recommendations, and shared a few of my personal favorite blankets I use at home. Read on for 12 of the best cozy throw blankets, with options for various climates and texture preferences, as well as how to care for them. Happy snuggling!
The best cozy throw blankets, at a glance:
- Best Barefoot Dreams dupe: Wrensonge, Throw Blanket, $28
- Best all-season: Muslin Comfort, 365 Throw, $83
- Best chenille: West Elm, Luxe Chenille Throw, $99
- Best faux fur: UnHide, Marshmallow Blanket, $249
- Best snuggly throw blanket: Barefoot Dreams, CozyChic Throw, $158
- Best lightweight:ย Barefoot Dreams, CozyChic Lite Ribbed Throw, $167
- Best wool: The Scotland Kilt Company, Tartan Blanket, $70
- Best insulated: Buffy, Puffer Blanket, $99
- Best weighted: Baloo, Weighted Throw, $179
- Best oversized: Big Blanket Co, Original Stretch Blanket, $179
- Best affordable: Ikea, Holmvi Throw, $8
- Best luxury throw blanket:ย Cozy Earth, Cuddle Blanket, $360
How can you tell a good quality blanket?
Blankets are pretty straightforward, but there are still some qualities that can help you identify a high-quality blanket. First and foremost, make sure the brand is transparent about the materials used in the blanket and, ideally, where they come from. Not all of the blankets on our list do this (the budget-friendly options are a little more vague), which doesn’t mean they’re not worth trying but it’s something to note.
Additionally, you can look for certifications like OEKO-TEX, which is a third-party label for textiles that have been tested for harmful substances. There are handful of brands on our list (Muslin Comfort, Big Blanket Co, Baloo) that use fabrics that boast this certification.
Shop 12 of the best cozy throw blankets
Best Barefoot Dreams dupe: Wrensonge, Throw Blanket โ $28.00
Listen, we love Barefoot Dreams as much as the next person (in fact, there are two BD recommendations on this list!), but the price tag can be a little tough to swallow. Luckily, one of my friends recommended this Amazon dupe. Itโs made from soft microfiber, is machine washable, and comes in a wide range of striped and checkered patterns. If the standard 50-by-70-inch size is too small for you, youโll find two larger size options to choose from.
Real user feedback: โThis blanket is the best combination of soft and airyโit makes you warm without being too heavy and is the perfect couch companion. Itโs honestly better than my Barefoot Dreams blanket.โ โHaydon, Los Angeles, CA
Size: 50โณ x 70โณ
Colors: 20+
Materials: Microfiber
How to wash: Machine wash cold separately, tumble dry on low
- Solid dupe for Barefoot Dreamsโ coveted throw
- Machine washable
- Variety of sizes and patterned options
- No solid color options
- May not be as durable as other options on this list
Best all-season throw: Muslin Comfort, 365 Throw โ $83.00
As the name suggests, Muslin Comfort makes high-quality cotton muslin blankets. The OEKO-TEX certified cotton makes it lightweight and breathable enough to be used across all seasons, but it still provides plenty of swaddle-like coziness. The 365 Throw comes in a variety of solid colors, as well as larger sizes you can use on your bed.
Real user feedback: โI have the oversized twin version of the 365 blanket and I love it. Iโm a smaller human, so the weight of it keeps me plenty warmโalthough I wouldnโt turn to it in freezing temperatures without added layers. Itโs great for snuggling up on the couch, but I also drape it over the foot of my bed and use it as an extra blanket when I get chilly at night.โ โJamey (the author), Brooklyn, NY
Size: 50โณ x 70โณ
Colors: 16
Materials: 100-percent OEKO-TEX certified cotton muslin
How to wash: Machine wash and dry on normal (muslin is pre-shrunk)
- Made with natural cotton muslin
- Breathable, yet cozy
- Machine washable and pre-shrunk
- May be better for warmer or more neutral climates
- Natural cotton may pill over time
Best chenille: West Elm, Luxe Chenille Throw โ $99.00
Thereโs just something so sleek about chenille. This West Elm pick is easily one of the most decorative throw blankets on our list, but that doesnโt mean it compromises on comfort. The Luxe Chenille throw is a plush, slippery-soft option that looks as beautiful as it feels. It comes in a variety of solid colors, so youโll no doubt find something that matches your living room aesthetic.
