Weighted blankets are excellent for people who find it hard to fall asleep at night. They essentially mimic a massage (deep touch pressure) which releases serotonin, a feel-good hormone that promotes sleep and relaxation.
With so many weighted blankets out there, it can be hard to choose one. When it comes down to choosing between cotton or bamboo weighted blankets, the choice is even tougher.
In this post, I have compared bamboo vs cotton weighted blankets based on comfort, cooling ability, sustainability, and price.
Keep in mind that all of these factors can also be impacted by the filling and the weight of the blanket as well.
So, keeping all other factors constant, let’s look at the better choice between cotton and a bamboo weighted blanket. Finally, I have also suggested two of my favorite picks, one for each category for you to consider.
Bamboo Vs Cotton Weighted Blanket: Factors To Look Out For
1. Comfort
It is well-known that 100 percent cotton-weighted blankets feel soft and silky on the skin and seem like the best choice if you’re looking for comfort. On the other hand, you may think that a bamboo weighted blanket would feel rough and scratchy, but this is not the case.
Bamboo weighted blankets are made from bamboo viscose or lyocell, which are materials that feel the same as 100 percent cotton. So, both bamboo and cotton weighted blanket are equally comfortable.
Another good thing about bamboo fabric is that they are anti-static, which means they do not stick to the skin and feel comfortable.
Verdict: Both cotton and bamboo weighted blanket are equally comfortable to use and you can choose any one among them.
2. Eco-Friendliness
Cotton or Bamboo weighted blankets are both biodegradable materials made from plants. And even though you might think both have equal standing in terms of eco-friendliness, let me tell you why bamboo is better if sustainability matters to you?
Cotton is biodegradable, no doubt about that, but it takes a lot to grow cotton. Cotton farming utilizes high levels of pesticides and water. It can take around 3 000 gallons or over 11 000 liters to make one t-shirt. You can only imagine how much it would take to make a blanket.
While bamboo takes up only one-third of the water required by cotton. So, when it comes to eco-friendliness, bamboo is the better choice for sure. However, if you prefer cotton weighted blankets then go for the ones made from organic cotton because it is way more sustainable than regular cotton fabric.
Verdict: Bamboo is more sustainable than regular cotton fabric, no doubt. However, when it comes to the organic cotton fabric it is equally sustainable and vegan as the bamboo fabric for making the best eco-friendly weighted blankets.
3. Breathability
Cotton is a breathable material and feels cool on the skin. However, this does not last long when the temperature is hot. The moisture and sweat get trapped in the micropores of the fabric and cannot escape.
On the other hand, bamboo is 40 percent more absorbent than cotton due to its natural moisture-absorbing properties.
This makes it more breathable than cotton and will keep moisture away from the skin much better. Thus, this makes bamboo cooler than cotton.
One thing that must be pointed out here is that the filling inside will also have an impact on the temperature, where micro glass beads are the best choice for cooling weighted blankets.
Verdict: Bamboo is more breathable than cotton fabric. However, the coolness of a weighted blanket also depends on the fillings inside and not just the shell material. For example, an organic cotton weighted blanket with glass beads filling is more breathable than a bamboo weighted blanket with plastic pellets.
4. Price
Cotton is a classic fabric and quite popularly used in weighted blankets. A weighted blanket with a shell made from a cotton-polyester blend is more cost-effective.
Typically, bamboo fabric is more expensive than cotton. However, high-quality cotton i.e organic cotton with the same number of threads will cost the same. Both the materials are long-lasting, so they are a good investment.
However, keep in mind that the cost of a weighted blanket depends not only on the fabric it is made of. Things like filling and its size also factor in.
Verdict: Regular cotton is generally cheaper to produce than bamboo fabric. However, if you go for weighted blankets that are made of organic cotton then you may have to pay equal and even more than what you would pay for a bamboo weighted blanket.
Bamboo And Cotton Weighted Blanket: Top Picks
YNM Bamboo Weighted Blanket: Affordable Non-Toxic Weighted Blanket
One of the best sellers on Amazon, the YNM weighted bamboo blanket is one of the best-weighted blankets you can get for under $100.
The blanket is made from 100 percent bamboo viscose face fabric. This makes it eco-friendly, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial. You can buy this blanket in all sizes and choose from 20 colors and textures to suit your preferences.
Its 4.7 X 4.7 inches compartments ensure uniform weight distribution. The three-dimensional lock bead design also ensures that the beads do not move from one compartment to another.
The blanket easily confines the body with its 7-layer stitching design, which simulates a hug, relieving stress. The blanket has been rated more than seven thousand times, with an average rating of 4.6 on Amazon.
The blanket is filled with glass beads known for their low heat-absorbing capabilities. This means that the blanket is an excellent choice for hot sleepers. However, the temperature regulation of bamboo makes it excellent for all weather conditions.
Baloo Living Cotton Weighted Blanket: For Hot Sleepers
The Baloo living weighted blanket is made from 100% organic cotton with a filling of eighty perfect glass beads and twenty percent cotton batting.
Glass microbeads can shift in a weighted blanket, causing lumps and uneven weight distribution; however, the Baloo living cotton weighted blanket comes with double-stitched pockets to provide even weight distribution. Also, the blanket is highly durable, so the beads won’t leak even if you use it every night.
According to the Sleep Foundation, a weighted blanket should not weigh more than ten percent of your body weight. You can get this blanket in several sizes and weight categories.
For example, you can get a light throw blanket weighing 12 pounds, a queen-sized blanket weighing 15-20 pounds, and a king-size blanket weighing 25 pounds.
Weighted blankets can retain much heat; however, the Baloo living blanket is made to be used in all seasons.
The cotton is breathable, while micro glass beads have low heat absorption. This makes it perfect for hot sleepers. Also, lab testing by the Sleep Foundation found that the heat could flow through the blanket well. This makes it an ideal all-season weighted blanket.
The blanket justifies its price well with a durable design, excellent temperature control, quality filling & shell, and a variety of sizes and weights. It is an excellent option for an all-weather weighted blanket.
Recommended: Baloo Living Cotton Weighted Blanket In-Depth Review
Conclusion
Both bamboo and cotton weighted blankets are equally good and you can opt for anyone among them. If you are looking for a sustainable and eco-friendly option then I will prefer you check out bamboo and organic cotton weighted blankets, don’t go for regular cotton weighted blankets because they are not 100% eco-friendly. However, if your budget is less then you can prefer regular cotton weighted blankets as they are still better than the cheap synthetic weighted blankets.