The 5 Best Blackout Shades of 2024 to Darken Your Room and Keep Cool (2024)

Blackout shades are designed to completely shut out any and all light that could creep in, from sunlight to unfortunately-placed lamp posts that might keep you up. They make a huge difference for those who are sensitive to light or sleep during the day.

“Hotel rooms are known for the blackout drapery treatments that have you in disbelief you slept in so late each morning,” shares Amy Kartheiser Design, founder of Amy Kartheiser Design. “Layer them with sheer draperies so when you do finally get out of bed, you can let the sunlight in while still keeping your privacy.”

We researched and tested some of the most popular picks on the market right now in order to filter out the absolute best blackout shades in the bunch. The following options stand out for quality, price point, and efficiency.

What We Tested

We installed the shades at home to get a sense of how well they worked to block sunlight, artificial light, and heat. Each shade was giving a score for light and heat filtering ability as well as ease of installation, size, and quality of materials.

Best Overall

ChrisDowa Blackout Roller Shade

View On Amazon$32 View On Walmart$36

Our Ratings

Setup
5/5
Effectiveness
4.8/5
Design
5/5
Quality
4.8/5
Value
5/5

Why You Should Get It

This affordable roller shade is super easy to install and highly effective at blocking light.

Keep in Mind

This option is less wide than others and might result in small light leaks in standard windows.

The ChrisDowa 100% Blackout Roller Shade earns the top spot in our books as the " best overall." We found that they’re very good quality—they’re on the thicker side and block all the light, while the material itself feels sturdy and is built to last a long time even with heavy use. The pull chain on the shade is also super easy to use and the mechanism doesn’t get twisted up or stuck when pulling or adjusting the blinds.

We also really like how easy these blinds are to install. The overall time to install this option is only about half an hour or so and doesn’t require any prior knowledge of curtain installation in order to get it right. The price point also makes this blackout shade very appealing; they’re affordable enough to outfit an entire bedroom without spending into the hundreds. We also noticed some slight soundproofing with these shades.

The only slight downside to keep in mind is that this option is narrower than other options on the list, which might result in slight light leaks along the sides of the shade. This would be minimal in most cases and shouldn’t keep you awake, but it is something to be aware of if you’re very sensitive to light.

Size: 72"L x 20"W | Material: Fabric | Style: Roller

Best Roman

Pillowfort Blackout Roman Shade

View On Target$45

Our Ratings

Setup
5/5
Effectiveness
4.4/5
Design
5/5
Quality
4.5/5
Value
4.5/5

Why You Should Get It

This versatile blackout shade is aesthetically pleasing and looks great when used as a regular blind.

Keep in Mind

The white fabric isn’t as efficient at blocking light as black would be.

If you’re looking for a blackout shade that’ll block out light and heat but still offers an aesthetically-pleasing design, consider the Pillowfort Blackout Roman Shade. This option is our favorite in terms of the look and functionality of it. It has a clean design that is super easy to use and won’t get stuck like other shades.

The fabric offers a softer look than your typical blackout shade which makes this one a great option for both living rooms and bedrooms alike. We also really like how quick and easy it is to install these shades—it should take only about 10 to 15 minutes with the right tools.

Keep in mind that if you’re really looking for blackout shades that allow absolutely no light to come through, you might want to opt for a shade in a darker color like black in order to ensure it won’t allow any leakage into your space. That said, these shades still block out enough light (we estimate about 85-90%) to be comfortable and serve as a great alternative to more oppressive-looking blackout options.

Size: 64"L x 27"W | Material: Fabric | Style: Roman

Best Roller

LEVOLOR Blackout Cordless Roller Shade

View On Lowe's$30

Our Ratings

Setup
4.8/5
Effectiveness
4.5/5
Design
4.8/5
Quality
5/5
Value
5/5

Why You Should Get It

This option can be cut to fit your exact window measurements for a perfect fit.

Keep in Mind

The vinyl roller design is a bit clinical looking.

