Amazon Prime Blue and White Christmas Throw Blankets
Why you should trust us
As the resident bedding writer at Wirecutter, I've worked on almost all of our bedding textile guides. I wrote our guide to bed blankets, which informed my research and testing for this guide as well. I also wrote or co-wrote our guides to sheets, pajamas, robes, flannel sheets, bath towels, and duvet covers, among many others. I'm a quilter with more than a decade of experience, and I've published several quilt patterns. I know a lot about textiles, and I'm constantly learning more. I love this work.
An airy throw for summer: Riley Four Layer Throw
Our pick
How it feels
The Riley Four Layer Throw has a pleasant, crinkly texture. It's airy and cool to lie under on hot days.
Why it's great
The Riley Four Layer Throw is breezy but substantial, making it just right for warmer weather. It's roomy enough for couch naps, and it's cool and pleasant on the skin. Most gauze blankets we've tested are made with one or two layers of fabric sandwiched together (our former pick from Hay, which has been discontinued, was a double-layer gauze). But the Riley has four layers, so it feels sturdier than others we've tried. It survived intact after a spirited round of tug-of-war with our dog tester (the pupper left a couple of teeth marks, but no actual holes or tears). And after it was washed, the fabric was a bit fuzzier yet also bouncier. Our human testers liked the fringe-free edges of the Riley, too, compared with fringed gauze throws we've tried in the past.
The home team here at Wirecutter is a little superstitious about gauze blankets because the ones we test for this guide and for our bed blankets guide are frequently discontinued or get completely redesigned after we recommend them. Based on our past testing experience, though, we've found that Riley doesn't often discontinue products. The company's Four Layer Collection (launched in 2021) also includes bed-size blankets, baby blankets, robes, and towels all made with this fabric. So we're hoping this throw sticks around for a while, but we'll keep an eye on it. We also love the color choices. There are more than a dozen options, and several of them coordinate with other Riley bedding (including the percale sheets, duvet cover, and textured coverlet we recommend), if you want a cohesive or monochromatic look.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Riley had some serious shipping delays and supply issues during the first year or two of the pandemic, but most of those were related to its down comforters. We also heard from readers who said they were struggling with Riley's customer service during that time, but again, most of those issues were related to comforter orders. Riley has since increased the size of its customer service team, and as of May 2022, we haven't heard of any major service, shipping, or supply issues in months. We're still monitoring reader complaints, however.
Specs
Listed size: 70 by 50 inches
Size of our test sample out of the package: 78 by 58½ inches
Materials: cotton
Colors: 13 solid colors
A stylish woven throw in lots of colors: Brahms Mount Monhegan Cotton Throw
Our pick
How it feels
The Brahms Mount Monhegan Cotton Throw is thick, textured, and slightly rug-like, yet it's also much softer than it looks.
Why it's great
In our original 2018 testing, the Brahms Mount Monhegan Cotton Throw had a more distinctive style than any other throw we tested. It stood out for its eye-catching pattern and sturdy woven texture. The oversize herringbone, ropy fringe, and coastal vibe make it look like something the gang from Beverly Hills, 90210 would wrap up in at every beach bonfire. This throw also comes in over two dozen colors—more than offered by almost any other throw we found. We researched 13 thick woven throws and tested four, and the Monhegan was far and away our favorite. Made in Maine, it's one of the more expensive throws we recommend. But it's created with a level of care that makes it feel unique rather than mass-produced. And it's now available in a no-fringe version, if that's what you prefer.
The Monhegan looks tough, but its brushed cotton feels surprisingly smooth, and its roped texture is satisfying to run between the fingers. The densely woven cotton throw is as warm as wool throws we tried, but it's still very breathable. That makes the Mohegan a great option if you live in a place with mild winters. It's also smoother than other woven cotton and wool throws we tried from Faribault and Sferra. And it withstood every wash-and-wear test, just getting better—softer, plumper, more distinguished looking—the more we abused it.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Although the Monhegan is soft, it's still a big and substantial blanket—it has a heavier, more rigid drape to it than finer throws. If you're looking for something fuzzy or cozy, it might not be the best choice.
Specs
Listed size: 48 by 70 inches
Size of our test sample out of the package: 53¼ by 78 inches
Materials: cotton
Colors: 26 two-tone colors and solid white
A silky alpaca blanket: Area Home Liam Throw
Our pick
How it feels
The Area Home Liam Throw is delicate and soft, and there's a hint of woven texture when you run it through your fingers.
