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Oct 21, 2024

The 7 Best Blackout Curtains, Tested and Reviewed | WIRED

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Blackout curtains are useful for a range of reasons—most obviously, blocking out sunlight, but also for reducing

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Blackout curtains are useful for a range of reasons—most obviously, blocking out sunlight, but also for reducing outside noises, temperature control (whether that be insulating for winter months or blocking out light to keep the room cooler in the summer), and ensuring privacy.

I wanted to try a myriad of curtain options that promised total blackout in a variety of different fabrics like polyester and velvet and with various hanging options, including pockets, grommet holes, clips, loops, and even suction cups. Many of these curtains had additional lining to further insulate against temperature and aid in noise reduction, so I also measured outside sound and temperature regulation.

I also took into account the ease of setup and hanging, and if there were multiple options for hanging, including using a double bar, attaching clips, or using pockets versus loops to see which way blocked sunshine the best.

I tested these on two windows, one that faces southeast and one that faces east—both get a huge amount of morning sun and, as a result, the room can get quite toasty during the summer months. I tested each curtain for a week, measuring how well it worked at all hours, including early mornings with the harsh sun, afternoons, nighttime, and when my door was closed and light was turned off. Although I live on a relatively quiet suburban street, I also monitored noise levels with the various curtains, since several on this list claim to be noise-reducing.

Check out some of our other sleep-related guides, including Our Favorite Sheets, Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online, Our Favorite Pillows, Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks, and Best Natural Sleep Aids.

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How to Shop

Nearly all of our picks come in various sizes, most often with differing lengths. One panel will cover a standard-size window, but you may want to buy two for coverage and a more polished look. It's a good idea to measure your window's dimensions, especially from the curtain rod height to the floor, to ensure the curtain isn't billowing on the ground or hanging up too high off the floor.

How to Install

The curtains we tested all come in various forms, with grommet holes, pockets, clips, loops, and even suction cups for hanging options. Many have multiple hanging options—it's all dependent on personal taste. I tested each way, but usually ultimately used the pocket to hang the curtain on a rod because it helped keep the curtain more flush to the window and wall. This allowed more coverage and less of a gap where sunlight could leak through.

Once you've installed your curtain rod above the window (a relatively simple task if you have the tools), you'll want to take out the curtain from packaging and read the directions on care to see how to best take out the wrinkles (or not). If the curtain has multiple hanging options, you'll choose which you'd like, but even the most complicated hangs with hooks or clips shouldn't take more than five minutes. (Except the Amazon travel panel with suction cups; that one took about 15 minutes and was a pain.)

This 50- by 96-inch curtain from Pottery Barn is a bestseller, and I see why. It’s made of 100 percent polyester and is thick, with a white liner facing the outside of the window to reflect light (rather than black, which absorbs light). It has a three-in-one pole top, meaning there are three hanging options: a rod pocket, back tabs, and ring top. The curtains also come with drapery hooks that can be used with Pottery Barn drapery rods (curtain rings sold separately). The curtain is also available in 84-inch and 108-inch lengths. They're fair trade, sustainably sourced, and Oeko-Tex certified, meaning the product has passed safety tests and is safe from over 1,000 harmful substances. They're machine washable on a cold, gentle cycle and can be tumble dried on low heat and ironed.

Made of dense polyester fibers, they feel thick and durable. I already had a curtain rod up, so installation was easy, and I chose to hang them using the pole into the rod pocket so that the curtain was more flush and there was less of a gap for light to get in. These curtains, like the others tested, were hung on windows that face harsh east and southeast morning light, and the room can get very bright and warm. These curtains were excellent at blocking light, and although I live on a relatively quiet suburban block, I do think the thickness and denseness of the curtain helped reduce outside noise. The room stayed noticeably darker, I couldn’t even see my hand in front of me at night. I’d recommend these Pottery Barn curtains to anyone, especially those with kids or babies, to create a darker, more quiet sleeping environment.

