Quick Answer: The Gravity weighted blanket uses fine-grade glass beads in a cotton shell and costs around $250 USD. Canadian availability is limited since Indigo and Bed Bath and Beyond no longer carry it, and the website may not ship to Canada. Hush and Silk and Snow offer comparable quality with easier Canadian access.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 8 minutes | Last updated March 2026
What Is the Gravity Blanket?
Gravity launched in 2017 as one of the first mainstream weighted blankets, raising over $4.7 million on Kickstarter. The concept was simple: a heavy blanket filled with glass beads that applies gentle, even pressure across your body. That pressure mimics what researchers call deep pressure stimulation, and it triggers your parasympathetic nervous system to calm down.
The brand built a loyal following in the United States and briefly expanded into Canadian retail through Indigo and Bed Bath and Beyond. Both of those partnerships have since ended, leaving Canadian shoppers with fewer ways to get their hands on one.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "Weighted blankets are one of the most asked-about sleep accessories in our showroom. People hear about them from their therapist or their doctor, and they want to know if the hype is real. For most people, it is."
Specs, Materials, and Weight Options
Here is what you get when you buy a Gravity weighted blanket:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Inner blanket material | 100% cotton |
| Duvet cover material | 100% polyester (micro-fleece) |
| Fill | Fine-grade glass beads |
| Weight options | 15 lb, 20 lb, 35 lb |
| Size: Single | 48" x 72" |
| Size: Queen/King | 90" x 90" |
| Price (USD) | From $250 |
| Cooling option | Yes (Gravity Cooling Blanket, separate product) |
| Return policy | 30 days, strict conditions |
| Machine washable | Cover only. Inner blanket: spot clean |
Why Glass Beads Matter
Glass beads are smaller and denser than the plastic poly pellets used in cheaper weighted blankets. That means the weight distributes more evenly across the blanket surface, and the blanket itself drapes closer to your body. Even distribution is what makes the deep pressure stimulation effective. A blanket with lumpy, uneven fill concentrates weight in patches and creates pressure points rather than consistent calm.
The original Gravity blanket does not have much cooling technology. If you sleep hot, the micro-fleece duvet cover can trap heat. Gravity sells a separate cooling model with a moisture-wicking cover, but that adds to the cost.
The Canadian Availability Problem
This is the biggest issue for Canadian shoppers. Gravity blankets used to be available at Indigo stores across Canada and through Bed Bath and Beyond. Both of those retail partnerships have ended. Bed Bath and Beyond closed all Canadian locations, and Indigo no longer stocks the product.
What This Means for Ontario Shoppers
If you are in Brantford or surrounding communities, you cannot walk into a store and try a Gravity blanket. The brand website (gravityblankets.com) has a Canadian storefront (ca.gravityblankets.com), but availability and shipping timelines can be inconsistent. Returns from Canada add cross-border shipping costs and customs hassles that make the 30-day return policy even more restrictive.
For a blanket that costs $250+ USD (roughly $340+ CAD after exchange and shipping), not being able to feel the weight and texture before buying is a real drawback. This is where Canadian-made alternatives have a significant advantage.
How Weighted Blankets Work (The Science)
The reason weighted blankets help with sleep and anxiety comes down to deep pressure stimulation. When consistent, gentle pressure is applied across your body, it activates your parasympathetic nervous system. That is the system responsible for "rest and digest" mode. It increases serotonin and dopamine production while lowering cortisol, your primary stress hormone.
What the Research Shows
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that weighted blanket use significantly reduces anxiety in adults with mental health conditions, with no adverse effects reported. A 2020 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine by Ekholm and colleagues found that participants using weighted chain blankets experienced a 67% reduction in insomnia severity. Meth et al. (2023) published in the Journal of Sleep Research found a 32% increase in melatonin production with weighted blanket use. A 2025 scoping review identified 38 studies, including 12 randomised controlled trials, supporting the therapeutic benefits of weighted blankets across multiple populations.
The general recommendation is to choose a blanket that weighs about 10% of your body weight. A 150 lb person would use a 15 lb blanket, and a 200 lb person would use a 20 lb blanket. The 35 lb Gravity option is intended for larger individuals or couples sharing a queen/king size.
Weight Selection Guide
Start lighter if you are new to weighted blankets. A blanket that is too heavy can feel restrictive rather than calming. If 10% of your body weight feels like too much, drop down one weight class. You can always go heavier later once you adjust.
