Weighted blankets have been a controversial subject for far too long. There is scientific evidence to support the concept of deep pressure stimulation and the benefits it provides in aspects such as stress and anxiety. Suitable for people who have problems sleeping because of medical conditions, because of sleep disorders, good for children with ADHD or people with PTSD, weighted blankets are designed to literally push the right button and help the body calm down.
Today, we shift our focus on a premium weighted blanket: the Nectar Blanquil. Manufactured by one of the greatest mattress companies in North America, I had high expectations when I bought this product, not knowing what I’d get, but hoping for the best. Was I disappointed?
About Nectar
Nectar is a bedding company launched back in 2017, operating exclusively online through its official website, but also sells its products with third-party retailers. Based in San Mateo, California, Nectar is a private company founded by Ran Reske, Eric Hutchinson, and Craig Schmeizer.
The company’s creed is “you can’t put a price of good sleep,” which falsely might lead you to believe that their products are extremely expensive. At least, that’s why what I would say if I was selling something pricey. However, Nectar offers highly competitive prices on all of its products, not just the blanket I’m reviewing today.
Shipping, Unboxing, and Offgassing
Despite the fact that Nectar makes really good bedding items, I was never particularly impressed with how they package their products. I guess I expected the Blanquil to be delivered in a more flashy or premium-looking sort of package. Instead, I got a branded gray box, which was heavily damaged during shipping. If not for the plastic bag the box was in, my blanket would have fallen out.
When you remove the Blanquil from its original package, there is no off-gassing, perhaps just that new fabric smell. While this is definitely a plus, I would say it’s normal for the blanket to be scentless, consider what types of materials and fabrics it’s made of.
Initial Impressions
How many different ways are there to talk about how amazing it feels to touch this product for the very first time? I don’t know about you, but aside from comfort, I’m just a huge fan of buying stuff for my home, anything from cool paintings to throw pillows, and having tested so many interior decor items, I’ve had my fair share of quality fabrics.
The moment I first got my hands on the actual blanket, it’s like my fingers were slipping on its surface. No, it was like the velvet was gently pushing my fingers across the fabric, much like a figure skater sliding on ice. It feels amazing, and it is, hands down, one of the softest weighted blankets I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.
Another thing I love is how the blanket first creates this illusion of being a soft and delicate product, but once you actually pick it up, feel its weight, and examine the stitches, you know that this baby was built to last.
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Construction
Good product construction is all about the quality of the materials used and how they are combined having the best interest of the end-user in mind. When it comes to the Nectar Blanquil weighted blanket, it’s all about comfort and meeting the expectations that people have when buying a product such as this one.
The outer cover of this blanket is made from polyester velvet, and that’s something that interested me a lot. I love how this combination of fabrics feels when brushed against my skin. But not everyone is fond of velvet as fabric, so if you know that you don’t have an affinity for it, you might not like how this feels. The fabric is very soft to the touch, which leads me to use it without a duvet cover.
The inner blanket of the Blanquil is made from cotton, which is one of my favorite fabrics because it’s very practical. However, I find that the choice of the outer fabric in the construction of such a blanket is way more important. Even so, the double layers that stand between you and the fill (which is made from silicon dioxide beads) make it so that you won’t feel the beads inside, which is another plus. All you’ll feel is the weight, and that’s how a quality product should be constructed like.
Features and Benefits
Every time I have to talk to you about the features and benefits of a product, I try to think about why such a product was created in the first place. With Blanquil, the answer came to mind in a second, I’m just trying to figure out how to explain the wonder of this product without getting into the scientific details of it.
The entire concept of the Blanquil (and of other GOOD weighted blankets) is to stimulate the body and recreate a hug. I can’t say this enough, but hugs apply a sort of pressure on your body that stimulates the release of serotonin, which is the happiness hormone. You don’t even have to believe the claims, just think of it this way: has a hug from someone dear to you ever calmed you down? If it has, then you too now understand the concept of the Blanquil.
Leaving aside all the other features I’ve spoken of before and will continue to approach in this article, I want you to understand that the value of a weighted blanket is more than just what fabrics it uses (although they are important as well). It’s about helping you stay in bed longer, will less pain and less negative thoughts, and it’s meant to decrease the time it takes for you to fall asleep. With the Blanquil, I tend to toss and turn less in my sleep. And I am confident that it can do that for you as well.
Weight & Size Options
With a weighted blanket, size and weight are everything. It’s very important that the weight of the blanket matches 10 percent of your own body’s weight, or else the product will never be efficient. It will be either too light to apply deep pressure therapy, or too heavy and cause major discomfort.
The Nectar Blanquil is available in a single size, and it measures 47 x 74 x 1 inch. It doesn’t have any other color but grey. However, I find gray to a great color for a blanket, because it gives me the benefit of not needing a duvet cover, which allows me to enjoy the softness of the product.
One thing that some people may find disappointing is the fact that the Blanquil is only available in a 20-pound version. While this worked for my weight, it might not work for people who are looking for a lighter blanket. I would have liked to see the Blanquil made in a 10, 15, or 18 lbs. version as well.
