Bearaby Blankets Review: An In-Depth, Critical Look
About Bearaby: Company Background and Ethos
Bearaby, founded in 2018 by Dr. Kathrin Hamm, is a weighted blanket company with a focus on sustainability and ethical manufacturing. As noted on their website, Dr. Hamm was inspired to create Bearaby after a "life-changing afternoon nap" under a weighted blanket, where she experienced profound mental and physical benefits. However, she recognized that most weighted blankets have significant disadvantages in terms of environmental impact and materials used.
As such, Bearaby‘s mission is twofold:
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Help individuals reduce anxiety and sleep better through the scientifically-proven benefits of deep pressure stimulation from weighted blankets
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Produce weighted blankets sustainably through organic materials and ethical manufacturing, avoiding harm to people or planet
This admirable mission has earned Bearaby attention from leading publications like Vogue, Forbes, Fast Company and more. They also have an engaged social media audience, with over 47,000 Instagram followers at the time of writing.
Bearaby‘s headquarters are located in New York, where their blankets are designed and created. Manufacturing takes place in facilities abroad that meet Bearaby‘s standards for sustainability and fair wages.
Below we analyze some notable pros and cons of the Bearaby brand, as uncovered through research for this critical review:
Pros of Bearaby
- Clear mission to improve lives while avoiding harm to the planet
- Use of 100% organic materials like GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified cotton
- Innovative use of recycled plastic bottles (900 per velvet blanket)
- Attractive, thoughtfully designed blankets for home décor
- Generous shipping, return and exchange policies in continental US
Cons of Bearaby
- Premium pricing – significantly above average market rates
- Limited weight options compared to competitors (fixed based on material used)
- Several reports of quality control and durability issues
- Only ships within US/Canada currently
With this high-level background in mind, let us now examine Bearaby‘s offerings and blanket models in detail.
Overview of Bearaby‘s Weighted Blanket Models
Bearaby produces a variety of premium weighted blankets, with each model focusing on different performance factors and attributes:
Cotton Napper: All-natural, breathable organic cotton construction (GOTS & OEKO-TEX certified). Available weights of 15lbs, 20lbs, or 25lbs. Priced $249 to $279.
Velvet Napper: Made from recycled marine plastic (900 bottles per blanket). Available weights of 15lbs, 20lbs, or 25lbs. Priced $269 to $299.
Tree Napper: Crafted from sustainably-grown eucalyptus TENCELTM lyocell. Available weights of 15lbs, 20lbs, or 25lbs. Priced $269 to $299. Cooling and moisture-wicking properties.
Nappling: Designed specifically for children/toddlers. 8lb weight in smaller 40"x60" size. 100% organic cotton fill. Five fun color options. Priced at $149.
Travel Napper: Compact 10lb, 40”x64” blanket made from organic cotton. Convenient for travel/transport. Five colors available. Priced at $209.
In addition, Bearaby sells duvet/pillowcases sets specially fitted for their blankets, called "Sleeper Covers."
Now, let‘s analyze Bearaby‘s most popular weighted blanket models in greater detail:
Bearaby Cotton Napper Review
The Bearaby Cotton Napper is crafted from long-staple organic cotton that is GOTS and OEKO-TEX 100 certified, meaning it is grown and harvested sustainably without harmful chemicals. A touch of spandex adds softness and stretch.
The Cotton Napper is designed to be ultra-breathable and cooler than other weighted blanket materials like microglass beads. As an all-natural fabric, it can also be composted at end of life, giving it major environmental benefits.
It comes in 8 attractive colors like "Goodnight Grape" and "Asteroid Grey" to complement any bedroom aesthetic. The chunky, hand-knit design gives it an artisanal feel as well.
In terms of weight options, you can choose 15lbs for $249, 20lbs at $259, or 25lbs for $279. The rule of thumb for weight is approximately 10% of your body weight.
An included organic cotton storage bag makes travel and cleaning simple. Overall, the 100% organic cotton construction sets the Cotton Napper apart from competitors – making it a top choice for the sustainability-focused consumer.
Bearaby Velvet Napper Review
If you‘re seeking an ultra-luxurious weighted blanket that also benefits ocean conservation efforts, the Velvet Napper is a leading choice to consider.
True to Bearaby‘s mission, the Velvet Napper transforms recycled plastic bottles pulled from the ocean into a supple, indulgent weighted blanket. Specifically, each Velvet Napper contains approximately 900 recycled marine plastic bottles within its construction.