Real user feedback: โItโs so soft and luxurious-feeling, yet it has a lightness to it. Itโs both fancy and good for everyday at the same time, perfect on a chair or for actual coziness and utilization! Plus, itโs easy on the eyes! I love the light sheen it has and the color waysโitโs impossible to not โgoโ with a roomโs aesthetic.โ โAli, Brooklyn, NY
Size: 50โณ x 60โณ
Colors: 13
Materials: Polyester
How to wash: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry (no dry cleaning)
- Sleek design-friendly look
- Silky soft chenille knit
- Good color variety
- Not dryer safe
- On the smaller side
Best faux fur: UnHide, Marshmallow Blanket โ $249.00
Love the idea of a fur blanket but hate the thought of a chinchilla being harmed in the process? You might need the massive Marshmallow Blanket from UnHide. As the brandโs name suggests, this fur throw blanket is completely vegan. Itโs made with recycled polyester that feels just as good (if not better) than the real deal. Itโs pretty hefty and easily one of the most warmth-inducing throws on our list, so we recommend the smallest size if youโre looking for a true throw blanket. However, there are two larger sizes available too.
Real user feedback: โThis thingโฆ just wow. I didnโt even notice I was laying underneath nearly 10 pounds because of its softness, which literally felt like real fur. While the top of each UnHide blanket is made from that faux chinchilla, the bottoms are brushed with a velvety, hide-like interior thatโs akin to melted butter.โ โW+Gโs Associate Commerce Editor, Francesca Krempa (you can read her full review here)
Size: 50โณ x 60โณ
Colors: 8
Materials: Recycled polyester
How to wash: Machine wash on gentle (cold), line dry only
- Marshmallowy softness
- Ideal for colder temps
- Completely vegan
- Priciest blanket on this list
- Some colors sell out quickly
Best snuggly throw blanket: Barefoot Dreams, CozyChic Throw โ $158.00
Thereโs a reason this blanket has inspired so many dupes (see above)โitโs the ultimate snuggle blanket. Made with soft polyester microfiber, itโs stretchy and squishy in all the right ways and looks lovely draped over furniture. This thicker version of the CozyChic blanket is nice and toasty for cool nights on the patio or chilly afternoons on the couch. Best of all, itโll never shrink or pill, even after multiple machine washes.
Real user feedback: โBarefoot Dreams all day every day. So soft. So warm. Pricey but worth it. Holds up in the wash.โ โAllison, Orlando FL
Size: 54โณ x 72โณ
Colors: 8
Materials: Polyester microfiber
How to wash: Machine wash cold, lay flat or tumble on cool to dry
- Soft and warm
- Doesnโt pill or wrinkle
- Machine washable
- Pricier option
- Mostly neutral colors
Best lightweight: Barefoot Dreams, CozyChic Lite Ribbed Throw โ $167.00
The CozyChic Lite is the lightweight little sister to the original Barefoot Dreams throw above. Unlike its larger polyester microfiber predecessor, this version is thinner and ribbed for added texture. Luckily, itโs just as wide and just as easy to machine wash.
Real user feedback: โItโs light enough so you donโt suffocate but itโs soooo soft. I bought it to take to the hospital for when I have my baby, but itโs now a couch blanket.โ โMolly, Bend, OR
Size: 54โณ x 72โณ
Colors: 3
Materials: Nylon and rayon
How to wash: Machine wash cold, lay flat or tumble on cool to dry
- Lightweight warmth
- Ribbed texture adds some dimension
- Super soft and supple
- Pricier option
- Limited colors
Best wool: The Scotland Kilt Company, Tartan Blanket โ $70.00
Calling all โOutlanderโ fans! Nobody does wool blankets like Scotland (ok, maybe Ireland or New Zealand, but whatever). These gorgeous blankets are made from 100 percent wool and designed in traditional tartan patterns. They require a little more work to clean compared to other options on this list, but the wool is extremely durable, warm, and moisture-wicking. Plus, they look great in your living room.
