What is the difference between a weighted blanket and a wool duvet?

We are often asked this question by customers, who are looking for something that has a cosy and cocooning effect when tucked up in bed. As there are quite a few differences between the two, we thought it would be helpful to list these below.

What is a weighted blanket?

These are blankets that come with a ‘weighted’ filling, usually made from discs, polyester beads or glass pellets but can also contain a material filling or down. These blankets tend to offer a range of weights, from 2.5 kilograms up to approximately 13.5 kilograms.  Doctors and therapists were the main purveyors of this product to adults and children to help ease psychological and behavioural disorders. The weights inside the blanket shift within the blanket to occupy the sides around the bed, creating a ‘pull’ pressure, said to create a feeling of being hugged and therefore safe, reducing anxiety for sleepers.

What are the benefits of a weighted blanket?

• Claimed to induce a greater mood for sleep, due to the ‘hug’ effect.
• May aid people with physiological sensory disorders that struggle to sleep, because the blanket produces a stable pressure.
• May reduce depression as the ‘hug’ effect helps people to relax, which then induces the creation of the feel-good hormone, Oxytocin.
• An alternative solution to pills and/or other medications as way to combat sleep disorders*.

Are there any disadvantages to a weighted blanket?

The key disadvantages are that a weighted blanket is not temperature regulating and as they generally tend to contain a large element of synthetic materials, they can make you feel rather hot, which isn’t ideal for those prefer a regulated sleep environment. You might also find the blanket too heavy, so rather than feeling hugged, you might feel restricted. In terms of the materials used, synthetic fibres and fillings are not sustainable nor are they eco-friendly as they are not biodegradable. Weighted blankets are not resistant to dust mites and aren’t washable, therefore not ideal for those who suffer from dust mite allergies and associated issues. It is also often quite difficult to find the bigger weighted blankets needed for larger beds.

What is a wool duvet?

In the most basic terms, this is a duvet that has a wool filling, instead of synthetic, hollowfibre, feather or down filling. However, as the saying goes ‘no two makes of wool duvets are equal’! So, to keep things simple and clear, we will use our individually handcrafted 100% British wool duvets for comparing with a weighted blanket.

Our wool duvets are made using certified, fully traceable 100% British sheep’s wool, which we encase in a high quality, 260 thread count cotton. We do not use chemicals to clean our wool, which is then needled to our strict specifications to create soft layers of wool. These layers are encased in a high quality, 260 thread count cotton fabric, that’s woven to our strict specification with cotton fibres certified by Better Cotton, a global initiative that supports eco-friendly cotton growing practices. Each duvet is individually handcrafted in our Devon workshops, step by step - and to our design, which includes special stitching to create an optimal ‘drape’ that feels cosy, comfy and cossetting. It does not require the addition of weights to provide a feeling of being gently hugged.

Our wool duvets are natural, sustainable and eco-friendly and we offer three options: lightweight, medium weight and extra warm winter weight, and in a range of sizes from single to emperor.

What are the benefits of a Devon Duvets wool duvet?

• Individually handcrafted in Devon, to ensure the highest quality standards are maintained.
• Breathable, moisture wicking and temperature regulating, working with your core body temperature to help keep it balanced through the night.
• Naturally resistant to dust mites and the build-up of micro bacteria – more hygienic.
• Provides relief from allergies.
• Provides a comforting cocooning sleep environment, without being overly heavy, and will induce the feel-good hormone, Oxytocin.
• The special design we created over 15 years ago ensures our duvets have a wonderful and consistent drape throughout your sleep.
• A holistic alternative to pills and/or other medications used to combat sleep issues*.
• 100% British made product, using natural and sustainable fillings and casing - will biodegrade harmlessly when the time comes to replace it.
• Eco-friendly and chemical-free, so better for you and the planet.
• Naturally fire retardant.
• Regular airing is enough to keep the wool nice and fresh but if a deeper clean is required, then can be machine washed, following the instructions provided.
• Perfect for sharing – your partner may not want to sleep under a weighted blanket and this option will provide the hug feeling, without being too heavy.

Are there any disadvantages to a wool duvet?

Other than a bit of extra care needed for washing, we can’t think of any!

If you have any questions about our products or would like to discuss which wool duvet might be the best option for you, then please do get in touch with the team by calling 01752 345399 or via email.

*Always consult with your doctor or medial expert if you have been prescribed medication.