Whether you have particular-shaped windows or you just prefer a very precise finish, the LEVOLOR 37-in x 78-in White Blackout Cordless Roller Shade is by far the best option if you’re looking for a fitted roller blackout shade. The shade is extremely easy to install and use, but the best part is that it was made to be cut to your exact window measurements to ensure a perfect fit.

We found that the shade provides a lot more shade and darkness than similar-looking roller shades and comes at an excellent price point. While it didn’t block sound, it did help keep a sunny room cool in the heat of the day. It’s also worth noting that the vinyl material is super durable and very easy to clean. This means you don’t have to worry about the white colorway even if you share your home with kids or pets.

While we love that this option is customizable and easy to install, the vinyl roller design is a bit clinical looking and might not be the best option for those looking for something softer in style. That said—the streamlined design can easily be paired with softer curtains to create a more cozy finish.

Size: 78"L x 37"W | Material: Vinyl | Style: Roller

Best Cordless

IKEA Trippevals Blackout Cellular Blind

View On Ikea$63

Our Ratings

Setup
3/5
Effectiveness
4.8/5
Design
5/5
Quality
4.5/5
Value
5/5

Why You Should Get It

This cordless blind is extremely efficient at blocking out almost 100 percent of outside light.

Keep in Mind

The instructions are a bit confusing and don’t address certain aspects of blind installation.

The Trippevals Blackout Cellular Blind from Ikea cuts out almost all natural light when it’s completely closed. This option is slightly more expensive than the average blackout blind, but it’s worth it if you want something that’ll truly offer a blackout experience during the daytime. The blackout shade is also extremely efficient at keeping your room cool on hot days, even when left partially open.

We also like that this cordless cellular blind is a soft-looking polyester material that adds warmth to the space and doesn’t look clinical like some cellular blinds can. The minimal design can also be paired with sheer curtains for additional visual interest.

You’ll want to keep in mind that these blinds are crafted by Ikea—which means the instruction manual is wordless and only uses images to explain the installation process. This works fine for furniture but is actually quite confusing when it comes to affixing things to the wall or ceiling in a proper manner. It’s also worth noting that this option doesn’t come with wall materials to hang the blinds.

Size: 76 ¾"L x 30"W | Material: Polyester | Style: Cordless

Best Cellular

SBARTAR Cordless Blackout Shades

View On Amazon$30

Why You Should Get It

This cellular blind is quick and easy to install thanks to the cordless design.

Keep in Mind

The paper-like material is aesthetically distinctive.

We adored the design of this shade. It’s cordless and suitable for kids' rooms from a safety perspective, while the bottom handle makes it easy to adjust the shade manually. We found the shades easy to set up (it took only about ten minutes) and they offered a serious reduction in both outside light and heat during testing, which makes it easier to sleep while keeping the room cooler.

We really like that this option is relatively affordable without sacrificing quality or efficiency. It also has a different color on either side, giving a different look depending on how you hang your blind. This allows you to choose between colors once the blind is in your home rather than having to visualize how the colors will look before making a purchase.

One potential downside is that the fabric material looks almost paper-like which gives off a very distinct decor style. Keep in mind that despite its delicate look, it’s still made from durable material and won’t crease or tear the way a regular paper blind would.

Size: 64"L x 23"W | Material: Fabric | Style: Honeycomb

The Bottom Line

After conducting research and lab testing, the ChrisDowa 100% Blackout Roller Shade won our pick for "best overall" due to its affordable price point, efficiency, and minimalist design that’ll suit just about any style of home decor.

Our Testing Process

We tested 18 blackout shades and curtains to determine exactly which ones were worth the investment. We installed the curtains in our homes and evaluated their effectiveness, specifically focusing on the ease of installation, the size and how well the shades fit the window, the quality of the material and how efficiently the shades blocked out the sun and heat. For each of these categories we assigned the shades a rating and tallied the averages to determine the highest-scoring models.

The 5 Best Blackout Shades of 2024 to Darken Your Room and Keep Cool (16)

What to Know About Blackout Shades Before Shopping

Size

Blackout shades—like any other kind of window treatment—come in all kinds of sizes to best suit your specific windows. Make sure to carefully measure your window and compare with multiple shades to get the closest fit. This will ensure your shades function as well as possible. Properly fitting blackout shades won’t let light leak in from the sides or bottom of the shade, while a poor fit will render even the best shades less effective.

