The 5 Best Blackout Curtains (2023 Review)

Blackout curtains protect you and your bedroom from unwanted light, heat, and sound. Regardless of your need for blackout curtains, the many online options make selecting a pair an overwhelming task. That’s why the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best blackout curtains on Amazon. Continue reading to learn what models we recommend.

Most Customizable

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a double-layer and triple-weave construction for better durability and insulation
✔ Can clean in a clothes washer
✔ Features 1.6-inch grommet holes to fit most curtain rods

✘ Can scratch the material if you wash it with sharp items, such as jackets with zippers
✘ Can’t be machine-dried

Key Features

• Comes with two panels
• Made from polyester
• Has a machine-washable construction
• Available in numerous colors and sizes

What Customers Are Saying

Customers felt that these curtains were thoughtfully constructed, stating that they were durable and effective at light and sound blocking. However, some users were concerned about the materials that these curtains were made of, as they had a toxic smell upon arrival.

Best Textured Curtains

Pros and Cons

✔ Features eight anti-rust grommets per pane
✔ Comes with a thermal-insulated liner
✔ Has a friendly customer service team that responds within 12 hours

✘ Doesn’t block 100% of light like advertised
✘ Not made from real linen

Key Features

• Comes with two panels
• Made from polyester
• Has a machine-washable and -dryable construction
• Available in numerous colors and sizes

What Customers Are Saying

Those who liked these blackout curtains said that they were made with durable and stylish materials. Alternatively, other users didn’t care for these panels because they wrinkled easily and didn’t hold up in the wash.

Most Color Options

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a silky texture
✔ Falls from a curtain rod in waves
✔ Has a chart with curtain recommendations based on window size

✘ Sold in one panel per package
✘ Can’t purchase every color in every size

Key Features

• Comes with one panel
• Made from polyester
• Has a machine-washable construction
• Available in numerous colors and sizes

What Customers Are Saying

Customers praised these curtains for being made of sturdy, thick material that was energy-efficient and wrinkle-resistant. A common complaint in negative reviews was that the curtains let some light through. Other customers said that they received panels of inconsistent sizes.

Best Value

Pros and Cons

✔ Is constructed with soft polyester and rust-free stainless steel
✔ Has four-inch hems on the top and bottom to prevent fraying and look decorative
✔ Blocks up to 99% of light

✘ Offered in limited sizes and colors
✘ Blocks only 60% of outside noise

Key Features

• Comes with two panels
• Made from polyester
• Has a machine-washable and -dryable construction
• Available in numerous colors and sizes

What Customers Are Saying

Customers were happy that these panels reduced heat and looked stylish. They also found them to be easy to clean. One downside that some customers mentioned was that they weren’t dark enough to block out all light.

Best For Short Windows

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers more customization with color options
✔ Has a triple-weave design with a black layer in the middle and your color of choice on the inside and outside
✔ Can iron at a low temperature if it wrinkles

✘ Must wash on a gentle, cold cycle
✘ Comes in lighter colors that may allow light to seep through

Key Features

• Comes with two panels
• Made from polyester
• Has a machine-washable and -dryable construction
• Available in numerous colors and sizes

What Customers Are Saying

Customers said that these panels kept their house cool in the summer months. They also appreciated how they didn’t hold wrinkles. Some users were disappointed when the color of the curtains didn’t match what they expected. Others said that they were thin, which allowed sunlight to peek through.

Buyer’s Guide

Before committing to a pair of blackout curtains, it’s important to conduct research on your available options. Below, we outlined a few factors to consider about these options.

Color

Many blackout curtains are black because this is the most effective color at blocking light. However, black may not mesh well with your room’s decor. The good news is that many manufacturers provide other colors as well.

Size

To fit over any window, many blackout curtains come in numerous sizes. To prevent light from leaking in around the edges, ensure that your curtain covers your entire window frame. When in doubt, go up a size.

Ease of Installation

A blackout curtain has holes along the top of its panel called grommets. For easy installation, you simply loop these grommets through the curtain rod above your window. However, if you don’t already have a curtain rod in place, installation won’t be quite as hassle-free.

Function

While all effective blackout curtains prevent sunlight from reaching your bedroom or living space, some models offer other functions. Depending on your needs, you may want blackout curtains that also block heat and reduce noise.

Benefits of Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains provide an array of benefits, including blocking unwanted sunlight. Take a look at some of the benefits that we outlined below.

Enhanced Sleep Quality

We’ve all had at least one night where we struggled to fall asleep. With blackout curtains, you can make your sleeping environment pitch-black. This is especially useful if you’re a police officer, security guard, or another type of shift worker who works at night and sleeps during the day.

Lowered Risk of Depression

The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study linking depression to the amount of light exposure a person receives during sleep. You can minimize the sleep disruptions that this unwanted light causes with blackout curtains.

Lower Energy Costs

Blackout curtains are a cost-effective way of saving money on your electric bills. Many curtains are lined with insulation to keep warm air out during the summer and in during the winter.

More Privacy

The lining in blackout curtains blocks not only the sun’s rays but prying eyes. If you live on a busy street or in the middle of a city, these curtains will give you more privacy.

Reduced Outside Noise

Insulated blackout curtains typically also have a noise-reducing quality. Like with the previous benefit, these curtains can help if you live in a bustling area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are blackout curtains?

Blackout curtains are fabric-lined window covers that prevent sunlight from penetrating windows. The amount of light that these curtains block varies based on their construction, though foam-lined models tend to have better blocking abilities.

There are two types of foam-lined blackout curtains: two-pass and three-pass. A two-pass curtain has two layers of foam lining, while a three-pass one receives three.

What are energy-saving curtains?

Energy-saving curtains protect your home from the heat transfer that occurs through your window’s glass as well as through the gaps between the glass and the frame. Without these curtains, hot air can seep through your window during the summer and escape during the winter. If you have numerous windows in your living room, these curtains are an affordable solution.

How do you clean blackout curtains?

There are a variety of ways that you can tackle cleaning your blackout curtains, including:

• Spot cleaning: Rub the visible stain with a damp cloth. If that doesn’t remove the stain, dab it with dish detergent before rubbing it with the damp cloth again.
• Vacuuming: Vacuum your curtains once a month to remove dust, dander, and debris. The best way to do this is to use a vacuum cleaner with an extension wand to reach the folds and tops of the curtains.
• Steam cleaning: If you prefer a more thorough and environmentally friendly clean, consider steam cleaning. It doesn’t use harsh chemicals, and it kills microorganisms.
• Washing machine: Not all blackout curtains are machine-washable. However, those that are should have a tag to confirm it.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.