The 7 Best Blackout Curtains of 2023

We like the Deconovo Back Tab and Rod Pocket Blackout Curtains because they’re extremely versatile and come in plenty of colors and sizes.

Nikhita has been writing and editing for home publications for more than six years, specializing in service pieces on small homes, floral design, and best products. She was previously the digital editor at Domino Magazine, where she doubled site traffic in her first year on the job. Highlights: * Six years of writing and editing experience * Expertise within the home decor space * Bylines in major national home decor publications

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Real Simple / Sabrina Jiang

If bright lights or sun rays are interrupting your sleep in the morning, then it's time to invest in a quality set of blackout curtains. Unlike traditional window treatments that allow light to shine through, blackout curtains effectively block out most of the light so that you can get a good night's sleep.

To find the best blackout curtains, we spent hours researching the market and evaluating various styles based on factors such as material, size, heading type, and overall value. We also tapped three interior design experts—Leslie Murphy, founder and creative director of Murphy Maude Interiors; Stephanie Sullivan, design consultant at Stoneside Blinds and Shades; and Shaolin Low, interior designer at Studio Shaolin—for advice on what to look for when choosing a set of blackout curtains for the bedroom.

"Every fabric can be used to accomplish a variety of light-filtering levels, but heavy-weight fabrics work best to achieve a true blackout," says Sullivan. "The key is to use a blackout curtain liner to achieve complete darkness."

Here are the best blackout curtains.

Amazon

Who it's for: People who want easy-to-hang blackout curtains that come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Who it isn't for: People looking for patterned designs.

Deconovo's blackout curtains earned the top spot on our list for plenty of reasons. First of all, they come in a wide range of sizes and colors to suit any windows in your home. You can choose from neutrals like black and gray or spice it up with deep hues such as burgundy and forest green. They're also extremely easy to install since they can be hung in three different ways: with the back loops, rod pocket, or clip-on rings (sold separately). And since these reasonably priced blackout curtains come in sets of two, you don't have to worry about accidentally ordering only one panel. Caring for these curtains is easy, too—simply wash them on a gentle cycle at a low temperature.

Size: From 40 x 45 inches to 52 x 108 inches per panel | Material: Polyester | Heading: Back loops, rod pocket, or clip-on rings

Amazon

Who it's for: People who want to spend as little as possible on blackout curtains.

Who it isn't for: People with very wide windows.

Lightweight, easy, and affordable are all words that come to mind when looking at these budget-friendly blackout curtains from Sun Zero. Featuring a grommet heading for a classic look, these polyester blackout curtains are great for anyone who needs to block out light in small spaces, or if you are creating the ultimate guest room on a budget. Even though they come in lengths ranging from 54 to 120 inches, these curtains have a maximum width of 40 inches per panel—but they offer a full blackout effect and are incredibly lightweight. Plus, they come in more than 15 different colors, ranging from blush pink to navy blue.

Size: From 40 x 54 inches to 40 x 120 inches per panel | Material: Polyester | Heading: Grommet

Pottery Barn

Who it's for: People who don't mind spending more on high-quality, long-lasting curtains.

Who it isn't for: People looking for a low-maintenance option.

Crafted from Belgian flax, these linen curtains from Pottery Barn are an elegant, splurge-worthy pick. But if you're willing to spend more on high-quality materials, we think these luxe blackout curtains are worth it. The three-in-one heading is compatible with rod pocket, back tabs, and ring top hanging options, making it an extremely versatile option. Plus, these linen blackout curtains come pre-washed, so the fabric arrives soft and worn-in. But since they're dry clean only, these curtains do require a bit more maintenance than we'd like.

Size: From 50 x 84 inches to 100 x 108 inches per panel | Material: Linen with polyester lining | Heading: Rod pocket, back tabs, or ring top

Wayfair

Who it's for: People who want blackout curtains with excellent thermal insulation.

Who it isn't for: People who want machine-washable curtains.

Velvet is a heavier, more luxe material for curtains, which makes it pretty great for maximalist rooms that want a blackout effect. In addition to blocking out light, these velvet curtains from Greyleigh provide thermal insulation and noise-reduction capabilities, too. This means that they'll help block out heat in the summer and help retain heat in the winter. The individual curtain panels come in a whopping 24 colors, so there's bound to be a velvet hue that works for your home. You can hang them via the rod pocket or tab top headers (which might be a little harder to install, but it's so worth it). There are only three size options available, so these thermal blackout curtains are best suited for long and narrow windows—but the weighted hem will make sure they stay put, even when you have the window cracked on breezy days. Just keep in mind that these curtains are dry clean only.

Size: 50 inches x 84 inches to 50 x 108 inches per panel | Material: Velvet and polyester | Heading: Rod pocket or tab top

Amazon

Who it's for: People who are specifically looking for bright white curtains that still block out light.

Who it isn't for: People who want their curtains to look white from the outside.

Contrary to popular belief, white blackout curtains can be just as effective as darker fabrics—and this set of two panels from Nicetown is a great choice. Despite the light color of the fabric, these total blackout curtains block out as much light as possible. They use a single grommet header for a classic, easy design, and they're also machine-washable, which will come in handy since white curtains can get dirty quickly. The black polyester lining adds a two-tone look, but keep in mind that this also means the part that's visible from the outside of your window won't be white.

