I work night shifts twice a month and my bedroom faces east, which means morning sun used to wreck my sleep. I tested five sets of blackout curtains in the same window over six months. I judged each by how dark the room got at 7 am, how warm the room stayed, and how the fabric looked after a few washes.
Here are the five I would actually buy again.
Quick comparison
| Curtain | Lining | Length Options | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICETOWN Blackout Curtains | Triple weave | 45 to 108 in | Best overall budget pick |
| Sun Zero Easton Blackout | Foam back | 63 to 96 in | Maximum darkness |
| Deconovo Faux Linen Blackout | Triple weave | 45 to 95 in | Modern look |
| HOMEIDEAS Velvet Blackout | Velvet pile | 84 to 108 in | Insulation and luxury feel |
| Eclipse Fresno Thermaback | Foam back | 54 to 95 in | Wide width single panels |
NICETOWN Blackout Curtains
These are the curtains I have hanging in my own bedroom right now. The triple weave fabric blocks about 95 percent of light, and the grommets glide cleanly on a curtain rod. At under 35 dollars for two panels in most sizes, the price is hard to beat. They came creased out of the box but a quick steam smoothed them flat. The 52 inch panel width covers a standard 36 inch window with proper folds.
Sun Zero Easton Blackout Curtains
If you want the room dark enough to develop film, these are the ones. The foam back is thicker than triple weave and I measured the room at near total darkness at 8 am with these closed. The trade off is the foam can feel stiff and looks more functional than decorative. They are also the heaviest curtains I tested, so use a sturdy rod. Available in plain colors only, no patterns.
Deconovo Faux Linen Blackout
For people who want the blackout function without the heavy hotel curtain look, Deconovo nails it. The faux linen texture looks expensive and the triple weave back still blocks about 90 percent of light. They drape softly rather than hanging stiff. I have these in my guest room and visitors always comment on them. Slightly less light blocking than the NICETOWN but better looking.
HOMEIDEAS Velvet Blackout Curtains
Velvet blackout curtains are the move if you live somewhere cold or want real insulation. The pile is dense, the back is lined, and they hang with a substantial weight that helps with sound damping. My bedroom dropped about 3 degrees cooler in summer and felt noticeably warmer in winter compared to the triple weave panels. Dust shows on the velvet though, you need to vacuum them monthly.
Eclipse Fresno Thermaback
Eclipse makes one of the few blackout curtains in wide single panel form, which solves a real problem for picture windows. The foam back blocks about 95 percent of light and the thermal property is real, I measured 4 degree warmer surface temps on the curtain face versus my window pane. The fabric is more utility than decorative, but for sliding doors and wide windows it is the one to consider.
How to choose
For most bedrooms, the NICETOWN panels are the right buy. Step up to Sun Zero if you sleep during the day and need the room pitch black. Pick Deconovo for guest rooms or living spaces where looks matter. Velvet curtains like the HOMEIDEAS pay back in insulation if your windows are drafty. Whatever you pick, hang the rod 6 inches wider than the window and let the panels fold past the edges to kill light leakage.
Frequently asked questions
Do blackout curtains block all light?+
No curtain blocks 100 percent of light through the fabric and around the edges. The best block 95 to 99 percent if you also pair them with a wrap around rod or side channel.
Are blackout curtains good insulation?+
Yes. Thermal blackout curtains can reduce heat loss through windows by 25 percent in winter and block solar heat gain in summer.