Light is the number one enemy of deep sleep. Blackout curtains don't just darken a room — the best ones cut energy bills, reduce outside noise, and make your bedroom feel like a sleep cave. Here are the 8 worth buying.
Updated May 2026
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Nicetown has been the default recommendation on every curtain roundup for years, and after looking at the data it's easy to see why. The triple-weave construction (two layers of fabric sandwiching a black yarn middle layer) blocks 99%+ of light without the rubbery feel of foam-backed curtains. They also insulate against heat and cold, reduce outside noise, and come in over 30 colors. At $30–$45 for a pair, they're a fraction of the cost of custom curtains. Machine washable. No special care needed. If you want one set of curtains that does everything well, this is it.
Material
Polyester, triple-weave
Light Block
99%+
Price
~$30–$45 per pair
Thermal
Yes — insulated
Noise Reduction
Moderate
Hanging Style
Grommet top
Pros
99%+ light blocking without rubber backing
Thermal insulation + noise reduction
30+ color options to match any room
Machine washable, easy care
Cons
Grommet-only — no rod pocket option
Polyester feel, not as luxurious as linen
Some light leaks at edges (installation dependent)
Sun Zero claims 100% light blocking and 50% energy savings, and independent tests back it up — the Nordic panels use a proprietary "Total Blackout" technology that's thicker and denser than most curtains in this price range. They also claim 45% noise reduction, which is on the high end for any curtain. At $25–$40 per pair, they're the cheapest true blackout option here. The grommet design makes installation dead simple, and the fabric has a slightly textured, modern look. If you're outfitting multiple rooms on a budget, these are the ones to buy in bulk.
Best Home Fashion offers the simplest, most reliable blackout curtain at a no-frills price. The triple-weave polyester construction blocks 99%+ of light and provides decent thermal insulation. They come in 5 solid colors, they're machine washable, and they do exactly what the name says. No special technology, no marketing gimmicks — just effective blackout curtains that hang well and last. At ~$30 for a pair, they're competitive with Nicetown and worth considering if BHF has the size or color you need.
With 49,000+ Amazon reviews and a strong average rating, the LEMOMO curtains are the most-reviewed blackout curtains on this list. They use a triple-weave polyester construction that blocks 85–99% of light (darker colors block more) and provides UV protection. The rod pocket and back tab dual design means you can hang them on a standard rod with or without rings. They're the most popular budget pick for bedrooms, home theaters, and nurseries. Light blocking isn't quite as aggressive as the Nicetown or Sun Zero, but at ~$25 they're hard to beat for the price.
The Sleepout takes a completely different approach — instead of hanging on a rod, it uses industrial-strength suction cups to attach directly to the window glass. This creates a seal that eliminates the light leaks that plague traditional curtains (around the top, sides, and bottom). The result is true 100% blackout. It's designed for travel (rolls up, fits in a bag) and nurseries (babies need pitch darkness for naps, and you can install it in 60 seconds without drilling). Both GreenGuard Gold and OEKO-TEX certified for non-toxic materials — important for a nursery. The only downside is aesthetics — it's functional, not decorative.
Design
Suction-cup, attaches to glass
Light Block
100% (no edge gaps)
Price
~$50–$80
Portable
Yes — rolls up for travel
Certifications
GreenGuard Gold + OEKO-TEX
Install Time
~60 seconds, no drilling
Pros
True 100% blackout — no edge gaps at all
Portable and travel-friendly
GreenGuard Gold + OEKO-TEX certified (safe for nursery)
Every curtain above prioritizes function over form. The Pottery Barn Emery is the opposite — it looks like a designer linen drape but has a blackout lining sewn in. The natural linen texture gives it an elevated, lived-in aesthetic that polyester curtains can't match. Light blocking hits 95%+ (the lining does the work, not the linen itself), which is enough to darken a room significantly but not achieve cave-level darkness. If your bedroom is also a design space and you refuse to hang utilitarian polyester panels, this is the compromise that works. Available in a wide range of colors with multiple hanging styles.
If you live on a busy street, near an airport, or next to noisy neighbors, Moondream is the curtain to look at. Their patented technology combines 100% light blocking with the best sound insulation of any curtain we've found — they claim measurable noise reduction that goes beyond what triple-weave polyester can achieve. They also offer EMF-blocking options for people concerned about electromagnetic fields (a niche but growing market). The price ($60–$100 per pair) is mid-range, and the fabric has a clean, modern look. If noise is your primary sleep disruptor, Moondream addresses it better than any other curtain here.
