Get Deep Sleep With The Best Blackout Curtains To Darken Your Bedroom
The best blackout curtains not only block exterior light, making it easier to fall—and stay—asleep, but they can insulate. According to interior designer Audrey Scheck, one of the greatest advantages of blackout window treatments is that blocking the light also reduces heat transfer. “Installing this type of curtain can keep the room cooler in summer and warmer in winter,” she says. Our top pick, a theater-grade blackout curtain from Sun Zero Nordic, ticks all the boxes: complete blackout coverage, wide range of colors, multiple size options and a great price point to boot.
The best blackout curtains balance function with aesthetics, and we did the research to find the standouts in a range of categories. Whether you’re looking for a specific material, options for a kid’s room or bonus benefits like noise reduction, we’ve rounded up the best blackout curtains for the job. Plus, we chatted with several home design experts for helpful tips that can help guide your choices.
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Best Blackout Curtains Overall: Sun Zero Nordic Theater-Grade Blackout Grommet Curtains (2-Pack)
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Best Affordable Blackout Curtains: Amazon Basics Room-Darkening Blackout Window Curtains (2-Pack)
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Best Linen Blackout Curtains: Quince European Linen Blackout Curtain
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Best Velvet Blackout Curtains: West Elm Worn Velvet Blackout Curtain
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Best Thermal Blackout Curtains: Wayfair Basics Solid Blackout Thermal Curtain Panel
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Best Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtains: Pottery Barn Peace & Quiet Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtain
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Best Customizable Blackout Curtains: Everhem Customizable Blackout Curtains
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Best Blackout Curtains For Kids: Teepee Joy Rainbow Kids And Nursery Blackout Curtains
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Best Blackout Curtain Liner: Rose Home Fashion Thermal-Insulated Blackout Curtain Liner (2-Pack)
Best Blackout Curtains Overall
Stylish With Complete Blackout Coverage
Sun Zero Nordic Theater-Grade Blackout Grommet Curtains (2-Pack)
Hanging type: Grommet | Material: Polyester | Key features: Full blackout coverage, wide range of colors and sizes, machine washable
Pros:
- Polyester fabric muffles sound and blocks thermal heat
- Sold individually or in pairs
- Great value
Cons:
- Only available with grommet top
If your goal is to make your room as dark as possible, our top choice is these affordable theater-grade panels. Sun Zero’s blackout curtains have a tightly woven liner that blocks 100% of sunlight, reduces outside noise by up to 45% and boosts your home’s energy efficiency by up to 50%, according to the brand. The grommet top makes for easy opening and closing. The panels, which are sold in pairs or individually, are available in multiple sizes and a broad range of colors. They’re also machine washable, though you should use an iron or steamer to smooth away any wrinkles after cleaning. They are also a good value—one pair of panels costs under $40 at Amazon.
What the reviews say: With over 12,700 reviews and an overall rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon, these are highly rated blackout curtains. Customers report that they’re well-constructed and work as promised. “They truly made our room pitch-black,” says one. Another 5-star review says that it already feels “cooler in my house, so the price was worth it. It’ll pay for itself once I get the next electric bill.”
Best Affordable Blackout Curtains
Highly Rated And Easy On The Wallet
Hanging type: Grommet | Material: Polyester | Key features: Machine washable, triple-weave fabric with thick blackout coating
Pros:
- Includes Velcro ties for pulling back curtains
- Made in Oeko-Tex Standard 100 factory
Cons:
- Size options are a little limited
- Two color choices only
These blackout curtains from Amazon Basics are suitable for folks on a budget, plus they block sunlight and UV rays, reduce outside noise and improve energy efficiency. The curtains meet Oeko-Tex Standard 100, meaning they’re certified for meeting high environmental standards. Triple-weave polyester is durable and machine washable, and the curtains are sold in sets of two. While they’re only available in two colors and three sizes, they’re priced under $32 per set, making these curtains an all-around great buy.
What the reviews say: With an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars from over 4,400 reviews for these curtains, and customers are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about their performance and value. One, who notes that she’s purchased higher-end blackout curtains before, writes, “What I did not expect is how superior these would be at blocking the sun. They’re also Standard 100 Oeko-Tex, so it was a win-win.” Another reviewer says: “We really like the look and function of these curtains, especially for the price. They darken the room enough to sleep or watch a movie without having to sacrifice the lightness of the decor.”
Best Linen Blackout Curtains
A Stylish Panel That Delivers On Coverage
Hanging type: Back tab or pole top | Material: European linen and polyester blackout liner | Key features: 9 colors and 3 panel lengths, free shipping and returns
Pros:
- Multiple options for hanging
- Choice of light-blocking coverage
- Lots of color choices
Cons:
- Not sold in sets
- Dry clean only
These stylish blackout curtains are made from European flax and have a polyester blackout liner for a stylish blend of textured good looks and premium light-blocking benefits. Quince has linen blackout curtains in nine colors, with a choice of three panel lengths. The panels can be hung in two different ways, so you can decide whether to use the fabric tabs on the back or the rod pocket. Quince’s dry-clean only blackout curtains are also a great value for linen. They’re sold separately, with a single 84-inch panel costing about $90.
