Weighted blankets have been the subject of controversy. When you think about it, it does kind sound of surreal. A heavy blanket that triggers pressure therapy, reduces anxiety and stress, restless leg syndrome, ADHD, and makes you sleep more?
The YNM weighted blanket is precisely this type of product: one that promises to revolutionize the way you sleep, provided that, for one reason or another, you are a fussy sleeper. The whole concept intrigued me, so I thought I give it a spin. Here is what I discovered.
Related: Gravity Weighted Blanket
YNM Weight Blanket – A Closer Look
YNM seems to offer a dream blanket, one that checks off every item on the “what a weighted blanket should be like” list. You may have heard about this chemical found in our bodies, called serotonin. An optimal serotonin level can reduce anxiety, help fight depression, keep your bones healthy, even heal wounds.
The weighted blanket manufactured and sold by YNM promises to trigger serotonin release through a process that’s called deep touch stimulation. The entire concept of DPS revolves around the idea that pressure on certain areas of the body can relax the nervous system. Have you ever woken up on a cold winter morning, under a heavy blanket, but somehow felt as comfortable as ever? That’s what deep touch stimulation does.
Related: My Nectar BlanQuil Weighted Blanket Review
Pros:
- Increases average time it takes to fall asleep.
- Causes deep sleep.
- Relieves anxiety and stress.
- Helps with sleepwalking issues.
- Available in a children size/weight.
- Durable and well-constructed.
- Helps with restless leg syndrome.
Cons:
- Causes discomfort if you don’t choose the right weight.
- Size discrepancies have been reported.
- Can be a bit hot for some.
Features & Benefits
I have always considered weighted blankets to be the “you won’t believe it until you buy it” type of products. That’s because there is almost always room to improve your sleep in ways you didn’t think possible. I didn’t even realize how terrible my old coil mattress was until I switched to foam and innerspring hybrid, and I no longer wake up with shoulder pain, because I’m a side sleeper who’s finally resting on just the right firmness level.
But this isn’t about my old/new mattress experiences, it’s about a weighted blanket that, in my humble opinion, deserves more attention.
Sizing & Colors
While the particular model I’ve reviewed is a Twin size in dark grey, you do have other size options:
- Twin size blanket measures 39 x 74 inches.
- blanket measures 54 x 75 inches.
- Queen size blanket measures 60 x 80 inches.
- King size blanket measures 76 x 80 inches.
- Sofa size blanket measures 104 x 42 inches.
You have three different color options to choose from dark grey, light grey, and ivory. All three colors are exceptionally looking, but since it’s the efficiency of the product that matters the most, you probably won’t care that much about what color you choose.
With a weighted blanket, weight is (obviously) everything. If the blanket does not weigh enough, you won’t benefit from the deep pressure therapy that it’s supposed to deliver. If the blanket is too heavy, it will cause a great deal of discomfort and prevent you from sleeping.
Thankfully, YNM has understood the importance of weight and market coverage and has created their weighted blanket in a variety of weights. You have three versions that weight five, seven, and ten pounds respectively, all of them which are good for children use. There is a 12-pound version available as well, but you can also opt for models that weight 15, 17, 20, 22, or 25 pounds. I personally tested a 15-pound model.
Materials Used
The YNM weighted blanket features more innovation than you ever thought possible in a product of this kind. Dissecting the blanket, you will discover different layers that work together to provide natural sleep therapy like it’s supposed to.
The outer layer of the blanket is made with less fiberfill, looking to optimize temperature and avoid hot sleeping. Nobody likes to wake up sweating, and weighting blankets normally make that very difficult.
The added inserts are here to make sure that the blanket stays in place inside the duvet cover, should you choose to attack one. The core layer of the blanket gathers a generous number of glass beads, which are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and odorless.
The fabric that goes around the glass beads has two very important roles to fulfill: it needs to be comfortable enough so that you won’t actually feel the shape of every glass bead inside the blanket, but it also needs to be breathable, so that high temperature won’t be a problem in the nights to come.
Feel
Long story short: the YNM feels great IF (and only IF) you opt for the correct weight. The model I got my hands on, the one that weighs 15 pounds, is good for people of an average weight of about 140 lbs.
Here is an important rule that you should know prior to buying one of these: the best weight for your particular case is 10 percent of your total body weight. And that’s not me talking, it’s science! If you choose a model with a weight lower than that 10 percent, you won’t benefit from that deep pressure therapy we keep hearing about.
Now, you might be one of those people who are in between weights, so what do you do in such a case? Experts suggest that you go higher. For instance, if your ideal blanket weight is 19, go for the 20 pounds model. In the end, it’s a matter of personal preference, so you might not get this right the first time.
Since the outer shell of the blanket is made of cotton, it feels really soft when brushing against my skin. In fact, with a weighted blanket, I can’t really imagine another fabric being more comfortable (except for maybe bamboo or fleece).