Why it's great
If you're looking for a throw that's more delicate and luxurious, we like Area Home's Liam Throw. Alpaca feels soft and downy, very similar to cashmere. But the Liam's texture is much silkier, finer, and more delicate than that of the cashmere-wool blends and the two other alpaca throws we tested in 2018. This throw is whisper-thin and drapes like a shawl, yet it's just as warm as much thicker wool throws. We love that you can see the subtle weave pattern in the Liam's fabric and feel its texture through the soft fuzz of the blanket. Most of the other throws we tried in our original, 2018 testing had textures that felt and looked flatter, with less depth.
The Liam comes in almost a dozen colors and two sizes—an extra-large, 70-by-90-inch size (which is often sold out in most colors) and a smaller, 50-by-70-inch version. We tested the latter and found it was plenty big enough to comfortably wrap up in, and it was more generously sized than the alpaca throw we tried from Brooklinen at the time. Anki Spets, who gave us her insight for our guide to blankets, is the owner and designer of the Scandinavian-inspired Area Home boutique in New York City, and she told us in 2018 that she'd been selling the Liam for years. It's been a pick in this guide for nearly four years, so we don't think it will be discontinued anytime soon (a constant concern for us with all blankets). It's the most expensive throw we recommend, but we think it's worth it if you're looking for a beautifully designed high-end throw that's also lovely to use.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Our testers noted that this throw felt very thin, and some preferred the fuzzy softness of the Brooklinen Baby Alpaca to the silkier feel of the Liam. We liked both, but we think the Liam is more of a splurge-worthy, heirloom blanket. The Liam is also dry-clean-only, like several of our picks, so we don't recommend using it around kids or pets.
Specs
Listed sizes: 50 by 70 inches and 70 by 90 inches
Size of our test sample (smaller version) out of the package: 53½ by 72¼ inches
Materials: baby alpaca
Colors: nine solid colors
A smooth, sweater-style throw: Boll & Branch Cable Knit Throw
Our pick
How it feels
The Boll & Branch Cable Knit Throw feels smooth, heavy, and warm, with a bit of stretch.
Why it's great
The Boll & Branch Cable Knit Throw feels unlike any other knit throw we've tried: Over the years, we've compared it to several other throws, and it's always our testers' favorite. It's smooth to the touch and weighty, and, unlike wool or woven blankets that simply rest on top of you, the Boll & Branch hugs the body like a fluid sweater. Considering the Boll & Branch's intricate, cable-knit design, we were especially impressed in our initial testing by the flawless knitting, which sustained no visible damage after a round with our very active dog. With its chunky texture, this throw also looks lovely draped on a couch.
Breathable, heavy cable-knit throws like the Boll & Branch make versatile year-round blankets. In the years since we first recommended this throw, it's also remained consistently available, even through the pandemic and holiday seasons, when many others were sold out. In fall 2018, we initially researched 14 knit blankets to test; after we eliminated those with poor user reviews or designs, the Boll & Branch was the only one still in stock by New Year's.
How the Boll & Branch throw has held up
I've been using the Boll & Branch throw since 2018, and it's in near-perfect condition. After years of being washed, it has some very mild pilling and fuzz in places, but it's still the throw I reach for when I want something weighty yet also cool to the touch.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This throw feels heavier than our wool and alpaca picks, but we still think it's a very comfortable blanket to use. Also, because it has so much drape, it might stretch or lose some of its shape over time. And it was hard to measure its dimensions before and after a wash.
Specs
Listed size: 50 by 70 inches
Size of our test sample out of the package: 60½ by 92½ inches
Materials: cotton
Colors: three solid colors
A stylish cashmere blend: Garnet Hill Wool & Cashmere Throw
Our pick
How it feels
This Garnet Hill Wool & Cashmere Throw is luxurious, soft, very warm, and very light.
Why it's great
The crowd-pleasing Garnet Hill Wool & Cashmere Throw was one of the most popular in our testing because of its drape and softness, and, as one tester noted, because "it's thin but doesn't feel flimsy." A chic, classic throw, it's made of a blend of 95% wool and 5% cashmere, and it feels cozy yet light on the body. Even though this throw is very lightweight, it's also one of the warmest we tried in our original 2018 testing.
