Tested: The Best Blackout Curtains

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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 the bedroom—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. Each top product earned an award tailored to its specific stand-out features and underwent a thorough vetting process.

BEST OVERALL: Pony Dance Blackout Curtains
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Sun Zero Oslo Theater Grade Blackout Curtain
BEST FOR LARGE WINDOWS: Nicetown Blackout Window Curtain
BEST THERMAL: Miuco Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
BEST STYLE: Best Home Fashion UMIXM Wide Tulle & Blackout Curtains
BEST FOR NURSERIES: Nicetown 100 Percent Blackout Window Curtain Panels
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Eclipse Blackout Curtain for Bedrooms

Eclipse Blackout Curtains How We Reviewed — Photo: Savannah Sher

How We Tested the Best Blackout Curtains

These curtains were tested in an urban area, so light pollution is a real issue at night. Each set of curtains were installed on a bedroom window and then we took note of how much light was able to penetrate the material both during the day and at night.

We checked whether the curtain panels came together easily to avoid a remaining sliver of light where they meet.
We tested the privacy of each set of curtains by trying to look through the window from the outside of my home.
We assessed each set for ease of installation as well as quality and weight of material and ease of use.

Our Top Picks

To help folks choose among the many styles of blackout curtains, we got our hands on some of the most popular options and put them to the test. Below are our recommendations on the best blackout curtains available today.

Best Overall

Pony Dance Blackout Curtains

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For sleek and effective blackout curtains, look no further than this set from Pony Dance. These polyester panels feel luxurious and come in 10 classic colors and three standard sizes: 52-inch by 45-inch, 52-inch by 54-inch, and 52-inch by 72-inch. Though the color spectrum ranges from black to pure white, the manufacturer recommends darker shades for the best light-blocking power. On those, expect 85 to 95 percent light blockage and a significant decrease in ambient noise, too. The navy blue curtains we tested provided excellent light blockage.

The rod pocket installation is versatile, so the curtain can be hung directly on the rod or with the use of curtain clips. It does, however, make these curtains a bit trickier to install than grommet-style versions.

Product Specs

Material: Polyester blend
Sizes: 52 inches by 45 inches, 52 inches by 54 inches, 52 inches by 72 inches
Colors: 18

Pros

Thick material is excellent for room darkening
Quality fabric available in multiple color options
Also thick enough to help quiet ambient noise

Cons

Rod pocket can slows the installation

Get the Pony Dance blackout curtains at Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Sun Zero Oslo Theater Grade Blackout Curtain

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While Sun Zero’s Oslo blackout curtains are easy on the wallet, they feel very well made with a material that is reminiscent of velvet. They are available in a variety of both light and dark colors which all offer excellent light-blocking, as well as an energy-efficient design that purports to reduce energy loss by up to 50 percent and reduce noise by up to 35 percent.

The rod pocket style aids in light-blocking since no light comes through any grommets. One downside we noticed during testing is that installation is a bit tricky. It wasn’t immediately evident which end was the top and which was the bottom since both had pockets that could accommodate a curtain rod. The curtains were also a bit difficult to slide open and close, but that could have been an issue with the size of my curtain rod that was at the upper limit of the maker’s recommended size of 1.5 inches or less.

Product Specs

Material: Polyester
Sizes: 52 inches by 63 inches, 52 inches by 84 inches, 52 inches by 95 inches
Colors: 8

Pros

Great price compared to similar options, without losing any important features
Excellent blackout capabilities that can help prevent home energy losses
Material has a plush velvety feel

Cons

Quite heavy; makes them difficult to open and close
A bit confusing to install

Get the Sun Zero blackout curtains at Wayfair or Target.

Best for Large Windows

Nicetown Blackout Window Curtain

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Sliding patio doors and large picture windows can achieve privacy thanks to the extra-large panels offered by Nicetown. This blackout curtain panel comes in six sizes, from 52-inch by 63-inch all the way to 100-inch by 108-inch. It was clear that these were quality curtains as the fabric is triple-weave polyester, blocking up to 95 percent of outside light sources.

Our tests found that these curtains performed extremely well, even in the middle of the day. The material doesn’t wrinkle and looks great right out of the packaging. The silver grommets allow easy installation, while the 14 bold color options offer plenty of choice to match—or add contrast to—a living space.

Product Specs

Material: Polyester
Sizes: 52 inches by 45 to 120 inches, 66 inches by 66 to 90 inches, 80 inches by 84 to 108 inches, 100 inches by 84 to 120 inches
Colors: 23

Pros

Silver grommets make these curtains easy to install
Looks good right out of package; no wrinkled fabric
Excellent blackout, even in the mid day sunshine

Cons

Grommets let in a bit of light at the top

Get the Nicetown blackout curtains at Amazon.

Best Thermal

Miuco Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains

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Miuco’s Room Darkening Curtains are thermally insulated to regulate the temperature of a home in both hot and cold weather. The triple-woven fabric blocks 100 percent of UV light as well as up to 98 percent of sunlight, with results varying depending on the color of the curtains. They also provide sound insulation, blocking approximately 60 percent of outside noise, according to the manufacturer.

Despite its varied capabilities, the material is thin and lightweight, and installation was a breeze due to the metal grommets. Choose from 18 colors, all of which come with a satin finish. We really liked that two matching tiebacks are included for a tidier look when the curtains are open.

