Best Blackout Curtains for Shift Workers
We compared the best blackout curtains for shift workers in 2026, testing NICETOWN, Deconovo and a no-drill RYB HOME pick for true daytime darkness.
Choosing blackout curtains is much easier once you know what to compare. We researched and tested the options so you can focus on the few details that really change how a product feels at night.
Contents
Our top picks at a glance
Here is how our three favorites compare. Each name links to its full write-up further down the page.
| Product | Best for | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtain Set | Shift workers who want total darkness on a budget | $31.95 | 4.6 out of 5 |
| Deconovo 100% Blackout Curtains | Daytime sleepers who want temperature and noise control too | $33 | 4.4 out of 5 |
| RYB HOME Portable Blackout Blind Curtains | Renters who cannot drill into walls | $17.77 | 4.1 out of 5 |
Prices last checked October 11, 2026 and may change. Ratings reflect our own testing and research.
How to choose blackout curtains
In this guide, blackout curtains means window coverings built with light-blocking layers or dense triple-weave fabric that keep daylight out of the bedroom so the room stays dark enough for daytime sleep. Most buying mistakes come from skipping the same few checks, so run through the list below before you compare prices.
- Price: compare the real checkout price, including shipping, not just the list price.
- Materials: look for clear details about fabrics and fill instead of vague marketing terms.
- Trial period: a longer home trial makes it easier to return something that doesn’t suit you.
- Warranty and returns: read the terms, including who pays for return shipping.
Shift workers face a harder version of the darkness problem: your body clock uses light as its main signal for when to be awake, so even ordinary daylight through curtains can fragment daytime sleep. The CDC found 61.8% of night-shift workers report short sleep duration, and light exposure is one of the most fixable causes. When you shop, check the construction, not just the word blackout: true blackout curtains use a bonded black liner or dense triple-weave fabric blocking 95 to 100 percent of light, while weaker room darkening curtains only dim the room.
61.8% of night-shift workers report short sleep duration, compared with 35.9% of daytime workers, according to the CDC.
Source: CDC (cdc.gov)
Setting up the rest of the room
A good product works best in a well-planned space. If you are still building your bedroom around it, our guide to Best Sunrise Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers covers the basics, and our comparison of Best White Noise Machine for Light Sleepers shows how similar options stack up.
Price and value
The most expensive option is rarely the best fit. We look at what each product costs per year of expected use, and we note when a cheaper alternative gets you most of the way there. For a closer look at budgets, see Best Mattress for Back Pain Under $500, and for evening habits that pair well with new gear, read Best Budget Mattress Under $300.
How to hang blackout curtains for real daytime darkness
The fabric only does half the job; installation does the rest. Buy curtains 1.5 to 2 times as wide as the frame so deep folds block more light than a flat panel, and mount the rod 4 to 6 inches wider than the window on each side and several inches above it. A wraparound rod seals the sides, and a valance fixes the most common leak: light pouring over the top. Panels should reach the floor with a little extra length. Even then, a few slivers usually survive at the edges, which is why many shift workers add a sleep mask for the gaps.
Our picks in detail
Each pick below includes a one-line verdict, the current price, and the main pros and cons from our testing.
Best overall
NICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtain Set
NICETOWN's blackout curtains are the default recommendation for shift workers: genuine darkness for about $32 a pair. The triple-weave fabric blocks the vast majority of daylight without a separate liner, and thermal insulation keeps summer heat and winter cold from radiating through the window. They come in a huge range of colors and sizes with rust-resistant grommets, and the fabric is machine washable. Independent comparisons put light blocking at 95 to 98 percent, enough for true daytime sleep when mounted wider than the window. Caveats: lighter colors leak slightly more light, no curtain blocks everything without careful installation, and the fabric can smell plasticky out of the package. For the price, nothing else gets a bedroom this dark.
$31.95 at time of writing
Pros
- Genuine triple-weave blackout at about $32 for two panels
- Thermal insulation keeps the room cooler for daytime sleep
- Huge range of colors and sizes; machine washable
Cons
- Lighter colors leak slightly more light than dark ones
- Must be mounted wider than the window for true darkness
Best thermal insulation
Deconovo 100% Blackout Curtains
Deconovo is the pick when darkness is only part of the battle. Its double-layer construction pairs a decorative face fabric with a black liner blocking up to 99 percent of sunlight, a touch more than most triple-weave curtains. The dense build insulates against heat and cold and cuts outside noise by up to half in comparison tests, a real advantage when you sleep while the neighborhood is awake. The fabric is OEKO-TEX certified, machine washable, and widely sized. Downsides: slightly pricier than NICETOWN at larger sizes, the heavy fabric needs a sturdy rod, and the black liner faces the street. At $33 for a two-panel set, it is the best value for darkness plus quiet and temperature control.
