News

Oct 29, 2024

The best soundproof curtains of 2024 | ZDNET

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

33 years of experience 30 hands-on product reviewers 10,000 square feet of lab space

Functionality

Whether you’re a smart home pro or are just getting started, it’s worth assessing each product's features to ensure they match your needs. If the product isn’t functional, it won’t be worth the purchase, so also check that it’s user-friendly, has an understandable setup process, and features an intuitive app, if applicable.

Interoperability or compatibility

Depending on your setup, look for products that support common connectivity protocols, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, Z-Wave, and Matter. If you plan on using devices from multiple brands, ensure they can work well together or if there are third-party integrations. If you have an existing smart home ecosystem you’re expanding, like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home, make sure the product is compatible.

Privacy and security

There are several measures to ensure the devices you bring into your home maintain your private information secure, including data encryption. If applicable, review the company’s privacy policies and confirm that the manufacturer offers regular firmware updates.

Price

Consider your budget and compare different prices. Research to see if the product you’re interested in purchasing is typically discounted around a certain holiday. Also, check for ongoing subscription fees that may be necessary for extra features or services.

Soundproof curtains are an effective solution for blocking out both unwanted sound and light. If your home doubles as your office or studio, this may be necessary to get work done. These curtains are also great for muffling outside noises and light to help you get better sleep.

The best soundproof curtains have design options worthy of integrating into your home décor, while also reducing unwanted echoes and amplifications at a budget-friendly price.

Also: The best noise-canceling headphones

We researched many of the top-rated soundproof curtains on the market, evaluating them for noise-reducing and blackout capacity, material quality, price, and user reviews. Our pick for the best soundproof curtains overall are the Nicetown 100% Blackout Curtains, thanks to their noise- and light-blocking double-layer design. Read on for the rest of our top picks. (Note that all of them come in a variety of different sizes and colors, and prices will vary depending on those factors.)

The Nicetown 100% Blackout Curtain is not only one of the best soundproof curtains, but it is also one of the best blackout soundproof curtains you can buy.

These curtains are designed with a black thermal liner that is thick enough to deliver full blackout capability, making it a perfect fit for a bedroom or nursery. They not only block light but also heat and UV rays. Nicetown says the two layers double the noise blocking capacity compared to one layer.

The curtains also feature a nice, simple design, with silver grommets to secure the curtain into place. You'll find plenty of colors to choose from, including burgundy red, bright yellow, lavender rose, and peacock teal, all delivered with the interior black thermal liner so you can personalize your curtains while still enjoying the blackout effect. The price depends on which color you choose, but they start around $30, and Amazon frequently offers coupons that bring the price down further.

At the time of this writing, these Nicetown curtains had nearly 70,000 Amazon reviews, and were rated 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Nicetown 100% Blackout Curtain features: Full blackout capability | Heat-blocking | Thermal-insulated | Start around $30

The BGment Room Darkening Curtains are a solid value noise-reducing and room-darkening option. One package comes with two curtain panels, each with eight silver metal grommets on top to secure the curtain.

The manufacturer notes that while these curtains can block out sunlight and UV rays, the darker curtain colors do this better. They are also thermal insulated to save energy and reduce outside noise.

At the time of this writing, these curtains had over 65,000 Amazon reviews and 4.6 stars.

BGment Room Darkening Curtain features: Blackout capability | Thermal-insulated | Starts around $25

Ultimately, it's the Moondream's quality design that makes it our choice for best soundproof curtains if you're looking to spend a bit more money. While many curtains are fully polyester and designed with fabric layers on the outside, over a high-density core, the Moondream curtain has a patented tech that uses polyester and a small amount of aluminum with a cotton backing to create a curtain that is lab-tested certified to block out noise. Along with the innovative design, there are also extensive size and color options available.

This top quality and unique design work together to decrease reverberation, which can be helpful for decreasing background noise on a Zoom call or in a larger echo-filled space while recording music or video. Reviewers note noticeable sound reduction when installed correctly.

Also: The best noise-canceling earbuds

Moondream Noise Reducing Curtains features: Specially tailored three-layer design | Cotton outer layer | Thorough design with strong lab tests for performance | Starts at $149

While many of the curtains we featured have a smooth fabric texture, the velvet curtains featured here offer a bit more of a luxurious aesthetic and feel, but are still effective at blocking out both sound and light.

The Sun Zero element focuses on keeping all light out of a room for those who want to be able to sleep even in a room that normally would be flooded with natural light, and keeping the curtains drawn reduces heat and cooling loss through glass windows. Solid color options match a variety of home interiors and allow you to keep the overall look of your room while claiming up to 40% noise reduction.

Amherst Velvet Noise Reducing Curtain features: Polyester velvet dampens sound | Cloth loops make a seamless look at the curtain rod level | Also offers strong Sun Zero blackout and thermal protection | Start at $23

Pottery Barn is known for creating beautiful, minimalistic looks that are the height of modern home design, and so a curtain from this retailer that is designed for noise reduction brings a level of elegant design while also appearing more lightweight than some of the thick options we've featured. These are also the only curtains on this list produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory with sustainably-sourced materials.

