Let's face it: any blanket can be a picnic blanket in a pinch. If you're going to spend money on a dedicated picnic blanket, it should be more portable, durable, or waterproof compared to the spare blanket you have lying around your house.
As a former professional cook, I take picnic season seriously, so I recruited my Reviews team coworkers to help find the best picnic blankets for every occasion. We settled on two top picks. For one or two people, we like the lightweight and cushiony Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket. If you're hosting a crowd, we recommend upgrading the NEMO Victory Blanket, which comfortably fits six sitting and four lying down. We've also identified great options for specific needs, like the beach and camping.
Our team conducted hands-on testing of 14 different picnic and beach blankets, evaluating them for size, comfort, water resistance, and ease of setup and cleanup.
Our top picks for picnic blankets
Best overall, for a crowd: NEMO Victory Picnic Blanket, XL - See at Amazon
Best overall, for 1-2 people: Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket - See at Baggu
Best budget: Scuddles Picnic Blanket - See at Amazon
Best beach blanket: Wekapo Waterproof Beach Blanket - See at Amazon
Best for camping: Rumpl Everywhere Mat - See at Amazon
Most comfortable: Yeti Lowlands Blanket - See at Amazon
Most portable: Matador Pocket Blanket 4.0 - See at REI
Best overall, for a crowd
The NEMO Victory Blanket is a cozy and comfortable picnic blanket, thanks to its extra padding, waterproof bottom layer, and easy-to-fold design.
- Thick comfort layer with some water resistance
- Fully waterproof backing
- Fits 4-6 people very comfortably
- Easy to roll up with a built-in carrying strap
- Loops for tent stakes
- On the bulkier and heavier side
- Doesn't come with stakes
- Expensive
One hallmark of a true winner is that testers gravitate toward it even after the official evaluations are over. For my picnic blanket testers, that product was the NEMO Victory Picnic Blanket. Its roomy surface, cool-to-the-touch top, and plush cushioning made it the obvious choice for lounging and catching up after an afternoon of testing.
The blanket easily fits four lying down or six sitting, with room for everyone to stretch out or share snacks in the center. The waterproof backing keeps any wetness from seeping in from the ground, and while the top isn't quite as waterproof, it does offer some water resistance against spills. The acrylic top is thick, comfortable, and stays cool and dry, making it the ideal spot to hang out for a whole afternoon.
The NEMO also has some built-in portability features: the blanket rolls up and is secured with built-in buckles (that double as bottle openers). I also appreciated the extra flap for storing your phone or other small valuables. It has loops for tent stakes, though you'll have to buy those separately. While not the lightest or most compact blanket, its thick handle is comfortable to carry and feels less cumbersome than others we tested.
I've continued testing this blanket in my everyday life, and it always garners praise from my fellow picnic-goers. It's manageable to fold by just one person, but comfortable enough for a crowd. Some folks online have reported the top snags; I haven't experienced that, but I'll be keeping my eye out throughout the picnicking season and will report back.
Best overall, for 1-2 people
The Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket is compact, lightweight, and roomy enough to comfortably fit a pair. It comes in several fun patterns, has built-in carrying straps that make it easy to fold, and is reasonably waterproof.
- Very lightweight and comfortable to carry
- Thick nylon construction that's waterproof but doesn't get too hot in the sun
- Sand and dirt slide off easily
- Machine washable
- Liquid spreads instead of pools on surface
- Not as thick as other options
Ideally sized for you and one other pal, the Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket is a delight. It comes in several fun designs to appeal to the aesthetic picnicker who wants a blanket that performs and looks cute. Limited-edition patterns make each Baggu blanket feel unique — you're unlikely to see one of the same out in the park.
Aesthetics aside, this blanket has many technical features that earned it a top spot in this guide. At just over a pound, it's incredibly lightweight and compact enough to easily fit in a backpack or tote bag if you don't feel like carrying it by the integrated handle.
The blanket is plush, but it stays cool even in the sun. It's also decently waterproof, though in our tests, the water tended to spread rather than pool on the surface like it did in the most water-resistant blankets. The spreading meant spills were a tiny bit more of a hassle to clean up on this blanket, but you definitely won't be stuck with a wet blanket — or worse, a wet butt.
Best budget
If you're not looking to spend the better part of a paycheck on a picnic blanket, the Scuddles Extra Large Picnic Blanket has many of the features we love in more expensive blankets, like a built-in carrying strap, waterproof backing, and decent stain resistance — and clocks in at under $30.
- Lightweight and inexpensive
- Integrated carrying strap
- Waterproof backing and stain-resistant top
- Decently plush and roomy
- Feels and looks cheaper than other options
- Not very durable
- Inconsistent quality
I was very surprised to see just how expensive picnic blankets are. The average price of the blankets we tested was $90, which is a lot to pay for a product that likely only gets used for a few months of the year. Fortunately, the Scuddles Extra Large Picnic Blanket performed strongly in our tests and costs under $30.
