To Find the Best Picnic Blankets, I Used Them in the Park and at the Beach (and Fended Off a Few Seagulls)

Picnicking is romantic. Food is packed up and carefully stacked in a wicker basket or cooler, and then you sit on a cute blanket and nosh and laugh and maybe watch clouds. And said cute picnic blanket is what arguably makes a picnic a picnic—without it, you’re just sitting on grass and getting stains on your trousers. 

I love hosting an outdoor dinner or lunch soirée, so I set out to find the best picnic blankets by testing 13 of them. This involved lifting two 20-pound dumbbells, eating ham sandwiches and sushi, fending off seagulls and ants, and of course, having a grand old time in the great outdoors. The result: I found eight of the best picnic blankets you can buy, so you too can have a picturesque outdoor meal without fear of a grass-stained posterior. 

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Overall Picnic Blanket

Pendleton Outdoor Packable Blanket

$70 at Amazon

This blanket is pretty, packs up easily, and kept me, my friends, and our lunch safe from damp grass and sand. (The seagulls were another story.) It’s also lightweight and has a built-in shoulder strap. 

Another Great Picnic Blanket

Nomadix Festival Blanket

$70 at Amazon

I loved this blanket for its cashmere-soft material that stayed dry and was hefty enough not to flutter away with a breeze. It also has loops on the corners for stakes. 

The Best Budget Picnic Blanket

Scuddles Outdoor Picnic Blanket

$26 at Amazon

Cute, comfy, and portable, this little picnic blanket is less than $30. It was an excellent mat for both park and seaside picnicking. 

The Best Splurge-Worthy Picnic Blanket

Yeti Lowlands Blanket

$200 at Amazon View on Yeti.com $200 at REI

Want a luxe picnicking experience? Break out the Yeti. It’s heavy-duty, it won’t flap off the ground on a windy day, and the top material is super soft. It’s also quite spacious. 

The Best Picnic Blanket for Backpackers

Matador Pocket Blanket

View on REI

This is one utilitarian little blanket. It packs up to be the size of a deck of cards and weighs 3.8 ounces—you could toss it in your daypack and not even know it’s there. It also has built-in stakes so you can pin it down securely wherever you want to take a break from your hike. 

The Best-Looking Picnic Blanket

Picnic Time Picnic Blanket with Harness

$65 at Amazon $110 at Williams Sonoma View on Kathykuohome.com

If a picnic complete with a wicker basket and real china is your dream, this gorgeous blanket can help you realize your vision. Looks aside, it’s also waterproof, soft, and spacious, which counts for a whole lot. 

Another Pretty Picnic Blanket

Oniva Elba Tote Picnic Blanket

$45 at Williams Sonoma

This flannel blanket is a whole lotta cozy, and it looks cute, too. I also loved how easy it was to pack up and go: it has a built-in handle and easy loop closure. 

The Best Large Picnic Blanket

NEMO Victory Picnic Blanket

$150 at Amazon

If you want to host a veritable picnic blowout, this is the blanket to get. It’s a massive 95 by 95 inches—that’s 63 square feet total. (It could fit three of me lying down each way!) While rolling up a blanket of this size was a challenge, the built-in bag straps made it a little less awkward. 

The Tests

• Damp Grass Test: I placed each picnic blanket on dewy grass and stuck a 20-pound dumbbell on top. After 20 minutes, I checked the blanket for soaked-through wet spots on the top and bottom. I also sat on the blankets to see if they got damp. Afterward, I packed the blankets up, noting how easy it was to do so. 
• Portability Test: I toted each bag around, noting if it was heavy and if the carrying straps were comfortable. 
• Beach Picnic Test: I took the picnic blankets to the beach for a real picnic (complete with potato chips and a ham sandwich one day, and sushi and grapes another). In between fending off hungry seagulls, I noted if the blankets were comfy to sit on, if they felt cramped, and if the sand shook off easily afterward. 

