5 Best Blackout Curtains – Insulate Your Bedroom Completely

Have you ever stayed in a hotel and thought “Gosh, wouldn’t it be great to own curtains like these to block out the world”? Well, with blackout curtains you can. Not only do they keep your room dark at any hour, they also help reduce energy costs and keep noise levels down. In this post, you’ll learn the basics of blackout curtains and provide you with a selection of the top five best blackout curtains selling today.

What Are the Benefits of Blackout Curtains?

Trying to fall asleep in a strange environment like a hotel can be difficult enough without dim lights keeping you awake. Blackout curtains help solve this problem by shutting out any vestige of light. Once in total darkness, your body can then produce the melatonin necessary to help you fall asleep and stay asleep (source).

Aside from nighttime use, blackout curtains also work well during the day for babies and toddlers to sleep better, ordinary nappers, and those returning from working the graveyard shift. And if you have a home theater, blackout curtains can provide the dark environment necessary to watch movies or play video games.

Blackout curtains hung over glass doors or balconies can also help reduce environmental noise — a nice bonus for those who dislike using white noise machines to block out sounds while sleeping. Moreover, they can also help stabilize room temperatures and thus reduce costs from having to run air conditioners or heat all the time. So how does it do all of this?…

How Are Blackout Curtains Made?

Blackout curtains are made from a type of fabric consisting of several thick and opaque foam layers called “passes” — a material powerful enough to block out all light and even insulate rooms against noise and extreme temperatures.

In 2-pass blackout fabric, the first layer of foam is often black in color while the second is white or another light color. A 3-pass blackout fabric offers even more protection, starting with a light colored layer, then black, and lastly one other white or light-colored layer.

Thus, blackout curtains manufactured with 3-pass fabric don’t have to be black in color to constitute a blackout curtain — they work just as well when other colors are used. Case in point, look at all the styles and colors used in hotels!

A Word of Caution

• The materials used in blackout curtains may cause adverse reactions in people with allergies and respiratory problems. Since not all blackout curtains are machine washable and thus not launderable at home, those suffering from these conditions may want to avoid using them.

How to Choose Blackout Curtains

Selecting a blackout curtain that meets your needs depends on several factors:

First, since blackout curtains are made with thick materials, they’re typically heavier than regular curtains. Thus, adequate hardware and infrastructure are needed to support their weight. If you have any doubt, consider consulting a handyman or opt for blackout shades instead.

Also, make sure to choose curtains that maintain their folds even when spread out to cover the entire length of your wall or window. Folds create a “baffle” effect that helps insulate the curtains from variations in sound and temperature (the deeper the fold, the better). But be sure to take careful measurements to verify the fit before making your final choice.

Lastly, compare features in the same way you’d compare most other products, such as:

• Color
• Style
• Size
• Degree to which the blackout curtain blocks out light or heat
• Additional features (e.g., noiseless grommets, etc.)

Now, while you’re mulling over this information, we’ve compiled a list below of five of the best blackout curtains to help you with your search…

Reviews of the Best Blackout Curtains

Melodieux Elegant Cotton Window Blackout Curtains

Melodieux Elegant Cotton Window Blackout Curtains Thermal Insulated Grommet Top (1 Panel, 52 by 84 Inch, Blue)

• Sold as Single Panel: You will find 1 Curtain Drape (52 inch wide by 84 inch long) + 1 Matching Tie Back in your package.
• Triple Weave Fabric: Block out 80%-90% of sunlight and 99% UV rays. No chemical coating, no pungent smell. Soundproof and energy efficient. Privacy protected.
• Cotton Texture: Well made of high quality cotton/polyester blended fabric, subtle texture appearance and silky touch backing, concise and stylish surface accents your window in a modern way.
• Metal Grommets: 8 silver metal grommets per panel (1.6 inch inner diameter), suitable to most standard curtain rods. Updated rust free metal grommets make your curtain easy to slide and durable to use.

Check Price on Amazon

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, upscale looking blackout curtain, the Melodieux Blackout Curtain may be right for you.

This curtain purports to block 100 percent of UV rays and at least 90 percent of all sunlight, thus suitable for most people’s needs. Made from a combination of polyester and cotton, the Melodieux is machine washable, which benefits those with allergies and respiratory problems.

