The Best Picnic Blankets for Any Outdoor Activity, Tested By The Spruce

Best Overall

L.L.Bean Waterproof Outdoor Blanket

4.5

View On L.L.Bean

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Overall Value
  5/5

For a picnic blanket that’s soft, comfortable, and easy to care for, the L.L. Bean Waterproof Outdoor Blanket is our unbeatable top choice. Our tester loved that this blanket was made from cozy fleece, and even the waterproof backing is soft—unlike other blankets, which have a plasticky feel. The material offers enough cushioning to dull any rocks you might happen to sit on, and you also can wrap yourself up in this blanket on a chilly night. 

This outdoor blanket measures 72 x 58 inches, and it’s available in a few colors and patterns. (There’s also an extra-large version that measures 80 x 72 inches, in case you need more room.) The front of the blanket is made from a polyester-fleece, and the reverse is polyurethane-coated nylon. Our tester found that despite its snuggle-upness, the blanket is fairly light, making it easy to shake out after use, and most sand and debris came off easily. In our testing, the material also resisted stains—liquids easily blotted up, leaving almost no trace. Plus, you can machine-wash and -dry the blanket, making maintenance even easier. 

When you’re done with your picnic, this blanket is easy to pack up. Its seams provide visual guidance on which way to roll it, and elastic straps keep it bundled up. It can be a bit tricky to fit back into the carrying case, as it needs to be rolled quite tightly. But overall, we believe this outdoor blanket is a high-quality choice that serves you well on any outdoor excursion.

Price at time of publish: $69

_{Size: 72 x 58 inches | Materials: Polyester fleece and nylon | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Budget

Oniva Blanket Tote XL Outdoor Picnic Blanket

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Overall Value
  5/5

The oversize ONIVA Picnic Blanket provides plenty of cushioning against the hard ground. Yet, it’s reasonably priced, making it our top pick for anyone shopping on a budget. Our tester found the fleece front soft to the touch, and its thick design extremely comfortable to sit on, masking the feeling of rocks underneath. The reverse side is made of a waterproof material that staved off dampness in our testing, and despite the blanket’s substantial size—80 x 70 inches—it’s lightweight and easy to transport. 

This picnic blanket comes in several patterns, most of which are plaid or striped. It folds up easily into a compact 18 x 11 x 5-inch tote, which includes a zippered pouch where you could store items such as your keys, and you can adjust the shoulder strap for easy carrying. In our tests, dirt and sand fell off the blanket after just a few shakes, and though liquid does soak into the fleece fabric, it’s fairly easy to blot out. The one big downside of this picnic blanket is you can't machine wash it, so you have to spot-clean any stains. However, it’s a good value considering its large size and quality construction.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Size: 80 x 70 inches | Materials: Polyester fleece | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Splurge

Yeti Lowlands Blanket

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.8/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Overall Value
  4/5

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, the Yeti Lowlands Blanket is top-tier in terms of quality—however, it comes with a price tag to match. Our tester said the blanket is cozy and feels similar to a bed comforter, thanks to its polyester-rayon front and thick layer of polyester insulation. Even though the picnic blanket feels soft and welcoming, liquids simply puddle up on the surface, allowing you to wipe spills away with no stain left behind. It’s even designed to repel dirt, burrs, and pet hair, so you can use it as a barrier in the back of your car. 

The Yeti Blanket is on the smaller size, measuring 55 x 78 inches, and it’s available in three colors. Six utility loops around the edges of the blanket allow you to stake it down in windy conditions. And you can machine-wash and-dry the whole thing, making it effortless to clean after your picnic.  The Yeti Lowlands Blanket comes with a sturdy carrying case you can clip onto a backpack for easy transport. But our tester did note that the blanket is somewhat bulky to fold and stuff back into the case.

Price at time of publish: $200

_{Size: 78 x 55 inches | Materials: Polyester-rayon front, polyester back | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Waterproof

Oceas Waterproof Fleece Blanket

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  3.5/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Overall Value
  4/5

The Oceas Outdoor Blanket has a truly waterproof backing—in testing, the top layer of fleece stayed nice and dry, even when the reverse side was wet. Plus, our tester noted that the blanket feels more high-quality than many others and is easy to fold up and secure with the included elastics. It's the perfect option for a picnic on wet grass or even at the beach. The blanket's included convenient carrying case lets you tote it around to different destinations. 

This outdoor blanket is 79 x 58 inches, and you can choose from just a few plain colors. The soft, warm fleece makes it cozy to wrap up in by yourself or with a friend. Most dirt and sand comes off by shaking. Our main complaint is this blanket stains fairly easily and can’t be machine washed, but the black fleece does a good job of hiding any discoloration that may result from spills.

Price at time of publish: $48

_{Size: 79 x 58 inches | Materials: Polyester fleece and polyurethane-coated polyester | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Yes}

Best for Travel

Little Unicorn Outdoor Blanket

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Overall Value
  4/5

You can go just about anywhere with the Little Unicorn Indoor/Outdoor Blanket, which comes with a compact carrying case that includes a zippered pocket for storage. The case is just 15.5 x 12 x 5.5 inches and weighs just over three pounds, and thanks to its adjustable strap, you can sling it over your shoulder as you hike out to the perfect picnic spot. The blanket comes in several bright patterns, including floral, plaid, and botanical motifs, and you can choose from three sizes, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your family. 

This blanket's padded feel pleased our tester on hard or rocky surfaces, and the bottom is made from a durable water-resistant material. Stains come out with just a few blots, even on the white fabric. And although some dirt and debris tend to linger on the surface, popping it into the washing machine gets it clean again. Our only major concern is the fabric on the front of the blanket is fairly thin and feels like it may rip over time.

