There’s nothing quite like snuggling up with your favorite blanket, even if the air conditioner is blowing and it’s hot outside. There’s more to a blanket than just its comfort level; there are many different types that serve specific purposes.
Some are plush and cloud-like, while others are thin and keep you cool. Let’s take a look at the different types of blankets.
29 Different Types of Blankets for Your Comfort and Style
1. Acrylic
Acrylic blankets are made from synthetic fibers and are usually incredibly soft and warm. Faux fur is typically acrylic.
2. Afghan
An afghan is traditionally a blanket that is knitted or crocheted. In some cases, an afghan refers to the size of a blanket that is 50 x 65 inches (127 x 165 centimeters).
3. Bedspread
Bedspreads are intended to cover the entire bed, often reaching down to the floor. They’re more decorative than they are warm and soft.
4. Car
A car blanket is typically small and meant to fit over your lap. Any blanket can be a car blanket, but there are some electric versions that can plug in to keep you warm while you drive.
5. Chenille
Chenille is a fuzzy fabric that can be made of cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers. It’s super soft, so it’s often used for baby blankets.
6. Comforter
A comforter is two pieces of fabric sewn together with stuffing or padding in between them. They’re hot and often aren’t machine washable.
7. Cotton
Cotton blankets are lightweight and breathable, so they’re ideal to use in the warmer months when you want to stay covered without the warmth.
8. Coverlet
A coverlet is a lightweight blanket meant to go between the sheets and the duvet or on top of the duvet. When used alone, it doesn’t provide much warmth.
9. Crocheted
Crocheted blankets are made by hand with a hook and yarn. They can be made with synthetic or natural fibers.
10. Down
Down blankets are segmented and contain down, which is bird feathers. There are down alternatives that use synthetic materials instead of feathers. The segments keep the down in place to prevent cold spots.
11. Duvet
A duvet is a general term for the types of blankets that have filling between two layers of fabric. Down blankets, comforters, and some bedspreads can all be considered duvets.
12. Electric
Electric blankets plug into an outlet and create heat. Depending on what kind you have, it may have a timer to shut off automatically.
13. Emergency
An emergency blanket is reflective and is meant to prevent the loss of body heat. They’re often used by paramedics and are great to keep in the car or take on camping trips.
14. Fire
A fire blanket is made of fireproof material and is meant to use to smother fires. They can be used on people or objects that are on fire.
15. Fleece
Fleece is a somewhat fuzzy synthetic material. Fleece blankets are soft and flat, and the material is easily found in craft stores for DIY projects.
16. Knit
Knit blankets are made from yarn and can be created by hand with two needles or by a machine. Depending on the yarn material, knitted blankets can be lightweight and cool or bulky and warm.
17. Microfiber
Microfiber blankets are made of synthetic material and are plush and cozy. They’re usually a mix of nylon, rayon, and polyester.
18. Nylon
Nylon blankets are more functional than they are comfortable. They’re made of the same synthetic material that’s used for sleeping bags. They can be cold to the touch until your body warms them and they make a “swish” sound as you move around.
19. Outdoor
Outdoor blankets are waterproof and are good to use for outdoor activities. They’re typically made of nylon.
20. Pet
Theoretically, any blanket can be a pet blanket. But, the ones that are marketed for pets are usually small, inexpensive, and machine washable.
21. Polyester
Polyester blankets are soft and slightly plush, yet they tend to have a shiny sheen.
22. Quilt
Quilts are traditionally handmade by sewing together geometric shapes, although they can also be made by machines. They can be considered a duvet because they contain a cotton or wool filling.
23. Shearling
Shearling material is sheepskin with the fur still attached. The shearling fur is incredibly soft, fluffy, and warm. Sherpa is a faux fur alternative.
24. Sherpa
Sherpa is a faux fur that mimics shearling sheepskin. It has the same qualities and looks visually similar.
25. Silk
Silk blankets are cool to the touch and can keep you cool while you sleep. Silk blankets are typically on the more expensive side.
26. Swaddling
Swaddling blankets are thin and lightweight and are meant to swaddle up babies while they sleep.
27. Throw
Sometimes the definition of a throw blanket varies, but it’s typically a small blanket that measures 50 x 60 inches (127 x 152 centimeters). They can be decorative or functional.
28. Wearable
Wearable blankets are known to have first appeared in the late 1990s but became a popular (and somewhat mocked) trend in the late 2000s. They’re blankets usually made of fleece that have sleeves that promise to be comfortable and functional.
29. Wool
Wool blankets can come in various styles and forms, but they’re commonly knitted or crocheted. Wool may also be the filling in duvets.
Blankets come in many forms, styles, fillings, and colors. Depending on where you live and how much warmth you require, choose the right type of blanket for your comfort and style.