If you work nights and sleep during the day, blackout curtains aren't a nice-to-have — they're the single most impactful purchase you can make for your health. Not a better mattress. Not supplements. Not a white noise machine. Curtains.
The reason is simple: your brain cannot produce adequate melatonin (the hormone that controls sleep quality) in a lit room. Even moderate daylight leaking through standard curtains can reduce melatonin production by 50% or more. You'll fall asleep eventually out of exhaustion, but the quality of that sleep is dramatically worse — less deep sleep, less REM, more mid-sleep awakenings.
The fix is total darkness. Cave-dark. "Can't see your hand in front of your face" dark.
We've researched and compared the best blackout curtains specifically for day sleepers — not just for aesthetic room-darkening, but for people who need genuine, complete light blocking during daylight hours.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: NICETOWN Blackout Curtains
- Best budget: Amazon Basics Blackout Curtains
- Best premium: Pottery Barn Emery Linen Blackout
- Best for renters: Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtain
- Best thermal + blackout: BGMENT Thermal Blackout Curtains
The Reviews
1. NICETOWN Blackout Curtains — Best Overall
The most recommended blackout curtain in the night shift community, and for good reason. Triple-weave fabric that blocks 99-100% of light when sized correctly. Available in 30+ colours and virtually every standard window size.
Pros:
- Genuine near-total blackout — one of the few that actually delivers on the claim
- Excellent thermal insulation (reduces heating/cooling costs by up to 25%)
- Machine washable without losing blackout properties
- Available in 42", 52", and 70" widths
- Affordable — typically $25-$40 per panel
Cons:
- Fabric has a slightly rubbery feel due to the blackout coating
- Light can still leak at the edges if not installed wider than the window frame
- Not the most aesthetically refined — functional, not luxurious
Best for: Most day sleepers. If you want reliable blackout at a reasonable price, this is the default choice.
Check price on Amazon [AFFILIATE]2. Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtain — Best for Renters
If you can't drill into walls (renting, temporary housing, travel), the Sleepout uses industrial-strength suction cups to attach directly to the window glass. Blocks 100% of light because it covers the glass itself — no edge gaps.
Pros:
- True 100% blackout — light physically cannot enter through the glass
- No drilling, no rods, no damage to walls
- Portable — folds into a bag. Take it to hotels, Airbnbs, or a new flat
- Custom sizing available for non-standard windows
Cons:
- More expensive than traditional curtains ($60-$100 per window)
- Suction cups can lose grip in very humid environments (bathroom-adjacent windows)
- Not as visually attractive as draped curtains — looks utilitarian
- Takes a few minutes to set up each time if you want to remove during evening hours
Best for: Renters, travellers, and anyone who moves frequently. Also great as a supplementary layer behind regular curtains.
Check price — Sleepout Portable Blackout [AFFILIATE]3. Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout Curtains — Best Budget
At $15-$20 per panel, these are the cheapest option that still delivers meaningful light blocking. They won't achieve total blackout (Amazon rates them at 95-99%), but for the price, they're remarkably effective.
Pros:
- Incredibly affordable — you can do a whole bedroom for under $60
- Decent blackout (95-99% depending on colour — darker colours block more)
- Good size selection and colour range
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Not true 100% blackout — some light visible around edges and through lighter colours
- Thinner fabric than premium options (less thermal insulation)
- Grommets can warp slightly after machine washing
Best for: People on a tight budget who need a significant improvement over standard curtains without spending much.
Check price on Amazon [AFFILIATE]4. BGMENT Thermal Blackout Curtains — Best Thermal + Blackout
If you live somewhere with hot summers or cold winters, these double-duty curtains block light AND provide excellent insulation. The silver backing reflects heat in summer and retains warmth in winter, reducing energy bills while keeping your sleep environment dark and temperature-controlled.
Pros:
- Excellent light blocking (99%+ with proper installation)
- Superior thermal insulation compared to standard blackout curtains
- Noticeably reduces outside noise (the thick fabric adds a sound-dampening layer)
- Multiple hanging options: grommets, rod pocket, or back tabs
Cons:
- Heavier than standard curtains — needs a sturdy rod
- Silver backing is visible from outside if curtains aren't lined
- Limited colour selection compared to NICETOWN
Best for: Day sleepers in apartments with poor insulation, street-facing windows, or extreme climates.
Check price on Amazon [AFFILIATE]5. Pottery Barn Emery Linen Blackout — Best Premium
For people who want their bedroom to look good AND be pitch-dark. The Emery Linen has a natural linen texture on the front and a full blackout lining hidden behind it. You get the aesthetics of designer curtains with the functionality of industrial blackout.
Pros:
- Beautiful linen texture — looks like high-end decor, not like a shift worker's bunker
- Genuine 100% blackout lining
- Excellent weight and drape — hangs properly without bunching
- Professional-grade hardware and construction
Cons:
- Expensive ($100-$200+ per panel)
- Dry clean only (the linen front can't handle machine washing)
- Long lead times for custom sizes
Best for: People who want premium aesthetics and have the budget for it. Partners who refuse to have "hospital curtains" in the bedroom.
Check price — Pottery Barn Emery Linen Blackout [AFFILIATE]6. Deconovo Blackout Curtains
A solid mid-range option that consistently appears in "best blackout curtain" roundups. Silky-smooth fabric, good light blocking, and priced between the budget and premium tiers. A reliable choice if NICETOWN is sold out in your size/colour.
