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Our top picks
Short on time? Our top recommendation is the Eclipse Palisade Blackout Curta in Panel.
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At a glance
The traits that separate these picks, side by side.
| # | Product | Best for | Key feature | |
|---|
| 1 | | — | 52 x 84 inch single panel, grommet top | Check ↗ |
| 2 | | — | 52 x 84 inch pair, 2 panels | Check ↗ |
| 3 | | — | 40 x 63 inch single panel, grommet top | Check ↗ |
| 4 | | — | 52 x 63 inch pair, 2 panels | Check ↗ |
| 5 | | — | 37 x 84 inch single panel, rod pocket top | Check ↗ |
| 6 | | — | — | Check ↗ |
In depth
The 6 best, explained
Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who should buy it.
Best overallEclipse
Thermaback backing blocks nearly all direct light through the fabric itself
- 52 x 84 inch single panel, grommet top
- Thermaback triple-weave blackout backing
- Blocks 98% to 99.9% of light
- Reduces outside noise and insulates against heat and cold
- Machine washable
✓ Pros
- Thermaback backing blocks nearly all direct light through the fabric itself
- Sold per panel so a wide window can be covered exactly without buying an oversized pair
- Noticeably dims a bedroom even against strong midday sun
✕ Cons
- Sold as a single panel, so covering a standard window with two panels costs double the sticker price
- Stiffer hand-feel than fabric-only blackout curtains
Lush Decor
Sold as a pair, so a single order covers a standard window with overlap
- 52 x 84 inch pair, 2 panels
- Microfiber fabric with built-in insulation, no separate liner needed
- 1.65 inch metal grommets
- Blocks approximately 95% to 99% of light depending on color
- Machine washable
✓ Pros
- Sold as a pair, so a single order covers a standard window with overlap
- Microfiber fabric feels softer than stiffer single-layer blackout panels
- Darker colorways block close to full light for daytime sleep
✕ Cons
- Lighter colorways block noticeably less light than the darker options
- Some buyers report a factory odor on first unboxing that airs out after a wash
Sun Zero
Consistently the highest ratings volume of any budget blackout panel
- 40 x 63 inch single panel, grommet top
- Blocks up to 90% of light
- Lab-tested to reduce outside noise by 25%
- Reduces energy loss through the window by up to 25%
- Machine washable
✓ Pros
- Consistently the highest ratings volume of any budget blackout panel
- Easy to buy multiples to layer over a wide window
✕ Cons
- 90% light blocking is noticeably less complete than the Eclipse or Lush Decor options
- 40-inch width means most windows need 3 panels rather than 2 for full coverage
Exclusive Home Curtains
Sateen finish has a more polished look than a matte blackout panel
- 52 x 63 inch pair, 2 panels
- 8 matte silver grommets per panel
- Sateen twill weave with Light Block and Thermax lining
- Blocks light and blocks harmful UV rays
- Machine washable
✓ Pros
- Sateen finish has a more polished look than a matte blackout panel
- Thermax lining adds genuine thermal insulation, useful for daytime heat buildup
- 8 grommets per panel glide smoothly on the rod
✕ Cons
- 63-inch length is short for a floor-length look on standard 8-foot ceilings
- Fewer total ratings than the Eclipse or Sun Zero lines
Eclipse
Keep in mind that rod pocket top is slower to open and close than a grommet panel.
- 37 x 84 inch single panel, rod pocket top
- Thermaback blackout backing
- Blocks over 99% of light
- Reduces noise and insulates against heat and cold
- Machine washable
✓ Pros
- 99% light blocking matches the Palisade despite the narrower width
- 37-inch width is a better proportional fit for narrow bedroom windows
- Rod pocket top gives a cleaner, more traditional look than grommets
✕ Cons
- Rod pocket top is slower to open and close than a grommet panel
- Narrower width means more panels are needed for a wide window
NICETOWN
Popular blackout panels with a black lining that block light and help insulate windows.
✓ Pros
- Black-lined 100% blackout fabric
- Thermal insulation
- Many sizes and colors
- Good value
✕ Cons
- Light still leaks around edges without wraparound rods
- Heavier panels need sturdy rods
- Liner side faces the window only
How we chose these picks
Every pick below earned its place through documented strengths, verified specifications, consistent praise in reputable reviews, and owner-feedback patterns. We don't sell placements, and we don't invent test scores.
Mistakes buyers often make
- Buying on brand name alone instead of matching features to your actual use case.
- Overpaying for headline specs you'll never use, define must-haves first.
- Ignoring size — compatibility, and ongoing costs (filters, accessories, refills).
- Trusting star ratings without reading what owners compla in about after 6 months.
How to choose: the factors that matter
- Capacity and sizing — Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
- Build quality and materials — Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
- Ease of use and setup — Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
- Maintenance and cleaning — Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
- Warranty and support — A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.
The bottom line
There's no single 'best' here, only the best match for your situation. Start from your must-have features, then choose the least expensive pick that covers them.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the best blackout curtains for shift workers right now?
Our top pick is the Eclipse Palisade Blackout Curta in Panel (best overall), because thermaback backing blocks nearly all direct light through the fabric itself. The runner-up is the Lush Decor Insulated Grommet Blackout Curta in Panel Pair, followed by the Sun Zero Easton Blackout Grommet Curta in Panel.
Is the Eclipse Palisade Blackout Curta in Panel worth it?
For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our blackout curtains for shift workers research, though sold as a single panel, so covering a standard window with two panels costs double the sticker price.
Do blackout curtains actually block 100% of light?
Almost none do, in practice. Most branded blackout curtains block 98% to 99.9% of direct light through the fabric itself, using a tightly woven or foam-backed layer. The light that gets through a well-fitted blackout curta in usually comes from the sides and top, w here the panel does not fully cover the window frame, not through the fabric. For shift workers who need a genuinely dark room, pairing blackout curtains with a wrap-around fitting (extending the rod several inches past the window frame on each side) closes most of the remaining gap.
How wide should blackout curtains be for a shift worker's bedroom?
Wider than the window, not equal to it. A single panel or pair should total at least 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window when open, so that when closed the fabric fully overlaps the frame with no gap. For a 36-inch window, that means panels totaling 72 to 90 inches of width closed. Mounting the rod 4 to 6 inches beyond the frame on each side, rather than directly above the window, closes the side light gaps that let in the most light during a bright afternoon nap.
Is it worth pairing blackout curtains with blackout liners for daytime sleep?
Yes, for anyone sleeping during peak daylight hours. A single blackout curta in layer blocks the large majority of light, but a second layer, either a dedicated blackout liner clipped behind the curta in or a second blackout panel, closes the remaining gaps at the seams and reduces the faint glow that still comes through most single-layer fabrics at midday. For night-shift workers sleeping from roughly 8am to 4pm, when sunlight is strongest, the second layer makes a noticeable difference.
Do blackout curtains help with noise as well as light for daytime sleeping?
The same dense weave and foam or acrylic backing that blocks light also dampens sound, and most blackout curta in brands advertise a modest noise reduction, typically in the 20% to 25% range in lab testing. This is a meaningful but partial effect, comparable to closing a window versus using dedicated soundproofing. For shift workers on a noisy street, blackout curtains help but are not a substitute for a white noise machine or earplugs.
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