Bearaby Weighted Blanket Review
The Nerd’s Take: The Bearaby Cotton Napper is a knit weighted blanket made with organic cotton. It’s unconventional in that the weight comes from the bulk of the material, not a fill. It’s a great fit for hot sleepers and those looking for a stylish weighted blanket, but it’s not the most budget-friendly option.
Who It’s Good For
- Hot sleepers
- Shoppers who want lots of color options
- Those with a body weight between 100–250 lbs
Who It’s Not Good For
- Couples
- Sleepers looking for added warmth
- Budget shoppers
Bearaby Weighted Blanket Video Review
Watch our video review for a closer look at this blanket in use!
Feel
The material used to knit the Bearaby feels like a jersey t-shirt. It’s soft and stretchy, but not plush. It drapes nicely over my body and stretches to accommodate my movements with an accordion-like effect.
The blanket feels cool-to-touch even though it’s not technically cooling, and the knit pattern keeps it very breathable. Overall, I don’t find the Cotton Napper to be particularly cozy, but it offers all the other benefits of a weighted blanket.
Mattress Nerd Weighted Blanket Scores
At Mattress Nerd, we spend good ol’ fashioned quality time with the weighted blankets we test, and take notes on everything from how they distribute weight to their “cozy factor.” At the end of each snuggle sesh, we rate them on six performance categories that give you a well-rounded idea of whether or not they’re right for you.
Weight Distribution: 4.5/5
The weight of the Bearaby comes from the density of the material, not a fill, so the weight stays evenly distributed. I like how the edges are ribbed because it makes them a little heavier, which is good for keeping the blanket secure over my body. I took off a half of a point from the score because the stretchiness of material means sometimes there’s less material over my curves, which reduces weight over those areas.
Customizability: 3.5/5
The Bearaby can’t be customized beyond weight, though the dimensions increase a little with every 5 lbs added. I’d like to see bigger size options that can fit over a Queen or King bed. I do like that you can choose from six different colors with names like Moonstone Grey, Evening Rose, and the Midnight Blue we chose.
Temperature Control: 4.5/5
This blanket may not have fancy cooling technologies, but the gaps between each knit stitch make it very breathable. The cotton material feels cool at first touch, and it gradually takes on some body heat without overheating. If you need extra warmth, you’ll want to use the Bearaby over a sheet or blanket.
Related: Best Cooling Weighted Blankets or the Best Cooling Blankets
Quality of Materials: 5/5
Bearaby blankets are handmade with high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Rather than stuffing a duvet cover with fillers like glass beads, the Cotton Napper is made with organic long staple cotton. Long staple cotton is softer and more durable than short staple. Also, the cotton used is OEKO-TEX and Fairtrade International certified, so it’s made without toxic chemicals or pesticides and uses less water.
Care: 4/5
You can pop the entire Bearaby blanket into your washing machine and dryer. Just make sure to use cold water, mild detergent, and a delicate cycle. Use low heat in the dryer. I took off a point in this category because the blanket is so thick and heavy that it may require multiple cycles in the dryer to get fully dry. As a bonus, the blanket comes with a dust bag for travel and storage.
Customer Experience: 3/5
The Bearaby ships for free in the contiguous U.S. It comes with free returns and exchanges during the 30-day return window. This is a standard trial period for blankets since they don’t require a “break-in” period like pillows or mattresses.
Bearaby doesn’t protect their weighted blankets by a warranty, which is why we docked a few points from their customer score. Most blankets have at least a one-year warranty covering broken zippers or unraveled seams. We also wish the website had an online chat feature. You can reach customer service via email on their website.
Total Score: 4.1/5
Materials and Construction: What’s It Made of?
The Bearaby Cotton Napper is hand knit using 95 percent sustainably farmed organic cotton and five percent spandex. The spandex gives the blanket its stretch, and the cotton is long staple, which is more durable and doesn’t pill as quickly as short staple cotton. It also gets softer with time. Bearaby’s materials are OEKO-TEX and Fairtrade International certified, so they don’t have any toxic chemicals, pesticides, or synthetics.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Breathable Knit Design: The Bearaby is a knit blanket with an open weave that improves airflow between each stitch.