These luxe worn-velvet blackout curtains from West Elm are 48 inches wide and 96, 108, or 84 inches long (I tested the latter). Though the panels are called “worn velvet,” they're made of polyester and have more of a tight, thick weave pattern that is double-sided with a back paneling to block out even more light and noise. They have a rod pocket or back tabs to create a bunched or pleated look. The curtains can be purchased as single panels or in sets and should be washed in cold water, tumble dried on low, or dry-cleaned, and they can be returned within 30 days.

These curtains are the most expensive on our list and have the luxe feel to match. They are heavy, thick, and durable, with an off-white polyester blackout liner that further helps to block light and create a barrier for outside noise. I tested them in royal blue (hung it by the rod pocket), and I loved the rich vibrancy of the color. I was blown away by its ability to completely darken my room, even in the harsh morning light. At night, I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face, and even though I don’t have tons of outside street noise, I did notice that the thick curtains muffled sound. These are definitely the thickest and heaviest of our picks and did an excellent job of making the room pitch-black, even on the sunniest mornings.

The least expensive option on our list, this curtain is 52 inches wide and 96, 63, or 84 inches long (what I tested) and is made of polyester but has a really silky feel. It comes in multiple colors, but I tested the black option. The curtain comes with only one curtain panel, so if you want a set it ends up being closer to $40. Unlike the other favorite options on this list, this isn’t double sided and doesn’t have a special backing to further protect against the sun. However, it’s super thick, with a tight fabric weave, and claims to be noise-reducing, though there wasn’t a noticeable difference in outside volume to me.

It’s also a thermal curtain, meaning that it’s specifically designed to help insulate windows and regulate temperature. The weather was mild when testing, so I didn’t feel a difference, but the thickness of the curtain makes me think that it would be able to deliver. There’s a hemmed pocket at the bottom of the curtain and two rod pocket options for hanging on top; one is smaller and very close to the top of the curtain, and one is a bit lower and wider. I chose the bottom option to help give more material coverage at the top of the window to further block out light, but it didn’t have the option for rings or attachments like others did. During the day, the room was extremely dark—the only light that came in was a sliver crack from between the curtain and wall, and at night it was pitch-black. Like, abyss dark. I couldn’t even see my hand in front of me. The machine washable curtain isn’t the most stylish on the list, and the silky polyester isn’t my first fabric choice, but holy moly did it make the room a cavelike pitch-black.

This 78- by 50-inch budget portable travel blackout curtain from Amazon Basics does what it set out to do—make the room a whole lot darker on the go. Using suction cups on all four sides of the paneled curtain (it can affix to pretty much any glass window), it also has velcro paneling between the suction cups to help close any gaps where sunlight could leak in. Because the curtain can be stretched or shrunk using the velcro fasteners, it has a funny, billowing shape which isn’t the most aesthetically appealing. The window covering comes in a snapped portable case so it’s easier to travel with, although it was nearly impossible to fit back into the case.

Make sure your window is clean and dry before sticking them on, but the suction cups work—in fact, it’s hard to get them off again. This machine-washable polyester curtain has a medium thickness that blocks sunlight and UV rays, with adjustable velcro edges to help customize the dimensions of the curtain for various window sizes. It was super difficult to remove the suction cups when done, and two of them popped off, but I think with more practice and a gentler hand that hopefully won’t keep being a problem. Overall, this curtain is not aesthetically pleasing if you have it on a smaller window as I did, but if I were traveling (especially with kids), this would be a lifesaver because of its portability and general room-darkening effect.

These 50- by 84-inch curtains have a woven, linen-style texture, are thick, and feel durable. They have a two-way hang design with a rod pocket or can be used with clip rings (they come with 20 optional metal rings). Although I hung them directly on the rod for greater blackout coverage on the window, the curtains have a pinch-pleat design that helps them appear fuller and a bit more elegant when they’re on the rings. The panels have an insulated lining that helps with temperature management (both to block summer heat and insulate against outside winter chill) and noise reduction.

The thick drapes look and feel much more expensive than they are and can be machine washable in cold water. Although a little light came through between the top crack of the curtain and the window, they did an excellent job at keeping the bright early morning light out and my hand was barely perceptible in front of me when the room was dark. These curtains are the best quality for that price point that I’ve tested, and I will continue to use them.