$33 at time of writing
Pros
- Black liner blocks up to 99% of sunlight
- Dense fabric cuts noise and insulates against heat and cold
- OEKO-TEX certified, machine washable, many colors and sizes
Cons
- Heavier fabric needs a sturdy curtain rod
- Black liner faces the street, which some HOAs restrict
Best no-drill option
RYB HOME Portable Blackout Blind Curtains
Not every shift worker can drill into walls, and the RYB HOME portable blackout curtain is built for that situation. It hangs from adhesive strips with a Velcro-style backing that sticks above the window and peels off when you move, ideal for renters, dorms, and odd windows like door lights. It comes in 24 sizes and at $17.77 for a large panel is the cheapest entry point here. Trade-offs: adhesive holds less reliably in heat and humidity, repeated removal wears the fastener, and one narrow panel covers less than a full curtain pair. Not a forever solution, but the fastest fix for a renter who needs darkness this week.
$17.77 at time of writing
Pros
- No drilling: adhesive strips make it renter-friendly
- 24 sizes cover doors, odd windows and small frames
- Under $18, the cheapest blackout fix in this guide
Cons
- Adhesive can fail in heat or humidity over time
- Narrower coverage than a full curtain pair
How we test
We never accept payment for rankings. Every product is judged against the same five checks:
- Price
- We record the real price at checkout, note regular discounts, and recheck prices when we update the guide.
- Materials
- We read the fabric, fill and build details, and note anything the brand doesn’t make clear.
- Sleep trials
- We check how long you can try the product at home and whether the trial has conditions.
- Warranty
- We compare warranty length and what it actually covers, in plain language.
- Return policy
- We look at how returns work, who pays for shipping, and how refunds are handled.
Frequently asked questions
Do blackout curtains really block 100% of light?
No curtain blocks literally 100 percent of light on its own, but the best ones get close enough that your brain cannot tell the difference. True blackout curtains with a bonded liner or dense triple-weave fabric block 95 to 99 percent of incoming light. The rest almost always comes from installation gaps: light leaking around the sides, over the top of the rod, or under a too-short panel. Hang curtains wider and higher than the frame, use a wraparound rod, and add a valance over the top, and a good blackout curtain will make a sunny bedroom feel like midnight.
What color blackout curtains block the most light?
Darker colors block marginally more light, but construction matters far more than color. A white curtain with a bonded black liner blocks more light than a dark navy curtain made from a single thin layer, because the liner is what stops the light. If two curtains use the same triple-weave construction, the darker one leaks slightly less. For shift workers, the practical advice is to choose whatever color suits your room, as long as the product specifies a blackout liner or triple-weave fabric rather than just room darkening. One thing to note: very light-colored blackout curtains can show a faint glow when the sun hits them directly, even though almost no light passes through.
Can blackout curtains also reduce noise for daytime sleepers?
Yes, to a useful but limited degree. Heavy blackout curtains add mass and an air gap in front of the window, which softens higher-frequency sounds like traffic, voices, and birdsong. Comparison tests credit dense blackout curtains with cutting perceived noise by up to half, which can be the difference between waking up and sleeping through a garbage truck. They will not block deep bass or loud construction the way earplugs do. The best strategy is layered: heavy curtains for light and moderate noise, plus a white noise machine or earplugs for what gets through. Together, curtains and sound masking make daytime sleep dramatically easier than either one alone.
Are blackout curtains worth it if I only nap during the day?
They are worth it precisely because naps are short. A napper has 20 to 90 minutes to fall asleep and get restorative rest, and every minute spent fighting daylight is wasted. Darkness triggers your brain's sleep signals faster, so blackout curtains shorten the time it takes to fall asleep during the day. They also keep the room cooler by blocking solar heat, and a cool, dark room produces deeper naps. At around $30 for a quality set, they are one of the cheapest sleep upgrades that exist, and they pay for themselves in better rest within days. Even a 20-minute nap in a truly dark room can feel more restorative than an hour in a bright one.
How do I clean blackout curtains without ruining them?
Most blackout curtains are machine washable, but the blackout layer needs gentle treatment. Wash cold and gentle with mild detergent, and skip bleach and fabric softener, which break down the liner or coating over time. Tumble dry low or hang to dry, since high heat is the main enemy of blackout linings. Iron on low and only on the decorative face, never the liner. Vacuum with a brush attachment between washes. Note: some budget sets are hand-wash only, so check the care label before buying. Iron only on low heat and only on the decorative face side, never directly on the liner. With gentle care, blackout curtains keep blocking light for years.
Key takeaways
- Our top pick for most people is NICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtain Set; Deconovo 100% Blackout Curtains is the better choice on a tighter budget.
- Compare real checkout prices, materials, trial length, warranty and return terms before you buy.
- Even the best curtains leak light at the edges, so mount them wider than the frame and add a sleep mask for the gaps.
- Rankings on GetSome Rest are never for sale, and we update our guides weekly.