Product Specs

Material: Not specified
Sizes: 52 inches by 63 inches, 52 inches by 84 inches, 52 inches by 95 inches
Colors: 18

Pros

Easy to install thanks to the metal grommets
Also helps block sound; ideal for night shift workers
Lightweight material are easier to pull open and closed
Includes tie-backs for a more sophisticated look

Cons

Thinner material does not fully block light

Get the Miuco blackout curtains at Amazon.

Best Style

Best Home Fashion UMIXM Wide Tule u0026 Blackout Curtains

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While blackout curtains are efficient, many of them have a plain look that doesn’t suit everyone’s interior design preferences. This set from Best Home Fashion, however, is different. It includes a sheer lace drape that is designed to be installed with the blackout curtain. The curtains come in a wide variety of colors to suit a range of decor styles.

Along with serving a decorative purpose, we liked that the sheer drapes allow for moderate privacy without blocking out all of the light from the room. We did find that installation was a bit trickier since there are two panels involved on each side, and a second curtain rod is required if the sheer panel will be used separately.

Product Specs

Material: Polyester blend
Sizes: 52 inches by 63 inches, 52 inches by 84 inches
Colors: 35

Pros

Good blackout when both layers are fully closed
Lace sheer adds visual interest
Lace sheer provides privacy, lets light through

Cons

Two-layer design more difficult to install
Don’t look great right out of package; quite wrinkled

Get the Best Home Fashion blackout curtains at Amazon.

Best for Nurseries

Nicetown 100 Percent Blackout Window Curtain Panels

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When choosing curtains for a nursery, there are a number of factors to consider. Babies can be easily awoken by light, sound, and temperature changes, and a high-quality set of blackout curtains can help create the ideal sleep environment for infants and toddlers who have difficulty sleeping. We liked that these curtains from Nicetown have a sewn-in black liner that performs well for room darkening and provides noise reduction as well as thermal insulation. There are a number of colors available including neutrals and bright hues that would look great in a child’s room.

Panels come in two widths—52 inches and 70 inches—as well as a range of lengths. We found that the material was quite heavy at nearly 5 pounds. Keep this in mind as some curtain rods may have a difficult time supporting them.

Product Specs

Material: Polyester blend
Sizes: 20+ sizes
Colors: 24

Pros

Thick material can help block out sound as well as light
Good blackout provide a darkened room for napping babies
Provides insulation; helps prevent home energy loss

Cons

Quite heavy; may require extra-sturdy curtain rod

Get the Nicetown blackout curtains at Amazon.

Best Lightweight

Eclipse Blackout Curtain for Bedrooms

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While many blackout curtains are made with a thick, heavy material, the Eclipse Blackout curtains are thin and lightweight. We found that the lighter weight makes for easy installation and doesn’t put much strain on curtain rod brackets. They are constructed with Thermaback Technology, which is a special foam coating that increases insulation to block both light and sound. The Thermaback Technology did help block out some light and noise.

At Eclipse’s blackout level, this set is designed to block 98 to 99 percent of light and 40 percent of noise from entering a room. This opacity level is ideal for bedrooms, where darkness is helpful to sleep but not so much that it’s tough to navigate around obstacles at night. Choose from eight colors and three lengths: 42-inch by 63-inch, 42-inch by 84-inch, and 42-inch by 95-inch.

Product Specs

Material: Polyester
Sizes: 42 inches by 63 inches, 42 inches by 84 inches, 42 inches by 95 inches
Colors: 9

Pros

Good blackout of up to 99 percent of light
Lightweight material is easy to pull open and closed
Easy to install; can use even basic curtain rods

Cons

Thin material may not block out enough light or sound for some users

Get the Eclipse blackout curtains at Amazon.

Jump to Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Choosing Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains come in a range of fabrics, styles, and colors to suit any bedroom, home office, and living room. Since shoppers may have different priorities when it comes to selecting the best, the following features can help you compare the options to find a set that’s right for you.

Size

Most blackout curtains come in standard widths (42 or 52 inches per panel) and a range of lengths. However, blackout curtains are available in extra-small and extra-large widths and lengths to suit different window shapes and sizes, and to work with a chosen rod.

The following strategies can help maximize light-blocking effectiveness on most sizes of windows.

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 a curtain’s style choice. The two most common styles for blackout curtains are grommets and a rod pocket.

Grommets are wide metallic holes for curtain rods to pass through. With this style, it’s extra 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 favored in slightly more modern rooms.
Rod pockets allow the curtain rod 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 further seal off any light seepage. Install this type of curtain according to brand instructions, making sure the magnetic strip is not visible when curtains are drawn back.

Opacity

Curtain opacity is dependent on how much light is entering the home, whether it is natural or artificial, and whether it shines directly into the room. Manufacturers often specify the percentage of light blocked by a curtain. A higher number isn’t necessarily always better. In bedrooms, for instance, it’s usually best for blackout curtains to block between 85 and 98 percent of light—not 100 percent—because a small amount of ambient light helps people safely navigate a room in the dark.

With blackout curtains, pay attention to the material, color, and the denseness of the weave which 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, black absorbs heat, light, and sound better.

FAQs

Though you now know more about blackout curtains, you might still have some lingering questions about them. The following are answers to some of the most common questions about how to select and use blackout curtains in a home.

Q. Do blackout curtains cool a room?

Blackout curtains with thermal capabilities provide a cooling effect on hot days and a warming effect in cold weather due to their tightly woven fabric.