The best blackout curtains for bedrooms are the ones that stop light at the fabric itself, not just at the edges, and that still look like something you want to wake up to. I have hung panels in three bedrooms over the past two years, replaced them twice, and watched enough cheap pairs fail early that I now measure everything twice.
Most of the disappointment in this category comes down to a single word on the listing: blackout. Retailers use it for everything from a lined panel that seals a room to an unlined triple-weave that merely dims it. The difference is obvious on the first night and it is why a bedroom that reads dark in a product photo can still wake you at sunrise.
Below I break down twelve pairs of blackout curtain panels for bedrooms, from sewn-liner models that produce genuine darkness to budget triple-weave panels that darken well without the weight. I also cover the parts that matter more than fabric: how wide the panels should be, how far above the frame the rod sits, and why a wide window needs three panels rather than two. If your bedroom runs warm or you are cooling it with airflow, our window fan guide for bedrooms covers the other half of the temperature equation.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: Best Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms (October 2026)
Three panels carried the category for me this year. The NICETOWN pair is the one I recommend to anyone who just wants the room dark, the BGment pair is the strongest lower-cost option, and the ombre Estelar Textiler set is the only one of the twelve that does genuine blackout and still reads as a deliberate decor choice.
NICETOWN White 100% Blackout Curtains
- Sewn-in black liner
- 104 inch total width
- Soft hand-feel
BGment Navy Blue Blackout Curtains
- 42 by 63 inch panels
- Navy blocks up to 85 percent
- Machine washable
Estelar Textiler Ombre Blackout Curtains
- Two-tone ombre gradient
- Black-backed 100 percent blackout
- Sliding door friendly
The rating spread across these three is narrow, which is normal in this category. What separates them is construction: two have a sewn-in liner, one does not, and the fabric weight difference between them is roughly a pound per pair.
Quick Overview: Best Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms in 2026
Twelve panels, ordered as they appear below. The Key Features column pulls the specification that actually determines whether a pair works in a bedroom.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| NICETOWN White 100% Blackout Curtains 84 inch, 2 Panels |
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| BGment Navy Blue Blackout Curtains 63 inch, 2 Panels |
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 LEMOMO Blackout Curtains 52 x 84 inch, 2 Panels |
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 ChrisDowa Blackout Curtains 63 inch, Dark Grey |
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 RYB HOME Black Blackout Curtains 72 inch, 2 Panels |
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 MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Look Curtains 52×84 |
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 Yakamok Grey 100% Blackout Curtain Panels 84 inch |
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 Joydeco 100% Blackout Nature Linen Curtains 84 inch |
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 100% Blackout Shield Linen Look Curtains 84 inch, Cream |
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 DWCN Blackout Curtains 42 x 63 inch, Black |
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 H.VERSAILTEX Blackout Curtains 63 inch, Ivory Cream |
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| Estelar Textiler Navy Ombre Blackout Curtains 84 inch |
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1. NICETOWN White 100% Blackout Curtains 84 inch – The Only Pair That Truly Seals the Room
NICETOWN White 100% Blackout Curtains 84 inch Long for Bedroom 2 Pieces
2 panels at 52 by 84 inches
Sewn-in black liner
1.6 inch grommets
2.25 kg per item
Pros
- Genuine full blackout with no side or top light leak
- Heavyweight double layer doubles as thermal and noise insulation
- Soft smooth fabric rather than scratchy
- Deep true colours that match the listing photos
- Grommets slide without snagging
Cons
- Heavier than standard curtains so it is a lift to the rod
- Arrives creased and needs steaming or a cool iron
- Maximum length not offered in every width
This is the pair I hung in the bedroom with a streetlight on the far corner, and it is the only one in this roundup where I did not go hunting for a leak after dark. The sewn-in black liner sits inside the panel rather than being sprayed on, so light does not travel through the weave at all.
Each panel measures 52 inches wide by 84 inches long, giving 104 inches of coverage across the pair. On a window around 70 inches wide that is enough to shut the sides and part of the top, provided the rod extends past the frame.
What stands out on handling is the hand-feel. At 2.25 kg per item these are the second-heaviest panels I worked with, yet the surface is soft rather than papery, which is unusual for a fully lined curtain.
The weight is the point, though. That mass is what makes the pair double as a thermal barrier and why reviewers report noticeably better noise reduction than ordinary single-layer drapes.
How much darkness should you expect from a full blackout panel?
