Oodies have become a popular choice for keeping toasty and cosy at home, but they can be quite pricey, luckily there are plenty of Oodie alternatives out there that will keep you warm for less.
With soaring energy prices and the increased cost of living, many of us are understandably avoiding switching our heating on right now and avoiding turning on our heating. Of course, nobody wants to freeze during the colder months so instead, we're all looking for alternative ways to help us spend less on our energy bills but still keep toasty, from investing in electric blankets to draught-proofing our homes. Another, more unique method that has grown in popularity in the last couple of years is a hooded blanket. The most popular of which is the Oodie, but there are many alternative options available too.
Best Oodie alternatives at a glance:
• Best overall: Teddy Oversized Blanket Hoodie – Buy now on Dunelm
• Best avocado-print Oodie alternative: Green Heart Avocado Print Oversized Fleece Hoodie – Buy now on New Look
• Best plus size Oodie alternative: Yours Curve Black & Pink Floral Snuggle Hoodie - Buy now on Yours Clothing
An Oodie is essentially a jumper crossed with a cosy blanket. It was created by two Australian brothers back in 2018 and enjoyed popularity throughout the UK lockdowns, but it continues to be much-loved today. Unfortunately, the Oodie is not cheap, with prices starting from £77 for kids and from £89 for adults. The good news however is that there are now plenty of Oodie alternatives that do the job just as well while costing you a fraction of the price.
While you may want to get one each for you and your other half, you could always just share as hooded blankets tend to come in just one size, meaning everyone can wear it! They're incredibly roomy and slip on over your head, just like a jumper would. Take a look at our top picks for Oodie alternatives below.
Best Oodie alternatives
Best overall
www.dunelm.com
Dunelm's iconic teddy bear blanket has been turned into a hoodie to keep you nice and toasty during chilly nights. Beautifully crafted from polyester fleece, this Oodie alternative is super soft and warm and comes in a choice of 12 colours, so you can pick your favourite or one that matches your décor. It makes a great gift for a loved one or yourself.
Customer review: "Snuggle??? First experience with this item....love it..absolutely love it. I'm nearly 183 cm, the garment comes down to my knees and allows me to tuck my legs up too. I love the colour. I am going to purchase another...Great for movie nights in..and the price is good. The only regret I have is that I didn't wash it before I wore it...bits of fluff.! But this does not detract from the garment..."
Pros
- Super soft fleece
- Warm
Cons
- One size fits most but not all
Best avocado-print Oodie alternative
www.newlook.com
If you like the Oodie with the avocado print but can't justify the price tag, this Green Heart Avocado Print Oversized Fleece Hoodie is a perfect alternative. This cute fleecy green hoodie features a front pocket and soft hood that make it a perfect pick for nights in front of the telly and lazy weekends.
Customer review: "Cozy and perfect for this time of year."
Pros
- Great dupe
- Soft
Cons
- Some people may prefer a more fitted sleeve
Best plus size Oodie alternative
www.yoursclothing.co.uk
Available in UK sizes 14-24 and 26-40, the Yours Curve Black & Pink Floral Snuggle Hoodie is a great plus-size option. You can stay warm and cosy during the cooler seasons as it's made from a comfortable knit fabric with long sleeves, hood detail and a pocket. It can be machine washable at 30°C to keep it fresh.
Customer review: "Love, Love....Love these Snuggle Hoodies. I got the XL as it's in my size bracket and is slightly on the larger side on me. Plenty of room and lovely and warm. Ideal for the colder nights. Wearing one as we speak as it's a little chilly where I am today. Absolutely love these and so pleased they do these in bigger sizes and not just one size like other companies. ❤️❤️❤️"
Pros
- Long sleeves
- Floral design
Cons
- It's designed to be a mini length, but some may prefer longer
Best star print Oodie alternative
www.debenhams.com
Available in this pretty charcoal colourway as well as light pink, this star print hooded blanket will have you ready for a cosy night in. The sumptuously soft outer fabric combined with the soft Sherpa lining are sure to keep you nice and warm while elasticated cuffs will keep the heat in.
Customer review: "I love my oversized Sherpa fleece blanket - it’s so warm and snuggly and I can only wonder why I’ve not had one before ?!? I love the blush pink colour too - a very happy customer"
Pros
- Available in two colours
- Can be washed at 30 degrees
Cons
- Some thought the stitching could be better
Best hi-pile Oodie alternative
Offering an oversized fit with a snug hooded neckline, this Hi-Pile Oversized Lounge Hoodie from John Lewis is finished with long sleeves and a handy front pocket. It's made from thermal fleece to give it a softer and more luxurious feel.
