If you’re gonna cut corners with a cheap imitation , this isn’t the time.
In another life, I would’ve been a MythBuster. Or the modern version, which would probably be one of those TikTok personalities who test theories for their audience. There’s nothing I love more than successfully disproving a concept like this one: the existence of a worthwhile Bearaby Napper dupe.
Breaking the Ice: Meet Bearaby
Bearaby did not technically invent weighted blankets, but ever since their founding in 2018, they’ve been leaders in the market for what is a simple yet revolutionary product. A beautiful blanket with the scientifically proven to support your emotional well-being and sleep routine? It sounds too good to be true (but it isn’t).
People were quick to notice the value of these blankets, which Bearaby has playfully nicknamed “Nappers.” In January of this year, SleepFoundation.org nominated them Best Weighted Blanket Overall, and they’ve also received the Red Dot Design Award and Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Award. Since then, they’ve been featured everywhere from publications (including Architectural Digest) to award-winning shows (Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building). Oh, and multi-Grammy winning artist Olivia Rodrigo called her own napper “the best gift I’ve ever been given.” Needless to say, every new drop from these guys tends to sell out very, very quickly.
“Can’t I Just Make One At Home?”
It wouldn’t be a winning product if it didn’t face a healthy dose of skepticism, right? People love to contest Bearaby’s prices, asking whether they couldn’t just make their own version of the same product. I’ve had my own napper for three years now, and as an avid knitter, I can say with certainty that no homemade version of these blankets could hold a candle to Bearaby’s finished product.
Then, of course, there’s the misconception that a weighted blanket from just any old online retailer would do the same trick(s) as Bearaby, but for way less money. This isn’t the kind of product you can swap out for a cheaper imitation. Let me explain why…
1. Bearaby Have Their Patents for a Reason
Let’s get legal for a second. Bearaby patented “Hand-Knit Weighted Blankets,” so they quite literally invented this particular form of weighted blankets (namely, the chunky knit). Their method makes an enormous difference, which I’ll explain momentarily.
Like I mentioned, I knit all of the time, but tasked with creating a blanket of a specific weight? I couldn’t do it. In the hypothetical situation that I got my hands on fabrics similar enough to the incredible ones that Bearaby uses, how could I manage to lift (and weave) such dense fibers together? Seems like something I should leave to the experts, no?
2. Ultra-High Quality of Materials
Bearaby Nappers come in several different materials: Organic Cotton, Eucalyptus-based TENCEL™, and eco-friendly Velvet. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have access to 100% organic, Fairtrade International certified cotton… and I’m certain my local craft store doesn’t carry it either. I can confidently say, then, that Amazon’s weighted blanket offerings don’t come in these rich fabrics either.
Each of the three I randomly looked into on Amazon are 100% Microfiber, meaning they’re composed of synthetic fabric (often nylon- or polyester-based). And I don’t have to tell you this, but I’ll say it anyway: the difference between real, eco-friendly fabrics and polyester is always extremely noticeable.
3. Say No to (Filling) Beads!
Part of the value of a hand-knit weighted blanket (i.e. all of Bearaby’s Nappers) is that it ensures equal distribution of weight. Non-Bearaby blankets are typically filled with beads or a second weighted layer, both of which slide around the inside of the blanket and lead to bunching. The calming weight of Bearaby Nappers is designed to stay put.
4. Crunching the Numbers
The two Bearaby alternatives are either a) make your own weighted knit blanket or b) buy another weighted blanket at a “lower price point.” The length of yarn required to DIY a blanket of this size and weight is at least 1200 yards. When I looked into buying my own weighted yarn, I found that the cheapest option was roughly $25 for 20 yards. That means in materials alone I could spend a minimum of $1500… and that would be before I invest the time it would take to knit the whole thing together. You know what they say…time is money, too.
I also looked into other weighted blanket options, to see if I could find a comparable-yet-cheaper one. If I just bought a generally weighted blanket (not knit) it would be only $35, BUT, as mentioned earlier, it would lack the distribution of weight that makes Bearaby’s hand-knit weighted blankets so beloved (and effective). If I bought a non-Bearaby knit weighted blanket, the prices would be very much in line with Bearaby’s: a 20lb blanket could cost anywhere from $130 to $200.
Depending on fabric (Cotton, TENCEL™, Eco-Velvet) and size, Bearaby’s Hand-Knit Weighted Blankets run from $199 to $289. A blanket for $300 felt pretty far out of my price bracket (it still does) but when I started looking into the logistics of a substitute, it started to make sense. Spending over $1000 on yarn certainly isn’t practical for me and my current budget, either. If I want a blanket that at least looks similar to Bearaby’s, I’ll end up paying close to $200 for a lower quality product. At that point, I figure if I spend less than $100 more, I could have the original hand-knit weighted blanket, made with materials to stand the test of time.
5. Too Pretty for Comparison
Last, but not least… Bearaby Nappers look really good. I never would have thought to call a blanket “chic” before I owned this one, but there’s really no other word for it. The array of rich colors means that there’s literally one (or more) for everyone interested. Plus, Bearaby is always rolling out new shades.
Editor’s Note: If a new Napper color catches your eye, it’s best to act fast. They will not be in stock for long.
Don’t Waste Time on Dupes
Every once in a while, there exists a cheaper version of an item that makes you question why you ever considered buying the original thing. This is not one of those times. Bearaby’s weighted blankets are hand-knit, with the utmost care to detail and materials. To DIY a Napper made with rivaling materials and size would take hours and hours of work, not to mention the time spent researching and sourcing materials. Oh, and the patent—which would obviously be impossible to accurately imitate.
It’s an age-old dilemma: spend a little less money, but do it seven times because the product prematurely wears itself out, or spend the full price once and never again (because you’ll have your purchase forever). The latter is more sustainable, cost-effective, and practical, but it also requires consideration of the long-term… which not everyone is willing to perform. Don’t be one of those people, who think they’re better than the pros. Bearaby knows what they’re doing, and their Nappers are priced to reflect expertise (and forever comfort).