Is there any better feeling than snuggling under the best blankets or throws when it's chilly outside? Whether you use them as an additional layer on top of your bed linen on colder days or wrap one around you when you're relaxing on the sofa, throws will keep you nice and toasty.
A good-quality blanket is just what you need when the temperature starts to drop. And with energy prices still set to be higher than average this year, blankets provide a cost-effective way to keep warm if you're trying to cut down on how much heating you're using. You can curl up in the evenings with a throw over your legs and arms as you're watching TV or take one with you when you go to bed so you can drape it over your duvet covers to keep you snuggly while you sleep. Of course, blankets don't need to just be used as something to keep you warm, they can also be used as decorative throws over furniture and provide your pet with somewhere to sit when they join you up on the sofa.
Best blankets at a glance
• Best overall: Dunelm Teddy Bear Throw – View on Dunelm
• Best fleece blanket: Bedsure Fleece Blanket Sofa Throw – View on Amazon UK
• Best wool blanket: The Tartan Blanket Co. Grey Ombre Check Tassel Wool Throw Blanket – View on Anthropologie
• Best cotton blanket: Raoul Basket Weave 100% Cotton Blanket – View on LaRedoute
When it comes to finding the perfect throw, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. We all have different needs and preferences when it comes to texture, warmth and style. Thick blanket or lightweight throw? Chunky wool or soft fleece? Patterned design or plain colour? You may also be thinking about getting an electric blanket for extra warmth or trying out a weighted throw to see if it helps you sleep better. There's a lot to think about, which is why we've included advice on how to choose the best blanket for your needs, as well as places to shop for them and how to wash them in our FAQs.
We've searched the web to find throws of various colours, materials and thicknesses to suit a wide variety of homes and personal preferences. Discover the best blankets to keep you warm and cosy in our list below.
Best blankets to keep you cosy and comfortable
Best overall
www.dunelm.com
With over 6,000 reviews, Dunelm's Teddy Bear Throw has been a firm favourite with customers for years, which is why it takes our top spot for the best blanket. Ultra soft with a shaggy texture, it's available in 17 different colours, as well as different sizes, so you can choose the one that is the closest match to other furnishings in your home in the size that best suits where you're going to use it.
Customer review: "Really love these throws. Have several in several sizes and colours. So useful, making armchairs more cosy in winter and providing an extra layer on beds in colder months. Good value and choice."
Pros
- Wide choice of colours
- Ultra soft
Cons
- Not flame retardant
| Material: | 100 per cent polyester |
| Sizes: | 130 x 170cm, 200cm x 200cm |
Best fleece blanket
A popular choice with Amazon customers, the Bedsure Fleece Blanket Sofa Throw is available in five different sizes and 24 different colours. Made using a premium microfibre, it's fluffy with ultra-cosy softness to provide you with the utmost comfort all year round. It may be warm and cosy, but that doesn't mean it's not lightweight and airy, too. This is a great option to have whenever you're ready to snuggle up.
Customer review: "These are the most comfortable blankets I have ever imagined! They are so light you can hardly feel them, and yet they keep me warm all night. I am so pleased that I found them!"
Pros
- Ultra-soft
- Choice of sizes and colours
Cons
- Some reviewers commented that the blankets lose a bit of softness every time they're washed
| Material: | Polyester microfibre |
| Sizes: | Single, Double, King, Queen, Baby size |
Bedsure/AmazonThis blanket is softer and warmer than ever with enhanced premium microfiber. It is also lightweight and airy. The blanket can also be machine washed between 30°C to 60°C, making it easy to clean and maintain. The fuzzy blanket features a classic stripe pattern that is timeless as well.
IR/AmazonThis blanket available in multiple colours has fluffy fabric that will keep you warm from both sides. The super soft silk touch flannel front and a plush thick fluffy Sherpa reverse offers you optimal comfort. The blanket is as lightweight as it is cosy.
Best wool blanket
www.anthropologie.com
Crafted of 100 per cent pure lambswool, this tassel throw by The Tartan Blanket Co. will be a cosy addition to your home. The fibres in lambswool are smoother, stronger and hold more elasticity than any other wool, so this blanket will feel lovely against your skin. Along with being a naturally insulating, breathable and hypoallergenic textile, it's beautifully soft, making it a great choice for using in blankets.
