Baloo Living Weighted Blanket Review

What is Baloo Living?

Baloo Living is a New York-based company that sells sleep products including weighted blankets, bedding, and speakers aimed at helping people relax and sleep better. Baloo’s weighted blankets have all-cotton shells filled with glass beads. The company advertises them as being cool enough for all climates. The blankets come in weights ranging from 9 to 25 pounds and cost $149 to $219, depending on size. The prices are competitive: A 15-pound blanket from Gravity, our favorite weighted blanket maker, costs $249, while the 15-pound Baloo blanket is $179. Baloo’s blankets come in a range of sizes from the 40- by 60-inch mini to the 80- by 87-inch king.

Most weighted blanket companies advise getting a blanket that is about 10% of your body weight. As someone who weighs less than 150 pounds, I was happy to see that Baloo offered lighter blankets than some other companies. I ended up going with the 12-pound throw blanket, which measures 42 inches by 72 inches. The throw is marketed at both individuals and couples, though Baloo suggests that couples purchase two so they can each have their own blanket.

What I like about Baloo’s weighted throw blanket

Its exterior is made entirely of cotton

I noticed a real difference when I opened my cotton Baloo blanket as compared to other weighted blankets I‘ve encountered that are made of synthetic fibers. Baloo’s blanket reminded me of a traditional cotton quilt. It smelled and felt clean and natural from the get-go. The fabric is smooth and soft and feels like a cotton sheet. My small white blanket looks fresh and cute and appears to be well made. I was excited to start using it as soon as I laid eyes on it. The blanket is also machine-washable, making it easy to clean, or you can purchase a linen cover from Baloo Living to keep it cleaner and change its appearance, if you prefer.

It made me feel relaxed

It’s hard to fully tease apart the many factors that play into mental health. But I felt that sleeping with the Baloo blanket put me more at ease when I used it while my boyfriend was on a work trip. I’ve never liked sleeping alone and often feel anxious when I'm on my own at night. Being nestled under my Baloo gave me an extra burst of security, much like hiding under my covers at night when I was a child. I also used the blanket to cover my legs when I was anxious while working during the day and found it quite soothing.

It wasn’t too heavy

Before the Baloo arrived, I was concerned that it would be too heavy. I’d been suspicious of the concept of weighted blankets in the past because I don’t want to feel pinned down at night—and as a smaller human, most weighted blankets come in at higher than the recommended 10% of my body weight. But I found that the 12-pound throw did a great job making me feel snug but not squished or claustrophobic.

It’s cool and breathable

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Baloo blanket slept cool, as claimed. In fairness, I tested it in chilly early spring, not in the middle of summer heat. But it was cool enough that I needed another blanket on top of it to stay warm when sleeping alone at night—and I typically run hot.

What I didn’t like about Baloo's weighted throw blanket

It won’t work as your only blanket

Baloo’s throw blanket is perfect for lounging, but it was so small that it didn’t fully cover me. Either the top of my shoulders or my toes were exposed when I used it. I like the cozy, secure feeling of being well-covered at night, so I used a sheet or light blanket over the Baloo.

It isn’t great for couples

Baloo recommends its throw blanket as an option for couples sleeping in the same bed, because either one partner can use it alone or each partner can have their own throw. I can’t fully endorse that advice. I felt that having the blanket over me when my boyfriend and I were bed-sharing impeded our ability to cuddle freely at night. He agreed with that assessment.

If you and your partner share a bed without constantly cuddling, this likely won’t be an issue. But if you like falling asleep with a lot of body-to-body contact, the throw might not be for you. If you and your partner both want a weighted blanket, I would consider getting a larger size to share, with the expectation that it will be slightly warmer underneath and each person may not get a fully encompassed experience.

What are other people saying about Baloo’s weighted blankets?

Baloo’s blankets boast 4.6 stars on Amazon from over 700 reviews. People describe the blankets as being well-made, breathable, and relaxing. Many customers say the blankets work well in hotter months because they stay cool.

“It’s so relaxing and I’m getting the best sleep ever,” writes a 5-star granting customer who said she’s undergoing menopause. “My hot flashes are way less because it’s breathable cotton.”

“I have been sleeping under the 12-pound weight of this blanket for a few weeks now, and I wish I’d purchased it sooner,” writes another 5-star reviewer. “The fabric is so very buttery and soft and the blanket stays cool during the night. Just having a little bit of weight helps me fall asleep much faster.”

Is the Baloo Living weighted throw worth it?

Yes, if its material and coolness appeal to you

If you want an all-cotton weighted blanket, or are looking for a cool-feeling weighted blanket, I think Baloo is a good bet! It was great when I was sleeping alone, and I also enjoyed lounging in it during the day.

One of the informal tests I give every sleep product is to gauge whether I will feel neutral, sad, or relieved when I’m done testing it and have to return it. I found myself disappointed about being done with the Baloo blanket, which I think says a lot.

The $159 price tag for the weighted throw is nothing to scoff at, and that alone would make me hesitant to buy it myself. But, it’s a reasonable price within the weighted blanket market—in fact, it’s less expensive than our top pick from Gravity. Unfortunately, if you want a quality weighted blanket, it’s gonna set you back a bit—and if I were to buy one today, it would be this one from Baloo.