Studies show that weighted blankets can help reduce anxiety. While it might be a good choice if you’re lounging on your couch or bed, it’s not the easiest item to move. This is where weighted plush toys come in. They’re lighter, more portable, and cuter. The best part? They have similar calming effects and are a good choice for children, although anyone can use them, said Lynelle Schneeberg, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine.
I spoke with experts to find out what you should know about weighted stuffed animals, including what research actually says about the benefits and what you need to know before buying. I’ve also rounded up some highly-rated options to buy for yourself or a loved one, some of which have been tested by NBC Selected staff.
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The best weighted stuffed animals
The weighted stuffed animals below come in a variety of styles, so if you’re looking for something specific, such as a certain color or animal, check out each brand’s website. To create this list, I looked to recommendations from NBC Selected editors, as well as highly rated options that meet the criteria provided by our experts.
Editor’s Picks
NBC Selected editorial operations assistant Jem Alabi said the Hugz weighted stuffed animal has become her emotional support toy. “I love holding her on my hip when I’m walking around and wrapping her around me when I’m working at my desk,” she says (the brand sent her samples to test). “I find her weight and softness help keep me grounded and make it easier for me to focus. The office can be cold, so I like to pop her in the microwave for a few seconds to warm her up. When summer comes, I can’t wait to pop her in the freezer for a while and snuggle up next to her while I sleep, keeping me as cool as my pajamas.” Arabi says the Highland Cow comes out of the box for a while and snuggles up next to her at bedtime, allowing me to remove the lint rollers like pajamas. She comes in the standard size weighted stuffed cow, which weighs 3.8 pounds and stands 10 inches tall, but if you want something smaller, Hugz makes a mini version that weighs 2.2 pounds and stands 8 inches tall.
Best for kids of all ages
Warmies is one of the most popular brands of weighted stuffed animals, offering dozens of different sizes, weights, styles and personalities of weighted stuffed animals. For example, Warmis has weighted elephants, frogs, cats, and more. The brand also offers a junior collection, which includes smaller stuffed animals that may be a good choice for younger children. The brand says each stuffed animal is filled with flax seeds and dried lavender to promote relaxation. You can also put them in the microwave and refrigerator.
NBC Selected business editor Betany Heitman bought her 4-year-old daughter a Warmie’s Junior Rainbow Dinosaur to use at bedtime. “If my daughter is having a hard time settling down at night, I’ll put this dinosaur – which she named Sparkles – in the microwave for a few minutes,” Heitman said. “Then she snuggled with it while we told stories and she calmed down almost immediately.”
Best machine washable
Hugimals’ weighted plush toy has a removable bag of non-toxic glass beads that give it weight. You can easily remove the bag and machine wash the plush cover when needed. In addition to Darby Bear, Hugimals also sells other weighted stuffed animals such as Charlie the puppy, Frankie the cat and Harper the pig. They also have a new option called the Hugaround, which has long, heavy arms that you can wrap around you to mimic the feeling of a hug. The brand sent me the Koala for testing, and I was impressed with its overall construction. It’s soft enough to feel comfortable but sturdy enough to sit on its own. The fabric exterior is also soft and comfortable against my skin. Weighing in at 4.5 pounds, I felt a slight pressure on my legs when I placed the weighted stuffed animal on my legs, but the kids were still able to carry it easily.
The best heavy duty stuffed animals
This pink salamander distributes its weight across six zones, so it provides even pressure no matter how you hug or snuggle it. According to the brand, the stuffed animal is filled with glass beads and makes no sound when it moves. Due to the heavy weight, it may not be suitable for children.
Best Budget Weighted Stuffed Animals
This weighted plush turtle weighs 4.5 pounds and is filled with tiny beads. The brand also makes a one-pound version for small animals, which is a great option for toddlers and larger animals up to five pounds. According to the brand, the animals are machine washable and left to dry outside in the sun.
Best Weighted Stuffed Animal Alternatives
Does it feel silly to snuggle up with a stuffed animal? Bearaby’s Hugget—winner of the NBC Select Health Award—offers a great option. I own one and hug it every time I lay on the couch, and I keep it in my living room because its knotted design doubles as home decor. This weighted pillow is made from Melofoam, a plant-based material, and covered with organic cotton fabric. Bearaby’s Huggets is also accredited by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). It’s also available in two sizes – medium or large.
What are the health benefits of weighted stuffed toys?
Similar to weighted blankets, research shows that the benefits of weighted stuffed animals center on what’s called deep pressure therapy, which involves applying gentle pressure to the body to create a feeling of safety, comfort, and calm. “They all provide pressure, just like a hug, a massage or a swaddle,” Schneeberg said. Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, says that while people anecdotally say weighted blankets and weighted stuffed animals can reduce their anxiety or stress and help them fall asleep, there’s no solid research to support one or the other. With this in mind, the best way to know if a weighted stuffed animal is right for you is to try one.
How to Buy Weighted Stuffed Animals
If you want to invest in a weighted stuffed animal, consider the following criteria when shopping:
- weight: Most weighted stuffed animals weigh between 1 and 5 pounds. If you are purchasing a stuffed animal for yourself or another adult, make your choice based on your personal preferences. However, if you’re shopping for a child, you’ll want to choose a weight they can lift easily, Schneeberg says.
- Fabric type: Dimitriu says the whole point of a weighted stuffed animal is to cuddle, so look for options made from fabrics that are soft and non-irritating to the skin. The material should also be breathable so it doesn’t keep you too hot, he said.
- Additional comfort benefits: Some weighted stuffed animals can also be used as heating or cooling pads for extra soothing. Typically, this means stuffed animals or removable parts that can go in the microwave or refrigerator. Stuffed animals typically only maintain that temperature for a short period of time, Schneeberg said.
- return policy: Weighted stuffed animals make great gifts for yourself or a loved one, but you’ll want to be able to return or exchange the item if it ends up feeling like the weight isn’t quite right or there are other issues.
FAQ
Schneeberg says weighted stuffed animals are a playful riff on weighted blankets. They usually weigh between one pound and five pounds, and are often filled with materials such as dried linseeds, beads, or layers of fabric to add to their weight.
While anyone can use weighted stuffed animals, they tend to be suitable for children because they are smaller than weighted blankets and can be cuddled or placed on the lap for a calming effect. Weighted stuffed animals are generally lighter than weighted blankets (starting at about 5 pounds and can range up to 40 pounds or more) and smaller.
Because they are heavier, Dimitriu said, weighted blankets tend to be too big and heavy for children to handle on their own, while weighted stuffed animals are smaller, lighter and similar to other toys they may already have at home. Therefore, they are also suitable for seniors or adults who do not have the strength to move heavier blankets.
Meet our health experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have expertise and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert opinions and advice are independent and free from undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Lynel Schneeberg is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the author of “Be Your Child’s Sleep Coach: The Bedtime Doctor’s 5-Step Guide, Ages 3-10.”
- Dr. Alex Dimitri Dual board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He is the founder of Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD in Menlo Park.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a reporter for NBC Selected, writing about a range of health topics, including stories about wedge pillows, anti-snoring devices, slippers, sleep masks and sunrise alarm clocks. In this article, I spoke with two experts on weighted plush toys and rounded up the top-rated options, as well as those tested by the staff at NBC Selected.
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