Real user feedback: โMy husband is Scottish, so we have no shortage of tartan wool throws (or โrugsโ as heโd call them). This brand makes a beautiful, durable, and warm tartan blanket. I love to drape one over our leather chair and curl up into one when itโs really cold outโIโve even used one as a picnic blanket (although they require a little more TLC when it comes to washing, so Iโd be careful where you place it).โ โJamey (the author), Brooklyn, NY
Size: 60โณ x 70โณ
Colors: 18 tartan options
How to wash: Dry clean or hand wash only
- Beautiful tartan designs
- Thick, warm wool
- Versatile and durable
- Dry clean or hand wash only
Best insulated: Buffy, Puffer Blanket โ $99.00
Sustainable bedding brand Buffy rose to fame with their cloud-like comforters and eucalyptus-derived sheets (which, btw, I sleep on and love). One of their latest sensations? The Puffer Blanket. This quilted blanket made with eucalyptus-derived Tencel andโwait for itโapproximately 30 recycled water bottles. Yup, this is recycled plastic at its finest. No matter which of the five fun colors you choose, you can rest assured that the blanket was made with water-saving dyes and pro-planet materials.
Real user feedback: โItโs like a puffy jacket forโฆ my entire body. Definitely warm, but not sleeping-bag hot. The colors are so fun, too!โ โKelly, St. Louis, MO
Size: 50โณ x 70โณ
Colors: 5
Materials: Eucalyptus-derived Tencel Lyocell, recycled plastic
How to wash: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
- Sustainable pick
- Fun color options
- Mid-weight warmth
- Not as many color options as other brands on this list
- Slightly smaller size
Best weighted: Baloo, Weighted Throw โ $179.00
Weighted blankets provide deep pressure touch (DPT), which can help you feel more grounded and soothe feelings of anxiety. This pick from Baloo offers 12 pounds of tiny glass beads quilted inside an OEKO-TEX certified cotton shell. You can also tag on a cotton duvet cover ($49) for this throw to keep it safe (although it is machine washable!). Itโs available in several colors, and also comes in larger sizes to accommodate a queen or king duvet.
Iโve not tried this weighted blanket myself, but I have used Balooโs linen sheets and think theyโre excellent. Plus, the brand is carbon neutral and partners with SeaTrees, an organization that supports seaside reforestationโwe love to see it.
Size: 42โณ x 72โณ (weighs 12 lbs)
Colors: 5
Materials: Glass beads, cotton insulation, and cotton shell
How to wash: Machine wash cold, tumble dry on medium or low heat
- Quilted for even distribution of glass beads
- Feel-good sustainability efforts
- Option to tag on a duvet cover
- Machine washable
- Only one weight available in throw size
Best oversized: Big Blanket Co, Original Stretch Blanket โ $179.00
If you live by the mantra โgo big or go homeโ and that mantra happens to extend to blanketsโฆ well, this oneโs for you. Itโs ten feet wide by ten feet long (yes, really) and made with a slippery-soft, OEKO-TEX certified polyester and spandex blend. It comes in a ton of different colors and patterns and, if 100 square feet seems like too much blanket for you, thereโs also an eight- by eight-foot option. Best of all, if you donโt love it after 100 nights, you can return it for free.
Real user feedback: โThis blanket snuggled all 6-foot-2-inches of me in coziness with plenty of room to spare. The fabric is so soft and a touch velvety on the side stitched without the brandโs โBโ logo patchโฆ And if youโre worried about its weight, donโt be; The pressure of the 11 pounds is definitely felt, but less in a weighted-blanket type of way and more like a soft embrace.โ โAngelica, New York, NY (read her full review here).
Size: 10โฒ x 10โฒ (yes, thatโs feet)
Colors: 20+
Materials: Polyester and spandex blend
How to wash: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
- Two massive size options
- Lots of colors and patterns
- 100-night guarantee
- May be too big for some folks
Best affordable: Ikea, Holmvi Throw โ $8.00
Want a nice-looking blanket at an even nicer price? This little blanket from Ikea will do the trick. With its sweet fringe detail and soft, brushed texture, itโs a great lightweight option for cooler summer evenings or draping over your legs on the couch. Sure, its smaller size means you canโt exactly cocoon up in it, but for the price and the clean look, itโs a really solid optoin.
