The 8 Best Blackout Curtains of 2020

• 01 of 08

  Best Overall: Nicetown Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains

  Excellent

  Buy on Amazon

  

  If you’re in the market for room-darkening curtains, you can’t go wrong with the NICETOWN Thermal-Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains, which come with two panels per set. They come in six sizes, as well as a wide range of colors, including both neutrals and bright, fun shades.

  These curtains are made from heavy microfiber, woven with triple-weave technology to block out 90 percent of light. They also help to balance the room’s temperature by insulating against heat or chill. Each panel can be hung via its 6 grommets, and you can machine wash these curtains when they get dusty or dirty.

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• 02 of 08

  Best Budget: AmazonBasics Room-Darkening Blackout Curtains with Tie Backs

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  Blackout curtains—or really any window coverings, for that matter—can be quite pricey, but you can get a good deal on the AmazonBasics Room-Darkening Blackout Curtains, which come with tie backs. These curtains come in six sizes to fit any windows, and you can choose from nine different colors. 

  These curtains are made from a triple-weave fabric, so they don’t have a stiff liner, and they block out both sunlight and UV rays. Further, they are effective at reducing noises from outside, and they help to insulate your home against heat and cold for improved energy efficiency. The curtains are machine-washable, and their pockets fit standard or decorative rods.

• 03 of 08

  Best Color Selection: Deconovo Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains, 2 Panels

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  If you have a unique color scheme in your bedroom, standard-colored curtains might not work! Luckily, the Deconovo Thermal-Insulated Blackout Curtains come in a whopping 23 colors and 13 sizes, allowing you to find the perfect option to complement your decor. 

  The polyester curtains are lined with a silver fabric that’s supposed to be more effective at blocking light than standard fabric. It keeps light out, as well as providing insulation against both heat and cold. These curtains have grommets that you can use to hang them up, and they have to be hand washed and hung to dry, as the washing machine could damage the structure. Some reviewers say that lighter colors are not as effective at blocking light, so if your room needs to be completely dark, you may want to opt for a darker shade.

• 04 of 08

  Best for Bedroom: Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtain

  

  Buy on Pottery Barn

  

  When choosing darkening curtains for your bedroom, chances are you want them to be both attractive and effective—and you can have the best of both worlds with these Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains. They come in three sizes, as well as eight elegant colors, and they’ll be a welcome addition to any adult bedroom. 

  These blackout curtains are made from 100 percent Belgian flax linen that has a timeless appearance. They feature a polyester blackout lining, and there are three hanging options—pole pocket, hanging loops, or rings. They’re made with an enzyme wash that gives the fabric a worn-in look and feel, so they need to be dry cleaned if they ever get dirty.

  Continue to 5 of 8 below.
• 05 of 08

  Best for Nursery: Evelyn Linen Blend Blackout Panel

  

  Buy on Potterybarnkids.com

  

  Don’t let bright sun rays wake up your baby! The Evelyn Linen Blend Blackout Panels are the perfect choice for a nursery thanks to their playful pattern and effective blackout lining. The panels come in four sizes, and you can choose from eight soft colors, ranging from blush pink to gray, khaki, and navy blue—perfect for both boys and girls!

  These panels are made from a cotton-linen blend, and the fabric is tightly woven to give it a soft feel and improved durability. Plus, the fabric is treated with environmentally safe dyes, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals in the nursery. The curtains are then finished with a polyester lining that blocks out any traces of light. What’s unique about these curtains is that they have a 3-in-1 hanging method—you can choose to hang them via loops, drapery hooks, or pole pockets. The only downside is that the curtains need to be dry cleaned to maintain their integrity. 

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• 06 of 08

  Best for Kids: Pillowfort Dot Blackout Curtain Panel

  

  Buy on Target

  

  These fun curtains would be an ideal addition to any children’s bedroom! The Pillowfort Dot Blackout Curtain Panels are covered with a fun polka-dot pattern, and you can choose between multicolor, gold, or silver dots. There are three lengths available, and all the options are 42 inches wide. 

  The fabric of these curtains is made from a polyester-cotton blend, and reviewers say they do a phenomenal job filtering out daylight. You can hang them up via the rod pocket, and they can be machine washed and dried for easy care. One thing to note is that the gold and silver options don’t have metallic polka dots—they’re more bronze and gray.

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• 07 of 08

  Best Pattern: Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Window Panels, Set of 2

  

  Buy on Target

  

  Introduce an intricate pattern to your room with these blackout curtains. The Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Window Panels, which come in sets of two, are available in four sizes and 10 colors, all of which have an elegant medallion pattern on them. 

  These blackout curtains are made from polyester, and they’re interwoven with blackout insulation to block light and UV rays, as well as improve the insulation of your home. They provide unbeatable privacy, no matter the time of day, and the classic pattern will be a welcome addition to any room. You hang them up via silver grommets along the top of the curtain, and they fit on rods up to 1 ⅝” in diameter.

• 08 of 08

  Best Shades: Home Decorators Collection Shadow White Blackout Cordless Cellular Shade

  

  Buy on Home Depot

  

  In addition to blackout curtains—which serve a decorative role—you can also get blackout shades, which can be drawn up vertically. The Home Decorators Collection Shadow White Blackout Cellular Shades are a best-selling option, as they provide optimal room darkening and temperature insulation. Each shade is 48 x 48 inches and they have a unique honeycomb construction that creates air chambers to insulate your room. 

  These shades are made from polyester, and the blackout fabric blocks all traces of light, all while giving you unbeatable privacy. They have a cordless design that’s safer for children and pets, and when drawn, they form crisp, clean pleats that will keep the room looking neat.

Products Tested by The Spruce

How We Tested

Our reviewers spent 144 hours testing one of our readers’ favorite blackout curtains. They installed the curtains in their own bedrooms and made sure to sleep in to see how well they really blocked sunlight. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these blackout curtains, from their material to their effectiveness. We've outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in Blackout Curtains

Blackout vs. room darkening Though both types of curtains sufficiently block light, blackout curtains will keep the room as dark as possible. Consider room-darkening curtains for kids’ rooms, since a completely dark environment during naps can upset their circadian rhythm.

Installation To make sure that blackout curtains function properly, measure a few inches beyond the window frame and use a wraparound rod.

Colors and fabric Despite the name, blackout curtains come in a wide variety of colors — including white. Fabric options are limitless too. Polyester and other synthetic materials are typically more budget friendly than linen or cotton.

Test Results: Nicetown Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains (Best Overall)

Excellent

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What We Like

• Easy installation

• Durable material

• Effective at light blocking

What We Don't Like

• Cheap-looking rivets

• Color darker than advertised

Installing these curtains was a breeze for our testers. “Because of the large grommet openings at the top of the curtains,” one reviewer explained, “I was able to slide my current curtains out and string these in and have them ready for use within seconds.” Plus, once set up, the curtains proved to be very effective. “I was able to actually sleep in on certain days with the blackout curtains up,” reported one tester. “This would be virtually impossible with the amount of light that comes in during the morning hours.” On the other hand, our testers felt that the curtains’ metal rivets looked “cheap,” and one reviewer reported that the navy blue color she received was darker than the one displayed online. “It wasn’t a deal breaker for me,” she said, “but I can see people being misled by this and being upset if they’re looking for a particular shade.”