With the rod mounted wide enough and the panels overlapping at the centre, the room reads as night rather than dusk. Buyers consistently report no beam leaking at the sides or top, which is the standard most bedding sets are sold against.
The one thing that changes this is mounting height. Push the rod closer to the ceiling and the coverage improves further because there is simply less fabric between the panel and the ceiling line.
What should you know before buying these panels?
Budget ten minutes with a steamer or a cool iron after they arrive. Almost every review of this pair mentions packaging creases, and they fall out far more easily if you hang the panels first and steam them in place.
Also plan for two people to lift them. At this weight, a single panel going onto the rod alone is awkward, and that is the main complaint long-term owners raise.
2. BGment Navy Blue Blackout Curtains 63 inch – Best Value Pick for Bedrooms
BGment Navy Blue Blackout Curtains for Bedroom 63 Inch Long – 2 Panels
2 panels at 42 by 63 inches
Blocks up to 85 percent
Triple-layer fabric
6 grommets per panel
Pros
- Deep navy colour darkens more than pale shades
- Triple-layer build helps regulate temperature and dampen noise
- Six metal grommets per panel slide easily
- Machine washable cold on a gentle cycle
- No chemical smell so it suits nurseries
Cons
- Room darkening tops out near 85 percent so some light still filters
- Packaging creases usually need a warm iron
This is the pair I recommend when the budget is the deciding factor and the room does not need absolute darkness. Navy is doing real work here: darker face fabric pushes the blocking figure to around 85 percent, well past what the same weave achieves in a pale shade.
At 42 by 63 inches per panel the pair spans 84 inches, so it suits a standard bedroom window without a wide overhang requirement. Six silver grommets per panel with a 1.6 inch inner diameter fit most curtain rods sold today.
Care is the part I appreciate most. These are machine washable cold on a gentle cycle below 86F, which matters more than it sounds because a lined panel that needs dry cleaning becomes a panel nobody ever cleans.
There is no chemical smell in the fabric, and reviewers specifically call that out for children’s rooms. Thermal insulation and noise reduction are both listed among the features, and the triple-layer build is where that comes from.
Is 85 percent light blocking enough for a bedroom?
For most sleepers it is. At 85 percent you get a dim, restful room with a faint glow around the edges rather than true night. If you work nights, share a wall with a lit hallway, or live opposite a bright light source, look for a lined 100 percent model instead.
A practical middle ground is to hang this pair and add a blackout liner behind it in summer. That gets you the soft blue face fabric in the daytime view and full darkness when you need it.
Which bedrooms suit this pair best?
Nurseries and children’s rooms, where the fabric is chemical-free, washable and light enough for a parent to reposition during a nap. The 63 inch length also suits shorter windows and raised sills that a full-length panel would never reach.
The one thing to check first is window width. At 84 inches total you will see more gap on a wide window than you would with a longer pair, so measure before you commit.
3. LEMOMO Blackout Curtains 52 x 84 inch – Best Black Panel for Full-Length Windows
LEMOMO Blackout Curtains 52 x 84 inches Long Black Curtains Set of 2 Panels Thermal Insulated Room Darkening Curtains for Bedroom
2 panels at 52 by 84 inches
Blocks 85 to 99 percent
Triple-weave polyester
8 grommets per panel
Pros
- Black face fabric blocks 85 to 99 percent of light and UV
- Smooth soft polyester with no chemical smell
- Triple-weave construction gives real thermal benefit
- Eight grommets per panel for easy sliding
- Machine washable on a gentle cycle
Cons
- Unlined so it is lighter than a full-blackout sewn liner
- Creases can persist after unpacking
LEMOMO is the pick for anyone who wants the deepest blackout available from an unlined panel. The stated range is 85 to 99 percent, and in a black shade you sit at the top of that range rather than the bottom.
Each panel is 52 by 84 inches, so the pair covers 104 inches across a full-length window. That width is what makes it useful for sliding doors and tall bedroom windows that a 42 inch panel leaves bare at the sides.
Eight silver grommets per panel means the fabric spreads flat instead of bunching, which helps both the light seal and the drape. Grommet inner diameter is 1.6 inches, matching the most common rod size.
Being unlined is the real trade-off. At 1.58 kg the pair is roughly a third lighter than a sewn-liner set, and it drapes and washes more easily because of it, but it will not match a lined panel in an east-facing room.
How does black fabric change blackout performance?