The blanket comes with an integrated carrying handle and two stretchy straps to keep it rolled up and in place. However, not all purchasers seem to receive the design I tested. One of my coworkers bought this blanket, and it came with velcro straps, which she says often came undone. Reviewers on Amazon also report receiving different designs, which is frustrating but not unexpected from a third-party brand.
If you can get beyond the ordering issues, this is a solid blanket that has held up very well considering its price. It's lightweight, roomy, and decently plush, though it stops short of being as comfortably padded as the NEMO or Yeti blankets.
Best beach blanket
This massive blanket is a lightweight, inexpensive option for a day at the beach. It comfortably fits 10 people and comes with smart extras like sand pockets and tent stakes to resist the wind.
- Fits a crowd
- Inexpensive
- Folds up very compactly into integrated carrying case
- Pockets can be filled with sand to keep the blanket anchored to the ground
- Also comes with tent stakes
- Very thin
- A bit unwieldy to pack up with just one person
Not all picnic blankets are ideal for the beach. A beach blanket needs less padding and absorbency since sand acts as a natural cushion and the sun dries wet spots. Instead, the key factors we look for in a beach blanket are wind and sand resistance, plus a stay-cool fabric that doesn't trap heat in the sun.
Any of our other top picks would work decently at the beach, but we really loved the Wekapo as a dedicated beach blanket, especially for a crowd. It was one of the largest blankets we tested and could fit eight to 10 people sitting or six lying down. It also offered the best wind-resistance features of any blanket we tested: you can fill its pockets with sand or use the included tent stakes to really anchor the blanket to the ground. It folds up surprisingly compactly for its size and comes with a handled carrying case. Best of all, it's just $30.
The blanket is very thin, which is just fine if you're using it as a beach blanket, but not ideal if you're planning on taking it elsewhere. I could feel every bump and rock in the ground while lying on it in the park, and even got pricked by some "spiky balls" from a sweet gum tree that poked right through the fabric. Its size also makes it a chore to fold — you'll have the best results with a helper.
Best for camping
The Rumpl Everywhere Mat is lightweight, compact, and the most waterproof picnic blanket we tested, making it a great option for camping and trekking.
- Incredibly water resistant
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with a carrying case
- Corner stash pockets and loops for stakes
- Have to buy stakes separately
- On the thinner side
When you're camping or hiking, every ounce of space needs to be used wisely and every detail accounted for — it's especially important that your gear stays dry and dries quickly when it gets wet. The Rumpl Everywhere Mat is one of the most technical picnic blankets we tested and by far the most waterproof. Like the Baggu, it weighs a little over a pound and spreads out to about 27 square feet. However, unlike the Baggu, its top has a durable water-repellant (DWR) coating that completely resists liquid.
We spilled a whole cup of water on this blanket, and it never seeped in, even after letting it sit for a half hour. The water pooled and then slipped right off the blanket. There was a tiny bit of residual wetness, but it dried quickly in the sun. However, with this water resistance comes some tradeoffs: the brand recommends spot cleaning the blanket only, and it should not go in the dryer. Otherwise, you risk removing the DWR coating.
The mat is on the thinner side; it's definitely not as plush as the Baggu, but it has corner pockets where you can stash valuables (or fill with sand to keep the blanket grounded), stake loops (stakes aren't included), and a carrying bag. Overall, we think this blanket is a solid option for situations when weight and waterproofing matter most, like camping, hiking, and backpacking.
Most comfortable
The Yeti Lowlands Blanket is impressively padded, weather-resistant, and will withstand years of outdoor use.
- Very comfortable
- Good waterproofing
- Machine washable
- 3-year warranty
- Very expensive
- Lighter colors prone to staining
- Heavy and bulky to carry
If price is no object in your picnic blanket quest, let me introduce you to the Yeti Lowlands Blanket. This plush blanket was by far the most comfortable I tried; like lying on a mattress pad in the middle of the park. It's truly a delight to sit on — if you can stomach the $200 price tag.
Like other Yeti products — including its signature coolers — the Lowlands Blanket is designed more for performance than portability. It was the heaviest blanket I tested, at about 6.5 pounds, and it comes with its own carrying case. If you're carrying this to the park, you'll probably want someone else to be lugging the picnic basket.
Given its price and overall impracticality, I wanted to dislike this blanket. But, wow, once I laid it out on the grass, I wanted to spend all day on it. During testing, I inadvertently set up under a sweet gum tree, known for its "spiky balls," which littered the ground below. I felt nary a rock or spiky ball poking through as I lay on this blanket, and the soft fabric felt cool even after sitting out in the direct sun. It's thick enough that I wasn't worried about it blowing away, but the corners and sides do have loops for tent stakes (not included).
