Best of
The Best Blackout Curtains (2026)
The best blackout curtains ranked on light blocking, fabric quality, and sizing. Our top pick pairs true triple-weave construction with the widest size range.
Our top picks at a glance
Best overall
NICETOWN Blackout Curtain Panels, Set of 2Anyone needing reliable blackout in a specific size or color.
Best room darkening
Deconovo Room Darkening Triple Weave CurtainsBedrooms and nurseries wanting darkness plus quieter rooms.
Best value
Amazon Basics Blackout Curtain Panels, Set of 2Standard windows where budget matters more than color choice.
NICETOWN blackout panels are the best blackout curtains for most people. The triple-weave fabric blocks light through the panel itself, they come as a proper two-panel set, and the size and color range covers nearly any window. If budget leads, the Amazon Basics panels use the same triple-weave construction for less. For drafty windows, the RYB Home thermal panels add meaningful insulation.
The picks, ranked
Best overall
NICETOWN Blackout Curtain Panels, Set of 2
Triple-weave blackout panels in the widest size and color range.
Strengths
- True triple-weave fabric, no coating to peel
- Sold as two-panel sets with 1.6-inch grommets
- Widest size range: 63 to 108-inch lengths
- Dozens of colors
Limitations
- No dedicated thermal or noise-dampening engineering
- Grommet-only header on the core line
- Mid-range pricing over budget triple-weave options
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Strong value and easy to hang
- Soft fabric with no chemical smell
- Noticeably cooler, darker rooms
Common complaints
- Some colors let in more light than true blackout panels
- Occasional sizing inconsistencies
- Wrinkles from packaging take time to fall out
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Construction | Triple-weave blackout fabric |
|---|---|
| Set | 2 panels |
| Header | Grommet, fits rods up to 1.6" |
| Sizes | Widths from 42", lengths 63" to 108" |
Best for: Anyone needing reliable blackout in a specific size or color.
Skip if: A standard window in a neutral color where the budget pick suffices.
Best room darkening
Deconovo Room Darkening Triple Weave Curtains
Rated 85 to 99 percent light blocking with noise dampening and header choices.
Strengths
- Published 85 to 99 percent light-blocking rating by color
- Triple weave dampens noise and insulates
- Three header styles: grommet, back tab, rod pocket
- Machine washable
Limitations
- Light colors block measurably less light
- Smaller color catalog than NICETOWN
- Not the hardest-core blackout in dark-color comparisons
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Blocks most street light and sun
- Thick, soft fabric that looks good in daylight
- Highly rated across many sizes
Common complaints
- No tiebacks included
- Lighter colors darken less than dark ones
- Fold lines need steaming
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Construction | Triple-weave, thermal |
|---|---|
| Light blocking | 85 to 99% (color dependent, per manufacturer) |
| Headers | Grommet, back tab, rod pocket |
| Set | 2 panels |
Best for: Bedrooms and nurseries wanting darkness plus quieter rooms.
Skip if: You need absolute blackout for shift work in a dark color.
Best value
Amazon Basics Blackout Curtain Panels, Set of 2
Triple-weave blackout construction at the lowest price in its class.
Strengths
- Triple-weave fabric at the lowest price here
- No coating to crack or peel
- Grommet top slides easily
- Machine washable
Limitations
- Limited colors and sizes
- Grommet-only header
- No thermal or noise engineering story
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Good quality for a low price
- Simple grommet installation
- Decent room darkening in darker colors
Common complaints
- Packaging creases are hard to steam out
- Light colors are room-darkening, not full blackout
- Basic look compared with pricier panels
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Construction | Triple-weave polyester blackout |
|---|---|
| Set | 2 panels |
| Header | Grommet top |
| Care | Machine washable |
Best for: Standard windows where budget matters more than color choice.
Skip if: You need an unusual size, length, or specific decor color.
Best thermal
RYB Home Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Heavy thermal triple weave for drafty windows and cold rooms.