Colour matters more than most buyers expect. A deep navy or black face fabric absorbs light that a beige or grey panel would reflect back into the room, which is why every listing in this category quotes a higher figure for its darkest shades.
That advantage disappears the moment you wash the panel. If you launder blackout curtains, check that both panels are washed together and dried fully, and expect the shade to lift slightly over time.
Is a triple-weave panel good enough for shift workers?
For a bedroom where light comes from one direction, usually yes. Shift workers sleeping through direct sun on a window usually want a lined panel or a layered solution, because a single unlined layer leaves a visible edge glow when the sun is low.
If you are layering this behind a sheer, the black colour gives you a much cleaner daytime look than a grey pair would, since the backing blends with the drape instead of showing through.
4. ChrisDowa Blackout Curtains 63 inch Dark Grey – Best for Nurseries and Playrooms
ChrisDowa Blackout Curtains for Bedroom and Living Room 63 Inches Long
2 panels at 42 by 63 inches
Blocks up to 98 percent
100 percent polyester
Unlined triple-weave
Pros
- Dark charcoal grey blocks up to 98 percent of sunlight and UV
- Thick fabric reduces noise and improves privacy
- Soft material with no chemical smell for kids rooms
- Six grommets per panel install and slide easily
- Helps reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain
Cons
- Unlined construction darkens rather than fully blacks out
- Solid dark grey shows dust and lint readily
ChrisDowa is the pick I keep coming back to for a nursery. The listing names nursery and playroom as target rooms, and the two things that matter in a nursery, a chemical-free soft fabric and daytime darkness, are both covered.
At 42 by 63 inches per panel the pair is sized for a standard cot window. The charcoal grey blocks up to 98 percent of sunlight and UV, which protects a cot from direct afternoon sun and keeps a room cool.
Six silver grommets per panel with a 1.6 inch inner diameter make this one of the faster installs of the twelve. There is no lining to tangle and the panels weigh about 2 pounds each.
Machine washing below 86F on a gentle cycle is specified, with tumble dry low and a warm iron to finish. That matters in a nursery where curtains get washed far more often than they do in a living room.
Does an unlined charcoal panel darken a nursery enough?
For daytime naps it is one of the stronger options in this set. Reviewers report the room becoming genuinely dim, and the charcoal shade holds its blocking better than the cream and ivory options in the same price band.
If your nursery window faces directly east you will still see a warm outline around the edges in summer. Hanging the rod wider than the frame closes most of that gap without changing the fabric.
What are the practical drawbacks of dark grey?
Dust. Solid dark colours show lint, pet hair and fingerprints faster than any other shade, and in a nursery that means a monthly wash cycle that people skip.
Because it is unlined, this is a darkening curtain rather than a sealing one. If your child is a genuinely light-sensitive sleeper, pair it with a liner rather than buying two sets.
5. RYB HOME Black Blackout Curtains 72 inch – Best Rod Pocket Design for Killing Top Light Gaps
RYB HOME Black Blackout Curtains for Bedroom Living Room 72 inches Long
2 panels at 42 by 72 inches
Rod pocket top style
Blocks 85 to 99 percent
3 inch pocket
Pros
- Rod pocket top forms a continuous barrier with no light gap above the rail
- Triple-weave structure works as a solid thermal barrier
- Blocks outside visibility day and night
- Machine washable cold with tumble dry low
Cons
- Arrives frequently creased and needs steaming or low heat
- Black fabric shows dust and pet hair quickly
The grommet versus rod pocket question decides how much light escapes along the top of the window, and this pair answers it in favour of the pocket. A 3 inch sleeve wraps the rail so there is no gap between fabric and metal.
Panels are 42 by 72 inches, so this is the mid-length option in the roundup. That makes it a good fit for windows above a radiator or a desk, where full-length panels would bunch on the floor.
The high-density fabric blocks 85 to 99 percent of sunlight and UV in the black shade, and reviewers specifically call out how well it blocks outside visibility even with interior lights on, which is the harder direction.
Triple-weave construction handles the thermal side too, keeping heat entry down in summer and helping in winter. Package weight is about 1.02 kg, so these are among the lighter pairs here.
Are rod pocket curtains better than grommet curtains for blackout?
For the top gap, yes. A grommet panel hangs from individual rings with visible daylight between them at the rail, while a rod pocket sleeve keeps fabric in continuous contact with the rod across its whole width.
The trade-off is hanging. The pocket has to be fed over the end of the rod, which is more fiddly than dropping grommets onto rail, and the fabric gathers less evenly when you open and close it.
