6 Best Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms (Darker Rooms for Less)

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Best blackout curtains hanging in a calm bedroom

Quick answer

The best blackout curtains for most homes are thick triple-weave polyester panels like NICETOWN’s, which block most light, help with drafts and wash in the machine. If you want a room that is fully dark or a softer linen look, pick a lined linen-look panel with a 100% blackout coating instead.

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★ Our top pick · Best Overall
NICETOWN Triple Weave Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)

NICETOWN is the panel most people end up buying, and it is easy to see why.

See photos & price on Amazon → or compare all picks ↓
Best blackout curtains hanging in a calm bedroom

Streetlights, early sunrises and a south-facing window can wreck your sleep and fade your sofa. A good pair of blackout curtains fixes all of that for less than a dinner out. We looked at the blackout curtains that are popular on Amazon and narrowed them to six panels that cover every common need, from a dark nursery to a bright living room that just needs less glare.

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Best blackout curtains at a glance

Here is the short version. These are the best blackout curtains among popular Amazon listings this month. Use the table to jump to the style that fits your window.

PickBest forWhy it stands out
NICETOWN Triple Weave Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)
Best Overall
Bedrooms, TV rooms and anyone who wants a proven, easy pickTriple-weave fabric, machine washable, 6 grommets per panelSee photos
ChrisDowa Grommet Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)
Best Value
Renters and kids’ rooms that need a simple, neat panelUp to 98% light blocking, same color on both sidesSee photos
MIULEE Linen-Look 100% Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)
Best Linen Look
Living rooms and bedrooms where style matters as much as darknessFaux linen with full blackout, 8 grommets per panelSee photos
100% Blackout Shield Linen Total Blackout Curtains
Most Hanging Options
Light-colored rooms that still need to be fully darkBack tab, rod pocket, hooks or clip rings; 50 x 84 in panelsSee photos
Guken Back Tab Linen Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)
Best for Wide Windows
Wide bedroom windows and pleated, tailored drapes52-inch panels, 104 in total width, white blackout backingSee photos
LEMOMO Thermal Blackout Curtains 52 x 84 in
Best for Tall Windows
Standard 8-foot ceilings and floor-length living room drapes84-inch length, 8 silver grommets per panelSee photos

Our picks for the best blackout curtains

We split the list by job: everyday light blocking, total darkness, a linen look, and tall windows. All six use standard rods, so you can swap them in without new hardware. Every size and feature below comes from the product listings, and colors and sizes vary by listing.

1. NICETOWN Triple Weave Blackout Curtains (2 Panels): Best Overall

Best Overall

NICETOWN is the panel most people end up buying, and it is easy to see why. The triple-weave polyester feels soft and heavy, blocks most light and UV (85% to 99% per the listing, with dark colors working best) and helps the room hold its temperature in summer and winter. If you want the best blackout curtains without overthinking it, start here. Our full review covers sizing, winter use and styling tips for grey blackout curtains for living room and bedroom windows.

Each panel has six grommets with a 1.6-inch inner ring, so it slides on most standard rods. The set arrives thread-trimmed and wrinkle-free, and you can machine wash it in cold water and tumble dry.

What we like
  • Soft, heavy feel
  • Helps with heat, cold and noise
  • Machine washable
  • Grommets fit standard rods
Keep in mind
  • Light colors block less light than dark ones
  • Not a full 100% blackout

Best for: Bedrooms, TV rooms and anyone who wants a proven, easy pick

See photos & price on Amazon →

2. ChrisDowa Grommet Blackout Curtains (2 Panels): Best Value

Best Value

ChrisDowa is a close second and a favorite for kids’ rooms and rentals. The listing says it blocks up to 98% of sunlight and UV in darker colors, and the fabric is the same solid color on both sides, so it looks tidy from the street too.

The thick weave helps with privacy and street noise, and the brand notes no chemical smell. Wash it on a gentle cycle below 86°F and tumble dry low.

What we like
  • Neat from inside and outside
  • Thick, soft fabric
  • Good for nurseries and kids’ rooms
  • Easy-slide metal grommets
Keep in mind
  • 63-inch length is short for most living rooms
  • Wash on gentle only

Best for: Renters and kids’ rooms that need a simple, neat panel

See photos & price on Amazon →

3. MIULEE Linen-Look 100% Blackout Curtains (2 Panels): Best Linen Look

Best Linen Look

Most blackout fabric looks a bit flat. MIULEE uses a faux linen weave that gives the panels a soft, relaxed texture, while the listing claims they block 100% of light. That makes them a good fit for shift workers and late sleepers who still want a pretty room. For a deeper look at this style, see our review of linen blackout curtains for bedroom windows.

Each panel has eight grommets for a full, even drape, and the set comes in eight sizes. Steam or warm-iron any packing creases when they arrive.

What we like
  • Textured, linen-style look
  • Rated for full blackout
  • Many sizes to choose from
  • Even folds with 8 grommets
Keep in mind
  • May arrive creased
  • Faux linen, not real linen

Best for: Living rooms and bedrooms where style matters as much as darkness

See photos & price on Amazon →
Best blackout curtains framing a window in a living room

4. 100% Blackout Shield Linen Total Blackout Curtains: Most Hanging Options

Most Hanging Options

Light colors usually leak light, but this cream linen-look panel has a 100% blackout coating on the back, so you get a bright room by day and a dark one at night. That makes it one of the best blackout curtains for neutral, airy decor.

It is also flexible: the top has eight back loops and a 3-inch rod pocket, so you can hang it with back tabs for soft pleats, on a rod pocket, or with hooks or clip rings (not included). Each panel is 50 by 84 inches.