Testers preferred the lightness of the Garnet Hill over other wool-and-cashmere throws we tested, like the one from Brooklinen (though some testers slightly preferred the thicker, heavier Brooklinen Cashmere and Lambswool because "it doesn't have tassels"). We also think the Garnet Hill throw's thinner fabric looks less bulky draped over a sofa or chair. And the color options (more than a dozen, including a few prints) make this throw a better choice as a decorative accent than throws we tested that come in only one or two hues.
How the Garnet Hill Wool & Cashmere Throw has held up
One former Wirecutter staffer has owned a version of this Garnet Hill blanket for several years and said it has held up nicely and still feels warm and substantial.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This throw is the second shortest one we tested, and we wish it had a more-generous length. We still think it's an elegant, classic throw, even if it is a bit short for many people.
Specs
Listed size: 50 by 70 inches
Size of our test sample out of the package: 52½ by 76 inches
Materials: wool, cashmere
Colors: nine solid colors, four prints
A luxe winter throw: Brooklinen Pure Wool Throw
Our pick
How it feels
The Brooklinen Pure Wool Throw is dense and warm, and it's fuzzy and soft, not scratchy.
Why it's great
Wool blankets can be divisive: Some people find them warmer and softer than any other throws, while others can't tolerate the "scratchy" texture. If you know you like wool, the Brooklinen Pure Wool Throw is snugglier and cozier than any other we've tried in four years of testing. It's thick but also the lightest and fluffiest of the wool throws we've tried, and it's a unanimous favorite among our testers. Though it doesn't drape as well as more delicate throws we tested, we were impressed with its gentle texture; this was the least scratchy wool throw we tried in our 2018 testing. My skin is very sensitive—sometimes even linen makes me itch—and the Brooklinen never caused me irritation. One original tester noted, "If it had no fringe it would be almost perfect." (That was a common theme among our testers, half of whom disliked the fringe, regarding it as a fussy extra.)
How the Brooklinen throw has held up
Our original test throw has worn beautifully over the years, even though our dog tester has chewed off a few strands of fringe. There is a bit of pilling, but it's pretty minor. Several people on staff who have this blanket also saw slight signs of pilling after about six months of owning it (you can always use a fabric shaver to help with this). Most also agreed that it's not the best throw if you have a dog who chews on things. But staffers with cats have been sharing photos of their furballs living their absolute best lives on it.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Because all of the Brooklinen throws we tested are made from animal fibers and are dry-clean-only, they may not be the best choice for families with kids (since they could spill stuff on it) or with pets who like to chew on blankets. Also, if you just don't know whether you like wool blankets, we recommend going with a cotton or a synthetic fabric instead. This is an expensive blanket to buy without being able to touch it first (though Brooklinen does have a one-year return policy), and most of our long-term testers who haven't owned a wool blanket before weren't completely sold on its softness.
Specs
Listed size: 59 by 83 inches for all
Size of our test samples out of the package: Pure Wool Throw, 64½ by 78 inches; Cashmere and Lambswool Throw, 60 by 81 inches; Baby Alpaca Throw, 54¼ by 63½ inches
Materials: wool, lambswool, alpaca, cashmere
Colors: seven solid colors, two prints
An affordable fleece for grownups: L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw
Our pick
How it feels
The L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw is thick and velvety-soft, yet also light as air.
Why it's great
Over the past few years, L.L.Bean's Wicked Plush Throw has become a stealth favorite with Wirecutter's home team. The throw is a simple, solid rectangle, making it one of the plainest-looking picks on our list. But it is unbeatably soft and warmer than almost any other throw we recommend (only the Garnet Hill Plush-Loft is warmer), and it's still lightweight enough that you barely notice it. I've since bought more than one to give as a gift or have as a spare for rainy Pacific Northwest days, and I've also talked my editor into investing in one for her chilly nights in the California desert.
The Wicked Plush comes in two generous sizes, so you can choose which works better for your household, but I suggest getting the extra-large. Even my 10-year-old appreciates the jumbo size when I wrap her up in "the full burrito" on the couch. The eight available colors are muted and less punchy than those of some other throws we recommend, but there are plenty of neutral options to match your decor. We think that also gives this simple fleece throw a timeless look. It's our favorite "grownup" throw under $50.