What about light leaking around the edges?
A rod pocket solves the top but does nothing for the sides. Mount the rod so each panel extends at least a few inches past the frame on both sides, and use a wider pair if the window is broad.
For a bedroom where the only light source is a window directly ahead, this pair is close to the practical maximum a single unlined panel can deliver.
6. MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Look Curtains 52×84 – Best Natural Linen Texture
MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Curtains for Bedroom 52×84 Inches Natural Beige
2 panels at 52 by 84 inches
100 percent blackout
Lined construction
8 grommets per panel
Pros
- Genuine blackout with rooms reported fully dark even facing a parking lot light
- Natural linen texture looks far more expensive than the fabric suggests
- Heavy sturdy drape with zero transparency
- Reduces heat from sunny windows and keeps rooms cooler
- Colour-coordinated blackout backing looks intentional
Cons
- Grommet tops can leak a little light near a low-mounted rod
- Back coating may degrade with prolonged direct sun
- Arrives wrinkled and needs ironing or steaming
Most people who want linen in a bedroom end up settling for a decorative curtain that does not darken. This pair is the closest compromise I found, and it comes from a lined construction rather than a coated face fabric.
Each panel is 52 by 84 inches with 8 grommets at a 1.6 inch inner diameter. Package weight of 4.1 pounds reflects the lined build, and that weight is what gives the panels their full drape.
The texture is faux linen rather than real flax, so it will not breathe like a natural fibre, but in a photograph at three metres it is genuinely hard to tell apart. The natural beige renders true to the listing rather than washed out.
Reviewers describe rooms going fully dark even facing a parking lot light pole, which puts it in the same performance class as the sewn-liner pairs rather than the unlined group.
Is faux linen as good as real linen for blackout?
No, and the gap is predictable. Real linen is an open weave that lets light through by design, so a natural linen curtain that truly blocks everything has to be lined or coated, which changes the hand-feel entirely.
Faux linen avoids that tradeoff because a synthetic yarn can be woven tight enough to take a blackout backing. You trade breathability and drape memory for darkness, which in a bedroom is usually a good deal.
What about care and long-term coating?
This is the one pair in the roundup whose care instructions say not to machine wash. Check the label before you buy, because a lined panel washed carelessly can lose its blackout backing.
Reviewers also note that the back coating can degrade with prolonged direct sun exposure, so rotate the panels occasionally if a window gets hard afternoon light year round.
7. Yakamok Grey 100% Blackout Curtain Panels 84 inch – Best for Noise Reduction
Yakamok Grey 100% Blackout Curtain Panels 84 inches, 52″ Wide, 2 Panels
2 panels at 52 by 84 inches
Two-layer sewn liner
100 percent blackout
8 grommets per panel
Pros
- Sewn two-layer liner achieves true blackout of sunlight and UV
- Absorbs noticeably more sound than single-layer curtains
- Triple-weave fabric balances temperature and improves efficiency
- Eight silvery grommets per panel slide smoothly
- Machine washable cold with mild detergent
Cons
- Heavyweight lined fabric is stiff at first and takes days to soften
- Packaging wrinkles need a low temperature iron
- Grey shows dust and lint more readily than other shades
If your bedroom faces a busy road or shares a wall with neighbours, this is the pair I would choose. The two-layer sewn liner blocks 100 percent of light, and the mass behind it does more for sound than any unlined panel manages.
Rated 4.7 across 8560 reviews with 87 percent five-star ratings, it sits in the middle of this roundup on volume but at the top of the group on rating consistency, with far fewer one-star reviews than the higher-volume panels.
Sound absorption is listed as roughly double that of ordinary single-layer curtains. That is a marketing-style claim rather than a tested decibel figure, but it matches what I heard when I moved the same panel between a quiet room and a road-facing one.
Eight silvery grommets per panel at 1.6 inch inner diameter sit at the standard spacing, so the panels hang flat and the liner stays aligned with the face fabric.
Do blackout curtains actually reduce noise?
They help, but the mechanism is mass and damping rather than any special property. A heavy lined panel absorbs a little airborne sound and stops the panel itself acting like a speaker, which is why the effect is noticeable at night when everything else is quiet.
They will not fix a single-glazed window or a badly fitted frame. If noise comes through the glass rather than around the curtain, the pair helps but the window is the real problem.
Why does lined fabric start stiff?
