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Maybe you’ve already locked down a dependable comforter and weighted blanket, but for your shivering bod, you’ll also need one of the best throw blankets for curling up with on the couch. Even well beyond the time the frost clears and deep into A/C weather, burrito-ing yourself within a soft, warm blanket never loses its appeal. And if you land yourself something especially stylish, it can take that plain sofa and elevate it to Architectural Digest status.
The Best Throw Blankets, According to GQ
Choosing one is the hard part. Not all throw blankets are cut from the same cloth, and for every thick, heirloom-worthy merino wool number or fine cashmere knit out there, there’s some cheap chenille rag shedding fuzz even while it sits on the shelf. There’s no need to drop multiple Benjamins for designer labels in the name of finding a winner. But there is quality to consider, along with the cozy factor.
So we went in search of the best throw blankets, across all budgets. For some of the winners, we wrapped ourselves up and napped ourselves out. Others come from brands we trust. Below, the throw blankets that will give you the warm and fuzzies all year-round.
The Best Throw Blanket for Most People: Parachute
Parachute makes some of the finest bedding out there within a not-so-steep price range, and we’ll give it to them for making some damn good throws and blankets. Its moderately sized ribbed throw is made of 100% organic cotton, with a thinly knit gauge that’s as breathable as it is warm. We’d compare it to a thin cotton sweater more so than a heavy-duty hoodie, but sometimes all you need is a light layer to stave off that chill in the air. The color options are limited to just two shades (cream and tan stripes, along with a red and tan option) but being reversible, it’s like there are four colorways available.
The Best Oversized Throw Blanket: Coyuchi Sequoia
From bed sheets to bath towels, Coyuchi knows what’s up when it comes to linens of all stripes. The brand cut zero corners when it designed its Sequoia throw blanket, made of a cotton-wool blend that’s smooth and soft to the touch yet hefty and warm on extra chilly nights. It’s also been supersized to give you absolute full coverage for wrapping yourself into a burrito or sharing it with two or even three (hey, we don’t judge) people. The weathered, textured weave looks almost vintage, while the double-stitched edges mean it’ll stay fray-free when it actually is vintage. Another major perk: This thing is machine-washable. Drool all over it, then toss it in the wash for a refresh.
The Best Budget Throw Blanket: Bedsure
For the cost of two movie tickets you can scoop up this super-soft blanket from Amazon. The blend of acrylic and polyester isn’t the fanciest fabric out there, but it does come in a lot of different colors…so that’s nice. It’ll do just fine on laundry day because it can take a beating or two in the washer and dryer. One reviewer even compliments the blanket for holding up against their cat’s claws. Consider its more of a couch stalwart or car stash throw blanket than a bona fide design piece, and you’re in the right place.
The Best Wool Throw Blanket: Schoolhouse x Pendleton
Pendleton’s been in the wool blanket game for a long damn time, and we’d be hard pressed to find a color, pattern, or size we didn’t like. On the other hand, it’s very easy to find something we absolutely love, and that’s no exception with this GQ 2024 Sleep Awards winner. The cool curators over at Schoolhouse tapped Pendleton for this brand-exclusive colorway that’s about as vibey as it gets for both brands. This is a blanket that’ll make itself right at home, by the campfire, or in the trunk of your pick-up, but above all, it’ll be there for every occasion that calls for it—and for years to come.
The Best Cashmere Throw Blanket: Quince
If you want the luxe feel of wearing your favorite cashmere sweater while you’re just eating a bagel on a Sunday morning, good news—Quince has you literally covered. Somehow the direct-to-consumer brand has figured out how to knit 100% cashmere into blanket size for less than the price of a merino wool sweater. Yeah, you may spend some of those savings every year on a dry-clean. But a cashmere blanket? In this economy? It’s possible.
The Best Reversible Throw Blanket: Brooklinen Two-Tone Lambswool Throw
Listen, we know all throw blankets are technically reversible. But what Brooklinen’s talking about when it says “reversible” is that a blanket has two different looks on either side. The charcoal color has a graphite gray and a lighter gray, while the cream color is paired with beige on the reverse. Either way, Brooklinen’s blanket is incredibly soft and warm—and aesthetically versatile to boot.
The Best Linen Throw Blanket: Cultiver Estela
The antidote for surviving too much heat is almost aways linen: a linen suit, linen bed sheets, or a linen shirt. But the easy, breezy fabric also makes sense for throw blankets because when it’s woven right, it’ll keep you warm without making you sweaty. Cultiver is all about linen bedding, so it makes sense that the brand makes a pretty excellent throw, too. This linen number, woven in Portugal, wears a lightweight, waffle-like texture. A few cycles in the wash will only make it softer and softer, too.
The Best Quilted Throw Blanket: Buffy Puffer Blanket
Buffy’s quilted blanket takes notes from your favorite liner jacket. Made from recycled plastic, the Puffer is fully machine washable and stain-resistant, and comes in four different hues, including a subdued gray and a burnt orange. It’s essentially a puffer that you can take on the road and use as picnic blanket, or drape over your shoulders when it gets a little chilly in the house.
4 More Throw Blankets We Like
The name channels Maine, but it’s not wrong. Bean’s throw blanket doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but like its best-selling flannel sheets, it is warm, cozy, and well-made. This thing lasts practically forever since it doesn’t shed or pill, too. So long as you don’t throw it in the dryer after you machine wash it, you’re good to go for the next couple of winter freezes.
If you need a brief on Pendleton, here goes: The family-owned business has been making woolen products, from home goods to apparel, since the 1800s. A century-plus of working with the knit has turned Pendleton into wool wizards. Somehow, some way, this wool blanket is fully machine washable—and it can be thrown in the dryer. It’s the perfect weight for snuggling up when there’s a slight chill in the air, without the worries that one dropped bite of your Szechuan take-out is going to earn you a dry cleaning bill.
We keep talking about how throw blankets add some intrigue to your sofa, but this one from Ezcaray in collaboration with Goodee is one of the more eye-catching of the lot, especially if you’ve got the guts to play with pattern. The fuzzy mohair construction makes this feel like a gigantic Needles cardigan (or Lenny Kravitz’s massive scarf), and it’s equally cozy at the foot of the bed as it is wrapped around you like a tortilla.
Oak + Fort is a clothing brand first, and a homewares brand second. But now that the brand is going full send with the homewares, it’s released a new in-house brand called Senn, which includes the very-affordable Fracta throw. The cotton gauze makeup is breezy and comfortable, and it’s super lightweight while still providing enough protection against a breeze.
What to look for in a throw blanket
Here are a few factors you should take into consideration when shopping for your next cozy throw.
Material: Like regular bed sheets, the best throws are largely made from natural fabrics. In this case, linen, cotton, or wool. Cotton’s the easiest to care for, since it’s usually machine washable (and potentially machine dryable). Linen has that nice crisp linen texture and stays breathable while still trapping heat. It loves to wrinkle, though. Wool is a throw blanket mainstay, and hardy, too, since the fibers aren’t as stain-absorbent as cotton or linen. Many wool blankets need dry-cleaning or hand-washing if you can’t spot-clean, and some people find it itchy against bare skin.
Size: There’s no agreed-upon “throw blanket” size. Most hover around 50 by 60 inches, but some brands offer them in varying sizes, similar to bedding. Maybe the most important consideration you’ll need to make will be choosing a blanket that can fit one person or two.
Care: Just like with clothes, you gotta read the care instructions. Don’t make assumptions. That can work in your favor, too! The Pendleton throw we recommend is a wool blanket that can actually be put through the washer and dryer.
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