The color palate is varied and includes muted tones that work well with contemporary neutrals and other accent colors, allowing you to benefit from a drape that looks decorative but also has a thick, light, sound and a heat-blocking core.

Peace & Quiet Noise-Reducing Curtain features: Fabric curtains in many Pottery Barn style shades | Light look concealing dense polyester core | Multiple size panel options | Start around $109

The Deconovo Blackout Curtains specialize in effective soundproofing while still affording you options, making them the best soundproof curtains when you want to add some fun to your room. They are also blackout curtains.

Made of a polyester blend, these curtains are soft to the touch with a silky feel. Eight grommets in stainless steel help keep your soundproof curtains in place. They are also thermal-insulated to help block out heat and keep cool air in, thus lowering the demand on your A/C and helping to make your home more energy-efficient.

Choose from classic colors like beige, grey, and white, or make a splash with fun shades like red, mellow yellow, coral pink, and turquoise with the option for a pretty silver tree branch design. No matter which you choose, you will receive two curtain panels with two matching solid tie backs to secure them.

Deconovo Blackout Curtain features: Multiple design options | Designed for living room use | Stainless steel grommets | Starts around $25

Soundproof curtains vary quite substantially in cost. The way to make sure you're comparing apples to apples is to ensure you know the dimensions of your windows and whether you'll need one panel or two.

Unless the window is at least a few inches narrower than the width of the curtain, you'll typically want two panels so that you can fully cover the window and get the full soundproof benefits. Finally, make sure that if the curtain comes in a filmier, thinner version and a soundproof version, you're evaluating the soundproof one -- some curtains have nearly the same name but add "noise-reducing" somewhere in the name.

If you intend to use the soundproof curtain in an area where you entertain company or have paid careful attention to design, make sure that the curtain you choose fits the color and style of the room and has a good drape to it that works for your room.

At the same time, it is also an option to choose any drape or curtain and include a soundproof curtain liner inside that you choose more for its thickness than for its beauty. Here are some of the ways that we see these different products stacking up as the best option.

If you're looking to invest in soundproof curtain, you should consider the following factors:

Sound: The most important factor is whether a soundproof curtain will help block noise. There are other features typically associated with soundproof curtains, such as a thermal barrier or light barrier to help block out extra sound.

Weight: It is critical that a soundproof curtain is not too heavy so it does not weigh down the support apparatus. The last thing you want is your curtain rod ripping out of the wall and causing you extra damage.

Features: Take into consideration specialty elements, like how some curtains are available in room-sized panels that can be used to create convenient room-sized dividers, as well as the luxury and style of the fabric.

Design: Curtains and drapes are chosen with both aesthetic and practical elements in mind, so pay attention to whether users say they enjoy the effect that the soundproofing features produced, as well as whether they thought the curtains looked good in the rooms where they were used.

To compile this list of soundproof curtains, we considered user reviews on sites like Amazon and Target, as well as Reddit message boards and our personal experiences with soundproof and blackout curtains. We considered the factors above as well when making our final choices.

Soundproof curtains can absolutely make a positive impact on your home studio. They can block out exterior noises while keeping the good sounds inside. They are also better able to isolate noises so you can record all of the little nuances of your musicianship. In addition to their overall affordability, they are super easy to set up, so you can get them up and ready before your next session.

There are many types of soundproof curtains out there, but not all of them may be designed to provide the best soundproofing for your area. Many of the best soundproof curtains are made of a polyester blend with thermal backing to provide extra noise reduction. However, there are some other heavier types of materials available such as the Amherst Velvet Noise Reducing Curtain that can provide even stronger protection.

While all of the curtains featured mentioned promise to be either soundproof or noise-reducing, all have reviews mentioning that the curtains act more as a sound dampener rather than full-proof sound-blocker.

If you're concerned that the sounds you want to dampen are too loud, be aware that no particular curtain is going to protect against all noise -- not even the wall of your home is able to do that in most cases.

Instead, aim for curtains that will act a bit more of as a damper and allow less noise through, and then consider other options like adding insulation to your home if you worry that you're still hearing far too much.

Soundproof curtains and indeed curtains of any kind add additional protection against heat and cooling loss that can happen through both poorly sealed windows and single-pane windows. While you may not notice a change in your energy bill with only one new curtain, adding and using soundproof thermal curtains throughout your home could have a noticeable impact on how easily your home cools and heats, as well as your bill if all else is held equal.

Most people startle if outside noise is loud or sharp enough at night, so a sound-dampening or reducing curtain can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep even with outside noises. However, adding a white noise machine may also be beneficial to your sleep if you find that unpredictable sounds are still rousing you from sleep.

Both companies, Wontex and Nicetown, offer high-quality curtains that help muffle sounds, making them two additional options to evaluate.

Wontex curtains are thick and weighted so they hang straight, and they are made with fabric on both sides and a middle high-density layer that works to block extra sound, heat, and light. Nicetown curtains are soft despite also featuring a triple-layer design all while being soundproof and fade-resistant.

These heavy and soft blackout curtains are made of a triple-weave blackout fabric that blocks out 85% to 99% of light.

These blackout curtains are an Amazon #1 bestseller in kids' curtain panels for a reason -- they're perfect at blocking out light, they're thermal-insulated, and they're energy-efficient.