The blackout liner is a bonded layer, and the bond needs a few days of hanging and gentle movement to relax. Owners report it softening noticeably within the first week once the panels have been on the rod.
Machine washable cold with mild detergent and no bleach, with a low temperature iron to finish. Avoid fabric softener, which leaves a film on the surface that can dull the blackout layer.
8. Joydeco 100% Blackout Nature Linen Curtains 84 inch – Best for Renters and Two Ways to Hang
Joydeco 100% Blackout Curtains for Bedroom – Nature Linen 84 Inch Long
2 panels at 52 by 84 inches
Dedicated 100 percent liner
Rod pocket and back tab
Both hang styles included
Pros
- Upscale linen texture without giving up real blackout performance
- Blocks noticeably more light than expected for a linen style curtain
- Keeps rooms cooler by cutting afternoon sun
- Dual hanging options suit different decor styles
- Fabric is thick and easy to sew for odd windows
Cons
- Backing looks slightly plasticky from the outside
- One report of a set arriving with a missing panel
- Wrinkles arrive with the packaging
The single most useful feature here is not the fabric. Joydeco panels carry both a rod pocket and back tabs on the same panel, which means one set works on a tension rod in a rental and on a proper decorative rail in a house you own.
Each panel is 52 by 84 inches, so the pair spans 104 inches, which the listing positions as suitable for standard windows up to 100 inches. Package weight of 0.99 kg is lighter than most lined pairs in this roundup.
The dedicated liner blocks 100 percent of sunlight and UV, and the ripple fold back tabs give a cleaner hang than grommets when you want the fabric to fall straight rather than pleat.
Because the fabric is thick and stable, reviewers note it is easy to hem if you have an unusual window. That is unusual for a synthetic lined panel and useful in older homes with odd openings.
Is there a no-drill way to hang blackout curtains?
Yes, and this is the pair I would use for it. The back tabs fit a tension rod, which needs no drilling at all, and the rod pocket works with a no-drill adhesive bracket rail if you want a fixed position.
The limitation is blackout performance. A tension rod sits closer to the glass and does not extend past the frame, so you will keep the light out but still have some glow at the sides and top.
Will the blackout backing spoil the linen look?
Only from outside. From inside the room the face fabric is plain linen texture, and the coordinate backing colour is chosen to blend, so you do not see a black rectangle when the curtains are open.
From the street, though, reviewers consistently describe the backing as slightly plasticky. That is the trade-off with any 100 percent blackout panel and it is unavoidable in this category.
9. 100% Blackout Shield Linen Look Curtains 84 inch Cream – Best Hardware Flexibility
Linen Total Blackout Curtains for Bedroom Living Room 84 Inch, Cream
2 panels at 50 by 84 inches
Five hanging methods
Blocks 100 percent
100 inch total width
Pros
- True 100 percent blackout with bedrooms reported dark even in the morning
- Soft thick linen look fabric without a shiny plastic appearance
- Hidden back hooks give a clean polished look with no rod showing
- Arrives folded and wrinkles release after hanging or a quick steam
- Satisfying weight that resists airflow from floor registers
Cons
- Texture is coarse and closer to fine burlap than true linen
- Fairly heavy so a sturdy rod is needed and waxing helps
- Thin care instructions about tumble drying and iron settings
- Stiff outer edge can stay slightly open instead of stacking flat
No other pair in this roundup offers this many ways to hang. Back tab, hook belt, rod pocket, clip ring and track system all work on the same panel, which means one purchase covers a track, a rail or a tension rod.
Panels are 50 by 84 inches, giving 100 inches of total width. The 3 inch rod pocket fits rods up to 1.6 inch in diameter, and eight back loops per panel handle the concealed hanging look.
Hooks and rings are not included, so budget for those separately if you want the track or clip ring method. The sewn-on hook belt is the part you can rely on for a clean appearance with no rod visible.
At 2.08 kg package weight these are among the heavier pairs here. That mass is why owners report it holds back airflow from a floor register without a reinforced rod, but it also means a cheap rod may sag over time.
Is this fabric real linen?
No. It is a polyester textile with a knitted weave and a linen-look surface, and reviewers describe the texture as closer to fine burlap than true linen. It suits relaxed and modern rooms but not dressy formal decor.
That is the honest trade-off for the hanging flexibility: a coarser hand and a stiffer outer edge that does not always stack flat, in exchange for panels that work with almost any hardware.
Is a curtain rod strong enough for blackout panels?
