The manufacturer also suggests placing the blanket on the couch or in the car with the water-proof polyester side up to protect your upholstery from pet hair or stains. The fleece side was not particularly stain-resistant in our testing, although the entire blanket is machine-washable. The Red Camp Picnic Blanket stood out from the rest of the blankets we tested thanks to its easy-to-fold design, making it simple to clean up after a picnic. While this budget-friendly blanket isn’t the softest, the polyester fabric easily resists dirt, water, and stains, making it ideal for picnics on the beach where sand can be pervasive. Both sides of the blanket are waterproof, so it's easy to clean up any spills. We also evaluated each blanket's water resistance (or waterproofing) during our durability test. We poured a quarter cup of water onto each blanket, let it stand for 15 minutes, then wiped up the moisture with a towel and turned the blankets over to see how much the water soaked through. For blankets with a fluffy side, we also considered whether they would snag easily if caught by jewelry or a standard picnic basket. We acquired 30 of the best picnic blankets and tested them in our Lab over two days. We first examined the material and construction of each picnic blanket, considering its overall quality and look. We also took note of whether it included a carrying case, a storage pouch, or straps.

The feel and comfort of this blanket is similar to that of a bed comforter. According to the manufacturer, the outer layer features a waterproof “hydrobarrier,” which held up remarkably well in our testing: Grape juice pooled on the blanket and left no stain behind, and no water soaked through.

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. Real Simple / Dera Burreson Questions You Might Ask What's the difference between a picnic blanket and a regular blanket? While it may take some practice to refold this blanket correctly, it is secured by a bungee wrap and has a carrying strap. There's also a zippered pouch where you could store items such as your keys, and you can adjust the shoulder strap for easy carrying. Dirt and sand fell off this blanket after just a few shakes during our testing, 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. Whether you prefer a grassy knoll or a sandy perch to enjoy wine and a cheese board—or perhaps your favorite deli sandwich—the right picnic blanket to host your feast makes all the difference in your dining experience. But any old blanket won't do. The best picnic blanket should be waterproof to keep away damp grass and offer the right amount of comfort to lounge on. Next, we evaluated how easy it was to clean each picnic blanket by first sprinkling ¼ cup of sand on each and then shaking off the debris. We also tested each blanket’s stain-resistance by pouring one tablespoon of grape juice on the topside of each blanket and allowing it to stand for 30 seconds before wiping it up, noting whether it produced a stain or wiped up easily.

The only thing we don’t love about this blanket is the price—it’s the most expensive out of all the picnic blankets we tested. However, if you want a durable and long-lasting blanket that can withstand frequent use, wet conditions, spills, sand, pet hair, and more, this blanket just might be worth the splurge. For warm-weather picnics, camping, or beach trips, a nylon- or polyester-based picnic blanket is going to be more breathable, lightweight, and water-resistant. Plus, these materials are less likely to hold onto grass, sand, dirt, crumbs, etc. 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. While our testers rated all of these highly, they found virtually nothing to dislike in the L.L. Bean Waterproof Outdoor Blanket. From its soft and comfy topside to waterproof underside to large size to easy cleaning, it’s the perfect blanket for any outdoor adventure.

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Given that this blanket is made by Yeti, our testers weren’t surprised by the price tag — or by the high quality. “It would be a good splurge item, especially if you have messy kids or go on lots of outdoor adventures where the blanket will be experiencing wear and tear and wet conditions,” our tester said. Indeed, despite the cushy and comforter-like topside, liquid pooled on top and was a cinch to blot away. The underside is completely waterproof, and the blanket has loops at the corners that allow you to stake it down on windy days. We can’t say enough about this premium, all-purpose picnic blanket. Typically with picnic blankets, you have to trade comfort for stain- and weather-resistance or vice versa—but this is not the case with the Lowlands Blanket. When deciding on the size for your picnic blanket, consider where your blanket will be used and by whom. “If you’re having a beach picnic, thin blankets work great, but you’ll want to have more coverage than normal to create a big area that doesn’t get sandy,” says Emily Hecht, co-founder and creative director of Gather Picnic Co. Smaller picnic blankets (less than 60 inches long) can be used for kids or pets without taking up too much space when rolled up. But for most people, having a blanket that can accommodate a group is important for a picnic, beach day, camping trip, and more. We’re of the opinion that it’s better to have more space than not enough, but do keep in mind that a larger blanket will take up more storage space when not in use. Portability If you’re planning a picnic or beach day, you may already be juggling a picnic basket, a cooler, chairs, and more—so the last thing you need is a blanket that will weigh you down even further. Classic picnic blankets are designed to be rolled up and carried with a built-in handle, while many space-saving blankets are designed to fold into a small pouch. Some feature a small handle, while others feature a long strap for hands-free transport. Durability This is definitely a summertime blanket, as it's made with a lightweight and breathable polyester. The trade-off here is that it’s not going to provide much warmth in the cooler months, and it doesn’t provide much cushion, either. However, it will serve as a great basecamp for the whole family while at the beach.

There is quite a variety of fabrics used to make picnic blankets, so you should always defer to the manufacturer’s care instructions when washing. Many picnic blankets are machine-washable, while others may be spot-clean only. Because so many picnic blankets feature waterproof, stain-resistant fabrics, they’re easy to wipe down between uses and spot-treat or machine wash only when needed. “At the end of the day, this is a base for a meal and leisure time with friends and family and the last thing you want to be concerned with are spills and cleaning up later,” says Hect.

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Wekapo Sand-Free Blanket: We were excited by this blanket's "sand-free" name, and testing proved that the smooth material allows sand to easily rolls off of it. However, this blanket is not waterproof and we're wary of how the combination of wet bathing suits and nearby sand would affect this blanket's performance. If you plan to not get in the water at the beach, then this blanket may not be for you, but families with eager children may want to opt for a definitively waterproof design. For our final test, we evaluated the durability of each picnic blanket, including its claim to water-resistance: We poured water over each blanket and allowed it to sit for 15 minutes, then wiped it up with a towel, taking note of how much moisture remained. 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 two pounds, and features a carrying tote for easy transport. But where it really stood out was in our spill test: The polyester fleece was surprisingly stain-resistant, and the grape juice mostly pooled rather than soaked into the fabric. Therefore, we think this makes an excellent choice for people looking to accommodate accident-prone kids or pets. Whether you're headed to the park or the beach with a picnic basket or to an outdoor party or event, a quality blanket can really elevate your experience. The best picnic blankets will provide a comfortable barrier between you and the ground, while also keeping you dry and shielded from the ground.