Pros
- Smooth, strong and soft
- 100 per cent lambswool
Cons
- As it's made with lambswool, it may not be suitable for vegans
| Material: | 100 per cent lambswool |
| Size: | 200 x 150cm |
Best cotton blanket
www.laredoute.co.uk
Whether you want to use this blanket to cover your sofas or fold it neatly on top of your bed, the Raoul Basket Weave 100% Cotton Blanket is perfect for the job. It's made from a basket weave material in Ecru, Grey blue, Bronze, Praline, Sand, Grey-green, Sienna, Green and Khaki colourways and all the colours are finished with a lovely black embroidered detailing around the edge. Made 100 per cent from cotton, it's a nice, breathable option.
Customer review: "I bought this throw for a very long sofa bed that is mostly used as a sofa in a family room. It's perfect- a great colour, and size; it adds brilliant style to the room and is robust enough for daily use by adults, children and the animals. Brilliant value for money."
Pros
- Choice of colours
- Made from 100 per cent breathable cotton
Cons
- Be sure to take care when cleaning it, as some reviewers have reported it shrinks in the wash
| Material: | 100 per cent cotton |
| Sizes: | 130 x 170cm, 180 x 230cm, 230 x 250cm |
Best waffle blanket throw
www.johnlewis.com
Next up, we've got this John Lewis Soft Chunky Waffle Throw. It's beautifully textured with a super chunky waffle finish that will make for a lovely throw to put over your bed or drape over the back of your sofas. Made from 50 per cent cotton and 50 per cent bamboo viscose, it's fairly lightweight but still warming.
Customer review: "As the weather has started to become colder this throw has been really nice to keep me warm while I watch TV on the sofa. I love the way the fabric feels, its very cosy and it's a very good size."
Pros
- Textured feel
Machine washable at 30 and tumble dried at a low temperature
Cons
- No Not the thickest
| Material: | 50 per cent bamboo viscose, 50 per cent cotton |
| Sizes: | 200 x 150cm |
Best mohair blanket throw
www.habitat.co.uk
Get ready for autumn with the Habitat Faux Mohair Stripe Throw. It's designed in a beautiful rainbow of autumnal colours to really get you in the mood for a change of seasons. It's oh-so-soft and lightweight, so it's ideal for draping over yourself on a cold evening in front of the telly so you can cocoon yourself in comfort.
Customer review: "Lovely colours looks good and feels so soft."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Mohair-style fringing
Cons
- Only one stripy colourway available
| Material: | 100 per cent acrylic |
| Sizes: | 125 x 150cm |
Best reversible blanket
With soft flannel on the top and a fluffy sherpa on the reverse, the Imperial Rooms Sherpa Fleece Blanket offers different levels of warmth from both sides. You'll feel nicely toasty and well-insulated with this lovely blanket wrapped around you, whether you're snuggled on the sofa or tucked up in bed. From deep teals to baby pinks, this blanket is available in 14 colours, so you'll definitely find one to match your décor.
Customer review: "This is the perfect blanket to stay nice and warm and it is really soft to cuddle up with. It was perfect over the winter with a hot water bottle. I really would recommend buying this product."
Pros
- Reversible
- Super warm
Cons
- Some reviewers expect it to be bigger
| Materials: | Polyester microfibre |
| Sizes: | 130 x 150cm, 150 x 200cm, 200 x 240cm |
Best cashmere-blend blanket throw
www.thewhitecompany.com
Fancy wrapping yourself up in something a little more luxurious? Consider this Luxury Wool Cashmere Throw from The White Company. Available in three colours, it has a lightweight design with a softly brushed finish, thanks to the wool and cashmere blend, making it blissfully soft and cosy. As it contains wool as well as cashmere, it boasts natural temperature-regulating benefits to help manage your body's core temperature.
Pros
- Blissfully soft
- Lightweight yet cosy
Cons
- Dry clean only
| Material: | 60 per cent wool, 20 per cent recycled wool, 20 per cent recycled cashmere |
| Size: | 200 x 140cm |
Best blanket throw made from recycled materials
www.dunelm.com
Looking for a blanket that is a bit kinder to the planet? You can sleep soundly wrapped under this Seriously Soft Recycled Throw, knowing it's made from recycled materials. Made from a premium-quality, ultra-soft fleece fabric, this blanket will be perfect for cocooning yourself during those chilly nights and lazy weekends. When it comes to giving it a quick refresh, just simply wash it on a gentle cycle with cold water and tumble dry on low heat.