This Cameron thermal insulated curtain panel comes in multiple colors, has a white thermal backside liner, and is super thin. It comes in a pack of only one polyester blackout curtain panel (if you want a set, you’ll have to buy two) that’s 50 inches wide and 95, 63, 108, or 84 inches long (I tested the latter). Instead of having multiple options for hanging, this curtain has only 1.5-inch grommet holes for the curtain rod, and it's machine washable. This curtain is considered thermal because of the white liner that faces the window to help provide a second barrier, which also helps in reducing noise. I wish it had a rod pocket or other options besides the metal grommet holes to further customize the curtain style, but the panel is machine- and iron-safe.

I was worried that, because it was so thin, it wouldn’t be effective, but it exceeded my expectations. It didn’t seem as noise-reducing as our top two picks, but it was incredibly powerful in darkening the room. I tested during a mild week so I didn’t feel its temperature-regulating thermal effects, but because of its thinness I’d be curious to see just how effective it is in colder or warmer temps. When tested during a bright morning, the only light that was let in was through the small crack between the window and wall, and at night, I could barely see my hand in front of me. This curtain comes in tons of colors, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a thinner curtain that still provides the blackout effect.

I bought a pair of Deconovo's blackout curtains for cheap a few years ago and paired them with these affordable tension curtain rods. It was a simple yet effective way to elevate my window setup without spending a lot, and the navy color did a fair job of blocking out light. The company has expanded its scope and now offers custom curtains—just input the width and length you want—and you can also choose from various materials and shade types. I've since tested the Cashmere and Wool Linen models, and they've done a solid job of blocking out sunlight.

If you choose a lighter color, you'll still see the outline of the window coming through, but this is less common with darker colors. Just know that when it says "cashmere" or "linen" that's not really what you're getting. The linen curtain, for example, is 20 percent linen, 25 percent silk, 50 percent polyester, and 5 percent wool. The Cashmere is a blend of polyester and chenille yarn. Still, these blended materials do a nice job of emulating luxury while keeping the price low.

I went with the grommet top for my curtain rod, but you can choose the type of header to suit your window situation. These are also not total-blackout curtains, though Deconovo sells those too if you need pitch-black darkness; I just haven't tested those. —Julian Chokkattu

Amazon Basics Room-Darkening Blackout Window Curtains for $31: These are made of a triple-weave polyester that helps to insulate and block light and have a thick coating underside that further aids in blocking outside light. However, I wish they had multiple hanging options like most on this list. Also, when I unpacked them, they were incredibly smelly, with a strong chemical odor that lasted for a few hours. At night when the curtains were drawn, I couldn't see my outstretched hand. Although they don't have any frills, they're cheap, thicker than some of the other affordable options on this list, and help immensely to keep morning light out.

Ikea Rosenmandel Blackout Curtains for $25: The polyester fabric of these curtains has a wool-like effect, and they have a backing of polyurethane for the window-facing side. I used the rod pocket to keep it more flush to the wall, and it did a good job of blocking out the harsh morning sun. For my room, the curtains were a bit long and billowed out on the sides at the bottom, creating a small gap that let light in. The curtain was also super thin, which worried me, but it generally blocked the majority of sunlight. While I don’t have many complaints, it isn't double-layered with a separate darkening panel. It's an inexpensive alternative that does what it set out to do—make the room a whole lot darker.

Ebern Designs Bantam Solid Blackout Thermal Rod Pocket Curtain Panels for $20: I tested these panels in the “biscuit” color, which is a light tan. Because of their light color, they naturally let in more light than a darker color would. (For this reason, Wayfair calls the lighter colors “room darkening” rather than true “blackout” curtains.) The material is thin and doesn’t have a coating, backing, or double paneling like other blackout curtains on this list. It's a solid room-darkening curtain, but the harsh morning sun fought against the thin material, casting a tannish yellow on my walls daily. Because of its inefficiency, I wouldn’t consider this a true blackout curtain and wouldn’t recommend it if total darkness is what you’re looking for.

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