Introducing Baloo Weighted Blankets
Baloo Living is a New York-based company selling eco-friendly weighted blankets and other sleep accessories like sheets and masks. Founded in 2018 after CEO Elizabeth Grojan‘s relaxing sabbatical in Bali, Baloo aims to bring the same stress-relieving weighted blanket experience to consumers.
Baloo has earned rave reviews from customers and publications like Oprah Magazine, InStyle, and Refinery29 for their commitment to serving natural health through quality weighted blankets. With over 16k Instagram followers and a 4.5-star average across 36 Trustpilot reviews, it‘s clear these blankets resonate with stressed-out shoppers.
But are Baloo weighted blankets worth the often $200+ investment? I analyzed the pros, cons, customer reviews, and alternatives to find out.
Weighted Blanket Benefits and Drawbacks
Before diving into Baloo specifics, let‘s overview the science behind weighted blankets and their upsides and downsides:
How Do Weighted Blankets Work?
Weighted blankets use gentle pressure to stimulate the production of serotonin and melatonin – "feel good" neurotransmitters that aid sleep and relaxation. Most experts recommend choosing a blanket that‘s 10-12% of your body weight for maximum comfort and anxiety relief.
Weighted Blanket Benefits
Research shows weighted blankets can:
- Improve sleep quality
- Alleviate anxiety, OCD, and depression
- Increase relaxation and feelings of security
- Enhance focus for those with ADHD
- Reduce chronic pain sensations
Potential Drawbacks
- Can feel uncomfortably heavy, especially in warm weather
- Not recommended for children under 3 years old
- Expensive compared to normal blankets
- Require special cleaning considerations due to weight
So in summary, weighted blankets prove therapeutic for many but aren‘t a sleep panacea for all. Choosing an ideal blanket weight along with a high-quality, durable design can help maximize the pros while minimizing the cons.
Baloo Weighted Blanket Product Line Review
Baloo offers three main weighted blanket options – the Original Weighted Blanket, Weighted Comforter, and Weighted Kids Blanket. I‘ll summarize the materials, structure, pricing, and real customer review highlights for each:
Baloo Original Weighted Blanket
Materials: 100% breathable cotton exterior with eco-friendly glass bead fill
Sizes & Weights: Throw (12lb), Full (15lb), Queen (20lb), King (25lb)
Price: $159 – $219
This quilted cotton blanket with discreet square stitching is Baloo‘s #1 best seller with over 1000 reviews and a near-perfect 4.9 star average. Customers praise the "perfectly distributed" weights that contour without bunching, durable construction, and instant stress relief from this "magical gravity blanket."
The only common complaints relate to sizing not fitting larger beds when customers choose lighter weight options. Be sure to reference Baloo‘s size chart to select adequate dimensions.
Baloo Weighted Comforter
Materials: 100% cotton exterior and fill
Sizes & Weights: Full/Queen (15 or 20lb), King (25lb)
Price: $199 – $269
With a 4.7/5 star average across 117 reviews, this weighted comforter earns praise for having the weights narrowly dispersed in the center rather than spread to the edges. This allows it to lay smoothly like a normal comforter while still providing anxiety and pain relief.
Those with joint pain in particular appreciate the less distributed weight of this blanket. Some note it runs smaller than expected, so be sure to reference sizing dimensions.
Baloo Weighted Kids Blanket
Materials: Organic cotton with glass bead fill
Size & Weight: One size (9lb)
Price: $149
The brightly colored Baloo kids blanket features cheerful shades dyed with vegetable dyes. The 9 pound weight makes it perfect for children ages 3 and up according to pediatric recommendations.
While only 16 reviews are posted so far, this whimsical blanket earns an impressive 4.9/5 star average rating for helping anxious kids feel swaddled. Customers mention it fosters a great sense of security.
Be prepared for some initial color fading with the first few washes. Following care instructions helps minimize this issue long-term.
More Baloo Accessories
Beyond weighted blankets, Baloo also offers:
Linen Duvet Covers – Starting at $127, these soft linen covers protect weighted blankets.
Pillowcases – $63+ pillowcases complement duvets with French linen.
Sleep Masks – $69 masks feature light-blocking, noise-canceling design with soothing crystals.
I‘ll compare Baloo‘s quality and value to alternatives next. But first, a quick overview of materials and manufacturing.