Real user feedback: โIโm the type of person that ALWAYS needs a blanket, even when itโs hot out, just to feel comfortable sitting on the couch. This blanket is stupidly cheap yet ridiculously soft and light.โ โSarah, Brooklyn, NY
Size: 47โณ x 63โณ
Colors: 2
Materials: Recycled polyester
How to wash: Machine wash cold on delicate, hang to dry (donโt dry clean)
- Lowest-priced blanket on this list
- Brushed, soft polyester
- Cute tassel detail makes it great for draping
- Smaller size
- Only two colors
Best luxury throw blanket: Cozy Earth, Cuddle Blanket โ $360.00
Yes, that is a lot of amount of money for a throw blanket. But if youโre willing to invest in a super comfortable, luxury throw blanket, this is a top-shelf option. After all, โCozyโ is literally in the name. While most of Cozy Earthโs blankets and sheets are made from sustainably-sourced bamboo viscose, this throw is made from high-pile polyester and built to last.
Real user feedback: โHoly luxury. This thing renders images of romantic nights on a bear-skin rug in front of a roaring fireplace whilst eating strawberries and champagne, minus any actual fireplace or dead bear. Itโs opulent x10000 and itโs become a staple for snuggling on the couch when I want to feel nothing but warm and relaxed. Champagne and strawberries not included.โ โW+Gโs Associate Commerce Editor, Francesca Krempa
Size: 50โณ x 60โณ
Colors: 2
Materials: Polyester
How to wash: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle (dry cleaning recommended)
- Luxuriously soft
- Two size options
- Durable, high-quality design
- Priciest blanket on this list
- Only 2 colors
Things to consider before buying a cozy throw blanket
- Design:ย Because a throw blanket is are meant to be, ya know, thrown around your living space, you’ll want to make sure you like the look of it! Consider your personal style while shopping, and ideally opt for a blanket you won’t mind leaving out when company comes over.
- Warmth: The climate where you live (as well as whether you naturally run hot or cold) will tell you a lot about the type of blanket you need. Thick wool or faux fur blankets are great for keeping you warm in super chilly regions or wintery months, while more breathable materials like cotton or microfiber will be better suited for warmer temps.
- Eco benefits: Some of the blankets on our list use new synthetic materials (like polyester or nylon), while others prioritize recycled, or sustainably-sourced materials. If going green is important to you, some of the brands on our list are more eco-friendly than others (such as Buffy and Baloo).
- Your budget:ย The blankets on our list range from $8 to $360. Consider how much you’re willing to spend on a blanket, and keep in mind details like return policies and trial periods.
How to care for a throw blanket
Like all of the textiles in your home, throw blankets require cleaning. The good news, however, is that you don’t need to wash them as frequently as your sheets, towels, or duvet cover.
As Deirdre Hooper, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, previously told W+G, “It’s hard for the bacteria, fungus, and yeast that would infect our body to live in the relatively cold and dry environment that is our home. So, it’s less risky for those bacteria to stay alive for a while on a throw blanket.”
Two general rules of thumb to stick to:ย
- Wash your throw blankets at least once a season
- Always follow the brand’s washing instructions to avoid shrinking or damaging the blanket
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular throw blanket size?
Most of the throw blankets on our list measure around 50 by 60 inches. Still, several brands also offer “oversized” options, which allow for more coverage (with a buddy or a pet) and more versatilityโjust make sure you’ve got the space for it!
What is the warmest type of throw blanket?
The tighter the knit on the blanket, the warmer it will be. Wool or faux fur blankets tend to run the warmest, although your regular body temperature (not to mention the climate where you live) will also play a role in what feels warm to you.
What is the best material for throw blankets?
The answer really comes down to personal preference. Many throw blankets are made of polyester, which is actually very versatile and can look and feel different from blanket to blanket (just peep our list for evidence!). You’ll also find plenty throws made of breathable cotton (which is ideal if breathability if your goal), as well as wool, which is warmer and more durable.
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