--- title: "The Best Blackout Curtains to Block Light, Reduce Noise, and Save Energy" description: "The best blackout curtains can help provide a peaceful night of rest. Find out which light-blocking curtains performed during our tests." date: "2020-01-23" modified: "2025-09-13" authors: - name: "Andreana Lefton" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/andreana-lefton/" - name: "Savannah Sher" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/savannah-sher/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-blackout-curtains/" categories: - "Furniture & Decor" - "Interior Design" - "Reviews" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # The Best Blackout Curtains to Block Light, Reduce Noise, and Save Energy ![Eclipse Blackout Curtains]() *Photo: Savannah Sher for BobVila.com* 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]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#pony-dance-blackout-curtains>) 2. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [Sun Zero Oslo Theater-Grade Blackout Curtain Panel]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#sun-zero-oslo-theater-grade-blackout-curtain-panel>) 3. **BEST LIGHTWEIGHT:** [Eclipse Microfiber Blackout Thermal Curtain Panel]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#eclipse-microfiber-blackout-thermal-curtain-panel>) 4. **BEST THERMAL:** [Miuco Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#miuco-thermal-insulated-blackout-curtains>) 5. **BEST STYLE:** [Best Home Fashion UMIXM Wide Tule & Blackout Curtains]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#best-home-fashion-umixm-wide-tule-and-blackout-curtains>) 6. **BEST FOR NURSERIES:** [Nicetown 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#nicetown-100-blackout-window-curtain-panels>) 7. **BEST FOR LARGE WINDOWS:** [Nicetown Sliding Glass Door Blackout Curtain Panel]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#nicetown-sliding-glass-door-blackout-curtain-panel>) ![Eclipse Blackout Curtains How We Reviewed]() *Photo: Savannah Sher for BobVila.com* ## Blackout Curtains Comparison | **Product** | **Material(s)** | **Light-blocking capability** | **Colorways** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Pony Dance Blackout Curtains]() | Polyester blend | 90 to 100 percent | 20+ | | [Sun Zero Oslo Theater-Grade Blackout Curtain Panel]() | Polyester | Up to 100 percent | 10+ | | [Eclipse Microfiber Blackout Thermal Curtain Panel]() | Polyester | Up to 99 percent | 10 | | [Miuco Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains]() | Polyester blend | Up to 98 percent | 10+ | | [Best Home Fashion UMIXM Wide Tule & Blackout Curtains]() | Polyester | Up to 99 percent | 10+ | | [Nicetown 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels]() | Polyester blend | Up to 100 percent | 50+ | | [Nicetown Sliding Glass Door Blackout Curtain Panel]() | Polyester | 85 to 99 percent | 50+ | ## 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. **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**]()**.** **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**]()**.** **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**]()**.** **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**]()**.** **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**]()**.** **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**]()**.** **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](<#recap>) ![The Best Blackout Curtains, According to Reviewers]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## How We Tested the Best Blackout Curtains | Products tested | 7 | | --- | --- | | Tests performed | 6 | | Price range | $10 to $75 | 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. | **Product** | **Ease of Installation** | **Effectiveness** | **Ease of Use** | **Value** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Pony Dance Blackout Curtains]() | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | | [Sun Zero Oslo Theater-Grade Blackout Curtain Panel]() | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | | [Eclipse Microfiber Blackout Thermal Curtain Panel]() | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | | [Miuco Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains]() | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | | [Best Home Fashion UMIXM Wide Tule & Blackout Curtains]() | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | | [Nicetown 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels]() | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | | [Nicetown Sliding Glass Door Blackout Curtain Panel]() | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | ## 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. ## Author Andréana Lefton is a writer and educator, focusing on human rights and creating spaces of refuge—in our homes and communities. As a documentary researcher, she has freelanced with The Guardian as well as NPR- and BBC-affiliates. She’s written for On Being, the United Nations, and many non-profit clients in the US, UK, Europe, and Middle East. All that she knows of garden care and interior design she learned from her artistic mother, Jacqueline. She now applies these skills to her life in Chattanooga, TN, where home is an urban art studio with books piled *everywhere*. ### Author social links [Twitter]()