Baloo‘s Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability Practices
What sets Baloo apart from other weighted blanket brands is an admirable commitment to eco-friendly materials and practices:
- 100% OEKO-TEX certified cotton and glass beads guarantee no harmful chemicals
- USEPA-certified manufacturing partners adhere to global emissions standards
- B Corp certification verifies fair labor and sustainable practices
- Plastic-free packaging and carbon neutral operations further reduce environmental impact
When buying Baloo, you can feel good knowing products come from ethical factories with legitimately sustainable processes.
How Baloo Compares to Bearaby and Other Weighted Blanket Brands
Fellow weighted blanket darling Bearaby uses chunky knitted streamlined blankets without fill while Baloo relies on traditional quilted styles stuffed with glass beads. Here‘s how they stack up:
Bearaby vs. Baloo Weighted Blankets
| Bearaby | Baloo | |
| Fill material | None (knitted) | Glass beads |
| Design | Chunky woven | Traditional quilted |
| Price range | $179-$289 | $159-$269 |
| Eco-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Highly rated | Yes | Yes |
In summary, those wanting a blanket better conducive to cuddling may prefer Bearaby, while traditionalists leaning towards conventional styles could favor Baloo. Both excel providing ethical weighted options.
Beyond these two brands, competitors like Gravity, Layla, and Nectar also offer quality weighted blankets in the $150 to $300+ range. Most alternatives can‘t match Baloo‘s namely impressive sustainability standards however.
The Downsides: Potential Baloo Weighted Blanket Issues
No company is perfect, so I analyzed Baloo‘s 1- and 2-star customer reviews across TrustPilot, SiteJabber and Reddit communities looking for common complaints.
A few customers report weighted blanket quality issues like ripped seams, clumped fill material, and beads leaking after several months use.
However, such critical reviews represent less than 3% of Baloo‘s total ratings. The vast majority praise blanket durability exceeding 1+ years, especially when following cleaning recommendations.
Considering Baloo‘s weighted blanket prices ranging from $150 to $250+, higher long-term durability expectations seem reasonable compared to budget competitors. But the blankets generally appear to hold up well under normal use based on largely positive feedback.
In summary, while a very small minority of customers experienced quality issues, Baloo weighted blankets largely satisfy buyers with durable construction given proper care.
Are Baloo Weighted Blankets Fairly Priced?
Given materials like OEKO-TEX certified cotton and glass beads paired with B Corp certified sustainable manufacturing, Baloo‘s price points ranging from $150 to $250+ fall in line with other premium ethical weighted blanket brands.
In comparison, mass-market options from brands like Target and Walmart range from $70-$130. But such budget picks likely lack stringent quality control and sustainable production efforts.
For shoppers prioritizing conscious consumption and natural materials, Baloo delivers reasonable value at their tier given exceptional eco-friendly and ethical processes unseen among competitors.
Those simply seeking an inexpensive basic weighted blanket have cheaper choices available however.
Who Are Baloo Weighted Blankets Best For?
Based on materials, reviews, and my analysis – Baloo weighted blankets earn recommendation for:
- Eco-conscious shoppers wanting sustainably sourced, chemical-free bedding
- Those with chronic insomnia, anxiety, OCD, and related conditions
- Children ages 3+ struggling with sensory disorders or security at bedtime
- People wanting to upgrade from cheap weighted blankets with questionable quality
Baloo likely won‘t appeal as strongly to:
- Budget shoppers less concerned with sustainability credentials
- Those who prefer chunky woven weighted blankets over traditional quilted styles
- Shoppers wanting American-made products (Baloo sources internationally)
But overall, Baloo satisfies the vast majority seeking reputable weighted blankets with ethical production standards.
Expert Tips for Buying & Caring For Baloo Weighted Blankets
To conclude this Baloo weighted blanket review, I wanted to provide some best practice purchasing and handling advice:
Choosing Weight: Take Baloo‘s quiz help select your ideal blanket weight for maximum comfort and efficacy. Generally opt for 10-12% of body weight.
Consider Climate: In warmer environments, lighter blankets around 7% of body weight prevent overheating.
Care: Machine wash alone on gentle cycle using cold water and mild detergent. Tumble dry low.
Durability: Spot clean immediately after spills and avoid machine drying excessively high heat to preserve materials.
Let me know in comments if you have any other Baloo weighted blanket questions!
