VerdictAI

Buying guide · 2026

Best Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains promise dark rooms, lower energy bills, and quieter spaces — but actual light-blocking performance varies widely between brands. We read across Amazon verified-purchase reviews, specialist home decor communities, and the expert coverage available for this category to synthesize which panels reviewers consistently rank highest. Note: expert lab testing (RTINGS-style) is sparse for curtains, so this ranking leans heavily on high-volume retailer reviews cross-checked against community sentiment.

At a glance

RankProductBest forAmazon ratingVerdict scorePriceBuy
#1
NICETOWN 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels, Cold and Full Light Blocking Drapes with…
NICETOWN
Best overall
4.878,163
89/100
$19.16Check price
#2
NICETOWN Halloween Pitch Black Solid Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains/Drapes…
NICETOWN
Best budget
4.6129,865
85/100
$9.98Check price
#3
Joydeco Blackout Curtains for Bedroom 84 Inch - Black Out Curtains with Grommets Thermal…
Joydeco
Best noise-dampening
4.718,028
84/100
$25.99Check price
#4
100% Blackout Shield Blackout Curtains for Bedroom 84 Inches Long, Back Tab/Rod Pocket…
100% Blackout Shield
Best 100% blackout (true)
4.67,294
80/100
$38.99Check price
#5
Amazon Basics Portable Room Darkening Blackout Curtain Shade with Suction Cups, Noise…
Amazon Basics
Best for renters (no-drill rod options)
4.415,976
76/100
$20.99Check price

Our top pick

#1 of 5
Top pick · #1NICETOWN 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels, Cold and Full Light Blocking Drapes with Black Liner for…
Best overall

NICETOWN 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels, Cold and Full Light Blocking Drapes with Black Liner for…

NICETOWN

★★★★★4.8(78,163)89Great

Across the reviewers we read, the NICETOWN 100% Blackout panels with the black liner are the most-recommended blackout curtain on Amazon by a wide margin — over 78,000 ratings averaging 4.8 stars, which is exceptional for the category. Customers consistently call out the dedicated black liner sewn into the back as the reason these block more light than the brand's cheaper single-layer drapes, and home decor subreddits routinely surface NICETOWN as a default budget recommendation when shoppers ask for nursery-capable blackout.

Price

$19.16

Read review →Check price

The rest of the rankings

#2–5

Frequently asked

5 questions
Are '100% blackout' curtains really 100% blackout?
Across reviewers, the consensus is no — even panels marketed as 100% blackout will leak light around the edges, top, and bottom where the fabric doesn't seal to the wall. The fabric itself can block close to 100% of light, but to get a truly dark room (nursery-grade), most reviewers recommend pairing curtains with a wraparound rod, ceiling-mount track, or velcro side seals.
What length blackout curtain should I buy?
Reviewer consensus: measure from the rod to where you want the curtain to end, then add a few inches. For maximum blackout, longer-than-window panels that puddle on the floor and mount well above the window frame reduce light leak significantly. 84-inch panels fit standard 8-foot ceilings; 96 or 108 inches are better for taller windows or extended mounts.
Do blackout curtains actually reduce noise?
Reviewers report modest noise reduction — typically muffling high-frequency sounds and softening room acoustics — but they will not block traffic, voices, or bass from a neighbor's TV. Heavier, multi-layer thermal panels (like the Joydeco and NICETOWN thermal lines) get more positive noise-dampening mentions than thin single-layer styles.
Will blackout curtains help with heat and energy bills?
This is one of the more consistent positive signals across customer reviews: thermal-insulated blackout panels noticeably reduce heat transfer through windows, keeping rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The effect is most pronounced on west- and south-facing windows. Independent energy-savings claims, however, are not rigorously tested by third parties.
Are blackout curtains safe around kids and nurseries?
Look for OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification, which most panels in this roundup carry — it indicates the textile has been tested for harmful substances. Reviewers also caution about cord-free hanging (grommet or rod-pocket styles are safer than tie-back cords near cribs).