Pros:
- Soft, smooth fabric (nicer hand feel than NICETOWN)
- 97-99% light blocking
- Good thermal insulation
- Frequently on sale
Cons:
- Slightly less effective blackout than NICETOWN (the fabric is thinner)
- Can wrinkle out of the packaging — needs steaming or hanging for a few days
Best for: People who want something that feels nicer than the budget options without premium pricing.
Check price on Amazon [AFFILIATE]7. Eclipse Fresno Blackout Curtains
Eclipse is one of the oldest names in blackout curtains, and the Fresno is their best-selling panel. Thermaback technology provides both blackout and thermal insulation. Widely available in physical stores (Walmart, Target, Home Depot) if you want to feel the fabric before buying.
Pros:
- Established brand with consistent quality
- Available in physical stores — you can see/feel before buying
- Good blackout performance (99%+)
- Very durable — holds up well over years
Cons:
- Stiffer fabric than competitors — doesn't drape as naturally
- Fewer colour options than NICETOWN or Amazon Basics
- Slightly pricier than comparable online-only brands
Best for: People who want to buy in-store and prefer established brands.
Check price on Amazon [AFFILIATE]8. Blackout EZ Window Cover — Nuclear Option
This isn't a curtain — it's a rigid panel that snaps into your window frame using adjustable Velcro strips, creating a complete seal with zero light gaps. It looks like a window shutter from inside and achieves literally 100% blackout. For the day sleeper who's done messing around.
Pros:
- Absolute 100% blackout — no gaps, no leaks, nothing
- Also blocks heat, cold, and sound more effectively than any curtain
- Easy to remove for evenings if you want natural light
- Renter-friendly — Velcro strips remove cleanly
Cons:
- More expensive ($50-$80 per window)
- Not aesthetically pleasing — your window is just... a black panel
- Needs to be removed/reattached each time (vs. just opening curtains)
- Custom cut to your window size — measure carefully
Best for: Serious day sleepers who prioritise function over form. People in bright apartments facing east/south. The "I've tried everything else" crowd.
Check price — Blackout EZ Window Cover [AFFILIATE]Buying Guide: What to Look For
Light Blocking Percentage — The Numbers Lie
Every curtain claims "99% blackout" or "100% light blocking." Most of these claims are based on the fabric alone, not the installed result. Even genuinely opaque fabric lets light in around the edges, through the gap above the rod, and under the curtain's hem.
What matters is the installed result, not the fabric spec. The best blackout performance comes from combining good fabric with good installation (see below).
Sizing — Get This Right
This is where most people go wrong. If your curtains are the same width as your window, light will pour in from the sides. Here's how to size properly:
- Width: Each curtain panel should be at least 1.5x the width of the area it covers. For a 40" window, each panel should be at least 30" wide (60" total for both panels). Wider is better — excess fabric folds and blocks more side light
- Length: Curtains should extend 3-4 inches past the window frame on all sides. Ideally, they touch or pool on the floor to prevent light seeping underneath
- Height: Mount the rod 4-6 inches above the window frame (or at the ceiling for floor-to-ceiling drama and maximum light blocking)
Installation Tips for Maximum Blackout
The curtain fabric is only half the equation. Installation determines whether you get 90% darkness or 100%.
- Wrap-around rods: These curve back toward the wall at the ends, eliminating the side light gaps that straight rods leave. This single change can take you from "pretty dark" to "pitch black"
- Ceiling mount: Mounting the rod on the ceiling (or as high as possible) eliminates the gap above the curtains where light sneaks over the top. This is the number-one trick professional installers use
- Velcro strip seal: For extreme light blocking, add adhesive Velcro strips to the wall/frame edges and matching strips to the curtain edges. When you close the curtains, press them against the wall for an airtight seal. Looks a bit industrial, but it's incredibly effective
- Double layer: A sheer or standard curtain behind the blackout curtain catches any residual light and adds an extra thermal barrier
Fabric Type
- Triple-weave: Light-blocking layer sandwiched between two fabric layers. The most common and effective type. NICETOWN and most mid-range options use this.
- Foam-backed: Blackout foam coating bonded to the back of the fabric. Very effective but can peel or crack over time, especially after repeated machine washing.
- Lined: A separate blackout lining attached to a decorative front panel. Used in premium curtains (Pottery Barn, West Elm). Best aesthetics, highest price.
Additional Benefits Beyond Blackout
Good blackout curtains also provide:
- Thermal insulation: Can reduce heating/cooling costs by 10-25%. The same properties that block light also block heat transfer
- Noise reduction: Heavy blackout fabric absorbs sound. Not a substitute for a white noise machine, but a meaningful reduction in external noise — especially road traffic
- UV protection: Blocks UV rays that fade furniture, carpets, and artwork. Useful if your bedroom gets direct sunlight during the day
Our Recommendation
For most day sleepers: NICETOWN Blackout Curtains with a wrap-around rod mounted at ceiling height. This combination gives you 99-100% blackout at a reasonable price. Add a sleep mask [AFFILIATE] for that final 1% if needed.
If you rent: Sleepout Portable for guaranteed 100% blackout without wall damage.
If aesthetics matter: Pottery Barn Emery Linen — your partner won't complain, and you'll still sleep in total darkness.
Whatever you choose, this is the single best investment in your night shift survival. Nothing else you do for your sleep environment will have as big an impact.