The 10 Best Sleep Masks of 2023
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These soft, comfortable masks will help you block out the light while home or away
Brooklinen / Amazon
Getting enough sleep is pretty important. So if you’re looking to up your sleep ante, grabbing a sleep mask can help. How? Because these masks block out light, you’ll sleep solidly throughout the night (or on your next flight) with no interruptions. But that’s not all: sleep masks can also provide pressure relief and, when heated (or chilled), can help relieve dry eye symptoms with continued use.
As there are plenty of sleep masks, we tapped sleep specialists and board-certified dermatologists to recommend the best for every budget, material preference, and sleeping position. Whether you’re looking for a sleep mask that is soft as silk or one that you can bring on your travels, we’re here to help. We researched dozens of eye masks, carefully considering the design, fit, and materials of each to help you find the best sleep masks to buy.
Keep scrolling to see PEOPLE’s top picks for the best sleep masks.
Best Overall: Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask
Who It’s Good For
This mask is ideal for anyone seeking a comfortable eye mask that effectively blocks out light.
Who It’s Not Good For
The fabric has a velvety-velour feel, so it may not be right for someone looking for a silk sleep mask.
Thanks to cushy NASA-developed memory foam, contoured edges, and a flexible strap, this eye mask is ready to give your sleep an upgrade. Since it blocks light without putting too much pressure on the eyes, it's also a favorite of sleep specialist Charissa Chamorro, Ph.D. “This sleep mask is extremely comfortable and effective for blocking out light when you need to sleep,” she tells PEOPLE. “It has raised, contoured edges that gently lift the mask off your eyes while blocking the light completely. Plus, it boasts a flexible, elasticized strap for a customized fit.” The fabric is made of a velvety velour material that may not be ideal if you're looking for a silk sleep mask.
Price at time of publish: $29
Material: Tempur memory foam | Color: Dark navy blue | Size: One size
Best Breathable: Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eyemask
Who It’s Good For
This is a great choice if you're looking for a lightweight sleep mask in several color options.
Who It’s Not Good For
The strap doesn't adjust, so it may not fit all head sizes.
“This eye mask boasts a skin-smart, cooling fabric like silk and provides adequate light control,” says double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD. “It also doesn't have a narrow or Velcro band, which can lead to hair breakage.” Though, just like we would with our pieces of bedding (looking at you, pillowcases), Dr. Collins says it’s best to clean your eye mask often. “Wash your eye mask once a week to minimize the build-up of acne-causing bacteria,” she explains.
This silk mask is a great option if you're looking for a lightweight, breathable mask that comes in several color options. While it does include an elastic strap, note that the strap is not adjustable so it may not fit all head sizes.
Price at time of publish: $29
Material: Mulberry silk | Colors: Ivory, blush, celestial, carbon, and more | Size: One size
Best Molded: MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
Who It’s Good For
This is a great mask if you're looking for something cushy and roomy that's fitted but doesn’t put pressure on the eyelids.
Who It’s Not Good For
It's not ideal for anyone who prefers a lightweight mask to one made with memory foam.
Promising adequate light blocking with a comfortable concave shape, this is the eye mask to splurge on if you are looking for your best night’s sleep, says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, a dual board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist. “This is a great sleep mask style that allows room for the eyes without pushing on the eyelids,” he tells PEOPLE. We also appreciate the adjustable strap so the mask won't feel too tight or too loose on your head.
The mask is cushy — thanks to the memory foam — and has fitted concave eye covers that don't put pressure on the eyelids. But since it's made of memory foam, it may not be the best choice if you're looking for a lighter-weight option.
Price at time of publish: $21.99 (orig. $29.99)
Material: Memory foam | Colors: Purple, black, red, blue, and more | Size: One size, with adjustable strap
Best Weighted: Nodpod The Weighted Blanket for Your Eyes
Who It’s Good For
This is perfect for anyone who wants a sleep mask that can be chilled or heated.
Who It’s Not Good For
If you prefer a lightweight (and less bulky) sleep mask, this option may not be ideal.
Calling all weighted blanket lovers: This is one weighted sleep mask to swoon over. It takes a load off your eyelids (thanks to microbead pods that give it weight), but it can be chilled and heated so you can enjoy maximum relief after a long day spent behind the screen.
This mask is also gentle on your eyelids and is easy to maintain, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD. “You can drape this mask across the eyes, making it more gentle on the delicate eyelid skin as it doesn’t wrap around,” he tells PEOPLE. “It’s also very soft, machine washable, and blocks out the light well.” If you prefer a lightweight, less bulky mask, this weighted option may not be your best bet.
