The best blankets to curl up with (because you can never have too many)
You can never have too many blankets, especially in winter. We need one to curl up on the sofa with, another draped across the bed for aesthetics, and maybe even one to stave off the chill when we're working from home.
Blankets are a way of life. And even if you don't subscribe to this philosophy and just want something snug that can move about your home with you, you'll want a design that's suitably soft and cosy.
But when you’re shopping through a screen, how do you know if you’re about to press ‘Buy’ on the most velvety throw known to humankind, or what’s essentially just a sheet of scratchy wool (you know the sort…)?
Well, having already found the best electric, weighted and even sauna blankets for your home, we at the Good Housekeeping Institute thought it was time to tackle the problem and seek out the butteriest blankets around. Here are our top scorers:
What is the best material for blankets?
Most of the blankets on our list fall into one of three categories: ones made with synthetic textiles, those made with wool, and blends of the two.
If you opt for a blanket that’s polyester – and most of the velvet-y or faux fur-style ones are – it will likely be super soft. They're also more affordable and can generally go in the washing machine if you spill your coffee on them.
But (and really this is a pro and a con when it comes to blankets) it’s likely to be less breathable – so it should keep you warm, but could easily tip over into too hot territory when the heating kicks in…
Wool, on the other hand, is a breathable and premium pick. However, its softness varies based on the specific type of wool, you can’t normally machine wash it, and it’s pricier. Below, you'll find a lambswool option, which is known for its gentle feel.
Finally, if you opt for a blend, you’ll likely land somewhere between the two camps. These blankets are generally a decent quality and a mid-range price. But be sure to check the care guidance because this can vary.
Once you’ve settled on a preferred fabric (and considered any care instructions as a result), we recommend double checking the dimensions of any blankets you’re looking at – there's nothing worse than a throw that’s just too small to lie under!
Testing blankets in the Good Housekeeping lab: assessing their weight; checking size and shrinkage; marking with common household stains before washing
How we test blankets
We don’t just pop any blanket on our sofa. To find the ones that are made for curling up under and draping artfully over furniture, our experts put a range of brands to the test in the GHI lab.
They followed care label instructions to carry out extensive wash tests, looking for any colour fading or shrinkage. They also tested stain resistance by swatching on common household spills before cleaning.
Finally, they took the blankets home with them, to see what they were like to snuggle up with day-in-day-out, evaluating comfort, weight and warmth.
These are our top-rated throws.
Snugsie Giant Blanket
Score: 95/100
One of the largest, cosiest blankets we tested, there’s room for everyone underneath this sherpa fleece. Testers said it was “super soft on your skin” and found its drapey weight provided lots of warmth, making it a great option for popping over a duvet too. As it's heavier, it can be harder to carry from room to room, but if it has a permanent home that won't be a bother.
Plus, it goes in the washing machine – and it washed well. It was just as plush after several cycles, and it didn’t stain in testing either, giving you peace of mind for movie nights or TV dinners. Ultimately, it’s as snug as its name suggests.
Fleece Blanket
Score: 93/100
This is one of the most affordable blankets on our list – but that doesn't mean you have to compromise. The medium-weight design was soft, snuggly and washed well.
The best bit though, is that it’s available in 22 colours and in single, double, king or queen sizes, which means you can find an option for every room.
Small Lambswool Blanket
Score: 91/100
This buttery soft, small, pure lambswool throw is the perfect size for an armchair or wrapping around you to keep you warm on the go. Our testers found it gentle against the skin and loved the decorative fringe as a design feature. You can even monogram it, making it our top pick for gifting.
While it's hand wash only, it cleaned up well, holding its shape with no obvious dulling. And the only stain testers struggled to lift was foundation (so don't do your makeup near it!). It's available in bigger sizes if you want more blanket to curl up under, but the more premium design does come with a price tag to match. Our testers said it oozed quality though and was “very soft, warm and snuggly.” What a box ticker.
Cosy Chenille Throw 130x180cm
Score: 91/100
This easy-to-clean blanket is available in four classic shades and is perfect for layering on beds and sofas. It washed impeccably and is good quality for its price.
Our tester said it was “cuddly” and instantly warming, praising the way the medium-weight design draped over them. In fact, one panellist said they couldn't wait for it to get colder because they loved using it so much.
Montreal Throw
Score: 89/100
You can't go wrong with a neutral chunky knit, and this one will add some lovely texture to your set-up. It has a pleasing weight to it, and it’s a good size. While it was cosy, the looser knit meant that it was a bit breezier than some others tested.
You’ll have to hand wash it too, and testers found it tricky to banish all the stains tried, so we suggest keeping it away from your dinner. But given its style creds, we think it deserves a permanent spot draped across the bed.
Plush Fleece Throw
Score: 88/100
While this fleecy throw may feel lightweight (making it easy to move from room to room or even take away with you), it kept our testers nice and warm. There are three sizes to choose from and we found the medium one (150 x 200 cm) provided ample coverage for one person.
It stayed velvety soft after washing, but while the lighter silver shade held its colour, there was some fading in the navy version. Be careful with your coffee too, as testers struggled to remove this stain. Otherwise, it’s a good value buy and with 16 colours, it’s easy to find one that suits.
Elgin Throw
Score: 88/100
Made with a lambswool blend, this soft and timeless design is a real nap-time treat. It's well sized with room for one or two underneath, and it just screams quiet luxury.
It’s hand wash only, but it kept its softness and shape. It was tricky to remove stains though, and it shed some fluff too (not unusual for wool). That didn’t put our testers off though; they described it as “a lovely blanket,” and liked the ribbed trim detail and cosy texture.
Plus, if you like to pack your blankets away come summer, there's a handy storage bag you can pop it in to keep it pristine for the next winter.
Textured Faux Mohair Throw
Score: 86/100
This is another lovely textured design. It was less smooth than some, but still generally soft. Testers liked the fact that it comes with a carry-strap, so you could roll it up and take it away with you.
It machine washed reliably, holding its shape. But a couple of stains proved stubborn, including coffee and ketchup. It’s a decent length for snuggling under though and given its inviting appearance (one tester described it as “beautiful”!), this would make a great buy if you’re looking to add a decorative touch to your home on a budget.
Our verdict on blankets
The best blanket for your home all comes down to the type of throw you fancy. Our scores don't take aesthetics into account (as that's subjective) so you'll need to decide where you sit on the spectrum between practicality and style.
If you want a velvety fleece, we recommend our winner – the Silentnight Snugsie Giant Blanket – or our budget friendly runner-up from Bedsure, which is available in countless colours.
For something more premium, we’d go for wool – tbco's Lambswool Blanket is our top buy for its soft, luxury feel.
Why you should trust us
Our homes editor, Hannah Mendelsohn, is never far from a blanket. In fact, she was under one as she wrote this and even keeps one on the sofa during the summer months, such is her commitment to comfort.
So, this test couldn’t have been in better hands. She helped select the products for review and craft the protocols to answer all of your (and her) questions before writing up the final results.
Our homes testing manager, Blossom Boothroyd, then put in the hard graft, washing the blankets and enlisting her team of testers to take the blankets home and find out which ones were the warmest and softest. We know, it’s a tough job. All that information was then compiled to bring you our pick of the best blankets for your home.
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