Customer review: "Stunning colour, soft and sumptuous fabric and very large. It washes well and dries quickly."
Pros
- Soft
- Big size
Cons
- Only available in one size and two colours
| Material: | 100 per cent recycled polyester |
| Sizes: | 220 x 220cm |
Best faux fur blanket
Add a touch of elegance to your home décor with the BATTILO HOME Faux Fur Throw Blanket. You can drape it over your chair or sofa or lay it over your bed to add a stylish touch to your living room or bedroom. As well as looking good, it will also keep you feeling cosy as it's luxuriously soft and fluffy and will feel lovely against your skin while you're wrapped up in it.
Customer review: "I was apprehensive about buying this due to the cost (the size I bought was £65), but I needn't have worried. It's absolutely fantastic, and as I put in the title, it's luxurious and excellent quality. I use it as a throw over our sofa. It's comfortable to sit on and it doesn't shed fur. Really love this throw."
Pros
- Versatile usages
- Warm
Cons
- Dry clean/hand wash only
Where to buy the best blankets
Have none of our top picks taken your fancy? Here are some of our favourite places you can buy stylish and comfortable blankets from:
Dunelm throws and blankets
John Lewis & Partners throws, blankets and bedspreads
Habitat blankets and throws
M&S throws
The White Company throws
Anthropologie throw blankets (and cushions)
La Redoute blankets and throws
How do I choose the best blankets for my needs?
When picking the best blankets for your needs, there are a couple of things you'll want to consider to make sure you're choosing the right one for you.
Material
Blankets are made from many different materials that will provide varying levels of warmth. You may prefer the feel of certain materials over others, which can affect the overall cosy feel of your blanket. Here are some of the most popular blanket materials:
Cotton: Soft, breathable and versatile, which makes it suitable for year-round use.
Wool: Provides excellent warmth, ideal for those super chilly days.
Fleece: Soft and cosy, perfect for snuggling under during colder months.
Synthetic: Usually the most affordable option. Blankets made using synthetic materials are durable, but they may not be as breathable compared to blankets made with natural fibres.
Down: They're lightweight but very warm. You can use these on top of your bedding for extra warmth.
Warmth level
You'll want to choose a blanket with the ideal warmth level for the climate outside and your personal preferences. For example, if you're naturally a hot person, you probably won't want a super thick blanket compared to someone who always feels the cold. Also, a blanket that's used to keep you warm in the depths of winter will provide more warmth than a lightweight throw you may use to keep the chill off your arms and legs during a summer's evening.
You'll also want to think about where you're using your throw, as one used to keep you warm at home won't have as many insulating properties as one you'll use when you're out and about on a hike or camping, such as a thermal blanket.
You can usually buy blankets that fit into these three categories for warmth:
Lightweight: Lightweight blankets are perfect for summer or hot sleepers.
Medium-weight: Suitable for year-round use, not too lightweight but not too thick either.
Heavyweight: Ideal for providing extra warmth during the coldest times of the year.
Size
The overall size of the blanket you choose will all depend on where you're planning on using it. If you're after a blanket to cover your bed or share with a loved one, pick a large one. Need a throw to cover your legs or wrap around your arms? Look for a smaller one.
Style and design
Sometimes, the hardest part of choosing the best blankets for your home is finding ones that match the aesthetics and décor. You can opt for plain or patterned in the colour that best matches the style of your interior or the bed or sofa you're planning on using the throw on.
How do you wash a blanket?
Giving your blankets the proper care will ensure you get the most out of them for years to come. That includes regularly giving them a wash when they start to feel and smell not-so-fresh. However, not all throws are suitable for machine washing and are dry clean only, so you should always check the care label for washing guidance, including the correct temperature and whether they're suitable for tumble drying.
Washing
Most blankets are best washed on their own so the drum size of your washing machine should be more than capable of taking the load of a single blanket, no matter the overall size or thickness. Cold or cool water is often the safest temperature to wash a throw on to avoid shrinkage, and you should wash it on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent to prevent damage and harsh chemicals.
Drying
The hardest part of washing a blanket is getting it dry afterwards. If it doesn't dry properly, it'll end up having an unpleasant damp smell, which won't be nice to cuddle up to. You should hang your throw up on a washing line outside or use a laundry airer indoors to let your blanket air dry until all the moisture is gone. Some blankets may be suitable for tumble drying, which will not only get it dry more quickly but fluff your throw back up. Just be careful not to leave it in too long as it could overheat.
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.