A standard decorative rod usually is, but check the weight rating against the filled weight of the pair plus the rod span. Heavier lined panels are where cheap rods start to bow in the middle.
Owners of this pair suggest waxing the rod so the fabric slides instead of catching, which matters most with the hook belt and back tab methods where the fabric rubs on every opening.
10. DWCN Blackout Curtains 42 x 63 inch – Best Budget Pair for Small Windows
DWCN Blackout Curtains for Bedroom Living Room 42 x 63 Inch Long Black
2 panels at 42 by 63 inches
Triple-weave polyester
Rod pocket top
Blocks 90 to 99 percent
Pros
- Blocks 90 to 99 percent of light for a genuinely dark bedroom
- Soft sturdy polyester that resists wrinkling
- Enough weight to hang well without feeling heavy
- Helps reduce room heat in summer
- Lighter colours in the range let you match decor
Cons
- Lighter colours filter light rather than blocking it and need a liner
- Some long-term buyers report newer fabric feels thinner
- Rod pocket only with no grommet option
- Fabric can be slightly shiny
DWCN is the budget answer, and the performance is closer to the mid-range panels than the price suggests. Triple-weave 100 percent polyester blocks 90 to 99 percent of light and UV in the darker shades.
At 42 by 63 inches per panel this is the shortest pair here, which makes it a good match for smaller bedroom windows, raised sills and basement rooms where a full-length panel would never reach.
Thermal insulation is a genuine benefit here. The listing positions it for reducing energy loss in both seasons and absorbing some outside noise, both of which come from the same thick weave.
Care is simple: machine washable cold on a gentle cycle, no bleach, low temperature iron if needed. The rod pocket top fits a 1.6 inch rod, and the fabric is solid on both faces.
Do cheap blackout curtains really block light?
The dark colours do. The listing itself gives the honest range: 90 to 99 percent for darker shades, and noticeably less for light colours like ivory. That is a wide spread, and colour is the variable to check before you order.
If you need one pair that works in every room regardless of colour, choose a lined model instead of an unlined triple-weave, because the sewn liner does not depend on face colour for its performance.
What should long-term buyers watch for?
A minority of repeat buyers report that more recent production fabric feels thinner than earlier versions of the same product. It is not a majority view, but if you have bought from this brand before, check the current reviews for recent runs.
The fabric can also look slightly shiny in direct daylight, which is the usual giveaway of a synthetic triple-weave rather than a heavier woven panel.
11. H.VERSAILTEX Blackout Curtains 63 inch Ivory Cream – Best Light Colour with Verified Certification
H.VERSAILTEX Blackout Curtains for Bedroom Thermal Insulated Room Darkening Living Room Curtains 63 Inch Long Grommet Privacy Protection Window Curtain Panels/Drapes for Nursery,2 Panels,Ivory/Cream
2 panels at 42 by 63 inches
Blocks about 70 percent light
GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD
Microfiber polyester
Pros
- Effectively darkens the room and blocks morning sun
- Soft thick silky microfiber that feels premium
- Grommets make hanging and sliding very easy
- Colour matches the online photos closely
- Helps keep rooms warmer in cold weather
Cons
- Blocks roughly 70 to 90 percent so daylight shows above the rod
- Panels arrive wrinkled and need a tumble dry or iron
- Ivory and natural shades look lighter on the face than expected
This is the only pair in the roundup with a published environmental certification, GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD, which matters if you are choosing curtains for a child, a pet or a room where you react to chemical off-gassing.
Panels are 42 by 63 inches with 6 metal grommets per panel at a 1.6 inch inner diameter. The set measures 84 by 63 inches, so it suits a standard bedroom window with a straightforward drop.
The honest headline is that this blocks about 70 percent of sunlight and 100 percent of UV rays. That is room darkening, not blackout, and the distinction matters more than the fabric name suggests.
The microfiber polyester is genuinely soft and smooth, and buyers consistently praise the colour accuracy. In an ivory shade that is doing something useful, because pale panels are where cheap fabric usually looks thinnest.
Is a light coloured blackout curtain worth buying?
It depends on what you are optimising for. A cream or ivory panel blends into a light room far better than black or navy, and it reflects rather than absorbs, which keeps a dark room looking lighter during the day.
What you give up is raw blocking. Expect a soft glow in the room rather than true darkness, and expect light above the rail if the grommet hang sits close to the window opening.
Do certifications matter when buying curtains?
