Blackout curtains are useful for a variety of reasons: the most obvious, blocking sunlight, but also to reduce outside noises, control temperature (either to insulate during the winter months or block light to keep the room cooler in the summer ) and ensure privacy.
I wanted to try a variety of curtain options that promised total blackout in a variety of different fabrics, such as polyester and velvet, and with various hanging options, including pockets, grommets, clips, loops, and even suction cups. Many of these curtains had an additional lining to further insulate against temperature and help reduce noise, so I also measured outside sound and temperature regulation.
I also took into account the ease of installation and hanging, and whether there were multiple hanging options, including using a double rod, attaching clips, or using pockets instead of loops to see which direction best blocked the light from the sun.
I tested them on two windows, one facing southeast and one facing east; They both get a lot of sun in the morning and as a result the room can get quite warm during the summer months. I tested each curtain for a week, measuring how well it worked at all times, including early mornings in the strong sun, afternoons, evenings, and when the door was closed and the light was off. Although I live on a relatively quiet suburban street, I also monitored the noise levels with the various curtains, as several on this list claim to reduce noise.
Check out some of our other sleep-related guides, including Our Favorite Sheets, The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online, Our Favorite Pillows, The Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks, and The Best Natural Sleep Aids.
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Almost all of our picks come in various sizes, most often with different lengths. One panel will cover a standard-sized window, but you may want to purchase two for coverage and a more polished look. It is a good idea to measure the dimensions of the window, especially from the height of the curtain rod to the floor, to ensure that the curtain does not puff up on the floor or hang too far from the floor.
All of the curtains we tested come in various shapes, with grommets, pockets, clips, loops, and even suction cups for hanging options. Many have multiple hanging options; It all depends on personal taste. I tried every way, but in the end I used the pocket to hang the curtain on a rod because it helped keep the curtain more flush with the window and wall. This allowed for greater coverage and fewer spaces where sunlight could filter through.
Once you have installed the curtain rod over the window (a relatively simple task If you have the tools, you’ll want to take the curtain out of the packaging and read the care instructions to see how best to remove the wrinkles (or not). If your curtain has several hanging options, you’ll choose the one you prefer, but even the most complicated ones with hooks or clips shouldn’t take more than five minutes. (Except the Amazon travel panel with suction cups; that one took about 15 minutes and was a pain.)