The Best Wool Blankets To Keep Warm This Winter Season

Frosty weather is upon us and winter storms are sweeping snow and low temperatures across the country, with many regions experiencing below zero conditions. One of the best ways to combat the cool season is with a thick, heavy blanket—like wool. Wool contains a protein called keratin, which helps regulate body temperature and retain body heat.

To help you stay warm and cozy this season, we've rounded up seven of the best wool blankets that suit a variety of budgets and styles—and all of them are highly rated by consumers. We named the Pendleton Blanket, a cozy and durable pick, the best wool blanket in our roundup. While you may need a wool blanket right now, timing is everything when it comes to snagging a good deal.

Isfira Jensen of Nufacet Interiors says “the best time to purchase wool blankets is during end of winter sales,” since that’s when “many retailers clear out their winter inventory to make room for spring and summer products.” Don't worry if you've missed that window because some of our selections are on sale right now.

So light a fire, turn on your heater and cuddle up with one of the best wool blanket picks below. Best Wool Blanket Overall Amazon Sizes: Twin, queen, king | Material: 100% virgin wool | Certifications: Step by Oeko Tex | Machine wash: Yes The Pendleton Eco Wise Wool Blanket tops our list for its versatility, easy care and eco friendly credentials.

It’s also among the most expensive options here, but we think it’s worth the investment if you’re seeking a quality wool blanket from a trusted brand that’s not a hassle to maintain. It’s made from 100% virgin wool, which is as breathable as it is insulating, so you can comfortably use it year round.

Unlike most of Pendleton’s wool blankets, you can skip the trip to the dry cleaner and launder this blanket at home. (Machine wash it in cold water and tumble dry on low heat.) The brand guarantees its colorfast wool won’t pill or fade, no matter how many times you wash it. Choose from over two dozen design options—either solids or prints—to suit any vibe.

This Pendleton blanket is produced in in a Step by Oeko Tex certified mill, meaning it meets strict criteria for environmental and worker safety. You can feel good wrapping yourself in this wool blanket in more ways than one. What the reviews say: “We have a wool blanket from Pendleton that has belonged to my husband since childhood,” says Vetted editor Margaret Badore .

“It’s impressively durable, and adds a nice amount of warmth to our bed.” This satisfied customer calls their Eco Wise blanket “Sturdy, lightweight but very warm for winter. I love wool but hate that it's not washable, so the washable wool of this one is a must.” Best Affordable Wool Blanket Amazon Sizes: Throw, twin, queen, king | Material: 100% wool (new and recycled) | Certifications: N/A | Machine wash: Yes If you’re searching for a new 100% wool blanket on a budget, don’t overlook this one from Ektos.

It’s a blend of new and recycled wool, a combo that keeps costs down while ensuring a long lasting product that’s less likely to shed. (On the flip side, it loses some softness in the process of washing.) This heavyweight wool blanket is outdoor friendly, so feel free to bring it camping, fishing or tailgating, but one downside is that grass and leaves may cling to it.

You can also add this blanket to your bedroom for those chilly nights—it comes in twin, queen or king in a variety of colors and patterns. Ektos pre washes its wool blankets thrice so it’s ready to go as soon as you unbox it. When you are ready to clean it, machine wash with a wool safe detergent and air dry.

A heads up for those who are buying with sustainable practices in mind: the brand doesn’t advertise any specific environmental certifications. What the reviews say: Several Amazon shoppers echo the sentiment that this Ektos wool blanket is an excellent, budget friendly alternative to pricier options from brands like Pendleton.

One customer says, “I was very excited to see a 100% wool blanket at such a good price. The blanket is on the thin side, yet feels solid.” Another chimes in: “Love that this is 100% wool, for a very affordable price. Overall [a] great purchase for the price.” Best Lightweight Wool Blanket Brooklinen Sizes: Throw | Material: 80% lambswool, 20% cashmere | Certifications: N/A | Machine wash: No For a year round bedding staple that’s not too cost prohibitive, consider this Brooklinen throw.

It merges the luxurious softness of cashmere with the cozy durability of lambswool for all season comfort. Available in five colors, you can it over your sofa or chair for a chic touch, or lay it across your bed for an added layer of warmth. Given the delicacy of the fibers, it’s dry clean only. While Brooklinen's bedding often has Oeko Tex and organic certifications, this wool throw doesn't come with specific eco credentials.

However, Brooklinen collaborates with Good360 to recycle returned bedding by donating it to people in need. The brand offers a generous one year return window—albeit with a $9.99 return fee. What the reviews say: “The cashmere throw has been an absolute charm during these frigid days,” begins one five star review.