What the reviews say: Reviews praise the curtains for incredible quality. One happy customer calls them “Amazing curtains. Totally blackout. Super heavy and luxurious feel and look. They are the perfect natural white. I have looked everywhere for this exact curtain and you really cannot beat the price.” Another writes, “We ordered some blackout ones of these for our bedroom and loved them so much that we bought them for the rest of the house. Super high quality and beautiful material in a soft linen look.”
Best Velvet Blackout Curtains
Soft And Thick With A Lustrous Sheen
Hanging type: Back tab or rod pocket | Material: Polyester | Key features: Choice of colors and panel length, subtle sheen, machine wash and dry
Pros:
- Two options for hanging
- Sold individually or in sets of two
Cons:
- May need to be ironed or steamed to smooth wrinkles
The Worn Velvet Curtains from West Elm are a stylish way to block light and bring a little elegance into your home. The sewn-in polyester blackout liner blocks light to darken your space, while a two-in-one construction gives you a choice of hanging styles. The brushed velvet has a subtle sheen and the heavy drape expected of the material. Use the pole top for a gathered aesthetic or the back tabs for a structured, pleated effect. Choose from 11 colors and three panel lengths. Bonus: While many velvet options are dry clean only, this one can be machine washed in cold water and tumbled dry. Just be prepared to iron or steam these curtains to smooth wrinkles and amp up shine.
What the reviews say: West Elm doesn’t publish customer reviews on its website, but the brand was mentioned by name by several of the experts we consulted for this story.
Best Thermal Blackout Curtains
A Noise-Reducing Design With Thermal Insulation
Hanging type: Rod pocket | Material: Polyester | Key features: Wide range of colors, maximum coverage, noise-reducing design, thermal insulation
Pros:
- Dampens noise
- Upgraded thermal insulation
- Machine wash, tumble dry
Cons:
- Single option for hanging
Wayfair’s solid blackout curtains are lined with an insulated, textured foam that not only provides maximum blackout coverage, but also helps muffle outside noise and boosts thermal insulation. There are 13 colors and three panel sizes options, with a rod pocket top that creates a pleated effect.
We like that these Wayfair curtains are machine washable for easy care, although you may need to iron or steam them to get initial wrinkles out after taking them out of the package. Another thing to keep in mind is that each panel is sold separately, so if you need a set, purchase two. Fortunately, they’re well-priced, currently on sale for $13 apiece.
What the reviews say: Over 5,500 reviewers have good things to say about these blackout curtains, and many praise their thermal benefits. “They are the best blackout [curtains] for heat and light,” writes one. Another calls them “perfect for blocking out sun and heat.”
Best Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtains
Dense Fibers Block Light And Filter Sound
Hanging type: Rod pocket, back tabs, ring top | Material: Polyester | Key features: Crafted in a Fair Trade-certified factory, machine washable
Pros:
- Multiple options for hanging
- Dense fibers block light and muffle sound
- Machine wash and dry
Cons:
- Limited color options
Pottery Barn makes its Peace & Quiet blackout curtains with dense polyester fibers that are tightly woven to block light while still offering a lightweight appearance. The blackout liner, which is also constructed with polyester, blocks light, dampens noise and insulates for improved temperature regulation year-round. The curtains are available in four colors and three lengths, and Pottery Barn manufactures them in a Fair Trade-certified factory. You have multiple options for hanging with a three-in-one construction and included curtain clips, or you can purchase round curtain rings separately. Plus, the curtains can be machine washed and tumbled dry.
What the experts say: Pottery Barn doesn’t publish customer reviews on its website, but Isfira Jensen, CEO and principal designer at Nufacet Interiors, recommends the store for its range of options. “Pottery Barn has a number of excellent selections,” she says.
Best Customizable Blackout Curtains
Entirely Customized From Top To Bottom
Hanging type: Customizable | Material: Customizable | Key features: Customizable configuration, fabric and lining, free swatches
Pros:
- Entirely customizable with digital preview included
- Video consultation available
Cons:
- No options for ordering off the shelf
Scheck calls Everhem a go-to for custom window treatments. The company makes customizing your blackout curtains incredibly user friendly, with a robust library of tutorials that walks you through the entire process from measurement to installation. Choose the configuration, fabric, color, pleat and liner, and get a digital preview of your creation as you build it. Add your measurements (a step that comes with clear, concise directions) and your custom blackout curtains are ready to order. You also have the option of booking a video consultation with one of Everhem’s design experts to walk you through the process. You can order fabric swatches for just the cost of shipping.
What the reviews say: One customer writes, “The drapery and hardware quality is amazing. I ordered the linen-blend drapes with blackout lining and am thrilled with how they turned out. They are the perfect finishing touch on the room and make everything look more polished and put-together.” Another review says: “I’ve ordered window treatments from many other companies, both online and in person, and no one makes it as pleasant and stress-free as Everhem.”
Best Blackout Curtains For Kids
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