Shop the high street’s affordable Oodie versions and bag yourself a cosy hooded blanket

    Spring is tantalisingly on the horizon but I don't know about you, I'm still finding some days, I'm freezing. And I still want nothing more than to be cosy, and shopping for cosy things for my home is high on my agenda, no matter what the weather forecast may say. And one thing I learned from last year, is how to stay warm when working from home without cranking up the thermostat. Enter the hooded blanket.

    My top 5 Oodie alternatives

    The original, the Oodie, is a constant bestseller and has been lauded for its cosiness, with reviewers waxing lyrical about how they can skip putting on the central heating when wearing one. Their designs are fun, silly and brighten up a dreary day. 

    But if you want an Oodie without the price tag (they can cost upwards of £69 for an adult Oodie, and £77 for a kids’ Oodie) then the high street is your friend. But plot twist - Oodie has a brilliant sale on right now, with up to 60% off, with adult versions starting from £36.

    So if it's the real thing you want, is there a better time to shop Oodie than now?! With energy bills still high and the general cost of living not to mention a schlep until January payday, an oversized, wearable blanket is perfect for popping on while working from home or as an alternative to wearing your dressing gown at 5pm.

    I own an Oodie, and even bought a matching one for my four-year-old (the avocado print, if you were wondering). They're incredibly warm - and I mean incredibly, extremely oversized (no bad thing!) and comfortable. The soft material is literally dressing gown worthy but less embarrassing to answer the door in, and I love that it has a hood for extra cosiness. It is true what they say, you don't need the heating on wearing one, you really don't.

    There are children’s versions too, which parents praise as an after-school saviour for kids to stay warm in while relaxing before bedtime or to throw on for a chilly school run. There’s even versions for dogs too. It’s worth reading the reviews of the high street hooded blankets; Dunelm’s version was rated as “less stiff and boxy than the original” and M&S’ lookalike has had over 190 reviews with “incredibly warm” and “cosy” as some of the most common descriptions.

    How I chose the best Oodie alternatives

    • Trusted and personal reviews: This is where reviews really shine! I've searched through online reviews to find the Oodie alternatives that actually deliver in terms of warmth and comfort. And if I've tried one, you'll find my own personal review in there too.
    • Price: All of the hooded blankets listed cost less than the original version. 
    • Design: Hooded blankets come in all sorts of styles, from block colours to bold patterns. I've found as many different versions as possible, but it's always worth checking if the style you like comes in an alternative print to the one I've listed.
    • Warmth: As much as I'd love to, I haven't tried all of the products listed but where possible, I've called out the ones that seem to win for warmth in reviews and again, if I've tried it, I've made it clear just how warm it is (or isn't).

    So save your heating and invest in one of these warm, hooded fleece blankets for you and your family instead.

    • M&S Teddy Fleece Hooded Blanket

      M&S Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "I always turn to M&S for my dressing gowns and will be snapping up one of these hooded blankets too! Over 750 positive reviews call it "brilliant" with one adding: "Really keeps you so toasty warm you can save loads on heating bills!"

      Sizes: Medium, large plus kids

      Colours: Grey, pink and natural

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £60 spend; or free next-day click and collect from M&S stores.

      Returns: Within 35 days

      This M&S hooded blanket not only looks cute but, according to the reviews, is off the scale in cosy. Available in sizes medium and large, as well as a kids' version, there's five neutral colours to choose from and the navy version is currently on sale

      From £19.50 at Marks & Spencer

      $70.99 at Marks & Spencer

    • kudd.ly Oversized Hooded Blanket

      kudd:ly Hooded Blanket

      HELLO Tried and Tested: "I was sent the tie-dye print to try and on first impressions, I'm really into the print - it feels cooler and more feminine than some of the other designs.

      "Compared to my original Oodie, it's a lot less thick but I actually quite like that - the Oodie can feel heavy and almost a bit much sometimes. It's very soft, big and roomy (I'm a size 12, and wore it with a hooded sweatshirt underneath with plenty of room to spare). And at 5ft3ish, it comes to my knees like the Oodie does.

      "I'd say if you want something warm, stick to the Oodie but I found this a lighter way to keep warm enough. The Oodie offers almost instant warmth but this kept me toasty, without overheating, all day long. I love that the hood is big too!"

      Shipping: Free delivery on all orders.

      Sizes: One size (equivalent to 6XL)

      Colours: 11 to choose from, including plain and patterned

      Returns: Within 30 days

      The kudd:ly oversized blanket comes in one size (to fit 6XL) and a range of designs, from plain to patterned.

      £49 (save 45%) at kudd:ly

    • John Lewis Hi-Pile Oversized Lounge Hoodie

      John Lewis Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "I can almost feel how soft and squishy this John Lewis hooded blanket would be!"

      Sizes: One size

      Colours: Oatmeal, grey and pink

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £50 spend

      Returns: Within 30 days of purchase

      Generously cut and loose-fitting, John Lewis' hooded blanket has a snuggle soft finish and is made from thermal fleece to make it even cosier.

      £38 at John Lewis

    • Boux Avenue Fluffy Heart Oversized Cosy Hoodie

      Boux Avenue Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "I was sent this hooded blanket to test out, and at first glance, I love the subtle heart print and light grey look. It feels silky soft, and lightweight (as opposed to the heavy Oodie). Warmth wise, it provided a certain amount of warmth but I have to admit I do have a few warmer sweatshirts, but over a hoodie, it was perfectly cosy enough.