Strengths
- Heaviest thermal weave in this group
- Slows heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer
- Blocks light through the panel
- Two-panel sets
Limitations
- Heavier fabric needs a sturdy rod
- Fewer header and style options
- Overkill for well-insulated windows
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Inexpensive and widely available in many colours and sizes
- Darkens rooms well for the price
- Light enough to hang on standard rods
Common complaints
- It blocks most light but not all, especially in pale colours
- Quality control varies between batches
- Colours can look different from the product photos
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Construction | Triple-weave thermal insulated |
|---|---|
| Set | 2 panels |
| Function | Light blocking plus thermal insulation |
| Care | Machine washable |
Best for: Drafty windows where insulation matters as much as darkness.
Skip if: The window is well sealed and you only need light blocking.
Best color selection
H.VERSAILTEX Blackout Curtains, Set of 2
Triple-weave blackout in dozens of colors.
Strengths
- Triple-weave fabric blocks 100 percent of light
- Huge range of colors and sizes
- Thermal insulation helps with energy bills
- Soft, drapey fabric rather than stiff coating
Limitations
- Mid-range price
- Grommet tops only on most styles
- Needs steaming out of the package
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Blocks light very effectively thanks to the black liner
- Thick fabric feels better quality than the price suggests
- Easy to hang with sturdy grommets
Common complaints
- Panels arrive creased and need steaming or time to hang out
- Occasional stitching flaws or a missing panel in the set
- Heavy panels can sag on thin rods
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Fabric | Triple-weave polyester |
|---|---|
| Blackout | 100 percent light blocking |
| Header | Grommet top |
| Set | 2 panels |
| Care | Machine washable |
Best for: Style-conscious buyers who want true blackout without sacrificing color choice.
Skip if: You want the absolute cheapest panels.
Best theater-grade blackout
Sun Zero Oslo Blackout Curtains
Theater-grade darkness with energy savings.
Strengths
- Theater-grade blackout blocks virtually all light
- Energy-efficient thermal backing
- Noise-reducing construction
- Woven texture looks upscale
Limitations
- Stiffer hand feel than triple-weave
- Fewer color options
- Heavier panels need sturdy rods
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Thick, heavy fabric that darkens bedrooms well
- Good value, and owners say they sleep better
- Also dampens some outside noise
Common complaints
- Strong direct sun can still glow through some colours
- Many listings are for a single panel, which confuses buyers
- Colours do not always match the photos
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Fabric | Thermal-backed woven |
|---|---|
| Blackout | Theater-grade, near total |
| Function | Light blocking plus thermal plus noise reduction |
| Header | Grommet top |
| Set | 2 panels |
Best for: Home theaters and light sleepers who want maximum darkness.
Skip if: You want a soft, casual fabric look.
Best thermal value
BGment Blackout Curtains, Set of 2
Triple-weave thermal blackout at a friendly price.
Strengths
- Triple-weave blocks 100 percent of light
- Thermal insulation for hot and cold rooms
- Good range of solid colors
- Very affordable for the quality
Limitations
- Mostly solid colors, few patterns
- Can arrive with fold creases
- Grommets are basic
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Keeps rooms noticeably cooler in summer
- Resists wrinkles and hangs neatly
- Affordable with many size options
Common complaints
- Lighter colours let some light through
- Colours can differ from what buyers expect
- Needs a gentle cold wash to avoid damage
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Fabric | Triple-weave polyester |
|---|---|
| Blackout | 100 percent light blocking |
| Function | Light blocking plus thermal insulation |
| Header | Grommet top |
| Set | 2 panels |
Best for: Budget buyers who want real triple-weave blackout and thermal insulation.
Skip if: You want designer colors or patterns.
Best budget grommet
Joydeco Blackout Curtains, Set of 2
Budget grommet blackout that holds up.
