Our Editors Tested 10 of The Warmest Blankets to Stock Up on This Winter

There’s a funny thing that happens in New York during wintertime: One day, everyone’s breezing through the parks wearing slim camel trenches, and the next, people are buttoned up in puffer coats, darting toward the subway like the next Great Appalachian Storm is upon us. Nevertheless, colder temps are here—and whether you live in the Northeast or are rolling your (icicle-filled) eyelashes from somewhere in the Midwest—I share a mutual interest: the desire to curl up in a warm, cozy blanket. Picture thick, puffy duvets and electric/heated numbers to cult-classic throws like Jenni Kayne's Alpaca Basketweave and Barefoot Dreams’ CozyChic blanket.

So below, I had PureWow editors test some of the warmest, coziest blankets to stock up on this winter. (And head to the bottom of this article for a breakdown of the warmest blanket types and materials, according to a sleep doctor and textile expert.)

After scouring the web for the warmest blankets I could find, I had PureWow editors test the top 10 options that were best for winter (think: sherpa, faux fur, fleece and electric). Across the board, I made sure each one: a) was made of comforting materials, like wool, fleece or sherpa/faux fur, b) possessed above-average insulation, weight or electric warming properties, c) was durable enough to withstand frequent use and d) easy to clean.

Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.

• Dr. Whitney Roban, Ph.D. is a sleep expert, author and the founder of Solve Our Sleep. She is the author of the Devin & Evan children's book series, and founder of the first-ever School Healthy Sleep Curriculum. She offers these various sleep supports via her family sleep private practice, her educational sleep consulting and her corporate sleep programs.
• Ada Onuoha is the founder of Green Nettle Textiles, a blog that’s dedicated to fabrics and fibers. She’s spent more than a decade sewing apparel, and in the last eight years, she’s dedicated time to researching fabrics while educating readers.

I’ve got three top recommendations for you. If you're looking for ultimate warmth, the Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket tops the list, thanks to its thick pile faux fur that feels like a cozy bear hug. It's ideal for anyone who want the comfort of a weighted blanket with the feel of a furry pet. And if you’re in the market for something ultra-soft, the CozyChic Throw from Barefoot Dreams is a celebrity favorite—think Khloé Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen—and it's perfect for anyone who wants plush, cloud-like comfort that’s still lightweight. Lastly, the Pottery Barn Alpine Cable Sherpa Throw brings weight and texture with a hand-knit cable pattern and sherpa reverse, making it a great choice for cold sleepers who want that heavy, cocooned feeling on chilly nights.

• Wool and Fleece: “Wool fabrics are warm because they have low heat conductivity, which makes them suitable for cold weather. They are water-repellent as well and are highly absorbent—wool fibers can soak up to 20 percent of their weight in water before leaking. However, wool has poor dimensional stability; hence it shrinks easily under mechanical action, friction or pressure. Also, prolonged exposure to UV radiation tends to discolor the fabric,” Onuoha explains. “While wool can be a bit itchy, fleece is not and has a softer feel. However, fleece is lighter in weight than wool and does not insulate when it is wet…wool is capable of insulating even when wet.” She also adds: “Fleece, on its own, is resistant to water and moisture because of the combination of polyester. This property makes it easy to dry out after washing the fabrics and is also ideal for extreme weather conditions. It is also breathable and wrinkle resistant.”
• Electric and Heated Options: Naturally, if you live in a location where wind chills can reach up to 9.9 miles per hour, you’ll want something ultra-warm. Electric/heated blankets are about as warm as you can get, where they plug into the wall and draw electricity from small, thin wires that run through the fabric. “Electric blankets work best when used sparingly, and lightly,” writes Nectar experts in a blog post. “[Your] body is a good natural source of heat, and [incremental], small steps are always best when using any sort of artificial heating device.” They also warn: “This is a biggie: Most electric blankets come equipped with a timer. It’s important to use it! [Leaving] an electric blanket on can create [serious injury, and you want to] utilize the timer function [to] make sure that you have a safe night’s sleep…You also may be surprised to know that you don’t need much time for an electric blanket to do its job. As little as ten minutes usually is enough to warm a bed.”
• Down Comforters: “If sleeping underneath a big cloud sounds preferable, a comforter is the way to go,” says Onuoha. “A comforter is the perfect bedding for colder nights, where they are typically stuffed with down or down alternative fill. Since down and its alternatives are excellent heat trappers, comforters are great for a fluffier, warmer sleep experience.” She also adds: “The amount of insulating fill should keep most sleepers warm through the winter.” (Read more about that here.)
• Quilts: “A quilt comprises three layers; top, batting and bottom. The top layer makes the quilt stand out. With a classic quilt, the top layer includes different pieces of fabric sewn together in a grid or a more complex design. The inside batting is made of materials like wool, down, or polyester making a quilting fill, while the bottom layer is usually a single piece of fabric,” Onuoha says. “People who sleep hot and want something light to provide just a touch of insulation would most likely prefer a quilt. Comforters make sleepers overheat so much—and unlike bulky comforters, quilts fit easily inside most washing machines. Their compact design makes it easy to transport and style them anywhere, from the bedroom to the couch.”