Next Grey Weighted Blanket review: “it does what it says on the tin”

Price at time of writing: from £70 to £115 | Buy now from Next

My verdict

If you’d asked me in the years before 2020 whether I needed a weighted blanket, I’d probably have laughed politely and said something about preferring a cup of tea and an early night. These days though, with two young children, two dogs, a full-time job and a brain that doesn’t always switch off when it’s told, I’m more open to things that make my evenings feel calmer and more contained.

Weighted blankets are one of those products that crop up again and again on our Talk boards. Often they’re mentioned almost in passing, slipped into threads about sleep routines, winding down or how to stop evenings feeling so fraught. I’ve always been curious, but also wary. Would it feel soothing, or would it feel like being pinned down by something I’d instantly want to kick off? 

The fabric is lovely and soft against the skin

To find out, I’ve been living with the Next Grey Weighted Blanket for two weeks now - using it properly rather than just draping it over my knees for an hour and declaring a verdict. It’s been on the sofa with me during evenings, dragged upstairs at bedtime, navigated around kids and dogs and subjected to the sort of everyday use that reveals whether something is genuinely helpful or just looks nice in photos. 

So, my verdict: it’s a well-made, thoughtfully designed weighted blanket that feels comforting when you want to slow down. It does what it says on the tin. That said, it may not be for everyone - but used in the right way, it earns its place in my home. For me, it’s become an evening staple on the sofa and that feels like the most honest endorsement I can give. 

How I’ve tested it

I’ve been testing the 6.5kg version daily over the last couple of weeks, using it primarily on the sofa during evenings and overnight in bed. Testing took place in my busy home with two young children, our two dogs - whom both have very little respect for personal space - and a shared super king bed with DH. 

I deliberately used the blanket at different times of the day, too, and in different situations: straight after work, post-bedtime routine, late evenings, during work at home and overnight. At all times, I paid attention to how it felt to live with, and not just how it performed in ideal conditions. 

What’s in the box? Is it easy to set up?

The Next weighted blanket arrives neatly folded and packaged up in its own plastic storage bag, and the weight is immediately noticeable. This isn’t a blanket you can absent-mindedly fling over one arm. There’s no real setup as such, but unfolding it and positioning it neatly takes a bit of effort, particularly if you’re doing it one-handed while shooing dogs off the sofa. 

The removable cover comes already fitted, which is a relief. Wrestling a heavy insert into a cover straight out of the box would not have been my idea of a relaxing evening from the get-go. 

As for the its packaging - I love that it doubles up as a storage bag that's perfectly sized to slot into a linen cupboard or storage unit. One thing I'm attempting to do in 2026 is be more organised at home and the fact this comes with its own bag is a bonus for me.

I love the fact that the packaging can be reused as storage for the blanket

Is it easy to use?

Once it’s in place, yes. Getting it there is the slightly tricky part. On the sofa, I found it easiest to stand up, spread it out properly, then sit back down underneath it. Trying to adjust it once seated often resulted in mild frustration, particularly if the dogs had settled and I didn’t wish to disturb them (have I mentioned the dogs rule the roost?). 

In bed, it’s easier to position, but if you move around a lot in your sleep like I do from side to front, you’ll probably notice the weight more than someone who stays in one position. 

A zip allows for easy removable and storage of the blanket in the bag

How is the weighted blanket designed and does it perform well?

The cover is soft, plush and rather pleasant against bare skin. It doesn’t feel irritating or plasticky, which is important for something you’re likely to use in minimal clothing in the evening IMO.

In performance terms, the blanket does exactly what you’d expect a weighted blanket to do. It stays put, feels evenly weighted once settled, and creates a cocooned feeling that encourages you to stay still rather than fidget.

Is the weight evenly distributed?

When the blanket is lifted from one end, the micro glass beads do slide downwards slightly - which can be annoying when you’re trying to spread it out evenly. That said, due to the individually stitched pockets inside, the majority of the beads stay in place.

For the first few days I felt like the inside did sink when the blanket lifted, but upon closer inspection of the blanket's inside, I found the addition of the ribbon inside that helps to secure the filling to the cover. 

