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The best cooling blankets to replace your duvet this summer
One was a “game-changer” for our menopausal tester
Tested by Kim HawleySenior Health & Fitness Tester
Whether it’s the menopause or a heatwave causing night sweats and overheating, trying to sleep when you’re too hot is never pleasant. Throwing off a duvet might feel like the quickest fix, but one of the best cooling blankets can be a more comfortable solution. They're designed to help regulate your temperature more effectively, thanks to breathable fabrics and smart tech.
These days, there’s no shortage of cooling blankets on market, many of which claim to use innovative, temperature-regulating technology, but not all of them live up to the hype. At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we’ve tested all types of cooling bedding, including blankets, so we know how to cut through the marketing claims and find the products that truly deliver.
The best cooling blankets for 2026
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As well as analysing them in the lab, we send them out to our reader panel to sleep with them for a minimum of two weeks before giving us their real-world feedback. We ask them to rate each blanket on comfort, feel, temperature regulation and more.
Here are our top picks, with more detail on how to choose the right design for you below.
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Silentnight Restore Cooling Lightweight Blanket
Silentnight Restore Cooling Lightweight Blanket
Pros
- Easy to wash and maintain
- Breathable
Cons
- Some found the feel slightly too synthetic
Score: 83/100
Designed with cool-touch fabric on one side and temperature-regulating cotton on the other, this blanket from the experts at Silentnight impressed our testers from the outset. They noted the cooling sensation was both instant and consistent, without feeling artificially cold. Instead, it worked to regulate their temperature overnight, with one panellist telling us: “It's the best thing I’ve tried through my night sweat years and has finally given me unbroken sleep.”
Despite its lightweight feel, it drapes well over the bed without leaving any gaps, and testers rated it highly for sofa lounging, too. Most agreed it provided sufficient warmth without any overheating, making it perfect for spring and summer nights. It's easy to fold down and store away during winter, too. One hot sleeper even found they could ditch their usual fan and open window set-up after switching to this blanket.
Key specifications
| Sizes | M, XL |
|---|---|
| Colours | Grey, blue |
| Material | Cool side made from a nylon / polyethylene blend, and reverse side made from 100% cotton |
| Care | Machine washable |
Oodie Cooling Blanket
Pros
- Comes with a drawstring storage bag
- Washes and dries quickly
Cons
- Designs may not suit everyone’s tastes
Score: 82/100
You may know Oodie for its thick, cosy weighted blankets, but the brand also caters to the opposite end of the spectrum. Its cooling blanket is lightweight and made from a temperature-regulating nylon fabric that the brand claims is three times cooler than cotton.
Multiple testers told us they ditched their usual duvet for it, with one noting it helped prevent the sweaty wake-ups they typically experience. This is largely down to the nylon’s sweat-wicking properties – it pulls moisture from the skin onto the fabric’s surface. It’s also extremely easy to care for – one tester told us they washed it, dried it and put it back on the bed all in one day.
It particularly impressed those dealing with midlife sleep disruption. “I’m menopausal and suffer with night sweats, but this has been an absolute game-changer,” commented one tester.
Key specifications
| Sizes | Single, queen |
|---|---|
| Colours | Lilac pastel wave, wave print, leopard print, Grey, Pink, Jungle print, Choc, Green/Navy stripe, Checker print, Black floral print, Saphire Emerald |
| Material | 90% nylon, 10% elastane |
| Care | Wash on the ‘hand wash’ or gentle cycle with cold water |
Bedsure Cotton Muslin Blanket
Bedsure Cotton Muslin Blanket
Pros
- Minimal shrinkage after washing
- Folds easy for storage and travel
Cons
- Takes a while to dry
Score: 82/100
Like the relief of a lightweight cotton shirt or linen trousers on a summer's day, this muslin blanket from Bedsure brings breathable comfort to your boudoir. Made from natural cotton, it helps regulate your temperature while wicking away any excess moisture. It also features a woven gauze made up of small pockets of air to enhance breathability and overall comfort.
Testers said this blanket was soft against the skin and a welcome alternative to heavier synthetic fleece blankets. They found it works well as an extra lightweight layer over a duvet on cooler evenings, as well as on its own for warmer nights. Plus, they liked the design (especially the sage green colourway) - making it a stylish, year-round bedroom addition.
Key specifications
| Sizes | Single, double, queen, king |
|---|---|
| Colours | Sage green, beige, or grey |
| Material | 100% cotton muslin |
| Care | Hand wash or machine wash with care on gentler cycle in cold water |
Silentnight Restore Cooling Weighted Blanket
Silentnight Restore Cooling Weighted Blanket
Pros
- Robust stitching
- Air dried within a few hours
Cons
- Only one colour available
Score: 80/100
You may not expect a weighted blanket to keep you cool, but this Silentnight design combines all the calming, stress-reducing benefits with a cool-to-touch finish. It’s filled with glass beads, which are evenly distributed, to promote relaxation and support a deeper night’s sleep. Our panellists praised the “high-quality finish” and found the 6.8kg weight comfortable, though they said a broader range of options would improve its appeal.
The outer layer is made from the brand’s polyester cool-touch fabric. While it didn't actively feel cooling, it helped regulate body temperature effectively for our testers, with no reports of overheating. Overall, it's a good choice if you like the cocooning feel of a weighted blanket but tend to run hot at night.
