The 6 best picnic blankets of 2021

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  • Here are the best picnic blankets of 2021
  • The best picnic blanket overall
  • The best for comfort
  • The best for colder weather
  • The best compact picnic blanket
  • The best budget picnic blanket
  • The best high-end picnic blanket
  • Check out our other outdoor guides
  • The 4 best picnic baskets
  • The 5 best backpack coolers for hikes, picnics, and days at the beach
  • The best coolers
  • The best soft coolers
  • The best camping chairs
  • Sure, the classic red-and-white-checked picnic blanket is much-loved for enjoying the great outdoors, but there are a variety of other styles to choose from. You can get one that rolls up and attaches to your backpack, one that's small enough to stuff in your pocket, or a waterproof one fit for colder weather. 

    Regardless of your preference, we handpicked unique options for your next trip outside. 

    Here are the best picnic blankets of 2021

    Updated on 03/29/2021 by Victoria Giardina: We added two new categories: best budget and high-end picnic blankets. We also added more related outdoors guides.

    The best picnic blanket overall

    Amazon

    The Oniva XL Outdoor Picnic Blanket Tote is large enough to fit six people and folds into a handy tote for easy carrying. 

    Pros: Large size, water-resistant back, folds into a handy tote, affordable

    Cons: Not well-padded, can be difficult to refold

    The Oniva XL Outdoor Picnic Blanket Tote is polyester fleece-lined on one side and has a water-resistant backing on the flipside. It comes in several different colors and patterns, too. 

    The water-resistant underside is perfect for wet grass and helps keep the blanket clean. Best of all, once you fold it up, it becomes a convenient carry bag with a zippered pocket, so you can stash your phone, keys, books, or small electronics and forego carrying an extra bag.

    Check price at Amazon Check price at Lowe's

    The best for comfort

    Nemo

    The Nemo Victory Blanket is a cozy and comfortable picnic blanket, thanks to its extra padding, waterproof bottom layer, and easy-to-fold design.

    Pros: Dirt- and dust-proof, padded waterproof bottom, easy to carry, comes with corner loops, comes in three different sizes

    Cons: Doesn't come with stakes, not machine washable

    • Dimensions: 85" x 57" (two-person size); 95" x 95" (four-person size); 120" x 120" (six-person size)
    • Warranty: Lifetime warranty

    The Nemo Victory Blanket is great for picnics on harder ground or for those who desire more comfort. It has extra padding, too, with a durably-padded bottom and fleece-lined top.

    Because the blanket's bottom is made of waterproof polyurethane, you can easily take it to the beach or use it as the floor of your tent. The attached corner loops allow the blanket to be staked down on windy days. When you're done, just roll or fold it up and use the attached elastic bands to secure it for simple carrying. It even has storage pockets for phone, keys, and snacks.

    Though not machine washable, it can easily be spot cleaned after your picnic.

    Check price at REI Check price at Moosejaw

    The best for colder weather

    Down Under Outdoors

    You'll stay warm and dry with the Down Under Outdoors Stadium Blanket, thanks to its polar fleece and water-resistant polyester backing.

    Pros: Warm, weather-resistant, can fit two people, built-in zipper pocket, machine washable, comes with storage sack

    Cons: Difficult to fit back in the carrying case

    • Dimensions: 82" x 55"
    • Warranty: Lifetime warranty

    The Down Under Outdoors Stadium Blanket is comfortable,weather-resistant, and is lined with super soft polar fleece on top and durable waterproof polyester on the back.

    Because it's an ultrasonic quilt, it makes a convenient wrap for colder weather at the beach, the park, and, of course, the big game. It can fit two people and even comes with a safe zipper pocket to store valuables. The blanket is machine washable and comes with a sack for easy transport.

    Check price at Amazon Originally $47.99Save 21%

    The best compact picnic blanket

    Matador

    You can easily store Matador's Pocket Blanket in your pocket and whip it out for an impromptu picnic anywhere you go.

    Pros: Fits in your pocket, affordable, lightweight, water-resistant, can fit four people, built-in metal stakes

    Cons: Not fully waterproof

    • Dimensions: 63" x 43"
    • Warranty: None

    The Matador Blanket is conveniently pocket-sized and perfect to have on hand for spontaneous meals or reading outside. It also includes metal stakes in the corners so you don't have to worry about it flying away mid-picnic, too. 

    Malarie Gokey, Insider Reviews deputy editor, said while it's not thick or fully waterproof, it's convenient for people who are always on the go. And, it's still water- and tear-resistant with enough room for four people to sit on.

