Kuddly Hoodie Blanket review: our verdict on this Oodie alternative

Overall star rating: 5/5

Price on writing: £49 | Buy now from Kudd.ly

As the temperature drops and winter approaches, many of us are on the hunt for the perfect solution to keep cosy on chilly days. Enter the best blanket hoodie – these loungewear sensations combine the warmth of an oversized hoodie with the snug embrace of a blanket. Plus, they can even help you stay toasty when the heating is turned down, so they're savvy buys in the ongoing cost of living crisis.

While Oodie is the brand many Mumsnetters associate with blanket hoodies, the Kuddly has been creeping up in popularity in recent years and now claims to be rated number one in the UK. With Christmas just around the corner, we decided to put the Kuddly through its paces to see if it's really worth the cost when you're shopping for presents (or for yourself). MNHQ editor and self-proclaimed blanket hoodie connoisseur Natasha tested the Kuddly out extensively, rating its warmth, cosiness, design and how well it washed. Here's her full verdict...

After more winter buys? We've also rounded up the best electric blankets and women's slippers according to Mumsnetters.

What we like

• Super soft and cosy fabric

• Generous oversized fit

• Features a large kangaroo pocket

• Very warm

• Cute design

• Comes in a storage bag

• Washes and tumble dries well

What we don't like

• Pricey

• 11 designs - less than some competitors

Our verdict

• Warmth: 5/5

• Design: 4.5/5

• Ease of cleaning: 5/5

• Value for money: 4/5

Is the Kuddly Hoodie Blanket worth it? Absolutely. After two weeks of extremely thorough use (honestly, it was hard to part with it), I was highly impressed with this cosy buy. The soft sherpa lining on the interior made it super snug on chilly autumn nights, and the large oversized fit meant I felt enveloped in warmth whenever I had it on – think of it like a comforting hug you can wear. There's a deep pocket to the front ideal for stashing in a hot water bottle on icier days too.

Admittedly, at just under £50, it certainly doesn't come cheap, and there's less design choice than you get with some competitors. That being said, I still think the Kuddly offers excellent value for money; the fabric feels thick, high quality, and washes well. You can even pop it in the tumble dryer on low – I found it came out of the machine just as soft as when I first unboxed it.

What is a Kuddly Hoodie Blanket?

A Kuddly Hoodie Blanket is a large oversized hoodie designed to be worn as loungewear. With a MicroCool™ teddy fleece exterior and a sherpa lining interior, it's a warm and cosy option that's ideal for cold autumn and winter days.

There's 11 Kuddly designs to choose from, including colour block options, cute patterns like unicorns, and even a fun glow-in-the-dark star pattern. Blanket hoodie aficionados will notice that there's less design choice than you get from competitor Oodie, but I was still pleased with the range and think there's something for most tastes.

One thing to note is that they don't have a children's version (although it is an excellent choice for teenagers). If you are looking for something for your little ones, our page on the best kids' blanket hoodies has got you covered.

First impressions: Kuddly Hoodie Blanket

When I first opened the Kuddly delivery, I was impressed to see it came packaged in its own storage bag. Not only did this small touch nod to the premium status of the Kuddly, but it also made it easier to pack away and store (although I wore it so much during the testing period, storage wasn't too much of a concern!).

After admiring the cute koala pattern and sky blue colour, the first thing I noticed was how cosy the hoodie felt; the exterior was super soft to the touch and I was excited to try it out properly.

Related: The best draught excluder for insulating your home

What is the Kuddly Hoodie Blanket like to wear?

In a word: amazing. I loved the giant oversized fit – it's equivalent to a 6XL, so there's plenty of room in this hoodie. I'm quite short at 5'2", so it came down to my calves so provided plenty of coverage, and it was a lot longer than the Sienna Hoodie Blanket, another of our top picks.

It was very warm too, in fact a little too warm on milder autumn nights. On chillier days when temperatures plummeted and I was the only one in the house, it definitely helped me resist cranking the thermostat up when working from home, helping to keep energy costs low.

Both the interior and the exterior fabric felt super soft and the deep hood provided extra cosiness. All in all, it was a welcome treat to come home to after shedding my winter coat.

How did the Kuddly Hoodie Blanket wash?

I was quite apprehensive about washing the Kuddly; I didn't want to ruin its cloud-soft texture in my washer-dryer. Luckily, my fears were soon quashed.

I popped the hoodie in my machine on a normal cycle at 30°C and then put on the low dryer setting. It washed really well; pasta sauce stains were gone and it came out of the tumble dryer super fluffy and soft.

Kuddly also claim that their Hoodie Blanket is scientifically proven to have 90% less shrinkage after washing compared to the market leader – after a few washes, I found no signs of shrinkage.

Related: Best heated gloves for keeping your mitts warm

Price: is the Kuddly Hoodie Blanket worth it?

Typically, I wouldn't shell out just shy of £50 for loungewear. However, after a few weeks of using the Kuddly, I now think it's worth it thanks to how much use I got out of it, the high quality, and how warm it kept me with the heating off.

At the moment, Kuddlys retail for £49 (down from their RRP of £89) for an individual product. However, if you're kitting out the whole family this Christmas, they do bundle deals which can save you over £100.

How we tested

I tested the Kuddly Hoodie Blanket in my north London home. During testing, I carefully rated it on its warmth, how comfy it was to wear, the overall design and how well it washed.

• Worn daily for a two-week period in cold weather

• Completed everyday household stain tests to assess the care instructions

• Cross-compared with other blanket hoodies I've tested

Related: Best thermal curtains for keeping out the cold

About the author

Natasha Gregson is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet, with an expertise in home and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. With several years of editorial experience under her belt, she also has had work featured in national publications including The i Paper and Stylist Magazine.

With the ongoing cost of living crisis, she's been on a mission to seek out the top products to save Mumsnetters money on their heating bills this year, including testing out the best heated throws and heated gilets.

When she’s not busy seeking out the best buys and advice for Mumsnetters, you can find her searching for the next best restaurant, watching live music, curling up with a good book, cross-stitching, or enjoying a good hike or swim.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

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