Gravity vs Canadian Alternatives
The Gravity blanket is well-made, but it is not the only option, and it is not the easiest to buy in Canada. Here is how it stacks up against three weighted blankets that are readily available to Canadians:
| Feature | Gravity | Hush (Canadian) | Silk and Snow | Douglas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made in | USA/China | Vancouver, BC | Canadian company | Canadian company |
| Fill | Glass beads | Glass beads | Glass beads | Glass beads |
| Inner material | Cotton | Cotton | Cotton | Cotton |
| Cooling option | Separate product | Hush Iced (bamboo) | Cooling cover included | Standard |
| Canadian shipping | Limited/unreliable | Free across Canada | Free across Canada | Free across Canada |
| Trial period | 30 days | 100 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights |
| Price (CAD) | ~$340+ | ~$180-250 | ~$150-200 | ~$149-199 |
| Return from Canada | Cross-border hassle | Free Canadian returns | Free Canadian returns | Free Canadian returns |
The comparison is not close when it comes to practical buying experience. Canadian brands offer longer trial periods, free shipping both ways, and pricing in Canadian dollars. Hush, based in Vancouver, has built its entire brand around the Canadian market and offers a bamboo cooling cover (Hush Iced) that addresses the heat retention problem the Gravity original has.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "When customers ask about specific weighted blanket brands, I always suggest trying one in person if possible. The weight and texture matter more than the brand name. What feels calming to one person can feel suffocating to another."
Who Should Buy a Weighted Blanket?
Weighted blankets are not for everyone. They work well for specific situations and specific people.
Good Candidates
- Anxiety and stress: Deep pressure stimulation has the strongest evidence base for anxiety reduction
- Insomnia: Research supports reduced sleep latency and increased deep sleep time
- Restless legs: The pressure can reduce the urge to move
- Sensory processing needs: Originally developed for occupational therapy
- PTSD and trauma: Used in clinical settings as part of grounding techniques
Who Should Avoid Weighted Blankets
- Children under 2: Risk of suffocation. No exceptions.
- Respiratory conditions: COPD, severe asthma, or sleep apnea patients should consult their doctor first
- Claustrophobia: The sensation can trigger, not calm, some people
- Mobility issues: If you cannot easily remove the blanket yourself, it may not be safe
- Hot sleepers: Unless you choose a cooling model, weighted blankets add warmth
If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before using a weighted blanket. This is especially important for anyone with respiratory issues, circulatory problems, or who is recovering from surgery.
Our Recommendation
The Gravity blanket is a well-made product with quality materials. If you can find it available for Canadian shipping at a reasonable price, it is a solid choice. But the practical reality for most Canadians is that you will pay more, wait longer, and have a harder time returning it compared to Canadian alternatives that use the same materials and construction quality.
If you want to try a weighted blanket, visit us at Mattress Miracle. We can help you figure out the right weight for your body, discuss whether a weighted blanket makes sense alongside your current mattress and bedding setup, and point you toward options that are easy to buy, try, and return in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Gravity blanket in Canada?
Canadian availability is limited. Gravity has a Canadian website (ca.gravityblankets.com), but Indigo and Bed Bath and Beyond no longer stock them. Shipping from the US adds cost, and returns involve cross-border logistics. Canadian alternatives like Hush and Silk and Snow offer free shipping and returns within Canada.
How heavy should my weighted blanket be?
The general guideline is 10% of your body weight. A 150 lb person would choose a 15 lb blanket. Start lighter if you have never used one before, as a blanket that is too heavy can feel restrictive rather than calming. Gravity offers 15 lb, 20 lb, and 35 lb options.
Do weighted blankets actually help with anxiety?
Research supports it. A 2024 meta-analysis in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that weighted blanket use significantly reduces anxiety in adults. The mechanism is deep pressure stimulation, which activates your parasympathetic nervous system and lowers cortisol while increasing serotonin production.
Can I wash a Gravity blanket?
The removable duvet cover is machine washable. The inner weighted blanket should be spot cleaned only. Glass bead blankets are heavy when wet, and machine washing the inner blanket can damage your washing machine or cause uneven bead distribution.
Is the Gravity blanket good for hot sleepers?
The original Gravity blanket uses a micro-fleece polyester cover, which retains heat. Hot sleepers should look at the Gravity Cooling Blanket (a separate, more expensive product) or consider a Canadian alternative like the Hush Iced, which uses a bamboo cooling cover.
Sources
- Ekholm, B., Spulber, S., and Adler, M. (2020). A randomized controlled study of weighted chain blankets for insomnia in psychiatric disorders. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 16(9), 1567-1577. jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.8636
- Meth, E.M.S., et al. (2023). A weighted blanket increases pre-sleep salivary concentrations of melatonin in young, healthy adults. Journal of Sleep Research, 32(6), e13743.
- Systematic review: The effect of weighted blankets on sleep quality and mental health symptoms in people with psychiatric disorders. (2024). Journal of Psychiatric Research. sciencedirect.com
- Lonn, M., et al. (2025). Outcome Measures in Evaluation of Weighted Blankets: A Scoping Review. Occupational Therapy International. onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- Mullen, B., et al. (2008). Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 24(1), 65-89.
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic ComfortCare Dalton & Albany mattress
- Whitney two-sided bamboo mattress
- Somnia 3.0 support pillow
Or compare our mattresses in our Brantford showroom.
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Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available, wheelchair accessible. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle, 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON, (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.
Curious whether a weighted blanket would complement your current mattress setup? Call Talia at (519) 770-0001 or stop by. We carry weighted blankets and can help you choose the right weight for your body.