The Best Blackout Curtains to Block Light, Reduce Noise, and Save Energy

Blackout curtains do more than just block out natural light. Top-quality blackout curtains also filter out some noise pollution (another disruption to your body’s natural rhythms) and help with energy savings.

Since there are lots of blackout curtains options on the market, we tested some of the best options to streamline your shopping experience. During these tests, the Pony Dance Blackout Curtains stood out above the rest as the best overall. The material felt luxurious and they were able to eliminate all of the natural light from bedrooms—even in the middle of the day.

Keep reading to learn what to look for when selecting curtain panels for a bedroom, and check out all of the best blackout curtains that we tested. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Pony Dance Blackout Curtains
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Sun Zero Oslo Theater-Grade Blackout Curtain Panel
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3. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Eclipse Microfiber Blackout Thermal Curtain Panel 
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4. BEST THERMAL: Miuco Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
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5. BEST STYLE: Best Home Fashion UMIXM Wide Tule & Blackout Curtains
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6. BEST FOR NURSERIES: Nicetown 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels
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7. BEST FOR LARGE WINDOWS: Nicetown Sliding Glass Door Blackout Curtain Panel
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Blackout Curtains Comparison

Our Top Picks

To help shoppers choose between the many styles of blackout curtains available, we tested some of the most popular options on the market. Here are all of our top picks for blackout curtains, according to our tester.

Best Overall

Pony Dance Blackout Curtains

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Thick material provides excellent room darkening
• Quality fabric comes in over 20 colors
• Also act as soundproof curtains to reduce ambient noise

What We Don’t Like

• Rod pocket design slows installation slightly

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Product Specs

• Material(s): Polyester blend
• Light-blocking capability: 90 to 100 percent
• Colorways: 20+

Our Ratings: Ease of Installation 4.5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Ease of Use 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5

For sleek and effective blackout curtains, look no further than this two-panel set from Pony Dance. Made from a polyester blend, they look surprisingly luxurious and come in over 20 colors to suit almost any style. While the manufacturer says dark colors like the navy blue we tested can block nearly 100 percent of incoming sun, even lighter-color options can still filter out an impressive 90 percent. 

In testing, we got this set up relatively quickly and easily, though the rod pocket design slowed installation a bit compared to grommet-style curtains. However, we did appreciate the versatility of being able to slip the panels directly onto the rod or attach them via curtain clips. In addition to delivering excellent light-blocking, they reduced ambient outdoor noise significantly—a benefit we didn’t expect but really came to love.

What our tester says: “These were our favorite blackout curtains because they blocked out almost all outside light, created a luxurious look, and made our room noticeably quieter.”—Savannah Sher, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Pony Dance blackout curtains at Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Sun Zero Oslo Theater-Grade Blackout Curtain Panel

Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot Buy at Wayfair

What We Like

• Effective, easy to use, and affordable
• Blackout capabilities also help prevent home energy losses
• Material has a plush velvety feel

What We Don’t Like

• Heavier weight makes them more difficult to open and close
• A bit confusing to install

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Product Specs

• Material(s): Polyester
• Light-blocking capability: Up to 100 percent
• Colorways: 10+

Our Ratings: Ease of Installation 4/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Ease of Use 4/5; Value 5/5

Though Sun Zero’s Oslo blackout curtains are budget-friendly, they don’t skimp on quality. Made of polyester that has a soft, velvet-like feel, they come in a range of light and dark colors and block up to 100 percent of incoming light. Their energy-efficient, sound-reducing design also helps cut heat loss by up to 50 percent and noise by as much as 35 percent.

Sold as single panels, these curtains come in one width (52 inches) and three lengths (63, 84, or 95 inches). Like our top pick, they install via a rod pocket, which prevents light from leaking in through grommets. During testing, it took us a minute to figure out which of the pocketed ends was meant to be the top, but once installed, these sun-blocking curtains performed well. We liked their heavy weight, even though that made sliding them open and closed a bit more difficult. However, that may have been partly because of my curtain rod, which was at the upper limit of the maker’s recommended size of 1.5 inches or less. ​

Get the Sun Zero blackout curtains (various sizes and colors) at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair or Target.

Best Lightweight

Eclipse Microfiber Blackout Thermal Curtain Panel

Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Blocks up to 99 percent of light
• Lightweight material opens and closes easily
• Easy to install, even on basic curtain rods

What We Don’t Like

• Light can come in through grommets

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Product Specs

• Material(s): Polyester
• Light-blocking capability: Up to 99 percent
• Colorways: 10

Our Ratings: Ease of Installation 4.5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Value 4.5/5 

While many blackout curtains are made with thick, heavy fabric, even the longest of these microfiber panels from Eclipse only weighs 1.4 pounds. Available in one width (42 inches), three lengths (63, 84, and 95 inches), and 10 colors, they use a patented Thermaback technology to block out up to 99 percent of sunlight, while also reducing noise and providing thermal insulation. 

