{"id":1819454,"date":"2022-11-16T12:08:12","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T17:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=listicle&p=1819454"},"modified":"2025-05-15T12:38:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T17:38:12","slug":"weighted-stuffed-animals","status":"publish","type":"listicle","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/collection\/weighted-stuffed-animals\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Weighted Stuffed Animals for Comforting Cuddles, Tested and Reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST OVERALL\" product_name=\"Warmies\" pros=\"100+ animal options to choose from\" pros1=\"Multiple shapes to choose from, including hugs and wraps\" pros2=\"Provides lasting warmth or coolness\" pros3=\"Moderate price point\" pros4=\"Silky smooth fur\" pros5=\"Calming lavender scent\" cons=\"Tricky to deep clean\" cons1=\"May not fit in all microwaves\" image=\"1921355\" image_credit=\"KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Warmies\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwarmies.com%2Fcollections%2Fwarmies\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Warmies\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/WarmiesbyIntelex\/page\/07487B04-7E9C-4124-95FF-FC058A7316B9?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_3_name=\"Walmart\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fbrowse%2Ftoys%2Fwarmies-microwavable-scented-plush%2F4171_2724815_4033016\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Walmart\" retailers_4_name=\"Target\" retailers_4_url=\"https:\/\/goto.target.com\/vP0PXy\" retailers_4_display_text=\"Shop on Target\" \/]\r\n\r\nI've been a fan of Warmies<\/a> for years. After all, what's not to love about cuddly toys you can pop in the microwave (or freezer!) for instant relief? Each plush weighs roughly two pounds and is scented with real French lavender.\r\n\r\nIn our testing of Marshmallow the bear<\/a>, I found Warmies to have silky-smooth fur that stays soft\u2014even after multiple uses\u2014and a gentle weight suitable for kids and adults alike. After heating, they stay warm for 40 minutes (or more), depending on how long and at what temperature you nuke.\r\n\r\nThe best part, however, is the sheer number of Warmies options on the market. Over 100 cute characters are waiting to keep you company. Choose from a variety of options like\u00a0a beautiful bobcat<\/a>, gray penguin<\/a> or silly goose<\/a>. No matter how niche your interests are, there is a Warmies that fits the bill.\r\n\r\n\"Warmies\r\n\r\nI've also tested a\u00a0Warmies animal wrap<\/a>, which provides the same soothing pressure as traditional Warmies but in an elongated shape. It's easy to place across your forehead, behind your neck, around your knee\u2014or anywhere else it hurts. You can't beat Warmies Hugs<\/a>, either, which are made for sharing. Weighing just half a pound each, these pint-sized pals have velcro hands. When attached, they look like they're hugging.\r\n\r\nThe only downside? These heated stuffed animals are a little large for even heating in smaller microwaves. And in the event your plush encounters a spill from last night's spaghetti leftovers, the plush is surface-clean only.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST FOR ANXIETY\" product_name=\"Pillowfort Weighted Plush Throw\" pros=\"Size and weight ideal for soothing anxiety\" pros1=\"Multiple cute character shapes\" pros2=\"Budget-friendly price point\" pros3=\"Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX\u00ae certified\" cons=\"Tricky to deep clean\" cons1=\"No heating or cooling options\" image=\"1921354\" image_credit=\"KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Target\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/goto.target.com\/B030VJ\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Target\" \/]\r\n\r\nI'll be honest: I sleep with my pink weighted dinosaur plush<\/a> every single night. As a generally anxious person, this plush pillow's nearly three-pound weight brings reassurance and calm to my nighttime routine.\r\n\r\n\"pillowfort\r\n\r\nI've had my TikTok-famous \"anxiety dinosaur\" for over two years, and it's held up beautifully. The fabric is soft and smooth, with all the weight centered on the body. It provides a slightly deeper amount of pressure than a Warmies plush and is ideal for snuggling. Even my husband is a convert! So much so that he just bought his own green dinosaur.<\/a>\u00a0You can also find the pillow in other fun animals and shapes, like a\u00a0pegasus<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0dragon<\/a>.\r\n\r\nPlus, this amply-sized pillow is one of the best bangs for your buck. The only downside, once again, is the plush is surface-clean only. These toys are also not suitable for heating or cooling.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Most Giftable\" product_name=\"GiveHugz\" pros=\"Cute and cuddly animal options\" pros1=\"Two sizes available\" pros2=\"Ample weights mimic a real hug\" pros3=\"Highly giftable packaging\" pros4=\"No scent (ideal for sensitive noses)\" pros5=\"Microwave- and freezer-safe\" cons=\"Pricey\" cons1=\"Slight fur imperfections\" image=\"2143022\" image_credit=\"KATIE BANDURSKI\/TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"GiveHugz\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/givehugzinc.pxf.io\/MAkKPM\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on GiveHugz\" \/]\r\n\r\nWeighted stuffed animals make a great gift or care package<\/a> addition. And I give bonus points to plushies that already come in giftable packaging, like the options from GiveHugz<\/a>.\r\n\r\nMy Quackers the Duck<\/a> and mini Milkshake the Cow<\/a> arrived in darling cardboard tubes. (The perfect home for your friend when not in use!) Each also came with care instructions and a birth certificate to fill out.