Size: From 37 inches x 63 inches to 70 x 108 inches per panel | Material: Polyester | Heading: Grommet

Society6

Who it's for: People who want patterned blackout curtains that make a statement.

Who it isn't for: Those who want a wide variety of heading panels to choose from.

If you tend to prefer bold patterns and designs, then consider these blackout curtains from Society6. We especially love this tropical leaves design, but the curtains are available in a wide range of patterns designed by artists—so there's a fun print for everyone's style. Choose from one or two panels (each with the same design) and two different lengths, either 84 or 96 inches. The panels are made of machine-washable polyester and are designed to block out 85 percent of the light that shines through your windows. And with a rod pocket heading style, these blackout curtains are extremely easy to hang.

Size: From 50 x 84 inches to 50 x 96 inches long per panel | Material: Polyester | Heading: Rod pocket

Pottery Barn

Who it's for: People who want curtains that look and feel high-end, but still block out light.

Who it isn't for: People with very short windows might find these curtains too long.

These cotton blackout curtains from Pottery Barn have a textured design that gives them an airy, minimalist look that would look great alongside your existing home decor. Sold as individual panels, these curtains come in seven colors and six different sizes (with options that are 50 and 100 inches wide), so you can customize them to best fit your windows. Like the other Pottery Barn curtains on our list, these can be hung in three different ways—rod pocket, back tabs, or ring top—depending on your setup. Just make sure you select the "blackout lining" option before adding each panel to your cart to make sure that the curtains filter light. We also like that these blackout curtains are made in a Fair-Trade Certified factory.

Size: From 50 x 84 inches to 100 x 108 inches per panel | Material: Cotton with polyester lining | Heading: Rod pocket, back tabs, or ring top

Our top pick is the Deconovo Back Tab and Rod Pocket Blackout Curtains. The set of two curtain panels comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and we appreciate that they can be hung in three different ways. For an even more affordable option, the Sun Zero Easton Energy Saving Blackout Grommet Curtain Panel comes in a close second. Each panel is made of lightweight polyester and has metal grommets to attach to your curtain rod.

While there isn't a hard and fast rule in terms of color and fabrics for blackout curtains, a good rule of thumb is to go with naturally thicker materials such as velvet, which may be more durable and block out light better in the long run, according to Leslie Murphy, founder and creative director of Murphy Maude Interiors.

"Blackout curtains can instantly look a bit more glamorous by using textured fabrics, too," says Murphy. "I think there's a misnomer that blackout curtains have to be a dark color or boring by nature, but plenty of brands offer blackout curtains in fun colors and patterns that allow you to liven up your space and play into the overall design scheme."

Fabric options are practically limitless, too. While polyester and other synthetic materials are typically more budget-friendly than linen or cotton, all will help block out light in your space and showcase your design aesthetic the way you'd like. It just depends on the look you're going for in your room.

Most blackout curtains are available in plenty of sizes, but the experts we spoke to recommend choosing curtains with at least three extra inches of length than required for the full blackout experience. "You'll first want to decide how to hang the curtains—either on the outside or inside of the window frame," says Murphy. "If hanging outside, measure at least two inches beyond the window frame." (More on this below.)

The heading style (aka the top part of the curtain that attaches to the curtain track or rod) can dramatically change the overall look of your finished curtains. And if you're starting from scratch, it will also influence the type of rod or track you can use. These are the four different types of headings you'll find on blackout curtains:

Even though blackout curtains and room-darkening curtains both prevent light from entering through the windows, the amount of light that they block out varies. "While providing plenty of light protection, room-darkening curtains will not create a completely dark room," Sullivan says. "On the other hand, blackout curtains will create a completely dark room—even when the sun is out! This is accomplished through a combination of product placement, fabric thickness, and liner options."

Another important distinction is that blackout curtains tend to be a bit wider and heavier than room-darkening curtains, as they require thicker material and wider dimensions to effectively block out all the light.

Anyone who wants to make their bedroom darker so they can sleep better would benefit from blackout curtains. They're especially common among people who work night shifts, as the sun can be too bright for them to sleep during the day. Blackout curtains are also great for nurseries and children's bedrooms since a darker environment can help kids nap during the day. But since too much ambient light is one of the harmful habits to avoid for a better night's sleep, blackout curtains are a good idea for almost everyone.

"The best tip for measuring curtains is to measure from the top of the window to the floor and the width of the window opening at several points," Sullivan says. "This ensures that the length of the treatment will be accurate and guarantees that the curtain will be wide enough, since windows are not perfectly square."

But when measuring your windows for blackout curtains, you want to add a few extra inches to make sure that no light seeps through. "No matter how long or short the curtains, there should be at least three extra inches of length than is required," adds Sullivan. "This allows for a subtle pooling effect at the bottom of the curtain, and that helps to block light out."

This article was written by Nikhita Mahtani, a freelance writer who specializes in home decor. To come up with this list, she thoroughly researched blackout curtains and consulted three interior design experts: Leslie Murphy, founder and creative director of Murphy Maude Interiors; Stephanie Sullivan, design consultant at Stoneside Blinds and Shades; and Shaolin Low, interior designer at Studio Shaolin.