The velvet fabric consists of 100% recycled post-consumer plastic polyester, which is OEKO-TEX 100 certified for safety. It is meticulously spun into a luscious velvet material that Bearaby says “erases the memory of plastic.”
In addition to being excellent for the planet, the Velvet Napper provides the comforting benefits of a premium weighted blanket. Its construction encourages even distribution of fill and it remains breathable despite the plush fabric.
The Velvet Napper is available in 3 weights – either 15lbs for $269, 20lbs at $279 or 25lbs for $299. Five rich jewel tone colors are offered.
Overall, for shoppers looking for the ultimate combination of luxury, sustainability, and deep pressure wellness this blanket delivers. The exceptional softness must be felt to be believed.
Bearaby Tree Napper Review
Seeking a weighted blanket crafted from the most sustainable fabrics on Earth? That‘s precisely what the Tree Napper aims to provide through its innovative TENCELTM Lyocell fabric.
TENCELTM Lyocell is composed of cellulose fiber from eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus is a fast-growing tree that relies solely on rainfall for hydration at Bearaby‘s source farm in Austria. This makes TENCELTM far more sustainable and eco-friendly versus traditional forestry or cotton.
In addition to its green benefits, TENCELTM is also supremely soft, breathable and moisture-wicking. This makes the Tree Napper ideal for warm sleepers or anyone seeking better temperature regulation from their weighted blanket. Its soft, chunky knit allows great airflow.
The Tree Napper is available in 3 sizes (15lbs, 20lbs and 25lbs) with prices ranging between $269 to $299. It comes in 5 soothing, earthy colors as well like "Pomegranate" and "Rosemary."
As their most advanced offering from a technical fabric perspective, the Tree Napper is excellent for eco-conscious shoppers wanting maximum sustainability matched with cooling comfort.
Other Bearaby Weighted Blanket Options
In addition to their core blanket lines outlined above, Bearaby also offers the following weighted blankets:
Nappling – Specially designed for children and smaller bodies. Made from soft, breathable organic cotton with fun colors/prints. Fixed 8lb weight and 40" x 60" size. $149
Travel Napper – For convenient weighted blanket portability on-the-go. 10lbs and 40" x 64" to fit airplane/car seats. Organic cotton fill with storage bag. $209
Sleeper Covers – Plush duvet cover sets sized for Bearaby blankets. Choose from Twin, Queen or King with 300 thread count sateen weave. $89 to $129
Bearaby does not offer customization of blanket weights or sizes currently. Their collections focus exclusively on their signature chunky knit, handmade designs based on organic and recycled materials.
Next let‘s examine customer experiences with Bearaby‘s blankets.
Bearaby Weighted Blanket Reviews
To assess real-world customer perspectives on Bearaby‘s offerings, I analyzed weighted blanket reviews from their website, Facebook page, Reddit and other third party sources.
Here is a brief summary of common Bearaby weighted blanket reviews:
Positive Reviews
- Exceptionally soft, comfortable and attractive looking
- Noticeable improvement in sleep quality reported
- Anxiety and stress relief mentioned frequently
- Cooling effect appreciated (for Tree Napper)
- Company‘s sustainability focus is major selling point
Negative Critiques
- Higher than average pricing
- Rare quality control issues (loose threads, fabric holes, etc)
- Sizing less flexible than competitors (set weights)
- Heat retention mentioned by some (for Cotton/Velvet models)
While most Bearaby reviews are resoundingly positive, there are some recurring complaints around pricing, quality and sizing flexibility relative to the wider weighted blanket market. Many praise the mission-driven brand however.
Bearaby Weighted Blankets: Are They Worth the Cost?
Given the exceptional price premium Bearaby commands versus other weighted blankets, the value question must be examined closely here.
On one hand, materials used are largely best-in-class ecologically, especially the pulled plastic marine polyester and TENCELTM lyocell fabric innovations. Exceptional social responsibility ranked highly as well – from certified fair wage factories to supporting fabric tree farms. Lastly, many customers indeed report quality sleep improvements from their Bearaby‘s comforting pressure.
However, there are lower priced weighted blanket options using materials like micro glass beads that provide similar anxiety-alleviation benefits. And occasional quality control issues have occurred. While processes are continually improving here, it is worth noting from the consumer perspective when paying this caliber of pricing.
So in summary – if you prioritize environmental footprint and ethical company values highly while budget is of lesser concern, Bearaby delivers a compelling offering few can match. Their early mover advantage in allergen/toxin-free materials is noteworthy.
