Nowadays, every traveler has to have a travel blanket. You’ll undoubtedly need one if you plan to go hiking or camping because you may use it to sit on during your break or to wrap yourself in to stay warm and protected from the elements.
A travel blanket is a necessary companion if you drive. What could be more comfortable without a blanket when you need to spend the night in your car?
In recent years airline companies have slowly stopped giving out airplane blankets and pillows to passengers, with the nice sewed logos being a thing of the past now. Again, having your own cozy travel blanket would come in handy.
In order to select the top 15 travel blankets, our team from TravelTrained and I decided to compile a buying guide, test, and review 27 travel blankets. Here is our detailed list of the 15 best travel blankets you can find.
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Editor's Choice
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Editor's 2nd Choice
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Editor's 3rd Choice
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Title:
Aricove Cooling Weighted Blanket
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Title:
Threadmill Travel Blanket
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Title:
LAVEDER Weighted Blanket
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Material:
Bamboo Viscose
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Material:
Cotton Bamboo-Derived Rayon
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Material:
Cotton
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Dimensions:
72"L x 48"W
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Dimensions:
50" x 75"
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Dimensions:
80"L x 60"W
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Top Travel Blankets
15. Cocoon Coolmax Blanket
The first on our best travel blanket list is the Cocoon Coolmax, made by Cocoon. It’s 70 by 55 inches, comes in many different colors, and you can machine-wash it. The material is the “CoolMax” proprietary fabric, a blend of polyester.
It comes in only one size and it’s a very lightweight blanket. It arrives with a special travel case, like a fabric bag, so you can fold it and put it inside just like a sleeping bag. Very convenient to throw in your checked bag or carry-on luggage.
This blanket is regarded to be very comfortable on the skin, with decent warmth, and made from a great fabric.
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14. EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow
This is a perfect soft travel blanket pillow combo: it is a premium micro plush blanket, comes with a carrying case that turns it into a pillow, and the case has an attaching sleeve that goes in the suitcase handle for easy transport.
This is a top-rated travel blanket on Amazon, it’s a 65 by 40 inches blanket and is made from micro plush. It’s very comfortable and convenient to take with you on travels.
You can order it in six different colors, from pink to navy blue. It doesn’t seem to have any downsides to it, except that if you use the blanket you lose the pillow, and vice-versa.
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13. Aricove Weighted Blanket
The third option on our best travel blanket list is a weighted travel blanket; you can choose the fill weight it has at the time of purchase.
It comes in six different weight configurations, including a 5-pound option for kids (2.2 kg) all the way up to a 20-pound option for adults (9 kg).
The blanket is 48 by 72 inches, and the kid’s version is 36 by 48 inches so the kids can have their own blanket. Made from white bamboo fiber, and machine washable.
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12. American Airlines’ Inflatable Pillow and Fleece Blanket
It is perfect if you just want a good enough travel blanket set, with an inflatable neck pillow, blanket, and carrying pouch. The whole set is very small, making it the ideal airplane blanket.
This is the most affordable lightweight travel blanket we tested, providing extra comfort for about $11 American. This kit is for those looking for something really cheap, just to have an extra layer of comfort during the flight. It’s 100% made from polyester.
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11. Electric Car Blanket by Ohcoolslute
This travel blanket is not just a blanket! This car blanket made by Ohcoolslute is perfect for long trips in colder climates and during winter. It’s heated by plugging it into the 12v cigarette lighter of cars, SUVs, RVs, and trucks.
It has smart thermostat technology, and it shuts down after 45 minutes of use, so it doesn’t burn the user or drain the battery completely.
It’s a soft fleece travel blanket, 60 x 43 inches in dimension. It’s perfect for staying warm in a car when you want to save petrol and keep the engine shut but doesn’t make sense for anything else.
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10. Litume Travel Blanket
Next on our best travel blankets list is the Litume Travel Blanket. With this blanket, you can choose two versions, both made from a micro-fleece velour fabric.
One option is the fleece version, and the other is the velvet version. Both have the same specifications, what changes is the texture of the blanket.