“It is lightweight yet cuddly warm.” A repeat customer says, “We love it so much that we got a second one. It's soft and warm, yet thin and lightweight. The fringe adds a nice stylistic touch without being annoyingly over the top.” Best Alpaca Wool Blanket Avocado Green Mattress Sizes: Throw | Material: 100% alpaca wool | Certifications: GOTS, RWS, Standard 100 by Oeko Tex, Climate Neutral Certified | Machine wash: No Avocado is home to some of the best organic mattresses on the market—and it specializes in sustainable bedding, as well.

Its alpaca wool throw comes in a variety of naturally dyed colors, featuring fibers sourced from alpacas that roam the Andean meadows in Peru. The result is a lightweight, cozy throw you can drape over your body no matter the season. (It also serves as a stylish accent to any room.) This wool throw earns an impressive lineup of certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and Standard 100 by Oeko Tex.

Plus, Avocado itself is a Carbon Neutral Certified company, meaning it buys offsets for the emissions that are produced by its operations. When it comes to sustainable practices and and consumer safety, Avocado is at the forefront. The only potential drawback is that this throw is dry clean only. What the reviews say: Good news for anyone with sensitive skin, according to this reviewer: “Unlike so many other wool products that have this slightly scratchy feeling, this alpaca blanket is very soft and doesn't irritate very sensitive skin.” This shopper agrees, saying: “It doesn't itch and will keep you warm even on a cold night.

It's thin so you'd think it won't be that warm but it really is!” Best Wool Blanket For Kids And Babies Amazon Sizes: Crib | Material: 100% Australian merino wool, 100% organic cotton | Certifications: Woolmark, Oeko Tex Standard 100, RWS, GOTS | Machine wash: Yes The Woolino Merino Wool Toddler Blanket is perfect for young children who are transitioning to regular bedding.

It comes in several fun patterns, adding a touch of whimsy to bedtime or nap time. It’s made with 100% Australian merino wool on one side and 100% organic cotton on the other side. It’s a soft, breathable blanket that kids can comfortably use all year long. (That’s a plus if your child adopts it as a comfort item.) While you can pop it in the washing machine, it requires line drying.

Some may balk at the high cost, but this Woolino toddler blanket has been awarded numerous certifications. The merino wool meets Woolmark's high quality standards and adheres to the Responsible Wool Standard for animal welfare. The organic cotton is GOTS certified, and all materials are Oeko Tex Standard 100 certified, ensuring they're free from 100 toxic chemicals.

What the reviews say: According to one parent, “My toddler loves it. I found her all snuggled up in it one morning. I love that it’s more breathable than her old fleece blanket and temperature regulating so I worry a little less.” Another five star review says, “My toddler loves this blanket and I love it for being organic wool.

It’s so soft and the quality is incredible.” Best Wool Blanket For Camping Amazon Sizes: Large | Material: 80% wool, 20% synthetic fibers | Certifications: N/A | Machine wash: Yes (but hand washing preferred) The Arcturus Military Wool Blanket has got you covered for outdoor adventures and emergencies.

For under $50, this popular Amazon camping blanket consists of a blend of wool and synthetic fibers for long lasting warmth that won’t irritate your skin (though it may still be somewhat itchy). It weighs over 4 pounds and measures 64 x 88 inches, so it’s roomy enough for you and a few friends to cozy up around the campfire.

Arcturus triple washes its wool blankets during production, so all you need to do is unwrap it. If you have a front load washer, you can machine wash it in cold water, although hand washing is strongly recommended. (Either way, you need to hang it up to air dry afterward.) While Arcturus doesn’t provide any details regarding certifications, the brand does claim to not treat its blankets with any unnecessary flame retardant chemicals.

What the reviews say : One shopper who has owned a Arcturus Military Wool Blanket for 3 years says it is “everything I needed for a versatile blanket that works well in a broad range of conditions. It's enough to keep me warm through the night when it's down to 40 or 45 [degrees], but it's light enough to use in my hammock throughout spring and summer.” Best Heavyweight Wool Blanket Faribault Mill Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Material: 100% wool/merino blend | Certifications: N/A | Machine wash: No Based in Minnesota, Faribault Mill knows a thing or two about enduring harsh winters, and it shows in its Frontier Wool Blanket.

The queen sized version tips the scales at approximately 10 pounds, making it a great choice for those craving serious warmth on chilly evenings. It’s crafted from a luxe blend of virgin and merino wool—naturally, it’s dry clean only. Choose from four distinct color schemes. While we’re unable to find proof of any sustainability certifications, Faribault Mill does its part to do good for the world through its Spread The Warmth program.