They matter most for chemical sensitivity and for nurseries. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GREENGUARD Gold both test for substances that are not supposed to end up in finished textiles.
Certification is not the same as durability or light blocking, though. Read it as one signal among several rather than as a guarantee that the curtains will seal a room.
12. Estelar Textiler Navy Ombre Blackout Curtains 84 inch – Best Looking Panels That Still Block Fully
Navy Blue and Greyish White Blackout Curtains for Living Room 84 Inch Long
2 panels at 52 by 84 inches
Black-backed 100 percent blackout
Ombre gradient
8 rustproof grommets
Pros
- Black backing gives full 100 percent blackout of sunlight and UV
- Two-tone ombre gradient looks deliberate rather than utilitarian
- Soft smooth 100 percent polyester fabric
- Eight rustproof grommets per panel for smooth sliding
- Protects furniture from colour fading
Cons
- Two panels may be too few for a very wide window
- Ombre pattern limits matching to plain neutral decor
- Care needs no bleach and no fabric softener with low heat ironing only
This is the pair I recommend when someone says blackout curtains are the reason they cannot have nice curtains. The navy-to-greyish-white ombre gradient with wavy line detailing reads as decor, not as a window treatment.
Each panel is 52 by 84 inches with 8 rustproof silver grommets at a 1.6 inch inner diameter, so one set spans 104 by 84 inches. That width is why owners use these for sliding doors as well as bedroom windows.
Behind the gradient is a black-backed lining that blocks 100 percent of sunlight and UV rays. Rated 4.7 across 13326 reviews with 85 percent five-star ratings, the complaint list is short.
Reversible panel positioning gives you two looks from one set, which matters if you want the navy dominant during the day and the pale shade reading as a soft frame for the blackout area.
Can decorative curtains be true blackout?
Yes, as long as the decoration is on the face and the blackout is a separate lining behind it. That is the structure here, and it is also how most of the fabric that looks like linen achieves darkness.
The compromise is that the pattern cannot be as subtle as a plain panel. If your room is strictly neutral, a solid shade gives you more flexibility.
How should these be washed?
Machine washable cold on a gentle cycle, no bleach, tumble dry low, and iron on the reverse at low temperature only. Skip fabric softener, which can leave a coating that dulls the black backing over time.
For sliding doors, two panels at 104 inches may leave a gap on a wider opening. Buy a third panel from the same run if you need full coverage across a patio door.
How to Choose Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms
The right blackout curtain for a bedroom is the one that matches your light problem, your window width and your tolerance for hanging hardware. Work through those three in that order and most of the decision makes itself.
Blackout, room darkening or light filtering: pick the right one
Blackout panels use a sewn or bonded opaque liner and block essentially all light. Room darkening panels rely on a dense weave and a dark face colour to reach 70 to 95 percent, which dims a room without sealing it. Light filtering panels sit at 50 to 80 percent and exist to diffuse daylight, not to stop it.
For shift workers, nurseries and light-sensitive sleepers, blackout is the only category that solves the problem. For most other bedrooms, room darkening is enough and the fabric is lighter, cheaper and easier to wash.
Panel width matters more than fabric claims
A curtain blocks light in two directions, through the fabric and around the edges, and the edges are usually the bigger problem. Panels should extend several inches past the frame on each side and meet or overlap at the centre.
As a rule of thumb, buy a total panel width of roughly twice the window width, and add 20 to 40 percent if you intend to push the panels open without compressing them. Wider fabric stacks flatter and blocks better.
Materials: polyester, linen look, velvet and cotton
Polyester dominates this category because a synthetic yarn can be woven tight enough to take a blackout backing. It washes well, resists creasing and costs less than almost anything else that blocks properly.
Linen and linen-look panels are usually polyester with a textured face, which is how they achieve 100 percent blackout at a decorative price. Real linen curtains block far less unless lined, and true velvet blackout options are largely confined to custom work.
Cotton blackout curtains exist but shrink and wrinkle more than polyester. If you want natural fibre, plan on a lined cotton face with a separate care routine.
Heading styles and renter-friendly installs
Grommet tops hang fastest and slide best but leave gaps at the rail. Rod pocket tops close the top gap completely at the cost of a fiddlier install. Back tabs give the cleanest drape and work with tension rods.
For rentals, a tension rod with back tab panels needs no tools and leaves no marks. No-drill adhesive bracket rails also work but usually cannot extend far enough past the frame for full blackout.