The Shade Store is for people who want custom-made blackout curtains tailored to exact window measurements, in a specific fabric, with a specific drapery style. They offer 650+ fabrics, 8+ drapery styles, and blackout lining on any option. You can order free swatches, get in-home measurements (or measure yourself), and have custom drapes shipped to your door. The price starts at $200+ per panel and goes up from there depending on fabric and size. This is the premium option for homeowners who want blackout performance in a curtain that looks like it was designed by an interior decorator — because it essentially was.
Blackout curtains vary wildly in light blocking, insulation, noise reduction, and aesthetics. Here's what matters for sleep.
Light Blocking — Why Installation Matters More Than Fabric
Most blackout curtains block 95–100% of light through the fabric. The real problem is light leaking around the curtains — at the top, sides, and bottom. To fix this, hang curtains 4–6 inches wider than the window frame on each side so fabric wraps past the edges. Use a ceiling-mount track or wrap-around curtain rod to close the gap at the top. Let curtains touch or slightly pool on the floor to block light from below. For absolute darkness, suction-cup solutions (like the Sleepout Portable) that seal directly to the glass eliminate all edge leaks.
Thermal Insulation — Cut Your Energy Bills
Windows are the weakest point in any home's insulation. Thermal blackout curtains with insulating backing can reduce heat loss by up to 25% in winter and block solar heat gain in summer. The DOE estimates that medium-colored curtains with white plastic backing can reduce heat gain by up to 33%. Triple-weave fabrics (Nicetown, Sun Zero) provide the best combination of light blocking and thermal insulation. If you have single-pane or older windows, the energy savings alone can pay for the curtains within a year or two.
Noise Reduction
Curtains won't soundproof a room — that requires structural changes. But heavy, dense blackout curtains can noticeably reduce ambient noise from traffic, neighbors, or street activity. The thicker and heavier the fabric, the more sound it absorbs. Moondream curtains are specifically engineered for maximum noise reduction. For everyone else, any triple-weave blackout curtain will provide some sound dampening. If noise is your primary concern, pair blackout curtains with a white noise machine for the most effective combination.
Hanging Styles — Grommet vs. Rod Pocket vs. Back Tab
Grommet curtains have metal rings punched into the top — they slide easily on a rod and create even, modern folds. Most popular style. Rod pocket curtains have a sewn channel at the top that the rod threads through — they create a gathered, traditional look but are harder to open and close. Back tab curtains have fabric loops on the back — they hide the rod for a clean, tailored appearance. Ring-top uses clip rings attached to the curtain — the most flexible option that works with any fabric. For bedrooms, grommet or back tab are the most practical because they open and close smoothly.
How to Measure for Blackout Curtains
Measure the window frame width and add 8–12 inches total (4–6 inches per side) so curtains extend beyond the frame and prevent side light leaks. For height, measure from the rod position to the floor — curtains should just brush the floor or pool slightly (1–2 inches). For fullness, the total combined width of your curtain panels should be 2–3 times the actual window width. This creates enough fabric overlap when closed to prevent light from passing through the center seam. If you're buying two panels for one window, each panel should be 1–1.5 times the window width.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common blackout curtain questions.
Most blackout curtains block 95–99% of light through the fabric itself. True 100% blackout depends on installation — light leaks around the edges, top, and bottom are the real issue. To get near-total darkness, hang curtains 4–6 inches wider than the window frame on each side, use a wrap-around curtain rod or ceiling-mount track, and let curtains pool slightly on the floor. Suction-cup options like the Sleepout Portable eliminate edge gaps entirely.
Yes. Thermal blackout curtains with insulating backing can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 25% in winter and block solar heat gain in summer. The DOE estimates that medium-colored curtains with white plastic backing can reduce heat gain by up to 33%. Triple-weave fabrics with thermal lining (like Nicetown and Sun Zero) provide the best insulation.
Room-darkening curtains block about 80–95% of light — enough to dim a room significantly but not enough for total darkness. Blackout curtains block 99–100% through the fabric, typically using a triple-weave construction or a foam/rubber backing layer. For sleep purposes, blackout is the better choice. Room-darkening works for living rooms where you want reduced glare without total darkness.
For maximum light blocking, measure the window frame width and add 4–6 inches on each side (so curtains extend beyond the frame and prevent light leaks). For height, measure from the rod to the floor — curtains should just touch or slightly pool on the floor. For fullness, the combined width of your curtain panels should be 2–3 times the window width. This creates enough fabric overlap to block light even when closed.
Most polyester blackout curtains are machine washable on a gentle cycle with cold water — check the care label. Avoid bleach and high-heat drying, which can damage the blackout coating. Tumble dry on low or hang dry. Linen blackout curtains (like Pottery Barn Emery) may require dry cleaning or hand washing. Over time, machine washing can gradually degrade the blackout backing, so wash only when needed rather than routinely.
