Good weighted blankets usually consist of several square pockets filled with weights and stitched together to make a blanket. This pocketed design helps to evenly distribute the weight all over the body and prevents the fillers from sliding to one side. Some of the most popular options include plastic poly pellets, micro-glass beads, steel balls or beads, organic grains and beans, and sand. Plastic poly pellets are one of the most commonly used fillers for weighted blankets. Poly pellets are also non-toxic and completely safe to wash however, they do draw and retain heat so it is not the right fill if you are a hot sleeper. Micro glass beads are considered one of the higher-end weighted blanket fillers. Glass micro beads are an environmentally friendly alternative to poly pellets and are also completely hypoallergenic. These materials are also machine washable and dryer safe. Since fewer micro glass beads are necessary to create a weighted blanket, the blanket will be thinner and less bulky. The glass beads are cool and do not absorb heat meaning the blanket is a good choice for hot sleepers. Those are the two most common fillers for weighted blankets. Steel shot beads are sometimes used but they can be a little noisier than glass beads and plastic-pellets. We do not recommend organic grains, beans or sand because they are not durable and cannot be cleaned.