There’s nothing like sinking under warm covers on a cold day or sitting on the couch with thick socks and hot cup of cocoa, shoulders wrapped in a blanket. And when it comes to comfort and warmth, wool blankets are the ones to beat.
Take a look at some of the best wool blankets on the market in 2020 and why you need one in your home.
Buying Guide: How to choose the best wool blanket
- Blanket Type – There are several types of blankets on the market. Think of where you’ll be using your wool blanket. Coverlets are a thin mattress cover that can serve as an accent. A throw is good for couches and beds.
- Wool Type – Pay attention to how much wool the blanket is made of because it’s the main factor in longevity and performance. The higher the wool fiber percentage, the better. Whatever your wool source is (sheep, lambswool, goats, etc.), have as little synthetic material as possible. Look for a label that says natural fibers. Recycled (repurposed) and virgin (non-recycled) wool are good picks.
- Size – The size of the blanket matters especially if you’re using it on your bed. The extra fabric that drapes over the sides of the bed looks aesthetically pleasing.
- Weight – As for weight, if you want a warm blanket, be aware that more weight does not necessarily mean more warmth. Look at the wool composition and weave type to determine a blanket’s warmth.
- Maintenance – All the good qualities of wool come with a downside and that’s the tedious upkeep. The most common forms of cleaning wool blankets include dry cleaning, spot cleaning, and hand washing. It’s a fragile fiber that mostly keeps itself clean and doesn’t need to be agitated. If you really want a deep clean, there are machine washable and dryer-friendly wool blankets available.
- Cost – Lastly, there’s the price tag. To be quite frank, a good quality wool blanket will have a high price tag because it’s made mostly of natural wool fibers. Cashmere and merino prices will make you do a double-take, for sure. However, if you want wool at an affordable price, there are options for you but watch out for the compromises made in its manufacturing.
The 5 Best Wool Blankets to Keep You Warm
EKTOS 90% Wool Blanket
This unassuming wool blanket by Ektos is 4 pounds of cozy. The main draw is the 90% wool composition. Keeping both the synthetic percentage and the price low is the cherry on top of a simple sheet.
Though it’s no-frills, its facade hides the toughness within. The Ektos 90% Wool Blanket is loom-woven, making it more durable and less likely to fade. The overlock stitching on the sides keeps the fibers from fraying. The heavy-duty blanket has a rugged design, meaning it’s sturdy enough to weather the great outdoors if needed.
Its dimensions are 66×90 inches. The blanket is 0.13 inches thick. Wool doesn’t need thickness to give off superior insulation and this blanket is proof. It will keep you warm even in the presence of moisture. It regulates temperature while wicking away dampness.
This India-made blanket is mildew and static-resistant. It also resists fires naturally and contains zero fire retardants which have adverse effects on health. Because the blanket is free of flame retardants, it’s safe to use, especially for children.
The wool blanket can be washed like a regular blanket. Just follow the company’s instructions (machine wash cold and tumble dry on low heat).
It’s available in different colors. You can choose from olive green and midnight grey. The neutral colors make it easy to mix and match with pillows and sheets.
This is better than surplus military wool and is the best blanket for camping, boating, backpacking, and other outdoor activities. It’s an excellent blanket to store in your emergency kit.
The blanket has a strong smell when new but a good machine washing and airing out will get rid of it.
Pros
- Made of 90% wool that will keep you warm
- Affordable
- Has durable stitching
- Mildew, static, and fire-resistant with no fire retardants
- Can be machine washed
- Excellent for outdoor activities
Cons
- Has a strong odor
Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co. | Extra Large Merino Wool Camp Blanket
If you want a blanket made of merino wool in your rotation, try this one by Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co.
It’s a wool blanket made of 80% premium virgin merino wool fiber. Not only is it warm, but it’s also a soft type of wool. The kind of merino used here is a long staple with tight spinning. This means no poking or itching.
Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co. uses virgin wool blended with a blend of nylon and cotton. They don’t repurpose wool. The additional fibers make the blanket last longer.
The inconspicuous diagonal texture hides stains well. Blankets under the Explorer collection have a milled finish which means it has interfiber felting and fabric consolidation. The blankets end up thicker and denser, withstanding even the toughest conditions. This is good for heavy-duty use.
The blanket edges have a double-stitched overseam using polyester thread. Combined with the classic thick yarn whipstitch on all sides, you can be assured the blanket is built like a tank.
The 4-pound wool blanket is 66×90 inches which can comfortably shelter two people. It will keep you warm in vans, when hiking, backpacking, or just lounging at home.
