Sleep and Dreaming The 11 Best Blackout Curtains of 2022 The key to a dark, quiet space and restful sleep By Theresa Holland Theresa Holland Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer with experience covering home goods, tech, and parenting products. She has written for Elite Daily, The Financial Diet, Thought Catalog, The Spruce, MyDomaine, Byrdie, Taffeta, and more. Learn about our editorial process Published on October 19, 2021 Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. If you're having trouble logging enough Zs at night, your bedroom might not be as dark as it should be. Melatonin plays a big role in your circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), telling your body when it's time to fall asleep. Your body releases the hormone in dark environments, and when things are too light, it can mess with melatonin production. What's more, light passing through your closed eyelids can suppress melatonin, sometimes leading to sleep disorders or poor-quality sleep. Slumbering in a dark bedroom can do wonders in improving how well you sleep, which is where blackout curtains come in. Made with thick, opaque materials, these room-darkening window coverings block all exterior illumination. Whether it's your neighbor's porch light, a street lamp, or natural sunlight, the brightness won't shine through your window with blackout curtains. Plus, many reduce noise and help with climate control. Blackout window treatments come in various sizes, colors, styles, fabrics, and price points, so the right option for you depends on your taste, preferences, and budget. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the best blackout curtains on the market. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Rosdorf Park Blackout Grommet Curtain Panels at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Budget: Mainstays Blackout Curtain Panel at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Bedroom: Eclipse Kendall Rod Pocket Blackout Curtain at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Nursery: Crate & Kids Blue Triangle Blackout Curtains at Crate & Barrel Jump to Review Best Thermal: NICETOWN Thermal Blackout Curtains at Amazon Jump to Review Best Textured: Rose Home Fashion Burlap Blackout Curtains at Amazon Jump to Review Best Pattern: Sonoma Goods For Life Embroidered Blackout Curtain at Kohls.com Jump to Review Best Color Selection: Mack & Milo Solid Blackout Curtain Panels at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Rod Pocket: Pottery Barn Emery Linen Blackout Curtain at Pottery Barn Jump to Review Best Noise-Reducing: West Elm Blackout Curtain at West Elm Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Mind Best Overall Rosdorf Park Brockham Solid Blackout Grommet Curtain Panels Wayfair View On Wayfair Pros Easy to install Comes with two panels Available in several colors Machine-washable Cons No sound absorption These elegant curtains by Rosdorf Park are a perfect balance of stylish and functional. They come in sets of two and are available in four sizes (all 52 inches wide, but with varying lengths) and 14 chic colors. Made of 100 percent polyester with a whimsy sheer overlay, the Brockham curtains are machine washable. Plus, they come with a grommet-style heading for easy installation. Price at time of publication: $50 Material: Polyester | Available Sizes: 52 x 63 inches, 52 x 84 inches, 52 x 96 inches, 52 x 108 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Heading Type: Grommet Best Budget Mainstays Blackout Energy Efficient Curtain Panel Walmart View On Walmart Pros Easy to hang Machine-washable Noise-reducing Energy-efficient Cons Comes with only one panel Thanks to built-in metal grommets at the top, Mainstays Blackout Curtains are easy to hang. These budget-friendly window coverings are made of 100 percent polyester and can be cleaned in a washing machine. The thick, insulating material blocks outside light while helping to reduce noise. Additionally, the energy-efficient design keeps your room cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Each panel is 40 inches wide and comes in three lengths. Price at time of publication: $12 Material: Polyester | Available Sizes: 40 x 63 inches, 40 x 84 inches, 40 x 95 inches | Weight: 1.17 pounds | Heading Type: Grommet Best for Bedroom Eclipse Kendall Rod Pocket Blackout Curtain Amazon View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Jcpenney.com Pros Machine-washable Energy-efficient Noise-reducing Lots of color options Cons Comes with only one panel Lab-tested to block over 99 percent of unwanted light and noise, Eclipse Kendall Curtains are ideal for bedrooms. The energy-efficient design can also help you cut down on heating and cooling costs. They're 42 inches wide and come in four different lengths. With several colors to choose from, you'll definitely find something that complements your existing bedroom decor. We also like that the polyester fabric is machine washable. Price at time of publication: $11 Material: Polyester | Available Sizes: 42 x 54 inches, 42 x 63 inches, 42 x 84 inches, 42 x 95 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Heading Type: Rod pocket Best for Nursery Crate & Kids Little Prints Blue Triangle Blackout Curtains Courtesy of Crate and Barrel View On Crate & Barrel Pros Machine-washable Noise-reducing Two installation options Cons Sold in single panels More expensive for a kid's room These Crate & Kids window coverings are the best option for a child's room or nursery. Made of 100 percent cotton with a polyester lining, they're machine washable and effective at blocking light and reducing noise. The cute, printed curtains are 44 inches wide and come in three lengths. They can be hung using the sewn-in rod pocket or with the hidden back tabs for a seamless look. Material: Cotton/polyester | Available Sizes: 44 x 63 inches, 44 x 84 inches, 44 x 96 inches | Weight: Not listed | Heading Type: Rod pocket Best Thermal NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Nicetown.com Pros Insulating Available in 10 sizes Machine-washable Wrinkle-resistant fabric Cons Only blocks 90 percent of light Made of heavy microfiber with triple-weave technology, Nicetown Thermal Blackout Curtains are machine-washable, insulating, and energy-efficient. The soft, wrinkle-resistant fabric has a subtle sheen and is available in several colors. We also appreciate that this grommet-style curtain is easy to install and comes in ten different sizes of varying lengths and widths. Price at time of publication: $22 Material: Microfiber | Available Sizes: 29 x 45 inches, 34 x 45 inches, 34 x 54 inches, 34 x 63 inches, 34 x 72 inches, 34 x 84 inches, 42 x 63 inches, 42 x 84 inches, 42 x 90 inches, 55 x 68 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Heading Type: Grommet The 10 Best Weighted Blankets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Textured Rose Home Fashion Burlap Blackout Curtains Amazon View On Amazon Pros Linen-style texture Machine-washable Energy-efficient Cons Not real linen This set of two blackout panels by Rose Home Fashion is made of machine-washable polyester and woven with a linen-style weave. The curtains block 100 percent of outdoor light while helping to keep your bedroom as cool or as warm as you like it. With eight grommets along the top, these window coverings are easy to hang. Each one is 50 inches wide, and they come in four lengths and six neutral hues. Price at time of publication: $37 Material: Polyester | Available Sizes: 50 x 63 inches, 50 x 84 inches, 50 x 96 inches, 50 x 108 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Heading Type: Grommet Best Pattern Sonoma Goods For Life Ultimate Performance Lindley Embroidered Blackout Curtain Kohls View On Kohls.com Pros Machine-washable Energy-efficient Cons Somewhat expensive To add a pretty pattern to your bedroom decor while getting the sleep you crave, check out these embroidered window coverings by Sonoma Goods For Life. The Lindley curtains block 100 percent of outdoor light, plus they're energy-efficient. The versatile leafy vine design is available in four colors, including white for those who want to keep light out without darkening their bedroom decor. These grommet curtains come in packs of two panels, each 50 inches wide with four length options. Price at time of publication: $140 for size 50X63 Material: Polyester | Available Sizes: 50 x 63 inches, 50 x 84 inches, 50 x 95 inches, 50 x 108 inches | Weight: Not listed | Heading Type: Grommet Best Color Selection Mack & Milo Solid Blackout Thermal Curtain Panels Way Fair View On Wayfair Pros Available in 19 colors Energy-efficient High-quality fabric Cons Hand-wash only Mack & Milo Blackout Curtains are made of luxuriously soft sateen and come in an impressive 19 different colors. Each panel has eight metal grommets and measures 52 inches wide with four length options. While these window coverings are a little trickier to clean (hand-wash only), they do an excellent job of blocking external light. They're also energy-efficient, helping to keep your room cool in the balmy summer and warm in the dead of winter. Price at time of publication: $55 for 52" W x 63" L Material: Sateen (cotton) | Available Sizes: 52 x 63 inches, 52 x 84 inches, 52 x 96 inches, 52 x 108 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Heading Type: Grommet Best Rod Pocket Pottery Barn Emery Linen Blackout Curtain Pottery-barn View On Pottery Barn Pros High-quality fabric Three hanging options Cons Dry-clean only Only long lengths available Pottery Barn's Emery Curtains are made of a durable, aesthetically pleasing linen-cotton blend. The pole-pocket headings make them easy to install with a rod, but the sewn-in loops and ring tops give you two more hanging options. These blackout treatments come in two widths (50 and 100 inches) and three lengths (84, 96, and 108 inches). Price at time of publication: $179 for 50" W X 84" L Material: Linen/cotton | Available Sizes: 50 x 84 inches, 50 x 96 inches, 50 x 108 inches, 100 x 84 inches, 