It also features noise-free, silver-colored grommets to draw the curtains.

Deconovo Black Thermal Insulated Blackout Panel Curtain

This 100 percent polyester, machine washable curtain comes in four panel sizes and 32 different colors — a wide selection that meets most people’s demands for most rooms. Moreover, the Deconovo colors and styling are reasonably tasteful and attractive.

Designed to block 99 percent of all sunlight at any time of day, this popular blackout curtain is a worthy contender if you’re on a budget.

Best Home Fashion Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtain

Best Home Fashion Premium Blackout Curtain Panels

• INCLUDES: Set of 2 blackout panels. Features both BACK TAB and ROD POCKET hanging styles for versatile styling. Accommodates rods up to 1.5 inch in diameter. Choose from our wide array of functional and fashionable designs, colors, and sizes to decorate your windows with. Matching tiebacks are included as well in order to help add more elegance to your room.
• INCREDIBLY SOFT MATERIAL: Made of 100% high quality polyester, Best Home Fashion’s Blackout Curtains have same color & material front and back. Our Blackout Curtains are very soft and drape well, making it incomparable to the other stiff blackout curtains in the market.
• IDEAL FOR: Late sleepers, Shift workers, Nurseries, Offices, Home Theaters, etc. Our Blackout Curtains provide total privacy blocking up to 99% of incoming light. Perfect for creating a warm, inviting and cozy look while blocking incoming light.
• EASY CARE: Machine wash cold with like colors. Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low. Warm iron as need

Check Price on Amazon

This 100 percent polyester, machine washable blackout curtain comes in six different panel sizes, thus improving the odds you’ll find a size that fits your room.

While there are many different color choices to choose from (20 in total), they don’t look quite as sophisticated as other brands. (On the other hand, if your goal is to make an unusual statement like showcasing a bright orange color, this blackout curtain may suit your purpose).

Aesthetics aside, this Best Home blackout curtain blocks 99 percent of sunlight, helps keep room temperatures as they are, and prevents outside noise — all important features to look for in a blackout curtain.

Nicetown Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtain

NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains

• READY MADE: Set includes 2 BLACKOUT CURTAINS PANELS of 42 wide x 63 length with 6 grommets top each. Quality fabric without liner feels soft and heavy.
• SERVE WELL: Curtains impede 85%-99% light and UV rays(Dark color curtains work well). Noise-reducing, better TV viewing thanks to the innovative triple weave technology.
• ENERGY SMART: Triple weave blackout fabric balances room temperature by insulating against summer heat and winter chill. Protect your furniture, floors, and artwork from the ravages of the sun, the drapes will pay for themselves off over time.
• GOOD TO GO: Thread trimmed and wrinkle-free, ring (1.6-inch inner diameter) fits easily with standard curtain rods. All sets for you to put them up right away.

Check Price on Amazon

This blackout curtain is another example of a 100 percent polyester, machine washable item. It offers 16 attractive colors to choose from but only two panel sizes, which may be limiting depending on your space.

Unlike other blackout curtains on this list, this curtain only impedes between 85 to 99 percent of sunlight and UV rays instead of the usual 90 percent and higher. That said, the level of protection offered by Nicetown should suffice for most sleepers.

Prestige Home Fashion Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtain

Purported to block up to 99 percent of light and 60 percent of noise, this Prestige brand is a good example of an effective blackout curtain. But unlike most other curtains on this list, the choice of colors and panel sizes are limited (eight and three respectively). The colors themselves fall on the conservative side of the spectrum and come with a free matching tie back.

Easy to install and care for, these blackout curtains are worth taking a closer look.

Conclusion

While all five of these blackout curtains will help darken your room enough for comfortable sleep, our top choice goes to the Melodieux Elegant Cotton Window Blackout Curtains for two main reasons:

1. It’s eco-friendly – The Melodieux curtain is a healthier option all around, even for those without allergies or chemical sensitivities.
2. It’s attractive and elegant – Curtains are a major decor element and thus shouldn’t be compromised on if possible. While the color selection for the Melodieux curtain is limited, the ones available have a classic look about them.

Create the perfect environment to get the rest you need with a quality blackout curtain like the Melodieux!

Now Over to You!

What are your thoughts about blackout curtains? Leave your comments below!