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Electric Blankets Vs Weighted Blankets – Which One Is Better?

Electric Blankets Vs Weighted Blankets – Which One Is Better?

Electric blankets and weighted blanket can both make you feel cozy warm in bed. But, they work for very different reasons. Here are the pros and cons for each so you can decide which is best for you.
Electric Blankets Vs Weighted Blankets
Electric Blankets Vs Weighted Blankets
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Everyone loves a comfortable blanket. It doesn’t matter whether you are searching for a fancy fleece, bountiful bedspread, or cozy comforter, the blanket should match your sleep needs to make it worth every penny.

But with so many varieties of blankets around, which ones are the most suitable for you?

As senior citizens, you would want a blanket that not only provides warmth but also help you go to sleep quickly. Well, there are two types of blankets that fit that category: electric blanket and a weighted blanket. Let’s take a look at how they differ and which one is the best.

What are Electric Blankets?

Do you get cold feet whenever you get step out of your bed? That’s a common problem for most elders and it sometimes takes hours to get your feet warm again. It’s probably due to the inefficiency of the blanket that you are using right.

Instead, you can shift to an electric blanket that keeps your nose, hands, and feet warm as soon as you hit the bed. If you want to hibernate in bed for hours without getting cold feet, then get an electric blanket as soon as possible.

RELATED: Best Electric Blankets for Elderly People

What are Weighted Blankets?

While electric blankets warm you up within minutes, weighted blankets provide even distribution of pressure, thus offering a relaxing time in bed. You will soon find yourself tranced to another world once you cover yourself with a weighted blanket.

In fact, a 2006 study on 32 participants suggests that weighted blankets are useful for reducing anxiety. That being said, these blankets also keep you from twisting and turning while sleeping, meaning you get quality sleep under this blanket.

But you will need to dish out some extra cash because weighted blankets are more expensive compared to their electric counterparts.

Differences Between Electric and Weighted Blankets

Let’s divide the differences between these two types of blankets according to their pros and cons.

1. Comfort and safety

Polyester makes up for the outer covering of electric blankets. This fabric is popular for its flame-retardant feature. Moreover, it keeps its shape even if you wash it multiple times. There is, however, another option with a cotton cover.

But cotton is less flame-resistant and isn’t the appropriate choice, to be honest. You can choose fleece styles in both these fabrics for added softness.

Weighted blankets, on the other hand, come with a soft and absorbable material, along with an inner lining. This lining consists of weighted fillers containing pebbles and beads, or similar granular shapes. The makers attach the inner lining to the outer one to prevent these granular fillers from moving.

Weighted blankets have a grid of pockets inside the inner covering that distributes their weight evenly. You just need to make sure the inner lining is securely attached and well constructed.

Otherwise, you may end up using a blanket that has lumps on different parts, making it terribly uncomfortable for sleeping.

2. Ease of use

There are two varieties of electric blankets: thin and thick. If you are one of those sensitive sleepers, then you should get a thicker blanket. This prevents you from feeling the electric wiring inside the polyester or cotton cover.

But if you want to save yourself a few bucks, then you can go for a thinner variant. However, be prepared to feel the coils inside, especially when toss and turn.

Weighted blankets usually weigh within 5 to 30 pounds. But which size is suitable for you? Calculate 5 to 10% of your body weight and that should give you an idea of the weight of the blanket you should use. Suppose you weigh 160 pounds. Then you should use an 8-pound weighted blanket. Since there’s no question of wires, you can expect to get an even thickness throughout.

3. Cleanability

You may want to wash the cover of your electric blanket after using it through the winter season. Well, most electric blankets come with detachable fabrics that you can wash and dry in your washing machine.

Make sure the fabric is completely dry before putting it on the blanket again. You should wash cotton blankets at least twice a year as they usually wick away moisture and entrap them it in the fabric. Also, don’t forget to read the cleaning instructions from the manufacturer before washing.

Weighted blankets also have cotton covers. But you can go for synthetic covers like fleece or plush too. All of them are easily washable. Polyester covers, though, aren’t as breathable as cotton covers. And, they take longer to dry up than cotton.

RELATED: Weighted Blankets Vs Heated Blankets?

Electric Blankets vs Weighted Blankets: Wrapping Up

Overall, weighted blankets lead the race when you compare it with electric blankets. But when it comes to the cost, electric blankets are cheaper than their weighted counterparts. You need to consider which one is more important: your comfort or your budget. That should help you decide whether to buy a weighted blanket or an electric one.

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Scott Grant, CSA®, SHSS®

Scott Grant, CSA®, SHSS®

With over 20 years of experience and certifications as a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and Senior Home Safety Specialist (SHSS)®, Scott Grant provides reliable recommendations to help seniors maintain independence through informed product and service choices for safe, comfortable living.

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