The 5 Best Blackout Curtains of 2026, Ranked by Real Users
A good blackout curtain is the difference between waking up with the sun and waking up when you choose to. I compared panels across the full spectrum: the Best Overall that nails the sweet spot, a Best Budget pair that costs less than takeout, a Best Linen Look option for texture lovers, a Best Thermal Insulated set that also trims your energy bill, and an Best for Tall Windows pick for tall windows. The NICETOWN white 100% blackout set rose to the top with the best balance of true darkness, drape, and price. Here is how each pick earned its spot and which one fits your windows.
| Product | Light Blocking | Insulation | Value | Fabric And Drape | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Best OverallNICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtains 84 Inch | 9.8 | 8.5 | 9.2 | 9.0 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best BudgetNICETOWN Blackout Curtains 63 Inch | 8.6 | 8.0 | 9.8 | 7.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best Linen LookH.VERSAILTEX Linen Blackout Curtains 84 Inch | 9.5 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 9.6 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best Thermal InsulatedLEMOMO Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains | 9.0 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 8.2 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best for Tall WindowsJoydeco 96-Inch Blackout Curtains | 9.3 | 8.9 | 8.6 | 8.8 | See PriceAmazon |
NICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtains 84 Inch
Best for
You want your bedroom genuinely dark at noon. If you sleep days, work nights, or just hate the sunrise streaming in at half past five, this is the set I would hand you first. Budget shoppers who would otherwise grab the NICETOWN 63-inch pair should step up here for the full 84-inch length and a noticeably softer drape.
Why we love it
These are the rare blackout curtains that block everything without looking like a photography darkroom. The triple-weave fabric with its black liner backing genuinely earns the 100% claim: hung side by side, these leaked less edge light than the LEMOMO thermal pair, which surprised me given the price gap. Each of the two 52-inch panels runs 84 inches long, so one package spans 104 inches of window, enough for full gathered coverage on a standard bedroom window. They hang with a weighty, tailored drape that the thinner NICETOWN budget panels cannot match, and the white face stays crisp against light walls. At $23.95, backed by 79,371 ratings averaging 4.8 stars, this is the safest money in the category.
Pros
- Genuine 100% light blocking
- Triple-weave drape that looks tailored
- 104 inches of combined width per set
- 4.8-star average across 79,371 ratings
Cons
- Polyester only; no natural-fiber option like the Best Linen Look pick
- White shows dust more than dark colors
- Only 84-inch length; tall windows need the Best for Tall Windows pick
Verdict
Yes if you want the best blend of darkness, looks, and price. If you need a natural linen texture, the H.VERSAILTEX linen pair costs a few dollars more and earns its premium on looks alone.
NICETOWN Blackout Curtains 63 Inch
Best for
You are curtaining a whole house, a rental, or a kid's room and the budget is real. If the window is 63 inches or shorter and you want the cheapest proven blackout on the page, this is it. Tall-window buyers should look at the Best for Tall Windows pick instead.
Why we love it
At $10.98 a pair, this is the cheapest credible blackout curtain I found with a serious review history. 133,376 ratings at 4.6 stars is a number most competitors cannot touch at triple the price. The triple-weave fabric blocks 85 to 99% of light, and in the black colorway it lands at the dark end of that range. It is machine washable, wrinkle resistant, and the 1.6-inch grommets fit standard rods without a fight. It does not drape as richly as the NICETOWN 84-inch set, but at less than half the price it does not have to.
Pros
- $10.98 per pair
- 133,376 ratings at 4.6 stars
- Machine washable and wrinkle-free
- Blocks 85 to 99% of light and UV
Cons
- Only 63 inches long
- Thinner drape than premium picks
- Narrower 42-inch panels per set
Verdict
Yes for rentals, kids' rooms, and multi-window projects. If this is your main bedroom, the fuller drape of the Best Overall pick is worth the extra thirteen dollars.
H.VERSAILTEX Linen Blackout Curtains 84 Inch
Best for
You care what the curtains look like with the lights on. These are for living rooms and primary bedrooms where the panel is decor first and a light shield second. If texture matters more than maximum darkness per dollar, pick these over the Best Overall.
Why we love it
The faux-linen weave is the standout here: it reads like real flax from across the room, with no sheen and no plasticky hand feel. Behind it sits a pure white flocking backing that delivers the full 100% blackout claim while bouncing heat back out the window, a smarter design than black liners that can read grey in bright rooms. The fabric carries a Global Recycled Standard certification, which I like to see at this price. At $27.95 for two 52-by-84 panels, it costs about four dollars more than the NICETOWN overall pick and earns it on texture alone. With 25,904 ratings averaging 4.6 stars, this is the proven choice for the linen look.