You should also think about whether the shades are meant to be mounted inside or outside. “Traditionally, an inside mount means shades are installed inside the window frame, but this can cause light to peek in between the shade and window when it’s pulled down,” says Kelly Simpson, senior director of design and innovation at Budget Blinds. “An outside mount is installed above the frame, which can cover the entire window opening.”

Material

The best material for a blackout shade depends on your specific preferences and exactly what you need the shades for. Polyester material is common and efficient at blocking out the light, but vinyl (the material our pick for the best roller-style blackout shade is made from) is going to be much better for providing a cooling effect on your room as well.

Style

The best blackout shades are available in numerous styles to suit different design aesthetics and preferences. The most popular option that you’ll find on the market (including our top pick) is a roman-style blind, like the Pillowfort Blackout Roman Shade, which offers a softer alternative to more utilitarian options. You’ll also find cordless blinds and roller options that can be great for homes where kids are present. This style is much easier to use and provides a safer alternative to dangling cords.

“Roman shades can offer a more elegant style, but they may not work for wide windows,” Simpson says. “Blackout cellular shades are perfect for wide windows with the added benefit of energy efficiency, roller shades are a great choice for those who want energy efficiency while also being more budget friendly, and natural woven wood shades can also be lined with a blackout liner combining function with an eco-friendly style.”

Other Blackout Shades We Tested

Redi Shade No Tools Easy Lift Trim-at-Home Cordless Cellular Blackout

We also tested the Redi Shade No Tools Easy Lift Trim-at-Home Cordless Cellular Blackout Fabric Shade White, which did not make our list of the best blackout shades because we felt the quality was weaker than other options. While they blocked the light extremely well, the material did not feel like it would hold up with regular use as well as the other options.

ECLIPSE Drew 100% Total Blackout Cordless Roman Blind and Shade - Eclipse

These shades did a decent job of blocking out the light—we estimated it kept about 85% out of the room—but they weren’t as effective as most of the blackout shades we tried. Gaps around the sides also allowed a pretty significant amount of light leak. While they were fairly smooth to operate, the pull hook was sharp and actually a bit painful, which was a pretty big downside.

Your Questions, Answered

What type of shade is best for blackout?

Even if the shade has the “blackout” label, it may only be light filtering. To achieve complete darkness and a cooler temperature in a room, Lisa Jane, interior designer at Ruling Homes, says the best option is a cellular blackout shade. “These shades are specifically designed to block out light and are a popular choice for bedrooms, nurseries, and home theaters,” she says.

How much do blackout shades cost?

Blackout shades range in cost depending on the size, style, and brand you’re looking at. You can expect to find a high-quality blackout shade for about $30—but if you need something larger or specialized, you might end up paying closer to $60-$100 for your shades. The options on our list of the best blackout shades range from $30 to $63.

Are blackout shades energy efficient?

Depending on the material, most blackout shades can provide a certain degree of energy efficiency by helping to insulate windows and reduce heat transfer.

“By blocking out sunlight and reducing heat gain, blackout shades can help to keep indoor spaces cooler and reduce the need for air conditioning,” Jane says. “Some blackout shades are designed with reflective materials or thermal insulation to improve their energy-saving properties further.”

Do blackout shades work?

Blackout shades work well at cutting down light pollution and cooling your space—but they can’t block 100% of the light. Most shades will block the vast majority of light from coming into your home but the only way to ensure 100% blackout would be to add an additional set of curtains over the shades to block any leakage that might occur from the sides or bottom of your blackout shades.

Who We Are

This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Better Homes & Gardens with three years of experience specifically writing lifestyle content and product reviews for a variety of publications, and Kaitlyn McInnis, a former lifestyle editor and freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. They also consulted Amy Kartheiser Design, founder of Amy Kartheiser Design, Lisa Jane, interior designer at Ruling Homes, Kelly Simpson, senior director of design and innovation at Budget Blinds.