Bearaby’s New Queen-Sized “Hugger” Solves the Biggest Problem with Weighted Blankets

As much as I’ve heard about how calming a weighted blanket can be, I worried it’d feel like I’m wrapped in an adult swaddle. Or worse, maybe the sheer weight would make me feel buried alive, triggering feelings of claustrophobia, given that the Hugger weighs a whopping 35 pounds (Bearaby’s heaviest blanket to date).

Thankfully, neither fear held true. Since the weight is spread out across the blanket, it was cocooning without feeling suffocating. It was just enough pressure to help me sink into bed and prevent me from tossing and turning as much, kind of like…well, when my daughter rocked a Baby Magic Merlin Sleep Suit to prevent her moro reflex from kicking in. (Oh no—maybe I am being adult swaddled after all. And maybe I like it?!)

Falling asleep easier, resting more peacefully, feeling more relaxed—suddenly, I was experiencing all of the benefits sleep specialists touted that I had dismissed. (It’s worth noting that I was feeling this chill while pseudo-camping, as I’ve been sleeping on a mattress on the floor while I wait for my bed frame to arrive.)

Beyond that, the Hugger’s chunky knit is soft and breathable, so despite its heft, I haven’t overheated in the middle of the night. And, aesthetically, it adds a nice layer of texture to liven up the room, but its color-blocked gray and cream combination works with just about any color scheme or style.

Admittedly, if you sleep with a blanket hog, fighting to get your half of the blanket back in the middle of the night is more of a workout. And, if your partner flings the blanket off of themselves, it can feel like you’re being whacked with a pillow—which may be powerful enough to wake you up (and want to actually smack that person with a pillow).

At $399, the Hugger doesn’t come cheap. So, if you’re into weighted blankets and you’re in need of a new duvet, it could be worth the investment. On its own—particularly if you share a bed with someone who isn’t into being cocooned at night—you may be better off buying a smaller, more affordable option.