Brooklinen weighted blanket review — a stylish and soothing throw

The Brooklinen weighted blanket is a particularly stylish pick that’s just the right size for a single person, and since I absolutely love Brooklinen sheets, I was eager to try the blanket out for myself. 

Weighted blankets are designed to deliver deep pressure stimulation, which makes you feel like you’re wrapped up in a tight hug, and many people (myself included) find that they help relieve stress and anxiety. The Brooklinen weighted blanket weighs 12 pounds, making it a fairly lightweight option, and it comes in several stylish colors, including seasonal options that rotate every few months. 

I’ve dealt with anxiety all of my adult life, and weighted blankets are one of my go-to methods of relaxation when I’m having a hard day. After a week of testing, here’s what I thought about the Brooklinen Weighted Blanket and whether it’s worth buying for your home. 

 What I thought of the Brooklinen weighted blanket 

I’ve tested several weighted blankets over the past few years, and the Brooklinen weighted blanket is one of the most manageable options once you know how heavy a weighted blanket should be. Some weighted blankets— especially those that weigh over 15 pounds — are heavy and unwieldy, making it challenging to move them around your home. However, at just 12 pounds, the Brooklinen blanket was much more manageable to move around and adjust during the night, and I never felt like I was being squashed underneath it. 

The blanket offered a gentle amount of pressure that I found soothing when I was stressed or anxious (one of the best benefits of a weighted blanket), and it didn’t cause me to overheat, even though I tested it out during the summer. It was comfortable for sleeping or just relaxing on the couch, and it made for a stylish addition to my living space. 

There were a few things I didn’t love about the blanket, though. While its appearance is attractive, it’s definitely not the softest material. Additionally, the blanket can only be cleaned in a commercial washing machine, so there’s no way to launder it at home.

Brooklinen weighted blanket specifications

•  Dimensions: 48 x 72 inches 
•  Weight: 12 pounds 
•  Fabric: 160 GSM 99% cotton, 1% spandex crepe (face); 120 GSM washed cotton (back) 
•  Filling: Glass beads and polyester batting 

Unboxing the Brooklinen weighted blanket

The Brooklinen weighted blanket arrived in very simple packaging. Inside the shipping box, the blanket was packed in a clear plastic bag with handles — the type of bag that most comforters come in. It was obviously heavier than an average blanket, but I had no problem carrying it up to my bedroom. 

After unzipping the bag, the blanket was ready to go right out of the package. There’s no cover to install, so all I had to do was cut off the oversized care tag, start using it, and find somewhere to store the blanket.

Is the Brooklinen weighted blanket comfortable?

The top of the Brooklinen weighted blanket has a textured crepe-like pattern for visual interest, and the back is a smooth cotton fabric. The blanket has box stitching to keep its inner beads evenly distributed, as well as a thick edging around all four sides. I got the blanket in the seasonal color Fig, which is a muted purple. 

The first time I used the weighted blanket, I noticed that it was not particularly soft. The cotton fabric is smooth to the touch, but it’s not the type of material you’d want to curl up with on a cold winter day. While many weighted blankets have suede or fuzzy covers, this one is less tactile to the touch, which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences. 

When using the blanket, I really loved the gentle weight it provided. With heavier blankets, I sometimes get a bit claustrophobic and feel like I’m being smushed, but the Brooklinen’s lighter weight was calming without being overwhelming. It was also easy to adjust, even when I was lying down. The blanket is just big enough for one person to use — it’s roughly the size of a throw blanket, so it’s not big enough to cover the whole bed.

I used the Brooklinen weighted blanket overnight and while relaxing on the couch, and it definitely helped me to feel calm when I was stressed or anxious. The weight was evenly distributed across the blanket, and there was enough inner padding that it muffled any sound of the glass beads shifting. You aren’t able to feel the beads, either, which is nice. 

I was a bit nervous that the blanket would be too hot at night, as I was testing it during a particularly warm week, but to my surprise, the fabric is quite breathable and barely retains any heat. I loved that I was able to use the blanket without turning into a sweaty mess—a problem I’ve had with other weighted blankets in the past. 

Cleaning the Brooklinen weighted blanket

I share my home with two long-haired dogs and a mischievous cat, so I much prefer bedding that’s easy to clean. I was happy to discover that the Brooklinen weighted blanket doesn’t collect pet hair, even after my dog laid on top of it for a few hours, and it doesn’t seem to get static-y, either. 

However, if you do need to wash a weighted blanket due to odors or stains, it’s not an easy task. While some weighted blankets can be laundered at home, Brooklinen only recommends cleaning this product in a commercial washing machine—the oversized units you’d find at a laundromat. For occasional stains, the brand recommends spot cleaning. 

Is the Brooklinen weighted blanket right for you?

The Brooklinen weighted blanket is a good choice if you’re looking for a lighter, breathable option to use in the summer. Its 12-pound weight offers gentle pressure without being overwhelming, and it’s easier to adjust and move around than other weighted blankets. While not the softest material ever, the cotton fabric has the added bonus of being highly breathable, so it can be used in warm weather without making you feel too hot. Plus, the blanket itself is quite attractive thanks to its trendy colors and textured fabric, and it will add to the decor in any space. 

There are a few things to keep in mind before you purchase this blanket, though. For one, it’s only available in a 12-pound weight, which may not be substantial enough for some people. Additionally, the blanket is inconvenient to wash and will require a trip to the laundromat, unlike other weighted blankets, which have removable covers or can be laundered at home. 

How we tested the Brooklinen weighted blanket

Brooklinen sent me the weighted blanket, and I tested it in my home for just over a week before writing this review. I evaluated the blanket on the following criteria: 

• Unboxing: I looked at how easy the blanket was to unpackage and set up, noting whether it was ready to use out of the box. Some weighted blankets must be washed before use, and others need to have their covers put on. 
• Weight: I used the weighted blanket for sleeping, as well as lounging around the house, and I evaluated how its weight felt during use. Was it too light? Too heavy? I also noted how the weight made me feel and whether it helped or hindered my sleeping. 
• Comfort: As with any blanket, it’s important for weighted blankets to be comfortable to use. I noted whether the fabric was soft if I could feel the inner glass beads, and how well it regulated temperature during use.
• Cleaning: It can be tricky to wash a weighted blanket, so I carefully reviewed the brand’s recommended care guidelines and whether they require special supplies and could be done at home.  

Looking for a celeb-approved buy? We found the weighted blanket Olivia Rodrigo can't live without, plus three budget-friendly alternatives. It's great if you're in the market for something with a chunky knit texture to add to your weighted blanket collection.