A travel blanket can be the difference between arriving at your destination fully rested and kicking off your trip cranky. Whether you’re jet-setting off to a tropical resort, or taking a cross-country road trip, the best travel blankets have to be on your packing list. Nowadays, there’s so many travel accessories and essentials to keep track of—your travel pillow, your travel backpack, even your makeup bag—but a comfortable and packable travel blanket is one item you won’t want to go without on your next adventure.
Blankets come in all shapes and sizes, and materials (hello, cozy fleece blankets!). Not to mention all the special features that are available, like heated blankets or cooling blankets, even cooling weighted blankets, perfect for hot sleepers who still want to reap the stress-relief benefits. No matter what kind of blanket you love to cuddle with in bed, there’s a travel blanket that will be perfect to take along with you in the plane, train, or trusty family minivan.
It’s important to remember, also, that one travel blanket may not fit the same needs of every trip. Maybe you need something extra-warm and waterproof for your next camping excursion. Perhaps you need a pet-friendly pick that won’t end up ripped or covered in hair. Maybe you’re a frequent traveler who should consider opting for a compact blanket that can easily be slipped into a carry-on. Fear not, we’ve assembled a list of the best travel blankets for you for every kind of travel.
Our top picks
Ready to start shopping? Read on to check out our full list of picks.
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1
Best Overall Travel Blanket
Away
The Travel Blanket
| Listed Dimensions |
69.5 x 44.5 x 0.25 in |
| Item Weight |
1.05 lbs |
2
Best Value Travel Blanket
World’s Best
Cozy Soft Microfleece Travel Blanket
| Listed Dimensions |
60 x 50 x 0.04 in |
| Item Weight |
0.83 lbs |
3
Best Packable Travel Blanket
EverSnug
Travel Blanket and Pillow
| Listed Dimensions |
65 x 40 x 0.01 in |
| Item Weight |
1.2 lbs |
4
Best Heated Travel Blanket
Stalwart
Heated Car Blanket
| Listed Dimensions |
15 x 15 x 5 in |
| Item Weight |
1 lbs |
5
Best Breathable Travel Blanket
Cocoon
Coolmax Travel Blanket
| Listed Dimensions |
70 x 56 in |
| Item Weight |
0.71 lbs |
6
Best Fleece Travel Blanket
Vera Bradley
Fleece Travel Blanket with Trolley Sleeve
| Listed Dimensions |
13 x 13 x 3.875 in |
| Item Weight |
1.54 lbs |
7
Best Wearable Travel Blanket
Travelrest
4-in-1 Premier Class Travel Blanket with Zipped Pocket
| Listed Dimensions |
38 x 60 in |
| Item Weight |
20 Ounces |
8
Best Camping Travel Blanket
Wise Owl Outfitters
Camping Blanket
| Listed Dimensions |
6.5 x 4.5 Feet |
| Item Weight |
28.6 Ounces |
9
Best Beach Travel Blanket
Wekapo
Beach Blanket
| Listed Dimensions |
7 x 7 Feet |
| Item Weight |
1 Pound |
How to choose the best travel blankets
While you’re shopping for your own travel blanket, there are some key details you should consider before purchasing. Here are some helpful things to be mindful of, according to textile experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute:
✔️ Material: If you’re looking for an affordable, lightweight, and warm travel blanket, textile analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute suggest trying fleece or a synthetic microfiber made of polyester. They also share that nylon fabrics are lightweight, durable and smooth, which usually makes them ideal for camping, hiking, or other outdoor adventures, that natural fibers like cotton and linen aren’t typically quite as warm but breathe well, and that merino fibers, while sometimes pricey, are quite warm and soft.
✔️ Size: For travel blankets in particular, it’s important to keep size dimensions in mind. You want to be sure to pick something that’s large enough to keep both your hands and toes warm but will also pack down small enough for your carry-on if you’re flying. Many of our picks offer plenty of coverage as well as packable into either a smaller pouch or convertible into a pillow.
✔️ Features: Many of our picks for travel blankets are designed with extra features. Some offer a case or pouch to keep your blanket compact, while others offer an attached loop, designed to be helpful for toting the blanket when you’re on the go. Some blankets offer wearability features, like a hole or snaps at the neck that allow you to use the blanket hands-free. Last, some blankets feature added pockets to provide extra space for your smaller belongings that are easily lost in the cracks of your car or plane seat.
How we chose the best travel blankets
We researched the best travel blankets and considered online reviews and editor-favorite products as part of this process. We also referenced the Good Housekeeping Institute’s coverage, where Textiles Lab experts shared their recommendations (from those, we included the Away Travel Blanket, World’s Best Cozy Soft Microfleece Travel Blanket, and Stalwart Heated Car Blanket products on our list).
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
Madeleine Haase
Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university.
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