- Stretchy: The organic cotton is woven with spandex that makes it stretchy enough to accommodate your curves and changes in sleeping position.
- Weight Options: The Napper is available in four different weights—10, 15, 20. and 25 lbs.
- Stylish: The Bearaby has a stylish appearance that could easily make it a statement throw in your living room. It’s also offered in multiple trendy colors.
- Machine Washable: You can machine wash and dry the entire Bearaby blanket.
- Promotes Better Sleep: Weighted blankets have been proven to produce serotonin, which helps you to feel calm, and slow the release of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Cons
- Fits One Person: The Bearaby Cotton Napper comes in three sizes, but each of them comfortably fits only one sleeper underneath. When it’s not stretched, it’s also narrower than other weighted blankets of the same size.
- Gaps: While the gaps between the stitches keep the Bearaby breathable, they also allow your feet or elbows to poke through the spaces.
- Not Budget-Friendly: Bearaby blankets are pricier, with the Cotton Napper costing well over $200.
- Dry Time: Since it’s so thick, it may take multiple cycles in your dryer for the Bearaby to get completely dry.
Sizing, Pricing, and Policies
| Weight | Dimensions | Price |
| 10 lbs | 40″ x 64″ | $199 |
| 15 lbs | 40″ x 72″ | $249 |
| 20 lbs | 45″ x 72″ | $259 |
| 25 lbs | 48″ x 72″ | $279 |
Shipping
The Bearaby blanket ships for free to the contiguous U.S. and takes six to 10 business days to arrive. There’s a shipping fee to Alaska and Hawaii, and in Canada, shipping prices are based on your location.
Trial Period and Warranty
You get a 30-day return or exchange window on all Bearaby sleep products as long as they haven’t been washed and you live within the contiguous U.S. Returns cost $14.99 to cover a processing fee, but are otherwise free. As long as your blanket isn’t damaged when returned, you’ll get a refund within 15 days. If your blanket is damaged, you’ll get a partial return.
The return policy may differ if you buy your blanket from a retailer like Nordstrom or West Elm. Also, it doesn’t appear that Bearaby currently offers warranty coverage for their weighted blankets.
FAQs
Are Bearaby weighted blankets worth the cost?
The best weighted blankets cost in the $100-$300 range, so the Bearaby is on the pricier end of that spectrum. However, it works for a lot of people because of its weight range options, stylish design, and compatibility for hot sleepers. If you try the Bearaby and don’t think it’s worth the cost, you can return it within 30 days.
Are Bearaby blankets any good?
Bearaby blankets are made by hand and designed for durability, so we consider them to be a great option for those willing to pay a luxury price tag. They’re a good fit for hot sleepers, those who want a blanket made with all-natural materials, and luxury shoppers.
Which Bearaby blankets are the best?
Each of the Bearaby weighted blankets appeals to a different kind of sleeper (or napper). The Cotton Napper is a good starter option, the Tree Napper is made with moisture-wicking TENCEL and is good for hot sleepers, and the Velvet Napper is an eco-friendly option for those who love the silkiness of velvet.
Should You Buy It?
The biggest appeal of the Bearaby blanket is its breathability. The knit pattern keeps the blanket from overheating, and the organic cotton material is soft without overheating. It’s also a stylish blanket, thanks to its chunky knit aesthetic and trendy color options.
Overall, I don’t think the Bearaby is worth the expensive asking price, but if you’re willing to spend more for a weighted blanket or wait for a sale, I think you’ll be happy with it. You could also shop their Nappling, which is designed for kids but is also a lower-cost alternative for a weighted throw blanket.
Looking for more options? Check out our other best weighted blankets!
Nerd Score Wrap Up
| Performance Factor | Out of 5 |
| Weight Distribution | 4.5 |
| Customizability | 3.5 |
| Temperature Control | 4.5 |
| Quality of Materials | 5 |
| Care | 4 |
| Customer Experience | 3 |
| Total Nerd Score | 4.1 |
