Our 7 Highest Rated Blackout Curtains for 2024

What Blackout Curtains Are and Why They’re Important

What is a Blackout Curtain?

Blackout curtains were originally made popular in Europe during World War II. When night raids became an increasing threat, laws mandated that homes, apartments, and any other building used blackout fabric to block indoor light at night and hide an entire city from the view of bomber planes. Even car headlights and street lamps were covered, and while it must have been entirely inconvenient, the effort may have saved lives.

Today the thick curtains are used as a window treatment to block out the sun to cool homes, reduce light while trying to sleep, and in some cases to reduce noise transfer.

Types of Window Treatments

• Drapes – While the word is sometimes used interchangeably for curtains, drapes are usually made with thicker fabric, reach the floor, and are often lined to block out light more easily. Drapes are often used to partially or completely block light and are most commonly used in bedrooms.
  

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• Shades – Shades are also used to block sunlight, however, rather than hanging from a rod, the fabric can be lowered or raised by pulling a string to either roll or gather the materials. Shades are usually one solid piece of fabric.
  

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• Blinds – Blinds are like shades in that they can often be raised by a string, however, their main characteristic is that they are slotted, and often made of plastic or vinyl. Blinds can be opened and closed by maneuvering their position, rather than by raising and lowering them.
  

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• Curtains – The window treatment we discuss in this article, curtains hang from a rod and can be drawn closed or pulled open to allow light. They generally come in panels and are available in a variety of dimensions. While traditionally curtains are lighter than drapes, the terms are often interchangeable and “blackout curtains” is a more common term than drapes.

Blackout vs. Room Darkening Curtains

It is important to mention the difference between curtains that merely reduce light, and true blackout curtains, which should be designed to completely block out light. For those who use curtains to save money on energy, the difference may not be stark, however, for those who need to sleep during the day, this distinction could make a big difference.

Many room darkening curtains are marketed as “blackout”, and consumers should be wary of products that aren’t lined, don’t reach the floor, or seem too thin, especially if they come solely in light colors. Even black materials may not effectively reduce light if they are not tightly woven, do not have a lining, or meet the necessary dimensions for your space.

We recommend looking for products that have either a white or light-colored lining to reflect light, as well as a dark or thick fabric layer to block any light that may make it through. While some companies have managed to create material that should effectively block light in a light fabric, these generally need to be much thicker to be useful.

A good place to start is by using the flashlight from your phone close to the fabric to see if it shines through. If you can see the light, it is a safe bet that the full effect of the sun will be able to penetrate the material. When ordering online, read reviews and look at the photos to determine if the product will be able to function in your intended space.

While a small bathroom on the north side of a house may not need as thick a material, east side bedrooms with large windows may need extra protection, especially as the sun rises in the morning.

Benefits of This Type

Investment

While true blackout curtains usually cost more than thinner alternatives, they tend to do a better job of blocking light and should generally last longer before they wear out. This is because the material tends to be thicker and as they are designed to be in direct sunlight most of the time, they should be able to withstand bleaching or wearing effects.

Even budget curtains are not necessarily something most people want to be adding to their shopping lists every month, so paying more upfront may be worth it when compared to frequently buying a new pair due to fading or ineffective performance.

Insulation

Blackout curtains are some of the best options for helping customers save on energy bills. Sunlight can carry a lot of heat and in small apartments where a little light can raise the temperature quickly, blackout material could potentially make the efforts of your air conditioning go further by helping keep the temperature regulated.

Intercepts Light

Despite common stereotypes, sleeping during the day isn’t just for the lazy. Shift workers, babies, new mothers, and those in areas like Alaska where it can be bright for months could each benefit from the light-blocking abilities of a blackout curtain. In these circumstances, blackout material should help create a dark environment that helps you fall asleep.

Some research suggests resting in a dark environment could help you fall asleep easier because it facilitates melatonin production and could even increase sensitivity to insulin, an important risk factor for type two diabetes.