Strengths
- 100 percent blackout at a low price
- Grommet tops slide easily
- Fade-resistant fabric
- Machine washable
Limitations
- No thermal backing
- Thinner than triple-weave rivals
- Limited size range
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Budget-friendly with a soft, thick feel
- Darkens rooms well in darker colours
- Grommets make hanging simple
Common complaints
- Pale colours do not fully block sunlight
- Panels can arrive creased from packaging
- Light leaks at the edges unless the rod is wide enough
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Fabric | Blackout-coated polyester |
|---|---|
| Blackout | 100 percent light blocking |
| Header | Grommet top |
| Set | 2 panels |
| Care | Machine washable |
Best for: Renters and budget bedrooms needing simple, effective blackout.
Skip if: You want thermal insulation or premium fabrics.
Best energy-saving
Eclipse Blackout Curtains
Thermaback blackout built for energy savings.
Strengths
- Thermaback coating blocks light and insulates
- Reduces outside noise
- Wide availability in stores
- Multiple header styles
Limitations
- Coated backing can crack over time
- Stiffer drape than triple-weave
- Mid-range price
What owners report
Commonly praised
- A trusted brand that is easy to find in stores
- Thermal backing helps with heat and cold
- Durable panels that wash well
Common complaints
- Light leaks around the edges, as with most rod-hung curtains
- A few owners notice a chemical smell when new
- Some colours look different in person
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Fabric | Thermaback-coated polyester |
|---|---|
| Blackout | 100 percent light blocking |
| Function | Light blocking plus energy saving plus noise reduction |
| Header | Grommet, rod pocket options |
| Care | Machine washable |
Best for: Homeowners who want blackout plus measurable energy savings.
Skip if: You want the softest drape or the lowest price.
Best for nurseries
ChrisDowa Blackout Curtains, Set of 2
Soft blackout panels with thermal backing.
Strengths
- Soft triple-weave fabric blocks all light
- Thermal backing helps regulate room temperature
- Good color range for nurseries
- Wrinkle-resistant out of the package
Limitations
- Mostly solid colors
- Grommet only
- Mid-weight, not the heaviest drape
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Inexpensive pair that darkens rooms well
- Soft fabric with a clean look
- Wide range of colours
Common complaints
- Lighter shades are room-darkening rather than full blackout
- Panels arrive with fold creases
- Thinner than premium blackout curtains
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Fabric | Triple-weave polyester with thermal backing |
|---|---|
| Blackout | 100 percent light blocking |
| Header | Grommet top |
| Set | 2 panels |
| Care | Machine washable |
Best for: Nurseries and bedrooms where soft fabric and darkness both matter.
Skip if: You want patterned designer fabrics.
How we chose
How we rank blackout curtains
- Fabric construction: true triple-weave fabric blocks light in the weave itself. Coated or single-layer fabrics with a sprayed backing block light but crack and peel over time.
- Light blocking: what the fabric stops matters, but so does coverage. Panels must extend well past the window frame on all sides to stop edge leaks.
- Sizing: a useful range of widths and lengths, sold as two-panel sets so one package covers a standard window.
- Thermal properties: heavier triple-weave fabrics insulate against drafts and summer heat as a side benefit worth weighing.
Questions, answered
Do blackout curtains block 100 percent of light?
No curtain blocks all light in a real room. The fabric can approach total blockage, but light leaks around the top, sides, and bottom of the panel, and through the gap where two panels meet. For near-total darkness, mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above and 3 to 4 inches wider than the frame on each side, and consider a wraparound rod that returns to the wall.
What is triple-weave fabric?
Three layers of yarn woven together so the middle black layer stops light. Unlike coated curtains, where a foam or rubber backing is sprayed onto fabric, triple-weave has no coating to crack, peel, or smell. It also drapes better and usually insulates more.
How wide should blackout curtains be?
Each panel's stated width is the flat, ungathered width. For proper fullness, the combined flat width of your panels should be 1.5 to 2 times the width you need to cover. A 60-inch window needs roughly 90 to 120 inches of total panel width for curtains that look right and block edge light.
Can blackout curtains reduce energy bills?
Modestly. Heavy triple-weave and thermal-insulated panels slow heat transfer through windows, which helps drafty rooms in winter and sun-blasted rooms in summer. They are insulation, not a replacement for it: the effect is noticeable on comfort, small on the bill.