How the L.L.Bean throw has held up
Even though this is a new pick for 2022, I've been using our original 2019 test model for nearly three years as a possible backup option. In that time, the Wicked Plush quickly surpassed our old pick (the Lands' End Plush Fleece Throw) as a family favorite in my house, and it's now one of the blankets everyone fights for on the couch. I've washed it many times, and though it hasn't pilled or shown any signs of thinning or overall damage, it's definitely not as silky-soft as it was out of the package. No one in my family cares; the Wicked Plush Throw is still one of the fluffiest, coziest blankets we use, and it's still softer than several other brand-new fleece blankets I've tested since.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The L.L.Bean throw is made of polyester, and unlike natural fibers (such as cotton and wool), these fibers may shed microplastics in the laundry. These microplastics can pollute our oceans, but we have some tips for how to help reduce shedding. We'll continue researching and testing natural-fiber options. But unfortunately we haven't found any to recommend that are as affordable or as consistently available as the L.L.Bean throw.
Specs
Listed size: 50 by 60 inches for large, 60 by 80 inches for extra-large
Size of our test sample out of the package: 66 by 81 inches for extra-large
Materials: polyester
Colors: eight solid colors
An affordable fleece for kids and teens: Kohl's The Big One Oversized Supersoft Plush Throw
Our pick
How it feels
Kohl's The Big One Oversized Supersoft Plush Throw is thin and silky-soft—lightweight enough to drag around the house.
Why it's great
Kohl's The Big One Oversized Supersoft Plush Throw is a delightful (and rare) find—a blanket that's very cheap and actually fantastic. We first tested it in 2019, but it wasn't as handsome as others we tried. As with the L.L.Bean Wicked Plush, we've been using this one for three years as a possible backup pick, and over time it became clear that it was a standout on its own for kids. My daughter (then a first-grader) pulled it from my test pile, enticed by its softness. She is in fourth grade now, and has snuggled with our original test blanket almost every night since it arrived at our house over three years ago. It's warm and cozy, and still in great shape, with no shrinkage and few signs of major wear and tear. I think it'll last for several more years, and with Kohl's perpetual sales, we paid only about $15 for it (around the holidays, I've seen it for as low as $8!).
We think for price and practicality, Kohl's The Big One Oversized Supersoft Plush Throw offers the best value of any pick on our list. It also comes in a staggering number of prints. The options fluctuate throughout the year, but we've seen prints for every major holiday and plenty of kid passions, from dogs to football to unicorns. As of this writing, in May 2022, there are 162 prints available. And, true to its name, this Kohl's throw is oversized compared with most of the picks we recommend, which also makes it a comfy choice for growing teens or college kids decorating their dorm rooms. It's not a blanket that needs fussy or gentle treatment, so it is perfect for young adults doing their own laundry for the first time. In fall of 2021 we gave a brand-new Kohl's throw to two kid testers, who rated it against half a dozen other fleece throws. It came out on top for softness, but The Company Store's pricier Plush Character Throw was their overall favorite.
How the Kohl's throw has held up
Since my daughter claimed this throw for herself in 2019, I've washed it several times, including on a heavy-duty "sanitary" cycle when my daughter's been sick, and it's still holding up well. It's not as silky as when it was new, and it's not as soft as the same-age Wicked Plush we're long-term testing. But this throw has survived, with just a few stray threads on the seams and one minor hole the dog managed to chew into it.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Like the L.L.Bean Wicked Plush, the Kohl's throw is made of synthetic fibers, which may shed microplastics in the laundry that can pollute our oceans. We have tips for how to help reduce shedding, but if you're concerned about this problem, we suggest getting a natural-fiber throw instead.
Specs
Listed size: 60 by 72 inches
Size of our test sample out of the package: 62 by 83 inches
Materials: polyester
Colors: choices vary throughout the year
A warm, family-friendly throw: Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Throw
Our pick
How it feels
The Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Throw is quilted like a comforter, with plush faux fur on one side and cool sateen on the other.
Why it's great
Of all the picks on this list, the Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Throw is probably the MVP for its combination of warmth, durability, and longevity. We think it's perfect for family life—it's the warmest throw we recommend and plushly soft, but it's sturdy enough for kids and pets to knock around. It holds up beautifully against heavy use and multiple washes. The Plush-Loft has a layer of polyester fill sandwiched between a shell of smooth cotton sateen on one side and polyester plush (like a stuffed animal) on the other. That makes it thick and very toasty when you're cold. We recommend the blanket size in our guide to the best bed blankets, but the throw size was just as popular with testers and even easier to wrap around the body.