The blanket can be dry cleaned or spot cleaned only because machine washing will shrink the fibers. Wool is self-cleaning so the blanket won’t get too dirty.
A caveat with this wool blanket is its thinness which could affect the insulation. It’s an outdoor blanket so it’s also not specifically designed for bed use. Some users have noted it’s not as soft as higher-end merino wool. For those on a budget, however, this is a good intro to wool blankets.
Pros
- The blanket is made of premium virgin merino wool that gives soft insulation
- Hides stains well
- Durable wool blanket with strong stitching
- Is extra large and good for 2 people
- Great for outdoor use
Cons
- A thin wool blanket not suited for cold winters outside
- This wool blanket is not as soft as more expensive merino wool blankets
Ever Ready First Aid Olive Wool Blanket
A military wool blanket proves wool doesn’t have to be expensive.
Though this blanket by Ever Ready First Aid is advertised for outdoor use, it’s great as a throw blanket and home use blanket. That’s because it’s made of 80% wool. It’s perfect for warming you up on cold nights. It’s great when sleeping outdoors in a tent. It won’t catch flame easily when used in front of a campfire because wool is naturally fire-resistant. This military wool blanket is fireplace-friendly, too.
The high wool composition makes this an especially comfortable blanket to sleep with. Because of its low synthetic content, it will be breathable and moisture-wicking like 100 percent wool blankets.
The 66″x90″ size will cover one person comfortably and can fit two people. It’s over 7 feet long so tall people won’t have to curl up to squeeze into the covers. The whole family can share this on the couch. Friends can use this for sporting events. You can use it as an emergency blanket for your kit or as an impromptu picnic mat.
The blanket comes in an olive green color. It’s neutral and will hide stains well.
At just under 4 pounds, this is a fairly heavy blanket–great for pressure relief.
Thankfully, you don’t need to dry clean it. It’s safe to wash the wool blanket in the machine.
Like some wool blankets, this comes with a smell fresh out of the package, but nothing a good washing can’t take care of.
Pros
- An affordable military wool blanket
- Has high wool percentage
- Has the insulating properties of high-quality wool
- Can be used in front of open flames
- Breathable and soft
- Has a large size
- The olive green color hides stains well
- Machine washable
Cons
- Has a smell when you open it
Pendleton, Eco-Wise Washable Wool Blanket
When you want to invest in a 100 percent wool blanket, most people will point you to Pendleton Eco-Wise and it’s easy to see why.
Pendleton is a 150-year old company that has made a name for itself producing high-quality wool products. The Eco-Wise Washable Wool Blanket is a sustainably sourced blanket made of 100 percent virgin wool. That means wool that’s never been repurposed or recycled for other products. You’ll get fibers that don’t fray and a blanket that will not rip or tear easily.
Pendleton wool blankets are sustainable because they’re made from sheep living on farms with environmentally-friendly practices. The company uses natural dyes to lessen water pollution. Because it’s made from pure virgin wool, the soft coziness of the blanket is unparalleled. You get all the benefits of unadulterated wool fibers.
The wool blanket can even be washed so there’s less fuss in cleaning it. In fact, it is recommended not to dry clean it. It gets softer with every wash.
This blanket is one of the best wool blankets for home use. You can use it as a throw blanket for the couch. You can also place it on the bed. Because it comes in multiple sizes, you’ll get a good fit. There are a plethora of colors and patterns to pick from.
The biggest disadvantage to the Pendleton Wool Blanket is the price. If you decide to choose it, know that your money will go to sustainable practices and a reduced carbon footprint. Plus, you get a hotel-worthy wool blanket for winters and cool nights.
Pros
- The blanket is made of 100 percent virgin wool
- Sustainably produced
- Warm and cozy
- Can be machine washed
- High-quality wool blanket for use as a throw or bed blanket
- Comes in several colors and sizes
Cons
- More expensive than other wool blankets on the list
URBANARA 100% Pure Scandinavian Wool
If you want a wool blanket that looks as good as it feels, this is the best blanket for you.
When buying a blanket you’re intending to use as a throw, go for a print that sparks joy. With the multiple colorways available, the Urbanara Gotland Wool Throw gives you several options to decorate your home with. The patterns are timeless and chic.
The wool blanket is made from pure Scandinavian Gotland wool. The fibers are undyed and unrecycled. The wool is sourced from Gotland sheep which grow lustrous, soft locks with a fine micron count, making for dense and sturdy fabric. The blanket has a twill weave construction with tasseled fringes.
It’s amazing for creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in your home. You’ll look forward to the curling up with this blanket. It’s luxurious and very warm.