Heat Transfer
As much as I love the Blanquil, this is one hot blanket. And I’m not even a hot sleeper. In fact, I like using a light blanket even in the summer, so the fact that this blanket tends to retain a lot of heat doesn’t bother me. However, it will bother some people.
From an objective point of view, the polyester velvet outer cover may be soft and feel amazing, but it is not a breathable combination of fabrics. Even when analyzing them apart, they are still not as breathable as bamboo or cotton.
What I’d like to point out is that people who have a tendency to sleep hot will not love this blanket as much as I do. But if you’re the kind of person that feels they can’t have too many blankets on top of them, then this aspect shouldn’t trouble you at all.
Durability
What makes the Blanquil blanket a durable product is a combination of two things: quality stitching and good fabrics. It is pretty clear to me that I’m dealing with a top-of-the-line product. Since it comes with an included cover, it is obvious that Nectar has thought of everything when designing this blanket, including investing in materials and features that make it durable.
Maintenance, Protection, Care & Warranty
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the Nectar quilted blanket is made from the actual blanket, as well as a quilted gray cover that serves more than just one purpose. First of all, it acts as a barrier between your body and the silicon dioxide beads because, while you want to feel the pressure on your body, you don’t want to feel the beads. The second role is to act as a protective cover for the inner blanket.
And the best news is that this external polyester velvet cover and be removed and cleaned. This makes the Blanquil one of the easiest blankets care for. You can always opt for a duvet cover for added protection. I don’t like the one in this particular case because, with the risk of repeating myself, the velvet cover feels cool good!
What I like is the fact that the Blanquil is backed by a 5-year warranty, but what I don’t like is how little information there’s actually available on their website about how this warranty works. In fact, one of the cons is that the website is so centered on providing plenty of information on their flagship product, which is the Nectar mattress, they do so while compromising information quantity for other products, like this awesome blanket.
Cost
When it comes to the cost of the Blanquil, you once again see the reflection of a premium product. You have two payment options: you can either pay a one-time fee of $169 and own this blanket forever, or you can opt for Nectar’s financing program and pay as low as $15 per month. You will have to apply to their Affirm financing program and see if you qualify in order to benefit from installment payment.
You are not charged with any shipping costs for the Blanquil, provided that you place your order from one of the continental US States. Other than that, Nectar also ships the Blanquil to Alaska and Hawaii, but you will be charged with $150 in shipping fees.
Reviews and Feedback
If you ever believed that customer feedback is a nuisance to read because everyone’s shopping experience is being told from a subjective point of view, you need to let go of that thought. As an avid online shopper myself, I read hundreds of reviews for different kinds of products each month, and I have learned valuable information that manufacturers gracefully “omit” out of their product description.
So, in that spirit, I’d like to tell you what other people think about the Blanquil. It turns out that people who have trouble sleeping due to various stress-related problems or muscular and joint pains are really happy with how much this weighted blanket has improved their sleeping patterns.
The majority of the complaints were not related to the quality of the product, nor how the fabric feels, not even about the fact that it retains heat like crazy, but rather about the price. Some people were not able to justify the high price for something that’s “just a blanket”. Is it, through?
Who We Recommend the Nectar Quilted Blanket For
Well, the Nectar weighted blanket is designed for every customer category that could actually benefit from a product such as this. Because of the weight of the blanket, it might not be a good idea to use if you’re a stomach sleeper (in fact, the best thing would be to avoid this sleeping position altogether, but who am I to judge?), so it’s more suitable for those who like to sleep on their backs and/or sides.
Other than the actual sleeping position itself, there are plenty of other traits that make a person the ideal shopper for the Blanquil, such as:
- People who have restless leg syndrome.
- Those who suffer from anxiety or are feeling over-stressed.
- Children who have ADHD.
- Those who suffer from PTSD.
- People with sensory processing disorder.
- Elder people.
- People who aren’t getting enough sleep or have trouble maintaining sleep.
- People who toss and turn too much and have problems in falling asleep.
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Our Final Verdict
Nectar’s Blanquil is definitely in my top three favorite weighted blankets. I love the choice of outer fabric, because velvet is soft and luxurious, and it basically feels like there’s a giant teddy bear resting on top of you. It’s the kind of blanket that I would sleep under but also wear on my shoulders as I’m enjoying a movie all crawled up on the top of my sofa.
The fact that you can remove and wash the cover is also extremely important and beneficial, because it eliminates the need for a duvet cover, as the outer shell does all the work of protecting the inner parts and keeping the sleeper comfortable in the process.
The Blanquil is clearly a quality product, but it’s also one that delivers as expected. One of the biggest shames is the fact that you can only buy it in a 20-pound version. I would have loved to see more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a duvet cover needed?
No, because the Blanquil is made from an inner blanket that’s already covered by velvet and polyester outer cover. You can add a duvet cover if you’re not particularly happy about the product’s gray color.
Where can these blankets be shipped?
As all Nectar products, the Blanquil is only shipped to the continental US free of charge, but also to Alaska and Hawaii, for a fee of $150.
What type of sleeper is this blanket best suited for?
The Blanquil is intended for back and side sleepers, for people who have trouble sleeping because of joint or muscle pain, for those who have ADHD or PTSD, for those who suffer from restless leg syndrome, those who are anxious or stressed, etc.