It's also one of the most waterproof options we tested. Water pooled on the surface and easily rolled off when we tilted the blanket, instead of absorbing into the fabric. I'd recommend getting one of the darker-colored options, since the light-blue version we tested quickly accumulated dirt stains. Fortunately, it is machine washable.
Most portable
As its name suggests, you can easily store Matador's Pocket Blanket in your pocket or bag and whip it out for an impromptu picnic anywhere.
- Incredibly compact and lightweight
- Built-in ground stakes and sand-pocket corners
- Clear folding instructions printed on blanket
- Very thin
- Can only fit 1 person comfortably
It doesn't get much more compact than the Matador Pocket Blanket, which can literally fit in the palm of your hand. This is a phenomenal option if you want a blanket to keep in your bag for impromptu picnics. I can also see its value for hikers and travelers who are thinking critically about space and weight.
Weighing just 3.5 ounces, this was the lightest blanket I tested by far. Of course, that comes with some tradeoffs. It isn't particularly thick or roomy. It's a decent size for one person lying down or two people sitting, but it's basically just a ground cover to protect your body from dirt and wetness. I could definitely feel every rock and bump in the ground while lying on it. Still, its compactness makes it worth considering, and I now keep this in my purse when I explore the city, just in case the urge to picnic strikes.
It also has several smart design features built in. Each corner contains a small metal bar that you can remove and use as a stake to keep the blanket rooted to the ground. These corner pockets can also be filled with sand if you're using it on the beach. I really appreciated the printed fold lines on the reverse side of the blanket, which made it super fast and easy to fold the blanket back up into its attached storage pocket.
Other picnic blankets we tested
Big Blanket Co. Big Beachy Blanket: At 100 square feet, this was the biggest blanket we tested and comfortably fit a group of six testers with room to spare. However, at $150, it did little to justify its price over the similarly-sized Wekapo Beach Blanket, which had tent stakes, sand pockets, and a carrying case and cost a fifth of the price.
Big Blanket Co. XL Outdoorsy Blanket: We like this thick, generous blanket for camping or movie nights, but its polyester exterior gets hot in the sun. During our water test, liquid seeped into the blanket's seams, which could lead to mold growth if not properly dried.
Nomadix Blanket Towel: This oversized towel quickly absorbed dampness when we tried it on grass, but it is a decent option for the beach.
Nomadix Festival Blanket: This roomy blanket comes in several fun patterns, but it is thin and lacks the portability features of our top picks.
RedCamp Picnic Blanket: At $12, this was the cheapest picnic blanket we tested. Its texture is similar to a plastic tablecloth, but it's very easy to wipe clean, has built-in carrying straps, and is a solid budget option.
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket: This outdoor blanket is plush but not very breathable. It got hot in the sun and was quite slippery to walk on.
Tesalate Bora Bora Sand-Free Beach Blanket: This beach blanket had a very odd texture, similar to a thick paper towel, which made it unpleasant to sit on.
How we test picnic blankets
Portability: I weighed each blanket and noted any helpful features, like built-in straps or carrying cases. I also carried each blanket for one mile to and from the park, tested how well they fit in a backpack, and evaluated how easy they were to fold back up.
Comfort: A team of eight testers sat on each of the blankets and evaluated how comfortable they were, how easy it was to feel the ground below, and whether the blankets got hot sitting in the sun.
Waterproofing: We spilled water on each of the blankets and let it sit for several minutes, noting whether water pooled on the surface, absorbed, or scattered. We also checked for waterproofing on the undersides by observing if we could feel dampness from the ground while sitting on the blankets.
Cleaning: We observed how each blanket handled ground debris, whether dirt clung or slipped off of it, and how easy (and successful) it was to shake out after a day at the park.
Durability and long-term testing: Each blanket went to a different long-term tester for use throughout the season. We'll report back with any notes on durability and performance as the summer progresses.
Picnic blanket FAQs
What is the best material for a picnic blanket?
A good picnic blanket has two sides: a water barrier and a comfort layer. The waterproof layer should be made of a polyester lining that doesn't absorb moisture. For the comfort layer, we like acrylic, since it's breathable, durable, and easy to clean.
What's the difference between a picnic blanket and a regular blanket?
Any blanket can be a picnic blanket in a pinch, but not all picnic blankets can be used as regular blankets. The best picnic blankets have a waterproof backing to prevent moisture from transferring from the ground to you. As a result, they aren't very comfortable to use as a bed or throw blanket. Many picnic blankets also have built-in straps or handles for easier portability.
What is a good size for a picnic blanket?
It depends on how many people will sit on it. A good size guideline is around 25 square feet (5' x 5') for 1-2 people, 42 square feet (6.5' x 6.5) for 3-4 people, and 64 square feet (8' × 8') for more than 4 people.
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