It comes with a convenient stuff sack and will get very compact similar to a Matador pocket blanket, making it perfect for carrying in a backpack or carry-on.
This is so far one of the best lightweight blankets on the list for travelers. The blanket’s dimensions are 67 by 48 inches.
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9. Rumpl The Original Puffy
The Rumpl travel blanket is a premium camping option, with a lot of different printed versions, and made from high-quality recyclable materials.
This perfect camping blanket is made using the same methods sleeping bags are made, so this is a very warm blanket, even when used outdoors. It also has waterproof and odor-resistant technology.
It comes with a carrying sack, and a cape clip, so you can use your hands while the blanket is on your shoulders. It’s not as compact as the other options, however. The dimensions for the Rumpl 1-person blanket are 75 by 52 inches.
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8. LAVEDER Weighted Blanket
This option is for people seeking sleep quality, and not caring about how to bring the blanket on the trip. It feels more like travel bedding than a blanket.
It’s a weighted blanket made from premium quality cotton, filled with also high-quality glass beads. It has many different weight options, but the further you go, the larger the blanket gets.
It may not be suited for backpacking, but it’s definitely the best sleeping blanket on our list. It’s not exactly a travel blanket, and the sizes vary between the 6 choices available.
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7. BlueHills Ultra Compact Travel Blanket
The BlueHills is really an ultra-compact blanket just as the name suggests. It’s made from a very comfortable and warm microfiber.
It’s 70 by 56 inches in size, but with the included carry case, it goes down to 9 by 4.5 inches! This is a compact travel blanket that does not sacrifice the compact format for the actual size of the blanket.
It has a “hand luggage belt” on the case, for ease of transport on the carry-on bag. The only downside is that it’s a little thin, only 0.3 inches.
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6. World’s Best Cozy-Soft Microfleece Travel Blanket
That’s a bold statement by the manufacturer, but that may be the best blanket in the world for many travelers out there. It’s just a simple, soft, cozy micro-fleece blanket, and nothing more.
It’s warm, the materials are soft and of good quality, and it folds very well to a compact size. Another strong point for this one is the price – a very cheap blanket. It’s just a simple blanket you can take with you.
It comes in many colors and it can be machine-washed. It’s 50 by 60 inches. It may just be the best soft microfleece travel blanket after all. The only downside is that it doesn’t have a stuff sack.
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5. Blanket by LET’S INNOVATE LIFE 4-in-1 Travel
Another multi-use blanket for travel, the 4-in-1 Travel Blanket is made from a warm plush, with 2 convenient mesh storage pockets, and a carrying case with luggage straps in a travel pillow format.
The great thing about this option is the 2 pockets that you can use to keep your things with you inside of the case or the blanket itself making it a perfect blanket for carrying your valuable items.
It’s 40 by 60 inches, and very highly rated on Amazon. The only downside of this travel blanket is that you have to choose between the travel pillow and the blanket.
And, as a bonus, you don’t have to worry about being refused at the security control, because you are allowed to take a blanket on a plane.
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4. Zero Grid Premium
This is the go-to choice for backpackers and adventure travelers. It’s a super warm blanket, made from very high-quality materials which is why it makes our list of the best travel blankets.
It has a lot of features, including 2-foot pockets for total warmth, snaps for the neck and hips, and RFID shielding.
The carrying case doubles up as a pillow, and it can carry up to 4 passports and other belongings when folded making it perfect for a long road trip.
The best thing about these options for adventurers is that the manufacturer has up to $300 USD trip insurance so you don’t have to worry if the items are lost from this blanket and a lost item recovery service.
There are no noticeable downsides to this option, only that it comes in only 2 colors. It’s 40 by 70 inches.
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3. Cloudz Bamboo Travel Blanket
Another simple, yet effective alternative, but this time it’s a lightweight soft blanket made from premium bamboo fiber. It comes with a travel bag, measures 42 by 72 inches, and has 2-foot pockets to keep all of your body warm.
Like the other simple blanket options, this one is also very affordable, at less than $13 on Amazon. However, some people may not like how bamboo fiber feels on the skin.