We also tested L.L.Bean's Ultraplush Down and Ultraplush PrimaLoft throws, two very similar versions of this blanket, but they didn't compare to the Garnet Hill—they were thinner, the plush wasn't nearly as soft, and the sateen was rougher. The Garnet Hill is far cozier, and it is the best pick on our list for very cold weather.
How the Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Throw has held up
The Plush-Loft is unique among the throws on this list because our original 2018 "testers" are actually two blankets I bought myself after testing the king-size version that year for our bed blankets guide. I loved it so much I bought a throw and a twin size, and the roomier twin size has become an essential throw on our couch in winter. As mentioned above, the dog chewed some of the plush off one corner, and I recently saw a single tuft of fluff escape from the smooth quilted side. But other than that, this throw has endured a number of washes, cuddle sessions with the pup (this is his personal favorite of our picks), and chilly days on the couch.
One of our senior editors bought two of the bed-size blankets for her sons' beds, and she uses them instead of comforters throughout their winters in Maine. Another senior editor has used one for years to cover the rug in her living room where her young daughter plays with toys. "This weekend she dragged three sticky lollipops across it," she told us. "So happy I could just throw it in the wash."
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This blanket is one of the heaviest we tested, although none of our picks felt overwhelming to testers. The weight hasn't stopped my whole family from using and loving it. If you have pets who tend to destroy things, this blanket isn't immune. Our dog chewed through one of our test blankets. However, we've tested and owned enough Plush-Lofts to say they hold up better than most over time.
Specs
Listed size: 52 by 70 inches
Size of our test sample out of the package: 56¼ by 73 inches
Materials: cotton, polyester
Colors: seven solid colors
How we picked and tested
In 2018, we spent about 25 hours researching high-quality throws—we read user reviews, talked with staff, and checked the offerings from reliable bedding companies whose products we've tested before. I also looked for brand and design inspiration from Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, The Strategist, Cosmopolitan, and Real Simple. We came up with a list of 83 blankets, and we used these criteria to help narrow our test list:
Luxurious-feeling: A throw should be inviting for people to use and luxurious to wrap up in. Unlike bed blankets, which are often sandwiched with other layers, a throw is used right up against the skin, so it must feel soft and comfortable. We considered options in all fabrics, including synthetics, if we thought they'd provide that lush experience.
An appealing look: We looked for throws that made a visual impact while also being enjoyable to use, and we paid attention to design details and how these blankets could fit in a variety of different homes. We think it's as important for them to be gorgeous pieces of home decor as it is for them to feel great to use.
Size: We talked a lot about feeling cheated when you crawl under a throw and find it's too short to cover your toes. A throw worth its salt should be generously sized for all body shapes and lengths.
Color choices: Wherever possible, we looked for throws that came in multiple colors, to provide options for different room styles and palettes. One of our picks comes in more than 100 colors, and another in only two, but we worked to find as many choices as we could.
Easy to wash: Many wool blankets (including cashmere and alpaca) are dry-clean-only, but we made sure to also look for blankets that are machine washable.
We focused on models that seemed like reliable, year-round choices. In 2018 we narrowed the list down to 29 throws for testing, and in 2019 we tested six new fleece throws. In late 2021 and early 2022, I tested nine more throws. I noted each blanket's softness, design, and overall construction, and I measured every blanket and compared it against its listed measurements. I found that, across the board, the throws were bigger than their specs stated, something we also noticed with models in our guide to bed blankets (and bigger blankets are almost always better). I eliminated a few throws in my first rounds of testing.
I washed and dried every throw that wasn't dry-clean-only, measured them again, calculated shrinkage, and noted the feel and construction after some wear tests (which included a little tug-of-war with my dog). A few excellent blankets, like our cable-knit pick, became picks at this stage. We eliminated several more, including matelassé and faux fur options.
In 2018 I ran the remaining 15 blankets past my panel of testers—six adults (including me), a 6-year-old, and the family Maltipoo. For 2019, when we added a fleece throw, I had the family Maltipoo and my now-7-year-old help with the testing. In our 2021–22 testing, the panel consisted of three adults (including me), two kids (ages 9 and 10), and (as always) the Maltipoo. From their feedback and my own notes on the availability, construction, and overall quality of these throws, we narrowed the field to our current nine picks.