For every blanket sold, one is donated to nonprofits supporting homeless young people across the country. All things considered, the higher price is fair for the craftsmanship and quality you get in return, especially if you’re seeking a wool blanket to last you a lifetime’s worth of winters. What the reviews say: This loyal customer comments, “The craftsmanship, weight, softness and overall quality is most impressive.

I own four other Faribault blankets and their quality does not disappoint. This heavyweight blanket is the crown jewel.” Another says, “It’s a very substantial heavyweight blanket that’s great for the coldest nights. Very glad I bought this.” Why Trust Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted staffers and contributors have a wealth of experience in evaluating mattresses and bedding , along with other sleep essentials like pillows .

We're also happy to ask experts to further guide us—and by extension, our readers—in getting the most value from the sleep products we use every night. For this story, we consulted with experts from various fields, all with the common goal of guiding shoppers toward the best wool blankets for their needs: How We Chose The Best Wool Blankets In our search for the best wool blankets, we focus primarily on the quality of the fabric in relation to the price, and overwhelmingly positive customer feedback—a four star minimum rating out of five.

Beyond that criteria, we gave special consideration to brands committed to sustainability. This includes holding reputable third party certifications or taking a proactive approach to environmental stewardship by recycling used blankets. Topping our list is the Pendleton Eco Wise Wool Blanket , which has the best balance of quality, affordability, customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility.

It even comes with a seal of approval from Forbes Vetted editor Margaret Badore. What To Look For In The Best Wool Blankets If you don’t know where to start in your search for the right wool blanket, keep the following factors in mind. Wool fabric is derived from animal hair—typically sheep but also goats, alpacas and llamas.

The type you choose influences its texture, maintenance and cost. Most budget friendly wool blankets consist of a blend of wool with either synthetic fibers or recycled wool, which loses its softness during production. Some of the most common types of wool fiber include merino (soft and fine), lambswool (hypoallergenic), alpaca (lightweight yet warm), cashmere (luxurious) and angora (best for moisture wicking).

Make sure to select a blanket that fits your bed or your intended space. (Throws are often a good choice for draping over furniture.) Also consider the weight of the fabric. “Heavier blankets and ones with a denser weave are typically warmer,” Jensen says, but she adds that you should also take your personal preferences and sleep environment into account.

Don’t overlook the care instructions in your buying process, warns Jensen. “Ensure you purchase a blanket in line with how you intend to care for the item.” Properly maintaining your wool blanket helps it last for years. Many wool blankets require dry cleaning, but a few are washer safe on the gentle cycle.

Since wool is prone to shrinking, tumble drying is often discouraged in favor of air drying. For those who prioritize sustainability and animal welfare, look for wool blankets that have earned third party certifications. These may include Oeko Tex Standard 100, Woolmark, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and ZQ.

These certifications ensure your wool blanket was made without harmful chemicals, toxic fire retardants and high emissions, materials were responsibly sourced and farms upheld strict animal welfare standards. How Do You Wash Wool Blankets? Your best bet is to follow the care instructions on the label; however, Beringer offers some general advice to get the most out of your wool blankets: How Often Should You Wash Your Wool Blanket? It varies by use, but Beringer says twice a year should be fine—the start and end of the chilly season.

And of course, you should clean it when it’s dirty. Always pay attention to your wool blanket’s wash instructions on the care label before you tackle cleaning it. Are Wool Blankets The Warmest? When comparing wool to other materials like flannel, cotton or polyester with the same type of fabric construction—be it a weave or knit—wool surpasses them all for warmth.

Wool's superior insulation lies in its ability to trap more air than other materials. Dr. Beringer notes that "air is the best thermal insulator," which is why wool is the warmest option when all other factors are equal. One downside of wool is that it can be rough against the skin. "When seeking comfort and plushness, opt for flannel as it's more delicate on the skin," notes Jensen, while suggesting that "wool blankets can and should be (minimally) blended with other fibers like cotton." Doing this not only results in a softer feel but can also make the blanket more affordable.

What Is RWS? The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a global third party certification system that focuses on animal welfare and land management. It’s managed by Textile Exchange and involves a broad range of stakeholders from around the world, including farmers, animal welfare experts, land conservation specialists, brands and retailers.

Gill explains, "Only products that meet all requirements may be labeled with the RWS logo." She says that this ensures "the wool comes from farms taking a progressive approach to land management and maintaining respect for animal welfare." Beyond seeking out the RWS logo, Gill also encourages customers to contact manufacturers and inquire about the ethical treatment of the animals involved in their supply chains..