The 10 Best Blackout Curtains to Help You Sleep Better (Despite Your Neighbor's Finicky Flood Lights)
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Early morning light waking you up each day? Or maybe there’s a dreaded streetlight right outside your window that prevents you from falling asleep. No matter the reason, blackout curtains can help keep the light out—and the best styles can even add to your decor. These curtains are typically made of a thicker material or have a dark panel on the back to block out more light than usual, but they can also help provide insulation from outside noise, heat or cold. This makes them ideal for bedrooms or any room you prefer total darkness where a thinner linen curtain or traditional shades might not be able to complete the job.
Since how much light these curtains truly block out varies just as much as their style, size and price, we vetted the top-rated ones on the market to bring you our picks for the best blackout curtains.
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The Best Blackout Curtains at a Glance
How Much Light Does a Blackout Curtain Block?
Depending on how much you want to avoid, there are a few levels of blackout curtains:
How We Chose the Best Blackout Curtains
To find the best blackout curtains, we placed priority on opaque curtains, vetting them based on the material's thickness, whether it included back paneling and what reviewers had to say about their light-filtering abilities and overall sleep as a result of using them. Then, we determined how easy the curtains would be to hang on a curtain rod and how many panels each came with. We also kept the budget and appearance in mind—because no one wants a curtain that blocks light but also blocks out your style. Here's what made the cut.
The Best Blackout Curtains of 2024
1. Sun Zero Grommet Thermal Blackout Curtain Panel
These deep, thick curtains are probably what you think of when you hear "blackout curtains." They’re made of a thick polyester material that features blackout lining to protect against UV rays and keep light out. When closed, the panels can block 100 percent of light, reduce outside noise by up to 35 percent and reduce energy lost from the window up to 50 percent, according to the brand, making them a solid choice for blocking out light.
Each panel is sold individually, and it comes in a wide array of color options, from black to pearl to sage green. In terms of length, you've got options, ranging from 54 inches—for just skimming the windows—to 120 inches, so you can make that curtain rod kiss the ceiling (and give the illusion of a more spacious room). Plus, they’re machine washable for easy cleaning.
2. Wayfair Basics Thermal Blackout Grommet Curtain Panel
For more affordable thermal blackout curtains, the Wayfair Basics line has you covered. Each panel is under $15, depending on the size and color you choose (there are more than 30 options!) and it does an excellent job of blocking out light thanks to the polyester construction. They are technically room darkening, so a small amount of light may come through but not enough to disturb you (provided you don't have massive, east-facing windows), and you’ll still get added benefits like noise reduction and less heat or A/C loss seeping out from your windows. All in all, they’re a handy way to ensure you actually get to sleep in on your bed rot days.
3. Home Decorators Collection Cordless Blackout Cellular Shades
Just because you can’t necessarily screw in curtain rods doesn’t mean you have to live without blackout shades. This shade can be mounted to the inside or outside of your window frame—no power tools required—making them a great renter-friendly option. Each one is 48 inches wide, making them a nice option for longer windows. The shades come in four neutral colors to fit most spaces and are completely cordless. Best off all, they block out light and provide extra privacy if you live on a busy street.
4. RUseeN Portable Blackout Shades
There might be nothing worse than laying down at night in your Airbnb, only to realize there’s a bright street lamp outside and absolutely no curtains to be found. For those of us who can’t sleep without complete darkness, your two choices are to put on a sleep mask or invest in these nifty removable window panels so everyone can sleep soundly. It’s available in three sizes (79 by inches by 57 inches, 118 inches by 57 inches and 157 inches by 57 inches) but can be cut to size for the perfect fit. Simply attach the sturdy adhesive, stick it to the corners of the windows and you’ll be good to go for a few nights.
5. Pottery Barn Peace & Quiet Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtain
Aside from pure darkness, silence is ideal for getting your little one to finally hit the hay for the night. While you can’t control the noise happening outdoors, these noise-reducing blackout curtains can help. Although they’re quite thick, they have a lightweight look to them. Plus, the polyester fabric comes from a Fair Trade-certified factory and you can even get swatches sent to your home to ensure they fit your nursery vibe. Soon you’ll all be able to have sweet dreams.
6. Nicetown Blackout Window Curtain Panels
Hello darkness, my old friend. (No, but really...) With a sewn-in black liner backing that creates a thick, impenetrable cover, these curtains are well-equipped to keep out sunlight and UV rays. Plus, the thickness helps reduce external noise and insulate the room’s temperature.
In terms of aesthetics, you have more than 20 color options to choose from, with their quality backed by nearly 70,000 reviews on Amazon, giving it a 4.8 overall rating out of 5 stars.
7. Threshold Blackout Woven Stripe Curtain Panel
You’ll get the best of both worlds with this striped and solid curtain panel. It features a solid woven construction that blocks out most light, but it still lets in just enough light that you won’t find yourself oversleeping. The woven fabric is machine-washable and Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX-certified, so you can feel good about your purchase (even if you spill on it). It even has curtain holes on both ends so you can choose whether you want the stripes to be seen on the left or the right side.
8. Quince Cotton Slub Blackout Curtain
While Quince might be known for its more affordable yet high-quality clothing, that expectation also carries over to the brand’s home goods. These 100 percent cotton curtains were crafted in India and feature a polyester blackout lining that keeps the light out but the style in. The soft cotton exterior has a unique cross-weave pattern that gives it a natural, nubby texture that is stunning to look at. It only comes in four neutral tones and three lengths, but that allows the brand to keep costs down by quality high.
9. Eider & Ivory Quimby Velvet Blackout Curtain
Luxe velvet completely elevates the look of these simple blackout curtains. The thick suede material not only looks good and is soft to the touch, but it helps with blocking out light, noise and outdoor temperature (AKA keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter). While the brand claims that the triple layered curtains can block out about 70 to 85 percent of light and UV rays, the dar- colored ones tend to do a better job than lighter options. But when you do need to clean them, you can just toss them in the washing machine and air dry them.
10. West Elm Crossweave Blackout Curtain
At anywhere from $90 to $180 a panel, these aren’t the most affordable curtains but they sure are stunning. They feature a subtle crosshatching pattern that elevates it beyond and traditional solid blackout curtain. But the blackout lining still darkens rooms and reduces sound, even if the textured patterns lighten up the room. The polyester material is Fair Trade-certified, and these shades are ideal for a bedroom or nursery where you want to limit light and noise.
How to Choose the Right Color Scheme for Your Bedroom
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