What We Learned

Picnic Blankets That Folded Into a Bag Were the Easiest to Pack

The post-picnic cleanup is the un-fun part of picnicking. You’re left tucking sweaty prosciutto into a plastic bag and deciding whether to finish off a chunk of cheese now or bring it home, where it will inevitably molder in the fridge. With all of this to think about, packing up the picnic blanket should be the least of your worries. 

As someone who can’t fold a towel or bedsheet to save my life, I loved picnic blankets that were easy to fold back up—even better if it was into a self-contained bag. The Pendleton was one such blanket: I just refolded it where it was creased, zipped it up, and it was ready to tote away. Rolled blankets, like the Baggu, were more difficult to pack. I had to squeeze the air out as I rolled, bringing me back to my days as a Girl Scout trying to wrangle my sleeping bag back into its carrying pouch. After a few failed attempts rolling the Oniva Waterproof Stadium Blanket Picnic Blanket, I wound up scrunching it up and shoving it into the bag in defeat. Harnesses were also largely a pain, since I struggled to fold blankets small enough to fit them back in, and wound up just chucking everything helter-skelter into my tote bag. 

Soft, Large Picnic Blankets Were the Most Comfortable

It may sound trite, but I loved soft, comfy picnic blankets. If I’m going to be sitting on the ground, I want to mitigate discomfort as best I can. While some blankets like the CG Gear Sand-Free Picnic Mat prioritized keeping sand off and others attempted to be utilitarian chic with ripstop construction, they just weren’t comfortable to sit on. The CG Gear blanket was itchy and left patterned imprints on my leg, and the Baggu ripstop material felt crunchy and tacky to the touch. Instead, I preferred the soft, cashmere-like topsides of the nomadix and Yeti Lowlands blankets. I could lounge on my side and feel like a Roman emperor plucking grapes on a cushy ottoman rather than a bug-bitten gal fending off ants on an itchy blanket. Picnicking is an attempt to elevate eating outside to a romantic experience, and the picnic blanket should match that vibe. 

Speaking of comfort, most of the blankets I tested were around 60 by 70 inches when opened and could comfortably fit two to three people, plus food. In other words, if you want to have a picnic party with five-plus friends, you might want two blankets. The exception was the Nemo, which is a whopping eight by eight feet—the limo of picnic blankets. 

Most Picnic Blankets Were Somewhat Waterproof

My testing included laying the blankets on dewy grass and putting 20-pound dumbbells on top. After 20 minutes, I removed the dumbbells and checked the blankets for damp spots. Spoiler alert: Nearly all of them remained dry. The exceptions were the CG Gear blanket, which is porous (it’s made this way so sand can slip through), and the Matador, which is made of thin material. The Baggu wasn’t damp on top, but the underside had some visible splotches where dew soaked into it.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Picnic Blanket

A picnic blanket should be comfortable to sit on, spacious, and easily packable. I especially liked blankets with built-in carrying pouches—they were easy to re-pack and I didn’t have to worry about losing the carrying bag or harness. A good picnic blanket should also stay dry; winding up with a wet or grass-stained bottom isn’t what I want from a picnic. If it can also be used on the beach, that’s a win in my book. 

Our Favorite Picnic Blankets

The Best Overall Picnic Blanket

Pendleton Outdoor Packable Blanket

$70 at Amazon

What we liked: This lightweight blanket easily folded into a bag, complete with a handle and shoulder strap. It was also comfy to sit on, stayed dry on damp grass and relatively sand-free on the beach, and fit three people comfortably. Oh, and it comes in a few fun colors and patterns and is reasonably priced. What more could I ask for? It had to be a winner. 

What we didn’t like: It is light, so it’s best to weigh it down on the corners if it’s breezy. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 17 x 14.5 x 3.5 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 72 inches
• Materials: Polyester
• Weight: 1.15 pounds
• Cleaning: Machine-washable

Also Great

Nomadix Festival Blanket

$70 at Amazon

What we liked: I loved the silky, soft surface of this picnic blanket (and the fun patterns!). It has loops on the corners for stakes (which are not included), but it’s also heavy enough that it stays flat even on a breezy beach. While it doesn’t have a carrying case or pouch, it folds up small enough to slip into a backpack or tote. 