You’ll have enough fabric to cover a couch or even a twin size bed. The European-made blanket comes in 3 dimensions. The largest one can cover 87″ x 102″ of space.
To maintain the condition of the blanket, it’s recommended that you dry clean it. But it’s also machine washable if you prefer, just remember to wash it gently.
This is a thin, lightweight blanket so it’s not a heavy-duty blanket for outdoor use. If you’re looking for an aesthetically-pleasing and high-quality wool throw blanket, though, the Urbanara Gotland Blanket is one of the best wool blankets for you.
Pros
- A wool throw blanket with different colors and patterns
- Made from pure, undyed Scandinavian wool
- Has a unique design and is well constructed
- Feels cozy and luxurious
- Comes in multiple sizes; big enough to cover your bed
- You can dry clean or machine wash the blanket
Cons
- Not a good outdoors blanket
What are the advantages/benefits of a wool blanket?
Wool is a sturdy textile that has been used for ages.
The first wool is said to have been made in 1500 BCE. Roman legionnaires even used wool as breastplates. Now, wool is used to fortify Kevlar, increasing its bullet resistance.
Wool is a strong and elastic fiber. It can bend more than 20,000 times before it snaps. For comparison, cotton can only bend 3,000 times. Wool returns to its original size after stretching.
Wool is a moisture-wicking fabric.
Wool, on the outside, can repel water. Inside, it can absorb water up to 30% of its weight. This moisture is eventually released by wool and evaporates. This is great for blankets because it holds moisture without that soggy feeling.
Wool is flame-resistant.
Wool is less likely to catch fire compared to cotton. This is due to the moisture and nitrogen in its fibers. Wool needs higher temperatures before it can ignite and even when it burns, it extinguishes naturally.
It won’t release as many toxic fumes into the air as natural fibers either. This is why wool is the de facto fabric choice used by firemen and the army.
Wool is antibacterial and doesn’t need frequent washing.
Wool is a self-sustaining antibacterial fabric. It deters bacteria from growing on it because it contains lanolin, a fatty secretion that protects sheep from infection. Lanolin is an antibacterial substance that can often be removed through the processing wool.
Even when lanolin is removed, the breathability and moisture-wicking properties of wool make it less hospitable to bacteria and foul odors.
On top of that, wool is a low-maintenance fabric. In fact, you can even call it no maintenance because the less you wash it, the better. Wool is resilient and only needs airing out and spot cleaning. If you must submerge it in water, do it gently. There are some wool blankets on the market that are washable, too.
Wool is breathable and insulating.
Wool can keep you warm and yet, also cool.
I’ll explain. Even with thin wool blankets, you can get good insulation, forming a barrier between the coldness of winter and the toasty cocoon inside the blanket. Wool is better at insulation compared to other natural fabrics like cotton or linen.
Wool also removes humidity when you wrap the blanket around you. Its natural breathability wicks away sweat if you get too hot and releases it into the air. In effect, you stay comfortable, not sticky.
This makes wool blankets ideal for both hot and cool sleepers, minimizing tossing, turning, and waking up in the middle of the night.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Are wool blankets the warmest?
Wool is a textile made from sheep, goats, and other animals. Because of their natural source, wool blankets are some of the coziest materials around. There are many types of wool and the quality may vary. This is why it’s important to shop around and compare options before buying.
Are wool blankets soft?
Wool blankets can definitely be soft. In fact, the softest fabric in the world is a type of wool from vicuna, the Peruvian national animal. Cashmere is the close relative of vicuna and more common. Merino is a popular form of wool made from sheep that are used in clothing.
Wool is graded using microns. The finer the wool, the softer the fabric is.
What kind of blanket is best for winter?
The best winter blankets give superior insulation and comfort. The best heat retentive blankets are made from thermal fabrics. These include fleece, flannel, and wool. Wool blankets are particularly good as bed blankets because they regulate temperature and wick moisture, so you sleep deeply.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve discussed the amazing woolen blankets currently on the market, it’s time to crown the best wool blanket of the bunch. The best wool blanket for me might not be the best in your book because these things boil down to personal preference.
While I appreciate military wool blankets for their sturdiness, I prefer to use my wool blanket indoors. A pure wool composition is what I’m after, as well as eye-catching patterns. It’s easy to pick the Urbanara 100% Pure Scandinavian Wool. The blankets look stylish but more importantly, it’s composed of pure, undyed wool from Gotland sheep. This one will keep you warm even through freezing nights. You also have the option to either dry clean or machine wash it. It’s lightweight with sizes big enough for the bed. It makes an excellent, lightweight throw blanket, too. All that for a price that won’t break the bank.
