{"id":636041,"date":"2026-10-20T06:58:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T06:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/636041\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T06:58:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T06:58:25","slug":"tested-best-weighted-stuffed-animals-for-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/636041\/","title":{"rendered":"Tested: Best Weighted Stuffed Animals for Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research<\/a> has shown that a weighted blanket<\/a> can help decrease anxiety. And while it can be a good option if you\u2019re lounging on the couch or in bed, it\u2019s not exactly the easiest item to move around with. That\u2019s where weighted stuffed animals come in. They\u2019re lighter, more portable and cuter. The best part? They offer similar calming benefits and are a great option for kids, although anyone can use them, says Lynelle Schneeberg<\/a>, a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine.<\/p>\n

I spoke with experts to find out what you should know about weighted stuffed animals \u2014 including what research actually says about the benefits and what to know before buying one. I also rounded up a handful of highly-rated options to purchase for yourself or a loved one, some of which NBC Selected staff members tested.<\/p>\n

Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up<\/a> for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.<\/p>\n

The best weighted stuffed animals<\/a><\/p>\n

The weighted stuffed animals below come in multiple styles, so if you\u2019re looking for something specific, like a certain color or animal, browse the websites of the various brands. To come up with this list, I relied on recommendations from NBC Selected editors, as well as highly-rated options that meet the criteria provided by our experts.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s pick<\/a>\"Hugz<\/a><\/p>\n

Weight: 3.8 lbs.\u00a0| Dimensions: 10 in.<\/p>\n

What we like<\/p>\n

Microwave and freezer friendlySuper softHuggable shape<\/p>\n

Something to note<\/p>\n

May shed when first unpacked<\/p>\n

NBC Selected editorial operations associate Jem Alabi<\/a> says this Hugz weighted stuffed animal has become an emotional support toy for her. \u201cI like to carry her on my hip while walking around and I wrap her around myself while working at my desk,\u201d she says (the brand sent her a sample to test). \u201cI find that her weight and softness help ground me, making it easier to focus. The office can get pretty cold, so I love that I can put her in the microwave for a couple seconds to make her warm. When summer comes, I can\u2019t wait to put her in the freezer for a while and snuggle with her while sleeping to help cool me down as a night sweater.\u201d Alabi says the highland cow shed a lot when it came out of the box, so she recommends using a sticky roller to remove excess fuzz before using it. She has the standard size weighted stuffed cow that\u2019s 3.8 pounds and 10 inches tall, but if you want something smaller, Hugz makes a mini version<\/a> that\u2019s 2.2 pounds and is 8 inches tall.<\/p>\n

Best for kids of all ages<\/a>\"Warmies<\/a><\/p>\n

Weight: model dependent\u00a0| Dimensions: model dependent<\/p>\n

One of the most popular weighted stuffed animals brands, Warmies offers dozens of weighted stuffed animals in various sizes, weights, styles and characters. For example, Warmies has a weighted elephant<\/a>, frog<\/a>, cat<\/a> and more. The brand also offers a junior<\/a> line, which includes smaller weighted stuffed animals that could be a good option for younger kids. Each stuffed animal is filled with flaxseed and dried lavender to promote relaxation, according to the brand. You can also place them in the microwave and freezer.<\/p>\n

NBC Selected commerce editor Bethany Heitman<\/a> bought a Warmie\u2019s junior rainbow dinosaur<\/a> for her 4-year-old daughter to use before bed. \u201cIf my daughter is having a hard time settling down for the night, I\u2019ll pop this dinosaur \u2014 she\u2019s named it Sparkles \u2014 in the microwave for a few minutes,\u201d says Heitman. \u201cThen, she snuggles with it while we do story time and she almost instantly calms down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Best machine-washable<\/a>\"Hugimals<\/a>\"Hugimals<\/a><\/p>\n

Weight: 4.5 lbs.\u00a0| Dimensions: 20x8x6 in.<\/p>\n

What we like<\/p>\n

Machine-washablePlush but firm feeling<\/p>\n

Something to note<\/p>\n

Nothing to note at this time<\/p>\n

Hugimals\u2019 weighted stuffed animals have a removable pouch of non-toxic glass beads that give it heft. You can easily remove the pouch and machine wash the plush cover whenever you need to. In addition to Darby the Bear, Hugimals sells other weighted stuffed animals like Charlie the Puppy<\/a>, Frankie the Cat<\/a> and Harper the Pig<\/a>. They also have a newer option called a Hugaround<\/a>, which has long, weighted arms that you can wrap around you to mimic the feeling of a hug. The brand sent me the koala to test and I was impressed by its overall construction. It\u2019s plush enough to feel cozy, yet firm enough to sit up on its own. The fabric exterior is soft against my skin, too. At 4.5 pounds, I felt light pressure on my legs when I placed the weighted stuffed animal on my lap, but it would still be manageable for kids to tote around.<\/p>\n

Best heavy weighted stuffed animal<\/a>\"Brease<\/a><\/p>\n

Weight: 5 lbs.\u00a0| Dimensions: 25.2×7.87 in.<\/p>\n

What we like<\/p>\n

Unique animalEvenly distributed weight<\/p>\n

The weight of this pink axolotl is distributed across six zones, so it offers even pressure no matter how you hug or snuggle with it. The stuffed animal is filled with glass beads that don\u2019t make any sound as they move, according to the brand. Because of the heavier weight, it may not be suitable for small children.<\/p>\n