Price at time of publish: $34
Material: OEKO TEX-certified fabric and microbead pods | Colors: Amethyst purple, bone, Sedona, blush pink, and more | Size: One size
Best Memory Foam: ALASKA BEAR Sleep Mask with Molded Eye Cups
Who It’s Good For
This is a good fit for anyone looking for a sleep mask that provides adequate pressure relief.
Who It’s Not Good For
If you're looking for a mask with a roomier fit, this mask may not be the best choice.
If you enjoy sleeping on a memory foam mattress, why not bring that same experience to an eye mask? That’s where this eye mask comes in: It's made with memory foam and does not put too much pressure on your head. “The shape helps block the light while maintaining comfort for a restful sleep, says Dr. Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., MS, RN, a sleep scientist and postdoctoral associate at the State University of New York at Buffalo - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Plus, the memory foam and material are soft, easy to keep clean, and do not pressure the head," she says. "Good quality and affordable.”
If you're not a fan of the molded eye cups or would prefer a roomier fit, this eye mask may not be your best choice.
Price at time of publish: $19.99
Material: Memory foam | Colors: Navy blue, black | Size: One size
Related: The 9 Best Foam Pillows, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Travel: Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask
Who It’s Good For
It's ideal for anyone who wants a silk mask that is machine washable.
Who It’s Not Good For
This mask only comes in one size, so it may not be suitable for everyone.
Travelers, rejoice! This eye mask packs nicely in your carry-on and helps you catch up on shuteye on your next flight, making it a must-have travel accessory.
On top of that, it prioritizes comfort, thanks to its breathable silk material, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD. “I like this mask because it's silk,” Dr. Jaliman tells PEOPLE. “I haven’t seen an allergic reaction to it. It’s easy on the skin and doesn’t cause sleep lines. It’s also easy to wash and keep clean.” This mask does only come in one size, so it may not be suitable for everyone.
Price at time of publish: $50
Material: Mulberry silk exterior, polyester filling, wide elasticized band | Colors: Black, tan, white | Size: One size
Related: The 10 Best Travel Pillows of 2022, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Dry Eyes: Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress
Who It’s Good For
This is ideal if you're looking for a washable and reusable mask.
Who It’s Not Good For
It may not be the best choice if you're looking for a lightweight sleep mask that you can wear all night.
Powered by patented medibeads technology, this reusable, compress-style sleep mask is the ideal pick-me-up after a long screen time. When placed in the microwave, it can stay warm for 10 minutes, and since it offers a moist heat, dry and itchy eyes get the relief they deserve without causing damage.
While you can’t exactly sleep with this mask on, it has a sturdy and adjustable strap, allowing you to fully shut the world out if it's only for a few minutes. Oh, and if you need more convincing, it's easy to wash.
Price at time of publish: $18.95
Material: Styes and medibead technology | Color: White | Size: One size
Best Light-Blocking: Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask
Who It's Good For
If you have trouble falling asleep or blink during the night, this sleep mask has deep eye cups, so you can comfortably open your eyes while wearing the mask.
Who It's Not Good For
Because it needs to be hand washed, this mask is not ideal for those who like to toss their sleep masks in the washing machine.
Thanks to its contoured shape and wide design, the Nidra Deep Rest Sleep Mask is our pick for the best light-blocking sleep mask. The mask’s deep eye cups also make it comfortable to wear the Nidra during travel while you’re sitting up and when you open your eyes or blink during different stages of sleep.
The mask comes in two sizes, small and standard, and has an adjustable strap that keeps the mask comfortably in place, even for side sleepers. It’s not machine washable, so you’ll need to hand wash the mask and lay it flat to dry to retain its shape.
Price at time of publish: $19.99 (orig. $24.99)
Material: Polyester | Color: Black, blue, pink, purple | Size: Small and standard, with adjustable strap
Best Adjustable: Manta Sleep Mask
Who It's Good For
It’s ideal for someone who wants a sleep mask with impressive blackout ability and a wide, comfortable strap.
Who It's Not Good For
The cotton and fleece material might not be the best choice for hot sleepers.
While many sleep masks have adjustable straps, the Manta goes one step further with spacious moveable eye cups. Whether you have wide-set or near-seat eyes or a large or small face, you can adjust this sleep mask by moving the eye cups (attached with Velcro) to suit your needs.
The Manta Sleep Mask also has impressive blackout capability, thanks to the adjustable eye cups and wide velour strap. The mask’s cotton and fleece material is soft and machine washable, but it might not be ideal for hot sleepers.