Care and maintenance
The best way to take care of your throw is to follow instructions on the care label. Though some wool is washable, if the care label on a wool, cashmere, or alpaca blanket says dry-clean-only, we don't think it's worth risking a run through the washer and dryer. Cotton and linen blankets can tolerate washes at higher heats than washable wools and synthetics; this makes them a good choice if they'll get heavy use from kids and pets, or if they'll be subject to spills. Wools will shrink in warm or hot temperatures; synthetics won't shrink much, but hot washes may shorten the fibers' lifespan.
Other good throws
If you prefer a slightly heavier alpaca or cashmere option: Brooklinen's Baby Alpaca Throw and Cashmere and Lambswool Throw were both softer than the company's Pure Wool Throw, and we think they're great for different reasons. The Baby Alpaca Throw was the softest of the three alpaca blankets we assessed, and testers noted that it felt thicker and more substantial than the Area Home throw we recommend. In fact, about half of our testers preferred the Baby Alpaca (the other half liked the wispy quality of the Area Home throw). The Baby Alpaca is shorter than the other throws, though, and it comes in only one checked print, compared with the Area Home's nine solid colors. The Cashmere and Lambswool Throw was one of our testers' favorite wool-cashmere throws for its soft feel alone. Some of our testers preferred this throw's heavier feel and no-fringe design. But the Garnet Hill Wool & Cashmere Throw edged ahead—it looks more elegant and timeless, and it comes in more colors. One tester loved the Brooklinen Cashmere and Lambswool Throw so much, though, that while he was fighting a cold, he settled in with it to watch The Great British Bake Off and fell asleep before the signature challenge had even been announced. If that's not a test of a good throw for couch naps, we don't know what is.
If you're seeking a great fleece option (it's not always in stock, though): The Lands' End Plush Fleece Throw, now called the Cozy Plush Fleece Throw, is our former fleece pick. It's still excellent, but the design has changed back and forth a couple of times over the years (we've tested all the different versions), and it's not available year-round, like most of our other picks. If you love the colors or see it on sale, this one is not a bad choice—it's thinner than the L.L.Bean Wicked Plush, and a little smaller, but it is still warm and cozy.
If you're seeking a fun hooded kids throw that's also a great gift (and you don't mind the higher price tag): In our 2021 testing, The Company Store's Company Kids Plush Character Throw was our kid testers' favorite because it's fun. We tested two character blankets for kids, and our testers preferred the feel of this one to the Lands' End Kids Hooded Fleece Critter Blanket they tried. Like a wearable towel, this soft fleece throw has an animal hood and pockets at the corners for hands. But our two kid testers found our Kohl's pick softer overall, and one of our testers told us this one is hard to use as an actual blanket. The hood gets in the way, and it wasn't long enough to cover a fourth-grader's body. It also doesn't work as an alternative to a bathrobe because it doesn't close over the body. This throw is more like a … cape. Plus, it costs more than three times the typical price of the Kohl's throw we recommend. That didn't stop kids from walking around the house and snuggling with it, though, or wearing it to sit at the dinner table. So if you have a grandparent or extended family member looking for a gift for a kid, this would be a welcome one.
If you want a cheaper hooded throw for kids: If you have kids or know kids who would love a hooded animal blanket, but you're looking for something more budget-friendly, the Lands' End Kids Hooded Fleece Critter Blanket wasn't bad. As we mentioned above, it's not as soft as the Company Kids Plush Character Throw or our kids fleece pick from Kohl's, but it is soft and fluffy, and the critter options were popular with our testers. It usually costs about $20 less than The Company Store's hooded throw, but given Lands' End's frequent sales, you can almost certainly get it for even less.
The competition
Wool, cashmere, and alpaca
We tested four wool and cashmere-wool blend throws from Snowe. The Snowe Striped Throw, a wool-cashmere blend, and the Snowe Edge Stripe Throw, an all-wool blanket, were both warm, lovely, and beautifully made. They just weren't as soft as our picks. Our testers found that the Snowe Fringed Throw, also a cashmere-wool blend, was too lightweight to be comfortable or useful. The Snowe Checked Throw, the company's thinnest blanket, didn't survive any of our wear tests—with a small amount of vigorous use, it shredded like paper.
The Faribault Ashby Twill Wool Throw is well designed and comes in lots of colors. But I was the only one of our testers who liked the feel—it's rougher than our picks, but there's something cozy and comforting about it. It's washable, and it felt softer and fluffier after a trip through the laundry. So if you like the feel of a classic wool blanket, this is a good one. We also tested the Faribault Scout Wool Throw, now discontinued, which felt too rough for around-the-house use.