Because of its inner pockets, the glass beads are evenly distributed across the surface of the blanket, which is really pleasant because there isn’t too much pressure on certain parts of the body and no pressure in others.
While I do feel the pressure of the blanket and its glass beads, I don’t actually feel the shapes of the beads, which makes it more comfortable for me and anybody who doesn’t want to feel like they’re trying to sleep in a ball-pool inside a kid’s arcade.
I didn’t feel that the weight of the blanket was causing heat build-up underneath, but yet again, you can’t really trust me on this one. I’m cold all the time, and I usually sleep rolled up in my duvets, like a cinnamon bun. So, for me to say that a product causes me to sleep hot, then you should really avoid it.
Durability Expectations
First thing’s first: If you really want to prolong the life of your YNM weighted blanket, a duvet cover is a must. It can easily be removed, tossed in the washing machine, and replaced with a cleaner cover, keeping your blanket protected at all times. The YNM weighted blanket does not include a duvet cover, so you’ll have to purchase one separately.
Since I haven’t owned this blanket for long, it’s a bit tough to talk about durability. But let’s analyze the construction real quick, and see what we can expect. As I’ve said before, the outer shell is made from cotton, one of the most durable and wash-resistant materials that you’ll ever come across in this lifetime.
I do feel that the stitching could be better, and this is important because we don’t want glass beads leaking all over the place. Pricking the surface and layers of the blanket to reach the bead seems highly unlikely, but you will have to check the stitching while you still have your return window, which you can take advantage of in case the product has manufacturing defects.
Shipping Info
Now that I’ve got you all excited about the YNM weighted blanket and you’re thinking of purchasing it, let’s cover the next step of the process: shipping and delivery. First off, know that YNM uses either UPS or FedEX shipping for delivering their products, and they don’t offer expedited shipping. So, if you really want your blanket tomorrow, or want to offer it as a gift, you will have to plan accordingly. There’s no room for spontaneity here.
After placing your order, know that it takes between one or two business days for the company to prepare your package. Depending on where you live, it can take up to six days to receive your order.
You can use YNM’s website to track your order by entering the ID and the billing email used when the order was placed. Alternatively, if you were given a tracking number, you can either check FedEX’s or UPS’ online tracking service, for estimated delivery time.
Warranty & Returns
Yes, you can return the YNM weighted blanket if you’re not happy with the product. You have a 30 day testing window to determine if you’re compatible with this kind of item, but keep in mind that the return shipping fee falls under your responsibility. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, because most online retailers will leave the return shipping costs in the buyer’s responsibility.
For further return instruction, YNM has provided the following email address: sales@ynmweightedblanket.com. Keep in mind that it might take a while for you to get used to how a weighted blanket feels, so don’t expect the maximum results to show up after a single night’s use.
If you decide that the product isn’t what you hoped for, or if you notice any manufacturing defects and would like a refund/new product, you will need to send the blanket back in its original packaging. YNM also informs its customers of a 25 perfect restocking fee which can be applied to damages or used goods.
After having sent the blanket back, you will have to provide YNM with a tracking number. You can expect a refund once the warehouse receives the product.
Customer Opinions
Breathability
Running hot is an absolute turn-off when it comes to weighted blankets, and finding manufacturers which have invested in cooling technologies for their products is very important. Customers that have experimented with the YNM weighted blanket are happy to report that they don’t wake up because of thermal discomfort but do recommend that you don’t use the product with a duvet cover in the hot summer months.
Sleep Regulation
Reading through different buyer reviews, you will also notice how a lot of people talk about how the blanket has extended their average sleeping time, even up to three hours more. Not only does the blanket help people sleep more, but it also puts them into a deep sleep. People that have trouble sleeping and wake up frequently during the night now find it easier to stay asleep all the way to sunrise.
Restless Leg Syndrome
As it turns out, this is one condition that the YNM weighted blanket manages to keep under control, just as it promises. Customer experiences speak of intense medical treatment they’ve undertaken in order to help with their RLS, but nothing seems to have worked until this blanket came into play.
Anxiety
It’s a well-known fact that your nervous system can prevent you from getting into that pre-sleep mood. People like me that suffer from anxiety and gave the YNM weighted blanket a trial run have happily stated how much faster they now fall asleep, affirming that deep pressure technology is the real deal, and that it actually works.
You might want to read: The Best Weighted Blankets for Sleeping
Bottom Line
The only real complaint about the YNM weighted blanket is that it can make sleep a little too comfortable. I promised myself I would fall into this comfort trap when I first slept in my new mattress the first nights. I felt so comfortable, it was as if my biological wake up clock refused to work, making me want to sleep more and more.
However, it is still better to buy products that make you want to sleep more, rather than trying to go day by day with a disrupted and unhealthy sleep schedule. The added features of the YNM weighted blanket are backed up by a huge number of customers that have suffered several problems leading to sleep disorders, and most of them can comfortably say that the blanket has indeed changed the way they sleep.