Protection from UV Rays

Some UV rays can pass through even closed windows. For baby rooms or those with sensitive skin, a set of blackout curtains could be an important protective factor.

May Reduce Outside Noise

Some heavier products could even help reduce noise pollution from noisy streets or loud neighbors by creating an absorbent sound barrier.

Buyer’s Guide – Items to Consider

Curtain Size

Curtains come in a variety of sizes and for blackout options, we recommend buying a product that will cover both the top of the window, the sides, and extend at least a few inches below the sill. If the window is floor-length, you will likely want the curtain to reach the ground to prevent any light from escaping.

Window Size

Oddly shaped windows don’t need to be a nuisance as many of our recommendations come in a variety of sizes that should fit most windows. However, some may require you to order more than one or two panels to cover the window without any light escaping. Be sure to check the dimensions before you order.

Attachment Method

One of the most common mistakes customers make with blackout curtains is mounting them too far away from the wall. Many curtain grommets are designed to sit four to five inches away from the wall, creating space for light to shine through. We suggest looking for adjustable grommets and rings that hold the curtain as close to the wall as possible.

Fabric and Materials

The best fabric for blackout curtains largely depends on user preference, but it may be important to consider materials that are wrinkle-resistant, hypoallergenic, easy to clean, or resistant to fading to make the most of your purchase.

Two-Pass Lining

The lining in blackout material generally consists of a thin foam layer across the fabric to help absorb light and create an opaque effect on the fabric. A two-pass lining means the fabric was coated twice in a thin layer of foam, making it less expensive than the three-pass lining. These products generally should block out light much better than non-blackout curtains, but not quite as well as a three-pass curtain

Three-Pass Lining

Three-pass lining is ideal for light-colored blackout curtains as the black foam coating should negate any translucence in thinner or lightly colored fabric. This process is more expensive than two-pass lining as it requires a third layer of foam to create an opaque effect on the fabric. When using dark-colored curtains, some feel that the third pass is unnecessary, but this factor is largely open to user preference.

Design and Color

In general, blackout curtains function better in solid colors with darker fabric, as it should reduce the amount of light transfer through the fabric, and absorb excess light rather than reflect or filter it. In higher-quality three-pass options, however, you may not notice as much of a difference between color options.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Most products should have care instructions included in the packaging, and we recommend closely following the provided instructions. While many of our options are machine washable and safe to iron, some are dry clean only and should only be hung to dry and pressed with a cool iron.

As most are made from polyester, excess heat may not be a good idea when spot cleaning or pressing out wrinkles. If you are shopping for curtains in a place that is prone to spills or stains, such as a kitchen or playroom, we recommend going with an easy to clean option.

Price

While most of our recommendations are in the affordable range, some options may be more expensive due to three-pass foam coating, or other features such as fade resistance or wrinkle resistance. Before spending a fortune on a new set of curtains, it may be a good idea to make sure your purchase will last.

Trial Period

Some products may offer a trial period so you can ensure you made the correct purchase for your needs. Be sure to determine the terms and conditions of returns before you buy a product you are unsure of.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blackout Curtains

Do they really help with sleeping?

While the functionality of each product may depend on user preference, sleeping in a dark room has benefits that extend beyond the realm of comfort. For anyone who has ever tried to sleep through an early sunrise, the answer to this question is obvious, but there is science to back it up.

The sunrise is meant to wake us biologically and trigger the release of hormones that keep us awake. When you can block out that effect, you should be able to sleep longer.

Does it help keep a room cool?

Some products will perform better in this arena than others, but blackout curtains generally should work to prevent sunlight from heating a room. While they aren’t magic and cannot draw heat from a room, many products should be able to prevent a room from significantly heating due to the sun.

However, darker fabrics should function better in this arena as they more effectively absorb light rather than filtering or reflecting it. Some companies even say they could help reduce your monthly energy bill by helping your air conditioning go further.