Top 5 compared
The best picnic blankets
A dry, soft place to sit at the park, the beach or an outdoor concert, even when the grass is damp.
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The top 5 at a glance
A picnic blanket is something soft to sit on outdoors, with a waterproof backing that keeps dew and damp grass from soaking through. It folds or rolls up into a strap, a tote or a handle of its own to carry. Some have a padded middle under a soft top; others have a woven or Oxford-cloth top, often in the classic gingham.
The word came into English from French “pique-nique” in the 1740s, and at first meant a meal where everyone brought something, indoors or out. Most blankets now go in the washing machine; PortableAnd’s is hand wash only, and on the Tiny Land only the top layer goes in, while the waterproof mat wipes clean.
What matters
- About 60 inches for two, 80 inches square for a family.
- Waterproofing on top as well, so spills wipe off.
- A sandproof backing, if it’s headed for the beach.
#1PortableAnd Ultra Soft 3-Layer Picnic Blanket (59 × 71 in)
$20–$30
Soft to sit on: a fleece top over a cushioned middle layer and a waterproof PEVA backing, yet it rolls up small with carry straps and weighs about 1.6 lb. Two can sit on it with the food spread out between them.
What owners say: Owners love the check pattern and how soft it is, and find it roomy for two, quick to fold and easy to carry by its handle.
Heads up: PortableAnd says hand wash only and air dry, so keep it out of the washing machine.
A closer look: Being hand wash only, it’s best spot-cleaned with a damp cloth as soon as something spills, before it soaks into the fleece. At home it doubles as a lap blanket on a cool evening on the porch, soft side up and the waterproof backing against the chair.
- Rolls up with carry straps
- Doubles as a lap blanket
- Spot-clean spills straight away
- One-year warranty
Best for: Picnics for two and concerts
- Size
- 59 × 71 in
- Top
- Fleece, padded
- Backing
- PEVA, waterproof
- Weight
- 1.6 lb
- Machine washable
- No
#2G GOOD GAIN Extra Large Picnic Blanket (80 × 80 in)
$20–$30
Room for six to eight on a padded three-layer blanket that still folds into a tote with metal buckles and weighs only about 2.3 lb. The waterproof polyester backing keeps damp out and sand off, and the whole thing goes in the washing machine.
What owners say: Spacious for three or four adults, owners say, easy to fold and roll and quick to clean after a beach day or a birthday party; opinions on its thickness vary, a few calling it thin.
A closer look: Wash it below 86°F and tumble dry on low, as G GOOD GAIN recommends, so the backing lasts. At 80 inches square it doubles as a play mat for small children at the park, with room left over for the grown-ups.
- Folds into a tote
- Metal buckles
- Sandproof backing
- Wash below 86°F, tumble low
- Doubles as a play mat
Best for: Families and big groups
- Size
- 80 × 80 in
- Top
- Polyester, padded
- Backing
- Polyester, waterproof
- Weight
- 2.3 lb
- Machine washable
- Yes
#3ZAZE Extra Large Gingham Picnic Blanket (80 × 80 in)
$20–$30
The classic green-and-white gingham picnic blanket, big enough for four adults to lie down, with waterproof fabric on both sides so mud, wet grass and sand wipe or shake off. It folds to about 15 by 5 inches with a hook-and-loop strap.
What owners say: Good quality and the traditional look win owners over, and it comes out of the washing machine well; folding it back up takes practice for some, and on soaked grass a few still got damp.
A closer look: Shake it out and let it dry before folding, then roll it tight so the strap holds it. ZAZE suggests it for indoors as well, so on a rainy day the picnic can move to the living room floor.
- Four adults can lie down
- Waterproof on both sides
- Green-and-white gingham
- Hook-and-loop strap
- 180-day warranty
Best for: Classic family picnics
- Size
- 80 × 80 in
- Top
- Woven, 5 layers
- Backing
- Fabric, waterproof
- Weight
- 2.3 lb
- Machine washable
- Yes
#4SAMSIER Gingham Waterproof Picnic Blanket (60 × 80 in)
$10–$20
A gingham 600D Oxford blanket on a waterproof base, 60 by 80 inches, that folds into its own handbag shape with a carry handle, for a picnic, an outdoor concert or a nap on the beach.
What owners say: Just right for two adults and a child, owners say, and they take it to concerts in the park and ball games; it washes well on a low cycle, though some find it awkward to fold and others flimsy.
A closer look: Crumbs and spilled drinks wipe off, and a gentle machine wash on a low cycle deals with grass stains. At 1.8 lb it can live in the trunk all summer, ready for a ball game or an afternoon at the beach.
- Folds into a handbag shape
- For 1 to 6 people
- Crumbs and spills wipe off
- Sandproof
- Gingham pattern
Best for: Ball games and beach naps
- Size
- 60 × 80 in
- Top
- 600D Oxford
- Backing
- Waterproof
- Weight
- 1.8 lb
- Machine washable
- Yes
#5Tiny Land 2-in-1 Picnic Blanket and Waterproof Mat (71 × 71 in)
$30–$50
Two layers in one: a waterproof Oxford and PVC mat underneath, and a soft woven blanket on top that doubles as a throw when the evening cools. The top layer goes in the washing machine; the mat wipes clean.
What owners say: The soft color and the room for several people come up most, with the waterproof layer and the carry handle close behind; owners use it for picnics and as a play mat.
A closer look: Wipe sand and soil off the brown mat after each outing, as Tiny Land advises, so the folds stay clean in storage. With two layers between you and the ground it’s warm to sit on, which makes it a good one to take for a sunset picnic or a fall football game.
- Top doubles as a throw
- Mat wipes clean
- Carry belt
- For 4 to 6 people
Best for: Cool evenings and play mats
- Size
- 71 × 71 in
- Top
- Soft blanket layer
- Backing
- Oxford and PVC, waterproof
- Weight
- 2 lb
- Machine washable
- Top layer only
How they compare
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| Feature | #1PortableAnd 3-layer | #2G GOOD GAIN 80 in | #3ZAZE gingham | #4SAMSIER gingham | #5Tiny Land 2-in-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best budget | Best 2-in-1 | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Price | $20–$30 | $20–$30 | $20–$30 | $10–$20 | $30–$50 |
| Size | 59 × 71 in | 80 × 80 in | 80 × 80 in | 60 × 80 in | 71 × 71 in |
| Top | Fleece, padded | Polyester, padded | Woven, 5 layers | 600D Oxford | Soft blanket layer |
| Backing | PEVA, waterproof | Polyester, waterproof | Fabric, waterproof | Waterproof | Oxford and PVC, waterproof |
| Weight | 1.6 lb | 2.3 lb | 2.3 lb | 1.8 lb | 2 lb |
| Machine washable | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Top layer only |
| Best for | Picnics for two and concerts | Families and big groups | Classic family picnics | Ball games and beach naps | Cool evenings and play mats |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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