The best blackout curtains of 2025: Create a cocoon of darkness

Are you tired of tossing and turning, desperate for a decent night’s sleep? The beginning of daylight saving time (March 9) is an ideal time to make changes that support your sleep hygiene, such as creating a dark sleep environment. The best blackout curtains can make your room delightfully dark — the ultimate environment to catch quality Zs.

Blackout curtains can help block ambient light while you’re sleeping, but why does that matter? According to research, a dark room improves overall sleep depth and duration by stimulating melatonin, a hormone that regulates circadian rhythm. In other words, it helps you sleep deeper and longer by keeping your body’s sleep clock on track. “Sleep is best in a cave — ahem, a cool, dark place,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a sleep medicine physician.

While blackout curtains can benefit everyone, Dimitriu says anyone who needs to sleep when it’s light out will find them particularly beneficial. Shift workers with unconventional schedules or individuals living farther from the equator, where the sun takes longer to rise and set, may struggle to sleep in a brighter room.

To narrow down the best blackout curtains for sleep, we spoke to five experts, including interior designers and sleep physicians. Then we tested eight options, weighing cost, appearance, effectiveness and features like sound reduction and energy efficiency. Read on to discover the top five options for turning your room into a cocoon of darkness.

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Update, Mar. 7, 2025: We checked all prices and availability. Our number one pick for the best blackout curtains remains unchanged.

Related: If blackout curtains alone won’t cut it, check out our list of the best sleep masks. Or, if you fall asleep best with background sounds, take a look at our lists of the best headphones for sleeping and the best white noise machines. If too much noise in your bedroom is your issue, you might benefit from the best earplugs for sleeping to help block out those unwanted sounds. If you want to try one of the best sleep aids you can take without a prescription, we have a list for that too. To see what changes are making a difference, track and improve your sleep hygiene with one of the best sleep trackers. We’ve also rounded up lists of the best alarm clocks, including alarm clocks for heavy sleepers, and a list of the best sunrise alarm clocks that help you wake up more naturally.

Best overall blackout curtains

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Other top blackout curtains we recommend for 2025

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Factors to consider when choosing blackout curtains

Ultimately, you’ll want to balance functionality with aesthetics when you’re choosing curtains. From room-darkening ability to cost, understanding these elements can help you make an informed decision:

• Budget: According to Wollersheim, curtain costs vary widely based on quality and customization. For example, if you have a standard-size window, you can find affordable drapery online or in big-box stores. However, custom panels and hardware can cost several hundreds, even thousands, depending on size, fabric choice and hardware system.

• Insulation and energy efficiency: “Curtains with thermal lining or double-layered fabrics can dramatically reduce heat loss and save on energy bills,” Boudreau says. Hall explains that the material should feel heavy and dense — a sign of its insulating properties. “I’ve found that these curtains can make a noticeable difference in both comfort and energy costs.” She recommends choosing curtains that advertise thermal insulation for the best energy efficiency.

• Light blocking: “The most effective blackout curtains are crafted from thick, dense materials that can block light efficiently,” Lorge says. Adds Wollersheim: “You might have to give up the easy-moving flowing movement that materials like linen give you in favor of heavier material like polyester if you want to block the light from your room.” Lorge recommends choosing dark-colored drapes with several layers, as thick material like velvet is more opaque. The room where you plan to use blackout curtains can also guide your choice. “Bedrooms and nurseries require complete blackout for restful sleep while living rooms or home theaters might need more flexibility,” Boudreau says.

• Material and durability: “High-quality fabrics like polyester blends or natural fibers with a blackout lining offer longevity while maintaining their light-blocking and insulation properties,” says Boudreau.

• Noise reduction: “Heavier, thicker materials like velvet or layered fabrics are best for dampening sound,” Boudreau advises. Wollersheim agrees: “The thicker the curtain material is, like velvet or heavy cotton blends, the more success you’ll have at blocking noise.” While they’re not soundproof, thick curtains can help dampen some sounds from outside if you live near a noisy street, she adds.

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How we tested

To find the best blackout curtains, we tested eight sets, both at night and during peak daylight hours to determine how well they darkened the room. We also considered appearance, quality, sound-blocking abilities, cost and energy efficiency. And to help inform our decision, we interviewed board-certified sleep physicians, interior designers and the founder of a custom shade company.

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Other products we tested

Crate & Barrel European Flax-Certified Linen Blackout Window Curtain Panels in white: These high-quality linen curtains looked gorgeous in my bedroom. However, light shone through the entire length of the curtains during the day. For the price — $180 per panel — I hoped they would be more effective light blockers.

IKEA Rosenmandel room darkening curtains in yellow beige: Although they did an excellent job blocking most light, these curtains were extremely thin, and the lining was reminiscent of a black trash bag. While they’re easy on the wallet at $20 a set, these blackout window coverings are a great example of getting what you pay for.

Pottery Barn Emery Linen Blackout Curtains: These linen and cotton curtains are gorgeous and come in 12 colors, but they didn’t do a great job blocking light. These might work for you if you’re looking for a light-filtering option and don’t need 100% blackout capabilities.

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FAQs

Can I wash blackout curtains?

That depends — always check the care label for specific instructions. While machine-washable options are available, Boudreau says blackout curtains with delicate layers may need to be spot- or dry-cleaned.

Do blackout curtains really block out all light?

“High-quality blackout curtains or shades can block the majority of light, depending on factors like the fabric’s opacity and color,” Boudreau says. Darker shades are typically more effective. “For complete darkness, layering curtains or pairing them with shades is often recommended,” she adds.

How do I know if blackout curtains are energy efficient?

Blackout curtains can be energy savers, especially in colder months, Boudreau points out. Thick, dense materials help insulate your home by keeping the cold out and the warmth in. She advises looking for curtains with thermal backings, or honeycomb shades designed to improve energy efficiency.

How do I measure my windows for blackout curtains?

“The right measurements ensure no light leakage around the edges, which can compromise the blackout effect,” Hall says. She advises measuring the width and height of the window frame, ensuring that the width of the panels is at least two to three times the width of the window for full coverage and a more tailored, luxurious look. Irregular windows may require custom options, she adds.

What are the best blackout curtains for noise reduction?

“Noise reduction comes down to the fabric’s thickness and weight,” Boudreau says. If noise is a major concern, she recommends choosing multilayered options with sound-dampening features.

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Meet our experts

• Dr. Alex Dimitriu, double board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.

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