Price at time of publish: $55

_{Size: 60 x 60 inches | Materials: Polyester | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Water-resistant}

Best to Clean

ISOPHO Beach Blanket

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Comfort
  3/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Durability
  2/5
• Overall Value
  3/5

If you regularly picnic on the beach or another spot where your blanket gets dirtier than usual, the ISOPHO Picnic Blanket is the blanket for you; our tester found it much easier to clean than other products we tested. Our tester got all the sand off with just a single shake—it doesn’t stick to the polyester fabric at all! There’s also the added bonus that the blanket is oversize, measuring 83 x 79 inches, allowing you to seat your whole family with room to spare. 

Our tester described this blanket as more of a ground cover than a true picnic blanket. It lacks the cushioning you might expect, and it isn’t that soft to the touch. However, the thick material is durable enough to withstand being walked all over. Plus, it comes with ground stakes that keep it in place, even on windy days. It’s easy to clean up spills on this blanket, as the liquid just puddles up on top. But our tester found that the fabric dampens if exposed to moisture for too long.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Size: 83 x 79 inches | Materials: Polyester | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: No}

Best for Kids

Chanodug Three Donkeys Picnic Blanket

4.2

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  3/5
• Comfort
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.5/5
• Durability
  3.5/5
• Overall Value
  4.5/5

Kids should have a blast playing on the spacious Three Donkeys Picnic Blanket, and adults appreciate that despite expected food and drink spills, it's easy to clean. The reversible design is fairly spacious at 79 x 79 inches, and you can easily accommodate several children or a few adults. The blanket is waterproof and sand proof, and our tester found that most dirt fell off the fabric with just a few shakes. Plus, there's no crying over spilled milk, or any other beverage: You simply blot up the liquid without it staining. 

This blanket comes in a few different colors and it rolls up compactly, complete with a handle, for easy transport. Our tester found, however, that it’s slightly confusing to fold up the blanket—you need to position the velcro in just the right spot, and it took a few tries to get right. Overall, though, this picnic blanket is an easy-to-clean option that should serve you well on family outings. And who can resist its budget-friendly price?

Price at time of publish: $46

_{Size: 79 x 79 inches | Materials: Polyester taffeta, cotton | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Extra Large

Down Under Outdoors Quilted Fleece Stadium Blanket

4.2

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  4/5
• Comfort
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  3.5/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Overall Value
  5/5

Whether you picnic with a crowd or just want space to stretch out, the Down Under Outdoors Blanket offers plenty of room, thanks to its 82 x 55 inch shape. This oversize blanket is available in a few colors and patterns, including solids and plaids. Our tester noted the blanket is heavy enough that it won’t blow away on blustery days, and liked that it has a soft fleece on one side and a durable waterproof backing on the reverse. A zippered pocket right on the blanket enables you to stash your keys or other belongings for safe keeping. 

Our tester found that liquids do soak into the material but can be blotted out with a paper towel; a few good shakes should remove most dirt and sand from the surface. If more cleaning is needed, you can throw it in the washing machine to remove stains. When you’re ready to pack up, roll up the Down Under and pack it away in its carrying case, which has an adjustable shoulder strap, as well as a top handle. 

Price at time of publish: $44

_{Size: 82 x 55 inches | Materials: Polyester | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Yes}

Best Lightweight

Benevolence LA Authentic Mexican Blanket

4.2

View On Amazon View On Benevolencela.com

Our Ratings

• Quality
  4.5/5
• Comfort
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  3/5
• Durability
  3/5
• Overall Value
  3.5/5

The Benevolence LA Authentic Mexican Blanket weighs just a few pounds, and its thin fabric is easy to fold up and carry in a tote bag. The woven design is crafted from a cotton-acrylic blend that’s made using recycled fiber, and each blanket is woven by local artisans in Tlaxcala, Mexico for a one-of-a-kind appearance. The blanket is soft enough to use as a wrap on a cold day, and our tester noted that you could seat a few people on it, even though it’s on the smaller side. 

These blankets come in a variety of colorways, and many of the patterns are bright and vibrant. Unlike many other picnic blankets, this option doesn’t include a carrying case, but it’s thin enough that it folds into a compact, manageable form. Sand shakes off the blanket easily, but the material isn’t waterproof and stains soak in, so it may not be the best option for eating on. The good news, however, is you can machine-wash the blanket, and it’s small enough to fit into any machine.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Size: 75 x 50 inches | Materials: Recycled cotton-acrylic blend | Case Included: No | Waterproof: No}

Best Foldable

Red Camp Waterproof Picnic Blanket

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Quality
  3.5/5
• Comfort
  3/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.3/5
• Durability
  3.5/5
• Overall Value
  4.5/5

The Red Camp Picnic Blanket stood out from the rest thanks to its easy-to-fold design, which allows you to pack up your picnic in a flash. (Always beneficial if the forecast portends a chance of showers.) Our tester found that this budget-friendly blanket isn’t the softest, but its durable polyester / PVC construction easily resists dirt, water, and stains, making it ideal for eating with your family or lounging on the beach. Our tester noted that both sides of the blanket are waterproof, and we like the blanket’s vintage aesthetic, which features unique color combinations and patterns. 

This picnic blanket comes in six colors, and it measures 79 x 59 inches—large enough to seat two adults comfortably. Once folded up, the blanket measures just 13.5 x 8.5 inches, and it has a built-in handle as well as a carrying case. It’s easy to wipe spills off the waterproof fabric—a good thing since the blanket isn’t supposed to be washed, ether by machine or hand. However, we believe it’s a good choice for small picnics, especially if you desire a blanket you can easily transport.

Price at time of publish: $16

_{Size: 79 x 59 inches | Materials: Polyester and PVC | Case Included: Yes | Waterproof: Yes}