Best budget weighted stuffed animal<\/a>\"Gnomantic<\/a><\/p>\n

Weight: 4.5 pounds\u00a0| Dimensions: n\/a<\/p>\n

What we like<\/p>\n

Three sizes availableVariety of animals available<\/p>\n

Something to note<\/p>\n

Nothing to note at this time<\/p>\n

This weighted stuffed turtle weighs 4.5 pounds and is filled with small beads. The brand also makes smaller animals that weigh a pound, which is a good choice for young children and larger animals that weigh five pounds. The animals are machine washable and can be placed outside in the sun to dry, according to the brand.<\/p>\n

Best weighted stuffed animal alternative<\/a>\"Bearaby<\/a>\"Bearaby<\/a><\/p>\n

Weight: 1 or 3 lbs. \u00a0| Dimensions: 8 in. (medium) or 11 in. (large)<\/p>\n

What we like<\/p>\n

Stuffed animal alternativeDoubles as decor<\/p>\n

Something to note<\/p>\n

Nothing to note at this time<\/p>\n

Feel silly snuggling up with a stuffed animal? Bearaby\u2019s Hugget \u2014 an NBC Selected Wellness Award winner<\/a> \u2014 provides a nice alternative. I own one and hug it whenever I\u2019m lounging on the couch, plus I keep it out in my living room at all times because its knot design doubles as a piece of home decor. The weighted pillow is made from Melofoam, a plant-based material, and is covered in an organic cotton fabric. Bearaby\u2019s Huggets are also approved by the American Chiropractic Association<\/a> (ACA). It is also available in two sizes \u2014 medium<\/a> or large<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What are the wellness benefits of weighted stuffed animals?<\/a><\/p>\n

Similar to weighted blankets, research<\/a> shows that the benefits of weighted stuffed animals center around something called deep pressure therapy, which involves asserting gentle pressure on the body to induce feeling safe, cozy and calm. \u201cThey both provide pressure the same way a hug, massage or baby swaddle<\/a> would,\u201d says Schneeberg. And while people anecdotally say weighted blankets and weighted stuffed animals make them feel less anxious or stressed, as well as help them sleep, there\u2019s no hard research supporting one or the other, says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine<\/a>. With this in mind, best way to see if a weighted stuffed animal could work for you is to try one.<\/p>\n

How to shop for a weighted stuffed animal<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to invest in a weighted stuffed animal, consider the following criteria when shopping:<\/p>\n

Weight: Most weighted stuffed animals weigh between one pound and 5 pounds. If you are buying a stuffed animal for yourself or another adult, choose one based on your personal preference. However, if you are shopping for a child, you\u2019ll want to select a weight that they can easily pick up on their own, says Schneeberg.Fabric type: The whole point of a weighted stuffed animal is to cuddle with it, so look for options made from fabric that\u2019s soft and non-irritating against the skin, says Dimitriu. The material should also be breathable so it doesn\u2019t make you too warm, he says.Additional comforting benefits: Some weighted stuffed animals can also be used as a heating or cooling pad to be even more soothing. Usually, this means the stuffed animal or a removable piece can be put in the microwave or freezer. The stuffed animal will usually retain that temperature for only a short amount of time, says Schneeberg.Return policy: Weighted stuffed animals make a great gift for yourself or loved ones, but if the weight doesn\u2019t wind up feeling quite right or there\u2019s another issue, you\u2019ll want to be able to return or exchange it. Frequently asked questions<\/p>\n

What are weighted stuffed animals?<\/p>\n

Weighted stuffed animals are a playful riff on weighted blankets, says Schneeberg. They typically clock in between one pound and five pounds, and are often filled with materials like dried flaxseed, beads or layers of fabric to get their heft.<\/p>\n

Though anyone can use a weighted stuffed animal, they tend to be geared towards children because they are smaller than weighted blankets and can be hugged or placed on your lap for a calming effect. Weighted stuffed animals typically weigh less than weighted blankets \u2014 which start around five pounds and can go up to 40 pounds or more \u2014 and are smaller.<\/p>\n

Because they are heavier, weighted blankets are often too large and heavy for kids to maneuver by themselves, while weighted stuffed animals are smaller, lighter and similar to other toys they may already have at home, says Dimitriu. For this reason, they can also be good for the elderly or adults who may not have the strength to maneuver a heavier blanket.<\/p>\n

Meet our wellness experts<\/a><\/p>\n

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and\/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n

Lynelle Schneeberg is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine. She\u2019s also a fellow at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and author of \u201cBecome Your Child\u2019s Sleep Coach: The Bedtime Doctor\u2019s 5-Step Guide, Ages 3-10<\/a>.\u201dDr. Alex Dimitriu is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He is the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine<\/a> and BrainfoodMD<\/a>.Why trust NBC Selected?<\/a><\/p>\n

I am a reporter at NBC Selected<\/a> who writes about a range of wellness topics, including stories on wedge pillows<\/a>, anti-snoring devices<\/a>, slippers<\/a>, sleep masks<\/a> and sunrise alarm clocks<\/a>. For this article, I interviewed two experts about weighted stuffed animals and rounded up highly rated options, as well as those NBC Selected staff tested.<\/p>\n

Catch up on NBC Selected\u2019s in-depth coverage of tech and tools<\/a>, wellness<\/a> and more, and follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, X<\/a> and TikTok<\/a> to stay up to date.<\/p>\n