Let's Be Honest: Is the Lola Blanket Really Worth the Splurge Price Tag?

Tested by Theresa Holland

Maybe you're familiar with the brand name or have seen more ultra-fluffy, plush blankets come across your social feeds lately. Or maybe you're just looking for the crème de la crème of throws. In any case, the viral Lola Blanket appears to be the current reigning queen, and even made it onto Oprah's coveted Favorite Things list. But is it actually that good? Is it as unbelievably soft as everyone says? And even if so, is the staggeringly steep price justified?

To answer these questions and see what all the hype is about, I tested the Lola Blanket at home for a month. Here's my honest review.

What Makes Lola Blankets Unique?

Lola Blankets claim to have a softer, plusher feel than most other blankets while being durable and long-lasting. The material is a uniquely fluffy faux fur that feels silky-smooth and promises never to shed. These blankets also have four-way stretch and a comforting weightiness. Another notable benefit is that they're machine-washable, unlike many other faux fur throws.

How I Tested the Lola Blanket

To test the Lola Blanket, I began by unboxing and inspecting it for flaws (there were none). Next, I looked over the care instructions, then performed the following tests.

Material and Texture Test: I compared the material makeup of the Lola to other blankets I tested. It's 95 percent polyester, 5 percent spandex and OEKO-TEX certified for chemical safety. Just by looking at the blanket, I could tell the hand feel would be superior. Sure enough, it's exceptionally plush and marshmallowy with a unique stretchiness that makes it feel extra-luxe.

Weight and Warmth Test: Though it's not technically weighted, the blanket has a weighty feel (the weights of the sizes range from two to 10 pounds). I also considered how well it could keep me warm while sitting on the couch or wrapping it around my shoulders, and whether it would be too warm for sleeping.

Design and Appearance Test: I considered the appearance of the blanket, noting the available colors (46 "originals," plus limited-edition collabs), whether it elevates the design of a room, and how it looks when accenting a bed or draped over an armchair. As a millennial, I also took some photos to see how Instagram-worthy the viral blanket is.

Wash and Dry Test: Following Lola's care instructions (machine-wash cold, hang-dry), I laundered the blanket on a delicate cycle, then draped it over a clothes rack to air-dry. Drying took almost a full day. But, per the brand's recommendation, tossing it in the dryer on the no-heat setting helped speed this up and fluffed it back up to its original plushness.

What I Loved About the Lola Blanket

The premium quality is readily apparent.

Upon running my fingers over the surface of the Lola, I was truly blown away by the premium quality. I tested it at the same time as over two dozen other blankets, and it was undoubtedly superior. It was even apparent to my kids, who immediately began fighting over it. Also, it has the same material on both sides, unlike other faux fur designs that have microsuede or fabric on the back. This elevates the feel and makes it easier to style as room decor.

It's exceptionally soft and plush.

With ultra-fluffy, short-pile faux fur and the silkiness of rabbit or mink, the Lola Blanket is much softer and plusher than all other options I tested. It has what the brand calls "four-way therapeutic stretch" and a ruched stitching pattern that makes it feel thick, lofty and marshmallowy. The exceedingly cuddly, huggable quality is hard to relay with the written word — it might be a "you gotta feel it to believe it" situation.

It doesn't shed.

One of the Lola Blanket's biggest claims is that it doesn't shed. I used it every day for a month, and sure enough, I haven't seen a single loose strand of fur around my home. (This wasn't the case with some of the other faux fur throws I tested.)

It's washable and stain-resistant.

Lola Blankets are conveniently machine-washable, whereas others call for spot-cleaning or dry-cleaning. It's also stain-resistant. Given the high-end feel, my instinct was to tell my kids they have to wash their hands before touching it. But even with the blanket being tossed around our living room for a few weeks, pulled around by sticky hands, and ending up on the floor on several occasions, I didn't notice any spots or discoloration.

What I Didn't Love About the Lola Blanket

It takes a long time to dry.

While it's washable, the blanket shouldn't be tumble-dried. It's supposed to be air-dried, which takes almost a full day (and substantial space to drape it or lay it flat somewhere in your home). Once dry, though, you can toss it in the dryer on the air-fluff (no-heat) setting to fluff it back up.

It's really expensive.

Lola Blankets are really steeply priced. The throw is nearly $300, and the largest size is upwards of $400. I have to admit, this is hard to justify for a blanket.

How the Lola Blanket Compares to Other Blankets I Tested

I tested nearly 30 blankets, including several faux fur options. The Comfrt Dreamer looks and feels a lot like the Lola (albeit ever-so-slightly less plush), and it's less than half the price. I also tested the Cozy Earth Bubble Cuddle Blanket, which has a high-end look and feel, with voluminous, wavy plushness and double-sided faux fur. It wasn't quite as soft after washing, though, and frequently slips off furniture.

The UGG Euphoria Throw is a really decently priced option, but it only comes in one size and doesn't have fur on the back. While the Crate & Barrel Faux Fur Throw is soft and weighty with a luxe feel, it lost some fluffiness in the wash.

Bottom Line: Are Lola Blankets Worth the Splurge?

The Lola Blanket does live up to its reputation as an insanely soft, luxurious product. Still, paying $300 or more for a blanket seems pretty extreme. I can't say in good conscience it's worth stretching your budget for a really nice blanket. However, if you can swing the price or find it on sale, I think you'll be more than pleased with your purchase.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Theresa Holland is a freelance shopping writer and product tester specializing in consumer tech, small appliances, home decor, household linens and lifestyle. She has substantial experience with hands-on testing and a keen understanding of what to look for when buying towel warmers and other plug-in devices. For HGTV.com, Theresa has covered the best cooling fans, essential oil diffusers, canister vacuums and automatic drip coffeemakers.

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HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors, including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our readers.