Once laid flat, however, the stitching keeps the weight well distributed and I haven’t noticed any uncomfortable patches or clumping during use. 

Unlike the faux fur version, the grey one is a lot less fluffy - but still very comfortable

After opening, I'd recommend making sure this tie is secure before first use to avoid the inside shifting

Is it durable?

So far, yes. Stitching has held up well and there’s been no signs of beads escaping. It’s coped with daily use, dogs climbing over it and being dragged from sofa to bedroom. It feels very robust rather than delicate - which I guess, is the point of a weighted blanket. 

Can you wash the weighted blanket in a washing machine?

The removable cover can be machine washed (yay), which is essential in our home - and any other family home, I suspect. The inner weighted blanket itself should be sponge cleaned, though. Not a deal-breaker but watch you don’t spill something that might saturate the blanket. 

I’ve had one spill so far during testing, courtesy of me and a glass of milk rather than the kids. It absorbed easily with kitchen roll, though, and dried without leaving an unpleasant patch. The odd dog hair does show up (hypoallergenic dogs that don’t malt too much), but brushes off with little effort. 

The inside isn't machine washable - only the cover, which is something to bear in mind

What size and weight options are available?

This blanket comes in one size, with multiple weight options available, including: 4.5kg, 6.5kg, 9kg and 11.5kg. I’ve been testing the 6.5kg version, which felt well matched to my body weight (around 70kg). Like with all weighted blankets, choosing the right weight matters here - too heavy and it would quickly tip from comforting to irritating. 

Is the weighted blanket good value for money? 

With prices starting at £70 for a 4.5kg in light grey (up to £115 in the darker colour), this isn’t exactly an impulse buy. That said, it feels well made and has become something I reach for every evening, which goes a long way to justify the price. Compared with cheaper weighted blankets that feel flimsy or poorly finished, this one feels like it’s built to last. 

I can just about lift it - unsurprisingly, neither of my kids could

Who should buy the weighted blanket?

This weighted blanket is best for adults who like to feel cocooned rather than lightly covered. If you’re someone who always reaches for an extra layer on the sofa at the end of the day, this will make immediate sense.

For me, it works best as part of my evening wind-down. Once the kids are in bed and the house finally goes quiet, this is when it earns its keep. Draped over my legs on the sofa, it helps me stop fidgeting, put the phone down and properly switch off, whether I’m reading or half-watching TV.

You can sleep with it, and plenty of people will. If you tend to stay still overnight and like feeling securely tucked in, you’ll probably get on well with it in bed. I’m a restless sleeper, so while it was comfortable temperature-wise, I’ll mostly keep it for evenings instead.

How does the weighted blanket compare to competitors? 

Compared with other weighted blankets in our best weighted blankets roundup, the Next Grey Weighted Blanket leans decisively towards comfort and warmth rather than versatility. It feels less like a sleep product and more like a luxurious home accessory that happens to be weighted.

The biggest difference is the finish. While I’ve tested the grey finish, you can also choose a faux fur option. Where many competitors opt for cotton, bamboo or jersey covers that prioritise breathability and temperature regulation, both versions prioritise softness and cosiness. That makes it particularly appealing for sofa use and evening downtime, but less ideal if you’re looking for something cool, crisp or all-season.

Compare weighted blankets

Below you'll find the Next weighted blanket compared against two other products listed in our best weighted blankets guide: the Oodie and Gravity weighted blankets.

Final verdict

For me, The Next Grey Weighted Blanket does exactly what it promises. It’s warm, comforting and nice to use, rather than feeling like a novelty you’ll forget about after a week. It’s not subtle and it’s not trying to be. This is a blanket for people who like to feel cocooned and need help unwinding. 

For me, it’s earned a permanent place on the sofa. It’s become part of my evening routine in a very natural way, helping me slow down once the house goes quiet and stop hovering in that slightly frazzled, half-on, half-off mode that so many parents recognise. That, more than anything, is what makes it worthwhile.

It won’t suit everyone. If you sleep very hot, hate feeling restricted or want something light and fuss-free, there are better options out there. But if you’re looking for a weighted blanket that feels indulgent, holds its weight well and stands up to real family life, 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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