The 5 Best Baby Blankets, Tested and Reviewed

Mar. 15, 2025

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In This Article

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Our Top Picks

Reviews

Behind the Scenes

FAQ

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What Is People Tested?

Photo:People / Jessica Juliao

People / Jessica Juliao

A Word of Caution

Best Overall:

SALE

Best Knit:

Best Versatility:

Best Bamboo:

Best for Nursing:aden + anais Dream Blanket at Amazon$60Jump to Review

Best for Nursing:aden + anais Dream Blanket at Amazon$60

Best for Nursing:

Best Overall

PHOTO: Amazon

$25$15 at Amazon$14 at Walmart

Star QualitiesIncredibly soft materialGreat price for a blanket that’s built to lastRed FlagsCouldn’t find an

Star QualitiesIncredibly soft materialGreat price for a blanket that’s built to last

Incredibly soft material

Great price for a blanket that’s built to last

Red FlagsCouldn’t find an

Couldn’t find an

We found this quilted cotton blanket to be very soft — almost like sweatshirt material. Our tester’s infant child liked to grab the edge and “gum” it, and enjoyed holding it in his hands and playfully scrunching it up.

Though we had some concerns that the material would become rougher when washed, the opposite proved to be true — in fact, the material actually got softer after laundering. While we did follow the instructions exactly (machine-wash cold, gentle cycle, tumble-dry at a low temperature), we also expect the blanket to hold up if you wash it the way most new parents would: in a large load of laundry without fussing over settings.

And the price is the icing on the cake — around $15 for a blanket you’re sure to use for years to come is an excellent value in our book.

Size:30 x 40 inches |Colors:10 |Material:Cotton jersey

Best Knit

$39 at Amazon

High-end look and feel

Breathable material

Red FlagsNot as soft as chenille if that’s your preferred blanket fabric

Not as soft as chenille if that’s your preferred blanket fabric

While the blanket did wash well in testing, it’s worth noting that the care label says to reshape and lay flat to dry — not the most realistic chore for a new parent. However, one of our testers did not have a drying rack accessible so she draped the blanket over a laundry basket to dry, “and it seemed to retain its shape just fine!”

Size:30 x 40 inches |Colors:6 |Material:100% organic cotton

PEOPLE / Jessica Juliao

Best Versatility

$27 at Amazon$27 at Target

Star QualitiesExtremely softAffordable and versatileWashes wellRed FlagsA bit of an odd size

Star QualitiesExtremely softAffordable and versatileWashes well

Extremely soft

Affordable and versatile

Washes well

Red FlagsA bit of an odd size

A bit of an odd size

Overall, this blanket is well-made, soft, not too heavy, and durable. The quality of the blanket remained in tact after washing, too.

Size:30 x 40 inches |Colors:10 |Material:100% organic jersey shell, 100% polyester fill

Best Bamboo

PHOTO: Maisonette

View on Maisonette.com

Star QualitiesSoft, stretchy material without bulkWashes well

Soft, stretchy material without bulk

For this chic printed bamboo blanket, one of our testers used it with her 6-month-old daughter while she was in her stroller. “She was happy to be wrapped in this blanket,” says the tester. “At no point did she look uncomfortable and kick it off.”

The material is interesting — almost like a stretchy T-shirt — albeit very soft with a nice weight that doesn’t feel too heavy or bulky. After multiple washes, it remained soft and stretchy with no pilling. Additionally, we found this blanket to be very easy to layer under a footmuff, in a car seat, or a stroller.

While we did consider the price to be on the higher end of the spectrum for what you get, it’s overall very durable and high-quality.

Colors:1 |Material:Bamboo

Best for Nursingaden + anais Dream BlanketPHOTO: Amazon$60 at Amazon$60 at NordstromView on Adenandanais.comStar QualitiesBreathable cotton material that’s still being fluffyWashes wellRed FlagsNatural material is not as soft to the touch as some polyester blanketsKind of expensiveHere’s another blanket that’s a good choice for laying on the floor for tummy time or playtime. The two layers of cotton muslin also make it a great choice for nursing as the material is cozy but breathable.However, it’s not as soft to the touch as other blankets made out of synthetic materials, like polyester, but we like that the cotton is breathable while still being somewhat heavier in weight. (This blanket is substantially thicker than the very popular aden + anais swaddle blankets, which are also a great choice for draping over a shoulder while nursing.)Finally, this blanket washed well, looking just as good as it did when we first received it.Size:47.24 x 47.24 inches |Colors:22 |Material:100% cotton muslinPEOPLE / Jessica Juliao

Best for Nursingaden + anais Dream BlanketPHOTO: Amazon$60 at Amazon$60 at NordstromView on Adenandanais.com

Best for Nursingaden + anais Dream Blanket

Best for Nursing

aden + anais Dream Blanket

$60 at Amazon$60 at NordstromView on Adenandanais.com

Star QualitiesBreathable cotton material that’s still being fluffyWashes wellRed FlagsNatural material is not as soft to the touch as some polyester blanketsKind of expensive

Star QualitiesBreathable cotton material that’s still being fluffyWashes well

Breathable cotton material that’s still being fluffy

Red FlagsNatural material is not as soft to the touch as some polyester blanketsKind of expensive

Natural material is not as soft to the touch as some polyester blankets

Kind of expensive

Here’s another blanket that’s a good choice for laying on the floor for tummy time or playtime. The two layers of cotton muslin also make it a great choice for nursing as the material is cozy but breathable.

However, it’s not as soft to the touch as other blankets made out of synthetic materials, like polyester, but we like that the cotton is breathable while still being somewhat heavier in weight. (This blanket is substantially thicker than the very popular aden + anais swaddle blankets, which are also a great choice for draping over a shoulder while nursing.)

Finally, this blanket washed well, looking just as good as it did when we first received it.

Size:47.24 x 47.24 inches |Colors:22 |Material:100% cotton muslin

Materials

Safety

Babies under a year old should not use a blanket in their crib, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. When you are using a blanket with your little one, regardless of their age, consider the added elements that could pose potential danger. “You’ll want to make sure that your little one’s blanket is free of any would-be choking or strangulation hazards, like loose ribbons or buttons,” says Dr. Karp.

Pricing

Our winners came in a range of price points. 100-percent organic cotton tends to raise the price point, as does the larger size of some blankets. If those are priorities for you or for your gift-giving, be prepared to spend more. Our picks for the best splurge, knit, and nursing blankets are all 100-percent organic cotton.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adds content creator and mother of three, Ariana Christie, “The limit does NOT exist! Before our babies were born, I thought, ‘We must have way too many blankets!’ (we had an entire drawer full), but I quickly realized that you can never have enough blankets. Between using them for spit up, clean up, comfort, nursing, and swaddling, you can never have enough!”

Adds Christie of her own babies, “it was important tolearn to swaddle properlyfor safety. The nurses at the hospital taught us how to properly swaddle and we got it down to an art! Having a good quality blanket with a little bit of stretch is my favorite to swaddle with.”

Our Expert Panel

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com