Key specifications
| Sizes | Double |
|---|---|
| Colours | Grey / blue reverse |
| Material | Outer: polyester. Filling: weighted glass beads |
| Care | Machine wash |
Pros
- Folds up easily
- Retains shape and texture after washing
Cons
- Not suitable for tumbling dry and takes a while to air dry
Score: 71/100
This dual-sided cooling blanket from Bedsure is made from rayon, a bamboo-derived fibre that feels extremely soft with an almost silky finish. It also incorporates Arc-chill cooling fibres – a blend of nylon and polyethene – designed to absorb body heat and wick moisture away from the skin. The result is a blanket that feels cool to the touch straight away and maintains the sensation overnight, according to our testers. Its generous size was another highlight, offering plenty of coverage for those who like to wrap themselves up.
Despite its cooling properties, some testers found it heavier than expected. For others, however, the added weight was a bonus, delivering a cocooning feel without feeling suffocating. Testers also noted a lack of appealing colour options – so think of it as a practical sleep aid than a stylish living room throw.
Key specifications
| Size | Double |
|---|---|
| Colours | Beige, blue, grey, white |
| Material | Rayon |
| Care | Machine washable |
How we test cooling blankets
Each cooling blanket was tested by at least five of our at-home panellists, who all said they tended to run hot at night. They slept with them every night for at least two weeks. Once the trial period was complete, they provided detailed feedback on the factors that matter, including how well it regulated body temperature, how breathable the design felt, whether the weight was evenly distributed and, most importantly, how comfortable it remained throughout the night.
Back in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, we checked for any shrinkage or colour fading before and after washing, using controlled wash cycles to replicate repeated use. We also used our specialist imaging equipment, the DigiEye, to analyse any changes in colour or wear and tear to the fabric.
Finally, our experts reviewed all the data and panel feedback to award each blanket an overall score out of 100.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We’ve been testing products for over 100 years here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, including the latest sleep tech, from the best mattress to the best cooling pyjamas.
Our senior sleep and wellness tester, Kim Hawley, led this cooling blanket review. She ensures all our testing protocols are robust, rigorous and fair, taking into account what matters most to shoppers. Alongside the lab tests, she worked with our panel of at-home testers to make sure their feedback directly addressed each product’s claims.
Our lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, then analysed both sets of data, including tester feedback and lab results, to help shape the final recommendations. Having written hundreds of product reviews and tested many products herself, she knows exactly what readers are looking for in a reliable, expert-led review.
What to look for when shopping for the best cooling blankets
These are the key properties to look out for when you're shopping.
✔️ Cooling tech: Some blankets feature cooling technologies that store and release heat to keep you at a more stable body temperature throughout the night. Look for mesh sections that allow airflow and temperature-regulating fabrics.
✔️ Breathable materials: While some fabrics hold onto moisture, others wick it away to keep you sweat-free. Opt for synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. Cotton is a natural fibre option; just make sure you go for a lightweight design.
✔️ Lightweight construction: Blankets that are designed for the winter months will be thicker and more tightly woven. For an airier feel, look for looser knits or weaves without any added bulk.
✔️ Fits your home: In the end, the best cooling blanket for you needs to fit with your home's decor and your lifestyle. Make sure to think about where you plan on using the blanket before purchasing: Is it for movie nights on the couch? Sleeping? Year-round or just summer use? Then, make sure to pick a style that has the right dimensions and construction for your needs.
Are cooling blankets actually worth it?
If you’re after better body temperature regulation and a full night of unbroken sleep, then yes, they could be worth it. There really is nothing worse than tossing and turning from being too hot, and a cooling blanket offers a quick and comfortable solution. What works for one person may not suit another, but if you run hot at night or want a solution for warmer weather, it is worth trying one, and we have plenty of affordable options on our list.
What’s the difference between a cooling blanket and just using linen sheets?
Cooling blankets are usually made from synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, which makes them slightly more affordable than linen sheets. They’re also more suitable for lounging around the house, rather than being restricted to bedtime.
How do you wash a cooling blanket without ruining the cooling properties?
“Always wash a cooling blanket according to the care label,” says Katie Mortram, our household advice editor. “If machine-washable, use a cold, gentle cycle with low spin and a mild detergent, but avoid fabric conditioner. Steer clear of the tumble dryer, too, and line-dry flat where possible.”
The verdict on cooling blankets
Our winner, the Silentnight Restore Cooling Lightweight Blanket is an excellent all-rounder that kept our testers cool, calm and collected while they snoozed through the night.
At £18, the Bedsure Cotton Muslin Blanket is our most affordable option. It put in an impressive performance on test, scoring a very respectable 82/100.
If you want a little extra weight to your blanket, literally, then the Silentnight Cooling Weighted Blanket has added relaxation benefits to help you drift off in no time.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Kim Hawley is the Senior Health & Fitness Tester at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she leads the independent testing of health, fitness, wellness and sleep products using evidence-led protocols and her extensive industry expertise.
With more than 30 years' experience in the health and fitness industry, Kim has worked as a lead personal trainer, fitness instructor and health writer, teaching at some of London's leading health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Kim has a particular interest in women's health, especially pre-, peri- and post-menopause, and combines hands-on industry experience with rigorous product evaluation. From fitness trackers and smartwatches to home gym equipment, recovery devices, wellness tech, supplements and sleep solutions, she oversees comprehensive testing to help consumers make confident, informed purchasing decisions they can trust.