What we didn’t like: There is no carrying case or pouch, and I couldn’t find cleaning instructions.

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: Folded as small as possible, it's 9.25 x 7.25 x 2.5 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 72 inches
• Materials: Polyester
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Cleaning: Not specified

The Best Budget Picnic Blanket

Scuddles Outdoor Picnic Blanket

$26 at Amazon

What we liked: This lightweight blanket folds up easily into a neat little roll with a handle. The surface was soft and plush and comfy to sit on, even when a rock snuck into the sand underneath. My sister and I had plenty of room to enjoy our beach picnic lunch, too. Plus, it’s less than $20 and comes in a few sizes. 

What we didn’t like: This isn’t a deal-breaker because it wasn’t a real test, but my cat had a grand time attacking this blanket and it did fray easily. It’s also quite light, enough that I had to get a few rocks to hold it down at the beach. It’s also on the smaller side. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 12.25 x 7.5 x 8 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 60 inches
• Materials: Acrylic, cotton
• Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Cleaning: Machine-washable

The Best Splurge-Worthy Picnic Blanket

Yeti Lowlands Blanket

$200 at Amazon View on Yeti.com $200 at REI

What we liked: This is almost like a quilt—it’s that soft, cushy, and comfy. “I’d use it for my blanket at night,” I wrote in my notes. I admit I was tempted to lie down and take a nap on it. But for the good of this review (and my job security), I stayed awake. Okay, back to what else was great about it: It stayed dry in damp grass and, since it’s hefty, it didn’t move a lick even on a gusty beach day. It was also surprisingly easy to roll up and tuck back into its bag, which sports a shoulder strap. 

What we didn’t like: It’s big and it’s heavy—not ideal for a blanket you might want to tote across a park or beach. Not to mention it’s around $200. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 20.25 x 10.25 x 7 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 78 x 55 inches
• Materials: Rayon, polyester
• Weight: 6.13 pounds
• Cleaning: Machine-washable and dryer-safe

The Best Picnic Blanket for Backpackers

Matador Pocket Blanket

View on REI

What we liked: If your idea of a picnic is eating some backpacking food trailside on a hiking adventure, this is the blanket for you. It’s tiny, weighs less than an avocado (I actually weighed an avocado to confirm this), and has built-in stakes to keep it taut on the ground. It’s best for solo picnics, though you could squeeze a friend on it if you don’t mind being cozy. 

What we didn’t like: It stained easily and got damp spots. The wind kept ruffling it up at the beach and the stakes don’t stay stuck in the sand—in other words, it’s not a beach-friendly blanket. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 4.5 x 2.7 x 1.1 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 63 x 44 inches
• Materials: Polyester with waterproof polyurethane coating (PFA-free), spandex-blend storage bag, metal ground stakes
• Weight: 3.8 ounces
• Cleaning: Not specified

The Best-Looking Picnic Blanket

Picnic Time Picnic Blanket with Harness

$65 at Amazon $110 at Williams Sonoma View on Kathykuohome.com

What we liked: The top of this blanket is soft and woven with a pretty pattern, while the bottom is lined with waterproof material: It’s the best of both worlds. I’d grab this blanket if I wanted to impress my friends or spouse with a dreamy picnic spread (complete with tea cakes, finger sandwiches, and cold lemonade). The weave construction seemed sturdy, too.  

What we didn’t like: I sat on this blanket while wearing black leggings and when I looked down, I was covered in white lint. It also doesn’t have a built-in bag—just a harness, which takes more effort to wrangle.