    Check price at Amazon Originally $29.99Save 17%

    The best budget picnic blanket

    Amazon

    If you're on the hunt for the classic, red-and-white gingham pattern, the California Picnic Large Picnic Blanket is an affordable option.

    Pros: Affordable, made from eco-friendly and non-toxic fibers, comes with handles for easy carrying, waterproof, velcro design

    Cons: Not as large as our other picks

    • Dimensions: 57" x 57"
    • Warranty: None

    For a true picnic feel, you can't go wrong with a gingham blanket. Even better, California Picnic's Large Picnic Blanket is well-designed and affordable.

    The blanket is designed with soft acrylic fibers that are eco-friendly and non-toxic. It's also waterproof, a definite plus for a budget-friendly option, and even comes with handles and velcro underside padding to make it compact and easy to carry.

    Though it's not as large as our other picks, it's a staple if you're looking for a practical blanket that you can use on your outdoor adventures.

    Check price at Amazon Originally $29.99Save 50%

    The best high-end picnic blanket

    Justin Turkowski/Yeti

    The Yeti Lowlands Blanket is impressively padded, weather-resistant, and will withstand years of outdoor use.

    Pros: Waterproof, padded and insulated, repels dirt and pet hair, machine washable

    Cons: None

    The Yeti Lowlands Blanket doesn't scream "picnic," but its durably quilted, multi-feature design makes it especially unique to include in this guide. While many of our other picks feature fleece on one side and nylon on the other, the Yeti stands out because one of its sides is waterproof and the other is padded and insulated.

    Though a splurge, it will stand up to any weather and ground you lay it on. Its easy-to-clean design also repels dirt and pet hair: just throw it in your washing machine and bring it with you on picnics, to the beach, or to a campsite.

    Check price at Amazon Check price at Yeti

    Check out our other outdoor guides

    Picnic Time

    The 4 best picnic baskets

    The 5 best backpack coolers for hikes, picnics, and days at the beach

    The best coolers

    The best soft coolers

    The best camping chairs

    spanTobey Grumet Segal is a former freelance writer for Insider Picks. /span Former Freelance Writer Tobey Grumet Segal is a former freelance writer for Insider Picks.  Read more Read less spanMalarie Gokey is the Director of Learning & Development, People & Culture at Insider Inc. She develops trainings, workshops, panels, and other educational resources across the company. Previously, she led the editorial newroom's L&D strategy and coaching program./span spanIn 2017, she joined Insider to create a brand-new a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/insider-picks-guides"buying guides section/a for the Reviews team with all the best products you can buy online. As guides editor, Malarie edited and published more than 1,500 buying guides. She also served as the Reviews team's first deputy editor, overseeing multiple teams, leading strategy, and managing freelance operations. a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews"Learn more about how the Reviews' team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here/a./span spanPreviously, Malarie was the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends. She led tech coverage for DT at major tech conferences, including CES, IFA, and MWC./span spanShe spoke on panels at CES and Digg South, and she has also appeared on CNBC, Fox Business News, Good Morning America, and Cheddar to discuss trends in technology. Apple CEO Tim Cook once quoted a line about the Apple Watch from her guide to the best smartwatches during a keynote presentation./span spanMalarie is also an artist and speaks three languages (so far). Drop her a line at a href="http://mgokey@businessinsider.com/"mgokey@businessinsider.com/a or on Twitter @MalarieGokey./span Director of Learning & Development, People & Culture Malarie Gokey is the Director of Learning & Development, People & Culture at Insider Inc. She develops trainings, workshops, panels, and other educational resources across the company. Previously, she led the editorial newroom's L&D strategy and coaching program. In 2017, she joined Insider to create a brand-new buying guides section for the Reviews team with all the best products you can buy online. As guides editor, Malarie edited and published more than 1,500 buying guides. She also served as the Reviews team's first deputy editor, overseeing multiple teams, leading strategy, and managing freelance operations. Learn more about how the Reviews' team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Previously, Malarie was the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends. She led tech coverage for DT at major tech conferences, including CES, IFA, and MWC. She spoke on panels at CES and Digg South, and she has also appeared on CNBC, Fox Business News, Good Morning America, and Cheddar to discuss trends in technology. Apple CEO Tim Cook once quoted a line about the Apple Watch from her guide to the best smartwatches during a keynote presentation. Malarie is also an artist and speaks three languages (so far). Drop her a line at mgokey@businessinsider.com or on Twitter @MalarieGokey. Read more Read less

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