For more budget conscious shoppers, lower priced alternatives with near equivalent user benefits exist, albeit with lesser sustainability differentiation generally. Comparing multiple weighted blanket brands head-to-head across these vectors is recommended before making a final selection based on your personal purchasing criteria.
Bearaby Promotions, Discounts and Payment Plans
Given Bearaby‘s positioning as a premium eco brand, wholesale discounting and couponing is less prevalent versus more mass-market weighted blanket labels. However a few options exist:
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Affirm Payment Plans – If needed, customers can split purchases across multiple interest-free payments over 3, 6 or 12 months
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Black Friday Promotion – Bearaby runs an annual Black Friday promotion on their ‘Black Napper‘ blanket. However there is a unique caveat – customers must wait 24 hours before being permitted to purchase. This ‘mindful promotion‘ aims to combat compulsive holiday shopping behavior.
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Bundled Discounts – While Bearaby does not discount individual blanket prices, they occasionally offer percentage-savings when multiple blankets are purchased together
So in summary – those looking for deep seasonal deals or flash coupon-stacking beloved on deal aggregator websites may be underwhelmed. However, Bearaby still makes their premium organic blankets reasonably acquirable through APR-free financing.
Where To Buy Bearaby Weighted Blankets
Bearaby weighted blankets are sold through two main channels:
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Bearaby.com – The official Bearaby website, where their full collection of blankets can be browsed and purchased. Most purchasing occurs here direct-to-consumer.
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West Elm Marketplace – As a popular purveyor of eco-conscious luxury home products, West Elm provides another venue to purchase Bearaby‘s blankets online
While Bearaby blanket availability continues expanding into further stores, purchasing direct or through West Elm remain the two best options currently based on assortment accessibility.
The company does not sell on Amazon – so beware of any listings claiming to offer "Bearaby blankets on Amazon", as these would not be authorized resellers or eligible for official warranty.
Bearaby Weighted Blankets: Frequently Asked Questions
In this section I answer some common questions around Bearaby as a brand along with their functional blanket attributes:
What types of Bearaby weighted blankets are there?
Bearaby offers 5 main weighted blanket models: Cotton Napper, Velvet Napper, Tree Napper, Nappling (for kids), and Travel Napper (for portability). Materials used include organic cotton, recycled marine plastic polyester, and TENCELTM Lyocell from eucalyptus trees.
What is the best Bearaby weighted blanket?
The ‘best‘ Bearaby blanket depends on your priorities – cooling properties favor the Tree Napper, ultimate luxury favors the Velvet, while budget conscience shoppers lean towards the base Cotton Napper model.
How long does Bearaby weighted blanket shipping take?
For orders shipped within continental USA, expect a 6 to 10 day delivery window from the time of order via standard free shipping. Expedited shipping as fast as overnight is available for an added fee.
Can you machine wash and dry Bearaby blankets at home?
Yes, Bearaby recommends using a gentle/eco-friendly cold wash cycle and low heat tumble drying to protect material integrity over time. Expect 1-2 drying cycles.
What is Bearaby‘s weighted blanket return policy?
Bearaby allows returns/exchanges within 30 days of original product shipment, provided items remain in original condition – unwashed with tags attached as received initially.
Does Bearaby offer payment plans?
Through integration of Affirm financial technology, Bearbay allows blanket purchases to be split evenly across 3, 6 or 12 month terms at 0% APR for qualifying applicants.
How long is Bearaby‘s warranty period?
1 year from shipment date against defects in manufacturing and materials. Issues like normal fabric pilling/shredding over time and damage from improper care are not covered.
I hope this FAQ helps provide fast answers regarding many key questions around Bearaby as a modern e-commerce brand. Please see below for further assistance.
Bearaby Customer Service Contact Information
For additional questions, Bearaby‘s customer experience team can be reached via:
- Email: [email protected]
- Web form submission: bearaby.com/pages/contact-us
- Direct Message on Social Channels: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc.
Chat widget and phone support are not offered natively, though some issues may qualify for telephonic outreach by an agent depending on nature of inquiry.
So don‘t hesitate to reach out directly as needed either before or after your Bearaby purchase.
To conclude, Bearaby delivers an exceptional weighted blanket buying experience for eco-conscious shoppers focused on premium natural materials and social impact…provided the higher cost hurdle can be justified.
If searching purely on functional sleep benefits however, more affordable alternatives exist using synthetic fills like micro glass beads or plastic pellets. But forfeiting Bearaby‘s commitment to radical sustainability in the process.
So determining your personal priorities around budget, features and company ethos is crucial before ultimately deciding whether a Bearaby weighted blanket belongs in your bedroom.