      "I was sent the Medium/Large and it felt very oversized as you can see from the picture. And because it's a thinner, lighter material than others sat a little awkwardly. Obviously not expecting to win best dressed wearing one of these, but it didn't fit quite the same as the others. It was also quite static on my WFH uniform of leggings and hoodie.

      "I think for the price, it's a great buy and definitely is less garish than other designs. I'd actually wear this one instead of a dressing gown over PJS, it had that sort of feel."

      Sizes: Small to large

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £40 spend; or £3.95 for standard delivery.

      Returns: Within 28 days

      Created from a soft, plush material, Boux Avenue's cute hooded blanket also comes in kids' sizes and is available in small-medium, or medium-large.

      £30 (save 40%)at Boux Avenue

      $52 at Boux Avenue

    • New Look Beagle Print Fleece Oversized Blanket Hoodie

      New Look Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "I'm a sucker for a fun, kitsch print on a hooded blanket and New Look's got them in abundance. If you're not a dog fan, there's breakfast prints, avocado, koala and more."

      Sizes: Medium and large

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £50 spend; or £2.99 for standard delivery on orders under £50.

      Returns: Within 28 days

      Head to New Look for a cute print oversized hooded blanket.

      £17.99 (save 40%) at New Look

    • Amazon Oversized Blanket Hoodie

      Amazon Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "I love the longer length of this Amazon number, which really does look part blanket, part hoodie."

      Sizes: One size

      Colours: 12 available, including black, lilac and blue

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £25 spend.

      Returns: Within 30 days

      Ranging from black to lilac, Amazon's hooded blanket has a big pocket on the front (ideal for your phone or snacks) and comes in one size.

      £23.99 (SAVE 8%) at Amazon

      $24.13 at Amazon

    • Tu Sainsbury's Mono Spot Fleece Hooded Blanket

      Tu Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "This is the one I wouldn't mind if my local delivery person saw me in! The Tu hooded blanket comes in black and white print, which I adore, and looks silky snuggly."

      Sizes: Small to XL

      Shipping: From £3.95 on all orders, or free click and collect.

      Returns: Until January 31 2024

      Available in small to extra large, this mono spot print hooded blanket contains recycled yarns and a kangaroo pocket.

      £20 at TU at Sainsbury's

    • Snuggy Adult Hooded Blanket

      Snuggy Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "I couldn't resist including this hilarious kebab print hooded blanket! It looks super comfy and soft, and has an oversized hood and massive front pocket too."

      Size: One-size for adults

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £50 spend

      Returns: Within 14 days

      Crafted from soft flannel fleece with a sherpa lining, the Snuggy hooded blanket is said to be thick, durable and super snuggly.

      £39.99 (save 43%) at Snuggy

    • Etsy Personalised Hooded Blanket

      Etsy Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "Who doesn't love something personalised? This would make a fab present for a loved one, or of course yourself. There's a few colours to choose from too, including neutrals like black and grey and a bright pink or blue."

      Sizes: One size

      Colours: Grey, black, navy, red or pink

      Shipping: Free UK delivery

      Returns: Available within 14 days

      This one-size fits all hooded blanket has a super soft sherpa lining and high-pile fleece fabric for maximum cosy points. Can be fully personalised with a name or initials.

      £29.95 at Etsy

      $74.37 at Etsy

    • Peppa Pig Oversized Sherpa Fleece Hooded Blanket

      Peppa Pig Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "Delight your little one with a Peppa Pig hooded blanket - they'll want to wear it all the time!"

      Sizes: One size

      Shipping: From £3.95

      Returns: Within 14 days

      Sherpa lined and with pockets, this Peppa Pig hooded blanket fits ages 3-6, and is machine washable.

      £23.99 (save 27%) at The Range

    • Silentnight Kids Oversized Hoodie Glow In The Dark Sherpa Lining

      Silentnight Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "How cool is this glow in the dark hooded blanket for kids? Such a great one for car journeys and winter evenings."

      Sizes: One size

      Shipping: Standard delivery costs £4.99

      Returns: Within 30 days

      Designed for kids aged 3-11, this glow in the dark hooded blanket would make a great gift, with a warm sherpa inner and fleece exterior.

      £18.31 (save 8%) at Wayfair

    • M&S Disney Frozen™ Oversized Fleece Hoodie

      M&S Kids Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "I know my daughter would adore this Frozen hooded blanket, with its cosy fleece finish."

      Sizes: Ages 3-8 years

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £60 spend; or free next-day click and collect from M&S stores.

      Returns: Within 35 days

      Available in sizes 3-8 years, this cosy hoodie has an oversized fit, long sleeves and a snuggle hood.

      £18 at Marks & Spencer

    • John Lewis Kids' Sherpa Oversized Hooded Blanket

      John Lewis Kids' Hooded Blanket

      Editor's note: "This John Lewis hooded blanket is a classic buy for kids and looks super snuggly."

      Sizes: From 3 years to 16 years

      Shipping: Free delivery with a £150 spend

      Returns: Within 30 days of purchase

      John Lewis' kids hooded blanket is oversized, sherpa finished and available in ages 3-16.

      From £20 at John Lewis

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