During testing, we found these thin and lightweight blackout curtains easy to install and appreciated that they didn’t put much strain on our curtain rod brackets. The navy set we tried blocked nearly all incoming light and made a definite difference in the amount of street noise coming in to our bedroom. Though a bit of light came in through the grommets, we didn’t mind since it wasn’t enough to disrupt sleep, and it provided just a little bit of help navigating around obstacles at night. 

Read our full review: Eclipse Microfiber Blackout Thermal Curtain Panel

What our tester says: “These curtains blocked out nearly all sunlight, even in the middle of the day, and provided total privacy from outside. They aren’t made of the most luxurious fabric, but they do an impressive job for a very affordable price.”—Savannah Sher, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Eclipse blackout curtains (various sizes and colors) at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Walmart.

Best Thermal

Miuco Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Metal grommets make them very easy to install
• Also helps block sound; ideal for night shift workers
• Includes tie-backs for a more sophisticated look

What We Don’t Like

• Seemed slightly less effective than thicker options

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Product Specs

• Material(s): Polyester blend
• Light-blocking capability: Up to 98 percent
• Colorways: 10+

Our Ratings: Ease of Installation 4.5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Ease of Use 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5 

Miuco’s room-darkening curtains double as thermal insulated curtains by helping regulate indoor temperatures in both hot and cold weather. The triple-woven fabric blocks 100 percent of UV light and up to 98 percent of sunlight, with results varying slightly according to the color of the curtains. These thermal curtains also provide sound insulation, reducing outside noise by about 60 percent. 

Despite its insulation and light-blocking power, the material is thin and lightweight, which made installation via the metal grommets a breeze but seemed to reduce effectiveness on very bright days. However, choosing one of the darker colors from the more than 10 available options should help. As a finishing touch, each set of two panels comes with matching tiebacks for a tidier look when the curtains are open. 

Get the Miuco blackout curtains at Amazon.

Best Style

Best Home Fashion UMIXM Wide Tule & Blackout Curtains

Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Excellent blackout when both layers are fully closed
• Elegant dual-layer design with sheer lace
• 52-inch-wide panels cover large windows well

What We Don’t Like

• Two-layer setup complicates installation
• Quite wrinkled coming out of the package

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Product Specs

• Material(s): Polyester
• Light-blocking capability: Up to 99 percent
• Colorways: 10+

Our Ratings: Ease of Installation 3.5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Ease of Use 4/5; Value 4/5

While many blackout curtains are highly effective, they typically have rather plain appearances that don’t suit everyone’s aesthetic preferences. This set from Best Home Fashion is different, as it features a dual-layer design with a sheer lace drape that installs on top of (or alongside) a standard blackout curtain. The blackout panels come in more than 10 colors to suit a range of decor styles.

In testing, we found the two-layer setup served two purposes: decorative and functional. When we wanted light as well as privacy, it was nice to pull the blackout curtains back and let the sun shine through the sheer layer. And when we wanted darkness, we could adjust the sheer layer—letting it cover the curtain for a muted look, tying it back in various ways to create visual interest, or moving it to the sides to fully reveal the color beneath. However, having two sets of panels with two layers each did complicate installation, and unless you’re going to hang two curtain rods, you have to decide whether to hang the panels side by side or one on top of the other.

Get the Best Home Fashion blackout curtains (various sizes and colors) at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot. 

Best for Nurseries

Nicetown 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• Helps block out sound as well as light
• Effectively darkens rooms for napping babies
• Provides insulation to reduce home energy loss

What We Don’t Like

• Quite heavy; may pull down a curtain rod that isn’t properly anchored

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Product Specs

• Material(s): Polyester blend
• Light-blocking capability: Up to 100 percent
• Colorways: 50+

Our Ratings: Ease of Installation 4/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Ease of Use 4/5; Value 4.5/5 

When choosing window treatments for a nursery, it’s important to consider light, sound, and temperature, as even small changes can wake infants and toddlers. These high-quality darkening curtains from Nicetown have a sewn-in black liner that effectively blocks sun, reduces noise, and provides thermal insulation. They’re available in more than 50 colors and almost that many sizes, making them sure to fit virtually any room.

In our tests, these children’s blackout curtains​ helped create the ideal sleep environment. Each lined panel entirely blocked out light, even at midday, and they did an excellent job of reducing noise from the busy street outside. Metal grommets made them easy to hang, but the curtain material is quite heavy at nearly 5 pounds, so be sure your curtain rod is properly anchored to prevent it from pulling out of the wall. 

Get the Nicetown 100% blackout curtains (various sizes and colors) at Amazon or Walmart.

Best For Large Windows

Nicetown Sliding Glass Door Blackout Curtain Panel

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Silver grommets increase ease of installation and use
• Looks good right out of package; no wrinkled fabric
• Excellent blackout, even during midday

What We Don’t Like

• Grommets let in a bit of light at the top

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Product Specs

• Material(s): Polyester
• Light-blocking capability: 85 to 99 percent
• Colorways: 50+

Our Ratings: Ease of Installation 4.5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Ease of Use 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5 

Thanks to these extra-large panels by Nicetown, sliding patio doors and large picture windows needn’t allow unwanted light (or eyes) in. Available in dozens of colors and sizes, each panel has a row of silver grommets at the top, making these curtains as easy to slide open and closed as they are to install. They feature a heavy-duty woven three-layer construction that blocks 85 to 99 percent of outside light sources, with darker colors achieving near-total blackout. 

