Emma Hug Weighted Blanket review: “what you see is what you get”

RRP at time of testing: £104 | Check price at Mattress Online or Emma directly

My verdict

If your evenings look anything like mine, you finally sit down at 9pm once your DC are finally asleep, stare blankly at the TV and realise you haven’t actually relaxed all day. Even then, it’s hard to settle. Especially if you have a tendency to overthink things. 

“Did they eat enough today? I probably shouldn’t have shouted before. Damn, I’ve forgotten to make tomorrow’s packed lunch - I’ll do it in the morning. Why’s DH being so quiet today? Don’t forget to order the dog’s medicine…” 

The list goes on. Suffice to say, I’m open to anything that can help make me switch off on an evening before succumbing to sleep at 10pm. Thankfully, weighted blankets have been designed to help with exactly that - aiming to give that elusive “ahhh” moment you’re desperately in need of when you can’t book a spa day.

That broadly tracks with what you see on Mumsnet, too. Weighted blankets come up frequently in threads about sleep and window down, and plenty of our users rate them for that cocooned, settled feeling at the end of the day. 

DH snuck a picture of me concentrating on my Sudoku

The Emma Hug Weighted Blanket is one of the more talked-about options on our Talk boards, but at just over £100, it’s not exactly an impulse buy. So, is it actually comforting or just… heavy? 

The good news is that this is a product that does make sense while using it. Though, I had that same revelation while testing Next’s own version. The difference here is that Emma’s doesn’t have a removable cover included. That said, the blanket is weighted well, well made and is actually comfortable to use. Less of a faff to use than Next’s, to be honest, because of the lack of cover. What you see is what you get, and the breathable cotton is soft and comfy as it is. 

I should say it won’t be a universal crowd-pleaser, though. Some may find they don’t like the sensation or find them too warm or restrictive, which is worth bearing in mind before you invest over £100. So, if you don’t like the feeling of being tucked in tightly, or you tend to overheat - this probably isn’t for you. 

How I’ve tested the Emma Hug Weighted Blanket

I’ve been using the Emma Hug Weighted Blanket for the last month each night - primarily using it on the sofa, but I’ve also slept with it a few nights as a duvet, too. I knew before testing it, though, that I wouldn’t like using it during sleep and I felt the same while testing the Next version. I tend to toss and turn during my sleep and like to fold my duvets between my legs, so I knew that the tucked in feeling wouldn’t sit right with me.

Regardless, not all has been lost. Given the fact I struggle immensely with switching off at the end of a day, it has been used every night on the sofa. Throughout testing I’ve focused on comfort, usability, temperature and whether this blanket has actually helped me to relax. 

Emma Hug Weighted Blanket: what’s in the box?

Delivered in an Emma branded box, the weighted blanket is neatly folded and wrapped up in plastic packaging. 

There’s no cover with this blanket, which is worth knowing upfront. Though, I believe Emma used to sell separate covers for their weighted blanket but this no longer appears to be the case. Then again, given the fact the blanket itself is machine washable, there’s probably no need for the extra cover. 

I’ll admit I was slightly disappointed to find no handy storage bag or box with the blanket, like Next’s, but that’s not a deal-breaker when you’re using the blanket every day. 

How easy is it to set up the Emma Hug Weighted Blanket? 

There’s no real set-up here. You take it out of the box and plastic packaging, unfold it and that’s your lot.

Packaging is sturdy and the blanket is protected with plastic

Is the Emma Hug Weighted Blanket easy to use?

Yes, I think so. In practice, it’s heavy enough that you won’t casually flick it on and off like a throw or your usual duvet. Once it’s in place, it stays put nicely. 

My wind-down routine on a night usually consists of a couple of Sudoku puzzles and some reading while DH watches whatever football match is on TV that night. This Emma Hug weighted blanket has been a nice addition to the routine for me. 

How is it designed and does it perform well? 

The Emma Hug uses a layered design with small stitched pockets filled with very fine glass beads. These sit inside quilted sections, roughly 10 x 10cm, which helps keep the weight evenly spread.

There are multiple layers at play here, which I find is very on-brand for Emma: soft cotton on the outside, microfibre layers inside to hold everything in place, plus extra padding to stop it feeling overly dense or hard.

