10 Best travel blankets in 2024 reviewed
Looking for that extra bit of comfort in any scenario is never a bad thing, is it?
We travelers have many different preferences and inclinations. Some enjoy flights, train and bus rides and some don’t. Either way, we always want more comfort.
Love to snuggle? or Is hygiene everything for you?
A simple thing such as having a great travel blanket can keep you warm and fuzzy and make your flight, train ride or road trip closer to being perfect.
Besides, it’s not uncommon for the travel blankets given by the airlines to be too short, too thin or itchy even.
Picking the right blanket isn’t hard and this list should make it even easier for you!
Top 10 travel blankets for airplanes & more
We’ve ploughed through some great options and picked out the following 11 travel blankets. Some of which double up as both a travel blanket and lumbar support among other uses too.
1. Travelrest 4-in-1 Premier Plus Travel Blanket with Pocket
Weight: 1 pound
Size: 38 x 60 & 40 x 72 inches
The Travelrest 4 in 1 Premier Plus is without a doubt one of the great travel blanket options. The Travelrest blanket comes in 2 sizes with the larger one more to our liking. It’s quite soft & warm and can be great for hiking, camping in addition to air travel.
- The pocket is extremely convenient
- The poncho style ensures that it never slips down
- Extremely soft & comfy
- Multifunctional aspect is a space saver
- Won’t cover your feet if you are very tall
- Not the greatest of lumbar supports & pillows
2. Kingole
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Size: 50" x 60" (Travel Size)
Note: There are 3 larger variants. Choose the Travel/ Throw one as its the most compact.
Right on top of our list of things a travel blanket should have is a soft plush feel and it doesn’t get much better than the Kingole. This blanket is as comfortable as they come and is much thicker than the ones you get on international airlines.
- Super soft material to make you feel cozy
- Many color options
- Machine washable
- Very good price
- Width is enough to cover you completely
- Not the most compact despite being the most comfortable
3. BlueHills Blanket/Pillow
Size: 60" x 42"
Weight: 1.2 lbs
If one has the need for a pillow and blanket for airplanes then the BlueHills is a must have. You can roll up the blanket and place it inside the pillowcase to get a nice 11.5 x 10-inch pillow. There's also a clip which helps you attach the case to your backpack or luggage for easy transport.
- Super soft & comfy
- Comes with a hand luggage belt & backpack clip
- Many colors to choose from
- Can only be used as a pillow or a blanket at any given time
4. Tirrinia Portable Travel Blanket
Weight: 15 oz
Size: 40" x 60"
This multifunctional travel blanket is an ideal accessory for those long-haul flights and tedious road trips. The great thing about this blanket is that it can be folded and packed into a small case and used as lumbar support or a pillow. The pouch also comes with a practical handle, allowing you to attach it to a piece of luggage.
- Wearable Design
- Can be Used as a Pillow
- Compact & Lightweight
- Soft Microfleece Material
- Zippered Pocket
- Traveling Pouch Included
- Flimsy Strap
5. Lewis N Clark
Size: 62 x 37 inches
Weight: 15.5 ounces
The Lewis N Clark micro plush is as luxurious as it gets and is a massive upgrade on even the best of airline blankets. Made from 100% polyester this blanket is guaranteed to keep you warm.
- Luxurious and plush feel
- Color holds together well after wash
- A bit narrow width wise
- No pouch
6. World's Best
Size: 50 x 60 inches
Weight: 1 pound
This is a soft micro fleece option that is great if you want to share your blanket with your partner. The world’s best is also great for road trips. It’s much wider than others and economical too. The fabric is a 100% polyester which is machine washable. When folded up it's quite compact.
- Machine washable fabric
- Inexpensive
- Great if you want to share
- Not as soft as some of the others
7. Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket
Size: 79" x 59"
Weight: 2.3 lbs
Calling this a different solution to traditional designs is a bit of an understatement. The Oceas travel blanket is waterproof and has a plush, fleece insulation that emulates the comfort you get from a regular indoor blanket.
- Feels soft & plush
- Extremely big
- Waterproof
- Folds into a compact water resistant bag
- Quite heavy
8. Forestfish Fleece Throw Blanket
Size: 60 x 40 inches
Weight: 12.8 ounces
The Forestfish is one of the more well thought out travel blankets. We liked the fact that it comes in a drawstring bag that is dust & waterproof. Other blankets which are versatile tend to gather dust as you move through different airports & locations.