Customer review: "Absolutely love this lounge hoodie, the elastic wrist cuffs are great for keeping the cold out. The hood is a bonus too especially when popping out quickly to the car or to empty bins. Comfy, warm & stylish; so much so purchased one for my daughter! Delivery very prompt received in less than 4 days very impressed…"
Pros
- Thermal fleece for additional warmth
- Handy front pocket
Cons
- Some reviewers have reported the elastic on the sleeves were quite tight for them
Best teddy bear fleece Oodie alternative
www.marksandspencer.com
Stay super cosy during downtime at home with the ultra-warn hooded M&S Snuggle Teddy Fleece Hooded Blanket. It'll feel as though you're being hugged by a teddy bear while wearing it as it feels snug to the touch. It also features a pocket to the front, which you could slip a covered hot water bottle inside on those particularly chilly days.
Customer review: "This is soo soft and snuggly, and perfect for keeping out those sneaky draughts."
Pros
- Fabric is proven to show enhanced performance in helping you keep warm
- Available in a choice of colours and kids' sizes too
Cons
- Might be too hot for some
Best breathable hoodie blanket
www.kudd.ly
A one-size-fits-all hoodie blanket with a breathable, MicroCool teddy fleece exterior and a plush and cosy Sherpa fleece interior. To keep it looking its best, you can wash it by hand or pop it in your washing machine on a gentle cycle. It can then either be air-dried or tumble-dried on a low-heat setting.
Customer review: "As I’d been wanting one of these for a long time I’d spent ages researching what one to buy. The kuddly always came out of top from what I’d seen and I can confirm it definitely is worth that status. I brought mine because I thought it offered value for money. I absolutely love mine it really is so kuddly soft and warm! I choose the koala 🐨 one it’s so cute! As a plus size woman I can also confirm it’s plenty big on me and some! Delivery was super fast! My only criticism is that it would be nice to offer some more designs! Thanks kuddly 🤩"
Pros
- Extra large front pockets
- Choice of colours
Cons
- Shouldn't be ironed
Best Oodie alternative with large pockets
www.debenhams.com
Perfect for wrapping yourself up in on those cold and dreary days, the Light & Shade oversized hoodie is made with 100 per cent polyester and is styled with an oversized fit, borg hood lining and a fleeced outer material.
Customer review: "Absolutely love this. It is so soft and comfy. It’s nice and big so you can snuggle up in it. I actually don’t want the warm weather to come any time soon!!!!"
Pros
- Can be machine washed
- Oversized pocket at the front to keep hands warm
Cons
- Some people may prefer a more colourful design
Best Oodie alternative for dog owners
www.newlook.com
If you're just mad about dogs, you'll love the Blue Beagle Print Fleece Oversized Blanket Hoodie from New Look with this cute beagle print. It has an oversized fit and a super-soft fleece finish so you'll be warm morning, noon and evening while wearing it. You can pop the hood up if you're feeling extra chilly.
Customer review: "Absolutely gorgeous fleece, so soft and super quality and most of all I am a proud owner of beagles myself so of course I love it"
Pros
- Cute print
- Super soft
Cons
- Could be longer in length
FAQs
How do you wash an Oodie without ruining it?
Wondering how to keep your Oodie alternative super soft and cuddly? We’ve got some care tips from Oodie on how best to wash them.
• Hand/machine wash using cold to warm water (40°c maximum is suggested).
• If machine washing, ensure a gentle cycle is selected.
• Use only very mild detergents (approved for wool/silk).
• Do not tumble dry.
• Avoid mixing with other colours.
• Do not iron.
While these tips should be applicable to most Oodie alternatives, be sure to check the label on your specific one before washing it. This is to make sure you’re caring for it in the best way.
Why are Oodies and their alternatives so popular?
There's not just one reason why Oodies and their alternatives are so popular. When the UK was experiencing lockdowns, everyone was searching for comfy, cosy clothing that they could wear while staying at home. Oodies and Oodie alternatives were a great solution to this as they're made with soft materials, so they were ideal for the time when all we could do was lounge around the house.
Fast forward to now, and with the cost of living crisis affecting households across the UK, many are looking for other ways to stay warm, without putting the heating on, to cut costs on energy bills. Oodies and Oodie alternatives offer extra warmth with their fleecy lining, oversized fit and huge pockets. They can just be chucked on to keep you warm, rather than turning the thermostat up, contributing to saving on your energy bills.
Others like them because they're not as restricting as a blanket so you can get on with household chores while wearing one. They're also easy to carry about so they can easily be worn outside too, such as on those summer nights when the temperature suddenly drops.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.