We considered a few throws made by Woolrich, but we've noted that many of the Woolrich throws were made of a wool-nylon blend. We've tested blankets made of a similar blend in the past, and we didn't like the way they felt.
The Solid Alpaca Throw from The Company Store (now discontinued) looked similar to the Area Home Liam Throw, and it was also made in Peru. Anki Spets, owner of Area Home, told us that's probably because this type of blanket is a staple of Peru, made by many different vendors in varying levels of quality and finish.
Fleece
The Company Store's Company Plush Throw was almost as soft and almost as warm as the L.L.Bean throw. But after a wash it just felt a little less velvety, and it costs twice as much. I've compared the fabric on enough fleece throws that I really don't think it's worth paying more than $30 for a plain one.
The Mermaker Cookie Blanket is ridiculous in the best possible way: It's a giant fleece circle printed to look like a chocolate chip cookie. This throw was a hit with our kid testers at first glance. But once they began snuggling in it and trying the others, this one quickly fell to the bottom of the pile. The circular shape makes the blanket awkward to fold and awkward to get under, and the fabric looks and feels cheaper than that of other fleece throws we liked.
L.L.Bean's Cozy Sherpa Throw is fluffy to the touch, but it suffers from the same problems as the children's wearable throws we tried—it's not big enough to be a great blanket, and it's too small to be an effective robe. Plus, it picked up every single stray speck of dust and dirt in testing. You can't put it down for a second without finding stray crumbs or hairs on it.
We looked at the Lands' End Sherpa Fleece Throw Blanket (no longer available) and the Lands' End Sorrento Double Face Reversible Blanket. But the Sorrento comes only in bed sizes, and the Sherpa Fleece was just too heavy compared with the others we tried. It was definitely warm, but it didn't feel as cozy or as soft as the others.
The Target Threshold Oversize Primalush Throw was nice but not the softest we tested in 2019, and it's since been discontinued.
Quilted
Matelassé
We found Coyuchi's Cozy Cotton Organic Throw to be too heavy (we ended up with a full-bed size for testing but think the smaller throw would still be too overwhelming), and we didn't think it was attractive enough to be a nice piece of home decor.
Faux fur
Walk into any mainstream home-furnishings store in November and December, and you'll find a sea of faux fur throw blankets. Pottery Barn's Faux Fur Alpaca Throw was the most promising we found to test, but it is way too heavy to be useful. Also, one side is faux fur, the other is a much lighter-weight fleece, and the two sides are stitched together only around the edges (they're not quilted). This makes for an awkward, floppy blanket that doesn't keep its shape.
Woven cotton
The Surya Troy Smooth Stripe Throw from Hayneedle had a pleasant design and cost less than most of the blankets we tested. But it looked a little like an area rug, and it wasn't very soft.
Sferra's Celine Throw, one of the company's most affordable blankets, was promising until we washed it. Laundered the exact same way as the Surya Troy Smooth Stripe and Brahms Mount Monhegan throws, the Celine shrunk by 10%, more than any other blanket we tested (the Suyra throw shrank 4.9%, and the Brahms Mount shrank 4.6%). It also felt rigid and rough after a wash.
Gauze
The Emmett Throw from The Company Store was reversible and came in some nice, subdued colors, but our testers much preferred the softness of the Hay Crinkle Throw. (The Emmett is no longer available.)
The Hay Crinkle Throw we used to recommend was discontinued.
Linen
The Company Store's Linen Fringed Throw is a former pick, and it was just as cool and fluid as much pricier linens we tried, but it's now discontinued.
Flannel
The Garnet Hill Brushed-Cotton Throw was soft, but not as soft as the Garnet Hill Wool & Cashmere Throw. And it was also too short—about 3½ inches shorter than the Wool & Cashmere Throw, which some of our taller testers noted was already a little stingy on length.
This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.
Sources
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Sara Hall, innkeeper for The Inn at Kitchen Kettle Village, phone interview , February 9, 2018
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Anki Spets, owner-designer of Area Home, phone interview , February 13, 2018
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Fran Kozen, director of Undergraduate in Studies Fiber Science & Apparel Design, phone interview , February 16, 2018
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Nicole Lund, The Best Throw Blankets, Apartment Therapy , February 22, 2018
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Brittney Morgan, 10 Throw Blankets That Are So Cozy You'll Want to Wear Them, House Beautiful , June 21, 2018
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-throw-blankets/
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