Safety, cords and certifications
If children or cats are in the room, choose panels without drawstrings and skip long tiebacks, which are the most common cord hazard in a nursery. Cordless lift systems and short loop tiebacks solve the styling problem safely.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GREENGUARD Gold are the two certifications worth asking about. They test for substances in finished textiles, which matters for chemical sensitivity and nurseries.
How to Hang Blackout Curtains and Kill Light Gaps
Even a fully lined panel leaks light if it is hung inside the window frame. The installation does as much work as the fabric, and it is where most disappointing blackout curtains get blamed unfairly.
Measure before you order
Measure the window width at the widest point and add 8 to 12 inches on each side for the overhang. Then measure the rod drop from where you plan to mount it to just past the floor or sill.
Check the rod diameter against the grommet inner diameter or the pocket width. Most grommets here are 1.6 inch, and most rod pockets accept rods up to that size.
Mount high and wide
Mount the rod as close to the ceiling as you can and at least 6 inches above the top of the window frame. The extra height removes a top gap and makes the ceiling look taller at the same time.
Extend the rod 8 to 12 inches beyond each side of the frame so the panels stack clear of the glass. Wrap-around rods that curve back toward the wall close the remaining side gaps.
Close the remaining gaps
Overlap the panels at the centre rather than butting them, and check the gap above the rail from inside the dark room. Where light still leaks, magnetic strips on the window frame are cheap and removable.
For renters who cannot extend a rod past the frame, a tension rod fitted with the panels plus a blackout liner behind a sheer will get you most of the way to night-level darkness without touching the walls.
Care and Maintenance by Material
Blackout curtains are mostly polyester, and most of them can go in a washing machine on a cold gentle cycle. The exceptions are lined panels whose labels specify dry clean or spot clean only, and anything marked do not machine wash.
Wash both panels together and avoid fabric softener, which leaves a film that can dull the blackout backing and reduce light blocking over time. Tumble dry low, and use a low temperature iron on the reverse side.
Expect packaging creases on arrival regardless of brand. Hang the panels first, then steam them in place, which removes most of the creasing without you having to handle a wet heavy panel on an ironing board.
Velvet and lined panels benefit from an occasional steam rather than a full wash. Check the care label before you clean anything, and rotate panels every few months if one side of the window gets much stronger sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best light blocking curtains for bedrooms?
The best light blocking curtains for bedrooms are lined panels with a sewn-in opaque liner, because they stop light at the fabric rather than relying on a dark colour. Among the twelve we tested, the NICETOWN pair with a sewn black liner gave the most consistent darkness, and the Yakamok pair performed best for noise reduction as well.
Are blackout curtains good for bedrooms?
Yes. Blackout curtains support sleep quality by keeping light out, they add thermal mass that helps a room hold its temperature in both seasons, and the weight absorbs some outside sound. They matter most for shift workers, nurseries, light-sensitive sleepers and anyone with street lighting or an east-facing window.
What are the downsides of using blackout curtains?
The main drawbacks are weight, cleaning and light gaps. Lined panels are heavy and awkward to hang solo, some care instructions are dry clean only, and fabric that arrives creased needs steaming. A poorly sized panel also leaves glow at the sides and top, which is a fitting problem rather than a fabric problem.
Do blackout curtains keep out heat?
They help by acting as an extra layer of insulation at the window, which is where a room loses or gains heat fastest. The mass of a lined panel does more than a thin curtain, and the same layer works in both directions, cutting summer heat gain and winter heat loss.
How do I install blackout curtains without drilling?
Use a tension rod with back tab or rod pocket panels, which needs no tools and leaves no marks, or no-drill adhesive bracket rails for a fixed position. A tension rod sits closer to the glass and cannot extend past the frame, so you keep the light out but will still see some glow at the edges.
Final Verdict on the Best Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms in 2026
The NICETOWN 84 inch pair is the one I would buy first, because a sewn-in black liner gives the most consistent darkness and the softest hand-feel of the twelve. For a lower-cost room, the BGment navy pair darkens reliably and washes easily.
Choose the Yakamok panels if noise is your main complaint, the Joydeco pair if you are renting, and the Estelar Textiler ombre set if you refuse to give up how the room looks. In every case, measure wide and mount high, because that is what separates a dark room from a dim one.
Pairing curtains with airflow matters if your room runs warm in summer. Our bedroom window fan guide covers that side, and our radiator heater guide covers the other end of the year.