100 x 96 inches, 100 x 108 inches | Weight: Not listed | Heading Type: Rod pocket The 10 Best Alarm Clocks for Kids To Help Them Rise and Shine Each Day Best Noise-Reducing West Elm Blackout Curtain Westelm View On West Elm Pros Noise-reducing Energy-efficient Cons Only available in one color These sound-absorbent blackout curtains from West Elm help reduce noise while insulating to help keep your bedroom climate controlled. They can be layered under sheer curtains to block light or used on their own. Each rod-pocket panel is 44 inches wide and comes in three lengths. Price at time of publication: $45 for individual, size 44" W X 80" L Material: Polyester | Available Sizes: 44 x 80 inches, 44 x 92 inches, 44 x 104 inches | Weight: Not listed | Heading Type: Rod pocket Best Liner DriftAway Darkening Blackout Curtain Liner Amazon View On Amazon Pros Comes with rings Energy-efficient Machine-washable Cons Prone to wrinkling The DriftAway Blackout Liner can be installed behind the grommet curtains of your choice for a complete darkening effect. It comes with 16 metal rings and is ready to hang—all you'll need is a curtain rod. This energy-efficient liner also offers thermal insulation and dampens noises from outside your bedroom, helping you sleep easy through the night. You'll get a set of two panels, each 50 inches wide with three length options. Price at time of publication: $37 Material: Not listed | Available Sizes: 50 x 58 inches, 50 x 80 inches, 50 x 92 inches | Weight: 3.69 pounds | Heading Type: Grommet Final Verdict If we could only recommend one set of blackout window coverings, we'd have to go with Rosdorf Park Brockham Solid Blackout Grommet Panels (view at Wayfair). These visually pleasing curtains have a light-blocking polyester backing with a sheer overlay. Plus, they're easy to install and machine-washable. However, if you want an energy-efficient, noise-reducing option for your bedroom, we recommend Eclipse Kendall Solid Blackout Window Curtains (view at Amazon), which are lab-tested to block light and sound while helping you cut down on your utility costs. What to Look for in Blackout Curtains Material Blackout curtains come in a range of materials. The most common is polyester (or microfiber), which is typically machine-washable and wrinkle-resistant. You'll also find blended fabrics, as well as linen and cotton. While it varies, linen and cotton tend to be more prone to wrinkling and aren't always machine-washable. Color Blackout curtains are often dark in color, as deeper hues do a better job of blocking light to help you sleep better. However, you'll also find some lighter fabrics, which typically have a thick backing to ensure the light stays out. No matter which color drapes you get, make sure the product indicates that it's a blackout material, as opposed to just "room darkening." Size When buying blackout curtains, it's important to carefully measure your windows and the height of your walls. You'll want something that goes past the length of your window and is plenty wide to ensure all light is blocked. As far as how long they fall past the bottom of your window, length is mostly a matter of preference. However, getting long curtains that hang an inch or two above your floors can make a room look larger. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best fabric for blackout curtains? The best fabric for blackout curtains is microfiber, which is a type of polyester. Unlike natural textiles such as cotton and linen, the tightly woven synthetic material tends to do a better job of blocking light and insulating a room. Do blackout curtains block heat? Many blackout curtains on the market are energy-efficient, meaning they keep warm air out in the summertime and cold air out during the winter. By blocking natural light from the outside and reflecting it back out your window, they help prevent heat from getting in. How do you wash blackout curtains? Most blackout curtains are machine-washable, though some options are meant to be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. When cleaning your curtains in a washing machine, it's best to run them on a gentle cycle with warm or cold water and tumble dry them on a low heat setting. Why Trust Verywell Mind Verywell Mind contributor Theresa Holland has several years of experience covering self-care, wellness, home improvement, and decor. As a firm believer in the benefits of quality sleep, she's well versed in the products that help people achieve it, including blackout curtains, white noise machines, and natural sleep aids. You can check out more of Theresa's work on The Spruce, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. 2 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Seithikurippu R AM. Melatonin, the hormone of darkness: from sleep promotion to ebola treatment. Brain Disord Ther. 2015;04(01). https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-0500-5-221 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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