Price at time of publish: $35 (orig. $39)
Material: Cotton, fleece | Color: Gray | Size: One size, adjustable Velcro strap
Best Silk: Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Who It's Good For
This is a great sleep mask for anyone looking for a simple, lightweight, breathable mask.
Who It's Not Good For
If you prefer a contoured mask with eye cups, this mask's flat design might not be right for you.
For the best silk sleep mask, look no further than the Alaska Bear Natural Sleep Mask. This flat, breathable mask has a simple design and a cool, lightweight feel. It contains mulberry silk on both sides and is filled with cotton.
While it doesn’t have eye cups, this mask is gentle on the eyes. The headband has a buckle that is less likely to tangle your hair and is fully adjustable from 15.8 to 27.6 inches. The mask itself is oversized to provide excellent blackout coverage and has a wide, comfortable nose curve.
Price at time of publish: $14.99
Material: Silk | Color: Black | Size: One size, adjustable strap
Related: The 13 Best Silk Pillowcases of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
How to Pick the Right Sleep Mask
Comfort
Since you’ll be wearing a mask while you're trying to sleep, finding a comfortable one is essential, according to sleep expert and health coach Annika Carroll. “The quality of the materials is what it comes down to, together with the comfort of the head strap and the overall fit,” she tells PEOPLE.
With this in mind, Carroll recommends ensuring that the sleep mask strap is fully adjustable and fits your head without being too tight. Other factors to consider include whether the mask has eye cups, the size of the nose area, the weight of the mask, and how it fits your face.
Material
Carroll also advises selecting masks with breathable and natural fibers that are gentle on the skin. “I recommend opting for natural fibers such as silk, cotton, or bamboo. Silk is known to be soft, cooling, and hypoallergenic.” The Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask and Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eye Mask are great options if you're looking for a pure silk sleep mask.
Light Blocking
One of the main purposes of a sleep mask is blocking the light that can be disruptive to rest. The most effective way to block light is to find an adjustable mask that fits your face. Our pick for the best light-blocking sleep mask, the Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask, has deep eye cups that prevent light from seeping in and comes in two different sizes for the best fit.
Fit
You’ll always want to choose a sleep mask that fits just right without causing stress to your eyes. “Your sleep mask should have an adjustable head strap for optimal fit,” Carroll explains. “Also, it should fit snugly over the eyes to avoid any light sneaking in from the sides or the bottom.” (We love the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask for its adjustable head straps.) Above all, make sure your mask does not add pressure to the eyes or cause blurry vision. ”This can be harmful in the long run and cause discomfort,” she warns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sleep mask is best?
Our top pick is the Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask for its soft fabric, comfortable fit, and light-blocking properties. It also features NASA-developed materials, an adjustable strap, plus raised contour edges that gently lift the mask off your eyes.
Are expensive sleep masks worth it?
“Expensive sleep masks may be worth the investment if you use sleep masks often and need restful sleep,” says Dr. Vivian Chin, MD, MPH, a cosmetic physician and founder of Koru Wellness & Aesthetics NYC. But, no matter what eye mask you choose, it's important to prioritize a mask that blocks out light adequately. “Their primary purpose is to block out light and help you sleep if your surroundings are bright,” says Dr. Chin. “A good sleep mask fits your face and head well enough to block out light but without being too constricting or too loose, so being adjustable is a plus.”
What material is best for sleep masks?
Dr. Chin recommends investing in eye masks made with silk because they are gentler on the skin and protect against friction. “Silk is a soft, natural, breathable fabric that may prevent wrinkles from forming on your skin and creases in your hair.” If silk is too soft for your liking, Dr. Chin recommends cotton eye masks because it is a natural and breathable fabric.
Do sleep masks improve your sleep?
Dr. Dimitriu stresses the importance of making sure your sleep environment is up to par before using a sleep mask for the best sleep possible. “Before you put your eye mask on, be sure your evening has been full of dim light in sunset colors (think candlelight), and certainly avoid bright lights, blue LEDs, and screens — which can continue to disrupt sleep through the night, even with your eye mask on.”
Take Our Word For It
Courtney Leiva is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as The Daily Beast, BuzzFeed, HuffPost, InStyle, and more. When researching the best sleep masks, Courtney spoke with several sleep specialists and board-certified dermatologists to learn more about what to look for in a sleep mask. She also conducted her own research, looking at various sleep mask styles and examining their materials, comfort, fit, and light-blocking properties.
Up Next: The 10 Best White Noise and Sound Machines for Sleep
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