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The 7 Best Blackout Curtains So You Can Get Some Sleep Any Time of Day
Say goodbye to waking up with the sunrise.
Whether you're looking for blackout curtains in your bedroom so you can sleep in, your living room to watch TV in peace, or any other space in your home, there's no question: you want curtains that will truly cut out all light. So often curtains that are labeled as blackout curtains are more likely room darkening, misleading customers into buying the wrong item. Fortunately, we've done the testing and research to find you curtains that will block out nearly all light entering your home, and many that are also energy efficient and noise reducing as well.
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But before you get shopping, there are a few things you may want to think about before hitting "buy now."
Hanging Style
Curtains can hang a variety of ways, but these are the four you'll see most likely:
- Grommet—these are rings at the top of the curtain that you slip the rod through. They're not the most ideal option for total blackout as light can still slip in between the rings, but they should still do the trick for the most part.
- Back tab—fabric pieces are sewn onto the upper back to create tabs where a rod can slide through. These will be better than grommet hanging curtains at blocking light because they can get almost 100% flush with the curtain rod.
- Pole pocket—a pole pocket is simply where the top few inches of a curtain are folded over and sewn to together to create a slender pocket that a rod can slip into. These will be the best at blocking out all light.
- Ring top—some curtains come with metal rings attached to the curtain that loop directly onto the rod, but you can buy rings separately and clip them to your curtains to create the same effect. This works well with both back tab and pole pocket curtains to create a more aesthetically pleasing and elegant appearance.
Are Blackout Curtains 100% Blackout?
Here's the thing: no matter how well blackout curtains work, you're never going to entirely eliminate 100% of light entering a room on a sunny day. Light is going to seep through the top of the curtain where the rod separates from the wall. But, there are a few things you can do that will help.
For starters, you may want to snag a blackout rod in addition to your curtains. These allow for curtains to curve around the sides of the rod so the outer edges of the curtain touch the walls to eliminate light seeping from the sides of the window.
Next, you'll want to hang your curtains close to the ceiling and have them hang to the floor. This will allow the least amount of light in as possible. Paired with a blackout rod, you should only have a sliver of light coming from the top of your curtain.
If both of these are still letting in too much light for your taste, then you may want to invest in room darkening window adhesives, though we don't recommend this unless you're okay with your room being completely dark 100% of the time.
Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout Window Curtains
Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout Window Curtains
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Double lined
- Machine washable
- Multiple sizes and colors
- 2 ways to hang
Cons
- Not very long
As you can see, blackout curtains can get pretty pricey, especially when you're looking for one that's truly blackout and not just room darkening. Fortunately, these inexpensive curtains deliver on blackout potential without completely emptying your bank account.
In addition to being blackout, these curtains also cut down on noise and are thermoregulating, meaning your heating and cooling bills should be less expensive. They're double lined and come in a variety of styles, including pocket or grommet hanging, patterned or solid colors, and six total sizes.
Size: 6 total, from 42"x63" to 52"x96"
Material: Polyester
Double lined: Yes
Hanging style: Pole pocket or grommet
BGment Thermal Insulated 100% Blackout Curtains
BGment Thermal Insulated 100% Blackout Curtains
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Thermal regulating
- Many sizes and colors available
- Machine washable
Cons
- Only one hanging style
A black lining might seem counterintuitive when in comes to blocking heat, but these curtains couldn't do the job better. Essentially, the black liner facing the window soaks in all the heat, leaving the interior-facing liner cooler. In fact, multiple reviewers tested with a point-and-shoot thermometer to test the effectiveness, with one noting a 30 degree difference.
Not to mention, the black liner completely blocks any light from coming inside, making these nearly 100% blackout. It is important to note, though, that different colors will block more light than others, especially with these. The interior-facing lining is a thinner material, so if you choose a lighter color, expect to see some of the blackout lining distort the hue a bit.
These curtains come in a massive variety of sizes and colors and are easy to clean since they're machine washable.
