The best throw blankets

• The best throw blankets are soft, warm, and durable enough to last you multiple seasons without showing signs of wear and tear.
• If warmth is what you're after, the West Elm Faux Fur Ombre Throw is the best throw blanket you can buy.
• If you're looking for blankets large enough for your bed, check out our guide to the best bedding startups.

There's nothing more satisfying to me than curling up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea in preparation for another marathon of the Great British Bake Off on Netflix. A key part of that equation is my favorite throw blanket. Without it, my nightly routine isn't nearly as relaxing.

A good throw blanket will be cuddly soft, cozy and warm yet breathable, and durable enough to last you multiple seasons. The best throws will resist holding onto smells, moisture,  or mildew to minimize the number of times it needs to be washed throughout the season.

Many of our picks have been thoroughly tested by Insider Picks reporters and editors, and these are the ones that have risen to the top — even earning permanent spots on many of our couches.

Here are the best throw blankets:

• Best faux fur throw blanket: West Elm Faux Fur Ombre Throw
• Best fleece throw blanket: L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw
• Best wool throw blanket: Pendleton Motor Robe
• Best lightweight throw blanket: Crane & Canopy Linen Throw
• Best cashmere throw blanket: Williams Sonoma Recycled Italian Cashmere Throw

The best faux fur throw blanket

West Elm/Instagram

If you're looking for a blanket that will keep you warm and cozy in the winter while not sacrificing aesthetic, the West Elm Faux Fur Ombre Throw is a great choice.

I have this blanket on my couch at home, and it's easily the most fought-over throw we own. When snuggling up on the couch, my partner and I regularly play tug of war with this blanket because of how warm and cozy it is. It's double-sided, with a high-pile faux fur on one side and a low-pile velvety fleece-like underside with both sides of the blanket offering unparalleled softness.

The West Elm Faux Fur Throw so soft that I regularly find my cat curled up on the blanket, and thanks to its faux-fur aesthetic, it easily hides the cat hair, so I don't have to shoo her off of her favorite napping spot. My cat's coloring is almost a perfect match for the blanket, and she often blends right in, so if you have grey or brown animals, make sure to look before you sit. 

Insider Picks editor Sally Kaplan also owns this blanket, and it's her go-to at home. "The weight of the blanket is just heavy enough to keep me warm without totally overheating me, though I will say that I wish I had bought the larger size so my partner and I could curl up together without one of us having to sacrifice a little coverage," she writes.

Unfortunately, the throw is dry-clean only, so if you spill something on it or just generally want to refresh it, you'll have to plunk down some cash on getting it cleaned. But I've had mine for almost the entire winter season, and it's yet to get musty or smelly.

Pros: Ultra-plush, very warm, incredibly soft

Cons: Expensive, dry-clean only, small size is not large enough for two people to share

The best fleece throw blanket

L.L.Bean

The L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw is a reliable classic from a heritage brand you can trust — plus it's soft, affordable, and machine washable.

L.L.Bean is a favorite among Insider Picks. We love the heritage brand's sheets, slippers, and their internet-famous tote bags to name a few. Now we're adding L.L.Bean's Wicked Plush Throw blanket to our list.

Made with the same care and precision that the brand is known for, this fleece plush is an affordable option that will keep you warm in the winter months, but it's lightweight enough that you can use it all year round — especially if someone in your home likes to crank the air conditioning to arctic temperatures. The fleece is brushed on both sides, giving it that extra softness that you'd expect from a good fleece blanket.

The Wicked Plush Throw comes in two sizes. I'd opt for the larger 60-inch by 80-inch option because I'm often sharing a blanket with a partner and a cat, but the 50-inch x 60-inch is a generously sized throw for personal use. If you want something even larger, you could opt for the Wicked Cozy Blanket which is made of the same fleece but is sized for use on your bed.

Unlike some of our other picks, the Wicked Plush Throw is machine washable, but do take care to dry it on a no-heat setting, lest the polyester fleece gets scorched in the dryer. 

Pros: Affordable, machine washable

Cons: Not as luxurious as other options

The best wool throw blanket

Pendleton

Made in America from 100% virgin wool, the Pendleton Motor Robe is a throw that will keep you warm through years of use.

Pendleton is another heritage brand we love and trust. Insider Picks Fellow Ciannah Gin has been using her Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool Blanket on her bed for over four years, and she was so thrilled with it that she bought a second one. She writes, "Although the blanket is made from 100% wool, it's surprisingly breathable. Mine haven't shrunk, faded, or pilled in the four years I've had them."

But the Eco-Wise is intended for use on your bed. If you're looking for something more manageable in size, we recommend the Motor Robe. At 52 inches by 66 inches, the throw is still generously-sized but not so unwieldy that you'll get trapped in it while watching TV.

The Motor Robe is made from virgin wool and the Pendleton brand has over 150 years' worth of pedigree making blankets in the Pacific Northwest. The Pendleton website says the Motor Robe was developed from the tradition of those in need of extra warmth when traveling by horse-drawn carriage, train, or boat, but it will be just as welcome at home in your reading nook.

If you do plan to take this blanket on your journeys, it comes with a leather carrying strap that you can wrap around a rolled-up blanket. It's a lovely aesthetic touch for those who want to store the blanket in sight — especially because the plaid patterns are so eye-catching — but don't want it sprawled out on their couch all the time.

One large downside to this 100% wool blanket is the fact that it can be uncomfortable for those with sensitive skin. Gin found her Pendleton blanket to be too itchy to wrap herself up in without the protective barrier of her bedding.

Pros: Comes from a brand with a history of quality products, durable through multiple years of use

Cons: Wool can be itchy for those with sensitive skin

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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