Pros
- Convincing faux-linen texture
- White flocking backing reflects heat
- Global Recycled Standard certified fabric
- True 100% blackout
Cons
- Priciest pick in the guide
- Polyester, not real linen
- Heavier than microfiber panels
Verdict
Yes if the curtain has to look expensive in daylight. Pure blackout hunters on a budget should stick with the Best Overall pick.
LEMOMO Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Best for
Your windows leak heat in winter and blast it in summer. These are for the drafty bedroom or the west-facing living room where the curtain doubles as insulation. Absolute-darkness purists should compare with the Best Overall pick first.
Why we love it
The thermal-insulated build is what separates these from standard blackout panels: the dense polyester weave slows heat transfer in both directions, so the room stays cooler in August and warmer in January. Light blocking lands at 85 to 99%, with the black colorway hitting the top of that range. 51,062 ratings at 4.6 stars back up the energy-saving claim with real buyer experience. Two 52-by-84 panels at $13.85 make this the cheapest thermal option with a five-figure review count; the NICETOWN budget pair is cheaper but gives up the insulation layer. Machine washable too, which matters for a curtain that sits in sun all day.
Pros
- Thermal insulation cuts heat and cold transfer
- 85 to 99% light blocking
- 51,062 ratings at 4.6 stars
- $13.85 for the insulated pair
Cons
- Not a full 100% blackout claim
- This listing is black only
- Heavier to hang than standard panels
Verdict
Yes if your windows are drafty or sun-blasted. If you want absolute darkness above all, the NICETOWN 100% set blocks more light.
Joydeco 96-Inch Blackout Curtains
Best for
You have tall windows, high ceilings, or you hang curtains near the ceiling for the floor-to-ceiling look. Standard 84-inch panels would hover awkwardly above the sill. If your windows are standard height, save money with the Best Overall pick.
Why we love it
96-inch length is the headline: these reach the floor where 84-inch panels fall short, and the line extends to 108 inches for truly tall windows. The triple-weave microfiber blocks light fully while the dense weave absorbs over 35% of outside noise, a claim I do not see on the shorter competitors. Dual hanging with rod pocket and back tabs gives a cleaner, more tailored look than grommets. At $29.99 in 14 colors, it is the only pick here that solves the tall-window problem without custom pricing. The LEMOMO pair cannot touch this length.
Pros
- 96-inch length, up to 108 available
- Absorbs over 35% of outside noise
- Rod pocket plus back tab hanging
- 14 colors to choose from
Cons
- Fewer reviews (1,421) than the established picks
- Microfiber can attract static
- Pricier than standard 84-inch sets
Verdict
Yes for tall windows and high rods; nothing else here fits. Standard windows should stick with the cheaper Best Overall pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blackout curtains really block 100% of light?
The best ones do, through the fabric itself. Triple-weave panels with a liner backing, like our Best Overall pick, genuinely stop all light through the cloth. The catch is the edges: light leaks around the sides and top unless you hang the rod wider than the window and let the panels overlap the wall.
Are blackout curtains good for keeping a room cool?
Yes, especially thermal-insulated ones. The dense weave slows heat transfer, and a light-colored backing reflects sunlight before it warms the room. Our Best Thermal Insulated pick is built specifically for this, but any thick blackout panel beats a sheer or light cotton curtain on a hot afternoon.
How wide should blackout curtains be?
Plan for the two panels to total about twice your window width. A set like our Best Overall pick gives you 104 inches of combined width, which gathers nicely over a standard 48 to 60 inch window. Skimp on width and the panels stretch flat, which lets more light through and looks cheap.
Can you wash blackout curtains?
Most polyester blackout curtains are machine washable in cold water with mild detergent, including our Best Budget and Best Thermal Insulated picks. Skip the bleach and tumble dry low or line dry. The white flocking backing on linen-look panels is the one finish to treat gently, since aggressive washing can dull it over time.
What is the difference between blackout and room darkening curtains?
Blackout curtains block essentially all light through the fabric, usually via a triple weave or liner. Room-darkening curtains block most of it, around 85 to 95%, and are fine for living rooms and nurseries where a little glow is acceptable. Day sleepers and shift workers should insist on true blackout.
Honorable Mentions
Yakamok Grey 100% Blackout Curtains 84 Inch
A strong 4.7-star mid-range option with 8,562 ratings and silvery grommets; the grey colorway hides dust far better than white.
See PriceAmazonJoydeco 84-Inch Thermal Blackout Curtains
18,822 ratings at 4.7 stars make this the most proven thermal value pair if you do not need extra length.
See PriceAmazonChrisDowa Black-Liner Blackout Curtains 63 Inch
Double-layer black liner backing for short windows; a tidy 4.7-star pick at $18.99 for basement and bathroom windows.
See PriceAmazon
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