The 8 Best Picnic Blankets, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Oniva Blanket Tote

$50
$42 at Amazon


$46 at Walmart


$46 at Tractor Supply Co.

We were really impressed with the quality of the Oniva Blanket Tote, especially considering its affordable price point. Even with its extra-large size, it folds up nicely and weighs just over two pounds. Plus, the attached shoulder strap means you can free up your hands for carrying other items, such as sports equipment or a picnic basket. 

When we laid the blanket over a small rock and sat on it, we could not feel the rock at all—a testament to the comfort and cushion of the blanket. It’s large enough to allow one person to spread out or multiple people to sit. The fleece topside is warm enough to carry you into the cooler months, while the water-resistant backing will keep you protected from the elements. 

In our stain testing, grape juice did leave a faint stain, although this is to be expected with fleece. However, we did find this picnic blanket to shake out sand very easily. On the downside, its lightweight construction comes with a trade-off: We’re doubtful that it will stay put in windy conditions, and it doesn’t feature any way to keep it down, such as stake rings or weighted corners. For this reason, we don’t recommend this towel for the beach, but for pretty much any other purpose—including camping, picnics, outdoor concerts, and sporting events—this easy-to-carry and comfortable picnic blanket is a great choice.

Size: 80 by 70 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Material: Polyester fleece topside with water-resistant backing | Extras: Zippered pocket, carry tote with shoulder strap | Machine-Washable: No

Best Budget

Yodo Picnic Blanket Tote

$22 at Amazon

This picnic blanket costs less than half the average price of all those we tested, yet it was among the best in terms of performance. It’s extremely lightweight at less than 2 pounds and features a carrying tote for easy transport. It really stood out in our spill test: The polyester fleece was surprisingly stain-resistant, and the grape juice mostly pooled rather than soaked into the fabric. For that, we think this makes an excellent choice for people looking to accommodate accident-prone kids or pets.

On the downside, this blanket doesn’t feature as much cushion as our Best Overall pick, and it’s much smaller, so spreading out is not an option for everyone. Additionally, sand didn’t shake out very easily and the blanket doesn’t feature any mechanisms for securing it to the ground, so it’s probably not ideal for use on the beach. Otherwise, it’s very comparable to more expensive fleece picnic blankets on our list, and makes an affordable choice for casual outdoor activities.

Size: 69 by 53 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Material: Polyester fleece topside with vinyl backing | Extras: Carry tote | Machine-Washable: No