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2. Threadmill Premium Soft Travel Blanket
This is a more upscale and high-end option for the elegant traveler. It comes with a premium leather carrying bag, and the blanket itself is made from pure cotton viscose.
The blanket is very durable and can be machine washed without an issue. The only downside is the price which is not the cheapest on this list.
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1. Proglobe Travel Blanket Luxury Travel Set
Maybe the most complete and versatile option in our blankets for travel list. With the Proglobe you can have a luxury travel blanket and pillow at the same time, as well an eye mask, and premium earplugs.
The blanket doubles as the carrying case, it folds in on itself and you can have everything with you in just one place. It’s all a traveler needs for the plane, car, or for resting in general.
The only bad thing is that the traveler can have trouble folding all back inside when there are no flat surfaces around.
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Features to Consider When Buying a Travel Blanket
Size
Make sure your travel blanket is a travel-friendly size but is big enough to cover your body from head to toe.
Nothing is more uncomfortable than being cold and choosing between warming your hands or your feet because your blanket is too small to cover you up. Allow for a few extra inches as well for maximum comfort.
Fabric Type
You want to choose a soft material that will feel comfortable against your skin. Before deciding on a blanket, make sure it does not feel scratchy, itchy, or too fuzzy. Stay away from wool and choose one made of cotton, soft fleece, or a CoolMax fabric instead.
Machine Washable
Always choose a machine-washable travel blanket. Now that we are all more conscious of germs in public places like airplanes and when going on a train ride, you definitely want to ensure that you can wash and sanitize your blanket without shrinking, pilling or falling apart.
Durability
Buying the least expensive blanket is not always the best option. Instead, invest in a more expensive option that will hold up better to the wear and tear that traveling brings. Many cheap travel blankets will fall apart after a few uses or washes.
Texture
The texture of your blanket ties in with the fabric type. You want to make sure that it is comfortable and non-irritating for you. Consider whether you like a more lightweight or heavier blanket and whether you prefer it to be smoother or more plush.
Style
Travel blankets come in many styles and have different features. Some travelers prefer a blanket with snaps to hold onto their bodies.
Others like blankets that convert into pillows. Some blankets have foot or hand pockets for extra warmth. Consider your specific travel style and preferences to help you choose the best style blanket.
Ease of Use
You won’t want to have to fumble with your blanket to pack it away before you depart from the plane or train. Look for a blanket that folds easily and compactly so you can quickly throw it in your bags.
You might also want an option that includes its own carrying bag so that it won’t take up space in your backpack or carry-on.
Weight
When selecting a travel blanket, pay attention to the weight. The weight can determine if it’s a good option for air travel, a long backpacking trip, or just good for road-tripping with friends in a car.
A lightweight travel blanket makes a good option for almost every traveler and is usually very easy to pack away and carry.
However, many travelers find that a blanket weighted with glass beads or other types of weights helps them to relax and/or sleep better. Many options exist for both preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to fold a blanket into a pillow?
The easiest fold to turn a blanket into a pillow has 6 steps:
- Fold the blanket twice, making sure that each time you fold the dimension is a quarter of the width of your blanket;
- Flip the blanket over;
- Fold the blanket across the other axis, and reach the middle with it;
- Fold the opposite side and reach the other folded parts;
- Picking it up in the center, fold it on itself;
- Wrap the blanket around the thick side, it should create a pocket. Place the rest of the blanket into the pocket. The blanket pillow is done.
What is the best way to fold blankets?
This is the best way to fold blankets, for storage purposes or so they find in your bag:
- Lay your blanket on a flat enough surface so you have room to work;
- Fold it in half and hold it by the corners. Bring the corners to the opposite side to complete the first fold;
- Smooth out the blanket, making sure it has no other folds or wrinkles;
- Now crosswise, fold it in half. Hold It by the corners again and bring them to the opposite side again. Smooth the blanket again;
- Continue this process until you are satisfied.
What is the average size of a throw blanket?
The standard measure of a throw blanket is 50 by 60 inches or 130 by 150 cm. However, different brands have different throw blanket sizes. Make sure to decide on what size throw blanket will suit your needs before you buy one.