Size: 11 total, from 42"x63" to 52"x108"
Material: Not listed
Double lined: Yes
Hanging style: Grommet
Sun Zero Faux Dupioni Silk Thermal Blackout Curtain
Sun Zero Faux Dupioni Silk Thermal Blackout Curtain
Pros
- Machine washable
- Inexpensive
- Double lined
- Silk appearance
- Multiple sizes and colors
Cons
- Only 1 way to hang
- Only includes 1 panel
Looking for a curtain with a silk-like appearance to add some flair to your home? Then these thermal blackout curtains are it. Though not actual silk, the raw slub texture of the polyester fabric gives both the soft feel and shimmering look of silk and is far easier to care for.
In addition to looking beautiful, the curtains have also been tested to block out 100% of light thanks to their tight thread weave and double lining. They also feature thermoregulation and noise reduction properties, cutting energy loss through windows by up to 40% and sound by up to 30%.
Size: 4 total, from 50"x63" to 50"x108"
Material: Polyester
Double lined: Yes
Hanging style: Back tab
NICETOWN Privacy Protection & Noise Reducing Ring Top Drapes
NICETOWN Privacy Protection & Noise Reducing Ring Top Drapes
Pros
- Tons of colors and sizes
- Machine washable
- Noise and energy reducing
- Double lined
- Contains 2 panels
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Only 1 way to hang
These double-lined curtains provide the ultimate blackout experience as well as absorbing sound twice as well as single-lined curtains. They feature a unique design that includes not only an interior-facing panel and a liner but also an additional black liner sewn in between the other layers.
Two other perks of the triple-weave technology: noise reduction and energy efficiency. These curtains absorb both sound and light, reducing noise levels and cutting temperature inside your home by multiple degrees to save money on your energy bill.
They come in a huge variety of sizes and a massive assortment of colors.
Size: Many sizes available
Material: Polyester
Double lined: Yes
Hanging style: Grommet
HPD Half Price Drapes Signature Blackout Velvet Curtain
HPD Half Price Drapes Signature Blackout Velvet Curtain
Pros
- Blocks 75-95% of light
- Thick and heavy
- Reduces noise
- Variety of size and color options
- Multiple ways to hang
- Includes extra-long 120" length
Cons
- Only includes 1 panel
- Pricey
- Dry clean only
These velvet blackout curtains are on the pricier side, but, as you can see from the picture, they work wonders. Not only are they made from high-quality, thick velvet, but they're also lined with an additional piece of white polyester fabric to repel light and heat.
The hidden tab attachment allows for a variety of different hanging styles. You could simply slide your curtain rod through the tabs along the back, or attach the curtain to rings for a dressier look. Purchase drapery pins separately to make a simple yet chic pleated curtain.
With five sizes and a variety of colors to choose from, it's no problem to find a curtain that perfectly fits your home's aesthetic.
Size: 5 total, from 50"x63" to 50"x120"
Material: Polyester
Double lined: Yes
Hanging style: Back tab, pole pocket, ring top
Seaton Textured Cotton Blackout Curtain
Seaton Textured Cotton Blackout Curtain
Pros
- Variety of sizes and colors
- Multiple ways to hang
- Double lined
- Thick and heavy
Cons
- Only comes with 1 panel
- On the pricey side
If you want a true linen curtain, you're going to have a hard time finding it in a blackout style, which is why we selected this textured cotton instead. Take a close look at the fabric and you'll see that the texture and appearance of the material is strikingly similar to linen, but cotton makes for a heftier weave. Doubled with a polyester blackout liner, these curtains will give you the look you want with the room darkening power you need.
While the texture of these curtains is high-end, that's far from the only quality feature. We also love the multi-functional header that includes three ways to hang your drapes and the variety of sizes and colors to choose from.
Size: 6 total, from 50"x84" to 100"x108"
Material: Cotton exterior, polyester lining
Double lined: Yes
Hanging style: Back tab, pole pocket, ring top
LORDTEX Pom Pom Blackout Curtains
Pros
- Includes 2 panels
- Machine washable
- Inexpensive
- Cute design
Cons
- Not total blackout
As with most blackout curtains, lighter shades aren't going to have the same ability to completely darken a room as darker colors. From reviews you can see that the lighter colored curtains do let in a bit of light, especially when not used in conjunction with blinds. However, these double lined-curtains paired with a blackout rod should do the trick unless you have a truly light sleeper on your hands.
Size: 8 total, from 42"x63" to 52"x108"
Material: Polyester
Double lined: Yes
Hanging style: Pole pocket
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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