In use, it feels balanced rather than bulky. The pressure is consistent across your body, which is exactly what you want. I’ve had no shifting and no dragging to one side halfway through the evening.

More so, the cotton outer feels soft without being overly plush, which I prefer. The Next one, while cuddly, was too much at times. Emma’s is more practical than luxurious, but that suits real life, especially in my house where blankets are rarely left alone by children or pets.

There's no storage bag with this blanket, but really there's no need for one

Is the weight evenly distributed in the Emma Hug Weighted Blanket? 

Yes, and this is where it does well. Thanks to its design, each square section holds its shape, so you don’t get that really annoying clumping effect. The deep pressure stimulation is consistent and steady, which is kind of the whole point. It would be the opposite of a, as Emma claims, a “stress-reliever”, if it was distracting and a PITA to sort out. 

Is the Emma Weighted Blanket durable?

From testing, it feels well made. The stitching is secure, the layers stay in place and there’s no sign of the beads shifting around.

It’s also survived being dragged, pulled and generally interfered with by children and dogs, which is usually the real test.

Is it easy to clean? Can you wash it in the washing machine? 

Technically, yes, but realistically, it depends on your machine. At 7kg, it’s pushing the limits of many household washing machines. You can hand wash it, but most people will find it far easier to use a removable cover and wash that instead. 

I’ve washed it once during testing after my youngest DC managed to spill some orange juice on it by accident. Your rotary washing line wouldn’t be able to hold the weight, I suspect, so to dry it - I had to carefully lay it over my heated clothes rack. 

It's a well made blanket that's easy to care for

What size and weight options are available with the Emma Hug? 

The Emma Hug comes in just one size (150 x 200cm) and one weight (7kg). That will suit plenty of people, but if you’re outside the typical range or prefer something lighter or heavier, there’s no flexibility here.

As a rough guide, weighted blankets are usually recommended at around 8 to 10% of your body weight, which puts this one in the right range for many adults. I personally weigh around 65kg at the moment, so sit right in the suggested range of 55kg to 80kg for this blanket.

Is it good value for money?

At full price with an RRP of £104, it sits in the mid-range for weighted blankets. You’re paying for decent construction and a well-known sleep brand rather than lots of customisation. It feels like good quality, but the need to buy a cover separately does nudge the overall cost up.

Human and dog approved - our pup enjoys laying on top of it, too

Who should buy this blanket? And who should avoid it? 

If you like the feeling of being tucked in tightly, want something to help you wind down in the evening and would prefer a simple, well-made design rather than the faff of extra covers or plush designs - this is for you.

I’d skip it if you overheat easily, don’t like restricted movement while resting or want different weight options to choose from. 

Comparison: Next Grey Weighted Blanket vs Emma Hug Weighted Blanket

If you're in search of deep pressure to help relieve stress, it's worth a try

Final verdict: is this the right weighted blanket for you?

What you see is what you get with this weighted blanket. Given the fact it’s designed and created by sleep specialists Emma, there’s no surprise that it does exactly what it sets out to do. The blanket is calming, well made and feels reassuringly substantial without being too uncomfortable or a faff to manoeuvre. 

It may not convert everyone, and it’s not the most flexible option out there, but if you do like the idea of a weighted blanket that gets the job done, this is a solid choice. 

About the author

Rebecca Roberts (aka Beccy) is our resident lifestyle expert with a practical focus on sleep, wellness and everyday comfort. She’s equally at home tackling frank, NSFW‑adjacent topics as she is road‑testing kitchen appliances, mattresses and vacuums that work for real parents. A former editor of LJMU’s Looprevil Press, she cut her teeth in journalism in 2010, earned a post‑grad diploma in Journalism and later led editorial at ExpatWoman in Dubai before joining Mumsnet. As a mum of two, she writes with the time‑poor, sleep‑deprived in mind - honest product reviews, realistic routines and products that make parents’ lives easier.

When she’s not at her desk, she’s probably product‑testing with her two helpers, corralling a PTA or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of hands-on testing. We never accept payment for coverage, and our verdicts are independent and honest. We may earn a small commission through affiliate links, which helps fund our work - but it never influences our opinions.

All prices are correct at the time of writing.

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