- Comes in a dust & waterproof bag
- Can be used in a variety of situations
- Quite soft
- Will not pill or fade when machine washed
- A bit thin
9. Cocoon CoolMax Blanket
Size: 70 x 56
Weight: 11 ounces
The Cocoon coolmax is another one of our favorites. It’s quite long as well, which is a welcome change to some of the others on this list. If there was 1 criticism it would be to do with the fact that this blanket is quite thin.
- Large size is good for most people
- Quite light
- Extremely compact when in the carry case
- Slightly on the thinner side
- Marginally pricey
10. BEARZ Pocket Blanket
Size: 50" x 60" (Can fit 2-4 people)
Weight: 0.5 lbs
The BEARZ pocket blanket is very different to the others on our list. Unlike, the other blankets which are plush & reasonably large, the BEARZ is extremely light & compact.
- Ultralight
- Extremely versatile
- Puncture resistant & Waterproof
- Sandproof
- Not meant to be used as a blanket for airplanes
- Can't be machine washed
How to choose the best travel blanket for your needs
Choosing the perfect blanket primarily depends on these 5 factors which are fairly straightforward.
- Level of Comfort
- Size
- Practicality & Weight
- Durability
- Price
Level of Comfort: Silky & fluffy blankets are the key to getting a good sleep on airplanes. The level of comfort often boils down to the material on offer and the design of the blanket. Comfort ideally should extend to scenarios when you are not using the blanket too. We highly valued designs that are versatile and if your blanket can fold into a pillow or is a very compact travel blanket then it should be high on your shopping list.
Generally, premium quality blankets are made from a combination of synthetic materials as well as materials like wool, cotton and the likes. This usually delivers the ideal balance between comfort durability & price. The quality of construction matters a lot and even some 100% polyester blankets can really offer amazing comfort.
You also need the blanket to be able to be able to wick away moisture since any slight turbulence on an aircraft can make you spill your drink. Other than keeping you warm moisture wicking capability is an important functional element.
Q: There are a number of 4 in 1s on the list, do the pillow versions provide the same level of comfort as a proper travel pillow?
A: No, whilst you get some support if you need proper neck or lumbar support then opt for a travel pillow that is not just a rolled up blanket.
Size: Another important factor you need to consider is how much space having this travel blanket is going to cost you. For instance, if your blanket can’t be placed into a pouch or rolled up easily for transportation. As you can see from our list above they do come in many shapes & sizes and most often the trade-off is between having something that is thicker, super comfy, soft and thinner & lightweight.
Practicality & Weight: These are pretty important. If your blanket happens to have a mechanism by which it can be tied to your luggage or your bag it will be more useful. We highly valued options which have this imagine having to lug a pillow & a blanket around especially if you are looking to travel light.
Dovetailing on that point is weight. These are all not essential accessories to most so they really need to be light. A heavy quilt kind of material just won’t do when you are traveling. Those need to be put away often times in your luggage as you can’t exactly wear them all the time.
If you really like to travel light then opting for the tucker travel 4 in 1 would make a lot of sense. If you are willing to sacrifice some space and a few grams here & there then you can even opt for the micro plush blanket by Lewis & Clark.
Q: Hold on a sec, don’t most airlines provide one?
A: Nope! Budget airlines certainly don’t and not all of those flights are an hour long. Some are 3+ hours which can leave you feeling a bit cold.
Durability: The construction of the blanket plays a large role in determining its durability. Generally, thinner ones tend to rip, fade or fray quite easily. Thicker ones tend to last you much longer. In terms of outright durability traits then it’s the material itself. Synthetics like Polyester tend to last much longer than blankets made of pure wool or cotton, however, the latter is definitely the comfier option.
Look for ones that have water resistant or just dust resistant exteriors. Otherwise, your blanket can gather a lot of dirt when moving around the airport or in vehicles, especially when clasped to the outside.
Also, check to see if they can be machine washed. Tumble dryers are not always readily available in hostels. Some blankets dry faster than others on our list. A quicker drying option would be best as even a little bit of turbulence can cause a spill on your new soft blanket.
Price: As with almost any product that you have to buy the price does play a role. Most good travel blankets will cost you between $15 and $35. Typically anything over or lesser is not going to get the job done for opposite reasons. Silky & fluffy blankets are the key to getting a good sleep on airplanes. 4 in 1 options might cost you a tad more but are definitely worth it if you are looking for something more than a simple piece of cloth.