Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If streetlights or early sunrise keep waking you up, the best blackout curtains can improve your sleep for less than a new mattress costs. You do not need custom drapes or a $200 pair to get a dark, quiet bedroom — the best affordable options block most light, add privacy, and help with room temperature.
This roundup is based on product specs, features, and customer feedback, not on lab tests or hands-on testing we did not do. Prices are rough ranges only — check the current price before buying. All prices are for a standard pair of panels.
How We Picked the Best Blackout Curtains
We chose curtains a renter or first-apartment owner can buy, hang, and wash without special tools. Each pick offers real light blocking from triple-weave fabric or a blackout lining, a soft drape, machine-washable care, and a fair price, mostly $20–$45 per pair. No affordable curtain blocks 100% of light alone, so size and hanging matter as much as fabric.
Best Blackout Curtains Compared
| Curtain | Best for | Rough price | Light blocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Room Darkening | Best overall value | $20–$30 | Very good |
| NICETOWN Blackout | Best for bedrooms | $25–$40 | Excellent |
| Deconovo Blackout | Best budget pick | $18–$28 | Very good |
| H.VERSAILTEX Blackout | Best thermal pick | $25–$38 | Excellent |
| BGment Blackout | Best for small windows | $20–$32 | Very good |
| RYB HOME Blackout | Best linen-look style | $28–$45 | Good to very good |
1. Amazon Basics Room Darkening — Best Overall Value
A safe first choice on a tight budget. The triple-weave fabric has no rubbery lining, so it feels soft and drapes well. It comes in many colours and 63, 84, and 96-inch lengths, blocks most streetlight and morning sun, and is machine-washable.
Pros: Low price, soft fabric, many colours and sizes, machine-washable. Cons: Lighter colours block less light, and wide windows may need two pairs.
Rough price: usually around $20–$30 per pair — check the current price before buying.
2. NICETOWN Blackout — Best for Bedrooms
One of the most-reviewed blackout brands for bedrooms. The thick triple-weave panels block most light, even facing a bright street, and insulate well. Available in grommet and rod-pocket styles, 63–108 inches, and dozens of colours.
Pros: Strong light blocking, good insulation, wide choice of colours and lengths. Cons: Heavy, so it needs a sturdy rod; dark colours show dust and pet hair.
Rough price: usually around $25–$40 per pair — check the current price before buying.
3. Deconovo Blackout — Best Budget Pick
If your budget is under $25, Deconovo is one of the best blackout curtains you can buy. The soft polyester panels with a blackout lining block most light in a bedroom or nursery, yet are light enough for a basic rod, and are machine-washable.
Pros: Very affordable, good light blocking for the price, light and easy to hang. Cons: Lining can feel slightly stiff, and lighter shades let more light through.
Rough price: usually around $18–$28 per pair — check the current price before buying.
4. H.VERSAILTEX Blackout — Best Thermal Pick
Choose H.VERSAILTEX if you care about temperature as well as darkness. Its thick triple-weave fabric blocks light and acts as a thermal barrier, keeping hot sun out in summer and reducing cold draughts from older windows in winter. It comes in many colours and lengths up to 108 inches.
Pros: Excellent light blocking and insulation, helps with energy bills, smooth drape. Cons: Heavy panels need a strong rod, and the fabric can wrinkle if not hung promptly after washing.
Rough price: usually around $25–$38 per pair — check the current price before buying.
5. BGment Blackout — Best for Small Windows
BGment makes solid blackout panels in shorter lengths and narrower widths for small bedrooms, nurseries, dorm rooms, and windows above a bed or desk. The triple-weave fabric blocks most light, and the panels are light enough for a tension rod if you cannot drill.
Pros: Good for small windows, renter-friendly weight, strong light blocking. Cons: Few pattern choices, and narrow panels may not cover a wide window alone.
Rough price: usually around $20–$32 per pair — check the current price before buying.
6. RYB HOME Blackout — Best Linen-Look Style
If you want the best blackout curtains that do not look like blackout curtains, try RYB HOME. The textured, linen-look finish suits modern, Scandinavian, or boho bedrooms, while still offering strong light control in darker colours.
Pros: Stylish linen-look texture, good light blocking in dark colours, soft drape. Cons: The priciest pick here, and lighter colours are room-darkening rather than fully blackout.
Rough price: usually around $28–$45 per pair — check the current price before buying.
How to Measure and Hang Blackout Curtains
Measure before you order — even the best blackout curtains fail if they are too short or too narrow.
Width: Measure the frame, then add 8–12 inches on each side. Total width should be 1.5 to 2 times the window width — for a 36-inch window, aim for 54–72 inches. Two panels beat one, because they close in the middle and cover the edges better.
Length: Measure from the rod to the floor, or to the sill for short curtains. Floor-length works best in bedrooms. Standard lengths are 63 inches above furniture, 84 inches for 8-foot ceilings, and 96–108 inches for taller rooms.
Hang high and wide: Mount the rod 4–6 inches above the frame and extend it 4–6 inches beyond each side. Renters who cannot drill can use a tension rod, or a no-drill rod with adhesive brackets, with lighter panels such as Deconovo or BGment.
Light-Blocking vs Thermal: What Is the Difference?
Light-blocking is about darkness: triple-weave fabric or a blackout lining stops most light passing through, helping you sleep in or work night shifts. Thermal is about temperature: a thicker curtain slows heat in summer and cold in winter. Most good blackout curtains do both. If you only need darkness, a lighter triple-weave pair is enough; if your bedroom runs hot or cold, choose a heavier thermal pick such as H.VERSAILTEX or NICETOWN. Dark colours also block more light than white or pale beige.
What to Avoid
- Too-short panels: They let light in at the bottom and make the window look small.
- Too-narrow panels: A single narrow panel pulled flat leaves gaps at the sides.
- “Room darkening” confusion: Room-darkening curtains reduce light, but are not blackout curtains. Look for “blackout” or “triple-weave” for near-total darkness.
- Weak rods: Heavy curtains can pull a cheap tension rod down overnight. Check the weight limit.
- Dry-clean-only fabric: Machine-washable curtains are far more practical in a first apartment.
- Unreviewed cheap panels: If a listing has almost no customer feedback, its light-blocking claim may be overstated.
FAQs
Do blackout curtains block 100% of light?
No. The best blackout curtains block most light through the fabric, but a little can leak around the edges. Hang the rod high and wide, choose panels wider than the window, and add a wraparound rod for total darkness.
Are blackout curtains good for sleep?
Yes, for most people. A dark room supports your body’s natural sleep signals, so you fall asleep faster and wake less often — especially for shift workers and light sleepers.
Can renters use blackout curtains without drilling?
Yes. Use a tension rod inside the frame, or a no-drill rod with adhesive or clamp brackets. Choose lighter panels and check your lease first about adhesive hooks on painted walls.
How do I wash blackout curtains?
Most are machine-washable. Wash on a gentle, cold cycle, avoid bleach, and hang to dry or tumble dry on low. Hang them back up while slightly damp to reduce wrinkles, and always check the care label first.
Are blackout curtains worth it for a small apartment?
Yes, if your bedroom gets too much light or heat. One good pair can improve sleep, add privacy, and help with temperature for roughly $20–$45. Start with the bedroom.
Conclusion
The best blackout curtains for better sleep do not have to be expensive. Measure your window, choose a dark colour in triple-weave fabric, and hang the panels high and wide. Amazon Basics or Deconovo offer the best value, NICETOWN and H.VERSAILTEX give the strongest blocking and insulation, and RYB HOME is best for style. Pick the pair that fits your window and budget, and check the current price before buying.