What we like
  • Full blackout in a light color
  • Several ways to hang
  • Wrinkle resistant
  • Machine washable in cold water
Keep in mind
  • Hooks and rings sold separately
  • Rod pocket fits rods up to 1.6 inches

Best for: Light-colored rooms that still need to be fully dark

See photos & price on Amazon →

5. Guken Back Tab Linen Blackout Curtains (2 Panels): Best for Wide Windows

Best for Wide Windows

Guken’s pair gives you 104 inches of total width, which helps on wide windows where narrow panels leave gaps at the edges. The linen-blend face has a natural texture, and a white blackout coating on the back blocks sunlight and UV.

Back tabs create soft, even pleats, and you can also use the rod pocket. Iron only the front on a cool setting; never iron the coated back.

What we like
  • Extra width per panel
  • Natural linen-blend texture
  • Back tab or rod pocket
  • Thermal backing
Keep in mind
  • Do not iron the coated side
  • Creases need a cool iron after unpacking

Best for: Wide bedroom windows and pleated, tailored drapes

See photos & price on Amazon →

6. LEMOMO Thermal Blackout Curtains 52 x 84 in: Best for Tall Windows

Best for Tall Windows

If your current panels stop short of the floor, LEMOMO’s 84-inch length is a simple fix for most rooms with 8-foot ceilings. The black triple-weave polyester blocks most light (85% to 99% per the listing) and helps insulate against summer heat and winter cold.

Eight silver grommets per panel give a full drape. It is a solid choice when you want the best blackout curtains in a classic dark color for a bedroom or media room.

What we like
  • Floor-length for most rooms
  • Soft, smooth polyester
  • Thermal insulating weave
  • Machine washable
Keep in mind
  • Not a total blackout
  • Iron only on low

Best for: Standard 8-foot ceilings and floor-length living room drapes

See photos & price on Amazon →

How to choose the best blackout curtains

  • Know “blackout” vs. “room darkening”. Triple-weave panels block most light; panels with a coated back can block close to all of it. If you need pitch dark for day sleep, pick a coated or lined panel.
  • Pick the color with care. Dark colors block more light in woven fabrics. If you love a light color, choose a coated panel so you do not lose darkness.
  • Measure width and length. Total panel width should be about 1.5 to 2 times the window width so the curtains look full when closed.
  • Check the top. Grommets slide easily; back tabs and rod pockets look more tailored. Match the ring or pocket size to your rod.
  • Think about care. Most of these wash in cold water. Coated panels should never be ironed on the back.

The best blackout curtains only work if they cover the window. Light leaks at the sides and top, so hang the rod 4 to 6 inches above the frame and extend it 3 to 6 inches past each side. Our guide on how to hang curtains walks through the exact heights.

Best blackout curtains: sizes and typical prices

Panel size (pair)FitsTypical price per pair
42 x 63 inSmall windows, kids’ rooms$20 to $35
52 x 84 inMost bedroom and living room windows$25 to $50
50 to 52 x 95 inHigher rods, 9-foot ceilings$35 to $60
Linen-look 100% blackoutLight-colored rooms$35 to $70

These are typical US price ranges; prices change often, so check Amazon for the current price before you buy. Most of the best blackout curtains are budget-friendly per pair, and you rarely need to spend more for a bedroom.

Tips to make any blackout curtain darker

  1. Use a wraparound rod or a return rod so the panels curve back to the wall and close the side gaps.
  2. Mount the rod higher and wider than the frame so fabric covers the trim.
  3. Overlap the two panels in the center by a few inches, or add a small magnet clip.
  4. Add a blackout shade inside the frame and the curtains in front for near-total darkness.
  5. Let new panels hang for a few days or steam them so the folds relax and close up.

Dark curtains also help in winter. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that closing curtains at night can reduce heat loss through windows, and opening them on sunny winter days lets in free heat.

Who needs the best blackout curtains most

  • Shift workers and late sleepers who sleep during daylight hours.
  • Parents trying to protect naps and early bedtimes in summer.
  • Media rooms where glare washes out the TV.
  • Sunny rooms where floors, rugs and art fade over time.

The Sleep Foundation notes that a dark, cool and quiet bedroom supports better sleep, and many people find blackout curtains are the simplest way to get there. Pick the best blackout curtains for your main problem: total darkness, heat, or just less glare.

How we chose these blackout curtains

We did not test these curtains hands-on. We compared the best blackout curtains among popular Amazon listings, looked at how popular each listing is, read through ratings across many reviews, and checked listing details like fabric, light blocking, sizes, hanging style and care. We kept panels that fit standard rods and offer good value, and dropped near-duplicates so each pick does a different job.

Helpful resources: Sleep Foundation: bedroom environment and ENERGY STAR: heat and cool efficiently.

Read next: best curtain rods · NICETOWN thermal insulated curtains review · velvet blackout curtains review

Best blackout curtains: frequently asked questions

What are the best blackout curtains for a bedroom?

For most bedrooms, the best blackout curtains are thick triple-weave panels such as NICETOWN in a dark color. If you need full darkness or a light color, choose a panel with a 100% blackout coating on the back.

Do blackout curtains really block 100% of light?

Woven panels usually block most light, especially in dark colors. Coated or lined panels can block close to all of it, but light still sneaks around the edges unless the rod is wide and high enough.

What length blackout curtains should I buy?

Measure from the rod to the floor. For most rooms with 8-foot ceilings, 84-inch panels reach the floor. Use 63-inch panels only on small windows above furniture.

Can you wash blackout curtains?

Most can go in the washer on a cold, gentle cycle and tumble dry low. Do not bleach, and never iron the coated back of a 100% blackout panel.

Do the best blackout curtains help with heat and noise?

Thick blackout fabric can help keep rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and it softens some outside noise. It will not soundproof a room.

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