\r\n\r\n\"cow\r\n\r\nA full-size GiveHugz plush weighs a whopping 3.8 pounds, making it one of the heaviest options on our list. It also doesn't have any scent, which is ideal for migraine sufferers or anyone sensitive to fragrances. Both sizes are safe for use in the microwave and freezer, but they may not fit in all machines. (Especially the full-size plush. Quackers measures a full 10 inches.)\r\n\r\nEach GiveHugz friend is decked out in uber-soft fur. Like most options on this list, they're spot-clean only. I did notice a few design imperfections, especially on the mini cow. Her snout was crooked and there was a bald patch of fur on her leg. Neither quality concern affects her snuggle capabilities, but at an elevated price point, it's worth noting.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST FOR KIDS\" product_name=\"Hugimals\" pros=\"Removable insert and machine-washable body\" pros1=\"One of the heavier options\" pros2=\"Arms make this plushie easy to hug\" pros3=\"Long-lasting, sturdy construction\" cons=\"One of the most expensive options on our list\" cons1=\"Only four animals to choose from\" cons2=\"No heating or cooling options\" image=\"1941375\" image_credit=\"CHER CHECCIO FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Hugimals\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hugimalsworld.com%2Fcollections%2Fmeet-hugimals\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Hugimals\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/Hugimals\/page\/E3432995-3590-4E8B-9B51-DE614C20F970?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" \/]\r\n\r\nIf your little one is always in need of a hug, say no more. Hugimals<\/a> is here to be their soothing BFF at every step.\r\n\r\n\"Girl\r\n\r\n\"When I removed Charlie the Puppy<\/a> from his packaging, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer weight of this plush,\" says former Senior Shopping Editor Cher Checchio<\/a>. \"He\u2019s hefty and certainly huggable. My 22-month-old daughter sat on the sofa and cuddled him instantly, and with his outstretched arms, it felt like Charlie hugged her right back. My daughter likes to sleep with a stuffed animal, so Charlie is definitely her new crib companion at home or any overnight outing. And with his softness, I honestly wouldn\u2019t mind having one for myself, too, to encourage restful sleep.\"\r\n\r\nThis weighted stuffed animal made our list because of its removable insert. Cleaning is a breeze\u2014simply pop out the four-and-a-half-pound insert and toss the body into the washing machine. This keeps the plushie sanitary through illness, spills and day-to-day dirt. \"If you know anything about toddlers, then you know they love to throw toys and drag their plushies all over the floor,\" says Cher. \"Removing the weighted insert was a bit of a task as it needs to be unbuttoned from the inside before washing the body. But after that, cleaning was a breeze.\"\r\n\r\nWhile on the pricier side, Hugimals weighted stuffed animals have a sturdy construction and will no doubt last for years.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best on Amazon\" product_name=\"Warm Pals\" pros=\"Extremely soft and cuddly\" pros1=\"Ample size with a light, soothing pressure\" pros2=\"Most style available with fast Prime shipping\" cons=\"Lavender scent fades over time\" cons1=\"Tricky to deep clean\" image=\"1972318\" image_credit=\"KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Amazon\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/page\/6E181CA1-4E7B-47BB-8C83-103462DD48A8?tag=tohmke-20\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" \/]\r\n\r\nIf you need a fast gift option, don't sleep (or do, actually) on the best weighted stuffed animals on Amazon. Warm Pals<\/a> bring a lot of notable features to the table. I love their ample size, cozy fabric and a wide variety of shapes. Each plush fits in the microwave or freezer for soothing relief, and most options ship fast on Amazon Prime.\r\n\r\nI tested Nori the narwhal<\/a> and was impressed by the size and quality construction\u2014especially with an under-$30 price tag. The plush had a pleasant weight, and I liked that you could easily move the beads throughout the body for more targeted pressure relief. Nori heated and cooled nicely and would make an excellent gift.\r\n\r\nThe only downside? Upon opening, Nori smelled faintly like lavender, but I noticed this scent got fainter after weeks of testing. The horn was also a little skewed to the side.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"MOST AESTHETIC\" product_name=\"Bearaby Weighted Plush\" pros=\"Highly aesthetic\" pros1=\"Soothing weighted pressure\" pros2=\"Machine-washable\" cons=\"One of the most expensive options on our list\" cons1=\"Only three animals to choose from\" image=\"1941374\" image_credit=\"KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Bearaby\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/bearaby-us.pxf.io\/Z6dNMq\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Bearaby\" \/]\r\n\r\nIf you'd prefer a weighted stuffed animal that looks a little more adult, Bearaby has you covered. The newly launched \"Bearabuddies\" offer deep, soothing pressure in neutral tones and the brand's signature cotton knit.\u00a0I've had \"Benji bear<\/a>\" on my couch for several weeks, and I love that he looks at home next to my decorative throw pillows.\r\n\r\nWhen Benji showed up at my doorstep, he was packed in a too-cute-for-words box and came with a tote for portability or storage. He also came with a card detailing his personality and hobbies. (Any 90s kids will appreciate the nostalgia\u2014it reminded me of the poems on Beanie Baby tags.) He's also super huggable and comes with a weighted \"super paw\" for batting away stress. Each plush is machine-washable inside of a laundry bag.\r\n\r\nThe sheer size of this weighted plush makes it better suited for adults or older kids and teens. Choose from Benji, as well as Elli Elephant<\/a> or Remi Rabbit<\/a>, among others.\r\n\r\n
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What To Look for When Buying Weighted Stuffed Animals<\/h2>\r\nWhile a weighted stuffed animal isn't an overly expensive purchase, there are several factors to keep in mind so you can find the right fit.\r\n