These curtains performed extremely well in our tests, even in the middle of the day. The metal grommets made installation easy, and the temperature near the door stayed noticeably more consistent. Also, the blackout curtain material​ doesn’t wrinkle easily, and we love that we can throw these in the washing machine when they get dirty from us going in and out. 

Get the Nicetown sliding glass door blackout curtains at Amazon.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Blackout Curtains

To curate a list of the best blackout curtains, we tested seven popular options in an urban area where light pollution at night is a recurring issue. After installing each set, we evaluated how much light penetrated the material both during the day and at night. We checked how well the panels came together without leaving a remaining sliver of light and determined how much privacy they provided by looking through from outside. Beyond light-blocking and privacy, we considered practical applications, including ease of installation, material quality and weight, and overall user-friendliness. 

What to Consider When Choosing Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains come in a range of fabrics, styles, and colors to suit any bedroom, home office, or living room. The following features can help you compare options to find the best blackout curtains for your space and needs.

Size

Many blackout curtains come in standard widths (42 or 52 inches per panel) and a range of lengths. However, some places to buy curtains carry a wider variety of sizes to suit different windows and preferences.  

To maximize light-blocking effectiveness, you may want to use the following information to choose an appropriate curtain size:

• Raise the curtain rod above the window so no light can seep in from above.
• Extend the rod 2 to 3 inches past either side of the window frame.
• Use wraparound rods that connect the ends of rods to the wall, blocking even more light from entering.
• After the rod is installed, measure from the top of the rod to the bottom of the window frame or the floor to determine the ideal curtain length.

Style

While there are plenty of style options when it comes to fabric and color, the way the curtains hang is a key part of their appearance. The two most common styles for blackout curtains are grommets and rod pockets.

• Grommets are wide metallic holes for curtain rods to pass through. With this style, it’s especially important to position the rod high enough on the wall so that the grommet holes do not hang over the window and let in light. These metal accents are often favored in slightly more modern rooms.
• Rod pockets allow curtain rods to slip inside the curtain’s fabric, preventing light around the rod from entering the room. This look tends to suit classic spaces.

Some blackout curtains also feature a weighted bottom hem or a magnetic strip to fully seal off light seepage. Be sure to install magnetic blackout curtains​ according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the magnetic strip is not visible when the curtains are drawn back.

Opacity

Choosing the right curtain opacity depends on how much light enters the home, whether it’s natural or artificial, and whether it shines directly into the space or indirectly through window shades. Manufacturers generally specify the percentage of light a curtain can block, but a higher number isn’t necessarily better. For example, it’s typically best for blackout curtains for bedroom use to block between 85 and 98 percent of light rather than 100 percent, as a small amount of ambient light can be helpful for safely navigating the room at night.

When choosing curtains with sun blocking​, pay attention to the material, color, and weave density since these factors all affect the curtain’s ability to keep light out. If the goal is to get as close to 100 percent light reduction as possible, aim for black or darker fabric. While lighter fabrics can still block out a significant portion of light, dark shades block light better.

FAQs

Now that you’re a blackout curtain pro, you might be ready to start looking for decorative places to hang curtains. But if you still need answers to a few basic questions, the following section should help.

Q. Do blackout curtains cool a room?

Yes, many blackout curtains double as thermal curtains because their tightly woven fabric provides a cooling effect on hot days and a warming effect during cold weather.

Q. Should you keep curtains closed in hot weather?

By keeping curtains closed in hot weather, you will block out sunlight, which keeps your space cooler. If you have a patio or porch, closing outdoor curtains when it’s hot can also help. 

Q. What is the difference between light filtering and blackout curtains?

Light-filtering curtains offer moderate light control, while blackout curtains aim to block out 85 percent or more of light. This difference is similar to that in blinds vs. curtains, where curtains generally provide better light blockage than blinds. 

Q. Is blackout lining washable?

Blackout lining is sometimes washable. Because cleaning instructions vary from product to product, you’ll need to read the label to see if your curtains are machine washable, hand-wash only, or dry clean only.

Q. What is the best color for blackout curtains?

There is no one best color for blackout curtains because effectiveness is determined primarily by fabric type and construction, not color. While darker colors tend to absorb more light, even light-colored curtains with proper blackout lining can block light just as well. 

Q. How do I measure my windows for blackout curtains?

To measure your windows for blackout curtains and ensure proper coverage for effective light blocking, start by measuring the width of the window frame and multiplying it by 1.5 to 2. Then measure the height from the curtain rod (mounted above the window) to where you want the curtains to end (typically 6 to 12 inches below the window frame).

Q. How do I maintain my blackout curtains?

To maintain your blackout curtains, gently dust or vacuum them to remove dirt and allergens. For deeper cleaning, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, using spot cleaning for small stains and machine washing on a gentle cycle with cold water if allowed. To preserve fabric quality and blackout properties, avoid harsh chemicals and high heat. 

 

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