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 15 x 6 x 6.5 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 70 inches
• Materials: Cotton, polyester
• Weight: 3.14 pounds
• Cleaning: Machine-washable

Another Pretty Picnic Blanket

Oniva Elba Tote Picnic Blanket

$45 at Williams Sonoma

What we liked: The fleece-lined top of this blanket is soft and comfortable (and screams autumnal picnic date). It’s easy to pack, lightweight, and has a built-in handle for toting and a corded loop closure to keep it rolled up. 

What we didn’t like: It smelled skunky the first time I unwrapped it. But after airing it out the scent dissipated. The fleece top collected bits of leaves and grass, and sand took a while to shake off. It’s also not machine-washable.

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 13 x 9 x 4 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 59 x 59 inches
• Materials: Fleece, polyethylene vinyl acetate
• Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Cleaning: Do not machine-wash or dry. Surface-wash with warm water and mild soap by hand only. Do not dry clean. Do not iron.

The Best Large Picnic Blanket

NEMO Victory Picnic Blanket

$150 at Amazon

What we liked: This is the limousine of picnic blankets: It’s big, and it can hold a lot of food and people. While all of the other blankets I tested were around 60 by 70 inches, the Nemo added about 30 inches per side. (And there’s an even larger offering, too, though I think the XL size I tested is big enough.) The top of the blanket was soft and comfortable to sit on, and I liked that it had a built-in strap system to pack it up—trying to fold this thing and fit it into a bag would’ve been a Sisyphean task. The hidden zipper pouch was a nice touch, too—I put my keys and phone in it when I went for a dip in the sea. 

What we didn’t like: If you’re like me and hate drawing attention to yourself in a public place, this blanket could cause you stress. When I tested it at the beach, more than one person stopped to comment on its considerable size (but this also could have been because it was solely myself sitting on it, which looked kinda funny). Sand stuck readily to the bottom, and it was hard to shake out because the blanket was so massive. Packing it back up felt like wrangling a tent, but once I got it folded, hooking the clasps around it was easy. 

Key Specs

• Folded dimensions: 16 x 9 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 95 x 95 inches
• Materials: Acrylic, PU Foam, EVA
• Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Cleaning: Spot clean when necessary, machine-wash on a gentle cycle if needed

The Competition

• Rumpl Everywhere Mat: This was a good picnic blanket, but I found the texture a little crunchy. It was also difficult to stuff into the attached bag. 
• Oniva Waterproof Stadium Blanket Picnic Blanket: This was a nice, soft blanket with a fleece-like top, but the separate bag was small, making it tough to repack. 
• CG Gear Sand-Free Picnic Mat: This blanket performed best at the beach since it’s made of porous material that lets sand fall through. But it wasn’t the comfiest blanket I tested, and it got wet on a grassy lawn. 
• Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket: Cute, but the ripstop construction was crunchy and got damp spots on the underside. It was also hard to roll up because of the puffiness.
• Tiny Land Picnic Blanket: This blanket is actually two separate pieces: a liner and a top blanket. This meant more to carry, and the harness was difficult to slip onto the folded blankets. 

FAQs

What type of blanket is best for picnics?

A picnic blanket should be large enough to accommodate at least two to three people (plus food!), and it should have a waterproof underside. While you could just use a towel or blanket, it might get soggy on damp grass. It should also be easy to fold up and carry.

What material is good for a picnic blanket?

In our tests, we found polyester, acrylic, or cotton (or better yet, a combo of a waterproof material and a soft one) were the best in terms of comfort and durability. Ripstop was too crunchy and scratchy, and a blanket solely made of polyethylene was too rubbery and textured.  

How big should a picnic blanket be?

A picnic blanket should ideally fit two to three people, plus food. We did find a larger blanket from Nemo that could easily accommodate five to six people if you want to have a larger picnic party. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor at Serious Eats. 
• She has been testing kitchen gear for almost four years. 
• Grace tested picnic blankets by weighing them down with 20-pound weights on damp grass, sitting on them, toting them around, and setting up a picnic on the beach.